The Water-Witch or, The Skimmer of the Seas

lot; yet, we

re wash'd with t

ture for such

And

of the fortieth degree of latitude, cannot fail to make a pleasing picture. Su

own by the name of Sandy-Hook. This tongue of land appears to have been made by the unremitting and opposing actions of the waves, on one side, and of the currents of the different rivers, that empty their waters into the bay, on the other. It is commonly connected with the low coast of New-Jersey, to the so

t just named communicates directly with its waters, whenever the passage is open. The Shrewsbury, a river of the fourth or fifth class, or in other words a stream of a few hundred feet in width, and of no great length, comes from the south, running nearly parallel with the coast, and becomes a tributary of the Bay, also, at a point near the Cove. Between the Shrewsbury and the sea, the land resembles that on the cape, being low and sandy, though not entirely without fertility. It is covered with a modest growth of pines and oaks, where it is not either subje

ur. The extent of their possessions served, at that day, to keep others at a distance. If to this fact be added the formation and quality of the ground, which was, at so early a period, of trifling value for agricultural purposes, it will be seen there was as little motive, as there was opportunity, for strangers to intrude. As

orhood united in affirming there was no such bird in America. In front of the house, there was a narrow but an exceedingly neat lawn, encircled by shrubbery; while two old elms, that seemed coeval with the mountain, grew in the rich soil of which the base of the latter was composed. Nor was there a want of shade on any part of the natural terrace, that was occupied by the buildings. It was thickly sprinkled with fruit-trees, and here and there was a pine, or an oak, of the native growth. A declivity that was rather rapid fell away in front, to the level of the mouth of the river. In short, it was an amp

vity had gradually subsided: and before the clock struck nine, the manner in which the lights were distributed, and the general silence, showed that the party, most probably fatig

cted altogether in a different style. This was a pavilion erected for the particular accommodation, and at the cost, of la belle Barbérie. Here the heiress of the two fortunes was accustomed to keep her own little ménage, during the weeks passed in the country; and here she amused herself, in t

of the windows. Alida was at an age when the sex is most sensible of lively impressions, and she looked abroad on the loveliness of the

n and without the barrier of sand that forms the cape; but the body of the element was heaving and setting heavily, in a manner to resemble the sleeping respiration of some being of huge physical frame. The roar of the surf, which rolled up in long and white curls upon the sands, was the only audible sound; but that was heavy and incessant, sometimes swelling on the

within its protection. There was the look of womanly pride in her dark eye, and haply some consciousness of womanly power in th

she spoke under the influence of a triumph that was too natural to be suppressed.

ice from among the shrubbery that grew beneath and nearly veiled the windo

ring to cross the low barrier that still separated him from the little parlor, the young man endeavored to read the

or wonder, in the countenance of the fair descendant of the Huguenot. The blood mantled more richly on her chee

" she said, in a voice whose meaning admitted of no misconception; "but I had hoped h

th; "you know the obstacles that the jealous watchfulnes

erout has weakly believed the sex and condition of h

e from cold observances into cause of serious complaint. I had hoped-perhaps, I should say, I have presumed on the contents of your letter, for which I re

for a moment it appeared as if her high self-dependence was a little weakened. After an i

she said. "In answering your letter, I have consulted good-nature more than p

whole sex, be my punishment! But, have I not reason to complain of this inconstancy, on your part? Ought I to expect

s strong, Sir; and it expresses more than an act of courtesy, so simple as that wh

ave your own words to refute that averted eye and cold look; and, by the faith of a sailor! Alida, I will believe your deliberate and well-reflected thoughts

ciousness. The customs of the age, the profession of her suitor, and the hour, induced her to look steadily in to his face, to see whether the man stood before her in all the decency of his reason. But Ludlow had the reputation of being e

ir de m'apporter de cette eau de la fontaine du bosquet, et du vin-le Capitaine Ludlow a soif; et rapelle-t

e confidence of having deprived the visit of Ludlow of its clandestine character, and at the same time having employed

reet, not to call it cruel," she said, so soon as they were again alone; "but that you have it,

ng a letter,-we admit it with some reluctance in one so simple and so manly,-from

g a billet that she now began to repent having ever written. "The language of politeness and f

osity got the better of her resentment. We shall give the contents of the letter, precisely in the words wh

sensible to the merit of men of this bold calling. Admiration for the sea, and for those who live on it has been her weakness through life; and her visions of the future, like her recollections of the past, are not entirely exempt from a contemplation of its ple

ird time conned, ere Alida ventured to raise h

Ludlow has seen proper to ascribe to me!" she said, wh

, lovely Alida, could utter language so

nquering feelings that were strangely in contradiction to each other, she said wit

he writer's taste, if not for her sanity, I believe it is in my power to show the trifle I thought it decorous to w

hat the very wicked and cowardly, among seamen, exist only as foils to render the qualities of the very bold and manly more conspicuous. No one can be more sensible of this truth than the friends of Captain Ludlow," the voice of Alida fell a little, as she came to this sentence, 'who has not now to earn a reputation for mercy. In return, I send t

ece of the Alderman, as she raised her glowing face from leaning over the pa

o truly loves can never long exult in any violation of propriety, in the object of his affections, even though the concession be made in his own favor. Under the influence of this commendable and healthful feeling, Ludlow, while he was in some respects mortified at the turn affairs had taken, felt sensibly relieved from a load of doubt, to which the extraordinary language of the letter, he believed his mistress to have written, h

spondent better; I much mistake if th

ples, and hid his face, for a mo

ed la belle Barbérie, "and cannot be insensible

my judge, you shall hear only truth. I confess this is not the first of the letters, written in the same hand-perhaps I should say in t

aw fit to inscribe my name as its author. Ludlow! Ludlow! h

it so unnatural to believe that another might view it with the same eyes? But since you disavow the letter-nay, your disavowal is un

ited the respect of her suitor, and it was a triumph heightened by recent mortification. Then succeeded a pa

, et il a mis la cléf de la cave an vin dessous son oreiller. Ma foi, ce n'est pas facile d'avoir du bon

le capitaine va partir

for the captain's disappointment, "mais, Monsieur Lood

admirer, in a manner that left him doubtful whether he ought most to repine, or to rejoice. "Tha

that would not admit of denial, la belle Barbér

former, as he was lighted to the outer door of the pavil

e fan, de book, mais quant an vin, Monsieur le Capitaine, parole d'h

he agreeable duty, to-day, of

re Corneille. On prétend, que Monsieur Shak-a-

aves?-you were charged also w

of an enormous aquiline nose, while he seemed to muse. Then shaking his head perpendicularly

Mam'selle Alide did say, prenez-y garde; but I no see him, depuis. Je suppose 'twas beaux compliments

e hands of the valet. "If you should ever discover what became of that paper, ho

Monsieur le Patteroon, pourtant, on dit, qu'il doit avoir de jolies maisons et assez de rentes publiques! J'aime à servir un si généreu