The Water-Witch or, The Skimmer of the Seas

you, how

ds with you, and

yl

on of the individual who had so unceremoniously entered, curiosity aided in inducing her to remain. Perhaps a vague, but a very natural, expectation that she was again to dismiss the c

ded expression to a face that might otherwise have been wanting in some of that character which is thought essential to comeliness in man. The forehead was smooth and low; the nose, though prominent and bold in outline, of exceeding delicacy in detail; the mouth and lips full, a little inclined to be arch, though the former appeared as if it might at times be pensive; the teeth were even and unsullied; and the chin was small, round, dimpled, and so carefully divested of the distinguishing mark of the sex, that

arments resembled that of those already described as worn by the man who has announced himself as Master Til

e; active, than athletic. The loose trowsers were of a fine white jean, the cap of scarlet velvet, ornamented with gold, and the body was belted with a large cord

nted pistols were at the stranger's girdle; and the haft, of a curiously-carved Asiatic dag

tered, so soon as he had fairly landed in the centre of Alida's little saloon. "Come forth, my dealer in the covering of the beaver, for here is one who

ain, with an air of coolness that her beating heart had nigh betrayed to be counterfe

t in which it is abstracted from the dreaded object. Still, when she saw a hand on a pistol, the maiden was again about to flee; nor was her resolution to remain confirmed, until s

gay young stranger "he has more than atoned for his absence by the substitut

extend to expressing a desire, that this pavilion may be exempt from the discussio

air, to the lights that still burned near each other in face of an open

han what are usually seen in my apartment at this hour-with, indee

eep and newly-awakened interest-"your uncle!--This, then, is one far-famed and justly extolled; la belle Barbérie!" he added

her fears, we shall probably do no violence either to the truth or to a very natural feeling. Profoundly ignorant of the details of commerce, and accustomed to hear its mysteries extolled as exercising the keenest and best faculties of man, she saw nothing extraordinary in those who were actively engaged in the pursuit having reasons fo

udying her features with an expression of face, in which pleasure vied with evident and touching mela

in anger. "I do not deny that the partiality of friends, coupled with my origin, have obtained the appellation, which is given, however, more in playfulness t

cidents seem so vulgar, and of every-day occurrence. There is mystery in its beginning and its end; in its impulses; its sympathies and all its discordant passions. No, d

uld apprize her uncle of the stranger's presence; but propriety and prudence lose much of their influence, when female curiosity is sustained by a secret and powerful sympathy. Her own eloquent eye met the o

e privations and hardships of so weary a voyage," she said. "This is

-These arms-these foolish arms, had better not have been here," he added, casting the pistols and dagger indignantly, through a

Belle, firmly. "I dread the

. See, here are all the pretty materials, with which thy sex seeks innocent and happy amusement. Thou touchest this lute, when melancholy renders thought pleasing; here are colors to mock, or to e

t articles he named, with a melancholy interest, which seemed to say how deeply he regr

interest in the trifles which constitute a woman's pleasure,"

e and boisterous trade

a merchant, so extensively known as my unc

s mind was constructed. "The History of the American Buccaneers is a rare book to be found in a lady's li

addressing one of the very rovers in question. "The book was lent me by a brave seaman, who holds himself in readiness to repress their depredations; and while reading of so much wickedness

rame for the gaudy tambour-these windows look on a landscape, soft as thine own nature; and yonder ocean can be ad

strongly painted on his handsome face; but, ere there was time for seco

ee hither? Is this the way to keep a cloak on our movements? or dost sup

sconcerted burgher, and pointing to the lights that still stood where last desc

ut fear thee not, Master Seadrift; my niece has discretion, and if we have no better pledge for her silence, there is that of necessity; since there is no

of mockery. "We have the pledge of character, if no other; since the un

of tying us of the colonies, hand and foot, heart and soul, with their acts of Parliament, saying 'with us shalt thou trade, or not at all.' B

d now, having so commendabiy disposed of the moral of our bargain, let us approach its legitimate, if not its lawful, conclusion. There," he added, drawing a small bag from an inner pocket of his frock, and

pare thyself the trouble of looking for the memorandum; I will tell the gold myself, to save thee the trouble. Truly, the adventure hath not been bad! A few kegs of Jamaica, with a little powder and l

nest burgher, will be flaunting in the presence of the Emperor, at the next holi

the heaviest-but, luckily

ightly on the arm of the other: "No scales between us, Sir! That was taken in return for thy adventure; heavy or light, it must g

oon into the bag again, in a manner that at once removed the object of contention from view. "A little particularity in the balance part of co

plen

estine traffic! I never get the notice of thy arrival, Master Seadrift, but the heart within me leape

fest of w

fessional glory in thus defeating the selfishness of our rulers. What! are we born of woman, to be used as the instruments of their

still deal in

not multiplying gold. The list of the a

r me, Alderman Van Beverout, which, like others of my caprices, thou

tightest clause, of these extra-legal compacts. The courts receive the evidence of th

the presence of la belle Barbérie may serve to prevent any misconceptions

her opinions of her uncle's stability. If a man does not maintain

o receive none at home. But thou kno

inderhook, a man who loves English legislation as little as myself;-he will be less reluctant to see an honest shill

of manors and mortgages. Bring forth the lady,

d the charge of a child, Master Seadrift, an

pocket, and preparing to rise from the table, where he had already seated himself.-"The lady know

g her chamber, and she shall come. But there need be no explanations, to recall old intercour

thine own secrets, burgher, and they are safe. Still, I would have th

rate care; "drop but a single letter, and one dreams of the pains and penalties of the Exchequer.-Remem

re all others as clever, the trade wou

ho, it would seem, fully understood the positive character of his companion, no longer hesi