The Water-Witch or, The Skimmer of the Seas

t heinous si

, to be my fa

am a daughter

to his

nt of

. All recollection of the object of his visit was evidently forgotten, in a new and livelier interest; and had there been one to watch his movements, the last motive imputed to his presence would probably have been the one that was true. There was so little of that vulgar and common character, which is usually seen in men of his pursuit, in the gentle aspect and subdued air of his fine features, that it might be fancied

arles to his brother and successor, had left it without the protection of those charters and other privileges that had been granted to most of the governments of America. The connexion with the crown was direct, and, for a long period, the majority of the inhabitants were considered as of a different race, and of course as of one less to be considered, than that of their conquerors. Such was the laxity of the times on the subject of injustice to the people of this hemisphere, that the predatory expeditions of Drake and others against the wealthy occupants of the more southern count

f an unlawful trade; and it will therefore create little surprise, that she saw reason to distrust the legality of some of her uncle's speculations, with less pain than might be felt by one of her sex and opinions at the pre

fted by nature, had its influence in persuading Alida to reappear. At all events, she was soon seen

, who preceded Alida, "and the woman is uppermost in her heart. Thou wilt never be forgiven, should t

of his trade. "Here are silks from the looms of Tuscany, and Lyonnois brocades, that any Lombard, or dame of France, migh

these precious goods? Thou knowest the long war, and the moral certainty of its continuance; this German succession to the throne, and the late earthquakes in th

ue of my goods, that you know is fixed; f

at a nimble sixpence multiplies faster than a slow-moving shilling. 'Tis the constant rolling of the ball that causes the snow to cleave! Goods t

with his money-bags under his pillow. There are others who wait, with impatience, to see the articles; and I have not cro

udge of the quality of Master Seadrift's articles, by report.

tle cheapening? But produce thy stores, Mr. Dogmatism; I warrant me the fashions are of some rejected use, or that the color of the

lace, at the wharf, under the inspection of honest Master Tiller-but if

thee the compliment to examine the effects-though the long war, the glut of furs, the over-abundance of the last year's harvests, and the perfect quiet in the mining districts, have thrown all commerce flat on its back. I'l

interests of his guest, the tenacious trader had already quitted the room, a

e seamen, and the others who doubtless surround the bales," said Alida,

early hours of the night, and the Alderman will be occupied long, ere he comes to the determination to pay the prices my people are sure to ask. I

and her hand was placed upon the cord of the bell, before s

as much of secret irony, as of that pensive character which had again taken possession of his countenance; "but ring, and bring your attendants to reli

s past the hour of attendance;-it is better

casioned so much uneasiness to Alida, regarded h

ular compound of thy sex's weakness, and of manly resolution, belle Barbérie; but trust me," and he laid his hand on his heart with an earnestness that spoke well for his sincerity; "ere

to await the result, without alarm. In half a minute, there was a rustling among the leaves of the shrubbery, a m

fastenings of the little bale, that had entered the saloon, seemingly without the aid of hands. "These goods are so many ga

da to resist any longer. She gradually lost her reserve, as the examination proceeded; and before the owner of the treasures had

, and variegated as the land it came from. One might fancy the vines and vegetation of that deep soil were shooting from this labor of the loom-nay, the piece is sufficient for any toilette, however ample; see, it

pleasure in these stuffs, chiefl

the far Eastern lands; they do not disfigure a lady's dressing-table, and have a moral, for they remind her of countri

d might do credit to one who

ating its texture and quality. "There was a compact between me and the maker, that enough should be furnished to reach from the high church-tower of his town, to th

icle that was to visit so many different c

those who respect its privileges. Under the sanction of such authority,

nufacture sho

of her companion, fixed on her face, in a manner that seemed to express a consciousness of

r a court lady, than a

its extremes, and one whose merchants were princes. Your Florentine was subtle in his fabrics, and happy in his conceits of forms and colors, for which he stood indebted to

l?" said Alida, suffering the articles to fall from her hand

nd of a Venetian could alone form these delicate and nearly insensible

in one who trades

stronger than the thirst of gain; and this chain does

scarcely spare time to seek

speaks in the security of many conquests, or she would not deal

d not pretend to a knowledge of things, that, in their very nature, must be hidde

hange for a few skins of Lachrymy? Christi, that he swallowed with his eyes shut. I dealt with the fellow, only in pity for h

d well-concealed offerings to herself. The effect of this suspicion was two-fold; it caused the maiden to become more reserved in t

oldly, at this repeated declaration of her companion's intentions, "though it would seem that, in trade,

the material. The meek daughter of solitude wept when she parted with the fabric, for, in her eyes, it had the tie of association and habit. A companion might be lost to o

ome of a race that pays little deference to monastic life, for we are refugees from the severity of

Alida was half-disposed to think bold, played about the handsome mouth of the speaker) "but it was so reported. What is your opinio

his is not a country to immure females, and t

ers, than if left to the seductions and follies of life.-Ah! here is work of English hands. I scarcely know how the articles found their way into the company of the products of the foreign loom

eturned the maiden, with commendable reserve. "There are some who think the abuse of power a

tune! He has entrenched his gains behind acknowledged barriers, and he preache

ly, as to cause her com

htful, that you pa

not have it said-no! 'tis but a chance that springs from some resemblance in your

much as fortune wills. Of what m

he polished and graceful features of the stranger, longer than was wo

requent there than of old. Ages hence, the plow may trace furrows where the Bucentaur has floated! The outer India passage has changed the current of prosperity, which ever rushes in the widest and newest track. Nations might learn a moral, by studying the sleepy canals and instructive magnificence of

e whose greatest offence against established usage is a little haz

object shall be to remove the temptations to err, instead of creating them, and when bodies of men shall feel and acknowledge the resp

la belle Barbérie, and she arose

h all her natural firmness. "Wi

world-the outlaw-the flagrant wanderer of the ocean-the lawl

Alida uttered a shriek, veiled her face