“ I ’ll give
thee a wind. “ Thou art kind.
“ And I another “ I
myself have all the other.”
Macbeth.
The cloud above the mouth of the Raritan
had not risen. On the contrary, the breeze still
came from off the sea; and the brigantine in the Cove,
with the cruiser of the Queen, still lay at their anchors,
like two floating habitations that were not intended
to be removed. The hour was that at which the
character of the day becomes fixed; and there was no
longer any expectation that a landwind would enable
the vessel of the free-trader to repass the inlet,
before the turn of the tide, which was again running
swiftly on the flood.
The windows of the Lust in Rust were
open, as when its owner was present; and the menials
were employed, in and about the villa, in their customary
occupations; though it was evident, by the manner in
which they stopped to converse, and by the frequent
conferences which had place in secret corners, that
they wondered none the less at the unaccountable disappearance
of their young mistress. In all other respects,
the villa and its grounds were, as usual, quiet and
seemingly deserted.
But there was a group collected beneath
the shade of an oak on the margin of the Cove, and
at a point where it was rare for man to be seen.
This little party appeared to be in waiting for some
expected communication from the brigantine; since
they had taken post on the side of the inlet, next
the cape, and in a situation so retired, as to be entirely
hid from any passing observation of those who might
enter or leave the mouth of the Shrewsbury. In
short, they were on the long, low, and narrow barrier
of sand, that now forms the projection of the Hook,
and which, by the temporary breach that the Cove had
made between its own waters and that of the ocean,
was then an island.
“Snug should be the motto of
a merchant,” observed one of these individuals,
whose opinions will sufficiently announce his name
to the reader. “He should be snug in his
dealings, and snug in his manner of conducting them;
snug in his credits, and, above all, snug in his speculations.
There is as little need gentlemen, in calling in the
aid of a posse-comitatus for a sensible
man to keep his household in order, as that a discreet
trader should go whistling through the public markets,
with the history of his operations. I gladly court
two so worthy assistants, as Captain Cornelius Ludlow
and Mr. Oloff Van Staats; for I know there will be
no useless gossip concerning the trifling derangement
that hath occurred. Ah! the black hath had communications
with the free-trader always supposing the
opinion of Mr. Ludlow concerning the character of
the vessel to be just and he is quitting
the brigantine.”
Neither of the companions of the Alderman
made any reply. Each watched the movement of
the skiff that contained their messenger, and each
seemed to feel an equal interest in the result of
his errand. Instead, however, of approaching
the spot where his master and his two friends expected
him, the negro, though he knew that his boat was necessary
to enable the party to recross the inlet, pulled directly
for the mouth of the river, a course that
was exactly contrary to the one he was expected to
take.
“Rank disobedience!” grumbled
the incensed master. “The irreverent dog
is deserting us, on this neck of barren sand, where
we are cut off from all communication with the interior,
and are as completely without intelligence of the
state of the market, and other necessaries, as men
in a desert!”
“Here comes one that seems disposed
to bring us to a parley,” observed Ludlow, whose
practised eye had first detected a boat quitting the
side of the brigantine, as well as the direction it
was about to steer.
The young commander was not deceived;
for a light cutter, that played like a bubble on its
element; was soon approaching the shore, where the
three expectants were seated. When it was near
enough to render sight perfectly distinct, and speech
audible without an effort, the crew ceased rowing,
and permitted the boat to lie in a state of rest.
The mariner of the India-shawl then arose in the stern-sheets,
and examined the thicket behind the party, with a
curious and suspicious eye. After a sufficient
search, he signed to his crew to force the cutter still
nigher to the land, and spoke:
“Who has affairs with any of
the brigantine?” he coolly demanded, wearing
the air of one who had no reason to anticipate the
object of their visit. “She has little
left that can turn to profit, unless she parts with
her beauty.”
“Truly, good stranger,”
returned the Alderman, laying a sufficient emphasis
on the latter word, “here are none disposed to
a traffic, which might not be pleasing to the authorities
of the country, were its nature known. We come
with a desire to be admitted to a conference with the
commander of the vessel, on a matter of especial but
private concern.”
“Why send a public officer on
the duty? I see one, there, in the livery of
Queen Anne. We are no lovers of Her Majesty’s
servants, and would not willingly form disagreeable
acquaintances.”
Ludlow nearly bit-through his lip,
in endeavoring to repress his anger, at the cool confidence
of one who had already treated him with so little
ceremony; and then momentarily forgetting his object,
in professional pride, and perhaps we might add in
the habits of his rank, he interrupted the dialogue
“If you see the livery of the
royal authority,” he said, haughtily, “you
must be sensible it is worn by one who is commissioned
to cause its rights to be respected. I demand
the name and character of yon brigantine?”
“As for character, she is, like
any other beauty, something vituperated; nay, some
carry their envy so far as to call it cracked!
But we are jolly mariners that sail her, and little
heed crazy reports at the expense of our mistress.
As for a name, we answer any hail that is fairly spoken,
and well meant. Call us ‘Honesty,’
if you will, for want of the register.”
“There is much reason to suspect
your vessel of illegal practices; and, in the name
of the Queen, I demand access to her papers, and the
liberty of a free search into her cargo and crew.
Else will there be necessity to bring her under the
guns of the cruiser, which lies at no great distance,
waiting only for orders.”
“It takes no scholar to read
our documents, Captain Ludlow; for they are written
by a light keel on the rolling waters, and he who follows
in our wake may guess at their authority. If
you wish to overhaul our cargo, you must look sharply
into the cuffs and aprons, the negligees and stomachers
of the Governor’s lady, at the next ball at the
fort; or pry into the sail that is set above the farthingales
of the wife and daughters of your Admiralty Judge!
We are no cheesemongers, to break the shins of a boarding
officer among boxes and butter-tubs.”
“Your brigantine has a name,
sirrah; and, in Her Majesty’s authority, I demand
to know it.”
“Heaven forbid that any here
should dispute the Queen’s right! You are
a seaman, Captain Ludlow, and have an eye for comeliness
in a craft, as well as in a woman. Look at those
harpings! There is no fall of a shoulder can
equal that curve, in grace or richness; this shear
surpasses the justness and delicacy of any waist:
and there you see the transoms, swelling and rounded
like the outlines of a Venus. Ah! she is a bewitching
creature; and no wonder that, floating as she does,
on the seas, they should have called her ”
“Water-Witch!” said Ludlow, finding that
the other paused.
“You deserve to be one of the
sisterhood yourself, Captain Ludlow, for this readiness
in divination!”
“Amazement and surprise, Patroon!”
exclaimed Myndert, with a tremendous hem “Here
is a discovery to give a respectable merchant more
uneasiness than the undutiful conduct of fifty nieces!
This vessel is then the famous brigantine of the notorious
‘Skimmer of the Seas!’ a man whose misdeeds
in commerce are as universally noted, as the stoppage
of a general dealer! Pray, Master Mariner, do
not distrust our purposes. We do not come, sent
by any authority of the country, to pry into your past
transactions, of which it is quite unnecessary for
you to speak; and far less to indulge in any unlawful
thirst of gain, by urging a traffic that is forbidden
by the law. We wish solely to confer with the
celebrated free-trader and rover, who must, if your
account be true, command the vessel, for a few minutes,
on an affair of common interest to the three.
This officer of the Queen is obliged, by his duty,
to make certain demands of you, with which you will
comply, or not, at your own good discretion; and since
Her Majesty’s cruiser is so far beyond reach
of bullet, it cannot be expected you will do otherwise;
but further than that, he has no present intention
to proceed. Parleys and civilities! Captain
Ludlow, we must speak the man fair, or he will leave
us to get over the inlet and back to the Lust in Rust,
as we may; and that, too, as empty-handed as we came.
Remember our stipulations, without observing which
I shall withdraw from the adventure, altogether.”
Ludlow bit his lip, and continued
silent. The seaman of the shawl, or Master Tiller,
as he has been more than once called, again narrowly
examined the back-ground, and caused his boat to approach
so near the land, that it was possible to step into
it, by the stern.
“Enter,” he said to the
Captain of the Coquette, who needed no second invitation;
“enter, for a valuable hostage is a safe-pledge,
in a truce. The Skimmer is no enemy to good company;
and I have done justice to the Queen’s servitor,
by introducing him already, by name and character.”
“Fellow, the success of your
deception may cause you to triumph for a time; but
remember that the Coquette ”
“Is a wholesome boat, whose
abilities I have taken, to the admeasurement of her
moment-glass;” observed Tiller, very coolly taking
the words out of the other’s mouth. “But
as there is business to be done with the Skimmer,
we will speak more of this anon.”
The mariner of the shawl, who had
maintained his former audacious demeanor, now became
grave; and he spoke to his crew with authority, bidding
them pull the boat to the side of the brigantine.
The exploits, the mysterious character,
and the daring of the Water-Witch, and of him who
sailed her, were, in that day, the frequent subjects
of anger, admiration, and surprise. Those who
found pleasure in the marvellous, listened to the
wonders that were recounted of her speed and boldness,
with pleasure; they who had been so often foiled in
their attempts to arrest the hardy dealers in contraband,
reddened at her name; and all wondered at the success
and intelligence with which her movements were controlled.
It will, therefore, create no astonishment when we
say, that Ludlow and the Patroon drew near to the
light and graceful fabric with an interest that deepened
at each stroke of the oars. So much of a profession
which, in that age, was particularly marked and apart
from the rest of mankind in habits and opinions, had
been interwoven into the character of the former,
that he could not see the just proportions, the graceful
outlines of the hull, or the exquisite symmetry and
neatness of the spars and rigging, without experiencing
a feeling somewhat allied to that which undeniable
superiority ecites in the heart of even a rival.
There was also a taste in the style of the merely ornamental
parts of the delicate machine, which caused as much
surprise as her model and rig.
Seamen, in all ages, and in every
state of their art, have been ambitious of bestowing
on their floating habitations, a style of decoration
which, while appropriate to their element, should
be thought somewhat analogous to the architectural
ornaments of the land. Piety, superstition, and
national usages, affect these characteristic ornaments,
which are still seen, in different quarters of the
world, to occasion broad distinctions between the
appearances of vessels. In one, the rudder-head
is carved with the resemblance of some hideous monster;
another shows goggling eyes and lolling tongues from
its cat-heads; this has the patron saint, or the ever-kind
Marie, embossed upon its mouldings or bows; while that
is covered with the allegorical emblems of country
and duty. Few of these efforts of nautical art
are successful, though a better taste appears to be
gradually redeeming even this branch of human industry
from the rubbish of barbarism, and to be elevating
it to a state which shall do no violence to the more
fastidious opinions of the age. But the vessel
of which we write, though constructed at so remote
a period, would have done credit to the improvements
of our own time.
It has been said that the hull of
this celebrated smuggler was low, dark, moulded with
exquisite art, and so justly balanced as to ride upon
its element like a sea-fowl. For a little distance
above the water, it showed a blue that vied with the
color of the deep ocean, the use of copper being then
unknown; while the more superior parts were of a jet
black, delicately relieved by two lines, of a straw-color,
that were drawn, with mathematical accuracy, parallel
to the plane of her upper works, and consequently
converging slightly towards the sea, beneath her counter.
Glossy hammock-cloths concealed the persons of those
who were on the deck, while the close bulwarks gave
the brigantine the air of a vessel equipped for war.
Still the eye of Ludlow ran curiously along the whole
extent of the two straw-colored lines, seeking in
vain some evidence of the weight and force of her
armament. If she had ports at all, they were so
ingeniously concealed as to escape the keenest of his
glances. The nature of the rig has been already
described. Partaking of the double character
of brig and schooner, the sails and spars of the forward-mast
being of the former, while those of the after-mast
were of the latter construction, seamen have given
to this class of shipping the familiar name of Hermaphrodites.
But, though there might be fancied, by this term, some
want of the proportions that constitute seemliness,
it will be remembered that the departure was only
from some former rule of art, and that no violence
had been done to those universal and permanent laws
which constitute the charm of nature. The models
of glass, which are seen representing the machinery
of a ship, are not more exact or just in their lines
than were the cordage and spars of this brigantine.
Not a rope varied from its true direction; not a sail,
but it resembled the neat folds of some prudent house
wife; not a mast or a yard was there, but it rose
into the air, or stretched its arms, with the most
fastidious attention to symmetry. All was airy,
fanciful, and full of grace, seeming to lend to the
fabric a character of unreal lightness and speed.
As the boat drew near her side, a change of the air
caused the buoyant bark to turn, like a vane, in its
current; and as the long and pointed proportions of
her head-gear came into view, Ludlow saw beneath the
bowsprit an image that might be supposed to make,
by means of allegory, some obvious allusions to the
character of the vessel. A female form, fashioned
with the carver’s best skill, stood on the projection
of the cut-water. The figure rested lightly on
the ball of one foot, while the other was suspended
in an easy attitude, resembling the airy posture of
the famous Mercury of the Bolognese. The drapery
was fluttering, scanty, and of a light sea-green tint,
as if it had imbibed a hue from the element beneath.
The face was of that dark bronzed color which human
ingenuity has, from time immemorial, adopted as the
best medium to portray a superhuman expression.
The locks were dishevelled, wild, and rich; the eye,
full of such a meaning as might be fancied to glitter
in the organs of a sorceress; while a smile so strangely
meaning and malign played about the mouth, that the
young sailor started, when it first met his view as
if a living thing had returned his look.
“Witchcraft and necromancy!”
grumbled the Alderman, as this extraordinary image
came suddenly on his vision also. “Here
is a brazen-looking hussy and one who might rob the
Queen’s treasury, itself, without remorse!
Your eyes are young, Patroon; what is that the minx
holds so impudently above her head?”
“It seems an open book, with
letters of red, writ ten on its pages. One need
not be a conjurer, to divine it is no extract from
the Bible.”
“Nor from the statute-books
of Queen Anne. I warrant me, ’tis a leger
of profit gained in her many wanderings. Goggling
and leers! the bold air of the confident creature
is enough to put an honest man out of countenance!”
“Will read the motto of the
witch?” demanded he of the India-shawl, whose
eye had been studying the detail of the brigantine’s
equipment, rather than attending to the object which
so much attracted the looks of his companions.
“The night air has taut’ned the cordage
of that flying-jib-boom, fellows, until it begins
to lift its nose like a squeamish cockney, when he
holds it over salt-water! See to it, and bring
the spar in line; else shall we have a reproof from
the sorceress, who little likes to have any of her
limbs deranged. Here, gentlemen, the opinions
of the lady may be read, as clearly as woman’s
mind can ever be fathomed.”
While speaking to his crew, Tiller
had changed the direction of the boat; and it was
soon lying, in obedience to a motion of his hand, directly
beneath the wild and significant-looking image, just
described. The letters in red were now distinctly
visible; and when Alderman Van Beverout had adjusted
his spectacles, each of the party read the following
sentence:
“Albeit, I neither lend
nor borrow,
By taking, nor by giving of
excess,
Yet to supply the ripe wants
of my friend,
I’ll break a custom.”
Merchant of Venice.
“The brazen!” exclaimed
Myndert, when he had got through this quotation from
the immortal bard. “Ripe or green, one could
not wish to be the friend of so impudent a thing;
and then to impute such sentiments to any respectable
commercial man whether of Venice or of Amsterdam!
Let us board the brigantine, friend mariner, and end
the connexion ere foul mouths begin to traduce our
motives for the visit.”
“The over-driven ship plows
the seas too deep for speed; we shall get into port,
in better season without this haste. Wilt take
another look into the dark lady’s pages?
A woman’s mind is never known at the first answer!”
The speaker raised the rattan he still
carried, and caused a page of painted metal to turn
on hinges that were so artfully concealed as not to
be visible. A new surface, with another extract,
was seen.
“What is it, what is it, Patroon?”
demanded the burgher, who appeared greatly to distrust
the discretion of the sorceress. “Follies
and rhymes! but this is the way of the whole sex;
when nature has denied them tongues, they invent other
means of speech.”
“Porters of the sea
and land,
Thus do go about, about;
Thrice to thine, and thrice
to thine,
And thrice again to make up
nine.”
“Rank nonsense!” continued
the burgher! “It is well for those who can,
to add thrice and thrice to their stores; but look
you, Patroon it is a thriving trade that
can double the value of the adventure, and that with
reasonable risks, and months of patient watching.”
“We have other pages,”
resumed Tiller, “but our affairs drag for want
of attending to them. One may read much good
matter in the book of the sorceress, when there is
leisure and opportunity. I often take occasion,
in the calms, to look into her volume; and it is rare
to find the same moral twice told, as these brave
seamen can swear.”
The mariners at the oars confirmed
this assertion, by their grave and believing faces;
while their superior caused the boat to quit the place,
and the image of the Water-Witch was left floating
in solitude above her proper element.
The arrival of the cutter produced
no sensation among those who were found on the deck
of the brigantine. The mariner of the shawl welcomed
his companions, frankly and heartily; and then he
left them for a minute to make their observations,
while he discharged some duty in the interior of the
vessel. The moments were not lost, as powerful
curiosity induced all the visiters to gaze about them,
in the manner in which men study the appearance of
any celebrated object, that has long been known only
by reputation. It was quite apparent that even
Alderman Van Beverout had penetrated farther into
the mysteries of the beautiful brigantine, than he
had ever before been. But it was Ludlow who gathered
most from this brief opportunity, and whose understanding
glances so rapidly and eagerly ran over all that a
seaman could wish to examine.
An admirable neatness reigned in every
part. The planks of the deck resembled the work
of the cabinetmaker, rather than the coarser labor
which is generally seen in such a place; and the same
excellence of material, and exactness in the finish,
were visible in the ceilings of the light bulwarks,
the railings, and all the other objects which necessarily
came conspicuously into view, in the construction of
such a fabric. Brass was tastefully rather than
lavishly used, on many of those parts where metal
was necessary; and the paint of the interior was everywhere
a light and delicate straw-color. Armament there
was none, or at least none visible; nor did the fifteen
or twenty grave-looking seamen, who were silently
lounging, with folded arms, about the vessel, appear
to be those who would find pleasure in scenes of violence.
They were, without an exception, men who had reached
the middle age, of weather-worn and thoughtful countenances,
many of them even showing heads that had begun to
be grizzled more by time than even by exposure.
Thus much Ludlow had been enabled to ascertain, ere
they were rejoined by Tiller. When the latter
again came on deck, he showed, however, no desire to
conceal any of the perfections of his habitation.
“The wilful sorceress is no
niggard in accommodating her followers,” said
the mariner, observing the manner in which the Queen’s
officer was employed. “Here, you see, the
Skimmer keeps room enough for an admiral, in his cabins;
and the fellows are berthed aft, far beyond the fore-mast; wilt
step to the hatch, and look below?”
The captain and his companions did
as desired, and to the amazement of the former, he
perceived that, with the exception of a sort of room
fitted with large and water-tight lockers, which were
placed in full view, all the rest of the brigantine
was occupied by the accommodations of her officers
and crew.
“The world gives us the reputation
of free-traders,” continued Tiller, smiling
maliciously; “but if the Admiralty-Court were
here, big wigs and high staffs, judge and jury, it
would be at a loss to bring us to conviction.
There is iron to keep the lady on her feet, and water,
with some garnish of Jamaica, and the wines of old
Spain and the islands, to cheer the hearts and cool
the mouths of my fellows, beneath that deck; and more
than that, there is not. We have stores for the
table and the breeze, beyond yon bulk-head; and here
are lockers beneath you, that are empty!
See, one is open; it is neat as any drawer in a lady’s
bureau. This is no place for your Dutchman’s
strong waters, or the coarse skins of your tobacconist.
Odd’s my life! He who would go on the scent
of the Water-Witch’s lading, must follow your
beauty in her satins, or your parson in his band
and gown. There would be much lamentation in the
church, and many a heavy-hearted bishop, were it known
that the good craft had come to harm!”
“There must be an end to this
audacious trifling with the law,” said Ludlow;
“and the time may be nearer than you suppose.”
“I look at the pages of the
lady’s book, in the pride of each morning; for
we have it aboard here, that when she intends to serve
us foul, she will at least be honest enough to give
a warning. The mottoes often change, but her
words are ever true. ’Tis hard to overtake
the driving mist, Captain Ludlow, and he must hold
good way with the wind itself, who wishes to stay
long in our company.”
“Many a boastful sailor has
been caught. The breeze that is good for the
light of draught, and the breeze that is good for the
deep keel, are different. You may live to learn
what a stout spar, a wide arm, and a steady hull,
can do.”
“The lady of the wild eye and
wicked smile protect me! I have seen the witch
buried fathoms deep in brine, and the glittering water
falling from her tresses like golden stars; but never
have I read an untruth in her pages. There is
good intelligence between her and some on board; and,
trust me, she knows the paths of the ocean too well,
ever to steer a wrong course. But we prate like
gossiping river-men. Wilt see the Skimmer
of the Seas?”
“Such is the object of our visit,”
returned Ludlow, whose heart beat violently at the
name of the redoubtable rover. “If you are
not he, bring us where he is.”
“Speak lower; if the lady under
the bowsprit hear such treason against her favorite,
I’ll not answer for her good-will. If I
am not he!” added the hero of the India-shawl,
laughing freely. “Well, an ocean is bigger
than a sea, and a bay is not a gulf. You shall
have an opportunity of judging between us, noble captain,
and then I leave opinions to each man’s wisdom.
Follow.”
He quitted the hatchway, and led his
companions toward the accommodations in the stern
of the vessel.