spect of a clear day, and,
possibly, a more favorable wind on the morrow, was very attractive.
The question was debated by all, and considered in all its bearings,
and the discussion went on until late, when it was finally decided that
it would be, on the whole, the wisest course to wait until the
following day. Not the least influential of the many considerations
that occurred was their regard for Captain Corbet. They saw that he
was utterly worn out for want of sleep, and perceived how much he
needed one night's rest. This finally decided them.

Early on the following morning they were all up, and eager to see if
there was any change in the weather. The first glance around elicited
a cry of admiration from all of them. Above, all was clear and bright.
The sun was shining with dazzling lustre; the sky was of a deep blue,
and without a cloud on its whole expanse; while the wide extent of the
bay spread out before them, blue like the sky above, which it mirrored,
and throwing up its waves to catch the sunlight. A fresh north wind
was blowing, and all the air and all the sea was full of light and joy.

The scene around was in every respect magnificent. The tide was low,
and the broad beach, which now was uncovered by the waters, spread afar
to the right and left in a long crescent that extended for miles. On
its lower extremity it was terminated by a ledge of black rocks, with
the light-house before spoken of, while its upper end was bounded by
cavernous cliffs of red sandstone, which were crowned with tufted
trees. Behind them were the white houses of the village, straggling
irregularly on the borders of the long road, with here and there the
unfinished fabric of some huge ship; while in the background were
wooded hills and green sloping fields. Out on the bay a grander scene
appeared. Far down arose a white wall, which marked the place where
the fog clouds were sullenly retreating; immediately opposite, and
forty miles away over the water, arose the long line of the Nova Scotia
coast, which bounded the horizon; while far up arose Cape Chignecto,
and beside it towered up the dark form of a lonely island, which they
knew, in spite of the evident distortion of its shape, to be no other
than Ile Haute.

The wondrous effects which can be produced by the atmosphere were never
more visible to their eyes than now. The coast of Nova Scotia rose
high in the air, dark in color, apparently only half its actual
distanc