od. Suffice it in simple brevity to
say that they once more committed themselves, with fear and trembling,
to the briny element, and steered their course back again through the
scenes of their yesterday's voyage, determined no longer to roam in
search of distant sites, but to settle themselves down in the marshy
regions of Pavonia.

Scarce, however, had they gained a distant view of Communipaw when they
were encountered by an obstinate eddy which opposed their homeward
voyage. Weary and dispirited as they were, they yet tugged a feeble oar
against the stream, until, as if to settle the strife, half a score of
potent billows rolled the tub of Commodore Van Kortlandt high and dry on
the long point of an island which divided the bosom of the bay.

Oloffe Van Kortlandt was a devout trencherman. Every repast was a kind
of religious rite with him, and his first thought on finding himself
once more on dry ground was how he should contrive to celebrate his
wonderful escape from Hell-Gate and all its horrors by a solemn banquet.
The stores which had been provided for the voyage by the good housewives
of Communipaw were nearly exhausted, but in casting his eyes about the
commodore beheld that the shore abounded with oysters. A great store of
these was instantly collected; a fire was made at the foot of a tree;
all hands fell to roasting and broiling and stewing and frying, and a
sumptuous repast was soon set forth.

On the present occasion the worthy Van Kortlandt was observed to be
particularly zealous in his devotions to the trencher; for, having the
cares of the expedition especially committed to his care, he deemed it
incumbent on him to eat profoundly for the public good. In proportion as
he filled himself to the very brim with the dainty viands before him,
did the heart of this excellent burgher rise up toward his throat, until
he seemed crammed and almost choked with good eating and good nature.
And at such times it is, when a man's heart is in his throat, that he
may more truly be said to speak from it and his speeches abound with
kindness and good fellowship. Thus, having swallowed the last possible
morsel and washed it down with a fervent potation, Oloffe felt his heart
yearning and his whole frame in a manner dilating with unbounded
benevolence. Everything around him seemed excellent and delightful, and,
laying his hands on each side of his capacious periphery, and rolling
his half closed eyes around on the beautiful