stion as to the
channel; for it was not usual for ships of the Coquette's draught, to be
seen in that quarter of the bay, and the threatening state of the weather
rendered caution doubly necessary. The pilot shrunk from a responsibility
which did not properly belong to his office, since the ordinary navigation
had no concern with that secluded place; and even Ludlow, stimulated as he
was by so many powerful motives, hesitated to incur a risk which greatly
exceeded his duty. There was something so remarkable in the apparent
security of the smuggler, that it naturally led to the belief he was
certain of being protected by some known obstacle, and it was decided to
sound before the ship was hazarded. An offer to carry the free-trader with
the boats, though plausible in itself, and perhaps the wisest course of
all, was rejected by the commander, on an evasive plea of its being of
uncertain issue, though, in truth, because he felt an interest in one whom
he believed the brigantine to contain, which entirely forbade the idea of
making the vessel the scene of so violent a struggle. A yawl was therefore
lowered into the water, the main-top-sail of the ship was thrown to the
mast; and Ludlow himself, accompanied by the pilot and the master,
proceeded to ascertain the best approach to the smuggler. A flash of
lightning, with one of those thunder-claps that are wont to be more
terrific on this continent than in the other hemisphere, warned the young
mariner of the necessity of haste, if he would regain his ship, before the
cloud, which still threatened them, should reach the spot where she lay.
The boat pulled briskly into the Cove, both the master and the pilot
sounding on each side, as fast as the leads could be cast from their
hands and recovered.

"This will do;" said Ludlow, when they had ascertained that they could
enter. "I would lay the ship as close as possible to the brigantine, for I
distrust her quiet. We will go nearer."

"A brazen witch, and one whose saucy eye and pert figure might lead any
honest mariner into contraband, or even into a sea-robbery!"
half-whispered Trysail, perhaps afraid to trust his voice within hearing
of a creature that seemed almost endowed with the faculties of life. "Ay,
this is the hussy! I know her by the book, and her green jacket! But where
are her people? The vessel is as quiet as the royal vault on a
coronation-day, when the last king, and those who went before him,
commonly have the p