s, vraiment remarquables! mais Monsieur, quant a
toute la famille de Barberie, we have toujours un sentiment plus favorable
pour la terre."

"I wish your whimsical jade of a mistress, Master Francois, had found
the same sentiment," dryly observed Myndert: "for let me tell you, this
cruising about in a suspicious vessel is as little creditable to her
judgment as--cheer up, Patroon; the girl is only putting thy mettle to the
trial, and the sea air will do no damage to her complexion or her pocket.
A little predilection for salt water must raise the girl in your
estimation, Captain Ludlow!"

"If the predilection goes no further than to the element, Sir;" was the
caustic answer. "But, deluded or not, erring or deceived, Alida Barberie
is not to be deserted, the victim of a villain's arts. I did love your
niece, Mr. Van Beverout, and--pull with a will, men; fellows, are you
sleeping on the oars?"

The sudden manner in which the young man interrupted himself, and the
depth of tone in which he spoke to the boat's crew, put an end to the
discourse. It was apparent that he wished to say no more, and that he even
regretted the weakness which had induced him to say so much. The remainder
of the distance, between the shore and the ship, was passed in silence.

When Queen Anne's cruiser was seen doubling Sandy-Hook, past meridian on
the 6th June (sea-time) in the year 17--, the wind, as stated in an
ancient journal, which was kept by one of the midshipmen, and is still in
existence, was light, steady at south, and by-west-half-west. It appears,
by the same document, that the vessel took her departure at seven o'clock,
P.M., the point of Sandy-Hook bearing west-half-south, distant three
leagues. On the same page which contains these particulars, it is
observed, under the head of remarks--"Ship under starboard steering-sails,
forward and aft, making six knots. A suspicious half-rigged brigantine
lying-to on the eastern board, under her mainsail, with fore-top-sail to
the mast; light and lofty sails and jib loose; foresail in the brails. Her
starboard steering-sail-booms appear to be rigged out, and the gear rove,
ready for a run. This vessel is supposed to be the celebrated
hermaphrodite, the Water-Witch, commanded by the notorious 'Skimmer of the
Seas,' and the same fellow who gave us so queer a slip, yesterday. The
Lord send us a cap-full of wind, and we'l try his heels, before
morning!--Passengers, Alderman Van Beverout, of the