second ward of the
City of New-York, in Her Majesty's province of the same name; Oloff Van
Staats, Esq. commonly called the Patroon of Kinderhook, of the same
colony; and a qualmish-looking old chap, in a sort of marine's jacket, who
answers when hailed as Francis. A rum set taken altogether, though they
seem to suit the Captain's fancy. Mem.--Each lipper of a wave works like
tartar emetic on the lad in marine gear."

As no description of ours can give a more graphic account of the position
of the two vessels in question, at the time named, than that which is
contained in the foregoing extract, we shall take up the narrative at that
moment, which the reader will see must, in the 43d degree of latitude, and
in the month of June have been shortly after the close of the day.

The young votary of Neptune, whose opinions have just been quoted, had
indeed presumed on his knowledge of the localities, in affirming the
distance and position of the cape, since the low sandy point was no longer
visible from the deck. The sun had set, as seen from the vessel, precisely
in the mouth of the Raritan; and the shadows from Navesink, or Neversink
as the hills are vulgarly called, were thrown far upon the sea. In short,
the night was gathering round the mariners, with every appearance of
settled and mild weather, but of a darkness deeper than is common on the
ocean. Under such circumstances, the great object was to keep on the
track of the chase, during the time when she must necessarily be hid from
their sight.

Ludlow walked into the lee-gangway of his ship, and, leaning with his
elbow on the empty hammock-cloths, he gazed long and in silence at the
object of his pursuit. The Water-Witch was lying in the quarter of the
horizon most favorable to being seen. The twilight, which still fell out
of the heavens, was without glare in that direction; and for the first
time that day, he saw her in her true proportions. The admiration of a
seaman was blended with the other sensations of the young man. The
brigantine lay in the position that exhibited her exquisitely-moulded hull
and rakish rig to the most advantage. The head, having come to the wind,
was turned towards her pursuer; and as the bows rose on some swell that
was heavier than common, Ludlow saw, or fancied he saw, the mysterious
image still perched on her cut-water, holding the book to the curious, and
ever pointing with its finger across the waste of water. A movement of the
hammoc