were intrusted to the command of the second-lieutenant,
with orders to pull into the broad passage between the end of the cape, or
the 'Hook,' and that long narrow island which stretches from the harbor of
New-York for more than forty leagues to the eastward, sheltering the whole
coast of Connecticut from the tempests of the ocean. Ludlow knew, though
ships of a heavy draught were obliged to pass close to the cape, in order
to gain the open sea, that a light brigantine, like the Water-Witch, could
find a sufficient depth of water for her purposes further north. The
cutters were, therefore, sent in that direction, with orders to cover as
much of the channel as possible, and to carry the smuggler should an
occasion offer. Finally, the yawl was to occupy the space between the two
channels, with orders to repeat signals, and to be vigilant in
reconnoitring.

While the different officers intrusted with these duties were receiving
their instructions, the ship, under the charge of Trysail, began to move
towards the cape. When off the point of the Hook, the two cutters and the
yawl 'cast off,' and took to their oars, and when fairly without the
buoys, the launch did the same, each boat taking its prescribed direction.

If the reader retains a distinct recollection of the scene described in
one of the earlier pages of this work, he will understand the grounds on
which Ludlow based his hopes of success. By sending the launch into the
inlet, he believed he should inclose the brigantine on every side; since
her escape through either of the ordinary channels would become
impossible, while he kept the Coquette in the offing. The service he
expected from the three boats sent to the northward, was to trace the
movement of the smuggler, and, should a suitable opportunity offer, to
attempt to carry him by surprise.

When the launch parted from the ship, the Coquette came slowly up to the
wind, and with her fore-top-sail thrown to the mast, she lay, waiting to
allow her boats the time necessary to reach their several stations. The
different expeditions had reduced the force of the crew quite one-half,
and as both the lieutenants were otherwise employed, there now remained on
board no officer of a rank between those of the captain and Trysail. Some
time after the vessel had been stationary, and the men had been ordered to
keep close, or, in other words, to dispose of their persons as they
pleased, with a view to permit them to catch 'cat