d
the parson's reckoning before the mischief was entirely done. There has
been a little dispute between me and the first-lieutenant, Captain Ludlow,
concerning the trim of the ship. He maintains that we have got too much in
forward of what he calls the centre of gravity; and he is of opinion that
had we been less by the head, the smuggler would never have had the heels
of us, in the chase; whereas I invite any man to lay a craft on her
water-line----"

"Show our light!" interrupted Ludlow. "Yonder goes the signal of the
launch!"

Trysail ceased speaking, and, stepping on a gun, he also began to gaze in
the direction of the Cove. A lantern, or some other bright object, was
leisurely raised three times, and as often hid from view. The signal came
from under the land, and in a quarter that left no doubt of its object.

"So far, well;" cried the Captain, quitting his stand, and turning, for
the first time, with consciousness, to his officer. "'Tis a sign that they
are at the inlet, and that the offing is clear. I think, Master Trysail,
we are now sure of our prize. Sweep the horizon thoroughly with the
night-glass, and then we will close upon this boasted brigantine."

Both took glasses, and devoted several minutes to this duty. A careful
examination of the margin of the sea, from the coast of New-Jersey to that
of Long-Island, gave them reason to believe that nothing of any size was
lying without the cape. The sky was more free from clouds to the eastward
than under the land and it was not difficult to make certain of this
important fact. It gave them the assurance that the Water-Witch had not
escaped by the secret passage, during the time lost in their own
preparations.

"This is still well;" continued Ludlow. "Now he cannot avoid us--show the
triangle."

Three lights, disposed in the form just named were then hoisted at the
gaff-end of the Coquette. It was an order for the boats in the Cove to
proceed. The signal was quickly answered from the launch, and then a small
rocket was seen sailing over the trees and shrubbery of the shore. All on
board the Coquette listened intently, to catch some sound that should
denote the tumult of an assault. Once Ludlow and Trysail thought the
cheers of seamen came on the thick air of the night; and once, again,
either fancy or their senses told them they heard the menacing hail which
commanded the outlaws to submit. Many minutes of intense anxiety
succeeded. The whole of the hammo