ck-cloths on the side of the ship nearest
to the land were lined with curious faces, though respect left Ludlow to
the sole occupation of the short and light deck which covered the
accommodations; whither he had ascended, to command a more perfect view of
the horizon.

"'Tis time to hear their musketry, or to see the signal of success!" said
the young man to himself, so intently occupied by his interest in the
undertaking, as to be unconscious of having spoken.

"Have you forgotten to provide a signal for failure?" said one at his
elbow.

"Ha! Master Seadrift;--I would have spared you this spectacle."

"'Tis one too often witnessed, to be singular. A life passed on the ocean
has not left me ignorant of the effect of night, with a view seaward, a
dark coast, and a back-ground of mountain!"

"You have confidence in him left in charge of your brigantine! I shall
have faith in your sea-green lady, myself, if he escape my boats, this
time."

"See!--there is a token of her fortune;" returned the other, pointing
towards three lanterns that were shown at the inlet's mouth, and over
which many lights were burnt in rapid succession.

"'Tis of failure! Let the ship fall-of, and square away the yards! Round
in, men, round in. We will run down to the entrance of the bay, Mr.
Trysail. The knaves have been aided by their lucky star!"

Ludlow spoke with deep vexation in his tones, but always with the
authority of a superior and the promptitude of a seaman. The motionless
being, near him, maintained a profound silence. No exclamation of triumph
escaped him, nor did he open his lips either in pleasure or in surprise.
It appeared as if confidence in his vessel rendered him as much superior
to exultation as to apprehension.

"You look upon this exploit of your brigantine, Master Seadrift, as a
thing of course;" Ludlow observed, when his own ship was steering towards
the extremity of the cape, again. "Fortune has not deserted you, yet; but
with the land on three sides, and this ship and her boats on the fourth, I
do not despair yet of prevailing over your bronzed goddess!"

"Our mistress never sleeps;" returned the dealer in contraband, drawing a
long breath, like one who had struggled long to repress his interest.

"Terms are still in your power. I shall not conceal that the Commissioners
of Her Majesty's customs set so high a price on the possession of the
Water-Witch, as to embolden me to assume a responsibility from which I