t affairs are on hand. Let thy companions retire, that I may speak
openly."

Ludlow hesitated, for he had not yet recovered from the surprise of
finding the redoubtable free-trader so unexpectedly on the deck of his
ship. But Alida and her companion arose, like those who had more
confidence in their visiter, and, arousing the negress from her sleep,
they descended the ladder and entered the cabin. When Ludlow found
himself alone with Tiller, he demanded an explanation.

"It shall not be withheld, for time presses, and that which is to be done
must be done with a seaman's care and coolness;" returned the other.--"You
have had a close brush with one of Louis's rovers, Captain Ludlow, and
prettily was the ship of Queen Anne handled! Have your people suffered,
and are you still strong enough to make good a defence worthy of your
conduct this morning?"

"These are facts you would have me utter to the ear of one who may be
false;--even a spy!"

"Captain Ludlow--but circumstances warrant thy suspicions!"

"One whose vessel and life I have threatened--an outlaw!"

"This is too true," returned the 'Skimmer of the Seas,' suppressing a
sudden impulse of pride and resentment. "I am threatened and pursued--I am
a smuggler and an outlaw: still am I human! You see that dusky object,
which borders the sea to the northward!"

"It is too plainly land, to be mistaken."

"Land, and the land of my birth!--the earliest, perhaps I may say the
happiest of my days, were passed on that long and narrow island."

"Had I known it earlier, there would have been a closer look among its
bays and inlets."

"The search might have been rewarded. A cannon would easily throw its shot
from this deck to the spot where my brigantine now lies, snug at a single
anchor."

"Unless you have swept her near since the setting of the sun, that is
impossible! When the night drew on, nothing was in view but the frigate
and corvette of the enemy."

"We have not stirred a fathom; and yet, true as the word of a fearless
man, there lies the vessel of the sea-green lady. You see the place where
the beach falls--here, at the nearest point of the land--the island is
nearly severed by the water at that spot, and the Water-Witch is safe in
the depths of the bay which enters from the northward. There is not a mile
between us. From the eastern hill, I witnessed your spirit this day,
Captain Ludlow, and though condemned in person, I felt that the heart
could never be