the hopes of riding out the gale, while others were
slipping or cutting their cables, and running out to sea, several of
them getting foul of each other and committing all sorts of damage. It
was not till the 20th that the weather moderated sufficiently to enable
us to get off to rejoin our ship. By degrees some of the ships of the
convoy which had run to sea came back, but several never returned,
having been captured by the enemy or lost.

On the 22nd we again sailed from Charleston with a convoy of fifty sail
of transports, bound for New York. On our passage we captured a rebel
privateer of eight guns and fifty men, and took a merchant brig bound
from London to Charleston with bale goods. We found at Sandy Hook,
where we arrived on the 4th of November, Sir George Rodney, with eight
sail of the line and several frigates, waiting for a wind to sail for
the West Indies. The following day we proceeded through the Narrows up
to New York, where we set to work to refit the ship for sea,--an
operation she very much required. I need not say that I employed my
time on shore in endeavouring to gain intelligence of Miss Carlyon and
her family. In making my inquiries I had, however, to exert great
caution, for I knew that I might very easily bring upon myself the
suspicion of corresponding with the enemy for treasonable purposes.
When I slept on shore I went to the house of a worthy Dutch widow, where
I had before lodged. I did my utmost to ingratiate myself with her, for
I knew that if any one could obtain the information I required she would
do so. Old women, I have found, nearly always are ready to listen with
complacency and attention to the love tales of young men or young women,
and so my kind hostess not only listened to as much of mine as I thought
it necessary to tell her, but gladly promised to assist me to the best
of her ability.

"And now, my dear Mrs Von Tromp, what news have you for me?" I asked
eagerly one day as I walked into her little back parlour where she
received her select visitors. Considering her origin, she spoke
excellent English.

"Listen!" she replied; "I have not learned much for you, but what I have
learned you may believe is the truth. I lately had a talk with a
Virginian gentleman. Do not be afraid, sir, for he is a neutral; no
rebel I ever talk with. He knows the family of the lady you want to
hear about. He heard them speaking of her not long ago; she is
unmarried, and they thou