e taken as evidence of any
lessening of principle, or as signs of a disposition to let her judgment
and duty submit to her affection. So far from this, her resolution grew
with reflection, and her mind became more settled in a purpose that she
deemed sacred, the longer she reflected on the subject. But, her prayers
in behalf of her absent lover grew more frequent, and much more fervent.

In the mean time, the Twin Lions sailed. On leaving Beaufort, they ran
off the coast with a smart breeze from south-west, making a leading wind
of it. There had been some variance of opinion between Daggett and
Gardiner, touching the course they ought to steer. The last was for
hauling up higher, and passing to the southward of Bermuda; while the
first contended for standing nearly due east, and going to the northward
of those islands. Gardiner felt impatient to repair his blunder, and make
the shortest cut he could; whereas Daggett reasoned more coolly, and took
the winds into the account, keeping in view the main results of the
voyage. Perhaps the last wished to keep his consort away from all the
keys, until he was compelled to alter his course in a way that would leave
no doubt of his intentions. Of one thing the last was now certain; he knew
by a long trial that the Sea Lion of Oyster Pond could not very easily run
away from the Sea Lion of Holmes' Hole, and he was fully resolved that she
should not escape from him in the night, or in squalls. As for Roswell
Gardiner, not having the smallest idea of looking for his key, until he
came north, after visiting the antarctic circle, he had no notion whatever
of the reason why the other stuck to him so closely; and, least of all,
why he wished to keep him clear of the West Indies, until ready to make a
descent on his El Dorado.

Beaufort lies about two degrees to the northward of the four hundred
rocks, islets, and small islands, which are known as the Bermudas; an
advanced naval station, that belongs to a rival commercial power, and
which is occupied by that power solely as a check on this republic in the
event of war. Had the views of real statesmen prevailed in America,
instead of those of mere politicians, the whole energy of this republic
would have been long since directed to the object of substituting our own
flag for that of England, in these islands. As things are, there they
exist; a station for hostile fleets, a receptacle for prizes, and a depot
for the munitions of war, as if