BY his four novels, published between December 1819, and January 1821,
Sir Walter had realised at least £10,000, while £5000 additional were
paid him by Constable and Co. for the remainder of these copyrights.
The "Pirate" appeared in December 1821, and in the words of Mr Lockhart,
"the wild freshness of its atmosphere, the beautiful contrast of Minna
and Brenda, and the exquisitely-drawn character of Captain Cleveland,
found a reception which they deserved."
In the accompanying illustration, Noma has arrived at the spot where
the shipwrecked seaman had been cast, just in time to restore suspended
animation, and to protect him from plunder. Assisted by Mordaunt she
raised the pirate's head to enable him to disgorge the sea water; but
while her kind services were in progress, Bryce Snailsfoot, the pedlar,
exhibited symptoms of dishonesty, by commencing to remove the pirate's
finger-rings, while he cast an avaricious glance towards the chest. Of
the latter the contents were plain and lace ruffled shirts, a silver
compass, a silver hilted sword, and other valuable articles which
the pedlar knew would stir in the trade. From his villainy Bryce was
deterred by the menaces of Noma, which were scarcely uttered before the
voices of approaching _wreckers_ fell upon her ear. But her vigorous
determination, and the superstitious influence which she exercised over
the islanders, enabled her to save both the life and the property of
Cleveland.
The second illustration represents "Noma Despatching the Provisions."
The attendants of Magnus Troil had just laid out the cold collation
which they had brought with them, and were about to take seats at the
table, when Noma, seizing one article after another, flung them out of
the window into the sea which foamed below; hams and pickled beef flew
into the empty space, smoked geese were returned to the air, and cured
fish to their native element. With some difficulty the Udaller rescued
his silver drinking-cup from the destroyer's hands. What occasioned
Magnus the deepest chagrin was to find his brandy flask, first in the
possession of the dwarf Pacolet, and afterwards in its passage through
the window, an event which was attended by a fiendish grin on the part
of Norna's attendant.
[Illustration: 084]
[Illustration: 085-086]