“—I’ll give thee a wind.
“—Thou art kind.
“—And I another
“—I myself have all the other.”
Macbeth.
The cloud above the mouth of the Raritan had not risen. On the
contrary, the breeze still came from off the sea; and the brigantine in
the Cove, with the cruiser of the Queen, still lay at their anchors,
like two floating habitations that were not intended to be removed. The
hour was that at which the character of the day becomes fixed; and
there was no longer any expectation that a landwind would enable the
vessel of the free-trader to repass the inlet, before the turn of the
tide, which was again running swiftly on the flood.
The windows of the Lust in Rust were open, as when its owner was
present; and the menials were employed, in and about the villa, in
their customary occupations; though it was evident, by the manner in
which they stopped to converse, and by the frequent conferences which
had place in secret corners, that they wondered none the less at the
unaccountable disappearance of their young mistress. In all other
respects, the villa and its grounds were, as usual, quiet and seemingly
deserted.
But there was a group collected beneath the shade of an oak on the
margin of the Cove, and at a point where it was rare for man to be
seen. This little party appeared to be in waiting for some expected
communication from the brigantine; since they had taken post on the
side of the inlet, next the cape, and in a situation so retired, as to
be entirely hid from any passing observation of those who might enter
or leave the mouth of the Shrewsbury. In short, they were on the long,
low, and narrow barrier of sand, that now forms the projection of the
Hook, and which, by the temporary breach that the Cove had made between
its own waters and that of the ocean, was then an island.
“Snug should be the motto of a merchant,” observed one of these
individuals, whose opinions will sufficiently announce his name to the
reader. “He should be snug in his dealings, and snug in his manner of
conducting them; snug in his credits, and, above all, snug in his
speculations. There is as little need gentlemen, in calling in the aid
of a posse-comitatus for a sensible man to keep his household in order,
as that a discreet trader should go whistling through the public
markets, with the history of his operations. I gladly court two so
worthy assistants, as Captain Cornelius Ludlow and Mr. Oloff Van
Staats; for I know there will be no useless gossip concerning the
trifling derangement that hath occurred. Ah! the black hath had
communications with the free-trader—always supposing the opinion of Mr.
Ludlow concerning the character of the vessel to be just—and he is
quitting the brigantine.”
Neither of the companions of the Alderman made any reply. Each watched
the movement of the skiff that contained their messenger, and each
seemed to feel an equal interest in the result of his errand. Instead,
however, of approaching the spot where his master and his two friends
expected him, the negro, though he knew that his boat was necessary to
enable the party to recross the inlet, pulled directly for the mouth of
the river,—a course that was exactly contrary to the one he was
expected to take.
“Rank disobedience!” grumbled the incensed master. “The irreverent dog
is deserting us, on this neck of barren sand, where we are cut off from
all communication with the interior, and are as completely without
intelligence of the state of the market, and other necessaries, as men
in a desert!”
“Here comes one that seems disposed to bring us to a parley,” observed
Ludlow, whose practised eye had first detected a boat quitting the side
of the brigantine, as well as the direction it was about to steer.
The young commander was not deceived; for a light cutter, that played
like a bubble on its element; was soon approaching the shore, where the
three expectants were seated. When it was near enough to render sight
perfectly distinct, and speech audible without an effort, the crew
ceased rowing, and permitted the boat to lie in a state of rest. The
mariner of the India-shawl then arose in the stern-sheets, and examined
the thicket behind the party, with a curious and suspicious eye. After
a sufficient search, he signed to his crew to force the cutter still
nigher to the land, and spoke:
“Who has affairs with any of the brigantine?” he coolly demanded,
wearing the air of one who had no reason to anticipate the object of
their visit. “She has little left that can turn to profit, unless she
parts with her beauty.”
“Truly, good stranger,” returned the Alderman, laying a sufficient
emphasis on the latter word, “here are none disposed to a traffic,
which might not be pleasing to the authorities of the country, were its
nature known. We come with a desire to be admitted to a conference with
the commander of the vessel, on a matter of especial but private
concern.”
“Why send a public officer on the duty? I see one, there, in the livery
of Queen Anne. We are no lovers of Her Majesty’s servants, and would
not willingly form disagreeable acquaintances.”
Ludlow nearly bit through his lip, in endeavoring to repress his anger,
at the cool confidence of one who had already treated him with so
little ceremony; and then momentarily forgetting his object, in
professional pride, and perhaps we might add in the habits of his rank,
he interrupted the dialogue—
“If you see the livery of the royal authority,” he said, haughtily,
“you must be sensible it is worn by one who is commissioned to cause
its rights to be respected. I demand the name and character of yon
brigantine?”
“As for character, she is, like any other beauty, something
vituperated; nay, some carry their envy so far as to call it cracked!
But we are jolly mariners that sail her, and little heed crazy reports
at the expense of our mistress. As for a name, we answer any hail that
is fairly spoken, and well meant. Call us ‘Honesty,’ if you will, for
want of the register.”
“There is much reason to suspect your vessel of illegal practices; and,
in the name of the Queen, I demand access to her papers, and the
liberty of a free search into her cargo and crew. Else will there be
necessity to bring her under the guns of the cruiser, which lies at no
great distance, waiting only for orders.”
“It takes no scholar to read our documents, Captain Ludlow; for they
are written by a light keel on the rolling waters, and he who follows
in our wake may guess at their authority. If you wish to overhaul our
cargo, you must look sharply into the cuffs and aprons, the negligées
and stomachers of the Governor’s lady, at the next ball at the fort; or
pry into the sail that is set above the farthingales of the wife and
daughters of your Admiralty Judge! We are no cheesemongers, to break
the shins of a boarding officer among boxes and butter-tubs.”
“Your brigantine has a name, sirrah; and, in Her Majesty’s authority, I
demand to know it.”
“Heaven forbid that any here should dispute the Queen’s right! You are
a seaman, Captain Ludlow, and have an eye for comeliness in a craft, as
well as in a woman. Look at those harpings! There is no fall of a
shoulder can equal that curve, in grace or richness; this shear
surpasses the justness and delicacy of any waist: and there you see the
transoms, swelling and rounded like the outlines of a Venus. Ah! she is
a bewitching creature; and no wonder that, floating as she does, on the
seas, they should have called her——”
“Water-Witch!” said Ludlow, finding that the other paused.
“You deserve to be one of the sisterhood yourself, Captain Ludlow, for
this readiness in divination!”
“Amazement and surprise, Patroon!” exclaimed Myndert, with a tremendous
hem. “Here is a discovery to give a respectable merchant more
uneasiness than the undutiful conduct of fifty nieces! This vessel is
then the famous brigantine of the notorious ‘Skimmer of the Seas!’ a
man whose misdeeds in commerce are as universally noted, as the
stoppage of a general dealer! Pray, Master Mariner, do not distrust our
purposes. We do not come, sent by any authority of the country, to pry
into your past transactions, of which it is quite unnecessary for you
to speak; and far less to indulge in any unlawful thirst of gain, by
urging a traffic that is forbidden by the law. We wish solely to confer
with the celebrated free-trader and rover, who must, if your account be
true, command the vessel, for a few minutes, on an affair of common
interest to the three. This officer of the Queen is obliged, by his
duty, to make certain demands of you, with which you will comply, or
not, at your own good discretion; and since Her Majesty’s cruiser is so
far beyond reach of bullet, it cannot be expected you will do
otherwise; but further than that, he has no present intention to
proceed. Parleys and civilities! Captain Ludlow, we must speak the man
fair, or he will leave us to get over the inlet and back to the Lust in
Rust, as we may; and that, too, as empty-handed as we came. Remember
our stipulations, without observing which I shall withdraw from the
adventure, altogether.”
Ludlow bit his lip, and continued silent. The seaman of the shawl, or
Master Tiller, as he has been more than once called, again narrowly
examined the background, and caused his boat to approach so near the
land, that it was possible to step into it, by the stern.
“Enter,” he said to the Captain of the Coquette, who needed no second
invitation; “enter, for a valuable hostage is a safe-pledge, in a
truce. The Skimmer is no enemy to good company; and I have done justice
to the Queen’s servitor, by introducing him already, by name and
character.”
“Fellow, the success of your deception may cause you to triumph for a
time; but remember that the Coquette——”
“Is a wholesome boat, whose abilities I have taken, to the
admeasurement of her moment-glass;” observed Tiller, very coolly taking
the words out of the other’s mouth. “But as there is business to be
done with the Skimmer, we will speak more of this anon.”
The mariner of the shawl, who had maintained his former audacious
demeanor, now became grave; and he spoke to his crew with authority,
bidding them pull the boat to the side of the brigantine.
The exploits, the mysterious character, and the daring of the
Water-Witch, and of him who sailed her, were, in that day, the frequent
subjects of anger, admiration, and surprise. Those who found pleasure
in the marvellous, listened to the wonders that were recounted of her
speed and boldness, with pleasure; they who had been so often foiled in
their attempts to arrest the hardy dealers in contraband, reddened at
her name; and all wondered at the success and intelligence with which
her movements were controlled. It will, therefore, create no
astonishment when we say, that Ludlow and the Patroon drew near to the
light and graceful fabric with an interest that deepened at each stroke
of the oars. So much of a profession which, in that age, was
particularly marked and apart from the rest of mankind in habits and
opinions, had been interwoven into the character of the former, that he
could not see the just proportions, the graceful outlines of the hull,
or the exquisite symmetry and neatness of the spars and rigging,
without experiencing a feeling somewhat allied to that which undeniable
superiority excites in the heart of even a rival. There was also a
taste in the style of the merely ornamental parts of the delicate
machine, which caused as much surprise as her model and rig.
Seamen, in all ages, and in every state of their art, have been
ambitious of bestowing on their floating habitations, a style of
decoration which, while appropriate to their element, should be thought
somewhat analogous to the architectural ornaments of the land. Piety,
superstition, and national usages, affect these characteristic
ornaments, which are still seen, in different quarters of the world, to
occasion broad distinctions between the appearances of vessels. In one,
the rudder-head is carved with the resemblance of some hideous monster;
another shows goggling eyes and lolling tongues from its cat-heads;
this has the patron saint, or the ever-kind Marie, embossed upon its
mouldings or bows; while that is covered with the allegorical emblems
of country and duty. Few of these efforts of nautical art are
successful, though a better taste appears to be gradually redeeming
even this branch of human industry from the rubbish of barbarism, and
to be elevating it to a state which shall do no violence to the more
fastidious opinions of the age. But the vessel of which we write,
though constructed at so remote a period, would have done credit to the
improvements of our own time.
It has been said that the hull of this celebrated smuggler was low,
dark, moulded with exquisite art, and so justly balanced as to ride
upon its element like a sea-fowl. For a little distance above the
water, it showed a blue that vied with the color of the deep ocean, the
use of copper being then unknown; while the more superior parts were of
a jet black, delicately relieved by two lines, of a straw-color, that
were drawn, with mathematical accuracy, parallel to the plane of her
upper works, and consequently converging slightly towards the sea,
beneath her counter. Glossy hammock-cloths concealed the persons of
those who were on the deck, while the close bulwarks gave the
brigantine the air of a vessel equipped for war. Still the eye of
Ludlow ran curiously along the whole extent of the two straw-colored
lines, seeking in vain some evidence of the weight and force of her
armament. If she had ports at all, they were so ingeniously concealed
as to escape the keenest of his glances. The nature of the rig has been
already described. Partaking of the double character of brig and
schooner, the sails and spars of the forward-mast being of the former,
while those of the after-mast were of the latter construction, seamen
have given to this class of shipping the familiar name of
Hermaphrodites. But, though there might be fancied, by this term, some
want of the proportions that constitute seemliness, it will be
remembered that the departure was only from some former rule of art,
and that no violence had been done to those universal and permanent
laws which constitute the charm of nature. The models of glass, which
are seen representing the machinery of a ship, are not more exact or
just in their lines than were the cordage and spars of this brigantine.
Not a rope varied from its true direction; not a sail, but it resembled
the neat folds of some prudent house wife; not a mast or a yard was
there, but it rose into the air, or stretched its arms, with the most
fastidious attention to symmetry. All was airy, fanciful, and full of
grace, seeming to lend to the fabric a character of unreal lightness
and speed. As the boat drew near her side, a change of the air caused
the buoyant bark to turn, like a vane, in its current; and as the long
and pointed proportions of her head-gear came into view, Ludlow saw
beneath the bowsprit an image that might be supposed to make, by means
of allegory, some obvious allusions to the character of the vessel. A
female form, fashioned with the carver’s best skill, stood on the
projection of the cut-water. The figure rested lightly on the ball of
one foot, while the other was suspended in an easy attitude, resembling
the airy posture of the famous Mercury of the Bolognese. The drapery
was fluttering, scanty, and of a light sea-green tint, as if it had
imbibed a hue from the element beneath. The face was of that dark
bronzed color which human ingenuity has, from time immemorial, adopted
as the best medium to portray a superhuman expression. The locks were
dishevelled, wild, and rich; the eye, full of such a meaning as might
be fancied to glitter in the organs of a sorceress; while a smile so
strangely meaning and malign played about the mouth, that the young
sailor started, when it first met his view as if a living thing had
returned his look.
“Witchcraft and necromancy!” grumbled the Alderman, as this
extraordinary image came suddenly on his vision also. “Here is a
brazen-looking hussy and one who might rob the Queen’s treasury,
itself, without remorse! Your eyes are young, Patroon; what is that the
minx holds so impudently above her head?”
“It seems an open book, with letters of red written on its pages. One
need not be a conjurer, to divine it is no extract from the Bible.”
“Nor from the statute books of Queen Anne. I warrant me, ’tis a leger
of profit gained in her many wanderings. Goggling and leers! the bold
air of the confident creature is enough to put an honest man out of
countenance!”
“Will read the motto of the witch?” demanded he of the India-shawl,
whose eye had been studying the detail of the brigantine’s equipment,
rather than attending to the object which so much attracted the looks
of his companions. “The night air has taut’ned the cordage of that
flying-jib-boom, fellows, until it begins to lift its nose like a
squeamish cockney, when he holds it over salt-water! See to it, and
bring the spar in line; else shall we have a reproof from the
sorceress, who little likes to have any of her limbs deranged. Here,
gentlemen, the opinions of the lady may be read, as clearly as woman’s
mind can ever be fathomed.”
While speaking to his crew, Tiller had changed the direction of the
boat; and it was soon lying, in obedience to a motion of his hand,
directly beneath the wild and significant-looking image, just
described. The letters in red were now distinctly visible; and when
Alderman Van Beverout had adjusted his spectacles, each of the party
read the following sentence:—
“Albeit, I neither lend nor borrow,
By taking, nor by giving of excess,
Yet to supply the ripe wants of my friend,
I’ll break a custom.”
Merchant of Venice.
“The brazen!” exclaimed Myndert, when he had got through this quotation
from the immortal bard. “Ripe or green, one could not wish to be the
friend of so impudent a thing; and then to impute such sentiments to
any respectable commercial man whether of Venice or of Amsterdam! Let
us board the brigantine, friend mariner, and end the connexion ere foul
mouths begin to traduce our motives for the visit.”
“The over-driven ship plows the seas too deep for speed; we shall get
into port, in better season without this haste. Wilt take another look
into the dark lady’s pages? A woman’s mind is never known at the first
answer!”
The speaker raised the rattan he still carried, and caused a page of
painted metal to turn on hinges that were so artfully concealed as not
to be visible. A new surface, with another extract, was seen.
“What is it, what is it, Patroon?” demanded the burgher, who appeared
greatly to distrust the discretion of the sorceress. “Follies and
rhymes! but this is the way of the whole sex; when nature has denied
them tongues, they invent other means of speech.”
“Porters of the sea and land,
Thus do go about, about;
Thrice to thine, and thrice to thine,
And thrice again to make up nine.”
“Rank nonsense!” continued the burgher! “It is well for those who can,
to add thrice and thrice to their stores; but look you, Patroon—it is a
thriving trade that can double the value of the adventure, and that
with reasonable risks, and months of patient watching.”
“We have other pages,” resumed Tiller, “but our affairs drag for want
of attending to them. One may read much good matter in the book of the
sorceress, when there is leisure and opportunity. I often take
occasion, in the calms, to look into her volume; and it is rare to find
the same moral twice told, as these brave seamen can swear.”
The mariners at the oars confirmed this assertion, by their grave and
believing faces; while their superior caused the boat to quit the
place, and the image of the Water-Witch was left floating in solitude
above her proper element.
The arrival of the cutter produced no sensation among those who were
found on the deck of the brigantine. The mariner of the shawl welcomed
his companions, frankly and heartily; and then he left them for a
minute to make their observations, while he discharged some duty in the
interior of the vessel. The moments were not lost, as powerful
curiosity induced all the visitors to gaze about them, in the manner in
which men study the appearance of any celebrated object, that has long
been known only by reputation. It was quite apparent that even Alderman
Van Beverout had penetrated farther into the mysteries of the beautiful
brigantine, than he had ever before been. But it was Ludlow who
gathered most from this brief opportunity, and whose understanding
glances so rapidly and eagerly ran over all that a seaman could wish to
examine.
An admirable neatness reigned in every part. The planks of the deck
resembled the work of the cabinetmaker, rather than the coarser labor
which is generally seen in such a place; and the same excellence of
material, and exactness in the finish, were visible in the ceilings of
the light bulwarks, the railings, and all the other objects which
necessarily came conspicuously into view, in the construction of such a
fabric. Brass was tastefully rather than lavishly used, on many of
those parts where metal was necessary; and the paint of the interior
was everywhere a light and delicate straw-color. Armament there was
none, or at least none visible; nor did the fifteen or twenty
grave-looking seamen, who were silently lounging, with folded arms,
about the vessel, appear to be those who would find pleasure in scenes
of violence. They were, without an exception, men who had reached the
middle age, of weather-worn and thoughtful countenances, many of them
even showing heads that had begun to be grizzled more by time than even
by exposure. Thus much Ludlow had been enabled to ascertain, ere they
were rejoined by Tiller. When the latter again came on deck, he showed,
however, no desire to conceal any of the perfections of his habitation.
“The wilful sorceress is no niggard in accommodating her followers,”
said the mariner, observing the manner in which the Queen’s officer was
employed. “Here, you see, the Skimmer keeps room enough for an admiral,
in his cabins; and the fellows are berthed aft, far beyond the
fore-mast;—wilt step to the hatch, and look below?”
The captain and his companions did as desired, and to the amazement of
the former, he perceived that, with the exception of a sort of room
fitted with large and water-tight lockers, which were placed in full
view, all the rest of the brigantine was occupied by the accommodations
of her officers and crew.
“The world gives us the reputation of free-traders,” continued Tiller,
smiling maliciously; “but if the Admiralty-Court were here, big wigs
and high staffs, judge and jury, it would be at a loss to bring us to
conviction. There is iron to keep the lady on her feet, and water, with
some garnish of Jamaica, and the wines of old Spain and the islands, to
cheer the hearts and cool the mouths of my fellows, beneath that deck;
and more than that, there is not. We have stores for the table and the
breeze, beyond yon bulk-head; and here are lockers beneath you, that
are—empty! See, one is open; it is neat as any drawer in a lady’s
bureau. This is no place for your Dutchman’s strong waters, or the
coarse skins of your tobacconist. Odd’s my life! He who would go on the
scent of the Water-Witch’s lading, must follow your beauty in her
satins, or your parson in his band and gown. There would be much
lamentation in the church, and many a heavy-hearted bishop, were it
known that the good craft had come to harm!”
“There must be an end to this audacious trifling with the law,” said
Ludlow; “and the time may be nearer than you suppose.”
“I look at the pages of the lady’s book, in the pride of each morning;
for we have it aboard here, that when she intends to serve us foul, she
will at least be honest enough to give a warning. The mottoes often
change, but her words are ever true. ’Tis hard to overtake the driving
mist, Captain Ludlow, and he must hold good way with the wind itself,
who wishes to stay long in our company.”
“Many a boastful sailor has been caught. The breeze that is good for
the light of draught, and the breeze that is good for the deep keel,
are different. You may live to learn what a stout spar, a wide arm, and
a steady hull, can do.”
“The lady of the wild eye and wicked smile protect me! I have seen the
witch buried fathoms deep in brine, and the glittering water falling
from her tresses like golden stars; but never have I read an untruth in
her pages. There is good intelligence between her and some on board;
and, trust me, she knows the paths of the ocean too well, ever to steer
a wrong course. But we prate like gossiping river-men.—Wilt see the
Skimmer of the Seas?”
“Such is the object of our visit,” returned Ludlow, whose heart beat
violently at the name of the redoubtable rover. “If you are not he,
bring us where he is.”
“Speak lower; if the lady under the bowsprit hear such treason against
her favorite, I’ll not answer for her good-will. If I am not he!” added
the hero of the India-shawl, laughing freely. “Well, an ocean is bigger
than a sea, and a bay is not a gulf. You shall have an opportunity of
judging between us, noble captain, and then I leave opinions to each
man’s wisdom. Follow.”
He quitted the hatchway, and led his companions toward the
accommodations in the stern of the vessel.