The Pilot: A Tale of the Sea by James Fenimore Cooper (best ereader under 100 TXT) ๐
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- Author: James Fenimore Cooper
Read book online ยซThe Pilot: A Tale of the Sea by James Fenimore Cooper (best ereader under 100 TXT) ๐ยป. Author - James Fenimore Cooper
โReturn, sir, where I commanded you to remain,โ said Barnstable, โand desire Mr. Merry to wait my pleasure.โ
The cockswain gave the usual reply of an obedient seaman; but before he left the hedge, he stretched out one of his brawny arms towards the ocean, and said, in tones of solemnity suited to his apprehensions and character:
โI showed you how to knot a reef-point, and pass a gasket, Captain Barnstable, nor do I believe you could even take two half-hitches when you first came aboard of the Spalmacitty. These be things that a man is soon expart in, but it takes the time of his nat'ral life to larn to know the weather. There be streaked wind-galls in the offing, that speak as plainly to all that see them, and know God's language in the clouds, as ever you spoke through a trumpet, to shorten sail; besides, sir, don't you hear the sea moaning as if it knew the hour was at hand when it was to wake up from its sleep!โ
โAy, Tom,โ returned his officer, walking to the edge of the cliffs, and throwing a seaman's glance at the gloomy ocean, โ'tis a threatening night indeed; but this pilot must be hadโandโโ
โIs that the man?โ interrupted the cockswain, pointing toward a man who was standing not far from them, an attentive observer of their proceedings, the same time that he was narrowly watched himself by the young midshipman. โGod send that he knows his trade well, for the bottom of a ship will need eyes to find its road out of this wild anchorage.โ
โThat must indeed be the man!โ exclaimed Barnstable, at once recalled to his duty. He then held a short dialogue with his female companion, whom he left concealed by the hedge, and proceeded to address the stranger. When near enough to be heard, the commander of the schooner demanded:
โWhat water have you in this bay?โ
The stranger, who seemed to expect this question, answered without the least hesitation:
โEnough to take all out in safety, who have entered with confidence.โ
โYou are the man I seek,โ cried Barnstable; โare you ready to go off?โ
โBoth ready and willing,โ returned the pilot, โand there is need of haste. I would give the best hundred guineas that ever were coined for two hours more use of that sun which has left us, or for even the time of this fading twilight.โ
โThink you our situation so bad?โ said the lieutenant. โFollow this gentleman to the boat then; I will join you by the time you can descend the cliffs. I believe I can prevail on another hand to go off with us.โ
โTime is more precious now than any number of hands,โ said the pilot, throwing a glance of impatience from under his lowering brows, โand the consequences of delay must be visited on those who occasion it.โ
โAnd, sir, I will meet the consequences with those who have a right to inquire into my conduct,โ said Barnstable, haughtily.
With this warning and retort they separated; the young officer retracing his steps impatiently toward his mistress, muttering his indignation in suppressed execrations, and the pilot, drawing the leathern belt of his pea-jacket mechanically around his body, as he followed the midshipman and cockswain to their boat, in moody silence.
Barnstable found the disguised female who had announced herself as Katherine Plowden, awaiting his return, with intense anxiety depicted on every feature of her intelligent countenance. As he felt all the responsibility of his situation, notwithstanding his cool reply to the pilot, the young man hastily drew an arm of the apparent boy, forgetful of her disguise, through his own, and led her forward.
โCome, Katherine,โ he said, โthe time urges to be prompt.โ
โWhat pressing necessity is there for immediate departure?โ she inquired, checking his movements by withdrawing herself from his side.
โYou heard the ominous prognostic of my cockswain on the weather, and I am forced to add my own testimony to his opinion. 'Tis a crazy night that threatens us, though I cannot repent of coming into the bay, since it has led to this interview.โ
โGod forbid that we should either of us have cause to repent of it,โ said Katherine, the paleness of anxiety chasing away the rich bloom that had mantled the animated face of the brunette. โBut you have the paperโfollow its directions, and come to our rescue; you will find us willing captives, if Griffith and yourself are our conquerors.โ
โWhat mean you, Katherine!โ exclaimed her lover; โyou at least are now in safetyโ'twould be madness to tempt your fate again. My vessel can and shall protect you, until your cousin is redeemed; and then, remember, I have a claim on you for life.โ
โAnd how would you dispose of me in the interval?โ said the young maiden, retreating slowly from his advances.
โIn the Arielโby heaven, you shall be her commander; I will bear that rank only in name.โ
โI thank you, thank you, Barnstable, but distrust my abilities to fill such a station,โ she said, laughing, though the color that again crossed her youthful features was like the glow of a summer's sunset, and even her mirthful eyes seemed to reflect their tints. โDo not mistake me, saucy one. If I have done more than my sex will warrant, remember it was through a holy motive, and if I have more than a woman's enterprise, it must beโโโ
โTo lift you above the weakness of your sex,โ he cried, โand to enable you to show your noble confidence in me.โ
โTo fit me for, and to keep me worthy of being one day your wife.โ As she uttered these words she turned and disappeared, with a rapidity that eluded his attempts to detain her, behind an angle of the hedge, that was near them. For a moment, Barnstable remained motionless, through surprise, and when he sprang forward in pursuit, he was able only to catch a glimpse of her light form, in the gloom of the evening, as she again vanished in a little thicket at some distance.
Barnstable was about to pursue, when the air lighted with a sudden flash, and the bellowing report of a cannon rolled along the cliffs, and was echoed among the hills far inland.
โAy, grumble away, old dotard!โ the disappointed young sailor muttered to himself, while he reluctantly obeyed the signal; โyou are in as great a hurry to get out of your danger as you were to run into it.โ
The quick reports of three muskets from the barge beneath where he stood urged him to quicken his pace, and as he threw himself carelessly down the rugged and dangerous passes of the cliffs, his experienced eye beheld the well-known lights displayed from the frigate, which commanded โthe recall of all her boats.โ
CHAPTER III. In such a time as this
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