 Chapter five of the pilot by James Fenimore Cooper. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter five, she writes, she writes, boys, wear off-shore song. The extraordinary activity of Griffith, which communicated itself with promptitude to the crew, was produced by a sudden alteration in the weather. In place of the well-defined streak along the horizon that has been already described, an immense body of misty light appeared to be moving in, with rapidity from the ocean, while a distinct but distant roaring announced the sure approach of the tempest that had so long troubled the waters. Even Griffith, while thundering his orders through the trumpet and urging the men by his cries to expedition, would pause, for instance, to cast anxious glances in the direction of a coming storm. And the faces of the sailors who lay on the yards were turned instinctively towards the same quarter of the heavens, while they nodded the reef points or passed the gaskets that were to confine the unruly canvas to the prescribed limits. The pilot alone, in that confused and busy throng, where voice rose above voice and cry echoed cry in quick succession, appeared as if he held no interest in the important stake. With his eyes steadily fixed on the approaching mist and his arms folded together in composure, he stood calmly waiting the result. The ship had fallen off with her broadside to the sea and was become unmanageable, and the sails were already brought into the folds necessary to her security when the quick and heavy fluttering of canvas was thrown across the water with all the gloomy and chilling sensations that such sounds produce where darkness and danger unite to appall the seaman. The schooner has it, cried Griffith, barn stable has held on like himself to the last moment, God send that the squall leave him clothed enough to keep him from the shore. His sails are easily handled, the commander observed, and she must be over the principal danger. We are falling off before it, Mr. Gray, shall we try a cast of the lead? The pilot turned from his contemplative posture and moved slowly across the deck before he returned any reply to this question, like a man who not only felt that everything depended on himself, but that he was equal to the emergency. It is unnecessary, he at length said, it would be certain destruction to be taken aback, and it is difficult to say within several points how the wind may strike us. It is difficult no longer, cried Griffith, for here it comes and in right earnest. The rushing sounds of the wind were now indeed heard at hand, and the words were hardly past the lips of the young lieutenant before the vessel bowed down heavily to one side, and then as she began to move through the water rose again majestically to her upright position as if saluting like her courteous champion, the powerful antagonist with which she was about to contend. Not another minute elapsed before the ship was throwing the waters aside with a lively progress and obedient to her helm was brought as near to the desired course as the direction of the wind would allow. The hurry and bustle on the yards gradually subsided and the men slowly descended to the deck, all straining their eyes to pierce the gloom in which they were enveloped and some shaking their heads in melancholy doubt afraid to express the apprehensions they really entertained. All on board anxiously waited for the fury of the gale, for there were none so ignorant or inexperienced in that gallant frigate as not to know that as yet they only felt the infant effects of the wind. Each moment, however, it increased in power, though so gradual was the alteration that the relieved mariners began to believe that all their gloomy forebodings were not to be realized. During this short interval of uncertainty no other sounds were heard than the whistling of the breeze as it passed quickly through the mass of rigging that belonged to the vessel and the dashing of the spray that began to fly from her bowels like the foam of a cataract. It blows fresh, Greg Griffith, who was the first to speak in that moment of doubt and anxiety, but it is no more than a cap full of wind after all, give us elbow room and the right canvas, Mr. Pilot, and I'll handle the ship like a gentleman jot in this breeze. Will she stay, thank ye, under this sail, said the low voice of the stranger. She will do all that man in reason, can ask of wooden iron, return the lieutenant, but the vessel don't float the ocean that will tack under double reefed top sails alone against a heavy sea, help her with her courses, Pilot, and you shall see her come round like a dancing master. Let us feel the strength of the gale first return the man who was called Mr. Gray, moving from the side of Griffith to the weather gangway of the vessel where he stood in silence looking ahead of the ship with an air of singular coolness and abstraction. All the lanterns had been extinguished on the deck of the frigate when her anchor was secured, and as the first mist of the gale have passed over, it was succeeded by a faint light that was a good deal aided by the glittering foam of the waters, which now broke in white curls around the vessel in every direction. The land could be faintly discerned, rising like a heavy bank of black fog above the margin of the waters, and was only distinguishable from the heavens by its deeper gloom and obscurity. The last rope was coiled and deposited in its proper place by the seaman, and for several minutes the stillness of death pervaded the crowded decks. It was evident to everyone that their ship was dashing at a prodigious rate through the waves, and as she was approaching with such velocity the quarter of the bay where the shoals and dangers were known to be situated, nothing but the habits of the most exact discipline could suppress the uneasiness of the officers and men within their own bosoms. At length the voice of Captain Munson was heard, calling to the pilot, Shall I send a hand into the chains, Mr. Gray, he said, and try our water. Although this question was asked aloud, and the interest it excited drew many of the officers and men around him in eager impatience for his answer, it was unheeded by the man to whom it was addressed. His head rested on his hand as he leaned over the hammock-cloth of the vessel, and his whole air was that of one whose thoughts wandered from the pressing necessity of their situation. Griffith was among those who had approached the pilot, and after waiting a moment from respect to hear the answer to his commander's question, he presumed on his own rank and leaving the circle that stood at a little distance, stepped to the side of the mysterious guardian of their lives. Captain Munson desires to know whether you wish a cast of the lead, said the young officer, with a little impatience of manner. No immediate answer was made to this repetition of the question, and Griffith laid his hand unceremoniously on the shoulder of the other with an intent to rouse him before he made another application for a reply. But the convulsive start of the pilot held him silent in amazement. Fall back there, said the lieutenant, sternly, to the men who were closing around them in compact circle, away with you to your stations, and see all clear for a stave. The dense mass of heads dissolved at this order, like the water of one of the waves commingling with the ocean, and the lieutenant and his companions were left by themselves. This is not a time from using, Mr. Gray, continued Griffith. Remember our compact and look to your charge. Is it not time to put the vessel in staze of what are you dreaming? The pilot laid his hand on the extended arm of the lieutenant and grasped it with the convulsive pressure as he answered, it is a dream of reality. You are young, Mr. Griffith, nor am I past the noon of life, but should you live 50 years longer, you never can see and experience what I have encountered in my little period of three and 30 years. A good deal astonished at this burst of feeling so singular at such a moment. The young sailor was at a loss for a reply. But as his duty was uppermost in his thoughts, he still dwelt on the theme that most interested him. I hope much of your experience has been on this coast for the ship travels lively, he said, and the daylight showed us so much to dread that we do not feel overvalued in the dark how much longer shall we stand on upon this tack. The pilot turned slowly from the side of the vessel and walked towards the commander of the frigate as he replied in a tone that seemed deeply agitated by his melancholy reflections. You have your wish then much, very much of my early life was passed on this dreaded coast. What to you is all darkness and gloom to me is as light as if a noonday sun shown upon it. But tack your ship, sir, tack your ship. I would see how she works before we reach the point where she must behave well or we perish. Griffith gazed after him in wonder while the pilot slowly paced the quarter-deck and then rousing from his trance gave forth the cheering order that called each man to his station to perform the desired evolution. The confident assurances which the young officer had given to the pilot, respecting the qualities of his vessel and his own ability to manage her were fully realized by the result. The helm was no sooner put Ali than the huge ship bore up gallantly against the wind and dashing directly through the waves through the foam high into the air as she looked boldly into the very eye of the wind and then yielding gracefully to its power. She fell off on the other tack with her head pointed from those dangerous shoals that she had so recently approached with such terrifying velocity. The heavy yards swung round as if they had been veins to indicate the currents of the air and in a few moments the frigate again moved with stately progress through the water leaving the rocks and shoals behind her on one side of the bay but advancing towards those that offered equal danger on the other. During this time the sea was becoming more agitated and the violence of the wind was gradually increasing. The latter no longer whistled amid the cordage of the vessel but it seemed to howl surly as it passed the complicated machinery that the frigate uprooted on its path. An endless succession of white surges rose above the heavy billows and the very air was glittering with the light that was disengaged from the ocean. The ship yielded each moment more and more before the storm and in less than half an hour from the time that she had lifted her anchor she was driven along with tremendous fury by the full power of a gale of wind. Still the hearty and experienced mariners who directed her movements held her to the course that was necessary to their preservation and still Griffith gave forth when directed by their unknown pilot those orders that turned her in the narrow channel where alone safety was to be found. So far the performance of his duty appeared easy to the stranger and he gave the required directions in those still calm tones that formed so remarkable a contrast to the responsibility of his situation. But when the land was becoming dim in distance as well as darkness and the agitated sea alone was to be discovered as it swept by the men foam he broke in upon the monotonous roaring of the tempest with the sounds of his voice seeming to shake off his apathy and rouse himself to the occasion. Now is the time to watch her closely Mr. Griffith he cried here we get the true tide and the real danger place the best quarter master of your ship in those chains and let an officer stand by him and see that he gives us the right water. I will take that office on myself said the captain pass the light into the weather main chains stand by your braces exclaimed the pilot with startling quickness Eve away that lead. These preparations taught the crew to expect the crisis and every officer a man stood in fearful silence at his assigned station awaiting the issue of the trial. Even the quarter master at the gun gave out his orders to the men at the wheel in deeper and horserad tones unusual as if anxious not to disturb the quiet and order of the vessel. Well this deep expectation pervaded the frigate the piercing cry of the Leedsman as he called by the mark seven rows above the tempest crossed over the decks and appeared to pass away to lewd born on the blast like the warnings of some water spirit. Tis well return the pilot calmly tried again the short pause was succeeded by another cry and a half five she shows she shows exclaimed Griffith keeper a good full. I you must hold the vessel in command now said the pilot with those cool tones that are most appalling in critical moments because they seem to denote most preparation and care. The third call by the deep for was followed by a prompt direction from the stranger to tag Griffith seemed to emulate the coolness of the pilot in issuing the necessary orders to execute this maneuver. The vessel rose slowly from the inclined position and to which she had been forced by the tempest and the sales were shaking violently as if to release themselves from their confinement while the ship stem the billows when the well known voice of the sailing master was heard shouting from the forecastle breakers breakers dead ahead. This appalling sound seemed yet to be lingering about the ship when a second voice cried breakers on our Lee bow. We are in a bite of the shoals Mr. Gray cried the commander she loses her way perhaps an anchor might hold her clear away that best bower shouted Griffith through his trumpet hold on cried the pilot in a voice that reached the very hearts of all who heard him hold on everything. The young man turned fiercely to the daring stranger who thus defied the discipline of his vessel and it once demanded who is it that dares to counter man my orders is it not enough that you run the ship into danger but you must interfere to keep her there. If another word peace Mr. Griffith interrupted the captain bending from the rigging his gray locks blowing about in the wind and adding a look of wildness to the haggard care that he exhibited by the light of his lantern yielded trumpet to Mr. Gray he alone can save us. Griffith threw his speaking trumpet on the deck and as he walked proudly way muttered in bitterness of feeling then all is lost indeed and among the rest the foolish hopes with which I visited this coast. There was however no time for reply the ship had been rapidly running into the wind and as the efforts of the crew were paralyzed by the contradictory orders that had heard she gradually lost her way and in a few seconds all our sales were taken aback. Before the crew understood the situation the pilot had applied the trumpet to his mouth and in a voice that rose above the tempest he thundered forth his orders each command was given distinctly and with the precision that showed him to be master of his profession. The helm was kept fast the head yard swung up heavily against the wind and the vessel was soon whirling round on her heel with a retrograde movement. Griffith was too much of a seaman not to perceive that the pilot had seized with a perception almost intuitive the only method that promised to extricate the vessel from her situation. He was young, impetuous and proud but he was also generous for getting his resentment and his mortification he rushed forward among the men and by his presence and example added certainty to the experiment. The ship fell off slowly before the gale and bowed her yards nearly to the water as she felt the blast pouring its fury on her broadside while the surly waves beat violently against her stern as if in reproach at departing from her usual manner of moving. The voice of the pilot however was still heard steady and calm and yet so clear and high as to reach every ear and the obedient seaman whirled the yards at his bidding in despite of the tempest as if they handled the toys of their childhood. When the ship had fallen off dead before the wind, her head sails were shaken, her after yards trimmed and her helm shifted before she had time to run upon the danger that had threatened as well to lure it as to windward. The beautiful fabric obedient to her government through her bows up gracefully towards the wind again and as her sails were trimmed moved out from among the dangerous jewels in which she had been imbued as steadily and swiftly as she had approached them. A moment of breathless astonishment succeeded the accomplishment of this nice maneuver but there was no time for the usual expressions of surprise. The stranger still held the trumpet and continued to lift his voice amid the howlings of the blast whenever prudence or skill required any change in the management of the ship. For an hour longer there was a fearful struggle for their preservation, the channel becoming at each step more complicated and the shoals thickening around the mariners on every side. The lead was cast rapidly and the quick eye of the pilot seemed to pierce the darkness with the keenness of vision that exceeded human power. It was apparent to all in the vessel that they were under the guidance of one who understood the navigation thoroughly and their exertions kept pace with their reviving confidence. Again and again the frigate appeared to be rushing blindly on shoals where the sea was covered with foam and where destruction would have been as sudden as it was certain when the clear voice of the stranger was heard warning them of the danger and inciting them to their duty. The vessel was implicitly yielded to his government and during those anxious moments when she was dashing the waters aside throwing the spray over her enormous yards each ear would listen eagerly for those sounds that had obtained a command over the crew that can only be acquired under such circumstances by great steadiness and consummate skill. The ship was recovering from the inaction of changing her course in one of those critical attacks that she had made so often when the pilot for the first time addressed the commander of the frigate who still continued to superintend the all important duty of the Leedsman. Now as the pinch she said and if the ship behaves well we are safe but if otherwise all we have yet done will be useless. The veteran seaman whom he addressed left the chains at this portentous notice and calling to his first lieutenant required of the stranger an explanation of his warning. See you young light on the southern headland return the pilot you may know it from the star near it by its sinking at times in the ocean. Now observe the hammock a little north of it looking like a shadow in the horizon to the hill far inland if we keep that light open from the hill we shall do well but if not we surely go to pieces. Let us tack again exclaimed the lieutenant the pilot shook his head as he replied there is no more attacking or box hauling to be done tonight we have barely room to pass out of the shoals on this course. And if we can weather the devil's grip we clear their outermost point but if not as I said before there is but an alternative. If we had beaten out the way we entered exclaimed Griffith we should have done well say also if the tide would have let us do so return the pilot calmly gentlemen we must be prompt we have but a mile to go and the ship appears to fly. That top sail is not enough to keep her up to the wind we want both jib and mainsail. It is a perilous thing to loosen campus and such a tempest observe the doubtful captain. It must be done return the collected stranger we perish without it see the light already touches the edge of the hammock the sea casts us to lure it shall be done quite grievous seizing the trumpet from the hand of the pilot. The orders of the lieutenant were executed almost as soon as issued and everything being ready the enormous foals of the mainsail were trusted loose to the blast. For instance when the result was doubtful the tremendous rushing of the heavy sales seem to bid defiance to all restraint shaking the ship to her center but art and strength prevailed and gradually the canvas was distended and Belling as it failed was drawn down to its usual place by the power of 100 men. The vessel yielded to this immense addition of force and bowed before it like a reed bending to a breeze but the success of the measure was announced by a joyful cry from the stranger that seemed to burst from his inmost soul. She feels it she springs her love observe he said the light opens from the hammock already if she will only bear her canvas we shall go clear. A report like that of a cannon interrupted his exclamation and something resembling a white cloud was seen drifting before the wind from the head of the ship till it was driven into the gloom far to lured. Tis the jib blown from the bolt ropes said the commander of the frigate this is no time to spread light duck but the mainsail may stand it yet the sail would laugh at a tornado return the lieutenant but the mass brings like a piece of steel. Silence all cried the pilot now gentlemen we shall soon know our fate letter love love you can. This morning affectionately closed all discourse and the hearty mariners knowing that they had already done all in the power of man to ensure their safety stood in breathless anxiety awaiting the result. At a short distance ahead of them the whole ocean was white with foam and the waves instead of rolling on in regular succession appeared to be tossing about in mad gambles. A single streak of dark billows not half a cable's length and width could be discerned running into this chaos of water but it was soon lost to the eye amid the confusion of the disturbed element. Along this narrow path the vessel moved more heavily than before being brought so near the wind as to keep her sails touching the pilot silently proceeded to the wheel and with his own hands he undertook the steerage of the ship. No noise proceeded from the frigate to interrupt the horrid tumult of the ocean and she entered the channel among the breakers with the silence of a desperate calmness. Twenty times as the foam rolled away too lured the crew were on the eve of uttering their joy as they suppose the vessel passed the danger but breaker after breaker would still heave up before them following each other into the general mass to check their exaltation. Occasionally the fluttering of the sails would be heard and when the looks of the startled semen were turned to the wheel they beheld the stranger grasping its spokes with his quick eye glancing from the water to the canvas. I think the ship reached a point where she appeared to be rushing directly into the jaws of destruction when suddenly her course was changed and her head receded rapidly from the wind. At the same instant the voice of the pilot was heard shouting, square away the yards in mainsail. A general burst from the crew echoed, square away the yards and quick as thought the frigate was seen gliding along the channel before the wind. The eye had hardly time to dwell on the foam which seemed like clouds driving in the heavens and directly the gallant vessel issued from her perils and rose and fell on the heavy waves of the sea. The semen were yet drawing long breaths and gazing about them like men recovered from a trance when Griffith approached the man who had so successfully conducted them through their perils. The lieutenant grasped the hand of the other as he said, you had this night proved yourself a faithful pilot and such a semen as the world cannot equal. The pressure of the hand was warmly returned by the unknown mariner who replied, I am no stranger to the seas and I may yet find my grave in them, but you too have deceived me, you have acted nobly young man. And Congress, what of Congress, asked Griffith observing him to pause, why Congress is fortunate if it has many such ships as this said the stranger coldly walking away toward the commander. Griffith gazed after him a moment in surprise, but as his duty required his attention other thoughts soon engaged his mind. The vessel was pronounced to be in safety, the gale was heavy and increasing, but there was a clear sea before them and as she slowly stretched out into the bosom of the ocean, preparations were made for her security during its continuance. Before midnight everything was in order, again from the aerial soon announced the safety of the schooner also, which had gone out by another and an easier channel that the frigate had not dared to attempt when the commander directed the usual watch to be set and the remainder of the crew to seek their necessary repose. The captain withdrew with the mysterious pilot to his own cabin, Griffith gave his last order and renewing his charge to the officer instructed with the care of the vessel, he wished him a pleasant watch and sought the refreshment of his own cot. For an hour the young lieutenant lame using all the events of the day, the remark of Barnes table would occur to him in connection with the singular comment of the boy, and then his thoughts would recur to the pilot, who taken from the hostile shores of Britain and with her accent on his tongue have served them so faithfully and so well. He remembered the anxiety of Captain Munson to procure this stranger at the very hazard from which they had just been relieved and puzzled himself with conjecturing why a pilot was to be sought at such a risk. His more private feelings would then resume their sway and the recollection of America his mistress and his home mingled with the confused images of the drowsy youth. The dashing of the billows against the side of the ship, the creaking of guns and bulkheads with the roaring of the tempest however it became gradually less and less distinct until nature yielded to necessity and the young man forgot even the romantic images of his love in the deep sleep of a seaman. End of Chapter 5 Chapter 6 of The Pilot by James Fenimore Cooper This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 6 The letter I, the letter, tis there a woman loves to speak her wishes. It spares the blushes of the lovesick maiden and every words a smile, each line a tongue. Duo The slumbers of Griffith continued till late on the following morning when he was awakened by the report of a cannon issuing from the deck above him. He threw himself listlessly from his cot and perceiving the officer of Marines near him as his servant opened the door of his state room. He inquired with some little interest in his manner if the ship was in chase of anything that a gun was fired. Tis no more than a hint to the aerial, the soldier replied that there is bunting abroad for them to read. It seems as if all hands were asleep on board her for we have shown her a signal these ten minutes and she takes us for a collier I believe by the respect she pays it. Say rather that she takes us for an enemy and his wary returned Griffith. Brown Dick has played the English so many tricks himself that he is tender of his faith. Why they have shown him a yellow flag over a blue one with a cornet and that spells aerial in every signal book we have surely he can't suspect the English of knowing how to read Yankee. I've known Yankees read more difficult English said Griffith smiling but in truth I suppose that barn stable has been like myself keeping a dead reckoning of his time and his men have profited by the occasion she is lying to I trust. I like a cork in a mill pond and I dare say you are right give barn stable plenty of sea room a heavy wind and but little sale and he will send his men below put that fellow he calls long Tom at the tiller and follow himself and sleep as quietly as I ever could at church. Yours is a somniferous orthodoxy Captain manual said the young sailor laughing while he slipped his arms into the sleeves of a morning roundabout covered with the gilded trappings of his profession sleep appears to come most naturally to all you idlers but give me a passage and I will go up and call the schooner down to us in the turning of an hourglass. The indolent soldier raised himself from the leaning posture he had taken against the door of the state room and Griffith proceeded through the dark ward room up the narrow stairs that led him to the principal battery of the ship and then spot another and broader flight of steps to the open deck. The gale still blue strong but steadily the blue water of the ocean was rising in mimic mountains that were crowned with white foam, which the wind at times lifted from its kindred element to propel in mist through the air from summit to summit. But the ship wrote on these agitated billows with an easy and regular movement that denoted the skill with which her mechanical powers were directed. The day was bright and clear and the lazy sun who seemed unwilling to meet the toil of ascending to the meridian was crossing the heavens with a sudden inclination that hardly allowed him to temper the moist air of the ocean with his genial heat. At the distance of a mile directly in the wind's eye the aerial was seen obeying the signal which had caused the dialogue we have related. Her low black hull was barely discernible at moments when she rose to the crest of a larger wave than common but the spot of candles that she exposed to the wind was to be seen seeming to touch the water on either hand as the little vessel rolled amid the seas. At times she was entirely hid from view when the faint lines of her raking mass would again be discovered issuing as it were from the ocean and continuing to ascend until the hull itself would appear thrusting its bowels into the air surrounded by foam and apparently ready to take its flight into another element. After dwelling a moment on the beautiful sight we have attempted to describe Griffith cast his eyes upward to examine with the keenness of a semen the disposition of things a lot and then turned his attention to those who were on the deck of the frigate. His commander stood in his composed manner patiently waiting the execution of his order by the aerial and at his side was placed the stranger who had so recently acted such a conspicuous part in the management of the ship. Griffith availed himself of daylight and his situation to examine the appearance of this singular being more closely than the darkness and confusion of the preceding night had allowed. He was a trifle below the middle size and stature but his form was muscular and athletic exhibiting the finest proportions of manly beauty. His face appeared rather characterized by melancholy and thought then by that determined decision which he has so powerfully displayed in the moments of their most extreme danger. The Griffith well knew that it could also exhibit looks of the fiercest impatience at present it appeared to the curious youth when compared to the glimpses he had caught by the lights of their lanterns like the ocean at rest contrasted with the waters around him. The eyes of the pilot rested on the deck or when they did wander it was with uneasy and rapid glances the large p-jacket that concealed most of his other attire was as roughly made and of materials as coarse as that worn by the meanest semen in the vessel and yet it did not escape the inquisitive gaze of the young lieutenant that it was worn with an air of neatness and care that was altogether unusual in men of his profession. The examination of Griffith ended here for the near approach of the aerial attracted the attention of all on the deck of the frigate to the conversation that was about to pass between their respective commanders. As the little schooner rolled along under their stern Captain Munson directed his subordinate to leave his vessel and repair on board the ship. As soon as the order was received the aerial rounded to and drawing ahead into the smooth water occasion by the huge fabric that protected her from the gale. The whale boat was again launched from her decks and manned by the same crew that had landed on those shores which were now faintly discerned far to Leward looking like blue clouds on the skirts of the ocean. When Barnstable had entered his boat a few strokes of the oars scented dancing over the waves to the side of the ship. The little vessel was then veered off to a distance where it rode in safety under the care of a boat keeper and the officer and his men ascended the side of the lofty frigate. The usual ceremonials of reception were rigidly observed by Griffith and his juniors when Barnstable touched the deck and though every hand was ready to be extended toward the reckless seaman, none presumed to exceed the salutations of official decorum until a short and private dialogue had taken place between him and their captain. In the meantime the crew of the whale boat passed forward and mingled with the seaman of the frigate with the exception of the coxswain who established himself in one of the gang ways where he stood in the utmost composure fixing his eyes aloft and shaking his head in evident dissatisfaction as he studied the complicated mass of rigging above him. This spectacle soon attracted to his side some half dozen news with Mr. Mary at their head who endeavored to entertain their guests in a manner that should most conduce to the indulgence of their own waggish propensities. The conversation between Barnstable and his superior soon ended when the former beckoning to Griffith passed the wondering group who had collected around the capstan awaiting his leisure to greet him more cordially and led the way to the ward room with the freedom of one who felt himself no stranger. As this unsocial manner formed no part of the natural temper or ordinary department of the man, the remainder of the officers suffered their first lieutenant to follow him alone believing that duty required that their interview should be private. Barnstable was determined that it should be so at all events for he seized the lamp from the mess table and entered the state room of his friend closing the door behind them and turning the key. When they were both within its narrow limits pointing to the only chair the little apartment contained with a sort of instinctive deference to his companion's rank, the commander of the schooner threw himself carelessly on a sea chest and placing the lamp on the table he opened the discourse as follows. What a night we had of it, twenty times I thought I could see the sea breaking over you and I'd given you over as drowned men or what is worse as men driven ashore to be led to the prison ships of these islanders when I saw your lights in answer to my gun. Had you hoisted the conscience of a murderer you wouldn't have relieved him more than you did me by showing that bit of tallow and cotton tipped with flint and steel. But Griffith I have a tale to tell of a different kind of how you slept when you found yourself in deep water and how your crew strove to outdo their commander and how all succeeded so well that there was a grey head on board here that began to shake with displeasure. Interruptly grifted truly dick you will get into liberally habits on board that bubble in which you float about where all hands go to sleep as regularly as the inhabitants about poultry yard go to roost. Not so bad not have so bad Ned returned the other laughing I keep as sharp a discipline as if we wore a flag to be sure 40 men can't make as much parade as three or 400 but as for making or taking in sale. I because the pocket handkerchief is sooner opened and shut than a tablecloth but I hold it to be unseem and like to leave any vessel without human eyes and those open to watch whether she goes east or west north or south and who is guilty of such a dead man's watch. Why they say aboard here that when it blows hard you seat the man you call long Tom by the side of the tiller tell him to keep her head to see and then pipe all hands to their night caps where you all remain comfortably stowed in your hammocks until you are awakened by the snoring of your helmsman. Disadamned scandalous insinuation cried barn stable with an indignation that he in vain attempted to conceal who gives currency to such a libel Mr. Griffith. I had it of the Marine said his friend losing the archness that had obligated him to worry his companion in the vacant air of one who was careless of everything. But I don't believe half of it myself. I have no doubt you all had your eyes open last night whatever you might have been about this morning. This morning there was an oversight indeed but I was studying a new signal book Griffith that has a thousand times more interest for me than all the bunting you can show from the head to the heel of your masks. What have you found out the Englishman's private talk no no said the other stretching forth his hand and grasping the arm of his friend. I met last night one of those cliffs who has proved herself what I always believed her to be and loved her for a girl of quick thought and bold spirit of whom do you speak of Catherine. Griffith started from his chair involuntarily at the sound of this name and the blood passed quickly through the shades of his countenance leaving it now pale as death and then burning as if oppressed by a torrent from his heart. Struggling to overcome an emotion which he appeared ashamed to betray even to the friend he most loved the young man soon recovered himself so far as to resume his seat. When he asked gloomily was she alone she was but she left with me this paper and this invaluable book which is worth a library of all other works. The eye of Griffith rested vacantly on the treasure that the other valued so highly but his hand seized eagerly the open letter which was laid on the table for his bruise. The reader will at once understand that it was in the handwriting of a female and that it was the communication Barnstable had received from his betrothed on the cliffs its contents were as follows. Believing that Providence may conduct me where we shall meet or whence I may be able to transmit to you this account I have prepared a short statement of the situation of Cecilia, Howard and myself. Not however to urge you and Griffith to any rash or foolish hazards but that you may both sit down and after due consultation determine what is proper for our relief. By this time you must understand the character of Colonel Howard too well to expect he will ever consent to give his niece to a rebel. He has already sacrificed to his loyalty as he calls it but I whisper to Cecilia. To his treason not only his native country but no small part of his fortune also. In the frankness of my disposition you know my frankness Barnstable but too well I confess to him after the defeat of the mad attempt Griffith made to carry off Cecilia in Carolina that I have been foolish enough to enter into some weak promise to the brother officer who had accompanied the young sailor in his traitorous visits to the plantation. Hi ho I sometimes think it would have been better for us all if your ship had never been chased into the river or after she was there if Griffith had made no attempt to renew his acquaintance with my cousin. The Colonel received the intelligence as such a guardian would hear that his word was about to throw away $30,000 and herself on a trader to his king and country. I defended you stoutly said that you had no king as the tide was dissolved that America was your country and that your profession was honorable but it would not all do he called you rebel that I was used to. He said you were a trader that in his vocabulary amounts to the same thing he even hinted that you were a coward and that I knew to be false and did not hesitate to tell him so he used 50 appropriate terms that I cannot remember. But among others were the beautiful epithets of disorganizer leveler Democrat and Jacobin. I hope he did not mean a monk. In short he acted Colonel Howard in a rage but as his dominion does not like that of his favorite kings continue from generation to generation. And one short year will release me from his power and leave me mistress of my own actions. That is if your fine promises are to be believed. I bore it all very well being resolved to suffer anything but martyrdom rather than abandon Cecilia. She dear girl has much more to distress her than I can have. She is not only the ward of Colonel Howard but his niece and his soul heir. I'm persuaded this last circumstance makes no difference in either her conduct or her feelings but he appears to think it gives him a right to tyrannize over her on all occasions. After all Colonel Howard is a gentleman when you do not put him in a passion and I believe a thoroughly honest man and Cecilia even loves him but a man who has driven from his country in his 60th year with the loss of near half his fortune is not apt to canonize those who compel the change. It seems that when the Howards lived on this island 100 years ago they drove in the county of Northumberland. Either then he brought us when political events and his dreaded becoming the uncle to a rebel induced him to abandon America as he says forever. We have been here now three months and four-two-thirds of that time. We lived in tolerable comfort but laterally the papers have announced the arrival of the ship and your schooner in France and from that moment as stricter watch has been kept over us as if we had meditated a renewal of the carot line of flight. The Colonel on his arrival here hired an old building that is part house, part abbey, part castle and all prison because it is said to have once belonged to an ancestor of his. In this delightful dwelling there are many cages that will secure more uneasy birds than we are. About a fortnight ago an alarm was given in a neighboring village which is situated on the shore that two American vessels answering your description have been seen hovering along the coast and as people in this quarter dream of nothing but that terrible fellow Paul Jones it was said that he was on board one of them. But I believe that Colonel Howard suspects who you really are. He was very minute in his inquiries I hear and since then has established a sort of garrison in the house under the pretense of defending it against marauders like those who are said to have laid my lady Selkirk under contribution. Now understand me barn stable on no account would I have you risk yourself on shore. Neither must there be blood spilt if you love me, but that you may know what sort of a place we are confined in and by whom surrounded I will describe both our prison and the garrison. The whole building is a stone not to be attempted with slight means. It is windings and turnings both internally and externally that would require more skill than I possess to make intelligible. But the rooms we inhabit are in the upper or third floor of a wing that you may call a tower if you are in a romantic mood but which in truth is nothing but a wing. Would you God I could fly with it. If any accident should bring you inside of the dwelling you won't know our rooms by the three smoky veins that wiffle about its pointed roof and also by the windows in that story being occasionally open. Opposite to our windows at the distance of half a mile is a retired unfrequented ruin concealed in a great measure from observation by a wood and affording none of the best accommodations it is true but shelter in some of its vaults or apartments. I've prepared according to the explanations you once gave me on this subject a set of small signals of differently colored silks and a little dictionary of all the phrases that I could imagine as useful to refer to properly numbered to correspond with the key in the flags all of which I shall send you with this letter. You must prepare your own flags and of course I retain mine as well as a copy of the key in book if opportunity should ever offer we can have at least a pleasant discourse together you from the top of the old tower in the ruins and I from the east window of my dressing room. But now for the garrison in addition to the commandant Colonel Howard who retains all the fierceness of his former military profession there is as his second in authority that bane of Cecilia's happiness kit Dylan with his long Savannah face scornful eyes of black and skin of the same color. This gentleman you know is a distant relative of the Howard's and wishes to be more nearly allied. He is poor it is true but then as the Colonel daily remarks he is a good and loyal subject and no rebel. When I asked why he was not in arms and these during times contending for the Prince he left so much the Colonel answers that it is not his profession, but he has been educated for the law and was destined to fill one of the highest judicial stations in the colonies, and that he hoped he should yet live to see him sentence certain nameless gentlemen to condine punishment. This was consoling to be sure but I bore it however he left Carolina with us and here he is and here he is likely to continue unless you can catch him and anticipate his judgment on himself. The Colonel has long desired to see this gentleman, the husband of Cecilia and since the news of your being on the coast, the siege has nearly amounted to a storm. The consequences are that my cousin at first kept a room and then the Colonel kept her there and even now she is precluded from leaving the wing we inhabit. In addition to these two principal jailers we are four men servants to black and to white and an officer and 20 soldiers from that neighboring town are billeted on us by particular desire until the coast is declared free from pirates. Yes that is the musical name they give you and when their own people land and plunder and rob and murder the men and insult the women they are called heroes. It is a fine thing to be able to invent names and make dictionaries and it must be your fault if mine has been framed for no purpose. I declare when I recollect all the insulting and cruel things I hear in this country of my own and her people it makes me lose my temper and forget my sex but do not let my ill humor urge you to anything rash. Remember your life remember their prisons remember your reputation do not do not forget your Catherine Plowden. Yes I had almost forgotten to tell you that in the signal book you will find a more particular description of our prison where it stands in a drawing of the grounds etc. When Griffith concluded this epistle he returned it to the man to whom it was addressed and fell back in his chair in an attitude that denoted deep reflection. I knew she was here or I should have accepted the command offered to me by our commissioners in Paris. He had linked uttered and I thought that some lucky chance might throw her in my way but this is bringing us close indeed this intelligence must be acted on and that promptly poor girl what does she not suffer in such a situation. What a beautiful hand she writes exclaimed Barnstable is as clear and as pretty and as small as her own delicate fingers. Griff what a log book she would keep. Cecilia Howard touched the coarse leaves of a log book cried the other in amazement but perceiving Barnstable to be pouring over the contents of his mistress's letter he smiled at their mutual folly and continued silent. After a short time spent in cool reflection Griffith inquired of his friend the nature and circumstances of his interview with Catherine Plowden Barnstable related it briefly as it occurred in the manner already known to the reader. Then said Griffith Mary is the only one besides ourselves who knows of this meeting and he will be to cherry of the reputation of the skins women to mention it. Her reputation needs no shield Mr Griffith cried her lover. It is as spotless as the canvas above your head and peace dear rigid I am treat your pardon my words may have conveyed more than I intended but it is important that our measure should be secret as well as prudently concerted. We must get them both off return Barnstable for getting his displeasure the moment it was exhibited and that too before the old man takes it into his wise head to leave the coast. Did you ever get a sight of his instructions or does he keep silent as the grave. This is the first time we have left port that he has not conversed freely with me on the nature of the cruise but not a syllable has been exchanged between us on the subject since we sail from brass. That is your jersey bashfulness at Barnstable wait till I come alongside him with my eastern curiosity and I pledge myself to get it out of him in an hour. Do be diamond diamond I doubt said Griffith laughing you will find him as acute at the vision as you can possibly be a cross examination. At any rate it gives me a chance today you know I suppose that he sent for me to attend a consultation of his officers on important matters. I did not return Griffith fixing his eyes intently on the speaker. What is he to offer nay that you must ask your pilot for while talking to me the old man would turn and look at the stranger every minute as if watching for signals how to steer. There is a mystery about that man and our connection with him that I cannot fathom said Griffith but I hear the voice of manual calling for me we are wanted in the cabin. Remember you do not leave the ship without seeing me again. No no my dear fellow from the public we must retire to another private consultation. The young men arose and Griffith throwing off the roundabout in which he had appeared on deck drew on a coat of more formal appearance and taking a sword carelessly in his hand. They proceeded together along the passage already described to the gun deck where they entered with the proper ceremonials into the principal cabin of the frigate. End of Chapter 6 Chapter 7 of the pilot by James Fenimore Cooper. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 7. The arrangements for the consultation were brief and simple. The veteran commander of the frigate received his officers with punctilious respect and pointing to the chairs that were placed around the table which was a fixture in the center of his cabin. He silently seated himself and his example was followed by all without further ceremony. In taking their stations however a quiet but rigid observance was paid to the rights of seniority and rank. On the right of the captain was placed Griffith as next in authority and opposite to him was seated the commander of the schooner. The officer of Marines who was included in the number held the next situation in point of precedence the same order being observed to the bottom of the table which was occupied by a hard featured square built athletic man who held the office of sailing master. When order was restored after the short interruption of taking their places the officer who had required the advice of his inferiors opened the business on which he demanded their opinions. My instructions direct me gentlemen he said after making the coast of England to run the land down. The hand of Griffith was elevated respectfully for silence and the veteran paused with a look that inquired the reason of his interruption. We are not alone said the lieutenant glancing his eye toward the part of the cabin where the pilot stood leaning on one of the guns in an attitude of easy indulgence. The stranger moved nod at this direct hint neither did his eye change from its closed survey of a chart that laid near him on the deck. The captain dropped his voice to tones of cautious respect as he replied to his only Mr. Gray his services will be necessary on the occasion and therefore nothing need be concealed from him. Glances of surprise were exchanged among the young men the Griffith bowing his silent acquiescence in the decision of his superior. The latter proceeded I was ordered to watch for certain signals from the headlines that we made and was furnished with the best of charts and such directions as enabled us to stand into the bay we entered last night. We have now obtained a pilot and one who has proved himself a skillful man such a one gentleman as no officer need hesitate to rely on in any emergency either on account of his integrity or his knowledge. The veteran paused and turned his looks on the countenances of the listeners as if to collect their sentiments on this important point. Receiving no other reply than the one conveyed by the silent inclinations of the heads of his heirs the commander resumed his exclamations referring to an open paper in his hand. It is known to you all gentlemen that the unfortunate question of retaliation has been much agitated between the two governments our own and that of the enemy. For this reason and for certain political purposes it has become an object of solicitude with our commissioners in Paris to obtain a few individuals of character from the enemy who may be held as a check. On their proceedings while at the same time it brings the evils of war from our own shores home to those who have caused it. An opportunity now offers to put this plan in execution and I've collected you in order to consult on the means. A profound silence succeeded this unexpected communication of the object of their crews. After short pause their captain added addressing himself to the sailing master what course would you advise me to pursue Mr. Bolt Rope. The weather beaten seaman who was thus called on to break through the difficulties of a naughty point with his opinion laid one of his short bony hands on the table and began to twirl and ink stand with great industry. While with the other he conveyed a pen to his mouth which was apparently masticated with all the relish that he could possibly have felt had it been a leaf from the famous Virginian weed. But perceiving that he was expected to answer after looking first to his right hand and then to his left he spoke as follows in a horse thick voice in which the fogs of the ocean seemed to have united with sea damps and colds to destroy everything like melody. If this matter is ordered it is to be done I suppose he said for the old rule runs obey orders if you break owners. Though the maxim which says one hand for the owner and tether for yourself is quite as good and has saved many a hearty fellow from a fall that would have balanced the purser's books. Not that I mean a person's books are not as good as any other man's but that when a man is dead his account must be closed or there will be a false muster. Well if the thing is to be done the next question is how is it to be done. There is many a man that knows there is too much canvas on a ship who can't tell how to shorten sail. Well then if the thing is really to be done we must either land a gang to seize them or we must show false lights and sham colors to lead them off to the ship. As for landing Captain Munson I can only speak for one man and that is myself which is to say that if you run the ship with her jib boom into the King of England's parlor windows. Why I'm consenting nor do I care how much of his crockery is cracked in so doing but as to putting the print of my foot on one of his sandy beaches if I do that is always speaking for only one man and saving your presence may I hope to be damned. The young man smiled as the tough old seaman uttered his sentiments so frankly rising with his subject to that which with him was the climax of all discussion. But his commander who was but a more improved scholar from the same rough school appeared to understand his arguments entirely and without altering a muscle of his rigid countenance he required the opinion of the junior lieutenant. The young man spoke firmly but modestly though the amount of what he said was not much more distinct than that uttered by the master and was very much to the same purpose with the exception that he appeared to entertain no personal reluctance to trusting himself on dry ground. The opinions of the others grew gradually more explicit and clear as they ascended in the scale of rank until it came to the turn of the captain of Marines to speak. There was a trifling exhibition of professional pride about the soldier in delivering his sentiments on a subject that embraced a good deal more of his peculiar sort of duty than ordinarily occurred in the usual operations of the frigate. It appears to me so that the success of this expedition depends altogether upon the manner in which it is conducted. After this lucid opening the soldier hesitated a moment as if to collect his ideas for a charge that should look down all opposition and proceeded. The landing of course will be effected on a fair beach under cover of the frigate's guns and could it be possibly done? The schooner should be anchored in such a manner as to throw in a flanking fire on the point of debarkation. The arrangements for the order of march must a good deal depend on the distance to go over. Though I should think, sir, an advanced party of seamen to act as pioneers for the column of Marines should be pushed a short distance in front while the baggage and baggage guard might rest upon the frigate until the enemy was driven into the interior when it could advance without danger. There should be flying guards under the orders of two of the oldest midshipmen and a light corps might be formed of the topmen to cooperate with the Marines. Of course, sir, Mr. Griffith will lead in person the musket men and boarders armed with their long pikes whom I presume he will hold in reserve as I trust my military claims and experience entitle me to the command of the main body. Well done, Field Marshal, cried Barnstable with a glee that seldom regarded time or place. You should never let saltwater mold your buttons, but in Washington's camp eye and in Washington's tent you should swing your hammock in future. Why, sir, do you think we are about to invade England? I know that every military movement should be executed with precision. Captain Barnstable, return the Marine. I am too much accustomed to hear the sneers of the sea officers to regard what I know proceeds from ignorance. If Captain Munson has disposed to employ me and my commands in this expedition, I trust he will discover that Marines are good for something more than to mount, guard, and pay salutes. Then, turning heartily from his antagonist, he continued to address himself to their common superior as if disdaining further intercourse with one who, from the nature of the case, must be unable to comprehend the force of what he said. It will be prudent, Captain Munson, to send out a party to reconorder before we march, and as it may be necessary to defend ourselves in case of repulse, I would beg leave to recommend that a court be provided with entrenching tools to accompany the expedition. They would be extremely useful, sir, in assisting to throw up field works, though I doubt not tools might be found in abundance in this country and laborers impressed for the service on an emergency. This was too much for the visibility of Barnstable who broke forth in a fit of scornful laughter, which no one saw proper to interrupt the griffith on turning his head to conceal the smile that was gathering on his own face perceived the fierce glance which the pilot threw at the Mary seaman and wondered at its significance and impatience. When Captain Munson thought that the mirth of a lieutenant was concluded, he mildly desired his reasons for amusing himself so exceedingly with the plans of the Marine. Tis a chart for a campaign, cried Barnstable, and should be sent off express to Congress before the Frenchmen are brought into the field. Have you any better plan to propose? Mr. Barnstable inquired the patient, Commander, better I, one that will take no time and cause no trouble to execute it, cried the other, tis a seaman's job, sir, and must be done with a seaman's means. Pardon me, Captain Barnstable interrupted the Marine whose jocular vein was entirely absorbed in his military pride. If there be service to be done on shore, I claim it as my right to be employed. Claim what you will, soldier, but how will you carry on the war with a parcel of fellows who don't know one end of a boat from the other? Do you think that a barge or a cutter is to be beached in the same manner you ground farlocked by word of command? No, no, Captain Munnual. I honor your courage for I have seen it tried, but do so if you forget. We wait for your project, Mr. Barnstable, said the veteran. I crave your patience, sir, but no project is necessary. Point out the bearings and distance of the place where the men you want are to be found, and I will take the heel of the gale and run into the land, always speaking for good water and no rocks. Mr. Pilot, you will accompany me for you carry as through a map of the bottom of these seas in your head as ever was made of dry ground. I will look out for good anchorage, or if the wind should blow offshore, let the schooner stand off and on till we should be ready to take the broad sea again. I would land out of my whale boat with long Tom and a boat's crew and finding out the place you will describe. We shall go up and take the men you want and bring them aboard. It's all plain sailing, though, as it is a well-peopled country, it may be necessary to do our short work in the dark. Mr. Griffith, we only wait for your sentiments, proceeded the Captain. When, by comparing opinions, we may decide on the most prudent course. The First Lieutenant had been much absorbed in thought during the discussion of the subject, and might have been on that account better prepared to give his opinion with effect, pointing to the man who yet stood behind him, leaning on a gun he commenced by asking, is it your intention that man shall accompany the party? It is. And from him you expect the necessary information, sir, to guide our movements. You are altogether right. If, sir, he has but a moiety of the skill on the land that he possesses on the water, I will answer for his success. Return the Lieutenant, bowing slightly to the stranger, who received the compliment by a cold inclination of his head. I must desire the indulgence of both Mr. Barnstable and Captain Manuel. He continued and claimed the command as of right belonging to my rank. It belongs naturally to the schooner, exclaimed the impatient Barnstable. There may be enough for us all to do, said Griffith, elevating a finger to the other in a manner and with an impressive look that was instantly comprehended. I neither agree wholly with the one or the other of these gentlemen to said that since our appearance on the coast, the dwellings of many of the gentry are guarded by small detachments of soldiers from the neighboring towns. Who says it, asked the pilot advancing among them with a suddenness that caused a general silence. I say it, sir, return the Lieutenant when the momentary surprise had passed away. Can you vouch for it? I can. Name a house or an individual that is thus protected. Griffith gazed at the man who thus forgot himself in the midst of a consultation like the present and yielding to his native pride, hesitated to reply. But mindful of the declarations of his captain and the recent services of the pilot, he at length said, with a little embarrassment of manner. I know it to be the fact in the dwelling of our Colonel Howard who resides but a few leagues to the north of us. The stranger started at the name and then raising his eye keenly to the face of the young man appeared to study his thoughts in his varying countenance. But the action and the pause that followed were of short continuance. His lips slightly curled whether in scorn or with a concealed smile would have been difficult to say so closely did it resemble both. And as he dropped quietly back to his place at the gun he said, it is more than probable you are right, sir. And if I might presume to advise Captain Munson, it would be to lay great weight on your opinion. Griffith turned to see if he could comprehend more meaning in the manner of the stranger than his words expressed, but his face was again shaded by his hand and his eyes were once more fixed on the chart with the same vacant abstraction as before. I have said, sir, that I agree wholly, neither with Mr. Barnstable nor Captain Manuel, continued the Lieutenant after a short pause. The command of this party is mine, as the senior officer, and I must beg leave to claim it. I certainly do not think the preparation that Captain Manuel advises is necessary. Neither would I undertake the duty with as little caution as Mr. Barnstable proposes. If there are soldiers to be encountered, we should have soldiers to oppose them. But as it must be sudden boatwork and regular evolutions must be placed to a seaman's bustle, a sea officer should command. Is my request granted, Captain Munson? The veteran replied without hesitation, it is, sir, it was my intention to offer you the service, and I rejoice to see you accept it so cheerfully. Griffith with difficulty concealed the satisfaction with which he listened to his commander, and a radiant smile illumined his pale features when he observed, with me then, sir, that the responsibility rests. I request that Captain Manuel, with twenty men, may be put under my orders if that gentleman does not dislike the duty. The Marine bowed and cast a glance of triumph at Barnstable. I will take my own cutter, with her tried crew go on board the schooner, and when the wind laws we will run into the land and then be governed by circumstances. The commander of the schooner threw back the triumphant look of the Marine and exclaimed in his joyous manner, tis a good plan, and done like a seaman, Mr. Griffith. I, I, let the schooner be employed, and if it be necessary, you shall see her anchored in one of their duck-ponds, further broadside to bear on the parlor windows of the best house in the island, but twenty Marines they will cause a jam in my little craft. Not a man less than twenty would be prudent, return Griffith, more service may offer than that we seek. Barnstable well understood his illusion, but still he replied, Make it all, seaman, and I will give you room for thirty, but these soldiers never know how to stow away their arms and legs, unless at a drill one will take the room of two sailors. They swing their hammocks, athwart ships, heads to Leverd, and then turn out wrong, and uppermost at the call. Why, damn it, sir, the chalk and rotten stone of twenty soldiers will choke my hatches. Give me the launch, Captain Munson, exclaim the indignant Marine, and we will follow Mr. Griffith then an open boat, rather than put Captain Barnstable to so much inconvenience. No, no, Manuel, quite the other, extending his muscular arm across the table with an open palm to the soldier, you would all become so many Jonas in uniform, and I doubt whether the fish could digest your cartridge boxes and bayonet belts. You shall go with me and learn with your own eyes, whether we keep the cat's watch aboard the aerial that you joke about. The laugh was general at the expense of the soldier, if we accept the pilot and the commander of the frigate. The former was a silent and apparently an abstracted, but in reality a deeply interested listener to the discourse, and there were moments when he bent his looks on the speakers as if he sought more there in their characters than was exhibited by the gay trifling of the moment. Captain Munson seldom allowed a muscle of his wrinkle features to disturb their repose, and if he had not the real dignity to repress the untimely mirth of his officers, he had too much good nature to wish to disturb their harmless enjoyments. He expressed himself satisfied with the proposed arrangements and back into his steward to place before them the usual beverage with which all their consultations concluded. The sailing master appeared to think that the same order was to be observed in their potations as in counsel and helping himself to an allowance which retained its hue even in its diluted state. He first raised it to the light and then observed this ship's water is nearly the color of rum itself if it only had its flavor, what a set of hearty dogs we should be. Mr. Griffith, I find you are willing to haul your land tax aboard. Well, it's natural for youth to love the earth, but there is one man and he is sailing master of this ship who saw land enough last night to last him a twelve month. But if you will go, here's a good landfall and a better offering to you. Captain Munson, my respects to you. I say, sir, if we should keep the ship moored to the south, it's my opinion and that's but one man's. We should fall in with some of the enemy's home or bound west, Indian men, and find wherewithal to keep the life in us when we see fit to go ashore ourselves. As the tough old sailor made frequent application of the glass to his mouth with one hand and kept a firm hold of the decanter with the other. During the speeches, companions were compelled to listen to his eloquence or depart with their thirst unasswaged. Barnstay, however, quite coolly dispossessed the tar of the bottle and mixing for himself a more equal quotation observed in the act. That is the most remarkable glass of grog you have. Boat, rope that I ever sailed with. It draws as little water as the aerial and is as hard to find the bottom. If your spirit room enjoys the same sort of engine to replenish it as you pump out your rum, Congress will sail this frigate cheaply. The other officers helped themselves with still greater moderation. Griffith barely moistened his lips and the pilot rejecting the offered glass altogether. Captain Munson continued standing and his officers perceiving that their presence was no longer necessary bowed and took their leave. As Griffith was retiring last, he felt a hand laid lightly on his shoulder and turning perceived that he was detained by the pilot. Mr. Griffith, he said, when they were quite alone with the commander of the frigate, the occurrences of the last night should teach us confidence in each other. Without it we go on a dangerous and fruitless errand. Is the hazard equal, return the youth, I am known to all to be the man I seen and in the service of my country belong to a family and enjoy a name that is a pledge for my loyalty to the cause of America. And yet I trust myself on hostile ground in the midst of enemies with a weak arm and under circumstances where treachery would prove my ruin. Who in what is the man who thus enjoys your confidence, Captain Munson, I ask the question less for myself than for the gallant men who will fearlessly follow wherever I lead. A shade of dark displeasure crossed the features of the stranger at one part of this speech and at its close he sank into deep thought. The commander, however, replied, there is a show of reason in your question, Mr. Griffith, and yet you are not the man to be told that implicit obedience is what I have a right to expect. I have not your pretensions served by birth or education and yet Congress have not seen proper to overlook my years and services. I command this frigate. Say no more, interrupted the pilot. There is reason in his doubts and they shall be appeased. I like the proud and fearless eye of the young man and while he dreads a jibbit, for my hands I will show him how to repose a noble confidence. Read this, sir, and tell me if you distrust me now. While the stranger spoke, he thrust his hand into the bosom of his dress and drew forth a parchment decorated with ribbons bearing a mass of seal which he opened and laid on the table before the youth. As he pointed with his finger impressively to different parts of the writing, his eye kindled with a look of unusual fire and there was a faint dissonable on his palate features when he spoke. See, he said, royalty itself does not hesitate to bear witness in my favor and that is not a name to occasion dread to an American. With wonder at the fair signature of the unfortunate Louis which graced the bottom of the parchment, but when his eye obeyed the signal of the stranger and rested on the body of the instrument, he started back from the table and fixing his animated eyes on the pilot he cried while a glow of fiery courage flitted across his countenance. Lead on, I'll follow you to death. A smile of gratified exaltation struggled around the lips of the stranger in the arm of the young man and led him into a stateroom leaving the commander of the frigate standing in his unmoved and quiet manner a spectator of but hardly an actor in the scene. End of Chapter 7 Chapter 8 of the pilot by James Fenimore Cooper this LibriVox recording is in the public domain Chapter 8 exbounding forward sprang the ship like a grey hound starting from the slip to seize his flying prey. Lord of the Isles Although the subject of the consultation remained a secret with those whose opinions were required, yet enough of the result leaked out among the subordinate officers to throw the whole crew into a state of eager excitement. The rumour spread itself along the decks of the frigate with the rapidity of an alarm that an expedition was to attempt to shore on some hidden service dictated by the Congress itself and conjectures were made respecting its force and destination with all that interest which might be imagined would exist among the men whose lives or liberties were to abide the issue. A gallant and reckless daring mingled with the desire of novelty, however, was the prevailing sentiment among the crew who would have received with cheers the intelligence that their vessel was commanded to force the passage of the United British fleet. A few of the older and more prudent of the sailors were exceptions to this thoughtless hardy hood and one or two among whom the coxswain of the whale boat was the most conspicuous venture to speak doubtingly of all sorts of land service as being of a nature never to be attempted by seaman. Captain Manuel had his men paraded in the weather gangway and after a short address calculated to inflame their military ardour and patriotism acquainted them that he required twenty volunteers which was in truth half their number for a dangerous service. After a short pause the company stepped forward like one man and announced themselves as ready to follow him to the end of the world. The Marine cast a look over his shoulder at this gratifying declaration in quest of barn stable but observing that the sailor was occupied with some papers on a distant part of the quarter deck he proceeded to make a most impartial division among the candidates for glory taking care at the same time to call his company in such a manner as to give himself the flower of his men and consequently to leave the ship the refuse. While this arrangement was taking place and the crew of the frigate was in this state of excitement Griffith ascended to the deck his countenance flushed with unusual enthusiasm in his eyes beaming with a look of animation and gaiety that had long been strangers to the face of the young man he was giving forth the few necessary orders to the seaman he was to take with him from the ship when barn stable again motioned him to follow and led the way once more to the state room let the wind blow its pipe out said the commander of the aerial when they were seated there will be no landing on the eastern coast of England till the sea goes down but this Kate was made for sailor's wife see Griffith what a set of signals she has formed out of her own cunning head I hope your opinion may prove true and that you may be the happy sailor who is to wed her return the other the girl has indeed discovered surprising art in this business where could she have learned the method and system so well where why where she learned better things how to prize a whole hearted seaman for instance do you think that my tongue was jammed in my mouth all the time we used to sit by the side of the river in Carolina we found nothing to talk about did you amuse your mistress with treatises on the art of navigation and the signs of signals that Griffith smiling I answered her questions Mr. Griffith as any civil man would to a woman he loved the girl has as much curiosity as one of my own town's women who has weathered Cape 40 without a husband and her tongue goes like a dog vain in a calm first one way and then another but here is her dictionary I now own Griff in spite of your college learning and sentimentals but a woman of ingenuity and cleverness is a very good sort of a helpmate I never doubted the merits of Ms. Plowden said the other with a droll gravity that often mingled with his deeper feelings the result of a sailor's habits blended with native character but this indeed surpasses all my expectations why she has in truth made a most judicious selection of phrases number 168 indelible 169 end only with life 170 I fear yours misleads me 171 for Shaw exclaimed barn stable snatching the book from before the laughing eyes of Griffith what folly to throw away our time now on such nonsense what think you of this expedition to the land that it may be the means of rescuing the ladies though it fail in making the prisoners we anticipate but this pilot you remember that he holds us by our necks and can run us all up to the yard arm of some English ship whenever he chooses to open his throat at their threats or bribes it would have been better that he should have cast the ship ashore when he had her entangled in the shoals it would have been our last thought to suspect him of treachery then return Griffith I follow him with confidence I must believe that we are safer with him we should be without him let him lead to the dwelling of his fox hunting ministers of state cried barn stable thrusting his book of signals into his bosom but here is a chart that will show us the way to the port we wish to find let my foot once more touch terra firma and you may write craven against my name if that laughing vixen slips her cable before my eyes and shoots into the wind's eye again like a flying fish by a dolphin mr. Griffith we must have the chaplain with us to the shore the madness of love is driving you into the errors of the soldier would you lie by to hear sermons without flying party like ours nay nay we must lay to for nothing that is not unavoidable but there are so many tax in such a chase when one has time to breathe that we might as well spend our leisure in getting that fellow to spice us together he has a handy way with a prayer book and could do the job as well as a bishop and I should like to be able to say that this is the last time these two saucy names which are written at the bottom of this letter should ever be seen sailing in the company of each other it will not do said his friend shaking his head and endeavoring to force a smile which is feeling suppressed it will not do Richard we must yield our own inclinations to the service of our country there is this pilot a man who will consent to be led from his purpose then let him follow his purpose alone cried barn stable there is no human power always saving my superior officer that shall keep me from throwing abroad these tiny signals and having a private talk with my dark-eyed Kate but for a paltry pilot he may love and bear away as he pleases while I shall steer as true as a magnet for that old ruin where I can bring my eyes to bear on that romantic wing and three smoky veins not that I'll forget my duty no I'll help you catch the Englishman but when that is done hey for Catherine Plotten and my true love hush madcap the ward room holds long ears and our bulkheads grow thin by where I must keep you and myself to our duty this is no children's game that we play it seems the commissioners at Paris have thought proper to employ a frigate in the sport barn stable's gate he was a little repressed by the grave manner of his companion but after reflecting a moment he started to his feet and made the usual movements for departure wither as Griffith gently detaining his impatient friend too old moderate I have a proposal to make that may remove every difficulty name it to me then I'm in his council and may save you the trouble and mortification of a refusal how many of those gentry does he wish to line his cabin with the pilot has named no less than six all men of rank and consideration with the enemy two of them are peers two more belong to the Commons House of Parliament one is a general and the sixth like ourselves as a sailor and holds the rank of captain they muster at a hunting seat near the coast and believe me the scheme is not without its plausibility well then there are two appease for us you follow the pilot if you will but let me share off for this dwelling of Colonel Howard with my coxswain boats crew I will surprise his house release the ladies and on my way back lay my hands on two of the first lords I fall in with I suppose for our business one is as good as another Griffith could not repress a faint laugh while he replied though they are said to be each other's peers there is I believe some difference even in the quality of lords England might thank us for ridding her of some among them neither are they to be found like beggars under every hedge no no the men we seek must have something better than their nobility to recommend them to our favor but let us examine more closely into this plan and map of Miss Powden something may occur that shall yet bring the place within our circuit like a contingent duty of the crews barn stable reluctantly relinquished his own wild plan to the more sober judgment of his friend and they passed an hour together inquiring into the practical ability and consulting on the means of making their public duty subserve the purpose of their private feelings the gale continued to blow heavily during the whole of that morning but toward noon usual indications of better weather became apparent during these few hours of inaction in the frigate the Marines who were drafted for service on the land moved through the vessel with a busy and stirring air as if they were about to participate in the glory and danger of the campaign their officer had planned while the few semen who were to accompany the expedition steadily paced the deck with their hands thrust into the bosoms of their neat blue jackets are occasionally stretched towards the horizon as their fingers trace for their less experienced shipmates the signs of an abatement in the gale among the driving clouds the last lagoon among the soldiers had appeared with his knapsack on his back in the lee gangway where his comrades were collected armed and accoutre for the strife when Captain Monson ascended to the quarter-deck accompanied by the stranger and his first lieutenant a word was spoken by the latter in a low voice to a midshipman who skipped gale along the deck and presently the shrill call of the boats and was heard preceding the horse cry of away there you tigers away a smart roll of the drum followed and the Marines paraded while the six semen who belonged to the cutter that owned so fierce a name made their preparations for lowering their little bark from the quarter of the frigate into the trouble sea everything was conducted in the most exact order and without coolness and skill that bad defiance to the turbulence of the angry elements the Marines were safely transported from the ship to the schooner under the favoring shelter of the former though the boat appeared at times to be seeking the cavities of the ocean to be riding in the clouds as she passed from one vessel to the other at length it was announced that the cutter was ready to receive the officers of the party the pilot walked aside and held private discourse for a few moments with the commander who listened to his sentences with marked and singular attention when their conference was ended the veteran buried his gray head to the blasts offered his hand to the other with a semen's frankness mingled with the deference of an inferior the compliment was courteously returned by the stranger who turned quickly on his heel and directed the attention of those who awaited his movements by a significant gesture to the gangway come gentlemen let us go said Griffith starting with former reverie and bowing his hasty compliments to his brethren in arms when it appeared that his superiors were ready to enter the boat the boy who by nautical courtesy was style Mr. Mary and who had been ordered to be readyness sprang over the side of the frigate and glided into the cutter with the activity of a squirrel but the captain of Marines paused and cast a meaning glance at the pilot whose place it was to precede him the stranger as he lingered on the deck was examining the aspect of the heavens and seemed unconscious of the expectations of the soldier who gave vent to his impatience after moments detention by saying we wait for you Mr. Gray aroused by the sound of his name the pilot glanced his quick eye on the speaker but instead of advancing he gently bent his body as he again signed toward the gangway with his hand to the astonishment not only of the soldier but of all who witnessed this breach of naval etiquette Griffith bowed low and entered the boat with the same promptitude as if he were preceding an Admiral whether the stranger became conscious of his want of courtesy or was too indifferent to surrounding objects to note occurrences he immediately bothered himself leaving to the Marine the post of honor the latter who was distinguished for his skill in all matters of naval or military etiquette thought proper to apologize at a fitting time to the first Lieutenant for suffering his senior officer to precede him into a boat but never failed to show a becoming exaltation when he recounted the circumstance by dwelling on the manner in which he had brought down the pride of the haughty pilot Barnstable had been several hours on board his little vessel which was every way prepared for their reception and as soon as the heavy cutter of the frigate was hoisted on her deck he announced that the schooner was ready to sail it has been already intimated that the aerial belonged to the smallest class of sea vessels and as the symmetry of her construction reduced even that size and appearance she was peculiarly well adapted to the sort of service in which she was about to be employed notwithstanding her lightness rendered her nearly as buoyant as a court and at times she actually seemed to ride on the phone her low decks were perpetually washed by the heavy seas that dashed against her frail size and she tossed and rolled in the hollers of the waves in a manner that compelled even active seamen who trod her decks to move with guarded steps still she was trimmed and cleared with an air of nautical neatness and attention that afforded the utmost possible room for her dimensions and though in miniature she wore the trappings of war as proudly as if the metal she bore was of a more fatal and dangerous character the murderous gun which since the period of which we are writing has been universally adopted in all ways. This was then in the infancy of its invention was known to the American mariner only by reputation under the appalling name of a smasher of a vast caliber though short and easily managed its advantages were even in that early day beginning to be appreciated and the largest ships were thought to be unusually well provided with the means of events when they carried two or three cannon of this formidable weapon has been improved and altered until its use has become general in vessels of a certain size taking its appellation from the caron on the banks of which river it was first molded in place of these caronades six light brass cannon were firmly lashed to the bulwarks of the aerial their brazen throats blackened by the seawater which so often broke harmlessly over these engines of destruction in the center of the vessel between the hulls of the ship and the hulls of the ship a gun of the same metal but of nearly twice the length of the other was mounted on a carriage about new and singular construction which admitted of its being turned in any direction so as to be of service in most of the emergencies that occur in naval warfare the eye of the pilot examined this armament closely and then turned to the well-ordered with manifest satisfaction contrary to what had been his practice during the short time he'd been with them he uttered his gratification freely and aloud you have a tight boat mr barn stable he said and a gallant looking crew you promise good service sir in time of need and that hour may not be far distant the sooner the better return the reckless sailor I've not had an opportunity of scaling my gun since we quitted breast though we pass several of the enemy's cutters coming up channel with whom our bulldogs longed for a conversation mr griffith will tell you pilot that my little sixes can speak on occasion with a voice nearly as loud as the frigates 18s but not to his much purpose observe griffith boxed at praia na hill as we said at school I know nothing of your grief and lot mr griffith retorted the commander of the aerial but if you mean that seven brass playthings won't throw around shot as far as any gun of their size and height above the water or won't scatter grape and canister with any lunderbuss in your ship you may possibly find an opportunity that will convince you to the contrary before we part company they promise well so the pilot who was evidently ignorant of the good understanding that exists between the two officers and wish to conciliate all under his directions and I doubt not you will argue the leading points of our combat with good discretion I see that you have christened them I suppose for their respective merits they are indeed expressive names tis the freak of an idle moment said barn stable laughing as he glanced his eye to the cannon above which were painted the several quaint names of boxer, plumper, grinder scatterer, exterminator and nail driver why have you thrown the midship gun without the pale of your baptism pilot or do you know it by the usual title of the old woman no no I have no such petticoat terms on board me quite the other but move more to starboard and you will see it's style painted on the cheeks of the carriage it's a name that did not cause them to blush either tis a singular epithet though not without some meaning it has more than you perhaps dream of sir that were the seamen whom you see leaning against the foremast and who would serve on occasion for a spare spar himself as the captain of that gun and more than once has decided some warm disputes with john bull by the manner in which he has wielded it no marine can trail his musket more easily than my cox and can train his nine pounder on an object and thus from their connection and some resemblance there is between them in length it has got the name which you perceive it carries that of long tom the pilot smiled as he listened but turning away from the speaker the deep reflection that crossed the brow but tuned plainly showed that he trifled only from momentary indulgence and Griffith intimated to barn stable that as the gale was sensibly abating they would pursue the object of their destination thus recalled to his duty the commander of the schooner forgot the delightful theme of expatiating on the merits of his vessel and issued the necessary orders to direct their movements the little schooner slowly obeyed the impulse of her helm and fell off before the wind when the foals of her square sail though limited by a prudent reef were open to the blast and she shot away from her consort like a meteor dancing across the waves the black mass of the frigates hull soon sunk in distance and long before the sun had fallen below the hills of England her tall mass were barely distinguishable by the small cloud of sail that held the vessel to her station as the ship disappeared the land seemed to issue out of the bosom of the deep and so rapid was their progress that the dwellings of the gentry the humbler cottages and even the dim lines of the hedges became gradually more distinct to the eyes of the bold mariners until they were beset with the gloom of evening when the whole scene faded from their view in the darkness of the hour leaving only the faint outline of the land visible in the track before them and the solemn billows of the ocean raging with appalling violence in their rear still the little aerial held on her way skimming the ocean like a waterfowl seeking his place of nightly rest and shooting in towards the land as fearlessly as if the dangers of the preceding night were already forgotten no shoals of rocks appeared to arrest her course and we must leave her gliding into the dark streak that was thrown from the high and rocky cliffs that lined a base in a bold entrance where the mariners had been sought and found a refuge from the dangers of the German ocean End of chapter 8