The Pilot | Page 9

the German Ocean."
"Indeed! you must have passed no small part of your short life in the
study of geography, to be so well informed," returned the lieutenant;
"perhaps, sir, your cunning is also equal to telling me how long we
shall sojourn together, if I make you a prisoner, in order to enjoy the
benefit of your wit?"
To this alarming intimation, the youth who was addressed made no
reply; but as he averted his face, and concealed it with both his hands,
the offended seaman, believing that a salutary impression had been
made upon the fears of his auditor, was about to proceed with his
interrogatories. The singular agitation of the stranger's frame, however,
caused the lieutenant to continue silent a few moments longer, when, to
his utter amazement, he discovered that what he had mistaken for alarm
was produced by an endeavor, on the part of the youth, to suppress a
violent fit of laughter.
"Now, by all the whales in the sea," cried Barnstable, "but you are
merry out of season, young gentleman. It's quite bad enough to be
ordered to anchor in such a bay as this with a storm brewing before my
eyes, without landing to be laughed at by a stripling who has not

strength to carry a beard if he had one, when I ought to be getting an
offing for the safety of both body and soul. But I'll know more of you
and your jokes, if I take you into my own mess, and am giggled out of
my sleep for the rest of the cruise."
As the commander of the schooner concluded, he approached the
stranger, with an air of offering some violence, but the other shrank
back from his extended arm, and exclaimed, with a voice in which real
terror had gotten the better of mirth:
"Barnstable! dear Barnstable! would you harm me?"
The sailor recoiled several feet, at this unexpected appeal, and rubbing
his eyes, he threw the cap from his head, before he cried:
"What do I hear! and what do I see! There lies the Ariel--and yonder is
the frigate. Can this be Katherine Plowden!"
His doubts, if any doubts remained, were soon removed, for the
stranger sank on the bank at her side, in an attitude in which female
bashfulness was beautifully contrasted with her attire, and gave vent to
her mirth in an uncontrollable burst of merriment.
From that moment, all thoughts of his duty, and the pilot, or even of the
Ariel, appeared to be banished from the mind of the seaman, who
sprang to her side, and joined in her mirth, though he hardly knew why
or wherefore.
When the diverted girl had in some degree recovered her composure,
she turned to her companion, who had sat good-naturedly by her side,
content to be laughed at, and said:
"But this is not only silly, but cruel to others. I owe you an explanation
of my unexpected appearance, and perhaps, also, of my extraordinary
attire."
"I can anticipate everything," cried Barnstable; "you heard that we were
on the coast, and have flown to redeem the promises you made me in

America. But I ask no more; the chaplain of the frigate--"
"May preach as usual, and to as little purpose," interrupted the
disguised female; "but no nuptial benediction shall be pronounced over
me, until I have effected the object of this hazardous experiment. You
are not usually selfish, Barnstable; would you have me forgetful of the
happiness of others?"
"Of whom do you speak?"
"My poor, my devoted cousin. I heard that two vessels answering the
description of the frigate and the Ariel were seen hovering on the coast,
and I determined at once to have a communication with you. I have
followed your movements for a week, in this dress, but have been
unsuccessful till now. To-day I observed you to approach nearer to the
shore than usual, and happily, by being adventurous, I have been
successful."
"Ay, God knows we are near enough to the land! But does Captain
Munson know of your wish to get on board his ship?"
"Certainly not--none know of it but yourself. I thought that if Griffith
and you could learn our situation, you might be tempted to hazard a
little to redeem us from our thraldom. In this paper I have prepared
such an account as will, I trust, excite all your chivalry, and by which
you may govern your movements."
"Our movements!" interrupted Barnstable. "You will pilot us in
person."
"Then there's two of them!" said a hoarse voice near them.
The alarmed female shrieked as she recovered her feet, but she still
adhered, with instinctive dependence, to the side of her lover.
Barnstable, who recognized the tones of his cockswain, bent an angry
brow