"
"What matters the personal condition of a rogue?" said Captain Ludlow, who
perhaps remembered that the freedom of their intercourse had been carried
as far as comported with prudence.
"What matter, truly! I asked because the description answers a little to
that of a man I once knew, in the seas of farther India, and who has long
since disappeared, though no one can say whither he has gone. But this
'Skimmer of the Seas' is some Spaniard of the Main, or perhaps a Dutchman
come from the country that is awash, in order to taste of terra-firma?"
"Spaniard of the southern coast never carried so bold a sail in these
seas, nor was there ever known a Dutchman with so light a heel. The fellow
is said to laugh at the swiftest cruiser out of England! As to his figure,
I have heard little good of it. 'Tis said, he is some soured officer of
better days, who has quitted the intercourse of honest men, because
roguery is so plainly written on his face, that he vainly tries to hide
it."
"Mine was a proper man, and one that need not have been ashamed to show
his countenance among his fellows," said he of the sash. "This cannot be
the same, if indeed there be any on the coast.--Is't known, your Honor,
that the man is truly here?"
"So goes a rumor; though so many idle tales have led me before to seek the
smuggler where he was not, that I give but little faith to the
report.--The periagua has the wind more at west, and the cloud in the
mouth of the Raritan is breaking into scud.
Pages:
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99