er design on the notorious dealer in contraband was now too
evident to admit of doubt.

Still, the Water-Witch betrayed no symptoms of alarm. The meaning eye of
the image seemed to study the motions of her adversary, with all the
understanding of an intelligent being; and occasionally the brigantine
turned slightly in the varying currents of the air, as if volition
directed the movements of the little fabric. These changes resembled the
quick and slight movements of the hound, as he lifts his head in his
lair, to listen to some distant sound, or to scent some passing taint in
the gale.

In the mean time, the approach of the ship was so swift as to cause the
negro to shake his head, with a meaning that exceeded even his usually
important look. Every thing was propitious to her progress; and, as the
water of the Cove, during the periods that the inlet remained open, was
known to be of a sufficient depth to admit of her entrance, the faithful
Bonnie began to anticipate a severe blow to the future fortunes of his
master. The only hope, that one could perceive, for the escape of the
smuggler, was in the changes of the heavens.

Although the threatening cloud had now quitted the mouth of the Raritan,
and was rolling eastward with fearful velocity, it had not yet broken. The
air had the unnatural and heated appearance which precedes a gust; but,
with the exception of a few large drops, that fell seemingly from a clear
sky, it was as yet what is called a dry squall. The water of the bay was
occasionally dark, angry, and green; and there were moments when it would
appear as if heavy currents of air descended to its surface, wantonly to
try their power on the sister element. Notwithstanding these sinister
omens, the Coquette stood on her course, without lessening the wide
surfaces of her canvas, by a single inch. They who governed her movements
were no men of the lazy Levant, nor of the mild waters of the
Mediterranean, to tear their hair, and call on saints to stand between
their helplessness and harm; but mariners trained in a boisterous sea, and
accustomed to place their first dependence on their own good manhood,
aided by the vigilance and skill of a long and severely-exercised
experience. A hundred eyes on board that cruiser watched the advance of
the rolling cloud, or looked upon the play of light and shade, that caused
the color of the water to vary; but it was steadily, and with an entire
dependence on the discretion of