he land, which as we drew near we
recognised as Cape May. We were rapidly over-hauling the chase, which
was steering directly for the coast, and it was a question whether we
should come up with her before she ran on shore or got under shelter
among any rocks which might be there. There is nothing so exciting in a
sea life as a chase; the discussion as to what the stranger may prove,
friend or foe, with or without a cargo, armed, and likely to show fight,
or helpless, worth having or valueless; and, more than all, whether or
not one is likely to overtake her. There is only one thing beats it,
and that is to be chased, and I cannot say that the sensations are so
agreeable. We were most of us in high spirits at the thoughts of making
a capture; the first, we hoped, of a number of prizes we should take
during our cruise. The only person who did not take an interest in the
affair was Mercer. He was grave and careworn as before; indeed, it
struck me that his melancholy had increased lately. He was sitting
close to me at the fore-top mast-head.
"Hurrah! we are overhauling her; we shall soon be up with her!" I
exclaimed.
"Hurry," said he, turning round suddenly, "I cannot bear this life. I
wish to do my duty, to remain faithful to my allegiance, and yet, I care
not who knows it, all my sympathies are with those England has made her
foes. I have but one resource; I must quit the service. I would that I
could reach some desert isle where I could hide my head far from the
haunts of men. I would even welcome death as an alternative.
Hurricane, do you know I have of late felt as if my days were already
numbered, and that my stay on earth will be very short. Once the
thought would have made me unhappy; now I contemplate it with
satisfaction, even at moments as a welcome boon."
I did my utmost to turn my friend's mind from the gloomy contemplations
which occupied it. I had conceived of late much greater regard for him
than I had when we first met; there was much that was generous and
romantic in his character which attracted me, besides which his courage
and coolness in danger had often excited my admiration. I had been, as
I have said, using all the arguments I could think of to turn his
thoughts into another channel, when he replied--
"I know that I am wrong to give way to these feelings. My religion
teaches me to trust in God's good providence and to believe that all He
orders is for the best. I spoke as I
|