and annoy their enemy. That game is up, for ever. No hostile squadron,
English, French, Dutch, or all united, will ever again blockade an
American port for any serious length of time, the young Hercules passing
too rapidly from the gristle into the bone, any longer to suffer antics of
this nature to be played in front of his cradle. But such was not his
condition in the war of 1812, and the good people of Oyster Pond had
become familiar with the checkered sides of two-deck ships, and the
venerable and beautiful ensign of Old England, as it floated above them.

Nor was it only by these distant views, and by means of hostilities, that
the good folk on Oyster Pond were acquainted with vessels. New York is
necessary to all on the coast, both as a market and as a place to procure
supplies; and every creek, or inlet, or basin, of any sort, within a
hundred leagues of it, is sure to possess one or more craft that ply
between the favourite haven and the particular spot in question. Thus was
it with Oyster Pond. There is scarce a better harbour on the whole
American coast, than that which the narrow arm of the sea that divides the
Point from Shelter Island presents; and even in the simple times of which
we are writing, Sterling had its two or three coasters, such as they were.
But the true maritime character of Oyster Pond, as well as that of all
Suffolk, was derived from the whalers, and its proper nucleus was across
the estuary, at Sag Harbour. Thither the youths of the whole region
resorted for employment, and to advance their fortunes, and generally with
such success as is apt to attend enterprise, industry and daring, when
exercised with energy in a pursuit of moderate gains. None became rich, in
the strict signification of the term, though a few got to be in reasonably
affluent circumstances; many were placed altogether at their ease, and
more were made humbly comfortable. A farm in America is well enough for
the foundation of family support, but it rarely suffices for all the
growing wants of these days of indulgence, and of a desire to enjoy so