As the stranger coolly expressed this opinion of Her Majesty's ship
Coquette, he rolled his glance over the persons of his companions,
suffering it to rest, a moment, with a secret significance, on the steady
eye of the burgher.

"Well--" he continued, "the sloop answers for a floating vane to tell
which way the tide is running, if she does nothing better; and that must
be a great assistance, Schipper, in the navigation of one who keeps as
bright a look-out on the manner in which the world whirls round, as a
gentleman of your sagacity!"

"If the news in the creek be true," rejoined the unoffended owner of the
periagua, "there will be other business for Captain Ludlow and the
Coquette, before many days!"

"Ah! having eaten all his meat and bread, the man will be obliged to
victual his ship anew! 'Twere a pity so active a gentleman should keep a
fast, in a brisk tide's-way. And when his coppers are once more filled,
and the dinner is fairly eaten, what dost think will be his next duty?"

"There is a report, among the boatmen of the South Bay, that something was
seen, yester'night, off the outer side of Long Island!"

"I'll answer for the truth of that rumor, for having come up with the
evening flood, I saw it myself."

"Der duyvel's luck! and what dost take it to be?"

"The Atlantic Ocean; if you doubt my word, I appeal to this well-ballasted