lesson to all of over-bold curiosity! Commission and character are not
affairs for your in-shore coaster."

"We have time to hear it," observed the Patroon, whose attention had been
excited by the discourse, and who read in the dark eye of Alida that she
felt an interest in the expected narrative.

But the countenance of the stranger suddenly grew serious. He shook his
head, like one who had sufficient reasons for his silence; and,
relinquishing the tiller, he quite coolly obliged a gaping countryman, in
the centre of the boat, to yield his place, where he laid his own athletic
form, at full length, folded his arms on his breast, and shut his eyes. In
less than five minutes, all within hearing had audible evidence that this
extraordinary son of the ocean was in a sound sleep.




Chapter IV.



"--Be patient, for the prize I'll bring thee to,
Shall hoodwink this mischance--."

Tempest.


The air, audacity, and language of the unknown mariner, had produced a
marked sensation among the passengers of the periagua. It was plain, by