heart. But I can explain no farther. Adieu, yours, &c.,

MONTMORENCI.'

After having read the above singular epistle, the earl held a long
consultation with his amiable wife, which resulted in their concluding
to comply with the request of the mysterious writer, to adopt the poor
foundling as their own daughter, and at the same time, they determined
never to reveal to her the secret of her strange advent amongst them. In
accordance with these resolutions a suitable nurse for the young infant
was immediately procured, and when it had reached a proper age, it was
baptized by the name of Ellen Armstrong.

Such kind readers, is a brief description of the person and fortunes of
our heroine, previous to the commencement of our narrative, and now
presuming your generous permission as granted, we shall now proceed to
extend the great chain of events connected with our singular and
romantic history.

As the pirate Blackbeard, uttered in a commanding tone the words
recorded at the close of our first chapter, he pointed with his finger
towards the ship, and as the earl involuntarily turned his eyes in the
same direction, he observed a small brig then about two miles off,
making all sail towards the island, which caused him to say, in answer
to the pirate's words:

'I have looked yonder as you directed me to do, yet I can see nothing
but our own noble ship, and another vessel which appears to be a much
smaller one.'