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turned from her gaze without saying any thing. Samno leant against the bulwarks, and twice stepped forward, apparently with the intention of addressing some one, but each time, after a few moments' hesitation, he quietly resumed his former position.

The moon was nearly full, and we enjoyed all her light, except when a thin fleecy cloud occasionally happened to intervene, and to throw a fleeting and shadowy dimness upon the surface of the ocean. The wind, though strong, appeared unsteady, and at intervals its sighing was changed into wild and melancholy moans, which seemed to hover around the vessel for an instant, and then to be borne far over the deep. At one time we glided silently and smoothly through the billows; and at another, they burst and grumbled fiercely around the bows of the schooner, and then collapsed into comparative quietness and repose ;— every thing wore an ominous and dreary character, and the scene appear ed to exert a depressing influence upon the minds of all on board.

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The silence was suddenly interrupted by Samno, who cried, "We are now on the Seal-bank! I see the black heads! The schooner will be a-ground immediately!”—“Rascal! What do you say?" returned Captain Burder, running furiously up to him: "you are a lying vagabond! Utter another word, and I will let you feel the weight of the lead upon your body!""What can all this mean?" exclaimed Mrs Monti, in a tone of alarm; are we really in danger?"—" Captain Burder," cried her husband, "I command you to put about ship instantly! We know all your plans! You are a deceitful villain!-Seamen," continued he, addressing himself to the crew, "obey this man at your peril! he intends to cast away the vessel for the insurance; if we do not resist we shall lose our lives.". "Mutinous wretch!" returned the Captain, "you speak falsely! I deny the charge! You shall repent of this yet. Yes, yes, I'll find a time.-Fellows, stand by me; recollect I am your commander. May I depend upon you all?"-" Ay, ay, sir, to the last," answered the sailors, though some of them spoke rather faintly and irresolutely.

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Silence now ensued; and Captain Burder having thrown aside the lead, began to pace the deck hurriedly, and

often cast looks of fury and defiance at Mr Monti and me. We easily perceived that any sort of resistance on our part would be vain, and perhaps dangerous, and therefore patiently awaited the catastrophe. While he employed himself in soothing and encouraging his lady, I went down to the cabin, and collected all my valuables of small bulk, and concealed them about my person; and likewise privately desired Mr Monti's servant to occupy herself in the same way.

In a few minutes I distinctly felt the keel of the schooner rub upon the bottom. Every one started when this took place, and then appeared to await the next shock in breathless alarm. The vessel, as was expected, soon began a second time to grind against the sand and rocks underneath, and quickly got hard and fast a-ground. Captain Burder immediately ordered the sails to be backed, but this did not move her in the least degree. The shifting of the ballast, which was next resorted to, proved ineffectual, as he probably intended it should.

Our situation now became truly alarming. There was no land in sight; but from the fore-top we could discern shoals stretching on every side to the horizon-those of sand being indicated by the bright green colours of the sea-and those of rock by irregular patches of blackness upon its surface. However, these beacons of danger did not long continue distinguishable, for the moon sunk below the horizon, and clouds gradually overcast the sky. The wind and sea increased at the same time, and we soon began to drift along, being one moment elevated on the top of a billow, and the next dashed furiously against the bottom of the ocean. It was evident that the schooner would quickly go to pieces, and Captain Burder ordered his men to let down the boat. While they were engaged in this, a temporary dispersion of some of the clouds afforded us light enough to discern a rocky island at a little distance; and the boat had hardly been dropped when our vessel struck violently-the waves breaking over her at the same time in rapid succession.

We all rushed to the side of the schooner on which the boat lay, and leaped into her, one after another, with the exception of Mr Monti, who, when he had assisted his wife and servant in getting on board, returned to the cabin

for some papers which he had forgot. Just as he came upon deck again, a tremendous sea took the vessel astern, and swept him overboard. Mrs Monti fainted away. Captain Burder immediately cut the barge rope, and ordered the crew to make for the island, saying it was absurd even to think of saving my companion's life, and that we would be more than fortunate if we escaped a similar fate ourselves. The men rowed furiously, and we soon gained the rock, and landed in safety, though not until the bows of the boat had been stove in by the violent percussions she underwent while we were getting ashore.

Long before dawn, we had all assembled on the point of the rock already mentioned; and the first beams of morning showed Mr Monti opposite to the place where we stood, and divided from us by what appeared to be an arm of the sea, about one hundred and fifty yards wide. After exchanging a few words with his wife, he set out to compass its head, and thus get round to us, while Samno went to meet him.

We waited their arrival impatiently for nearly half an hour, and then saw the negro coming towards us with looks of despair. "We are all deceived," cried he; "this is not an arm of the sea, but a channel between two distinct islands; we are on one, and Mr Monti is on the other; he cannot possibly reach us, unless he swims across, or is brought over in a boat. What is to be done?" This intelligence filled Mrs Monti and me with dismay, for both knew that the boat was totally unfit for service, and that her husband could not swim. Every one appeared in some measure to participate in our distress and disappointment, except Captain Burder, who, when asked if there were any means of rescuing Mr Monti, said that it behoved him to get across the channel as he best could.

It was so dark that none of us attempted to explore the apparently isolated spot upon which we had been obliged to take refuge; and my thoughts were chiefly directed to the recovery of Mrs Monti, who continued in a state of insensibility for a considerable time, and revived only to feel the agonizing conviction that her husband was no more. Captain Burder and his crew stood watching the schooner, as she rapidly went to pieces, and had a great deal of conversation among themselves, which the noise of the sea prevented me from overhearing. About an hour after we had landed, Mr Monti soon appeared on the opSamno came running to me, and whis- posite rock, and explained the hopepered that he believed Mr Monti was lessness of his situation more fully still alive, for he had recently heard than Samno had done. The channel some one shouting at a distance. I had a rapid current, the set of which, immediately accompanied him to a pro- we perceived, would vary with the jecting point of rock, about one hun- ebb and flow of the tide; but it was so dred yards off, and we both called as strong that even an expert swimmer loud as we could. A voice, which I could scarcely hope to baffle its force, instantly recognised to be that of my and reach the adverse shore. No friend, answered us, but it was some effectual plan of relief suggested time before we were able to distinguish itself to any of our minds; but it was what he said. At last I ascertained evidently necessary that something that he had reached the shore by should speedily be done; for though clinging to part of the wreck, and that we had picked up a considerable he could not then gain the spot on quantity of wrecked provisions, Mr which we stood, on account of an arm Monti had none of any kind. We of the sea, which extended into the therefore saw at once that he must interior of the island, but that he either risk his life upon the sea, or would immediately endeavonr to find perish with hunger. his way round the head of it. On hearing this, I entreated him to desist from any such attempt till day-light should render it a secure and succesful one. He at last consented, and I hastened to Mrs Monti, and communicated the joyful tidings of her husband's preservation, which affected her nearly as much as her previous belief in his death had done.

In the afternoon, under the influence of these convictions, he began to collect together all the pieces of plank he could find; and having torn up his shirt and handkerchief into stripes, he bound the timber together, so as to form a sort of raft. This he conveyed to the utter extremity of his own island, hoping that the sweep of the current might carry him, when em

barked, to the lower end of the opposite shore. These preparations were viewed with torturing suspense and anxiety by Mrs Monti and me; and when her husband had placed himself upon the raft, she grew half frantic with alarm, and entreated him to desist.

However, after a few moments of irresolution, he pushed off, and was whirled rapidly along by the stream.

None of us dared to speak, scarcely even to breathe, during this soul absorbing crisis. Several of the crew stood upon the edge of the cliffs with ropes in their hands, waiting to afford the adventurous navigator assistance as he passed; and their hopes of being able to do so were strengthened, when they observed the influence which an eddy had in drawing the raft towards the shore. Mr Monti was soon within seven or eight yards of us. One of the seamen then seized the end of the rope, and made a strong effort to throw it towards the raft; but he lost his balance, and fell into the water, dragging the line along with him. The golden moment elapsed, and the object of our solicitude was quickly swept away far beyond our reach. His wife relapsed into insensibility, but not before she had seen the form of her husband receding from her eyes, and at the mercy of a boundless ocean.

The man who had the misfortune to cause this disastrous result, was allowed to clamber up the rocks quite disregarded, the attention of all being fixed upon Mr Monti, who floated so fast into the open sea, that we perceived we had no chance of beholding him much longer. He waved his hands to us several times, with an air of resignation, but we thought we once or twice observed him endeavouring to impel the raft towards our island, by using his arms as oars, and then suddenly desist, as if conscious of the hopelessness of the attempt. Fortunately the weather had become very calm, and we knew that there was no chance of his sinking while it continued so, and while the planks that supported him kept together. We watched him till it grew dark, and then set about providing ourselves with a place of shelter for the night; during the whole of which, Mrs Monti, in her indescribable anguish, forgot all that had passed, and even where she was, and talked, laughed, and wept alternately.

I spent the greater part of the night

in strolling along the shores of the island, which I could do with pleasure and safety, for the moon and stars successively yielded light enough to direct my steps. Neither did Captain Burder nor his crew seem inclined to take any repose. When I happened to pass the spot where they were, I always heard them disputing about the way in which they should manage to leave the rock; and it appeared from their conversation that the wreck of the schooner had been much more complete and sudden than they had anticipated or intended. I also gathered from some accidental hints, that they did not regret that Mr Monti was now out of the way—his avowed knowledge of their plans having excited a good deal of alarm and anxiety among them.

At daybreak no vestige of the raft or its unfortunate navigator was discoverable, and I forgot my own deso. late prospects in thinking of the fate of Mr Monti, and trying to believe that he might still be in life, although conclusions to the contrary were forced upon my mind by a consideration of the dangers that surrounded him, and of the limited means he had of success. fully contending against them. Immediately after sunrise, the crew hauled up the damaged boat, and began to repair her with some fragments of the schooner, which had that morning floated ashore. They soon rendered her in a manner sea-worthy, and I found that the mate and crew intended setting out in search of relief, while Captain Burder, and Mrs Monti, and her maid, and I, were to remain till they returned. Accordingly, in the afternoon they put off, taking Samno with them, on the ground that they would require him to assist at the

oars.

It appeared to me rather strange that Captain Burder should not accompany his crew, and direct the expedition, though he said he remained behind to show the two females that neither he nor his men had any intention of abandoning them. I pretended to be satisfied with this explanation, but nevertheless determined to watch his motions. Mrs Monti and her maid had taken up their abode in a small rocky recess, which sheltered them in some measure from the weather, and I had conveyed thither the best provisious I could select

from the quantity washed ashore, but did not intrude myself upon them, for 1 perceived that my presence was painful to the former, by recalling the image of her husband.

Having chosen a place of repose in the vicinity of the recess, I retired to it soon after sunset, and endeavoured to sleep; but notwithstanding the fatigues of the preceding night, I continued awake so long that I resolved to walk abroad and solicit the tranquilizing effects of the fresh air. As I emerged beyond the projecting rock behind which I had formed my couch, I saw Captain Burder stealing along on tiptoe. Fortunately he did not observe me, and I immediately shrunk back into the shade, that I might watch his steps unseen by him. He proceeded cautiously towards the recess, and having looked round a moment, entered it. I grew alarmed, and hastened to the spot, but remained outside, and listened attentively. I beard Mrs Monti suddenly utter an exclamation of surprise, and say, "Pray, sir, why do you intrude your self here?"-"I come to inquire how you are, replied Captain Burder, "and to ask if I can be of any service to you."-"None, none," answered she; "this is an extraordinary time for such a visit. I beg you will leave me."-" Are you not afraid to remain here alone?" said Captain Burder. "I have my attendant, sir," returned Mrs Monti haughtily." No, no,' cried the former, "you know well enough you have sent her across the island for water, and I have taken advantage of her absence to have a little conversation with you-You are a beautiful creature, and- ""Captain Burder," exclaimed she, in a tone of alarm, "do you really dare?-Begone!-Touch me not!"-I heard a shriek, I rushed into the recess, and, seizing the insolent villain behind by the collar of his coat, dragged him backwards a considerable way, and then dashed him twice upon the rocks, with all the force I was master of. He could not rise, but lay groaning with pain, and vainly attempting to speak.

I now bastened to Mrs Monti, whose agitation I endeavoured to relieve and compose, by assurances of unremitting protection, and by the hope of our soon being able to leave the island. When her attendant returned I left them together, after pro

mising to keep watch in front of the recess, and prevent the future intrusions of Captain Burder, who continued for some time on the spot where I had left him, and then got upon his feet, and retired out of sight.

I armed myself with a piece of a broken oar, which I found among the cliffs, and began to walk backwards and forwards in front of the recess. My situation was now such a perplexing one, that I felt more anxious and uneasy than ever. I feared lest Captain Burder should attack me unawares, or gain access to Mrs Monti if I relaxed my vigilance one moment; and sleep was therefore out of the question. I paced along the rocks like a sentinel, starting at every sound, and ardently wishing for dawn, although I knew that there was no chance of its bringing me any relief. I did not dare to sit down, lest I should slumber. I counted the waves as they burst along the shore, and watched the stars successively rising and setting on opposite sides of the horizon;-at one time fancying I saw my enemy lurking in some neighbouring cavity, and at another trying to discover the white sails of an approaching vessel. I observed Mrs Monti's servant occasionally appear at the entrance of their wild abode, and look around, as if to ascertain that I still kept watch, and then quietly return within.

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Shortly after midnight, while taking my round along the cliffs, I met Captain Burder. We both started back, and surveyed each other for a little time without speaking. "Do not suppose," said he, at length, the attack you made upon me this evening shall remain unresented or unpunished. You have behaved most villanously-You took advantage of me, like an assassin, when I was off my guard."—" And shall not hesitate to do so again," returned I, "if I chance to find you insulting Mrs Monti."-" You talk boldly," cried he; are you aware that you cannot leave this island unless I choose?""No, I am not."-" Then learn that it is so," exclaimed he, stamping his foot. My crew have gone to secure a small vessel, and when they return, we shall depart in it, taking the females with us, and leaving you here. In the meantime, be thankful that your life has not been the forfeit of

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this evening's temerity." "Your crew," said I," will not be so merci less as to abandon me, even although you order them to do so. I ask nothing from you-only keep at a distance from the recess. I advise this for your own sake." "This language won't last long," cried he, quivering with rage; "why don't I pitch you over the cliffs this moment?-But no, you shall die a slower death." He now hurried furiously away, but once or twice stopped short, as if half determined to return and attack me. However, he restrained his passion, and soon disappeared among the rocks.

A miserable fate, which we had no visible means of avoiding, seemed now to impend over Mrs Monti and me. I leaned against a precipice near her place of refuge, and gave way to the most melancholy anticipations, which absorbed me so completely, that I did not discover that it was day, till the sun had got completely above the horizon. Then, on changing my position, and looking towards the sea, I observed a sloop at anchor, about half a mile from the shore, and a boat full of men approaching.

I did not for a moment doubt that they were Captain Burder's crew, and that the vessel belonged to them; and I hastened towards the landing-place, that I might solicit their interference in behalf of Mrs Monti and myself, before their commander could have an opportunity of steeling their hearts against us. The boat, which had now touched the shore, was concealed from my view by a projecting rock. A man who stood on the top of it called me by name. I looked up, and started back, and then rushed into his arms-it was Mr Monti himself. "My dear friend," cried I, "Heaven, I see, has afforded you that protection which I lately feared was on the point of being withdrawn from us. Eternally blessed be the hour of your return!"

"I have indeed had a wonderful preservation," returned he, “and you shall soon hear all-but how is my Harriet ?" "Safe and well, as yet," replied I; "you have just arrived in time."

As we hastened towards the recess, I related briefly all that had happened since the preceding morning, to which he listened with intense and shuddering anxiety, and seemed indescribably relieved when I had finished

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the recital. On reaching Mrs Monti's abode, I retired, lest my presence should impose any restraint upon the feelings of the happy couple. little time my friend came forward, with his wife leaning on his arm. Their countenances were as radiant as the smooth expanse of ocean before us, which received the full influences of a dazzling sun upon its glassy bosom. "Yonder sloop," said the delighted husband, "that rides so beautifully at anchor, will convey us hence this evening. How graceful she looks! Her sails absolutely appear to be fringed with gold!" "Yes," returned Mrs Monti, "I believe the enchanted galley which, as fairy legends tell us, conveyed Cherry and Fair Star from the Island of Cyprus, did not appear a more divine object to their eyes than this does to mine." "But," said Mr Monti, "I must now give you the particulars of my preservation. I drifted about the ocean nearly three hours, and then came within sight of the sloop, which lay to whenever she observed me. The captain sent out his boat to pick me up. I immediately told my story, and entreated him to steer for this island, which he readily consented to do, for he is one of the Bahama wreckers, who make it their business to cruize about in search of distressed vessels. We would have arrived here much sooner, but the wind was a-head, and we lay at anchor all night, the intricacy of the navigation around this rendering it dangerous to continue sailing after sunset. My preserver shall not go unrewarded, and I shall be the more able to do him justice in this respect, as Harriet informs me that her maid, by your directions, secured most of our money and valuables about her person before she left the schooner."

Mr Monti had informed the master of the sloop, that he believed Captain Burder had cast away the schooner for her insurance, and the former proceeded to the place where she was wrecked, and succeeded in fishing up some bales and packages, which, on being opened, were found to contain nothing but sand and rubbish. This discovery afforded satisfactory proof of Captain Burder's guilt, but still we were at a loss how to act, knowing that we could not legally take him into custody. However, in the course of the day the whole crew returned in the boat, ha

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