She gave out the rhyme while smoothing back the hair from the haggard

features of the corpse; and her trembling treble voice, so weak, so

shrill, added a most miserable and desolating effect to the awful scene.

"Do it decently, good dame, decently and gently too, and you shall be

rewarded," said Robin, deeply affected,--aware how impossible it was for

him to remain and see that every thing was well ordered.

"Ay, ay, I warrant it shall all be done rightly, master, as rightly as

if she decked herself, poor soul! which she was well fond of in days

long ago."

Robin turned towards the cliff. As he commenced the descent, the wail of

the corpse-dresser fell upon his ear with the sighing of the wind that

was straying amongst the many hollow crags--the mysterious wind that

comes--whence?--we know not; and goes--where?--we cannot tell--yet moves

along upon its appointed way--felt, although unseen, on the vast earth

and the wide sea--now rejoicing over pleasant fields, and filling the

leaves with harmony--kissing in its gentleness the blushing bosom of the

rose, and wafting the humble bee on its industrious voyage!--then

stirring up oceans by its breath, and shouting to the clouds its

mandates!--Thou playfellow of thunder, and mate of the fierce lightning!

whether as a hurricane or a zephyr, great source of good and evil, hail

to thee on thy way!

Robin stood on the smooth beach at the bottom of the cliffs, and, taking

in at one glance all the objects within sight, perceived that the

government ships had certainly moved closer to the vessel, whose

identity had puzzled even him, keen observer though he was. The night

was dark but clear--no haze, no moon--the clouds not heavy nor light,

yet few stars made their appearance: now and then, as a shadow passed,

one would twinkle for a moment, until obscured by some ambitious vapour

soaring from earth to become purified by heaven. The ocean was calm and

still, sleeping the sleep of waters in their immensity! Persons

unaccustomed to such scenes could hardly have distinguished the vessels

in the offing, so much of the same colour did they appear with the waves

themselves. Robin then scanned the cliffs as he had done the ocean, and

whistled soft, low, but audibly,--a note like that of the frightened

plover. It was speedily answered, and in a moment Roupall stood by his

side.

"Are any gone off to the ship?--and where is the Skipper?"

"The Skipper's with the women, and, I think, has been looking out for

you," replied Roupall.




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