Captain Kyd, Vol. II or, The Wizard of the Sea   By: Joseph Holt Ingraham (1809-1860)

OR,

THE WIZARD OF THE SEA.

A ROMANCE.

BY THE AUTHOR OF

"THE SOUTHWEST," "LAFITTE," "BURTON," &c.

"There's many a one who oft has heard The name of Robert Kyd, Who cannot tell, perhaps, a word Of him, or what he did.

"So, though I never saw the man, And lived not in his day, I'll tell you how his guilt began To what it led the way."

H. F. Gould.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

NEW YORK: HARPER & BROTHERS, 82 CLIFF STREET.

1839.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1838, By HARPER & BROTHERS, In the Clerk's Office of the Southern District of New York.

CAPTAIN KYD;

OR,

THE WIZARD OF THE SEA.

BOOK I.

CONTINUED.

CHAPTER VIII.

"The wind blows fair! the vessel feels The pressure of the rising breeze, And swiftest of a thousand keels, She leaps to the careering seas."

WILLIS.

"Commanding, aiding, animating all, Where foe appear'd to press, or friend to fall, Cheers Lara's voice."

Lara.

Towards noon of the day on which the events related in the last chapter transpired, a signal was displayed on one of the towers of Castle Cor, and shortly afterward the yacht, which hitherto had appeared so lifeless, got under weigh. Like a snowy seabird seeking her nest, she spread her broad white sails and stood in towards the land, fired a gun, and hove to within cable's length of the beach. A well manned boat, with a crimson awning stretched above the stern sheets, and gay with the flags of England and of Bellamont, presently put off from her, and pulled to the foot of the path that led up to the castle. In a few minutes afterward a party was seen descending the cliff, consisting of Lady Bellamont, Grace Fitzgerald, Kate Bellamont and the earl, on the arm of whom the latter leaned pale and sad, followed by a large number of attendants, and others who had come to witness the embarcation. On arriving at the boat, which lay against the rock so that they could easily step into it, they were received by the commander of the yacht in person a bluff, middle aged seaman, his manners characterized by a sailor's frankness, united with the ease and courtesy of a well bred gentleman.

"How is the wind, Kenard?" asked the earl of the officer, as he came to the place of embarking; "'tis somewhat light and contrary, methinks, for our voyage."

"It comes from the south by west, my lord, but we can lay our course till we clear the cape, when it will be full fair. I trust our cabin will be honoured with a larger share of loveliness than I had anticipated," he said, smiling with gallantry as he saw Kate Bellamont and the countess were of the party.

"So you did not give me the credit for being so very lovely until you had seen me, Master Kenard," said Grace, wilfully misapplying his words.

"When I look on your face, I assuredly can have no wish that my cabins should be graced with more beauty than I behold there, fair lady," answered the seaman, lifting his cap gallantly.

"A pretty speech to come from the sea," said Grace, laughing.

"Come, fair niece, the winds wait for no one," said the earl, stepping from the rock upon the cushioned seats of the gig, after having taken a tender leave of his countess and daughter.

"Adieu, then, sweet cousin!"

"Adieu, dear Grace!"

And, for a moment, the lovely girls lingered in a parting embrace, kissing again and again each other's cheeks, while their full eyes ran over. It seemed as if they never would separate!

"Nay, my sweet Grace, will you give all your adieus and affectionate partings to your cousin?" said the countess, interrupting their lingering parting.