THE WRECKERS.

A CORNISH TALE.

BY JAMES SHERIDAN KNOWLES.

It was a March morning-dark, yet without a drop of rain or breath of wind, that kind of marbly-black, compact sky which is the sure forerunner of a storm. The night had been a raw and cold one -too cold to sleep with comfort in the open air; yet such was the chamber which a peasant-girl, a native of a little fishing-hamlet upon the coast of Cornwall, had chosen for repose. Her couch was a hard and fearful one! the verge of a cliff that rose nearly a hundred feet perpendicular from the sea-shore'; and yet not the softest couch that ever was spread in hamlet, town, or city, contained a tenant, in form, for symmetryin feature, for beauty-excelling the mistress of her who occupied that strange, appalling place of rest! Her slumbers were disturbed, yet deep. Neither the full dawn could break them; nor yet the pressure of a hand that had taken hold of hers; nor the tears that fell upon her

face from the eyes of one who was hanging over her a young man about her own age, or a little older, and who seemed to belong to the profession of the sea.

"And hast thou slept out again all night!" he murmured-his tears still flowing. "And does it grow worse and worse with thy poor wits! and shall I never see the day when I can make thee my wife! They will not let me marry thee, because, as they say, thou art mad, and knowest not what thou dost; but when thy mind was sound, I was loved by thee!

Had I married thee then, thou still hadst been my wife! thou still hadst been cherished and loved! Why must I not marry thee now? I could watch thee then, at night! My arms would enfold thee then, and prevent thee from stealing from thy bed to sleep in such a place as this!"

The attachment which united this young man to the being whom he so pathetically apostrophized, was of that pure and steadfast nature, which can never take root, except in the unsophisticated heart. She had lost her reason

in consequence of having been witness to a transaction of blood, which made her an orphan. She was to have been married to him; but, in the unfortunate state of her intellects, no clergyman would celebrate the rites. But she did not the less enjoy his protection. Be neath his mother's roof, she lived as sacred as a sister-the object of a passion in which frustration, and almost hopelessness, had only produced increase of strength.

"Kate! Kate!" he called. "Rouse thee, Kate-rouse thee! Don't start! Don't be frightened! 'Tis only William! Get up, and come home!"

He offered to raise her, but she checked him-looked round, and fixed her eyes, inquiringly, upon the sea.

"Where is it!" she exclaimed-her voice tremulous with intense emotion. "Where is the storm? I see the black sky; but I want the thunder and the wind! the white, white sea, and the big ship, driving upon the reef!—or is it all over? No," she added; "'t is coming -'t will be here! I see it!"

She rose, and passively accompanied her watchful lover to his mother's cottage; where, leaving her under the custody of its mistress, the young man repaired on urgent business to a town at some distance from the hamlet.

That morning the storm came on; three days it continued-it was now the third day. A lee shore, a boiling sea, and on the coast of Cornwall! A wild and fearful offing! Foam! foam! foam! which way soever you looked nothing but foam. Black reefs of rocks, that even in the highest spring tides were never completely covered, discernible now only by a spot here and thereso quick the breakers flew upon them! The spray flying over the cliffs-fifty, sixty, ay, a hundred feet and more, above the level of the sea, and spreading over the land for acres. And all above pitch black, though at noon-day! Everything seemed to cower before the spirit of the storm-everything except The shore-which consisted partly of huge masses of rock, partly of shingle-was lined with human beings— some in groups-some alone-promiscuously furnished with boat-hooks, gaffs, grapples, hatchets, and knives—ready to dispute with the waves the plunder of the fated ship that might be driven within the jaws of that inhospitable bay! Expectation glistened in their eyes, that kept eagerly prowling backward and forward, far and near, over the waste of

man.

waters-they were wreckers! Not a few women, as well as children, were among them; nor were these unprovided against the approach of the wishedfor prey-all seemed to have their appropriated places; from which, if they stirred, it was only a step or two, to be the next minute retraced. Little was spoken.

At one and the same moment almost every head was turned toward the cliff, at a wild and shrill hollow that rung from it.

""T is only Kate,” cried one, here and there, as the maniac rapidly descended by a crevice, which few of the lookers-on would have attempted, and that with wary feet.

"The crazy slut will break her neck," carelessly remarked one to another. But she was safe in her recklessness or unconsciousness of danger, and in a second or two stood among them.

"A lovely day! a fair, lovely day!" she exclaimed to the first she came up to. "Good luck to you! Any thing yet? No, no," she continued, replying to herself; "white to the north! white to the west! white to the south! all white! not a speck upon the water! But 't is coming! 't is coming! 't is coming!" she reiterated, dropping her voice to its lowest pitch; "I saw it here last night! a big, black hull! one mast standing out of three! cannons and stores overboard! rising and sinking! rocking and reeling! driving full bump upon the reef where the William and Mary was wrecked seven cursed years ago! I saw it,” she repeated, eyenig the standers-by with a look that dared incredulity; then, all at once, her voice sinking into a whisper, "Hist! hist!" she added; "'twill be a handful or two for you; and a load for you; and more than you can carry for you;" addressing this person and that successively; "casks, cases, chests, gear and gold! but what will it be for Black Norris? It will be a brighter day for him than for any of you! When do they say his time is out?"

"Whose time?" inquired one among the group she was addressing.

"One-two-three;" she went on without noticing the question, until she had counted seven; "his seven years were out last May; he was transported three years before his hopeful son murdered my father."

"Hush, you crazy wench," exclaimed those around her; "if Norris hears you, you may chance to take a swim in the creek where he is standing!"

"Crazy?" she echoed. "Yes; bless heaven that made me so! It knows best what it does! I saw my father murdered, though his murderer saw not me! they were struggling which should keep possession of the prey. Old Norris's knife decided it! I was powerless with fright! I could not speak! I could not stir! I became mad, and the judge would not believe me! I could tell my story better now, but it would be of no use; for they say I am crazy still. There she is!" vociferated she, pointing toward the offing at the southern extremity of the bay.

"Where-where-where?" inquired

her auditors.

"No, no!" she resumed, after a minute or two of silence, during which her eyeballs kept straining in the direction toward which she had pointed. "No," she resumed, dropping her hand; "but she is coming; and Black Norris will neither want roof nor board, gold nor gear, to welcome back the father that bred him up to his own trade. But, where is he?" inquired she; "where, but upon the long reef where I saw him!" Saying this, she proceeded to the southern extremity of the bay.

A stalwart figure, in advance of the regular line, sat stationed upon the landward-end of a huge reef of rocks, that gradually dipped into the sea. His hair

black and lank, thrown back from a swarthy, ill-favoured visage, hung half way down his shoulders; his eye, dark, small, and glistening bright, directed toward the sea, in quick and restless motion, was everywhere at once. A long boat-hook, clenched with both his hands, rested across his knees; and, in a belt, which encircled his waist, were stuck a clasp-knife, of more than ordinary size, and a hatchet. The wave repeatedly washed more than half way up his lower extremities, but he paid no more heed than if he were a part of the rock that scattered it into mist.

"A lovely day-a fair, lovely day!" cried the maniac, approaching him.

"How beest thou, Black Norris? Nay, I am good now," continued she, in a deprecating tone; "don't look angry. I'll never say again that it was you.'

The wrecker moved his hand toward his knife.

"Stop, stop, Black Norris," cried she, coaxingly and hurriedly, laying her hand upon his arm, "keep it for other work! You'll want it to day! before night there will be a hull ashore. There will be need of knife, axe, hook and all-for the

storm is lively yet-the sea shews no signs of going down-the breakers keep tumbling upon the shore! Mark how they sweep the shingles up, and back again! By-and-by they will have something else to roll. 'Tis coming! Black Norris, 't is coming! A huge, black hull-one mast standing out of threecannons and stores overboard-rising and sinking-rocking and reeling-driving full bump upon the reef where the William and Mary was wrecked-the very reef on which you stand, Black Norris; ay, and the very spot!"

"Silence, jade!" exclaimed the wrecker, looking from beneath his hand, which, with the rapidity of lightning, was raised to his brow, and placed there horizontally, and leaning eagerly forward.

"In the south?" "Yes."

"Just clear of the point?" "Yes-the looming of something!'t is a sloop! I see but one mast." ""Tis a ship! Black Norris. other two have been cut away." "Peace, jade! what know'st thou of the matter?"

The

"'T is a ship," she continued. "I told you so! There is the huge black hull!"

"'Tis there, indeed!" exclaimed the wrecker. "Art thou a witch as well as crazed? 'Tis there, indeed! she is driving right into the bay, coming broadside on!"

A huge black hull it was, high out of the water, as if every article of weight that could be spared had been thrown overboard. Reeling and pitching she came on, staggering every now and then at the stroke of some wave that broke over her. Fast was she nearing the shore.

"Now! now! now!" ever and anon exclaimed the wreckers; but she was floating still, so much had those on board lightened her. At length she was fairly among the breakers. She touched, and touched; yet went on-at last she struck, a long-continued crash came undulating upon the ears of the lookers-on, accompanied with halloos and shrieks. The shore was now all astir.

"That does for her!" exclaimed several voices all at once, as an enormous wave towering, as if charged with her doom, came foaming toward her. In another minute it broke upon her in a fury that sent the spray to the clouds, and totally hid her from the shore. When she became visible again, the whole of her larboard broadside was stove

in. In a moment, men, women, and children were up to their middle in the surf. Another billow-she was gone! Planks, pulleys, spars, and cordage now came floating in, and every one went to work-every one but Black Norris.

He kept his station upon the reef-a post which common consent seemed to have yielded up to him. No one ventured to dispute his right to it. In advance of him stood the maniac, constantly looking in one direction—a kind of cove produced by a forking in the reef. Thence she never took her eye, except to throw a glance at Black Norris whenever he made a movement, as if about to quit the stand which he had chosen.

""T will be here," she kept repeating; "'t will be here that which will be worth the bull to thee, were it high and dry, and all thine own! wait for it, 't is sent to thee! 't will be here. Did I not tell you of the huge black hull, and came it not? As surely that will come, which in that hull was sent to thee. Be ready with thy boat-hook! The minutes are counted. The wave that is to bring it, is rolling in! There it is! I know it! Here, take my place and be ready Here it is a body--hook it by the clothes! keep it clear of the rocks! Round-round-round here, into this nook! Look if it does not lie there as if it were made for it! What think you now, Black Norris? What think you now of crazy Kate? Softly-softly; she continued, as the wrecker, substituting his hands for the instrument, began to draw the body up to the beach. Softly-the pockets are full! Softly, lest any thing should drop from them. That will do !-that will do!"

Scarcely was the body clear of the surf, when the wrecker began to strip it. The pockets were full! one of them was speedily emptied, when a laugh from the maniac, who, squatting, sat gibbering at the head, arrested Black Norris in the act of examining the contents. "What laugh'st thou at, jade?" he inquired.

"Go on," she replied: "'t is a fair, lovely day, as I told thee; is it not, Black Norris?"

"Peace, jade!" exclaimed the wrecker. "Jewels!" he ejaculated, closing a small case which he had opened. The maniac laughed again. "Wilt thou stop thy cursed mouth," vociferated the wrecker.

"Go on," murmured the maniac. "Go on, Black Norris ! You should not be angry with me! Did I not tell

you it was coming? Go on! 'Tis a fair, lovely day! Isn't it, Black Norris?" "Silence!" again cried the wrecker. "Gold!" exclaimed he to himself, as he emptied into his hand a portion of the contents of a purse, which he had taken from the other pocket-"broad, heavy, yellow pieces!"—another laugh from the maniac.

"I tell thee what, mad Kate,” roared out the wrecker, "take to thy heels! or abide the consequence, if thou utterest that sound again.'

"Softly!-softly!" whispered Kate, "he hears you!"

"Who, jade?" cried the wrecker, starting from his knees.

"The owner of the diamonds and the gold. His lids have been moving for the last minute, and now they are wide open!"

The wrecker just glanced at the face of the shipwrecked man.

"Get thee away, good Kate!" said he, in a conciliatory tone. "Go, Kate; leave me by myself, and I'll never be angry with thee again. Go, good Kate; go.'

The maniac looked at the wrecker for a moment-smiled-nodding her head significantly, and rose.

"I am gone, Black Norris!" she cried, "a good day to you! and a good fair day it is! and a lovely day! Isn't it, Black Norris ? I'll leave you by yourself! I'll not stay! I am gone! " and starting toward a pathway which led up the cliff, and the commencement of which was sheltered by a screen of rock, she was quickly out of sight.

The wrecker now began to reconnoi. tre all around him. Every one was engrossed with his own occupation, securing such portions of the wreck, or such articles of property as were brought within his reach. His hand approached his knife-grasped it-half drew the weapon from his belt; but suddenly replaced it, and now fastened on the axe— the counterpoise to the blade of which, was a wedge-like piece of iron, broad, and flattened at the end. In a second the instrument swung by his side. Once again he reconnoitred toward the beach; then turned toward the prostrate man. He thought the body moved—he trembled from head to foot. He advanced a single step, but stopped-the fingers were in motion! A low sound-half-voice, half-breath-issued from the throatwhich now evidently began to work! He advanced another step-though a tottering one!-another! He was now

within a foot or two of the head-he sank, or rather dropped upon one knee. The eyes of the seaman moved- they turned to the right and to the left, and at last glared back upon the wrecker! Both hands now clenched the axe! Slowly 't was lifted, the edge averted, and the blunt end suspended over the forehead of him that lay. 'Twas raised! It hovered a moment or two, then fell with a short, dull crash-a pause for a moment or two more-limb, eye, everything were still-the wrecker threw his weapon behind him, and wiped from his brow the drops that stood thick upon it. "Ha! ha! you have done it!"

The wrecker turned and beheld the maniac standing behind him with the hatchet in her hand, her eyes flashing.

66 Nay, move not, Black Norris!" she continued, "unless you would have me give the corpse a fellow! Let me get farther from thee without forcing me to do thee a mischief, and I will tell thee something!" She retreated about twenty paces, without turning her back; the wrecker now perfectly unnerved, not daring to move. "Black Norris!" she resumed, "did I not tell you that this was a fair, lovely day!—and a fair, lovely day it is!--and a bonny one, too! and know you not why, Black Norris? This day you have done-what you have done!—and this day seven years was the day-the fair, lovely day when you murdered my father! Black Norris! Now follow me not, but good by!"

She fled. The wrecker had not power to follow!

CHAPTER II.

By the fire of a miserable hut, was seated upon a stool a female, of youthful but haggard appearance. She had an infant at her breast, and was endeavouring to lull it, rocking to and fro, with a low melancholy hum. Every now and then, she paused and listened, and after a second or two resumed her maternal task. "Be quiet, Shark! be quiet! " she would occasionally cry, as a lean, black, rough-coated dog, between the Newfoundland and the mastiff, and which was stretched across the hearth, would raise his head, and, turning it in the direction of the door, keep howling amidst the gusts of the storm, which was slowly and fitfully subsiding.

At length the infant fell asleep, and was transferred from its mother's lap to a wretched pallet in an adjoining room. Her charge being thus disposed of, she returned into the outer apartment.

A

cooking vessel was on the fire. She lifted the lid. The steam faintly rose from the contents.

"Will it never grow hot!" she impatiently exclaimed; and resorting to a bellows, through the creviced sides of which escaped the greater portion of the wind which was intended for the proper vent, proceeded assiduously, but almost in vain, to urge the sluggish fuel. “He'll brain me, if he comes home and nothing ready!" she cried to herself, in a querulous under-tone. "" Heaven send him luck, and I shall have peace for a day or two," continued she. "But for my baby, I wish I had never seen the face of Black Norris!"

"Let me in!" cried the wrecker at the door.

"Thank heaven, he has met with luck!" ejaculated the wretched wife. She let him in. He had a trunk upon his shoulder, and under his arm he carried a bundle of clothes.

"Good luck, Norris?" tremulously, and half doubtingly inquired she.

"Yes!" was his sullen reply. Why do you ask with such a face as that?" "I was afraid you had not met with any."

66

Why!" demanded he, sternly. "From your looks," timidly responded

she.

"Curse thee!" muttered the ruffian; "what business hast thou to mind my looks? Here! Lend a hand, and help this load from my back!" The trunk was deposited upon the floor. "What! Nothing ready? Hast thou not victuals in the house? Hast thou not fire? Hast thou not hands? and why is not my dinner ready? Bestir thee! I have something to do in the next room. On thy life let me not be interrupted till I have done. Haste ! Give me the key of the big chest!"

"Don't wake the baby!" entreatingly enjoined the wife. "He has not slept the whole morning, and is only just now dropped off."

"Curse the child!" cried the wrecker, "thou thinkest of nothing but the child! Look to my dinner!" He went into the next apartment, shut the door after him and bolted it.

He examined the jewels again. He emptied the purse of its contents and counted them. He opened the rest of the pockets. The trowsers he had taken from the bundle and thrown upon the floor of the other room-all contained riches. He placed them upon the ground, applied the key, and hastily be