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Southern Distrias of New-York, ss.

(L. S.) BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the twenty-ninth day of Decem ber, in the forty-eighth year of the Independence of the United States of Ame rica, Charles Wiley, of the said district, hath deposited in this office the title of a book, the sight whereof he claims as proprietor, in the words following, to wit: "The Pilot; a tale of the Sea. By the Author of the Pioneers, &c. &c. List! ye Landsmen, all to me. In two Volumes... Vol. II."

In conformity to the Act of Congress of the United States, entitled, “An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the time therein mentioned;" and also to an Act entitled, "An Act, supplementary to an Act, entitled, an Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving and efching Historical and other prints.

JAMES DILL,

Clerk of the Southern District of New-York,

THE PILOT.

CHAPTER I.

"Our trumpet called you to this gentle parle."
King Jahn.

As Griffith and his companions rushed from the offices of St. Ruth, into the open air, they encountered no one to intercept their flight, or communicate the alarm. Warned by the experience of the earlier part of the same night, they avoided the points where they knew the sentinels were posted, though fully prepared to bear down all resistance, and were soon beyond the probability of immediate detection. They proceeded, for the distance of half a mile, with rapid strides, and with the stern and sullen silence of men who expected to encounter immediate danger, resol ved to breast it with desperate resolution; but, as they plunged into a copse, that clustered around the ruin which has been already mentioned, they lessened their exertions to a more deliberate pace, and a short but guarded dialogue ensued,

"We have had a timely escape," said Griffith; "I would much rather have endured captivity, than have been the cause of introducing confusion and bloodshed into the peaceful residence of Colonel Howard."

"I would, sir, that you had been of this opinion some hours earlier," returned the pilot, with a severity in his tones that even conveyed more meaning than his words.

"I may have forgotten my duty, sir, in my anxiety to inquire into the condition of a family in whom I feel a particular interest," returned Griffith, in a manner in which pride evidently struggled with respect; "but this is not a time for regrets; I apprehend that we follow you on an errand of some moment, where actions would be more acceptable than any words of apology. What is your pleasure now ?"

"I much fear that our project will be defeated," said the pilot, gloomily; "the alarm will spread with the morning fogs, and there will be musterings of the yeomen, and consultations of the gentry, that will drive all thoughts of amusement from their minds. The rumour of a descent will, at any time, force sleep from the shores of this island, to at least ten leagues inland."

"Ay, you have probably passed some pleasant nights, with your eyes open, among them, yourself, Master Pilot," said Manual; "they may thank the Frenchman, Thurot, in the old business of '56, and our own dare-devil, the bloody Scotchman, as the causes of their quarters being so often beaten up. After all, Thurot, with his fleet, did no more than bully them a little, and the poor fellow was finally extinguished by a few small cruisers, like a drummer's boy under a grenadier's cap; but honest Paul sung a different tune for his countrymen to dance to, and-"

"I believe you will shortly dance yourself, Manual," interrupted Griffith, quickly, "and in very pleasure that you have escaped an English prison."

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Say, rather, an English gibbet," continued the elated marine; "for had a court-martial or a court-civil discussed the manner of our entrance into this island, I doubt whether we should have fared better than the dare-devil himself, honest-"

"Pshaw!" exclaimed the impatient Griffith, "enough of this nonsense, Captain Manual; we have other matters to discuss now ;-what course have you determined to pursue, Mr. Gray?"

The pilot started, like a man aroused from a deep musing at this question, and after a pause of a moment, he spoke in a low tone of voice, as if still under the influence of deep and melancholy feeling

"The night has already run into the morning watch, but the sun is backward to show himself in this latitude in the heart of a winter-I must leave you, my friends, to rejoin you some ten hours hence; it will be necessary to look deeper into our scheme before we hazard any thing, and no one can do the service but myself-where shall we meet again?"

"I have reason to think that there is an unfrequented ruin, at no great distance from us," said Griffith; "perhaps we might find both shelter and privacy among its deserted walls."

"The thought is good," returned the pilot," and 'twill answer a double purpose. Could you find the place where you put the marines in ambush, Captain Manual ?”

"Has a dog a nose! and can he follow a clean scent!" exclaimed the marine; "do you think, Signior Pilota, that a general ever puts his forces in an ambuscade where he can't find them himself?

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