signal of warning-first notifying the fellow to keep off, and then through the trumpet telling him of what a thrashing he would get if he dared to come on board a vessel with so terrible a major for passenger.  Had not old Battle been lying down, and the time required to get him up been fatal to such a great undertaking, he would have had him saddled and got ready for the contest, which he felt in his heart would be bloody enough to furnish material for three popular novels.  Twice he started for the cabin, vowing to get his sword and be ready; twice he halted, and with much concern inquired of the captain, what he thought of the saucy looking craft.  But the captain shook his head, looked aloft, and shrugged his shoulders, which increased the major’s fears, and afforded Luke no little diversion, though he maintained his silence with becoming gravity.  He had no fear of the fellow, “but a good soldier ought always to be ready for an emergency,” the major said.  “Faith, and I can swear it by St. Dennis, (who was as good a saint as any of them, for what I know,) he means us no harm, and may bring us good news.  I have sailed the Sound these thirty years without meeting a craft that would harm me in hull or rigging.  A wharf thief now and then carries off my ropes; but then he belongs to a tribe of scurvy vagabonds who never venture out of New York harbor, for there they have the law on their side, which is well enough for them.”

The major’s thoughts were now for several minutes, hung between his fears and this comforting reply.  But not being quite satisfied, he turned to me, as I leaned over the rail contemplating the beauty of the scene before me, and inquired what I thought of pirates and their pranks.  If the approaching craft was not a pirate, he said, her movements at least bespoke her bent on no good.  The little craft was now seen to sheer, which caused the major’s perturbation to become irresistible; and suddenly putting his hands to his lips, he shouted at the top of his voice:  “Ho, strange ship!  Whence come you? and what want you, that you steer right in our way?  Bear away, there, or may the devil take me but you’ll get the worst of it, for this is the Two Marys, of Barnstable.”  All on board were much amused at this freak, and stood silent, as if waiting for a reply.  In a few moments the music of a harp was heard, and such was the skill and delicacy with which it was played, that the very air seemed filled with mysterious spirits, who, having carried off the lutes of some companion lovers, were chanting dulcet requiems.  And the soft, sweet notes floated over the sea in seductive cadences.  Then two female voices sang sweetly to the accompaniment of the harp; and so exquisite was the effect that I fancied rejoicing angels whispering their songs to the winds that played so gently around us.  One of the voices was a soprano of much sweetness and flexibility, for it ascended the scale with great ease, and its higher notes were flutelike.  The other was a contralto of no mean order.  And there joined in chorus with these, two male voices, evidently well trained, and of much compass.