The Sea-Witch

The Sea-Witch

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Title: The Sea-Witch
Author: Maturin Murray

Release Date: November, 2003 [Etext #4675] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on February 26,
2002]
Edition: 10
Language: English
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THE SEA-WITCH:
OR, THE AFRICAN QUADROON A STORY OF THE SLAVE
COAST.
BY LIEUTENANT MURRAY.
NEW YORK:

PREFACE.

LET the reader peruse the following story with the same spirit in which
it was written, and not conceive that it is either a pro-slavery or
anti-slavery tale. The "peculiar institution" which is herein introduced,
is brought forward simply as an auxiliary, and not as a feature of the
story. It is only referred to where the plot and locality upon the slave
coast have rendered this necessary, and the careful reader will observe
that the subject is treated with entire impartiality. These few remarks
are introduced, because we desire to appear consistent. Our paper shall
neither directly nor indirectly further any sectional policy or doctrine,
and in its conduct shall be neutral, free and independent.--Editor of The
Flag of our Union.

THE SEA-WITCH.

CHAPTER I
.
OUTWARD BOUND.

OUR story opens in that broad, far-reaching expanse of water which
lies deep and blue between the two hemispheres, some fifteen degrees
north of the equator, in the latitude of Cuba and the Cape Verd Islands.
The delightful trade winds had not fanned the sea on a finer summer's
day for a twelvemonth, and the waves were daintily swelling upon the
heaving bosom of the deep, as though indicating the respiration of the
ocean. It was scarcely a day's sail beyond the flow of the Caribbean Sea,
that one of those noblest results of man's handiwork, a fine ship, might
have been seen gracefully ploughing her course through the sky-blue
waters of the Atlantic. She was close-hauled on the larboard tack,
steering east-southeast, and to a sailor's eye presented a certain
indescribable something that gave her taut rig and saucy air a dash of
mystery, which would have set him to speculating at once as to her
character and the trade she followed.
Few things can be named that more potently challenge our admiration
than a full-sized ship under way; her myriad of ropes, sails and
appointments, all so complete and well-controlled, the power of her
volition, the promptness with which she obeys the slightest movement

of the helm, the majestic grace of her inclination to the power of the
winds, and the foaming prow and long glistening wake, all go to make
up the charm and peculiarity of a nautical picture. There is true poetry
in such a scene as this, beauty fit to move the heart of an anchorite. No
wonder the sailor loves his ship like a mistress; no wonder he
discourses of her charms with the eloquence of true love and confiding
trust; no landsman