[Gutenberg 10920] • Two Years Ago, Volume I

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899. Excerpt: ... TWO YEARS AGO CHAPTER XV THE CRUISE OF THE "WATERWITCH" THE middle of August is come at last; and with it the solemn day on which Frederick Viscount Scoutbush may be expected to revisit the home of his ancestors. Elsley has gradually made up his mind to the inevitable, with a stately sulkiness: and comforts himself, as the time draws near, with the thought that, after all, his brotherin-law is not a very formidable personage. But to the population of Aberalva in general, the coming event is one of awful jubilation. The shipping is all decked with flags; all the Sunday clothes have been looked out, and many a yard of new ribbon and pound of bad powder bought; there have been arrangements for a procession, which could not be got up; for a speech which nobody would undertake to pronounce; and, lastly, for a dinner, about which last there was no hanging back. Yea, also, they have hired from Carcarrow Churchtown, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music; for Frank has put down the old choir band at Aberalva--another of his mistakes--and there is but one fiddle and a clarionet now left in the town. So the said town waits all the VOL. II.--I day on tiptoe, ready to worship, till out of the soft brown haze the stately " Waterwitch" comes sliding in, like a white ghost, to fold her wings in Aberalva bay. And at that sight the town is all astir. Fishermen shake themselves up out of their mid-day snooze, to admire the beauty, as she slips on and on through water smooth as glass, her hull hidden by the vast curve of the balloon-jib, and her broad wings boomed out alow and aloft, till it seems marvellous how that vast screen does not topple headlong, instead of floating (as it seems) selfsupporting above its image in the mirror. Women hurry to put on their ...