（
爱上天使般的女孩）（
绝品天医）（
护花保镖）（
盛宠太子妃）（
继承者：纨绔二小姐）（
最强兵王）by washington irving
in the yeargrace ohousand seven hundred and blank for inot remember the precise date; however,was somewherethe early partthe last century, there livedthe ancient citythe manhattoeorthy burgher, wolfert webbeas descended from old cobus webberthe brilleholland, onethe original settlers, famous for introducing the cultivationcabbages, and who came overthe province during the protectorshipoloffe van kortlandt, otherwise called the dreamer.
the fieldwhich cobus webber first planted himself and his cabbages had remained ever sincethe family, who continuedthe same linehusbandry, with that praiseworthy perseverance for which our dutch burgherswhole family genius, during several generations was devotedthe study and developmentthis one noble vegetable; andthis concentrationintellect may doubtlessascribed the prodigious size and renownwhich the webber cabbages attained.
the webber dynasty continueduninterrupted succession; and never diine give more unquestionable proofldest son succeededthe looks,wellthe territoryhis sire; and had the portraitsthis linetranquil potentates been taken, they would have presenteowheads marvellously resembling,shape and magnitude, the vegetables over which they reigned.
the seatgovernment continued unchangedthe family mansion: a dutch built house, witront,rather gable endyellow brick, taperinga point, with the customary iron weathercockth thing about the building bore the airlong settled easeof martins peopled the little coops nailed against the walls, and swallows built their nests under the eaves; and every one knows that these house loving birds bring good luckthe dwelling where they taketheright sunny morningearly summer,was delectablehear their cheerful notes,they sported aboutthe pure, sweet air, chirping forth,it were,the greatness and prosperitythe webbers.
thus quietly and fortably did this excellent family vegetate under the shadea mighty button wood tree, whichlittle and little grewgreatentirelyovershadow thei city gradually spread its suburbs round thei sprungto interrupt thei rural lanesthe vicinity begangrow into the bustle and populousnessstreets;short, with all the habitsrustic life they beganfind themselves the inhabitantsa city.
still, however, they maintained their hereditary character, and hereditary possessions, with all the tenacitypetty german princesthe midstth was the lastthe line, and succeededthe patriarchal benchthe door, under the family tree, and swayed the sceptrehis fathers, a kind ofrural potentatethe midsta metropolis.
to share the cares and sweetssovereignty,had taken unto himselelp mate, onethat excellent kind called stirring women; thatto say, she was onethose notable little housewives who are always busy when activity however, took one particular direction; her whole life seemed devotedintense knitting; whetherhomeabroad; walkingsitting, her needles were continuallymotion, andis even affirmed thather unwearied industry she very nearly supplied her household with stockings throughout the year.
this worthy couple were blessed with one daughter, who was broughtwith great tenderness and care; unmon pains had been taken with her education,that she could stitchevery varietyway; make all kindspickles and preserves, and mark her own name influenceher taste was seen alsothe family garden, where the ornamental beganmingle with the useful; whole rowsfiery marigolds and splendid hollyhocks bordered the cabbage beds; and gigantic sunflowers lolled their broad, jolly faces over the fences, seemingogle most affectionately the passers by.
thus reigned and vegetated wolfert webber over his paternal acres, peaceablybut that, like all other sovereigns,had his occasional caresgrowthhis native city sometimes causedlittle territory gradually became hemmedby streets and houses, which intercepted airwas now and then subjectthe irruptionsthe border population, that infest the streetsa metropolis, who would sometimes make midnight forays into his dominions, and carry off captive whole platoonshis nobles swine would makescent, too, now and then, when the gate was left open, and lay all waste before them; and mischievous urchins would often decapitate the illustrious sunflowers, the glorythe garden,they lolled their headsfondly over the walls.
still all these were petty grievances, which might now and then ruffle the surfacehis mind,a summer breeze will ruffle the surfacea mill pond; but they could not disturb the deep seated quiethi would seizrusty staff, that stood behind the door, issue suddenly out, and anoint the backthe aggressor, whether pigurchin, and then return within doors, marvellously refreshedchief causeanxietyhonest wolfert, however, was the growing prosperityth expensesliving doubled and trebled; butcould not double and treble the magnitudehis cabbages; and the numberpetitors prevented the increaseprice; thus, therefore, while every one around him grew richer, wolfert grew poorer, andcould not, for the lifehim, perceive how the evil wasbe remedied.
this growing care which increased from dayday, had its gradual effect upon our worthy burgher; insomuch, thatat length implanted twothree wrinkleshis brow; things unknown beforethe familythe webbers; andseemedpinchthe cornershis cocked hat intoexpressionanxiety, totally oppositethe tranquil, broad brimmed, low crowned beavershis illustrious progenitors.
perhaps even this would not have materially disturbed the serenityhis mind hadhad only himself and his wifecare for; but there was his daughter gradually growingmaturity; and all the world knows when daughters beginripenfruitflower requiresmuch lookintalentdescribing female charms, else fain woulepict the progressthis little dutc her blue eyes grew deeper and deeper, and her cherry lips redder and redder; and how she ripened and ripened, and rounded and roundedthe opening breathsixteen summers, until,her seventeenth spring, she seemed readyburst outher bodice likalf blown rose bud.
ah, welay! coulutshow hershe was then, tricked outa sunday morningthe hereditary finerythe old dutch clothes press,which her mother had confidedherwedding dressher grandmother, modernized for use, with sundry ornaments, handed downheirloomsth pale brown hair smoothed with buttermilkflat waving lineseach sideher fai chainyellow virgin gold, that encircled her neck; the little cross, that just restedthe entrancea soft valleyhappiness,ifwould sanctify the place.
the but pooh!is not forold man liketoprosing about female beauty: sufficeto say, amy had attained her seventeent since had her sampler exhibited heartscouples desperately transfixed with arrows, and true lovers’ knots workeddeep blue silk; andwas evident she beganlanguish for some more interesting occupation than the rearingsunflowerspicklingcucumbers.
at this critical periodfemale existence, when the heart withiamsel's bosom, like its emblem, the miniature which hangs without,aptbe engrosseda single image, a new visitor beganmake his appearance under the roofwolfer was dirk waldron, the only sona poor widow, but who could boastmore fathers than any ladthe province; for his mother had had four husbands, and this only child,that though bornher last wedlock,might fairly claimbe the tardy fruita long coursonfour fathers united the merits and the vigorhihad noreat family before him,seemed likelyhavreat one after him; for you had onlylookthe fresh gamesome youth,see thatwas formedbe the foundera mighty race.
this youngster gradually becamean intimate visitorth talked little, butsa filled the father’s pipe whenwas empty, gatheredthe mother’s knitting needle,ballworsted whenfellthe ground; stroked the sleek coatthe tortoise shell cat, and replenished the teapot for the daughter from the bright copper kettle that sung beforethese quiet little offices may seemtrifling import, but when true lovetranslated into low dutch,isthis way thateloquently expresses itself.
they were not lost upon the webbe winning youngster found marvellous favorthe eyesthe mother; the tortoise shell cat, albeit the most staid and demureher kind, gave indubitable signsapprobationhis visits, the tea kettle seemedsing ouheering notewelehis approach, andthe sly glancesthe daughter mightrightly read,she sat bridling and dimpling, and sewingher mother’s side, she was noit behind dame webber,grimalkin,the tea kettlegood will.
wolfert alone saw nothingwhat was going on.profoundly wraptin meditationthe growththe city and his cabbages,sat lookingthe fire, and puffing his pipight, however,the gentle amy, accordingcustom, lighted her loverthe outer door, and he, accordingcustom, took his parting salute, the smack resoundedvigorously through the long, silent entryto startle even the dull eaas slowly rouseda new sourcad never entered into his head, that this mere child, who,it seemed but the other day, had been climbing about his knees, and playing with dolls and baby houses, could alloncethinkinglove and matrimony.
he rubbed his eyes, examined into the fact, and really found that whilehad been dreamingother matters, she had actually grown intoman, and what was more, had falleere new cares for poo waind father, butwaruden young man waery stirring lad; but thenhad neither money o’s ideas all ranone channel, andsawalternativecasea marriage, butportion off the young couple witornerhis cabbage garden, the wholewhich was barely sufficient for the supporthis family.
likrudent father, therefore,determinednip this passionthe bud, and forbade the youngster the house, though sorely didgo against his fatherly heart, and manilent tear didcausethe bright eyehi showed herself, however, a patternfilial pietynever pouted and sulked; she never flewthe faceparental authority; she never fell intassion,fell into hysterics,many romantic novel read young ladies would do.not she, indeed!she was none such heroical rebellious trumpery, i warrant ye.on the contrary, she acquiesced likeobedient daughter; shut the street doorher lover’s face, andever she did grant himinterview,was either outthe kitchen window,over the garden fence.
wolfert was deeply cogitating these thingshis mind, and his brow wrinkled with unusual care,he wended his way one saturday afternoona rural inn, about two miles fromwaavorite resortthe dutch partthe munity, from being always helda dutch linelandlords, and retainingair and relishthe goodwautch built house, that had probably beeountry seatsome opulent burgherthe early timeth stood neaointland, called corlears hook, which stretches out into the sound, and against which the tide,its flux and reflux, sets with extraordinar venerable and somewhat crazy mansion was distinguished from afar,a groveelms and sycamores that seemedwavospitable invitation, whilew weeping willows with their dank, drooping foliage, resembling falling waters, gaveideacoolness, that renderedan attractive spot during the heatssummer.
here, therefore,i said, resorted manythe old inhabitantsthe manhattoes, where, while some playedthe shuffle board and quoits and ninepins, others smokeeliberate pipe, and talked over public affairs.
it wasa blustering autumnal afternoon that wolfert made his visitth groveelms and willows was strippedits leaves, which whirledrustling eddies about the fields.
the ninepin alley was deserted, for the premature chillinessthe day had driven the pany withiwas saturday afternoon, the habitual club wassession, posed principallyregular dutch burghers, though mingled occasionally with personsvarious character and country,is naturala placesuch motley population.
beside the fire place, anda huge leather bottomed armchair, sat the dictatorthis little world, the venerable rem, or,it was pronounced, ramm rapelye.
he waanwalloon race, and illustrious for the antiquityhis line, his great grandmother having been the first white child bornthwas still more illustrious for his wealth and dignity:had long filled the noble officealderman, and waanwhom the governor himself took offhad maintained possessionthe leathern bottomed chair from time immemorial; and had gradually waxedbulkhe sathis seatgovernment, untilthe courseyearsfilled its whole magnitude.
his word was decisive with his subjects; forwasrican, thatwas never expectedsupport any opinioandlord waitedhim with peculiar officiousness; not thatpaid better than his neighbors, but then the coina rich man seems alwaysbemuch mor landlord had alwayleasant word anoke,insinuatethe earthe augustrue, ramm never laughed, and, indeed, maintaineastiff like gravity, and even surlinessaspect, yetnow and then rewarded mine host witokenapprobation; which, though nothing more nor less thaindgrunt, yet delighted the landlord more tharoadlaugh frooorer man.
“this willa rough night for the money diggers,” said mine host,a gustwind howled round the house, and rattledthe windows.
“what, are theytheir works again?” saidenglish half pay captain, with one eye, who warequent attendantthe inn.
“aye, are they,” said the landlord, “and well may they be.they've had lucareat potmoney has been dugin the field, just behind stuyvesant’ thinkmust have been buried thereold timespeter stuyvesant, the dutch governor.”
“fudge!” said the one eyed manwar,he addemall portionwatera bottombrandy.
“well, you may believe,not,you please,” said mine host, somewhat tled; “but every body knows that the old governor buriereat dealhis moneythe timethe dutch troubles, when the english red coats seizedth say, too, the oldgentleman walks; aye, andthe very same dress thatwearsthe picture which hangsin the family house.”
“fudge!” said the half pay officer.
“fudge,you please! but didn't corney van zandt see himmidnight, stalking aboutthe meadow with his wooden leg, anrawn swordhis hand, that flashed like fire?and what canbe walking for, but because people have been troubling the place whereburied his moneyold times?”
here the landlord was interruptedseveral guttural sounds from ramm rapelye, betokening thatwas laboring with the unusual productionawas too greaanbe slighteda prudent publican, mine host respectfully paused untilshould delive corpulent framethis mighty burgher now gave all the symptomsa volcanic mountainthe pointa, there waertain heavingthe abdomen, not unlikeearthquake; then was emitteloudtobacco smoke from that crater, his mouth; then there waindrattlethe throat,if the idea were working its waythrougegionphlegm; then there were several disjointed membersa sentence thrown out, endinga cough;length his voice forced its waythe slow, but absolute tonea man who feels the weighthis purse,nothis ideas; every portionhis speech being markeda testy pufftobacco smoke
“who talksoldpeter stuyvesant’s walking? puff have peoplerespect for persons? puff puff peter stuyvesant knew better whatdo with his money thanburypufnow the stuyvesant family puff every onethem puff noore respectable familythe province puff old standers puff warm householders puff noneyour upstarts puff puf’t talkmepeter stuyvesant’s walking puff puff puff puff.”
here the redoubtable ramm contracted his brow, claspedhis mouth, tillwrinkledeach corner, and redoubled his smoking with such vehemence, that the cloudly volumes soon wreathed round his head,the smoke envelopes the awful summitmount etna.
a general silence followed the sudden rebukethis very ric subject, however, was too interestingbe readil conversation soon broke forth again from the lipspeechy prauw van hook, the chroniclerthe club, onethose narrative old men who seemgrow incontinentwords,they grow old, until their talk flows from them almost involuntarily.
peechy, who could atany time tellmany storiesan eveninghis hearers could digesta month, now resumed the conversation,affirming that,his knowledge, money haddifferent times been dugin various partsth lucky persons who had discovered them had always dreamtthem three times beforehand, and what was worthyremark, these treasures had never been found butsome descendantthe good old dutch families, which clearly proved that they had been burieddutchmenthe olden time.
“fiddle stick with your dutchmen!” cried the half pay officer.“the dutch had nothingdo wit were all buriedby kidd, the pirate, and his crew.”
herey note was touched that roused the whol namecaptain kidd was likalismanthose times, and was associated withousand marvellous stories.
the half pay officer waangreat weight among the peaceable membersthe club,reasonhis military character, andthe gunpowder scenes which,his own account,had witnessed.
the golden stories ofkidd, however, were resolutely rivalledthe talespeechy prauw, who, rather than suffer his dutch progenitorsbe eclipseda foreign freebooter, enriched every spotthe neighborhood with the hidden wealthpeter stuyvesant and his contemporaries.
noordthis conversation was lost upon wolfer returned pensively home, fullmagnificent ideasburie soilhis native island seemedbe turned into gold dust; and every field teemed wit head almost reeledthe thought how oftenmust have heedlessly rambled over places where countless sums lay, scarcely coveredthe turf beneathmind wasa vertigo with this whirlnecamesightthe venerable mansionhis forefathers, and the little realm where the webbers hadlong andcontentedly flourished, hisrosethe narrownesshis destiny.
“unlucky wolfert!” exclaimed he, “others canto bed and dream themselves into whole mineswealth; they have butseizpadethe morning, and turndoubloons like potatoes; but thou must dreamhardship, and risepoverty must dig thy field from year’s endyear’s end, and and yet raise nothing but cabbages!”
wolfert webber wentbed witeavy heart; andwas long before the golden visions that disturbed his brain, permitted himsink int same visions, however, extended into his sleeping thoughts, and assumeore definit dreamt thathad discoveredimmense treasurethe centrehi every strokethe spadelaid barolden ingot; diamond crosses sparkled outthe dust; bagsmoney turnedtheir bellies, corpulent with pieceseight,venerable doubloons; and chests, wedged close with moidores, ducats, and pistareens, yawned before his ravished eyes, and vomited forth their glittering contents.
wolfert awokoorer man tha hadheartgo about his daily concerns, which appearedpaltry and profitless; but sat all day longthe chimney corner, picturinghimself ingots and heapsgoldth next night his dreamwas againhis garden, digging, and laying open storeshidde was something very singularthi passed another dayreverie, and thoughwas cleaning day, and the house,usualdutch households, pletely topsy turvy, yetsat unmoved amidst the general uproar.
the third nightwentbed witalpitatin puthis red nightcap, wrong side outwards for goo was deep midnight before his anxious mind could settle itself int the golden dream was repeated, and againsaw his garden teeming with ingots and money bags.
wolfert rose the next morningplet three times repeated was never knownlie; andso, his fortune was made.
in his agitationputhis waistcoat with the hind part before, and this waorroborationgoolonger doubted thauge storemoney lay buried somewherehis cabbage field, coyly waitingbe sought for, andhalf repinedhavinglong been scratching about the surfacethe soil, insteaddiggingthe centre.
he took his seatthe breakfast table fullthese speculations; asked his daughterpuumpgoldto his tea, andhanding his wiflateslap jacks, begging herhelp herselfa doubloon.
his grand care now was howto secure this immense treasure withoutbeinworking regularlyhis groundsthe day time,now stole from his bednight, and with spade and pickaxe, wentworkripand dig about his paternal acres, from one endtittle time the whole garden, which had presented sucoodly and regular appearance, with its phalanxcabbages, likegetable armybattle array, was reduceda scenedevastation, while the relentless wolfert, with nightcaphead, and lantern and spadehand, stalked through the slaughtered ranks, the destroying angelhis own vegetable world.
every morning bore testimonythe ravagesthe preceding nightcabbagesall ages and conditions, from the tender sproutthe full grown head, piteously rooted from their quiet beds like worthless weeds, and leftwitherth wasvain wolfert’s wife remonstrated;wasvain his darling daughter wept over the destructionsome favorite marygold.“thou shalt have goldanother guess sort,”would cry, chucking her under the chin; “thou shalt havtringcrooked ducats for thy wedding necklace,child.”
his family began reallyfear that the poor man's wits wer mutteredhis sleepnightmineswealth,pearls and diamonds and barhe day timewas moody and abstracted, and walked aboutif webber held frequent councils with all the old womenthe neighborhood, not omitting the parish dominie; scarcehourthe day bunotthem mightseen wagging their white caps together round her door, while the poor woman made some piteou daughter, too, was fainseek for more frequent consolation from the stolen interviewsher favored swain, dir delectable little dutch songs with which she useddulcify the house grew less and less frequent, and she would fet her sewing and look wistfullyher father’s facehe sat ponderingthe fireside.
wolfert caught her eye one day fixedon him thus anxiously, and fooment was roused from his golden reveries “cheer up,girl,” said he, exultingly, “why dost thou droop? thou shalt holdthy head one day with the and the schenaerhorns, the van hornes, and the van dams the patroon himself shallgladget thee for his son!”
amy shook her headthis vain glorious boast, and was more than everdoubtthe soundnessthe good man’s intellect.
in the meantime wolfert went ondigging, but the field was extensive, andhis dream had indicatedprecise spot,haddiinter setbefore oenththe scenepromise had bee ground became too frozen and the nights too cold for the laborsth sooner, however, did the returning warmthspring loosen the soil, and the small frogs beginpipethe meadows, but wolfert resumed his labors with renovated zeal.
still, however, the hoursindustry werworking cheerily all day, planting and setting out his vegetables,remained thoughtfully idle, until the shadesnight summoned himhis secre this waycontinueddig from nightnight, and weekweek, and monthmonth, but notiver dihe contrary, the moredigged the pooreich soilhis garden was digged away, and the sand and gravel from beneath were thrownthe surface, until the whole field presentedaspectof sandy barrenness.
in the meantime the seasons gradually rolled on.the little frogs that had pipedthe meadowsearly spring, croakedbull frogsthe brooks during the summer heats, and then sunk int peach tree budded, blossomed, and boreswallows and martins came, twittered about the roof, built their nests, reared their young, held their congress along the eaves, and then winged their flightsearchanothe caterpillar spun its winding sheet, dangledit from the great buttonwood tree that shaded the house, turned intoth, fluttered with the last sunshinesummer, and disappeared; and finally the leavesthe buttonwood tree turned yellow, then brown, then rustled oneoo the ground, and whirling aboutlittle eddieswind and dust, whispered that winter washand.
wolfert gradually awoke from his dreamwealththe yea had rearedcropsupply the wantshis household during the steriliteason was long and severe, and for the first time the family was really straightenedit degreeevulsionthought took placewolfert's mind, monthose whose golden dreams have been disturbedpinchin idea gradually stole upon him thatshould lready considered himself onethe most unfortunate menthe province, having lost suchincalculable amountundiscovered treasure, and now, when thousandspounds had eluded his search,be perplexed for shillings and pence was cruelthe extreme.
haggard care gathered about his brow;went about witoney seeking air, his eyes bent downwards into the dust, and carrying his handshis pockets,men are aptdo when they have nothing elseput int could not even pass the city almshouse without givinga rueful glance,if destinedbe his future abode.
the strangenesshis conduct andhis looks occasioned much speculationa long timewas suspectedbeing crazy, and then every body pitied him;lengthbeganbe suspected thatwas poor, and then every body avoided him.
the rich old burghershis acquaintance met him outsidethe door whencalled, entertained him hospitablythe threshold, pressed him warmlythe handparting, shook their headshe walked away, with the kind hearted expression“poor wolfert,” and turneorner nimbly,by chance they saw him approachingthey walkedthe barber and cobblerthe neighborhood, anattered tailoran alley hard by, threethe poorest and merriest roguesthe world, eyed him with that abundant sympathy which usually attendackmeans, and therenooubt but their pockets would have beenhis mand, only that they happenedbe empty.
thus every body deserted the webber mansion,if poverty were contagious, like the plague; every body but honest dirk waldron, who still kepthis stolen visitsthe daughter, and indeed seemedwax more affectionatethe fortuneshis mistress werethe wane.
many months had elapsed since wolfert had frequented his old resort, the rura was takinong lonely walk one saturday afternoon, musing over his wants and disappointments, when his feet took instinctively their wonted direction, andawaking outa reverie,found himself before the doorth some momentshesitated whetherenter, but his heart yearned for panionship; and where cauined man find better panionship thana tavern, where thereneither sober example nor sober adviceput him outcountenance?
wolfert found severalthe old frequentersthe taverntheir usual posts, and seatedtheir usual places; but one was missing, the great ramm rapelye, who for many years had filled the chailace was supplieda stranger, who seemed, however, pletelyhomethe chair andwas rather under size, but deep chested, square,broad shoulders, double joints, and bow knees, gave tokensprodigiou face was dark and weather beaten; a deep scar,if from the slasha cutlass, had almost divided his nose, and madashhis upper lip, through which his teeth shone likull dog’s.
a massiron gray hair gavrizzly finishhis hard favore dress wasan amphibiou woreold hat edged with tarnished lace, and cockedmartial style,one sidehis head; a rusty blue military coat with brass buttons, anide pairshort petticoat trousers,rather breeches, for they were gatheredatordered every body about him withauthoritative air; talkeda brattling voice, that sounded like the cracklingthorns undeot; damned the landlord and servants with perfect impunity, and was waited upon with greater obsequiousness than had ever been shownthe mighty ramm himself.
wolfert's curiosity was awakenedknow who and what was this stranger who had thus usurped absolute swaythis ancien could get nothing, however, but vagu prauw took him aside, intemote cornerthe hall, and therean under voice, and with great caution, impartedhim all thatknewth inn had been aroused several months before,a dark stormy night,repeated long shouts, that seemed like the howlingsa wolf.
they came from the water side; andlength were distinguishedbe hailing the housethe seafaring manner.“housoy!”the landlord turned out with his head waiter, tapster, hostler, and errand boy thatto say with his old negr approaching the place from whence the voice proceeded, they found this amphibious looking personagethe water's edge, quite alone, and seateda great oakenhe came there, whetherhad been setshore from some boat,had floatedlandhis chest, nobody could tell, fordid not seem disposedanswer questions, and there was somethinghis looks and manners that putopalto say,took possessiona corner roomthe inn,which his chest was removed with great difficulty.
herehad remained ever since, keeping about the inn and it,is true,disappeared for one, two,three daysa time, going and returning without giving any noticeaccounthi always appearedhave plentymoney, though oftenvery strange, outlandish coinage; andregularly paid his bill every evening before turning in.
he had fittedhis roomhis own fancy, having slunammock from the ceiling insteada bed, and decorated the walls with rusty pistols and cutlassesforeig parthis time was passedthis room, seatedthe window, which mandeide viewthe sound, a short old fashioned pipehis mouth, a glassrum toddyhis elbow, anocket telescopehis hand, with whichreconnoitred every boat that moved uponsquare rigged vessels seemedexcite but little attention; but the momentdescried any thing withouldermutton sail,thaarge,yawl,jolly boat hovesight,went the telescope, andexaminedwith the most scrupulous attention.
all this might have passed without much notice, forthose times the province wasmuch the resortadventurersall characters and climes that any odditydressbehavior attracted but littla little while this strange sea monster, thus strangely caston dry land, beganencroach upon the long established customs and customersthe place;interferea dictatorial mannerthe affairsthe ninepin alley and the bar room, untilthe endusurpedabsolute mand over the littl wasvainattemptwithstand his authority.
he was not exactly quarrelsome, but boisterous and peremptory, like one accustomedtyrannizea quarter deck; and there waare devil air about every thingsaid and did, that inspirearinessal the half pay officer,long the herothe club, was soon silencedhim; and the quiet burghers stared with wonderseeing their inflammable manwarreadily and quietly extinguished.
and then the tales thatwould tell were enoughmakeaceable man's hair stanas noea fight,maraudingfree booting adventure that had happened within the last twenty years butseemed perfectly delightedtalkthe exploitsthe buccaneersthe west indies andthe spanish main.
how his eyes would glistenhe described the waylayingtreasure ships, the desperate fights, yardarm and yardarm broadside and broadside the boarding and capturinglarge spanish galleons! with what chuckling relish woulddescribe the descent upon some rich spanish colony; the riflinga church; the sackinga convent!you would have thought you heard some gormandizer dilating upon the roastinga savory goosemichaelmashe described the roastingsome spanish donmake him discover his treasuretail given witinuteness that made every rich old burgher present turn unfortablyhi this wouldtold with infinite glee,ifconsideredan excellent joke; and thenwould give sucyrannical leerthe facehis next neighbor, that the poor man wouldfainlaugh outsheer faint heartedness.
if any one, however, pretendedcontradict himanyhis storieswasfirea very cocked hat assumeomentary fierceness, and seemedresent the contradiction. “how the devil should you knowwelli!i tell youwasi say!” andwouldthe same time let sliroadsidethundering oaths and tremendous sea phrases, suchhad never been heard before within those peaceful walls.
indeed, the worthy burghers begansurmise thatknew morethese stories than mer after day their conjectures concerning him grew more and more wildstrangenesshis manners, the mystery that surrounded him, all made him something inprehensiblethei waindmonsterthe deepthemwaermanwas behemothwas leviathanshort, they knew not whatwas.
the domineering spiritthis boisterous sea urchinlength grew quit wasrespecterpersons;contradicted the richest burghers without hesitation;took possessionthe sacred elbow chair, which time outmind had been the seatsovereigntythe illustrious ram,even wentfaronehis rough jocular moods,to slap that mighty burgherthe back, drink his toddy and winkhis face, a thing scarcelyb this time ramm rapelye appearedmorethe inn; his example was followedseveralthe most eminent customers, who were too richtolerate being bullied outtheir opinions,being obligedlaughanother man’ landlord was almostdespair, butknew not howget ridthis sea monster and his sea chest, which seemedhave grown like fixtures,excrescenceshis establishment.
such was the account whispered cautiouslywolfert's ear,the narrator, peechy prauw,he held himthe buttona cornerthe hall, castinary glance now and then towards the doorthe bar room, lestshouldoverheardthe terrible herohis tale.
wolfert took his seata remote partthe roomsilence; impressed with profound awethis unknown,versedfreebootin washionderful instancethe revolutionsmighty empires,find the venerable ramm rapelye thus ousted from the throne; a rugged tarpaulin dictating from his elbow chair, hectoring the patriarchs, and filling this tranquil little realm with brawl and bravado.
the stranger wasthis eveninga more than usually municative mood, and was narratinumberastounding storiesplunderings and burnings upon the hig dwelt upon them with peculiar relish, heightening the frightful particularsproportiontheir effecthis peacefu gavong swaggering detailthe capturea spanis was laying becalmed durinong summer’s day, just off fromisland which was onethe lurking placesth had reconnoitred her with their spy glasses from the shore, and ascertained her character and force.
at nighicked crewdaring fellows set off for hera whal approached with muffled oars,she lay rocking idly with the undulationsthe sea and her sails flapping againstwere close under her stern before the guarddeck was awarethei alarm was given; the pirates threw hand grenadesdeck and sprangthe main chains swordhand.
the crew flewarms, butgreat confusion some were shot down, others took refugethe tops; others were driven overboard and drowned, while others fought handhand from the main deckthe quarter deck, disputing gallantly every incere three spanish gentlemenboard with their ladies, who made the most desperate resistance; they defended the panion way, cut down severaltheir assailants, and fought like very devils, for they were maddenedthe shrieksthe ladies fromof the dons was old and soo other two kept their ground vigorously, even though the captainthe pirates was among thei then there wahoutvictory from the main deck.“the shipours!” cried the pirates.
onethe dons immediately dropped his sword and surrendered; the other, who waot headed youngster, and just married, gave the captailashthe face that laidcaptain just made outarticulate the words “no quarter.
“and what did theywith their prisoners?” said peechy prauw, eagerly.
“threw them all overboard!” said the merman.
a dead pause followed thi prauw shrunk quietly back likan who had unwarily stolen upon the laira sleepin honest burghers cast fearful glancesthe deep scar slashed across the visagethe stranger, and moved their chairittle farthe seaman, however, smokedwithout movinuscle,thougheither did not perceivedid not regard the unfavorable effecthad produced upon his hearers.
the half pay officer was the firstbreak the silence; forwas continually temptedmake ineffectual head against this tyrantthe seas, andregain his lost consequencethe eyeshis ancien now triedmatch the gunpowder talesthe strangerothers equall,usual, was his hero, concerning whomhad pickedmanythe floating traditionsth seaman had always evinceettled pique against the red face this occasionlistened with peculia sat with one arimbo, the other elbowa table, the hand holdingto the small pipewas pettishly puffing; his legs crossed, drumming with one footthe ground and casting every now and then the side glancea basiliskthe prosin length the latter spokekidd’s having ascended the hudson with somehis crew,land his plundersecrecy.
“kiddthe hudson!” burst forth the seaman, witremendous oath;“kidd never wasthe hudson!”
“i tell youwas,” said the other.“aye, and they sayburieuantitytreasurethe little flat that runs out into the river, called the devil’s dans kammer.”
“the devil’s dans kammeryour teeth!” cried the seaman.“i tell you kidd never wasthe hudson what the plagueyou knowkidd and his haunts?”
“whati know?” echoed the half pay officer; “why, i waslondonthe timehis trial, aye, anad the pleasureseeing him hangedexecution dock.”
“then, sir, lettell you that you sawprettellow hangedever trod sho!” putting his face nearerthatthe officer, “and there was manoward looked on, that might much better have swunghis stead.”
the half pay officer was silenced; but the indignation thus pentin his bosom glowed with intense vehemencehis single eye, which kindled likoal.
peechy prauw, who never could remain silent, now tookthe word, anda pacifying tone observed that the gentleman certainly wasth never did bury moneythe hudson, nor indeedanythose parts, though many affirmwas bradish and othersthe buccaneers who had buried money, some saidturtle bay, otherslong island, othersthe neighborhoodhel, added he, i recollectadventuremud sam, the negro fisherman, many years ago, which some think had somethingdo withwe are all friends here, andit willno farther, i’ll tellto you,
“upoark night many years ago,sam was returning from fishinghell gate .
here the story was nippedthe buda sudden movement from the unknown, who, laying his iron fistthe table, knuckles downward, wituiet force that indented the very boards, and looking grimly over his shoulder, with the grinan angry bear.“heark’ee, neighbor,” said he, with significant noddingthe head, “you’d better let the buccaneers and their money alohey’re not for old men and old womenmeddl fought hard for their money, they gave body and soul for it, and whereverlies buried, depend uponhe must havug with the devil who gets it.”
this sudden explosion was succeededa blank silence throughoutprauw shrunk within himself, and even the red faced officer turne, who, froark cornerthe room, had listened with intense eagernessall this talk about buried treasure, looked with mingled awe and reverencethis bold buccaneer, for suchreally suspected wahinkinggold anparklingjewelsall his stories about the spanish main that gavalueevery period, and wolfert would have given any thing for the rummagingthe ponderous sea chest, which his imagination crammed fullgolden chalices and crucifixes and jolly round bagsdoubloons.
the dead stillness that had fallen upon the pany waslength interruptedthe stranger, who pulled ourodigious watchcurious and ancient workmanship, and whichwolferts’ eyes haecidedly spanis touchinpringstruck ten o’clock; upon which the sailor called for his reckoning, and having paidouta handfuloutlandish coin,drank off the remainderhis beverage, and without taking leaveany one, rolled outthe room, mutteringhimselfhe stampedstairshis chamber.
it was some time before the pany could recover from the silence into which they had bee very footstepsof the stranger, which were heard now and thenhe traversed his chamber, inspired awe.
still the conversationwhich they had been engaged was too interesting notb thunder gust had gatheredunnoticed while they were losttalk, and the torrentsrain that fell forbade all thoughtssetting off for home until the storm shoul drew nearer together, therefore, and entreated the worthy peechy prauwcontinue the tale which had beendiscourteousl readily plied, whispering, however,a tone scarcely above his breath, and drowned occasionallythe rollingthe thunder, andwould pause every now and then, and listen with evident awe,he heard the heavy footstepsthe stranger pacing overhead.
the followingthe purporthis story.
m.pi.co
(梨树文学http://www.lishu123.com)