The Water-Witch, James Fenimore Cooper [good ebook reader TXT] 📗

tha fidelity and care which proved he felt his own existence identified withthat of a man who claimed so close a right in his person; and just as theclock struck ten, he and the negro last mentioned mounted the sluggish andover-fattened horses, and galloped, as hard as foot could be laid to theearth, several miles deeper into the island, to attend a frolic at one ofthe usual haunts of the people of their color and condition.

Had Alderman Myndert Van Beverout suspected the calamity which was so soonto succeed his absence, it is probable that his mien would have been lesscomposed, as he pursued his way from his own door, on the occasion named.That he had confidence in the virtue of his menaces, however, may beinferred from the tranquillity which immediately took possession offeatures that were never disturbed, without wearing an appearance ofunnatural effort. The substantial burgher was a little turned of fifty:and an English wag, who had imported from the mother country a love forthe humor of