The Pilot

Chapter 30

"A chieftain to the Highlands bound

Cries, 'Boatman, do not tarry!

And I'll give thee a silver pound,

To row us o'er the ferry.'"

_Lord Ullin's Daughter_.

The sky had been without a cloud during the day, the gale having been

dry and piercing, and thousands of stars were now shining through a

chill atmosphere. As the eye, therefore, became accustomed to the change

of light, it obtained a more distinct view of surrounding objects. At

the head of the line that was stretched along the narrow pathway marched

a platoon of the marines, who maintained the regular and steady front of

trained warriors. They were followed at some little distance by a large

and confused body of seamen, heavily armed, whose disposition to

disorder and rude merriment, which became more violent from their

t