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Ralph Rutherford, by the author of 'The petrel'.
Ralph Rutherford by the author of 'The petrel' Author:William Fisher Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III. Amongst the objects which had particularly attracted the attention of Julia and Laura, during the afternoon of the preceding day, whilst they had... more » been amusing themselves by watching the movements of the small vessels passing to and fro, a white sail, on the offing, of considerable size, had interested them much. Her tall, taper spars, and ample sails, cut with a graceful sweep, and swelling out to the lightest breeze, indicated swiftness; but, although ever in movement, she did not appear to advance much in any direction. " I verily believe," said Julia, " that beautiful vessel is sporting on those gentle waves to amuse us, Laura. One might fancy it contained some knight or necromancer, hovering about us for good or for evil." " He must have excellent eyes to see us," replied Laura, laughing; " but you are wont to dream of lovers in disguise." Other objects and subjects soon attracted the ever-varying thoughts of those happy and light-hearted girls. The evening had passed away delightfully; and the inhabitants of the Retreat were buried in profound repose, when, soon after midnight, they were suddenly seized in their beds, secured, and deprived of all power of giving an alarm. The house was surrounded by armed strangers, who were men of colour. No ponderous bolts or bars precluded invasion, nor was much noise made in forcing an entrance even to the chambers. Shortly afterwards, the terrified captives found themselves borne somewhat roughly to the beach, and, to their utter consternation, were placed in a large boat, with threats of instant death, should they attempt to give any trouble. Jemima, who felt all a mother's care for her helpless charge, had clung to them with such desperate pertinacity, that neither threats nor blows availed to drive her f...« less