She gave out the rhyme while smoothing back the hair from the haggard
features of the corpse; and her trembling treble voice, so weak, so
shrill, added a most miserable and desolating effect to the awful scene.
"Do it decently, good dame, decently and gently too, and you shall be
rewarded," said Robin, deeply affected,--aware how impossible it was for
him to remain and see that every thing was well ordered.
"Ay, ay, I warrant it shall all be done rightly, master, as rightly as
if she decked herself, poor soul! which she was well fond of in days
long ago."
Robin turned towards the cliff. As he commenced the descent, the wail of
the corpse-dresser fell upon his ear with the sighing of the wind that
was straying amongst the many hollow crags--the mysterious wind that
comes--whence?--we know not; and goes--where?--we cannot tell--yet moves
along upon its appointed way--felt, although unseen, on the vast earth
and the wide sea--now rejoicing over pleasant fields, and filling the
leaves with harmony--kissing in its gentleness the blushing bosom of the
rose, and wafting the humble bee on its industrious voyage!--then
stirring up oceans by its breath, and shouting to the clouds its
mandates!--Thou playfellow of thunder, and mate of the fierce lightning!
whether as a hurricane or a zephyr, great source of good and evil, hail
to thee on thy way!
Robin stood on the smooth beach at the bottom of the cliffs, and, taking
in at one glance all the objects within sight, perceived that the
government ships had certainly moved closer to the vessel, whose
identity had puzzled even him, keen observer though he was. The night
was dark but clear--no haze, no moon--the clouds not heavy nor light,
yet few stars made their appearance: now and then, as a shadow passed,
one would twinkle for a moment, until obscured by some ambitious vapour
soaring from earth to become purified by heaven. The ocean was calm and
still, sleeping the sleep of waters in their immensity! Persons
unaccustomed to such scenes could hardly have distinguished the vessels
in the offing, so much of the same colour did they appear with the waves
themselves. Robin then scanned the cliffs as he had done the ocean, and
whistled soft, low, but audibly,--a note like that of the frightened
plover. It was speedily answered, and in a moment Roupall stood by his
side.
"Are any gone off to the ship?--and where is the Skipper?"
"The Skipper's with the women, and, I think, has been looking out for
you," replied Roupall.