I listened
too, but could discover no sound, save the heavy swing of the blast, and
its receding growl."
"Again!" As she said this, Bridget rose from the low stool she had
occupied, and hobbled towards the window. I thought a signal-gun was
just then audible, as from some vessel in distress. Ere I could
communicate this intelligence, another and a nearer roll silenced all
conjecture. It was indeed but too evident that a vessel was in the
offing, and rapidly driving towards the shore, from the increasing
distinctness of the signals.
Old Bridget stood by the window; her dim and anxious eyes peering
through the casement as if she could discern the fearful and appalling
spectacle upon the dark billows.
"Your last!--your last, poor wretches!" she cried, when a heavy gust
brought another report with amazing distinctness to the ear. "And now
the death shriek!--another and another!--ye drop into the deep waters,
and the gulf is not gorged with its prey. Bridget Rimmer, girl and
woman, has ne'er watched the blue dancers but she has heard the sea-gun
follow, and seen the red sand decked with the spoil. Wench, take not of
the prey: 'tis accursed!"
The beldame drew back after uttering this anathema, and again resumed
her station near the hearth.
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