On the evening of the nineteenth of August, a little schooner, which had occasionally stopped at the port of Salem, on trading voyages up and down the coast, entered the harbor. She was called the 'Water Witch,' a fore-and-aft vessel of beautiful model and fine proportions. Whenever she was seen coming up the bay, crowds of people assembled to witness her movements. She was always kept in the best condition, and her nicely-trimmed sails, the perfect symmetry of her spars, her graceful attitudes on the water, and above all, her rapid and varied motions, procured for Captain Ringbolt, who commanded her, an enviable and well-deserved reputation.
When the Water Witch appeared, it was always expected the next day would be one of extensive traffic, particularly among the country maidens of the neighborhood. Captain Ringbolt always had a good supply of laces, brocades, muslins, and all sorts of fashionable ornaments; and his very showy assortment was generally disposed of to good advantage. How he obtained his merchandise was sometimes a mystery; but the Salem ladies were careful not to inquire too curiously into the matter; they were quite willing Captain Ringbolt should have his own way; and, as he was uniformly courteous and obliging, any suspicions would certainly be inexpedient, and perhaps unjust. It was rather wonderful, however, that so much charity was extended towards this gentleman, considering the very strict morals of the Puritans, and the rigid honesty with which they were accustomed to discharge their pecuniary obligations. The gallant captain generally told a good story, and, as our narrative all along supposes, there was no want of credulity among the people.
As the Water Witch dropped her anchor, Somers stood on the beach, watching her motions with deep interest and evident anxiety; one of his neighbors, named Bolton, who was also one of Miss Lyford's guards, having obtained leave of absence for an hour, was strolling near him, and remarked the closeness of his survey. Somers, absorbed in his own reflections, did not notice Bolton, till he touched him on the shoulder and said: 'What now, Somers? you are looking sharp for Ringbolt; what kind of traffic do you mean to drive with him?'
'Is this you, Bolton?' said Somers, in some confusion; but in a moment recovering himself, he added: 'These are perilous times, neighbor; the witch proceedings have stopped all business, and I thought, as there are not many fire-arms in town, if I could get all the pistols Ringbolt has, it might be a little speculation.'
'This Captain Ringbolt will soon grow rich,' said Bolton, 'if my guesses are right; he was here only two weeks ago, and sold all his cargo in two days. But he may come to a bad market now, unless he waits for better times before he sells his goods; he is a shrewd man, however, and sells things for a good price, when nobody else can sell at all. I wish I knew where he gets his articles. Neighbor Somers, I shall have nothing to do after the witches are hung; you know this captain—I wish you would try to get me a berth on board for the next voyage.'
'You are no more fit for a sailor, Bolton, than a monkey is to furl a topsail. Captain Ringbolt would tumble you overboard before you got ten leagues from land. You had better stay where you are, and find honester business than any I ever knew you to be employed about.'
'You are sharp this evening, Somers. You will one day be convinced that the man who watches criminals is doing a great favor to the community. But I cannot think what has brought Ringbolt back so soon; his vessel is light; I think he must have intended to be here this morning, and see how the devil hangs up his friends.'
'They had better send to the devil for a sheriff. And you, Bolton, are nearly right: a man must be more than half a devil, to be engaged in such business.'
'It is a truly godly business,' said Bolton, 'and I wonder at your language, Somers; if these witches will serve their master, they must take such wages as he gives them; and the wages of sin is death. The sheriff deserves the thanks of all pious persons for his courage and zeal in the cause.'
'I wonder they had not employed you in the business,' said Somers; 'you talk like one who has no great compassion for a reputed witch, guilty or not guilty.'