  BY his four novels, published between December 1819, and January 1821, Sir Walter had realised at least £10,000, while £5000 additional were paid him by Constable and Co. for the remainder of these copyrights. The "Pirate" appeared in December 1821, and in the words of Mr Lockhart, "the wild freshness of its atmosphere, the beautiful contrast of Minna and Brenda, and the exquisitely-drawn character of Captain Cleveland, found a reception which they deserved." In the accompanying illustration, Noma has arrived at the spot where the shipwrecked seaman had been cast, just in time to restore suspended animation, and to protect him from plunder. Assisted by Mordaunt she raised the pirate's head to enable him to disgorge the sea water; but while her kind services were in progress, Bryce Snailsfoot, the pedlar, exhibited symptoms of dishonesty, by commencing to remove the pirate's finger-rings, while he cast an avaricious glance towards the chest. Of the latter the contents were plain and lace ruffled shirts, a silver compass, a silver hilted sword, and other valuable articles which the pedlar knew would stir in the trade. From his villainy Bryce was deterred by the menaces of Noma, which were scarcely uttered before the voices of approaching wreckers fell upon her ear. But her vigorous determination, and the superstitious influence which she exercised over the islanders, enabled her to save both the life and the property of Cleveland. The second illustration represents "Noma Despatching the Provisions." The attendants of Magnus Troil had just laid out the cold collation which they had brought with them, and were about to take seats at the table, when Noma, seizing one article after another, flung them out of the window into the sea which foamed below; hams and pickled beef flew into the empty space, smoked geese were returned to the air, and cured fish to their native element. With some difficulty the Udaller rescued his silver drinking-cup from the destroyer's hands. What occasioned Magnus the deepest chagrin was to find his brandy flask, first in the possession of the dwarf Pacolet, and afterwards in its passage through the window, an event which was attended by a fiendish grin on the part of Norna's attendant.
084
|
|
