At length they came to a small cove, or rather
indent of the shore. It was protected by steep rocks, and
overshadowed by a thick copse of oaks and chestnuts, so as to be
sheltered and almost concealed. The beach shelved gradually within
the cove, but, the current swept deep and black and rapid along its
jutting points. The negro paused, raised his remnant of a hat, and
scratched his grizzled poll for a moment, as he regarded this nook;
then suddenly clapping his hands, he stepped exultingly forward,
and pointed to a large iron ring, stapled firmly in the rock, just
where a broad shelf of stone furnished a commodious landing place.
It was the very spot where the red-caps had landed. Years had
changed the more perishable features of the scene; but rock and
iron yield slowly to the influence of time. On looking more
closely Wolfert remarked three crosses cut in the rock just above
the ring, which had no doubt some mysterious signification. Old
Sam now readily recognized the overhanging rock under which his
skiff had been sheltered during the thunder gust. To follow up the
course which the midnight gang had taken, however, was a harder
task.
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