42 
THE SEA-SERPENT. 
were sailing up the Northern sea ; — it’s not 
considered a pleasant trip, if the Maelstrom 
chance to be under your lee. It was summer 
time ; but plenty of ice islands, with pinnacles 
tall and shattered, like crystal castles of strange 
device, with bannered towers and battlements bat¬ 
tered,— looking more like the castles built in the 
air by your c easy sort of men,’ (beautifully 
carved and massively gilt,) who are just getting 
ready to move in, when down they come to the 
earth again, — these o’er the dark blue sea were 
scattered, where devils and foxes howled and 
chattered; I’ve watched them oft, as I stood in 
the shrouds, till these crystal castles gleamed like 
clouds.” “Faith,” said the captain, “I’m glad 
to know where all these magnificent castles go ; 
I thought that from Wall Street they went to the 
moon. Well, give us a touch of the serpent 
soon.” “ Pray do,” said Miss Wood; “for I 
long to hear how he chanced to have that won¬ 
derful ear. What a very convenient ear it would 
be ! I wish his Snakeship would lend it to me. 
