Beadle's Dime Novels No. 208: The Ocean Outlaw — page 8: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

a THE OCEAN OUTLAW. many miniature cascades, until it finally dashed down a craggy precipice, and was received in a tiny lake, whose clear water reflected like a mirror the outlines of the gis gantic trees that grew on its margin, and the simple wild flower that dipped its leaves in the pure element. A large garden, filled with the choicest floral produc- tions, surrounded the mansion, perfaming the air with their exutic fragrance, while the orange and lime-trees, bending under their golden burthen, formed a delightful retreat from the scorching rays of a mid-day sun; and the cottage, whose walls were half-concealed by vines and creeping plants, seemed the very idea of rural beauty. A striking contrast ta this beautiful arrangement was apparent in the lofty forest that, within a short distance, stood in native grace aiid strength, having scarcely been in- vaded by the woodman; and so closely were the branches entwined together, and so dense the Iuxuriant foliage, that it was difficult to obtain even a glimpse of the blue arch above. A rough pier skirted one side of a small cave at the foot of the garden, to which was moored a boat, furnished with a mast and sail, which, in fine weather, and a smooth sea formed a very pleasant mode of conveyance to St. Ancustine, or any other voyage of similar brevity. - The owner of the place we have so briefly deseribel was known in the neighborhood by the name of Ralph Gray. He had first appeared there some fifteen years prior to the opening of our story, representing himself as a sea-captain, Who was anxious to obtain a quiet home for - his family, where he could safely leave them while absent, _ in his wandering profession. He was apparently about ‘forty years of age, possessed of a singularly tall, com- manding person, rather handsome features, and bore un- mistakable proofs of having, in the course of his life, been acquainted with polished society. He was very reserved in his manner, saying very little to any one, and promptly foiled every attempt made by curious strangers to learn anything of his history previous to his appearance among them, : SO Mmiebooks*G Conn Pa te he eee