The Water-Witch or The Skimmer of the Seas

Set in the early 18th century, the narrative follows Myndert Van Beverout, a fur merchant, who encounters the disgraced former governor Lord Cornbury, recently imprisoned for debts. The plot thickens with the arrival of a mysterious ship, the Water-Witch, captained by the enigmatic "Skimmer of the Seas." This tale intertwines themes of intrigue and maritime adventure, characteristic of Cooper's historical romances, while exploring the complexities of social status and personal downfall in colonial America.