SENSE OF SECURITY COURTESY OF OFFICERS. 321 obtain "leave of absence" to seek her, he wrote and implored her to marry him by proxy, and as his wife come to Spain, where he would meet her. Like a loving woman she consented, and left home and parents for him. She was dreadfully ill, and her plaintive words of grief, and her sighing for her own kindred, were most affecting. A small negro-girl accompanied her, and we often saw them weeping together. The thought came to me many times, as I looked at her, Will the man for whom this fond young heart has sacrificed so much, love her the more for it? The weather was charming, and the good ship stanch and steady. For three days only there was a rough sea. One night we fancied a terrific storm had arisen, and that we were in great peril; but the Captain came in and told us it was only a "high wind," thus destroying the thrilling description I was weaving in my mind of a tempest on the Atlantic. Never before at sea has such a feeling of security possessed me, resulting no doubt from the constant watchfulness manifested to us. During the hours of the night, every ten minutes we would hear the cry of the guard on deck, "Alerta! alerta! alerta!" and thus we sank to sleep, with the certainty of a careful watch to protect us. The officers were well-educated and interesting men. They had seen many foreign lands, and narrated their impressions of them in a graphic and pleasing manner. The earliest days of my remembrance were passed amid the Spanish people, and they were always highly valued; but now my admiration for them. is greater still, their graceful civilities in the daily intercourse of life are so refined and genial. Cold hearts may say "they are only words," yet they give a charm to ordinary objects, and linger long within the memory. Our excellent friend Navarro was on board, and many long hours he cheered, either with gay conversation or amusing books. Another young officer pleased us all extremely. His name was Vicente de Manterola. He was handsome, graceful, and intelligent; a bright, glad spirit shone out in all his words, and a warm heart in his kindness to the strangers. The nights were enchanting-moonlighted, and the heavens glittering with the glorious constellations of the South. We frequently walked the upper deck for hours, gazing upon them, and watching the long line of phosphoric radiance which followed our steamer. Our last look was always to the western stars, shining over our home, and our last thought was of the dear ones there. Oh! it is only in absence the heart can reckon up the wealth of love which a fond mother has lavished; and my very soul pours itself forth in prayer for her safety, as we float away. When it was too chill to walk on deck, we would all gather in the saloon, and spend such merry, joyous evenings. Songs, and pleasant talk, and stories of the past, were gaily mingled. At eleven, almost as quickly as the Cinderella of the fairy books, the company vanished, as there was an order to extinguish the lights at that hour. When all were gone, the good steward, Luigi, arranged our sofas side by side, and we talked of home until sleep came, and then in dreams we were there again. Our last day on board, the good Dominga (our waitingwoman) awakened us long before the dawn, saying, "Come, Señora, go with me on deck, and see the day arise." We did so, and were charmed with the beautiful scene. At first the sky was "deeply, darkly blue," and the stars were gleaming with a brightness never seen in more northern regions. Slowly a gauzy veil seemed wafting over them, and along the East sprang up, as it were, banners of purple and rose-color, MEETINGS AND GREETINGS. 323 and the intense azure of the heavens melted into a soft gray hue. Soon streaks of golden light flashed through it, and the glorious sun came forth, converting the mirror-like ocean into a sea of radiance, burnished and glittering like myriads of gems. And this was morning upon the Atlantic! At mid-day there was a cry of tierra! tierra! (land! land!) which sent a thrill of joy to many hearts. We had seen none, except the island of Santa Maria, (one of the Azores, near which we passed,) since we left the Antilles. We ran on deck, and in a few moments "Fair Cadiz, rising from the dark blue sea," was revealed to our longing eyes. Like a great white dove, with out-spread wings, resting upon the calm waters, appeared the distant city. Ah! long shall I remember the delight of that first look upon lovely Cadiz! The day was exquisite; the air fresh and balmy, and the sea like a smooth inland lake. Gentle spirits seemed hovering around to welcome us, while a warm, glowing pleasure filled our hearts. Nearer and nearer we approached, domes, spires, and turrets gradually rising to view, until the entire outline of the city, with its snow-white houses and green alamedas, was before us. A few more hours, and we were within the bay; and had heard the joyful words "No hai quarentena," (There is no quarantine,) from the health officer. Then on board came rushing motley groups of people, in strange costumesthey might have well served for the figurantes in the opera of Masaniello. The Andalucian boatmen were truly picturesque, with their round velvet hats, curiously embroidered, and yellow tagged jackets, and wide red sashes about the waist. What a Babel of tongues! what grasping of handswaving of arms!—what shouts of joy, and fond greetings of the long parted! Oh! how my heart thrilled towards the happy ones, and snatched by anticipation a share of our own welcome home. Eager crowds were hurrying into the boats, and we were about descending the stairway when I thought of Dolores, (the little Cuban bride.) Running back, we found her weeping wildly. A friend of her husband had come off to tell her he had gone on a cruise along the coast of Africa. Seating myself by her side, I strove to comfort her; but she only could say, "Oh! in my own home there were so many to love me. I left all for him, and now he is not here to meet me!" Poor girl! it was truly a sad grief. Thus we left her, whispering, "Surely, your lover will repay you for all you have suffered "—(though it must be confessed I did not think he would). Our excellent Luigi soon had a felucca ready for us. This is a clumsy boat, with sails and oars. It was just before sunset when we pulled off from the splendid Fernando el Católico, our pleasant home for eighteen days. We really felt regret to leave. It was certainly the first time in my life I had ever experienced aught but delight to quit the confinement of a ship: but our voyage had been so different from all others we had ever made, so charming and cheerful. We were only one mile from the city, which was glowing in the sun's last rays. We urged the boatmen to hasten on; still, ere we reached the quai, the evening gun came booming over the waters, and the gates of the city were closed. But fortunately, Manterola, our handsome young friend, was with us, and he explained to the soldiers of the guard that we were "peaceful people," so they permitted our immediate entrance. We were agreeably impressed by the aspect of the city, as we walked along its narrow streets. It is wonderfully neat and clean. The houses are five or six stories high, and each window has a pretty little balcony, into which it BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH OF CADIZ. 325 opens. We found exceedingly good rooms at the Fonda de Cuatro Naciones, and a dinner only to be matched at the Trois Frères or the Maison Dorée of the Boulevards des Italiens. After a long voyage in a steamer, it is quite impossible to sleep the first night on shore. We were constantly starting from our troubled dreams, fancying from the quietude some accident had befallen us, as we heard no longer the regular pulsation of the great engine, which had almost become a part of our existence, having listened to it for eighteen days and nights. Cadiz is a very ancient city. It was founded by the Phoenicians, hundreds of years before the building of Rome. Upon the coat-of-arms of the city is the figure of Hercules, by whom the inhabitants say it was built. Then came the dominion of the Moors, and afterwards the Spaniards. When America was discovered, a golden prosperity beamed upon Cadiz, which was lost as soon as the Spanish Possessions in the New World proclaimed themselves free. It is strictly commercial place, and has now only a population of sixty thousand. The city is upon a rocky point of land, joined to the peninsula by a narrow isthmus. The sea surrounds it on three sides, beating against the walls, and often throwing the spray over the ramparts. On the fourth side it is protected by a strong wall, and bridges over the wide ditch. At night they are drawn up, thus isolating the town completely. The fish-market of Cadiz is said to be the best in the world, and the most remarkable variety were served up to us at breakfast; after which we walked around the city. The sea-ramparts extend at least four miles. They serve as a protection against the waves of the Atlantic, which come rolling in upon them with vast power. They are a source of |