of seven hundred tons, we reckoned upon
cutting a great swell among the brigs, barques, and small ships
usually engaged in the sugar-freighting business. The brass of the
capstan, wheel and ladder stanchions, were brightly polished by the
steward and boys; fair leaders, Scotchmen and chaffing-gear taken off;
ensign, signal and burgee-halyards rove; the accommodationladder got
over the side; the anchor got ready, and the chain roused up from the
locker. At ten o'clock we took the sea breeze and a pilot, passed
Point Yerikos, and cracked gallantly up the bay with ensign, numbers,
and private signal flying. Another point was turned, and the beautiful
city came in view at the distance of a league, more than half the
intervening space of water covered by ships of every nation, size, and
rig, lying at anchor, from the huge British line-of-battle ship down
to the graceful native felucca with latteen sails.

"Pilot," said Captain Smith, "if you will give us a first-rate berth,
as near to the town as a ship of our size can load, I'll give you five
dollars beside your fee."

"You shall have de ver fine berth, senor el capitaine. I will anchor
you under de castle yonder; ver deep water, tree, four fathoms, and
only one mile and more from the end of the mole."

The skipper exchanged glances with his mate.

"Their old berth," whispered Langley, sticking his elbow into my side.

We rapidly approached the castle, and the busy fleet at its foot; sail
after sail was clewed up--the pilot's orders grew frequent and
loud--the jib came fluttering down the stay--the anchor plunged into
the water--the chain rattled swiftly through the hawsehole--we swung
round with the tide, broadside to the fort, and "The voyage of the
ship Gentile, Captain James Smith, commander, from Valetta toward
Matanzas," as inscribed in the mate's log-book, was at an end.

The pilot was dismissed--our sails furled--the royal and
topgallant-yards sent down--the lower and topsail-yards squared with
nautical and mathematical precision--our fair-weather lofty poles,
surmounted by gilt balls, sent up--awnings were spread completely over
the deck--our crack accommodation-stairs got over the side--the
swinging-boom rigged out--the boats lowered and fastened thereto--the
decks swept clean, and the rigging laid up--and, by the time the
custom-house boat boarded us, we were in complete harbor-trim,
ship-shape and Bristol fashion; and the Spanish officers complimented
th