frill to correspond, and fine ruby pin. In a very
delicate and white hand he held a delicate white handkerchief perfumed
with the best atar-de-nuar of Abderrahman. 'What can we oblige you in,
cavalier?' said we, as we looked him in the face: and then he took our
hand, our brown hand, into his delicate white one, and whispered
something into our ear--whereupon, turning round to the steward, we
whispered something into his ear. 'I know nothing about it,' said the
steward in a surly tone--we have nothing of the kind on board--no such
article or packet is come; and I tell you what, I don't half like these
fellows; I believe them to be custom-house spies: it was the custom-house
barge they came in, so tell them in Moors to get about their business.'
'The man is a barbarian, sir,' said we to the cavalier; 'but what you
expected is certainly not come.' A deep shade of melancholy came over
the countenance of the cavalier: he looked us wistfully in the face, and
sighed; then, turning to his companions, he said, 'We are disappointed,
but there is no remedy--Vamos, amigos.' Then, making us a low bow, he
left the cabin, followed by his friends. The boat was ready, and the
cavalier was about to descend the side of the vessel--we had also come on
deck--suddenly our eyes met. 'Pardon a stranger, cavalier, if he takes
the liberty of asking your illustrious name.' 'General Cordova,' said
the cavalier in an under voice. We made our lowest bow, pressed our hand
to our heart--he did the same, and in another minute was on his way to
the shore. 'Do you know who that was?' said we to the steward--'that was
the great General Cordova.' 'Cordova, Cordova,' said the steward.
'Well, I really believe I have something for that name. A general do you
say? What a fool I have been--I suppose you couldn't call him back?'
The next moment we were at the ship's side shouting. The boat had by
this time nearly reached the Caesodrea, though, had it reached
Cintra--but stay, Cintra is six leagues from Lisbon--and, moreover, no
boat unless carried can reach Cintra. Twice did we lift up our voice.
At the second shout the boat rested on its oars; and when we added
'Caballeros, vengan ustedes atras,' its head was turned round in a jiffy,
and back it came bounding over the waters with twice its former rapidity.
We are again in the cabin; the three Spaniards, the domestic, ourselves,
and the steward; the latter stands with his back against the door, for