The Argosy — page 219: what you’re looking at

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

202 The Cruise of the Reserve Squadron. deliberate incremation, so to say, of his tenderest feelings one could but admire—a few of his sonnets, all ready done up for post at the next port we touched at, and never originally destined to raise the flutter of emotion in the breast of a Spanish maiden. But Darcy, at sight of the pressed leaves, would fly to his collection of photo- graphs and artistic silhouettes, and forget himself, if possible, in their contemplation ; and Darrille would withdraw to his cabin, plunge into dry statistics, and read up torpedo practice; whilst Wakeham would go off and pace the bridge, and confide his opinions to the Officer of the watch. But Pyramid all the time quietly went on his way, and made no sign. Down the long mile of road that separated the two Carrils, we passed girls at the brooks, washing, laughing, and wondering what meant this sudden invasion of ships and strangers. Bending over their linen, a lively chatter keeping time and tune to the babbling of the stream hurrying to the sea, looking up and making unintelligible remarks as we passed, they formed quite pretty and interesting sroups. At the edge of the shore we watched the nets raised, and the sardines hauled in in large quantities, jumping about, and asking to be put back into their cool retreats. But they, in the hands of the Philistines, were transferred to baskets and buckets, and carried away. A small crowd assisted at the ceremony, some of them beggars seeking alms in kind or coin. ‘They are one of the curses as well as annoyances of Spain. In all towns they swarm round you like wasps, and are as difficult to shake off. Many are licensed by the Govern- ment, which thereby derives a considerable but questionable revenue. To induce almsgiving, they will hold out their medal, strung round their necks as a badge of their respectable trade, and almost thrust it into your face. More often than not, a mere glance at them pro- duces a shock; and, to get rid of an unpleasant sight, you sin against your conscience, and throw them a dole. The day after we reached Arosa Bay, a special train to Santiago was put on for the Duke and for those Officers of the Fleet who could, or cared to, make use of the opportunity. About seventy thus visited the ancient city. The morning was brilliant, and the blue skies of the South, and the buoyancy of the air made the heat an easier matter to bear than that of our heavier climate. The journey was in itself in- teresting. For some time, the blue waters of Arosa Bay were visible to the left. We passed between banks of aloes with their prickly darts shooting outwards, so often a distinguishing feature in the Spanish landscape. Olive trees grew in the plains and up the slopes, their sage-green foliage standing out in vivid contrast with all other. The whole country undulated and divided into fertile plains, valleys and hills, here barren and rocky, there clothed with soft and soothing verdure. The rich vegetation of the South gives to its vales and pastures a picturesque, and, to anyone familiar with its features, an CORNICE OOO KS .COlNA