Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-10-31
RECOLLECTIONS

in ihe Phenix Gazette. w. II. L.
RECOLLECTIONS.
In travelling, some years since, In SPAN, IL
hammered that arrived early in the morning
at The small yet beautiful AMI romantic village
Of De VA, situated Immediately on the
coast. had seen the ocean in its widest an
ger, and in its soft aud soul subduing calmness;
BUT had never seen any thing half so beautiful
as the enchanting scene which now met my de.
lighted ewes. On the right, towering noun
tans, here and there Gecked with small patch
Of green that indicated the industry Of the own
er Of the small hut which peeped, almost with
a conscious bashIulness, through the luxuriant
vines blushng in their fullness that their be au>
iy claimed richer iord;-and on the other
side the blue waters Of the classic Mediterra>
mean, rolling gepty in, as il totally unconscious
of its own wild and terrific power
"slumbering as giant in his strength
To heigsten the scene, several urchins, with
the dark black eyes and brilliant colorcd dress
es peculiar to Spain, were sporting IN The sun,
as il they wished to take advantage Of the sleep
Jag waters. Enyious lot!-where is the being
that does not look back to those days,
sswhen peace had o'er him power'"
/ almost wished, isolated as fel, myself TO
pass my DAYS here; blu, had brother, whose
accoun, Of slight misunderstanding, had in
duced me, a, the request OF loved parent,
whose eyes had recently closed in death, to Vi
sit this coast in search Of dim, to use my ems
dcavors u persuade him TO return 10 his home.
With this duty before me, had employed no
uncomfortable portion of my time in its per-
Torrance, and however reluctan, l might feel
TO leave this interesting spot, duty required
that should stay no longer than 10 make the
necessary enquiries.
After seeing my mules accommodated, and
HAVING dined-rnihsr- surnntun, eiD-.sl.'~er,,rr,
Ialthough not wi bout thinking OF Gil Bias and
his ragouts) strolled out on the beach. After
walking a considerable distance, musing on
the almost romantic cause of my travels aud
The slight chance had OF succeeding, / seated
myself in a recess III the rocks to enjoy more
leisurely the beauties that surrounded me.
had learn, that Leonard, my brother, had
been seen in some part OF Spain, leading q wild
and reckless iife-indeeG, it was believed that
he had commanded CorSair, or smugglcr, on
the coast; but as it was merely report, the fact
could not be sufficiently established for my en-
tire belief.
IL was now dark, and the heavy clouds tina,
fitted hastily before the moon foretold tina, the
sea lately so calm and beautiful, would soon be
agitaIed By storm: the hollow moaning Of the
surf, as it rolled heavily in and broke more
fercely, confirmed il. breeding to be exposed !
10 the weather, and feeling il time TO return, /
prepared to do so, when | perceived boat
swiftly approaching the shore; startled at this, |
in SO reii.ed situation, l az ain concealed my
self IN the recess, alter having cast an anxious
and hurried look TO vessel at anchor within
the breakers, and not more than half mile dis
tant. 1t was evident the boat belonged to her;
and could not help thinking il was some mad |
infatuatiNn, egregious folly, that could induce
a man to anchor in sur a situation, Pc rticular-
ly as there was now every sign Of tempest,
which needed not the experienced eye of sea-
man 10 confirm.
l had rot long observed their motions before
a yosng man landed from the boat, and, after
speaking TO one Of The men, ran hastily up the
mountains. marked his course, but the dark.
ness at the moment prevented my seeing whe>
her he took tie road to the village, or the one
Dr. the left which led to q nunuery.
Although wishing 10 return home, felt al
most airaid to expose myself 10 the seamen-
20 dreadful were the tales related by my land,
ord ofihe desperate acts OF the Spanish Snug
slcrs; and you may be assured appear ances
we're not in favor oil those men, every ono Of
whom was armed; and as the moon CLEANED
IN their long knives, | was fully convinced it
vas much safer 10 be in my hiding place than
o any risk. ,
One OF the men, tall, herculean fellow, seem, =
d TO pace The sands with great deal of impa-
fence; and, as was but short distance of, | +,
ould distinctly hear all he said.
"Another FOOLS errand," said he; "but the Q
anne will be up this time, I'm thinking; those o
ortheasters, when they do slow, blow It OUT" I,
Yes, indeed" answered another, d" these Il
evan'ers are curious winds-I remember one ii
ark nigh, off Alicant, in the Sophia I,
Silence! and mind your boat" said the first; I,
10 you want her TO thump her bottom OUT h
each her, boy! beach her." AT the instant he
'oke, Hash, followed by report from the o,
mp, appeared 10 add to his impaience. RI
"Aye, there must be something now! for our D
vesick captain left word if there was any dan. .,
n, 10 6rs; and old TeuIy is MOI the boy to be We
ghtened with trifles-Another gun. and ey