Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-03-30
q .Glse storg GelIer.
From the United Service Magazine.
THE WAY-SIDE INN.
A TRUE NARRATIVE.


my regiment, the -th Highlanders, which
were then, and are still, lying in garrison at
Malta. Favored by the friendship Of her COM
Inander, and my good friend and old school
fellow, Lieutenant John Hall, had passage
given to me in her Majestys Sloop Blonde, of
twenty-six guns and after pleasant run for
few days, smart breeze, which we encoun-
tered off Almunecar, when sailing along the
coast of Spain, brought down some Of her top
hamper, and we ran into Malaga to repair the
damage.
II was beautiful and sunny evening when
our anchor plunged into the shining waters of
that deep bay which presents so superb line
Of coast, and the background of which is formed
by the undulating line of Sierra de Mia tow
ermg into the pure blue sky of Spain, and
bounding IN the distance the fat and fertile
Vega.
From the quarterback of the Blonde, we
had magnificent prospect Of Malaga, with its
stately mansions, lis domes, its spires and
snowy kiosks, bathed in a warm, yellow tint,
as the suns rays faded along the Vega, and
the shadows deepened on lis hills, clothed with
vineyards and plantations of orange, almond,
lemon and orange trees. The gaudy Spanish
flag descended from the dark rampars of the
old Moorish fortress Of Gibra-Faro, as the
evening gun was fred from the guard-ship
and then, as the sun set behind the mountains
the bell tolled for vespers Ia the lofty sleeple
of the square cathedral, and a red lambeni
light began 10 elimmer on the tall brick Chin
neys Of that extensive iron-foundry, which, -
alas for romance "a thoroughly practical
Sco,chman has built in Malaga, where it finds
food and work for hundreds. in smelling the
ore of the adjacent hills, while it pollutes the
cerulean sky of Granada.
:. Bert upon rambe or adventure, the Sec
ond Lieutenant (Jack HalD and | took our
fowling-pieces, and leaving our swords behind
us-at least | took only my regimenial dirk
were pulled ashore in the dingy, which landed
at one of those piers that project from The
city into the sea, Turning part of that noble
mole which measures seven hundred yards in
length.
Leaving OJT gun SHOttlHQ At
hotel, we wandered about the town visited
the Alcazaba, which must once have been a
fortress of vast strength; then the old Roman
Cathedral and Bishops Palace but we lineer-
ed longest in the Alameda-that beautiful
promenade-which is eighty feet wide, and is
bordered by rows Of orange and oleander trees,
and in the centre Of which magnificent mar
Die fountain was tossing It's sparkling waters
into the starry sky.
Here we saw some brighteyed Spanish wom
en- in their dark mantillas, and not few in the
homely and assuredy less graceful bonnet and
shawl Of London and Paris, whose fashions
are gradually, and think, unfortunately, su-
perseding the more captivating dress of old
Spain we saw, too, Notwithstanding soldiers
in dark dresses, wearing yellow sashes, red
forage caps, and enormous mousiaches old
priests gIided steaIhily along with an aspect
of meekness, and apparently crushed in spirit;
for the present government presses with
heavy hand on the ecclesiastics citizens clad
in light stufIs of bright cnlors, with red sashes
and low-crown hats, having black silk tufts at
each side queer-looking caballeros in large
brown cloaks, like that Of Don Diego de Men
JOzas-'Poor HdalgO, and wearing hats a Ia
KoSSmh. As every man was smoking as if
his life depended upon his doing so with vigor,
the whole air was redolent Of cigars.
had on my nndress-a forage cap, and
plain red jacket, with tartan trews, my sash
and dirk for have found that the British
uniform always ensures tue wearer attention
and respect in every part Of the globe.
We wandered long in that lovely Alameda,
until the last of its fair promenaders had with
drawn and then we returned TO our hotel
rather disappointed, that Of all the black eyes
we had seen flashing under wells of Madeira
lace, not ore had given us glance Of encour-
agement; that Of all the pretty lips which had
been lisping dulcet Spanish mixed with the
Arabic of Granada, none had invited us to fol-
Jow that of all the sombre cavaliers, not one
appeared TO be an assassin or Grand Inquisi-
tor; and that Of all the hideous old duennas
whom we had seen cruising about US, not one
had approached, and with finger on her lip,
and an impressive glance in her eye, placed
mysterious note into either of our hands, and
disappeared in the crowd,
Nothing remarkable happened-save that
Hall had his pocket picked of his handkerchief
and cigar case-and we returned like other
men to onr hotel, where we supped on devilled
turkey and the wine of the district-Tierno
and MaIaga-afer which We turned into bed,
warning the waiter TO summon US early, and
have guide TO lead US towards the neighbor-
.ipe hills. where We intended TO make some
havoc among the game next day. a
Punc,uaIIy at FIVE O'Clock in the morning,
The mozo-de-cafe reused US, aud, after coffee,
we shonldered our double-barrelled rifles, and
accompanied by young gdrnin, named Pc
edrillo, for whose fidelity the waiter pledged
his honor we departed on our ra mble.
If ever my readers saw the Spanish beggar
bows. y depicted by Murillo, in his famous
pic,ure. which is now in D1lwich College,
tbey will know perfectly the aspect OF Pedrillo,
our litlls guide.
He was abOut twelve years old; but, hard
enod nv iDdiqence aud shsrPened By PriVA''Oa'