The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-06-28
SECECT TALES.
THE
THE
WAYS1DE=1YHY,
A True Narrative.

In the summer Of last year, was pro.
ceeding home to Britain, on leave of alb
sence from my regiment, the -th High
lsnders, which were then, and are still, w.
ing in garrison ut Malta. Favored by the
friendship of her commander, and my
good friend and old school fellow, Lieu.
tenant John Hall, I had passage given
TO me in her Majesty's Sloop Blonde, of
twenty-six guns; and after pleasant run
Tor few days, a smart breeze, which we
encountered of Almunecar, when sailing
along the coast Of Spain, brought down
some Of her top hamper, and we ran in to
Malaga to repair the damage.
II was beautiful and sunny evening
when our anchor plunged into the shin
ing waters Of that deep bay which presents
so superb line ofcoastS and the hack
ground Of which is formed by the unduat-
ing line OF Sierra de Mia towering 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 It's stately mansions, its domes, its
spires and snowy kiosks, bathed in a
warm, yellow tint, as the suns rays faded
along the Vega, and the shadows deepen
ed on its hills, clothed with vinevards and
plantations Of orange, almond, lemon and
orange trees. The gaudy Spanish flag
descended from tho dark ramparts Of the
old Moorish fortress Of Gibral-Faro as the
evening gun wa, fired from the guard
M al fk.,n al 4 II. ~
mountains, the bells tollcd for vespers in
the lofty steeple Of the square cathedral,
aud = red lalnbcnt light began to glim-
lner on the AL brick chimneys OF thst ex-
tensiye ison-foundry, wLieh-alas for ro-
niance!--a thoroughly practical Scoth-
man has built in Malaga, where it finds
food and work for hundreds, in smelling
the ore Of the adjacent hills, while it pol
lutes the cerulean sky Of Granada.
Bent upon a ramble or adventure, the
Second lieutenant Jack HalD and took
our fowling-Pieces, and, leaving our swords
behind us--at least took only my regi.
mental dirk-were pulled ashore in the
dingy, which landed US at one Of those
piers that project from the city into the
sea, forming part Of that noble mole which
measures seven hundred yards in length.
Leaving our guns and shooting appa-
ratus at y hotel, VIC wandered about the
town visited the Acazaba, which must
once have been a fortress of vast strength
then the old Roman Cathedral and Bish-
ops Palace; but we fingered longest In
the Alaneda-that beautiful promenade
which is eighty feet wide, and is bor-
dered by rows Of orange and oleanIer
trees, and in the centre of which mag
nificent marble fountain was tossing its
sparkling waters into tho starry sky.
Here we saw some bright-eyed Spanish
women in their dark mantillas and wills,
and not few in the homely and ssured.
ly less graceful bonnet and shawl of Lon
don aud Paris, whose fashions are gradu-
ally, and, think, unfortunately, super
seding the more captivating dress Of old
Spain we sew, too, rocious.looking SOL
diers in dark dresses, wearing yellow sash
ca. red forage caps, and enormous mus
taches; old priests gliding stealthily along
with an aspect Of meekness, and apparent
ly crushed in spirit /; for the present gov.
ernmeut presses with heavy hand on the
ecclesiastics; citizens clad in light stuffs
Of bright co'ors, with red sashes and low
crown hats, having black silk tufts at each
side; queerlooking cabalieros in large
brown cloaks, like that Of Don Diego de
Mendozas Poor Hidaigo," aud wear
ing hats ia Kossuth. As every man
was smoking as IL his salvation depended
upon bis doing so with vigor, the whole
air was redolent Of cigars.
had on my undress--a foragecap,
and plain Sed jacket, with tartan trews,
Smy sash and dirk; /; for have found that
che British uniform always ensures the
,weaFer attention and respect in every part
Of the globe.
We wandered long in that lovely Ala
ms,ia, until the last Of It's fair promena-
.defs bad Withdrawn; and then we return.
ed TO our hotel rather disappointed, that
of al the black eyes We had seen flashing
under wells Of MadviTa lace, not one had
given us . glance Of encouragement; that
.of all the pretty lips, which had been lis-
ping dulcet Spanish mixed with tho Ara
bic Of Granada, none had jnyitod ~ 10
follow that.of sll the sombrc cavaliers,
not one appeared to be an assassin or a
Grand Enquisitor and that, Of all the hid
,eous old duenaas whom we had seen cru
ising about us. not one had approached,
.and wifh anger on her lip, and an impress
,sjse glance N her eye, placed mysteSi-
,ous Rots Into either OF our hand, and
- Disappeared IN tie crowd
Noshing remarkable happened--save
that Hall hsd bis pocket picked Of bic
bsqdkefchid and eigsre case--and se re-
tnrned Ike other man TO our hotel. where
es supped op deviDIed turkey and the
eine q he dissTet-TieSpe and Malaga