The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1859-10-06

his pleasant narration of its incidents,
was not unwilling, at the suggestion of my
companion, to put Fra Antonio in my
pocket, and adjourn to the ''Red Anchor
for something more substantial to COM
plete our MONDAY meal.
Almost every day brought an excursion
similar to the above, but usually in differ
ent direction. These [ sometimes made
i'll company, at other times alone, but gen
orally either on a horse or mule, as these
animals are easily obtained at low rates of
hire-always paid in advance-which pre-
caution | discovered was principally limi-
ted to sailors, as it is well known not only
in this but in all seaports, that unless he
has more than his usual allowance of
money, he is not likely to return from an
expedition of this kind with enough left
to balance his account. More especially
is it the case in a country like this, where
wine and other refreshments can be had at
every turn in his journey.
Nothing can be more exhilerating-af-
ter a long confinement on shipboard, than
to find ones self free from all control,
and seated upon the back Of spirited
horse or a docile mule, climbing the pre-
cipitous heights that bound Gibraltar bay.
Having surmounted its highest peak,
casting your eyes over the city and ship
ping beneath, you see the blue waters of
the Mediterranean rise like mountains in
the distance, while far beyond, on a clear
day is seen the we'll defined outlines Of
the African coasts. Turning inland, you
scour the country a la Don Quixotte, and
create a CONSERVATION among the peaceful
villagers and naked children, that the
chivalrous knight himself might well have
envied. Indeed the adventures of San
cho PanZa were not to be compared to
ours, and were they but described in the
inimitable language Of Cervantes would
make book not unworthy this great
author.
Such was our life; but like all things
earthly it must end, yet We determined to
make the most Of it until the last day of
our stay on shore had arrived. BY way
of accomplishing this, we determined to
crafty laudable curiosity, by visiting
the ancient town of Loretto. For this
purpose [ set apart the last day of my
liberty on shore, and no further prepara-
tlons being necessary than to appropriate
some ten shillings for that object, at nine
O'Clock III the morning, [ found myself,
with about forty others bound for the
same place, on board small black steam
boat, known to those who could read
Spanish as the Fortillo. The accommo-
dations consisted of an open cabin with
row of benches on each side, an eight by
ten deck forward containing a few scat
tered seats around the one smoke stack
that decorated the upper works Of this
lilliputian steamer. These accommodations
being more or less covered with SCOT and
coal dust, made it more agreeable to stand
throughout the entire voyage than to sit
In the filth accumulated on these seats
The distance being about fifteen miles,
was made in two hours, which was con-
sidered extraordinary time for the Fortilla
Arrived at LOrettO, [ found quite a town,
but few attractions for a stranger except
ing only the immense Cathedral. 1t is
composed of an enormous number Of stone
buildings, magnificent in design, and pre-
senting an appearance of splendor and
lavish expenditure, rarely equalled even
by the church of Rome. Three-fourths
of the buildings are devoted to religious
purposes, and a like number of the inhab-
ltants seem to be III pursuit Of the same
object. Being unable to gain admittance
to but very small part Of the interior, [
cannot youch for the truth Of the many
stories of untold wealth consumed in the
decoration Of these churches. Disap-
pointed in the main object of my visit,
and finding little else in the town worthy
Of note, after taking q dinner of goats
flesh cooked with garlic and sour wine, at
a restaurant, took my departure. Not,
however, before [ had deposited a six
pence in the hands of barefooted mendi-
cant, who was soliciting aims for the
benefit of his Saint. Finding the boat
ready to leave, [ secured passage and in
three hours more was safely quartered at
my friend Spearin's.
The remainder of the afternoon was
devoted to laying in some sea stores,
clothing, books and other necessaries re-
quired in Il long voyage. The last night
had come, and it was determined by those
of us on shore, that it should be celebrated
by grand Jubilee. After due consider
alton, we concluded visit to the Theatre
should be the first act in the drama of the
evening. Profting by the experience of
my first night on shore, we determined
not to go this time without providing
against any accident that might occur
from our Ignorance. We therefore en-
gagged guide, who was also to ofliciate
as interpreter whenever his services should
be required. On our part we agreed to