The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-07-21
THE DECISION

situated at the foot of those mounta:ns
which seperate the kingdom Of Nx5Rrse
from the province of Guipuzroa. It.!:w;sts
about three o'clock, and though the afeter-
noon repast had been concluded, the party
still fingered at the table, slipping coffee,
aud tasting at intervals the small iigueure
glasses of brandy with which in Spain that
odoriferous beverage is qualified. The
house was one Of those old baronial man
sions, vast, massive, and gloomy, which arc
yet to be found in the rich valleys of Navar-
re, the relics Of Basque feudalsm.
The apartment in which the party was
assembled had been IN orator, and WAS
adorned with inches. in which stood the
| figures of various saints aud martyrs, some
OF them were executed with that exquisite
! art which conveys the startling and painful
, realty Of the most intense suffering. In q
! sort Of alcovc at the lower end of the room
was small alter on which stood the figure
of sour Lady of Sorrow" wrought Will, the
utmost perfection that mortal hands can
bestow upon its own work. twas clothed
i'll the dark laLiliaments of the convent,
and no part was visible except the face, on
which was imprinted so death-Iike and so
ghaslly melancholy, increased still more
10y the unnatural lustre of the black eye, ms
to present the appearance of dead body
which had been restored for moment to
the living world. Before :his shrine burn
ed small, glass lamp encased in silver,
the rays from which tinidly essayed to
penetrate tho thick gloom in that corner of
tbs apartment.
The large windows had been thrown
openi and the rich and fragrant perfume
prevailed the room from the fruits and flow
ers beneath. The scene without was one
OF wild beauty deep valleys sheltered ali:e
| from the cold Of winter as from the heat of
summer; gentle slopes Laslsing in the sun /;
mountais wooded to the sastamis !; and here
and there naked and pointed crag cut
ting the blue sky, on the very edge of
which was perched, like an eagle on his
eyrie, the Chapel Cl,urri sentinel, wfiIc, with
bayonet glittering in the sun, was watch
ing the rude telegraph rs it sent its signals
over a thousand hills, announced the slight.
est movement of the enemy n, that mo
nent in full retreat. Groups Of guerillas,
divided into outposts and picquets, were
seen in glimpses through the drapery of
vine leaves which hung in festoons about
The balcony the white buina or flat
cap, with its green tassels contrasting
strongly with the sharp, we'll formed fea-
turcs the raveH.blnck hair, and the eagle
eye Of the Navarese mountaineer.
The persons who for the last quarter Of
an hour had gazed in silence on the beau
tiful scene SO avishingly spread out before
them, were military men. One was a
young officer who wore the galones of a
lieutenant colonel. Ills light blue eve and
fair complexion announced more north
ern descent than that of his companions
and his countenance bore an expression of
gentleness almost incompatible with his
professions of arms. lie was gazing in
tenly on the path which led from Segura
to Alsazua.
Three other individuals were seated at
the table, and conversed in low hushed
voice amongs! themselves; but the conver.
saLion seemed forced and constrained, and
they now and then looked with an air of pity
at the young officer near them they were
aides-de camp; but there was another man
seated opposite, whose very movement was
regarded with anxiety y all. In appear
ance he was low in stature, but his frame
was cast in n robust mould. Sternness and
impetuousity formed the prominent ex-
pressions Of his face, and his quick, black
eye shot forth glances Of fire. His brow
was large and high his nose rather long
and well formed his mouth smaI-the
lips ,hin and compressed, with a character
of tire most unbending frmness; his chin
round and large, whilst and expression OF
fefocity was added TO his features ty the
large, black moustaches which united with
his thick whiskers. His bust would have
been model for a cuptor, were it not for
inequality in tbe shoulders, one of which
was somewhat higher than the other. and
which had tie effect to make his head ap-
pear to incline more to one side than to the
other. His hands aid feet were delicate
and small {; his dress was simple in tue ex-
treme, and presented strong contrast to
embroided ornaments on the uniforms Of
those about him. Red cloth tfowsers strap.
ped to his boot, gumara, sheep.skin
jacket, adorned with silver clasps and
chains, left halfopen at the breast, and