Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-06
CHAPTER ]
CEUTA.

On the DIST of September, three weeks
after the doctor left Catania, a swift
steam yacht-the Ferrato-could have
been seen running before a north-easterly
breeze between the Eui opean cape the
English hold on Spanish ground, and the
African cape the Spaniards hold on
Moorish ground. If we are to believe N.Y.
thOlogy. the twelve miles that separate
these capes from each Other were cleared
awap by Hefcules-a predecessor of De
Lesseps-who let in the Atlantic by
knocking a hole with his club in the bor-
der OF the Med iterranean.
Point Pescade would not have forgot
ten TO tell this 70 his friend Cape MatifOu
SIS be showed him 10 the north the rock Of
Gibraltar, and 70 the south Mount Hacho.
And Cape MatifOu would have ap-
preciated at its true value this wonder
ful feat, and not a shade Of envy over
Swallowed nis simple, modest soul. The
Provencal Hercules would have bowed
low before the son Of Jupiter and
Alcmena.
But Cape Matifou was not among the
yachts passengers, and neither was
Point Pescade. One taking care OF the
other both bad remained at Antekirtta,
II. later on, their assistance became
necessary, they could be summoned by
telegram and brought from the island by
one Of tne Eiectrics.
On the Ferrato were the doctor and
Pierre Bathory. and IN command were
KOstrik aud Luigi. The last expedition
70 Sicily in search Of Sarcany and TOrOn-
thai had resulted in nothing beyond the
death Of ZlrOne. They had therefore
decided TO resume the chase by obtaining
from Carpena all the Information he pos
sessed as 70 Sarcany and his accomplice /;
and as the Spaniard mad been sent to the
galleys and shipped TO Ceuta, they were
on their way there to find him.
Csuta is a small fortified town, a sort
OF Spanish Gibraltar. built on the eastern
slopes Of Mount HachO, and it vas in sight
of It's harbor that the yacht was now
steaming some three miles from the
coast. IL was about o'clock in the morn
ing.
No more animated spot exists than this
famous strait. IL is the mouth OF the
Mediterranean. Through it come the
thousands OF vessels from Northern
Europe ana the two Americas bound for
the hundreds Of ports on the coast OF the
inland sea. Through il come the power
full mail-boats and SHIPS OF war. for which
the genius OF a Frenchman has opened a
way 10 the Indian Ocean and the South
ern Seas. Nothing can be more picture
sque that this narrow channel through
the mountains. To the north are the
sferras OF Andalusia. To the south, along
The strangely varied cOastlne, from Cape
spartel TO Aimina. are the black SUBMITS
OF the BullOnes. the Monkey Mountain.
and the Seven Brothers. To the right and
lett are picturesque towns crouching in
the curves OF the bays, struggling on the
Hanks OF the lower hills, and stretching
along the beaches at the base of the
mountainous backgrOund-such as Tarifa
Algesiras. Iangler, aud Ceuta. Between
The wo shores, cut by the prOws OF the
rapid steamers that stop not for wind or
wave, and the sailing vessels that the
westerly winds keep back at times in
hundreds. there stretches the eXpanse OF
ever moving water, ever changing, here
grey and streaked with foam, there blue
and calm, and broken into restless hills
that mark the Zigzagged line OF the
counter currents. No one can remain in
sensible 10 the sublime beauties that the
two continents, Europe and Africa, bring
face 70 face along the dOu Die panorama of
the straits OF Gibraltar.
swiftly did the Ferrato approach the
African coast. The bay at the back of
which Tangiers IL hidden begins TO close,
while the rock Of Ceuta becomes more
visible as the coast beyond trends away
90 tue south. Above, towards the ton of
Mount Hacho, there appears a fort built
on the site OF Rnman citadel, In which
the senlries keep constant watch over the
bthlNh duu Tue MooElbu LgfllLOfls OF winch
Ceuta il but a slip.
At 10 O'Clock the FerTato dropped
anchor in the harhor, or rather about two
cable-lengtbs from the pier which re-
ceives the fun strength Of the sea, for
there Is nothing but an open rOadstead
exposed 10 the surf Of the Ned iterranean
waves. Fortunately when vessels
cannot anchor 20 tine west or Ceuta they
can md "A second anchorage on the other
side OF the rock, Ina which they can find
shelter from the easteily winds.
When the Aealth officer had been on
board and The clean bin Of health duly
passed, about O'Clock in the afternoon
me doctor accompanied by Pierre went
ashore and landed at the little quay AT
the foot OF the town walls. That be was
mlly determined 90 carry or Carpena did
moi admit OF doubt. But how would he
10 sof Nothing could be done untf he
had seen The place, aud made himself ac.
quainted with the circumstance. and
then be would be able TO decide II Al yvere
best % carry on the Spauiard by force. OK
help him 10 escape.
THIS time the doctor did not attempt "a
remain lncognito. Quite the contrary,
Already Dis correspondents had been on
board, and gonU on again 10 aunounce the
arrival Of % famous 40 Individual. Who
throughout that Arab country from sue5
toDapecpartel bad not heard OF the reputa
ton ~ the learned taleb who now lived IL
fatlement at AnleklrtIa In the syrt,