Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1893-06-15
HIRIHIQUA.

HIRIHIQUA.
viva ell adelantor" The shout of
welcome homage echoed through the
city of Santiago de Cuba (since known
as Havana) when ON the last Saturday
in May. 1888, the gallant fernando de
Soto landed with his princely retinue
Great preparations had been made by
the loyal inhabitants for an imposing
reception, and the streets were filed
with curious crowd eager to behold
their newruler. Atlength the discharge
Of ordnance announced that the process
sion had left the waterside, nor was it
long before the numerous retinue defiled
before the applauding Cubans.
A band Of pikemen led the way, wear
ing iron corselets and bearing long pixies
with steel heads glittering in the sun.
They were followed by band Of arch
ers with well filed quivers, and then
came small band Of the newly organ
lied halberdiers, equipped In casque and
plate armor. The trumpeters came
wearing their gorgeous state uniforms
and blowing fanfares upon their clari-
ons, which were ornamented with silken
bannerols. After the trumpeters came
an esquire, bearing banner On which
was embroidered De Soto's arms and
attended by 10 yeomen carrying maces
And now loud shouts announced the ad-
vent of the .'adelanto"
The conqueror of Peru was then in the
prime Of life and rode with chivalrous
bearing upon the richly caparisoned
charger just presented to him. He wore
a full suit of polished steel armor richly
inlaid with gold, while about his neck
was the gorgeous collar of the order
Of the Golden Fleece, gift from his
monarch. By his side mounted on an
ambling mule was Donna Isabella, his
noble bride, and following them came a
train Of esquires, pages and men at arms
wearing the armorial bearing Of the
"adelanto." A long column Of knights
followed, their polished armor flashing
in the sunlight, their pennons and
plumes floating in the air, and their An
dalusian chargers curveting along as If
painting for the contest Never had such
a gallant body been seen in Santiago as
this brilliant retinue which escorted
fernando de Soto to- the cathedral,
where high mass was to be offered up
for their safe arrival from old Spain.
"Holy mother, but 1t is a glorious
sight" exclaimed a young girl, who had
stood in large window in the Gale de
Ignacio, gazing through the ornamented
iron work at the glittering host as it de-
fled past. Nor could she but feel fiat
tered at the homage paid her by the
chevaliers as they passed-many Of them
refining in their steeds to gaze at her
charms. Nor was this to be wondered
at, for her beauty was of that old Anda-
lusian stamp, in which not even the gen.
tleness of the fairer sex can quite con-
ceal the latent fire Of the soul. Masses
Of raven hair lay lightly upon her brow,
like untwisted silk upon white velvet,
and were gathered together by large
comb, which also secured a rich lace veil.
Her languid eyes were black as jet, her
lips poutingly invited kisses, and In her
rounded chin was a dimp1e wherein
Cupid could have rested with delight.
Her flexible form moved to and fro Is if
swayed by the south winds breath,
while a tiny foot occasionally peeped
from beneath the ample skirts Of her
white muslin robe, beating time to the
inspiring peals of the trumpets. Need
we add that she carried magnificent
form, which she handled with exquisite
grace?
II am at your feet, senorita," said a
gallant cavalier. approaching the win
dow and courteously dofing his plumed
hat. It was that worthy hidalgo, Don
vasco Porcallo de Figueroa, whose
SCARED cheek and grizzled hair bore evil
dence of his long services in the old
world ere he crossed the Atlantic. Bring
ing the spoi1s Of his valor, he had pur-
chased a valuable estate near Trinidad,
although during the gay season he re-
sided at Havana. And Of all his posses
sions, amusements or avocations, moth
ing gave him one tithe Of the anxiety as
the young girl whom we have described
in the preceding paragraph, and who
now answered his figurative salutation
by exclaiming:
NAY, dear guardian, rather come and
stand by my side. Is 1t not noble
sight?"
Eyes, by my faith it Is" replied Don
Vasco. Then, entering the court, he
soon occupied place In the window.
We have said that he had seen much
service and that his hair was ssturning
gray, yet he had not seen 50s harvest
moons, nor was there q more graceful
cavalier at the adelanto's balls. Tall,
compactly built, with an electric black
eye and a winning smile, he was the
envy of many younger hidalgos, while
his broad acres made him the more at
tractive to matchmaking donnas. AS
honorable as he was honest, and as faith
ful as he was brave, his dying comrade,
Don Antonio Gonzales, had felt great
joy when he entrusted his daughter into
the hands of so true gentleman. And
Don Vasco, regarding the last wish of
his friend as a solemn duty, had even
used every exertion to rear the Donna
Inez as be would have brought up his
own daughter.
sAnd do you not like its' inquired the
damsel as her guardian stepped upon the
window platform. do you not like this
flashing nrmor, these spirited horses
these waving banners, these bright suits
Of steel? Oh, yes, guardian, You mus