The herald., 1893-07-09
HIRIHIQUA.

-A-A-AD- u - ~As
viva el adelantol" The shout of
xelcome homage echoed through the
city of Santiago de Cuba (since known
es Havana) when on the last Saturday
In May, 1888, the gallant Hernando de
Soto landed with his princely retinue
Great preparations had been made by
The loyal inhabitants for an imposing
seceptton, and the streets were filed
with curious crowd eager to behold
their new ruler. Atlength the discharge
Of ordnance announced that the process
don had Left the waterside, nor was 1t
long before the numerous retinue defled
before the applauding Cubans.
! A band of pixemen 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 filled quivers, and then
came small band of the newly organ
iEed halberdiers, equipped in casque and
plate armor. The trumpeters came next,
wearing their gorgeous state uniforms
and blowing fanfares upon their clari-
ons, which were ornamented with silken
bannerols. After the trumpeters came
m 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
O 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, q gift from his
monarch. By his side mounted on an
ambling mule was Donna Isabella, his
noble bride. and following them came
train of esquires, pages and men at arms
wearing the armorial bearing of the
s'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 il
painting for the contest. Never had such
. gallant body been seen in Santiago as
this brilliant retinue which escorted
Hernando de Soto to the cathedral,
where o high mass was to be offered up
for their safe arrival from old Spain.
"Holy mother, but it Is glorious
sight, exclaimed young girl, who had
stood in large window in the Gale de
Ignscio, gazing through the ornamented
iron work at the glittering host as it de-
filed past. Nor could she but feel flat
tered at the homage paid her by the
ohevaliers 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 UNFINISHED silk upon white velvet,
and were gathered together by q large
comb, which also secured rich lace veil.
Her languid eyes were black as jet, her
lips poutingly invited kisses, and in her
rounded chin was q dimple wherein
Cupid could have rested with delight.
Her flexible form moved to and fro as if
swayed by the south winds breath,
while tiny foot occasionally peeped
} from beneath the ample skirts Of her
w&ite muslin robe, beating time to the
inspiring peals Of the trumpets. Need
I we add that she carried magnificent
? form, which she handled with exquisite
gracef
4 IT am at your feet, senorita," said
gallant cavalier, approaching the win
dow and courteously dofing his plumed
hat. It was that worthy hidalgo, Don
Vasco Porcallo de Figueroa, whose
ecarred chesk and grizzled hair bore evil
deuce Of his long services IN the old
'worh ere he crossed theAtlantic. Bring
ing thespoils of his valor, he had pur-
ehased vaarable estate near Trinidad,
although during the gay season he re-
Qded ct Havana. And of all his possess
Mons, amussments or avocations, moth
ing gave him one tithe Of the anxiety as
tho young girl whom we have described
in the preceding paragraph, and who
now answered his hgurative salutation
By exciaiming: sf97
ea May, dear guardian, rather come and
,istand by my side. Is it not noble
1dahtY'
y NeEes, by my faith it is," replied Don
Vasco. Then, entering the court, he
T0enocccupied q place in the window.
we have said that he had seen much
bsFvice and that his hair was turning
gray, yet he had not seen so harvest
moons, nor was there more graceful
cavalier at the adelanto'B balls. Tall
compactly built, with an electric black
sye and winning smile, be was the
envy Of many Younger hidalgos, while
his broad aczes made him the moFe at
tractive to matchmaking -donnas. AS
honorable ash he was. honest, and as faits-
sful as he IVES brave, hin dying comrads,
Don Antonio Gonzales, had felt great
Joy when he entrusted hissdsushterintc
NaehlRaA e9 10 tzne asgantiemsn. Ans