The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1897-09-23

rocks still tower far above us, and as
we gaze at the topmost peak there is
ploWn across it's face a fimy white
veil and delicate cloud drifting from
behind it floats out to sea.
lhen past colossal cannon stationed
at intervals, back through the town to
Ohe boundary where English sentries
pace along the straight and narrow
path that leads from one sentry box to
another, keeping, we suppose, an ever
Watchful eye on their Spanish breth-
rem, VINO are protecting the lights Of
Spain by doing the same thing about
nall mile away, on the outskirts of
Inc town of Linea G. e., ION the Iine'D.
the intervening space, called 1.-THE neu-
trail ground" is thronged with a mot
ley crowd coming and going, and odd
sights are to be seen. For example,
mere is man busily fastening large
blue handkerchief about the neck of
his dog, proceeding we fail to I'M
derstand until our driver explains that
the Wrapping hides a package of to-
bacco which the canine smuggler will
convey into town while his master
| talks to the custom official This in
| broad daylight, with that blue necktie
apparent at 100 yards, makes one Won
uer what could have happened to so
aim the officials eyesight.
Perhaps the most interesting thing
VI all is to visit the galleries, those as
cenolng passages tunneled through the
SOLID rock that reach to the brow of the
iloh Win line of cannon-filled loop
noles commanding the Mediterranean.
! II is worth scrambling through much
harder climb to finally lean from ono
VI tne openings over 500 feet up, and
see the sheer descent of rock with tiny
people and vehicles crawling about at
tne base, and the brilliant sea dotted
with boats shining in the sun. One
leelS mat the Private Atkins who has
helo ones arm to render the hanging
OUT performance safe, is in some way
responsible for the lovely scene, so he
IS tipped accordingly; and our gratitude
is increased when he tells us that we
/need have no fear of rains interrupt
Ing our sightseeing, as not one drop
will fall during the summer.
After a day or two one is persuaded
tnat the desirable thing in life would
be to stay in old "Gib-al-Tarik" for
all time. It is a joy to explore steen
romantlc lanes. and watch the agile
donk picking his way down flights of
steps where the rise is so abrupt that
Iolks may look down the chimnevs of
their neighbors in the next street be-
low, and no ladder would be REQUIRED
1or playing Santa Claus; to poke about
in quaint little shops and bargain with
Spanish or Moorish dealers, who never
expect to get what they first ask for
their wares; or, above all, to be on the
alert twenty times day when the SOL
diers go by. The English troops are
line. One gets enthusiastic at the
regular lines of scarlet coats and white
helmets dazzling in the sunlight as
they curve in and out along the wind
ing street, nearly forming a letter s.
headed by the picturesque drummer in
his leopard skin, with his square
shoulders and elbows perfectly motion
less, though his hands are going like
mad. But it is the bonnie Highland
ers that are particularly adorable to
see, with their fresh colorings their
sturdy walk, and the dear little skirts
swishing from side to side.
On Sundays as the soldiers march to
church the bands play lively airs as
usual, but in place of the gun every
man carries a prayer book. If on a
quiet Sunday afternoon you should
hear singing near the old town hall
go and investigate, for you many find,
as we did, few members of the Sal
walton Army holding an outdoor meet
ing. fine looking, newly converted
sailor boy was making his first public
speech, very simply and prettily to the
strangely assorted audience, all listen
ing respectfully, too, whether they wore
the red coat, the plaid kilt,
the blue jacket, the robe OF
the Jew, the wide brimmed hat and
sash of the Spanish or the fez, cloak
i and yellow slippers of the Moor 1t
: was curious mosaic.
> Now comes sunset with it's gun fir
ing; a detachment marches down to
| shut the gates for the night; bits OF
music and bugle calls float here and
there over the great rock. Soon the
stranger, who is, literally, within the
,, gates,' is ready for rest, and perhaps
, may recall as lullaby bit of the
> / music which Weakened him early in the
morning as fife and drum corps
: passed by, and he had drowsily listened
to the stirring Scotch melody until it
softened into a rhythmic beat of the
drums and faint echo of the highest
notes, and so gradually lost itself in