The National tribune., 1898-11-17

STRIPPING who had hanselled his sword Of
lata on the ours OF Seville; from the
hidalso WAC remembered the pride Of his
ancestors in the cloak q his granGSIre. To
the boor who dreamed Of the crown Oh d
pagan emperor. in leather shirt ana
cork shoes: here was brigand who had
cursed the Santa HcrmanGad of al Cas-
tile, and now reloiced over Il land wnere
he could cut threats at his leisure; there
a gray-haired extOrtioner, whom ro.uery
had reduced 10 bankruptcy. but who
hoped Ia repair his fortune by following
the pack OF marhunters and picking up
the offals they despiSed, or cheating them
of the prizes they had secured; here too
was Il holy secular, who came I'd exuit
over the confusion and destruction ii all
ba-barians who should see nothing Gi-
virer in the crucifix than in their own
idols.
The greater number however was com
posed Of debauched and decayed planters
OF the islands, who ceased To lament their
narrow acres and decreasing bondmen,
snatched away by the good fortune of
some fellow -profigate, when they thought
OF territories for an estate, and whole
tribes for household. Indeed, in all the
group, however elevated and ennobled,
for the moment, by the excitement OF the
scene, and by the resoiute Impotence
they displayed to rush upon adventures
well known To be full OF suffering and
>
nobie-hearted gentleman would have
chosen to regard with respect, or to ap
proach with friendship.
This was "A young cavalier, who, in
pTopriety Of habiliments, in excellence Of
person, and in nobleness OF carriage
differed greatly from all; and to say the
truth, he himself seemed highly conscious
OF the difference, since he regarded all his
fell0T-TOyageTS, saving only his own par
ticu!ar and armed attendants, with the
disdaln betting so distinguished per
sonage.
His frame, tall and moderately athletic
was arrayed III hose and doubiet Of
dusky brown cloth, Siashed with purple;
his cap and cloak were OF black velvet
and in the band OF one and on the shout
der OF the other, were symbols Of his
faith and his profession, the first being
plain cruciiix of silver and the second
cross Of white cloth OF eight points, in
serted in the mantle.
In addition to- these badges of devotion
he wore cross OF gold, pointed like the
former, and suspended 10 his neck by a
chain Of such length and massiveness
as 10 Undue his companions with high
notions Of his rank and anluence
The only point in which lac exhibited
any feeling IN common with his COM
| panions was in admiration Of the noble
prospect that stretched before him and
which was every moment disclosing itself
~
wind waited his little vessel nearer to il
His cheek flushed his eye kindled, and
smiling his hands together in his ardor
| he dropped so much of his dignity as TO
| address many Cf his EXPLANATIONS to the
| obsequious but not ungentle master.
by ST. joint senior Captain" he cried
with rapture, this is most noble land
/ to be wasted upon SaVagesi'
True, senior Don Amador." replied the
/ thrice honored master; "a noble land a
| rich land, Il most glorious land: and
warrant me, man has never before looked
| on its equal
For nay part" said the youth. proudly
~ have seen some lands that in the
estimation Of those who know better may
! be pronounced divine; among which /
may mention the Greek islands, the KEYS
OF the Nile, the banks OF the Hellespont.
and the hills Of Palestine, not TO speak Of
| Italy, and many divisions Of our own
country; yet, 10 be honest | must allow
/ | have never yet looked upon a land
which, at the first sight. impressed me
with such strange ideas OF magnificence ,"
! What then VIII be your admiration
noble cavalier" said the Captain. when
you have passed this sandy shore, and
yonder rugged hills, and find yourself
among the golden valleys they encompassi
/ for all those who have returned from the
interior, thus speak of them and declare
upon the gospels and their honor, no man
can conceive properly of paradise, until
he has looked upon the valleys of Mexico -
Il long TO be among them" said the
youth; and the sooner l am mounted on
my good steed, Fogoso (whom God restore
TO his legs and his spirit, for this cursed
ship has cramped both); say, the
sooner am mounted upon my good horse,
and scattering this heather sand from
under his hoofs, the better will it be for