Gilpin observer., 1899-05-04
An Eton Boy.

as the first streak OF day, coming on
with tropical rapidity, began to bright
en- the horizon and shed long, shiny
ripples on the sea, the canvas swelled
out, the reef points began to patter
on the taut bosom of every snow-white
sail, and the loose rigging was blown
out in graceful bends.
There was a fine breeze rising; the
white water rippled under the fore
foot of the Eugene, and soon it boiled
in foam as we sheeted home the top
sails and ran along the western shore
Of the mountain isle.
About the same time the Costa Rican
brig which was at anchor nearer the
shore Ia smart craft she was, straight
in the bends, and all black, save yell
low streak), also got ready for sea
with great expedition, and worked out
of the harbor; and when the hot sun,
which erewhile had lit up the vast
continent of Africa to the east of us,
rose from the ocean, We saw her black
hull and white canvas shining in his
morning rays about mile astern.
you say, Marc. that craft is Costa
Rican?" said Weston, doubtfully.
Eyes, SIR" replied Hislop.
"She may be; but she is also Span
ish dealer in black CATTLE" said Wes-
ton. who was looking at her through
a powerful double-barreled glass. Il
am certain If you could only see her
deok when she careens bit, you would
make out the ring-bolts for lashing
the slaves to in fine weather"
aye, and perhaps those of the car
:onades, too," added Hislop; "she
looks rather rakish."
"You are just of my mind, SIR" ad-
ded Tom Lambourne, who was at the
wheel She'll see the Sharks Nose
and the Congo river before she sees
the Mosquito creeks or the hills of
Costa Rica; and l have a shrewd no.
tion that the pirates we escaped from
are part of her crew, II one may judge
from what Master Rodney, who knows
their lingo, overheard them say"
Except across the Peak of Teneriffe,
where a cloud of white vapor floated
in mid-air like a permanent cymar or
girdle, and above which some thou
sand feet of the mighty cone lowered
into the blue immensity of space, mel
lowing from green and purple to a
faint gray tint, the sky was without a
cloud.
The waves danced and sparkled in
the morning sunshine, the fresh breeze
swept pleasantly over their whitening
tops and whistled through our rigging,
as we ran along the shore with consid-
erable speed; and now our hearts beat
lightly, for the broad, free ocean was
around us, and on clearing the dan
gerous rocks at Punta de Anaga by
giving them wide berth, we felt the
heavier swell of the Atlantic as we
brought the larboard tacks on board,
and ran, close-hauled, on a taut bow
line between the Isles of Teneriffe and
Palma, keeping the weatherage Of the
Costa Rican, and leaving her at the
same time fast and far astern.
We had delightful run through the
fertile Archipelago of the Fortunate
Isles, and, after clearing San Josef,
found the wind coming more aft. Long
after night had closed in and darkness
had enveloped all the sea and the Isle
of Teneriffe, the cone Of the peak
shone redly in midair, with the light
OF the sun that had set in the western
waters of the Atlantic.
For the whole OF that day we had
run fast through the water making at
least seven knots an hour of the log
line, but midnight came before we saw
the last Of the mighty Peak Of Adam.