Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-01
CHAPTER XVI.
On the Bridge Of Calahorra.

The great bridge across the Wal I'll
kabir is. after the mosque. the most re-
markable sight in Cordova. Originally
erected by the Romans, its sixteen arches
still remain on their, ancient foundations
and connect the town with Its suburb.
From the middle Of the bridge there is a
fine view of the old Moorish water mills
and of the mosque, which. with its lofty
tower and belfry, is clearly projected
against q background OF the blue sierras.
On the end of the bridge farthest from
the town is the famous ana massive Gala
horra gateway. at the beginning Of the
road to Seville. The bridge was Hester s
constant resort. and when returning from
the daily drive she Invariably descended
and crossed it on foot. 1t was rugged,
ancient and commanded a panorama of
the winding river and the water mills.
precisely as they had been In the time of
the Saracens.
One evening at sunset Hester and Capt.
gether watching people fishing in the ST.
lent, cleaning GuadalQuivtr. and argu-
ing about the Spanish character. He was
att ck!ng. she resisting and defending.
You won't deny that they are indo-
len. false and vain he said. in oraer to
draw her: simply hide-bound in customs
of the dark ages"
"Oh. I grant you they are conserva-
tive she answered. land indolent-it is
the oriental climate: but they are not
vain. only self-apprecia.ive; and why not ?
Look at their history and their great
deeds. Think of the days of Isabella and
Columbus
Deeds! yes of their foreeathers. They
are living on their past. like some painted
old celebrity, or q bear on his paws"
'"They are all gentlemen" she con-
tinued. "even the very baggars.''
II give in to one thing" said her COM
a -
is the country for horses. I rather want
to pick up q nag to take to Glib. for from
Andalusia NEST Of The cavalry age
mounted. l believe some of the nobility
and gentry own immense horse farms
right up in the hills; Spaniard likes a
good horse.
Though he often treats 1t as if he
hated It," she supplement ed.
Yes. so he does agreed Capt. Tudor.
Ibid YOU notice the splendid turns-out in
Madrid when you were there? A Madri-
lena would sooner go without her shoes
than her carriage"
"Oh. I'd much prefer the shoes I was
never born to run barefoot-and think of
the cobble-stones.'
But carriage conveys dignity and
position. l believe Spanish lady rarely
puts her foot to the ground outside of
her own house. TIE men ride and, to
give the beggars their due they can sit a
horse. Have you noticed them?'
II must confess l have not
Il suppose you don't ride yourself do
you?" he asked. as il struck by sudden
thought.
No I've never been on the back OF any
animal except donkey"
We'll. they take good bit of riding
sometimes
"Yes. I can answer for that. ! was
ANONYMOUSLY kicked off. All the same.
j have always had most unaccountable
craving for a horse and habit. I cam
a 0i1la u
nothing of horses and horsewomer, eX-
cept now and then q distant vision of the
Clayborough barriers"
You must learn to ride at once" he
of decision. and I shall be delighted to
teach YOU. If you have 1t in YOU. you'll
ride in week.
Pray. how and when am / to learn -
she asked. with smile; up and down
the Gale de la Plata on one of the huge
carriage horses-the shying one for
choice?"
"You are not bound to return by GER
tain day and hour to Biarritz are you?"
mo. and, honestly. don't very much
mind IL I never see BiarritZ again. was
her unexpected reply.
"All right. then; you cannot leave Spain
without doing Seville / suppose you will
allow that? You'll be jolly well laughed
at II YOU do. Not that l care for Seville
myself I'd rather see a good race than
forty old cathedrals. STILL YOU know.
every one will say to you: Well what
did you think of Seyille?"
II should describe ii from Baedeker,'
she answered. with composure.
You could not be such a sneak and
you'd certainly be found out. Now. listen,
Cordova is only four hours run from Sc
Vile: when you're at Seville you may say
you're at Ronda. From Ronda you just
drop down to Glib. Dye see?'
Eyes. it all sounds delightfully."- simple"
You will see the fleet and English gar
rison. the rock--lots Of things I'd take
YOU and Aunt Laura all round and give
YOU Il rafting good time. We might even
run over TO Tangiers. You could put I'D
at an hotel in Glib. for a few weeks, and
I've a ripping little gray Barb that will
carry you like a bird. / know where
can borrow a side saddle: our master
tailor would run up q skirt in Il day.
Come. now. what do you say to my
scheme?"
II think it is most tempting" she an
swered: Yves. I should enjoy 1t immense
ly-but what ABOUT Mrs. Tudor?"
"Oh. I'll easily square Aunt Laura; you
leave her to me. So we will just mature
our plans and consider the expedition set
tied. I say, talking OF horses. look at
those two gallant caballeros prancing
through the Calahorra gate! Observe how
they hold themselves. BY Jove. did you
see that? The black Is a handful
But Hester was leaning over watching
man land a fish, and mentally explOr-
ing Seville and Glib. Yes. 1t was an ex-
cellent opportunity: she longed to visit
Seville. If she could only persuade her
chaperon to accompany her.