Putnam patriot., 1911-05-05
A Day at- Gibraltar


 It has been said that the most de- lightfu way to enter Europe is through the Gateway of Gibraltar, and indeed it was welcome sight to us after our nine days upon the sea. As our steam CT approached the waters began to swarm with small boats laden with fruit and flowers, and rowed by people of many nations, all gesticulating and begging you to purchase their wares. Tenders are used to putsthe passengers ashore, and we found ourselves upon the stone pier with the Rock crouch ing before us, like a huge lion guard ing its own. This Rock is first of all fortress and a much desired possession of several nations. Thirteen attempts have been made :to secure supremacy here, and during the last battle Gene ral Elliott won the coveted prize from the Spanish, and since that time Eng land has reigned supreme. She keeps about 6500 men in garrison, and none 1 but Englishmen with special passes are allowed within the fort itself, and it is said that few know anything of the real stratagetic points of the place. | Upon the very top of the rock heavy guns rest ready at a minutes notice to fire upon any invader of the sea. It is rumored that all along the sides of the mountain holes exist where the can non mouths protrude, but these holes are carefully covered by soil or vines so that their presence is not suspected. The whole rock is full of tunnels and excavations made for war purposes, and aggregate about 75 miles and were made probably in l7S2 and enlarged and elaborated ss time and need ad- vanced. In the harbor when we en- tered were twelve British battleships, and we were forcefully reminded that this was indeed fortified harbor whose strength was almost beyond comprehension.
 Al the foot of the Rock are the naval repair shops, military hospital, prison and other houses necessary for militia " life. These are mostly built of ce- ment, and are of a brownish color. The houses of the natives are here also, and are painted yellow, blue, orange, or white. They are square in shape, and have tiled roofs, as the drinking water has 10 be caught and treasured at each rainfall. There are number of old Moorish palaces still in exist ence, and some are open to. the public. One of the largest ones is midway up the hillside, near the upper halt of the fort and k used as prison. We visit. ed this and were received with great courtesy, and had n agra acent view of the city, harbor, and the surround ing country The man in charge pointed 'a a huge hill, or mountain acaess the water, and drew my atten- ton to an old Moorish watch tower, which he said was called"The Queen s Chair, land the story was that queen in ancient days sat upon that tower and watched the battle rage which lost her Gibraltar. He also drew my eyes to strip of level ground at the foot of the rock saying that that was neutral ground belonging to no nation.
 Across the narrow green stretch was spanish land, and he pointed out to me the arena where the bull fights still took place. From another point we saw the city of Algeciras, famous for its peace conference, and Africa, in the form of mountain, loomed dark ly on the herizon. This he told me was Morocco.
 Most of the streets In Gibraltar are very narrow, and gre of limestone or cement. Some of the streets are sim. ply stairways, and here we SAW tiny oonkeys with their two baskets on