The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1911-04-13

rays OF the sun that was shining from a cloud,
less sky. This sand was soft and yielding under
foot, and made walking hard and tiresome. But
on up the beach we went, and came to tho old
sea wall that had been built there centuries ago
TO keep back the waves when winds we're at war
with the waters, Soon the frownlng walls OF
what once served as a Spanish prison came TO
view, and climbing high up over the rocky EN-
bankmen we entered the old dungeon. and as
we stood therein we thought OF the broken
hearts and sighs and cries OF agony that had, in
the far distant past, ascended to heaven from
within this cruel enclosure-how that hope had
gone out Of the human heart, and death had
come o. sweet relief TO the prisoner here in this
dark and dismal place-and how that the gay
world had gone on outside. ~forgetful that he had
ever lived and suffered and passed away.
Leaving this prison OF the old time, we went
further on up the beach and came 10 the ruined
old castle. standing there on the seashore like
some great, silent sentry, pointing backward and
whispering TO one of the days that are buried In
the depths OF the long ago. Here the governor OF
all the territory had resided Spanish noble
man IN whose veins flowed the proudest blood OF
old CASTLE. In this very place he was surrounded
by his numerous c]ourtlers and bands OF soldiers
with changing arms and trumpet calls; and proud
lords and lovely ladies met here In nights gone
by, and to the strains OF sweetest music danced
the hours away. But now, all is as quiet and
noiseless az the stiffness OF death-only the soft
hreezes that pass gently through the foliage OF
the royal palms and tho evergreen trees. and the
faint murmur OF the distant waves OF the sea dis.
turb the deep and solemn silence.
The great stones that form the castle walls,
towering many feet high. with their barren win
dows and frowninF portfolios commanding a view
OF the blue and restless waters as far as the eye
can see, are the only tokens that man once re
sided here-for the ruler and his c]ourtlers and
his bands OF s~oldicrs-proud lords and lovely
ladies OF that faroh time. have all, all gone, and
not one left to tell OF their greatness and grand.
eur--their very names being blottod from the
memory Of man.
Only a short distance from the ruins OF this
silent old castle stands the wreck OF the once
beautiful cathedral. rooHess and barren. Its walls
are Of gray sandstone firmly cemented together,
In this ancient cathedral, that was built nearly
400 years ago by hands that have long since been
idle, may yet be seen the baptismsl font where,
in ages pest. innocence was chHstened into re-
hgious life.
The chancel, where once stood the priest and
minis,ered spiritual comfort 10 his flock, may yet
be seen. All IT'S former gaudy t~rappings, and the
beautiful mural paintings have disappeared, and
in the alcove above, where was once the statue
OF the Crucifed One, only the barren stones OF
the temple look down upon you In mute blank
ness and eternal silence. Everything in and
about this wrecked old cathedral speaks OF do
parted splendor.
Yet II is still held in reverence, fo- to this
good day the simple, childlike natives OF this land
OF eternal summer bring their dead here, and
within tho enclosure of these old walls they com