American boys afloat : $b or, Cruising in the OrientOptic, Oliver
General
American boys afloat : $b or, Cruising in the Orient
Optic, Oliver
Voyages and travels -- Juvenile fiction
"That is enough about the smugglers. Take warning, my man, and keep out
of trouble, or you will lose the steamer," added the commander.
"I owe you thirty shillings, Captain Chickworth," said Louis, tendering
the money, for he had listened to all that had been said.
"I don't mind that; you 'ave saved my steamer; for I know what a liar
Gray is, and I was afeard that they would want to confisticate 'er."
"I insist on paying for her," added Louis, thrusting the gold into the
vest pocket of the owner.
"I will pay for her to-day, but I want to make a trade with you for
to-day and to-morrow," continued the captain; and he engaged her for
the two days for two pounds. "You will keep her alongside when we are
not using her."
"Which I will do and hall night too."
"We are going ashore this afternoon, and at five o'clock you will go
over for Judge Salazar."
Captain Ringgold had already attended to the formalities necessary
to obtain admission to the town and to visit the batteries and
fortifications, and the American consul had rendered all the assistance
required. After an early lunch the party embarked in the Salihé, now
in charge of Captain Chickworth and his engineer. The little steamer
proceeded directly to the Ragged Staff stairs, where the landing was
made.
Macias, one of the guides of the place, was waiting for them. The party
walked till they were tired, and then a wagonette was obtained, and
they rode through the streets for an hour, looking at the buildings,
especially the barracks, for everything was military about the town.
Ever since the possession of the Rock was obtained, about one hundred
and eighty years ago, the English have been at work improving the
defences of the place, and the territory is covered with batteries
in addition to the principal fortifications in the Rock itself. The
visitors gave only a glance at these, and observed with more interest
the soldiers and their officers, as seen about the streets, especially
a regiment of Highlanders, whose bare legs were more comfortable in
this climate than in England.
On the east side, facing the open Mediterranean, the ascent of the
hill is almost perpendicular, while on the other side it is much more
gradual. A number of non-commissioned officers were sent with the
strangers as guides, and they explained everything of interest that was
passed. After a rather hard walk, they reached the highest point of the
Rock, which is called El Hacho, or the Signal. From it a view of two
oceans was obtained, if we count the Mediterranean as one, and two of
the grand divisions of the earth, Europe and Africa. The mountains of
Spain and those of Africa were in sight.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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