Portugal -- History -- Joseph, 1750-1777 -- Fiction
Captain Pinto has already, in a few words, given as much of his own
history as we are acquainted with, and though his personal appearance
had not the stamp of nobility impressed on it, his features betokened a
kind disposition, (for we are great physiognomists,) notwithstanding
that he had lately given utterance to some observations which sounded
rather sour and morose; but he had spoken with the best intentions,
thinking that some advice was necessary to check the too ardent hopes of
his young friend, and having his reasons perhaps for supposing he might
be deceived. But it is high time that we should return to our
narrative.
The sails were now trimmed to meet a slight variation in the wind, which
blew less steadily than in the morning, and that duty being completed,
the captain resumed his walk by the side of Don Luis, whose feelings of
annoyance had by this time completely subsided; indeed, to his generous
disposition, it was impossible to continue angry any length of time,
with one who evidently took a warm interest in his welfare. "Now, my
young friend," observed the worthy commander, after taking several turns
in silence, "you will soon be convinced of the advantage of being
prepared for disappointment," at the same time pointing to some small
dark clouds rising right ahead from the horizon. "Look at those black
heralds of strife and tumult, not of the puny strife of men, but of the
majestic rage and fury of the elements. A few minutes ago you were
felicitating yourself in the fond anticipations of meeting those dear to
you before to-morrow has closed, or at the furthest on the following
day, and with the fair fresh breeze and smooth sea we were enjoying, you
had every reason for your hopes; and now behold how suddenly they may be
blasted; for if an old seaman's prognostications are not false, we shall
have before long a stiff gale directly in our teeth, and then, farewell
to our friends in Lisbon for a week at the shortest calculation! That
is no gentle summer gale brewing away to the south-east. See how
quickly the clouds gather, and what a thick heavy bank they form,
resting like a high land on the sea."
"I should be ungrateful if I were to grumble at the prospect of
remaining a week or so longer under your kind care," returned Don Luis;
"but I confess that I did hope to arrive in a much shorter period at
Lisbon."
"I know you did, I know you did," said the Captain. "Very natural it
was for you to do so; and I should think that, long ere this, you must
have become heartily tired of the society of an old fellow like
myself,--though I have seen something to talk about in my ramblings
through the world."
Don Luis, with sincerity, protested that he had passed the time on board
most agreeably.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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