CHAPTER XIV. THE SPITFIRE. "And I have loved thee! Ocean! and my joy "Pull away! yo ho! boys!" DELME continued to reside with his brother, whose health seemed to amend daily. George generally managed to accompany him in his sight-seeing, from which Henry derived great gratification. He mused over the antique tombs of some of the departed knights; and admired the rich mosaics in that splendid church, dedicated to Saint John; than which the traveller may voyage long, and meet nothing worthier his notice. He visited the ancient armoury-dined at the palace, and at the different messes-inspected the laborious travailings of the silkworm at the boschetto-conversed with the original of Byron's Leila-a sweet creature she is!-looked with wondering eye on the ostrich of Fort Manuel-and heard the then commandant's wife relate her tale thereanent. He went to Gozzo too-shot rabbits-and crossed in a basket to the fungus rock. He saw a festa in the town, and a festa in the country-rode to St. Antonio, and St. Paul's Bay-and was told he had seen the lions. Nor must we pass over that most interesting of spectacles; viz., some figures enveloped in monkish cowl, and placed in convenient niches; but beneath the close hood, the blood mounts not with devotion's glow, nor do eyes glare from sockets shrunk by abstinence. Skeletons alone are there! These, curious reader, are the bodies of saintly Capuchins; thus exhibited-dried and baked-to excite beholders to a life of virtue! One morning, George said he felt rather unwell, and would stay at home. An oar happened to be wanted in the regimental gig, which Sir Henry offered to take. He was soon accoutred in the dress of an absent member, and in a short time was discharging the duties of his office to the satisfaction of all; for he knew every secret of feathering, and had not caught a crab for years. It was a beautifully calm day-not a speck in the azure heaven. It was hot too-but for this they cared not. They had porter; and on such occasions, what better beverage would you ask? Swiftly and gaily did the slim bark cleave through the glassy sea. Its hue was a dark crimson, with one black stripe-its nom de guerre, the Spitfire. As the regiment particularly prided itself on its aquatic costume, we shall describe it. Small chased pearl buttons on the blue jacket and white shirt; a black band round the neck, to match the one on the narrow-brimmed thick straw hat; white trousers; couleur de rose silk collar, fastened to the throat by a golden clasp; and stockings of the same colour. How joyously did the gig hold her course! What a thrilling sensation expanded the soul, as the steersman, a handsome little fellow with large black whiskers, gave the encouraging word, "Stroke! my good ones!" Then were exerted all the energies of the body-then was developed each straining muscle-then were the arms thrown back in sympathy, to give a long pull, and a strong pull-till the bark reeled beneath them, and shot through the wave. The tall ship the slender mole-the busy deck the porticoed palace-the strong fort—the bristling battery-the astonished fisher's bark as it sluggishly crept on-were all cheeringly swept by, as the bending oars in perfect unison, kissed the erst slumbering water. What sensation can be more glorious? The only thing to compete with it, is the being in a crack coach on the western road; the opposition slightly in front—a knowing whip driving-when the horses are at their utmost speed-the traces tight as traces can be-the ladies inside pale and screaming-one little child cramming out her head, her mouth stuffed with Banbury cakes, adding her shrill affetuoso-whilst the odd-looking man in the white hat, seated behind, is blue from terror, and with chattering teeth, mumbles undistinguishable sentences of furious driving and prosecution. Surely such moments half redeem our miseries! What bitter thought can travel twelve miles an hour? And ever and anon would the Spitfire dart into some little creek, and the thirsty rowers would rest on their oars, whose light drip fell on purple ocean, tinged by a purple sky. And now would the jovial steersman introduce the accommodating corkscrew, first into one bottle and then into another, as these were successively emptied, and thrown overboard, to give the finny philosophers somewhat to speculate on. Delmé landed weary; but it was a beneficial weariness. He felt he had taken manly exercise, and that it would do him good. He was walking towards the barrack, with his jacket slung over his shoulder, when he was met by George's servant. "Oh, Sir!" said the man, "I am so glad you are come. The Signora is terribly afraid for my young master. I fear, Sir, he is in one of his fits." Delmé hurried forward, and entered his brother's room. George held a riding whip in his hand. |