Page:The Naval Officer (1829), vol. 1.djvu/172

 I run, do you follow me, and don't stop till we are in the middle of the square."

The manœuvre was successful; we out-ran the thieves, who were not aware of our plan, and were encumbered with their heavy cloaks. Finding we had escaped, they turned upon the girl, and robbed her of her miserable earnings. This we saw, but could not prevent; such was the police of Spain then, nor has it improved since.

This was the last time I ventured on shore at night, except to go once with a party of our officers to. the house of the Spanish admiral, who had a very pretty niece, and was liberale enough not to frown on us poor heretics. She was indeed a pretty creature: her lovely black eyes, long eye-lashes, and raven hair, betrayed a symptom of Moorish blood, at the same time that her ancient family name and high good breeding gave her the envied appellation of Vieja Christiana.

This fair creature was pleased to bestow a