88 AN INCIDENT AT GIBRALTAR. 



to infer that the dream is to be looked upon as any supernatural 

 visitation; it was the result, and a very natural result; of my waking 

 thoughts : nevertheless, it impressed the conviction more strongly 

 upon my mind; and when I awoke, and saw the gray dawn, I started 

 from my bed with the resolution of acting upon its intimation. 



I crossed the draw-bridge, which was then just lowered, traversed 

 the Alameda ; and followed the path that leads to Europa Point. 

 Some houses skirt the southern side of the rock near to the sea ; and 

 several boats were moored to the shore ; no one was stirring ; it was 

 not then five o'clock, for the morning gun had not fired ; but I 

 stepped into a boat ; unfastened its moorings ; and rowed under the 

 great rock towards the eastern extremity. I soon doubled the south- 

 eastern point, and found myself in front of the great precipice ; and 

 now I backed from the rock, keeping my eyes steadfastly fixed upon 

 the fissures and projections ; and the reader will scarcely be inclined 

 to credit me if I assert, that when I first descried upon a distant pro- 

 jection, something that bore the resemblance of a human figure, I felt 

 more joy than surprise, so strongly was I impressed with the belief 

 that Captain L m ight yet be living. A nearer and closer inspec- 

 tion almost convinced me that I was not deceived ; and I need 

 scarcely say, that my boat shot swiftly through the water as I returned 

 towards Europa Point. 



It is unnecessary that I should detail the farther steps that were 

 taken, in order to discover whether the information I had given was 



correct, or the means resorted to, to rescue Captain L from his 



perilous situation, or the measures which were adopted to restore him 

 to consciousness and strength. I can never forget the visit I made 

 to the house of Colonel Waring, the evening upon which it had been 

 slowly broken to Emily that Captain L yet lived. Never did 

 smiles and tears meet under happier auspicies for joy had unlocked 

 the fountain that sorrow had choked up ; and every tear was gilded 

 by a smile. As for the old colonel, his delight knew no bounds 

 he alternately shook me by the hand, and kissed the wet though 

 smiling cheek of his daughter. " I am not a man of many words " 



said he, "but by G d, all I can say is this, that if Captain L 



had perished, you should have been the man. " 



It was some days before Captain L was sufficiently recovered 



to see his bride. I was present at the meeting. It was one of those 

 scenes that can never pass from the memory of him who has wit- 

 nessed such. Never was happiness so prodigal of tears ; never were 

 tears less bitter. It was now evening ; we had left the house, and 

 were seated in the colonel's garden, which overlooks the Alameda, 

 and the bay of Algesiras, which lay in perfect calm, coloured with 



the gorgeous hues reflected from Andalusian skies. Captain L 



had not yet been requested to relate those particulars which he aloiu- 

 knew, but he guessed our wish ; and when Emily had seated herself 

 in an obscure corner of the summer house he gave us the following 

 ivl.tt ion : 



" I left Griffith's hotel about five o'clock, to dino with poor Dono- 



