74 SAINT JOACHIM. 



ed by two contrary and violent currents raging, 

 with the vain fury of insurrection, against the 

 tranquillity of his immoveable throne. 



The channel leading into the beautiful basin 

 of St. Francisco is only half gun-shot wide, 

 and commanded by a fortress situated on its 

 left bank, on a high rock, named after St. Joa- 

 chim. We could distinguish the republican 

 flag, the waving signal, that even this most 

 northern colony of Spain no longer acknow- 

 ledges the authority of the mother country ; we 

 also remarked a few cavalry and a crowd of 

 people who were watching our swiftly sailing 

 vessel with the most eager attention. As we 

 drew nearer, a sentinel grasped with both hands 

 a long speaking trumpet, and enquired our na- 

 tion and from whence we came. This sharp 

 interrogatory, the sight of the cannon pointed 

 upon our track, and the military, few indeed, 

 but ready for battle, might have induced an 

 opinion that the fortress had power to refuse 

 entrance even to a ship of war, had we not been 

 acquainted with the true state of affairs. St. 

 Joachim, on his rocky throne, is truly a very 

 peaceable and well-disposed saint ; no one of 



