1828.] The Smugglers of Algesiras. 349 - 
unlawful cargo was removed in silence, and with the most exact order, 
from the hold of the felucca to the open strand. Thence, one by one, 
the casks and bales were carried off by accomplices, between whom and 
the crew not a syllable of intercourse was exchanged ; so that no one 
but perhaps their leaders, and the subordinates employed in transporting 
these burthens, could say whither they were destined. A few small 
packages now only lay by the sea-side, awaiting the return of some of 
the sturdy Andalusians to clear off the last articles of the cargo. The men 
had not yet returned to their vessel, but, with their captain, still were 
grouped on the beach to watch the remaining goods. It was dark and 
lonely. Presently the sound of approaching footsteps, sinking scarce 
audibly in the sand; gave promise of a quick termination to their night’s 
duty. The others drew near, and were saluted as they came up, but 
without answering the challenge. There was a pause; but the succes- 
sion of wonder, distrust, and fear was too rapid to be distinctly noted, 
before the foremost of the new party, rushing on the captain, grasped 
his collar with surprising strength, and raising a lantern, hitherto con- 
cealed, illuminated each feature of his face with a full, level, and dazzling 
glare. A moment had not gone by before the light was again withdrawn, 
and some words of strange import whispered in: the smuggler’s ear— 
“ We shall meet again; I know you now!” This was all that passed. 
The leader, cheering on his associates, hurried away to a different landing- 
place ; their hushed voices were heard in close consultation, until lost 
in the distance, or drowned by the silvery sounds of their oars as they 
rowed off to a vessel lying about a hundred yards off. 
To explain this occurrence, it will be necessary to state that Captain 
osé Fernandez was the officer next in command to Don Francisco Serafin 
in the preventive service, as we term it in England. He was a fine, 
spirited young man, rapidly advanced to his present responsible post, for 
which his qualifications were to be found in many a hard action with 
foreign foes, and a system of admirable precaution against the trans- 
gressors of the coast-laws. Almost idolized by his cwn men for the 
indifference with which he encountered danger—honoured by his govern- 
ment with especial marks of favour—respected even by the illicit traders, 
whom he baflled with bravery, and circumvented without injustice—the 
only man to whom Fernandez was personally obnoxious was his superior 
officer, Don Francisco Serafin. Whether from jealousy of the young 
man’s spirit and enterprise, or from other secret and family reasons, the 
old Cobo had manifested towards him, from the day of his appointment, a 
cold, hard demeanour, which went far to counteract their common good 
designs for the advantage of their country’s commerce. This disaffection 
had been long fomented, and at last brought to a terrible consummation, 
by the gradual attachment which had sprung up between the young 
officer and his only child, a girl of about seventeen years old. J ulia, the 
girl of her father’s heart, but perhaps still more the darling of his pride 
than of his affection, was graced with a large share of those rich bounties 
which are showered upon the daughters of Spain by a sky pure, cloud- 
less, and glowing. I remember her years ago, ere her father had aban- 
doned his wandering profession, and his home on the opposite rock ;— 
Iremember her black, quick eye, and the graceful lineaments that pro- 
mised to be once expanded into perfect beauty. She grew up as a flower 
beside her Arab mother, and you might see the traces of a fiery blood. 
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