1828.] The Smugglers of Algesiras. 351 
weaker detachment, instead of going on to his own vessel for fresh sup- 
plies? And what could be done now, at any rate? He confessed that 
he could see no more of these fellows, and that the ship itself had disap- 
peared. What chance had he of discovering the offenders ?—No, no ; 
he had his own designs ; but he would discomfit him, by listening no 
longer to such pitiful trash !’—And, therefore, he quietly indicated that 
the door was open, and his retirement much to be desired. 
But Fernandez, though he left his commander without farther remon- 
strance, was not deterred from the prosecution of his search. Piqued at 
this ill-treatment, he now sought to avenge himself by an exhibition of 
superior skill in detecting these covert enemies. The world would know 
that he had succeeded when Serafin had despaired; and succeeded, too, 
without assistance, without encouragement. Another motive, less acknow- 
ledged even by himself, may have excited him in this situation of affairs: 
—he may have looked suspiciously at the unusual reluctance of Don 
Francisco to follow up a search to which some clue had been given. 
It was unlike the general alacrity of the old man, and he was determined 
to sift this matter as far as his cunning would assist him. He called in 
to his aid a very powerful accessory. 
At the corners of the streets, and under the porchways of the large 
houses, in the town of Gibraltar, may often be seen swarthy, bearded 
men, in the Moorish attire, with one or two articles for sale displayed on 
a basket at their feet, or suspended round their neck, in the more usual 
manner of pedlars. A quick eye gazing round on the passmg crowd, 
and a certain expression, residing in no definite feature, but to be col- 
lected from the tout ensemble of the face, give to the European an idea of 
fraud and dissimulation, or of subtilty, in vain tempered by a hypocrital 
vacancy. Under the cover of a handkerchief, or some of the commodi- 
ties for sale, are more carefully deposited certain precious articles—such 
as bottles of Turkish otto of rose, eau de cologne, purses and ornaments 
of seraglio paste, silks, &c. The superstructure will be a layer of 
morocco slippers, and perhaps little richly-worked footstools, which may 
_ be exposed without caution. Before one of these venders of foreign 
rarities, a Moor named Hadoud, Captain Fernandez suddenly stopped 
short on the evening of the day of this disappointing interview with the 
Cobo principal. A glance of recognition was interchanged ; and the 
African, bustling his hand over the surface of his little pack, contrived 
to disguise from the other its contents, without appearing to be so 
engaged. 
«« Never mind, Hadoud,” said Fernandez; “ you are safe here, you 
know, and I want to speak with you on other matters. Follow me to 
_ the neutral ground; I will make it worth your while.” 
| The Moor hesitated for a moment; but the ingenuous tone of the 
young officer overcame his doubts. He fitted up his stock into a portable 
form, and slinging it at his back, trudged at some distance behind the 
other, who led the way through the principal street and over the lines, 
_ till they reached that flat isthmus which lies between the possessions 
of the English and the mother country. Here Fernandez awaited his 
follower, and being at last overtaken, here he communicated to him such 
of the preceding incidents as were necessary for his purpose, and made 
certain proposals, which, if accepted by the Moor, would possibly lead 
to the discovery he so much desired. Hadoud was a trader between 
the two continents—sometimes affluent, sometimes without resources— 
