shall We Show an Intention ? 



The oranges were about five inches in diameter, and excel- 

 lent. There is a fine, fresh, aromatic flavour about new- 

 gathered oranges from the tree, which those who only know 

 the flat, tasteless, green-picked, box-ripened trash we get in 

 England would not imagine. 



We skirted the banks of the rushing Guadiaro — oleander- 

 fringed — by a good road, the first our horses' feet have 

 touched for a hundred miles. Harry cut an oleander 

 switch for his pony, who was lazy, and it proved tough and 

 useful. As we rode along, we began to talk about what we 

 should do in Gibraltar, which there was some possibility of 

 reaching by a hard push this very night. It was probable we 

 should know some of the officers ; but then we were shock- 

 ing figures in our muleteer's costume to present ourselves in 

 civilised society. To be sure, we had some shabby old 

 trousers and shooting-coats for a change in case of wet in 

 the alforjas ; but it was my opinion that we should do 

 better to go in boldly on the strength of our present vagrant 

 character than to make a servile and seedy effort at respect- 

 ability, which no traveller can pack in less than a heavy 

 portmanto with appurtenances, viz., hat-box, dressing-case, 

 and an umbrella. 



Harry was decidedly of opinion that we ought to show at 

 least an intention of respectability, so as not to outrage the 

 sensibilities of British subjects. I argued that it did not 

 signify what one did in this world, so long as the perpetrator 

 himself was not ashamed of it. All awkwardness produced 

 in the minds of persons witnessing odd things said or done, 

 arose from the sense of awkwardness in the person doing 

 them communicated by sympathy ; and that the most extra- 

 vagant things might be done with impunity, as long as they 

 were done with an appearance o{ bond fide confidence. 



" People will not abuse you to your face," he replied ; 



