82 THE BEAUTY AND HER PROTECTOR. 



and a hug ; sailors rushed up and down, intent upon 

 giant hawsers, as thick and far longer than boa-con- 

 strictors ; the captain shouted unintelligible words, 

 and the inferior officers answered in echo the mono- 

 tonous " Ay, ay, sir ; " the deck was nearly clear 

 of interlopers, the ponderous paddle had possibly 

 revolved half a circle, when another passenger, minus 

 all luggage save a paper parcel which was thrown 

 after him, by performing a variety of eccentric, de- 

 cidedly monkeyish feats, swinging by his hands, and 

 almost anything but holding on by his eyebrows, 

 obtained a footing upon the ship. 



'All were so much occupied with one thing 

 and another, that few took any notice of this last 

 arrival ; but I, possibly having less to do no friends 

 to wave good-bye to, no sweetheart to send a parting 

 kiss to did ; and, to my surprise, felt convinced I 

 knew him. But either I was mistaken or a mutual 

 recognition was not desired ; for such an unembar- 

 rassed plainly-speaking expression of non-acquaint- 

 ance was returned for my stare at him, that for once 

 I felt satisfied my eyes had spoken to me falsely. 



' When the City and Golden Gate had faded into 

 the distance, and the towering, rugged, grand out- 

 line of hills had become less and less distinct, we 

 had been under way some hours ; yet those who had 

 interested me most the beauty and her protector, 

 and the last arrival I had not again seen. One 

 meal had also passed, at which neither was present. 

 I know not how it was, but, somehow or other, I 



