158 ACCESSIBLE FIELD SPORTS. 



in one of the loneliest suburbs, I came across ray quon- 

 dam acquaintance, in the middle of a number of lazza- 

 roni, engaged in gambling. The scene tempted me to 

 remain and see the sequel, which was not far off, for 

 after fifteen minutes he arose, shook himself, pro- 

 nounced an anathema on his luck, and disappeared. 

 Having to visit the brig, in reference to some baggage 

 I had left on board, I found Giovanni on deck, when I 

 asked him if he had provided the offerings he had 

 promised his saint. With a jocular smile he acknow- 

 ledged he had not, but intended doing it at some future, 

 indefinite date. I fear human nature is much the same 

 everywhere, under whatever clime, or in whatever land 

 it may be nurtured. Mussulman, Roman Catholic, or 

 Protestant -all make promises or vows on the spur or 

 compulsion of the moment, too often afterwards, under 

 happier auspices, to be disregarded. 



But to my narrative. With each hour the gale in- 

 creased, and to such violence that the gallant schooner 

 was momentarily in peril. Next morning dawned bleak 

 and wild, the waves tumbled over one another, the 

 larger swallowing up the lesser for want of something 

 else to satisfy their devouring inclination. This day and 

 several others were only a repetition of the first night ; 

 no reckoning could be obtained ; still we stood upon 

 our course. With half an eye I could detect that our 



