YLO* 



203 



that the sand drifted through them at every blast 

 of the sea-breeze, which had just set in. A walk 

 of five minutes brought us to an olive grove, un- 

 der the shade of which we trode on a rich coat- 

 ing of grass ; and after wandering a little onwards, 

 we reached a rivulet completely arched over by- 

 trees ; the branches of which meeting above the 

 stream, were interlaced and matted together by 

 innumerable creepers ; and overlaid with so thick 

 a mantle of leaves and blossoms, that not a single 

 ray of the sun was permitted to reach the water. 

 A little path conducted us to an opening in this 

 verdant screen, where a rude bridge, formed of 

 two trees, laid from side to side, invited us to 

 cross, although we saw no house, nor living crea- 

 ture. We had hardly reached the opposite bank, 

 yfhen a cock crowed, and we found ourselves, in 

 the next moment, close to a cottage completely 

 enveloped in the luxuriant foliage I have been 

 describing. 



A fine old dame presented herself, and al- 

 though, no doubt, somewhat surprised at the 

 4ght of visitors so unexpected, she welcomed us 

 -^ith that intuitive sort of politeness which cha- 



