Part 5 (1/2)
While conversing, the young officers have their eyes upon it--one of the two a.s.sisting his vision with a telescope. It is Cadwallader who uses the instrument.
Holding it to his eye, he says:
”I think I can see them, Ned. At all events, there are two heads on the house-top, just showing over the parapet. I'll take odds it's them, the dear girls. I wonder if they see us.”
”I should say, not likely; unless, as yourself, they're provided with a telescope.”
”By Jove! I believe they've got one. I see something glance. My Inez has it to her eye, I'll warrant.”
”More likely it's my Carmen. Give me that gla.s.s. For all those blue eyes you're so proud of, I can sight a sail farther than you.”
”A sail, yes; but not a pretty face, Ned. No, no; you're blind to beauty; else you'd never have taken on to the old aunt, leaving the niece to me. Ha, ha, ha!”
”Old, indeed! She's as young as yours, if not younger. One tress of her bright amber hair is worth a whole head of your sweetheart's black tangle. Look at that!”
He draws out such a tress, and unfolding, shakes it tauntingly before the other's eyes. In the sun it gleams golden, with a radiance of red; for it is amber colour, as he has styled it.
”Look at this!” cries Cadwallader, also exhibiting a lock of hair. ”You thought n.o.body but yourself could show love-locks. This to yours, is as costly silk alongside cheap cotton.”
For an instant each stands caressing his particular favours; then both burst into laughter, as they return them to their places of deposit.
Crozier, in turn taking the telescope, directs it on the house of Don Gregorio; after a time saying:
”About one thing you're right, Will: those heads are the same from which we've had our tresses. Ay, and they're looking this way, through gla.s.ses; perhaps, expecting us soon. Well; we'll be with them, please G.o.d, before many hours; or it may be minutes. Then, you'll see how much superior bright amber is to dull black--anywhere in the world, but especially in the light of a Californian sun.”
”Nowhere, under either sun or moon. Give me the girl with the crow-black hair!”
”For me, her whose locks are red gold!”
”Well; _cada uno a su gusto_, as my sweetheart has taught me to say in her soft Andalusian. But now, Ned, talking seriously, do you think the governor will give us leave to go ash.o.r.e?”
”He must; I know he will.”
”How do you know it?”
”Bah! _ma bohil_; as our Irish second would say. You're the son of a poor Welsh squire--good blood, I admit. But I chance to be heir to twice ten thousand a year, with an uncle in the Admiralty. I have asked leave for both of us. So, don't be uneasy about our getting it.
Captain Bracebridge is no sn.o.b; but he knows his own interests, and won't refuse such fair request. See! There he is--coming this way.
Now for his answer--affirmative, you may rely upon it.”
”Gentlemen,” says the captain, approaching, ”you have my permission to go ash.o.r.e for the day. The gig will take you, landing wherever you wish. You are to send the boat back, and give the c.o.xswain orders where, and when, he's to await you on return to the s.h.i.+p. Take my advice, and abstain from drink--which might get you into difficulties.
As you know, just now San Francisco is full of all sorts of queer characters--a very Pandemonium of a place. For the sake of the service, and the honour of the uniform you wear, steer clear of sc.r.a.pes--and above all, give a wide berth to _women_.”
After thus delivering himself, the captain turns on his heel, and retires--leaving mate and mids.h.i.+pman to their meditations.
They do not meditate long; the desired leave has been granted, and the order issued for the gig to be got ready. The boat is in the water, her crew swarming over the side, and seating themselves upon the thwarts.
The young officers only stay to give a finis.h.i.+ng touch to their toilet, preparatory to appearing before eyes whose critical glances both more fear than they would the fire of a s.h.i.+p's broadside.
Everything arranged, they drop down the man-ropes and seat themselves in the stern-sheets; Crozier commanding the men to shove off.