shore with the ladies, by paying
more attention to the governor's daughters than he had done heretofore,
and easily succeeded in entertaining them. They repeated their mother's
invitation to the young seaman to visit their house, declaring they had
never seen any foreign gentleman that spoke such pure Spanish; that the
Americans were much more polite, and respectful, and hospitable, and
obliging, than the English; and concluded, by wondering why, if the
United States were so near Mexico, it should take six months to go from
St. Blas there. To all which Morton made the appropriate replies; and,
when the rest of the party were assembled, assisted the ladies to their
horses, renewing to Isabella, as he adjusted her in the saddle, his
promise to call at her uncle's house the next day. As this promise did
not cause the young lady to "jump out her skin" or saddle, it is highly
probable that she did not perceive any great harm in it; nor did it
occur to her then, or when consulting her pillow at night, that she
violated female propriety, by answering, simply, and somewhat
emphatically, "I hope you will."

On their ride homeward, the party were loud in their praises of the
entertainment of the day, their eulogies being directed to different
parts of the entertainment according to the different tastes of the
individuals performing the concert; for instance, the young ladies made
honorable mention of the politeness and attention of the "dos pelotos
hermosos," the two handsome mates; the old lady chanted the praises of
the china ware, and table linen, and the knives and forks--all of them
luxuries at that time in South America; the governor eulogized the
punch, and Father Josef the dinner; the young officers were in raptures
with the wine, in which they were joined by the civil and ecclesiastical
dignitaries in grand chorus. Perhaps there never was a party of visitors
that left their entertainer's house, whether riding at anchor in port,
or standing on hammered granite "underpinning" on shore, better pleased
with what they had had, or in better humor or spirits.

CHAPTER VII.

Farewell! God knows when we shall meet again.
I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins,
That almost freezes up the heat of life.

ROMEO AND JULIET.

Isabella arose at her usual hour the next morning, and after breakfast
walked into the garden, from a sort of unacknowledged hope and wi