'
"Never so much frightened in my life, Don Ricardo; that English captain
is a most tempestuous man--but all has ended well; and after having seen
you to the crossing, I will bid you good--by."
"Poo--nonsense." "Come along--here is the English Medico, your brother
Esculapius; so, come along, you can return in the morning." "But the
sick folk in Santiago"
"Will be none the sicker for your absence, Doctor Pavo Real," responded
Don Ricardo.
The little Doctor laughed, and away we all cantered--Don Ricardo
leading, followed by his wife and nieces, on three stout mules, sitting,
not on side--saddles, but on a kind of chair, with a foot--board on the
larboard side to support the feet--then followed the two Calens, and
little Reefpoint, while the Captain and I brought up the rear. We had
not proceeded five hundred yards, when we were brought to a stand--still
by a mighty tree, which had been thrown down by the wind fairly across
the road. On the right hand there was a perpendicular rock rising up to
a height of five hundred feet; and on the left an equally precipitous
descent, without either ledge or parapet to prevent one from falling
over. What was to be done? We could not by any exertion of strength
remove the tree; and if we sent back for assistance, it would have been
a work of time. SO we dismounted, got the ladies to alight, and Aaron
Bang, Transom, and myself, like true knights--errant, undertook to ride
the mulos over the stump.
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