contrary winds, and by the roguishness of the contractors; we had no chance of putting to sea, till some months afterwards, which interval became the most memorable time of my life, Cadiz being a place mostly inhabited by merchants, and the military but little respected at that time; it was difficult to get introduced into any good family. My intercourse was, therefore, limited to the officers of my regiment, and having little else to do than to walk about, the harbor became almost the constant place of my excursions. I found afterwards a more pleasant walk on the north-east side of Fort St. Sebastian; where I frequently sat musing at the light-house, surveying the wide surface of the ocean, and dreaming of future wealth and happiness. My reveries were seldom disturbed by the devotees, who came to sacrifice in the adjacent chapel of St. Sebastian.
"Soon after happened the famous occurrence of a ship from St. Maloes, attempting to export silver without paying the customary duties. It was resolved to seize her, and confiscate the cargo. Two armed galiots began
