known in Europe, and its use was almost entirely confined to seamen of the
long voyage. One of its ends was suffered to blow about in the wind, but
the other was brought down with care over the chest, where it was
confined, by springing the blade of a small knife with an ivory handle, in
a manner to confine the silk to the linen: a sort of breast-pin that is
even now much used by mariners. If we add, that light, canvas slippers,
with foul-anchors worked in worsted upon their insteps, covered his feet,
we shall say all that is necessary of his attire.

The appearance of one, of the air and dress we have just described,
excited a strong sensation among the blacks who scrubbed the stoops and
pavements. He was closely attended to the place where he hailed the
periagua, by four or five loungers, who studied his manner and movements
with the admiration that men of their class seldom fail to bestow on those
who bear about them the evidence of having passed lives of adventure, and
perhaps of hardship and daring. Beckoning to one of these idlers to follow
him, the hero of the India-shawl stepped into an empty boat, and casting
loose its fast, he sculled the light yawl towards the craft which was
awaiting his arrival. There was, in truth, something in the reckless air,
the decision, and the manly attitudes of so fine a specimen of a seaman,
that might have attracted notice from those who were more practised in the
world than the little crowd of admirers he left behind him. With an easy
play of wrist and elbow, he caused the yawl to glide ahead like some
indolent marine animal swimming through its element, and as he stood, firm
as a planted statue, with a foot on each gunwale, there was much of that
confidence created by his steadiness, that one acquires by viewing the
repeated and successful efforts of a skilful rope-dancer. When the yawl
reached the side of the periagua, he dropped a small Spanish coin into the
open palm of the negro, and sprang on the side of the latter, with an
exertion of muscle that sent the little boat he quitted half-way back