Military Memoirs of Capt. George Carleton by Daniel Defoe
page 90 of 250 (36%)
page 90 of 250 (36%)
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Struggling and Difficulty, reach'd into the Ring and Centre of that
mix'd Multitude. But how did I blush? with what Confusion did I appear? when I found one of my own Countrymen, a drunken Granadier, the attractive Loadstone of all that high and low Mob, and the Butt of all their Merriment? It will be easily imagin'd to be a Thing not a little surprizing to one of our Country, to find that a drunken Man should be such a wonderful Sight; However, the witty Sarcasms that were then by high and low thrown upon that senseless Creature, and as I interpreted Matters, me in him, were so pungent, that if I did not curse my Curiosity, I thought it best to withdraw my self as fast as Legs could carry me away. _BARCELONA_ being now under King _Charles_, the Towns of _Gironne, Tarragona, Tortosa_, and _Lerida_, immediately declar'd for him. To every one of which Engeneers being order'd, it was my Lot to be sent to _Tortosa_. This Town is situated on the Side of the River _Ebro_, over which there is a fair and famous Bridge of Boats. The Waters of this River are always of a dirty red Colour, somewhat fouler than our Moorish Waters; yet is it the only Water the Inhabitants drink, or covet to drink; and every House providing for its own Convenience Cisterns to preserve it in, by a few Hours standing it becomes as clear as the clearest Rock-water, but as soft as Milk. In short, for Softness, Brightness, and Pleasantness of Taste, the Natives prefer it to all the Waters in the World. And I must declare in favour of their Opinion, that none ever pleas'd me like it. This Town was of the greater Moment to our Army, as opening a Passage into the Kingdom of _Valencia_ on one Side, and the Kingdom of _Arragon_ on the other: And being of it self tolerably defensible, in human Appearance might probably repay a little Care and Charge in its Repair |
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