I was on the gangway, looking through a telescope at the houses and gardens round the city, when Mr Chucks, the boatswain, came up to me.

"Mr Simple, oblige me with that glass a moment; I wish to see if a building remains there, which I have some reason to remember." "What, were you ever on shore there ?" "Yes I was, Mr Simple, and nearly _stranded_, but I got off again without much damage." "How do you mean--were you wrecked, then ?" "Not my ship, Mr Simple, but my peace of mind was for some time; but it's many years ago, when I was first made boatswain of a corvette (during this conversation he was looking through the telescope); yes, there it is," said he; "I have it in the field.

Look, Mr Simple, do you see a small church, with a spire of glazed tiles, shining like a needle ?" "Yes, I do." "Well, then, just above it, a little to the right, there is a long white house, with four small windows--below the grove of orange-trees." "I see it," replied I; "but what about that house, Mr Chucks ?" "Why, thereby hangs a tale," replied he, giving a sigh, which raised and then lowered the frill of his shirt at least six inches.
"Why, what is the mystery, Mr Chucks ?" "I'll tell you, Mr Simple.

With one who lived in that house, I was for the first, and for the last time, in love." "Indeed! I should like very much to hear the story." "So you shall, Mr Simple, but I must beg that you will not mention it, as young gentlemen are apt to quiz; and I think that being quizzed hurts my authority with the men.

It is now about sixteen years back--we were then on good terms with the Spaniards, as we are now.