Every crevice and interstice between the
rocks was full of wild flowers, looking bright and pretty, though
somewhat insignificant after the gorgeous tropical blossoms our eyes
have been lately accustomed to. The fog had cleared off, and the view
was beautiful; ships lay in the bay below us from all parts, including
a Portuguese gunboat. We saw also one of the two old eagles sitting
near her nest in the accustomed place; this year she has only one
young one. We did not see the monkeys, on account of the Levanter, but
their number has increased to twenty-four, so that there is no
immediate fear of their becoming extinct.
[Illustration: Tangier.]
At half-past six p.m. we weighed anchor and steamed out of the
anchorage inside the New Mole. In the straits the wind was fair, so
the funnel was soon lowered, and the screw feathered, and we were
racing along under sail alone. Off Tarifa we found quite a gale
blowing, and the wind continued fresh and fair throughout the night.
_Thursday, May 17th_.--The strong fair wind dropped, and then came
dead ahead, and off Cadiz we had to get up steam. There was a strong
wind off the mountains near Cape Sagres, and while Tom was below and
the men were busy reefing the sails, we nearly ran ashore. Luckily I
noticed our danger and called Tom, who came up just in time to alter
the helm, when the yacht went round like a top, though the shore was
too close to be pleasant.
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