Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: July 3, 2025
In the neighborhood of Cadiz, the town of Xeres has been illustrated by the encounter which determined the fate of the kingdom; the stream of the Guadalete, which falls into the bay, divided the two camps, and marked the advancing and retreating skirmishes of three successive and bloody days.
It was yet early in the evening, and Conyngham, having dined, set out to explore the streets of Xeres, which were quiet enough now, as the cafes were gayer and safer than the gloomy thoroughfares where a foe might lurk in every doorway.
"We know not if she hath any kin," said Richard, and at that moment Susan entered, followed by the man and maid, each bearing a portion of the meal, which was consumed by the captain and the clergyman as thoroughly hungry men eat; and there was silence till the capon's bones were bare and two large tankards had been filled with Xeres sack, captured in a Spanish ship, "the only good thing that ever came from Spain," quoth the sailor.
This he requited by giving them the opportunity of sailing for England in a vessel laden with Xeres sack; but the misery of the voyage across the Bay of Biscay in a ship lit for nothing but wine, was excessive, and creatures reared in the lovely climate and refined luxury of the land of the palm and orange, exhausted too already by the toils of the mountain journey, were incapable of enduring it, and Abenali's brave wife and one of her children were left beneath the waves of the Atlantic.
Subsequently, having received re-enforcements from Africa, Tarik vanquished Roderick himself at the battle of Xeres, where that unfortunate monarch perished during the general flight in which the conflict terminated, A.D. 714, Heg. 96.
Three years among the bodegas of Xeres had taught him, no doubt, to appreciate the exact twang of a good, dry sherry; but not, as I now conceive, the exactest flavour of the true Spanish character. I was very lucky, however, in meeting such a friend, and now reckon him as one of the stanchest allies of the house of Pomfret, Daguilar, and Pomfret.
Conyngham made his way without difficulty or incident from Xeres to Cordova, riding for the most part in front of the clumsy diligencia wherein he had bestowed his luggage. The road was wearisome enough, and the last stages, through the fertile plains bordering the Guadalquivir, dusty and monotonous. At Cordova the traveller found comfortable quarters in an old inn overlooking the river.
It was situated in the Plazuela de la Pila Seca, a retired part of the city, in the neighbourhood of the cathedral, and at a short distance from the gate of Xeres; and in this house, on the arrival of Antonio and the horses, which occurred within a few days, I took up my abode.
"Farewell, dearest!" said the heart-stricken girl; and Juanita left the chamber. Before a silver crucifix, Magdalena knelt in prayer. "Father of mercies, blessed Virgin, absolve me of the sin if sin it be to rush unbidden to the presence of my Judge! My burden is too great to bear!" She rose from her knees, took from a cupboard a goblet of Venetian glass, and a flask of Xeres wine.
"How are you, father?" "How are you, Garcia? Off again?" "Yes; I am going to Xeres for wine, for the French general." "I see that you have got a new comrade." "Yes; the journey is a long one, and I thought that it was as well to have another mate." "Yes, it is dangerous travelling," the old man said. "Well, goodbye, and good fortune to you!"
Word Of The Day
Others Looking