Mezzoni the Brigand — page 41: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

MEZZONI THE BRIGAND. 33 . ples. But on the morning selected for the excursion Colonel Bray had received a note from young Ham- mond, stating that he found himself compelled to re- main in the city, as his vessel was expected to sail that day, and he must be present to properly dis- patch her at the custom-house, at the same time ex- pressing his disappointment at not being able to join the party as proposed. The colonel and Marion would have been glad to relinquish the trip, under the circumstances, were it not that the other members of the party had made their arrangements to go, and it would seriously in- terfere with their plans to defer it. So they all started at the usual hour, and left young Hammond to dis- patch his ship for America, and which he had been engaged for some weeks past in freighting. It was most delightful weather, and the travelers were in fine spirits. ‘IT am very sorry to leave Mr. Hammond behind,”’ said the colonel to his daughter. ‘‘There seems al- ways to be one drawback to every excursion.’’ ‘*He is so well informed about these regions,’’ said. Marion, ‘‘that through his intelligence one sees with increased interest and understanding.”’ ‘He is the very best of company anywhere,’’ added the colonel, who had become very fond of the gal- lant preserver of his daughter. ‘‘He has promised to go with us to Baiz.’’ ‘“T'o-morrow ?”’ “Ves.” ‘“His ship will have sailed then, I suppose.” The party having reached the temples after a long — and lonely drive, had passed two or three hours in their careful examination, and were on their return without having met with any important experience, Eomicbooks (Efe)