The appearance of the procession as it neared the bridge was very imposing; for, as far as the eye could see, were carriages and horsemen bearing streaming banners, and decorated with ribbons and flowers; and every spot that could command a view of the scene from the land or from the water was crowded with animated spectators, shouting their good wishes for the son and praises of the father. The chief attraction in this grand spectacle, master Porphyry, was a man apparently between forty and fifty years of age, of a commanding figure and noble countenance. When he took off a sort of coronetted velvet cap that shielded his head from the sun’s rays, as he bowed his grateful acknowledgments for the plaudits of his fellow-citizens, his high forehead, eloquent eyes, and benevolent smile made his features assume an expression more nearly approaching the highest degree of beauty, intelligence, and philanthropy in a man advanced in life, than anything it is possible to conceive; and the robe of honour which encompassed his powerful limbs, denoting his office as the chief civic magistrate, gave a majesty to his deportment that increased the effect of his personal appearance.
The youth who rode by his side could not have numbered much more than twenty years, and bore a great resemblance both in the form of his limbs and in the expression of his countenance to master Porphyry; yet while from a feeling of enthusiastic reverence for his parent he rode bare-headed by his side, as he noticed the admiration his father excited among the countless myriads who thronged their way, the fire that was glowing in his eyes and the pride that was swelling at his heart gave evidence of feelings to which the elder Porphyry was a stranger. The youth sat on his steed, that pranced and curvetted with the same high spirit in his blood as was possessed by his rider, showing that elasticity of limb that marks the young and vigorous; and as the breeze swept from his forehead the luxuriant curls of rich shining hair that clustered upon his brows, while it fluttered in the folds of his handsome tunic, the young men whose dreams had been of glory fancied that they saw in his noble bearing the hero of their visions, and the young women who had begun feeding their youthful minds with loving idealities gazed in ecstasy upon his graceful figure, and recognised in him the god of their idolatry. The impression created was evidently gratifying to him; but it did not satisfy his desires. Oriel Porphyry was ambitious—he aspired to be something greater than he was: he panted for power as well as popularity. The shouts of the multitude seemed music to his ears, but it was of too calm a character—it was not that in which he could have taken most delight. He desired to act a more imposing part than that of a merchant’s son. It was a military age in which he lived, when men had been raised to empire by a daring valour and a dazzling splendour in their actions that made every heart drunk with enthusiasm. Conquest had been the key to greatness, and a victory had led to a throne. But the general peace which had lately commenced seemed to shut out from him all hopes of the distinction he coveted; the peaceful ways of traffic, in which his father had achieved an universal renown, presented to him no attraction: and as he rode along he lamented the apparent ingloriousness of his destiny.
The feelings of the merchant were of a far higher, better, kinder character; for his was a mind not to be led away by the false glitter of pride and ambition, and he entertained no sentiment that was not in harmony with the philanthropy of his actions. His heart was full of generous sympathy for his fellow-men; and till he alighted at the foot of the bridge he thought only of how he could best advance the interests of his country.
The father and son descended the stone stairs, at the bottom of which the boatmen were waiting; and after all who were going to the ship had entered the boat except the merchant’s son, master Porphyry took him affectionately by the hand, and thus addressed him:—
“Oriel Porphyry! I have desired that you should visit the most remarkable nations of the world, that you might gain from close observation of their people and government knowledge such as may the better fit you for your duties as a citizen and as a man; that when I have passed away from the fading splendours that surround me, I shall know that I leave one worthy to fill the high place I have held in the affections of my fellow-citizens. Take these papers,” continued the merchant, in a voice that appeared to tremble with emotion, as he produced a sealed packet—“they contain the directions I desire you to pursue, and some intelligence with which I wish you to become acquainted: consult them when you have been out at sea about a week. I shall find means of communicating with you as often as may be desirable; and if there is any thing you require that yonder vessel does not possess to render your voyage more comfortable, you have only to send word by the first of my ships you may meet, and you will have it supplied at the next port. All noble sentiments and benevolent wishes attend you!”
“Father!” exclaimed the youth, falling on the neck and kissing the hand of his parent, “I trust I shall never discredit the education I have received, nor the parent from whom I sprung.”
In a few minutes master Porphyry was standing on the brink of the water, surrounded by the wealthiest merchants of Columbus, following with his eyes the rapid course of the receding boat; while his son, throwing himself back in his seat, indulged in the enjoyment of a thousand conflicting emotions, from which he was not roused till he gained the side of the Albatross.
While the machinery was set in motion to draw up the anchor, a small boat was seen to dart from the numerous vessels of a similar class that were floating on the river, and rapidly come alongside the ship. A young handsome creole immediately leapt on board; and after giving orders about some packages contained in the boat, advanced to that part of the deck where Oriel Porphyry stood. The age of the new-comer did not seem more than fifteen or sixteen. He was delicately formed, with features whose expression lost something in its character among critics of manly beauty by its feminine softness. On his head he wore a rich netted silk cap, the gold tassel of which hung down towards his left shoulder; his robe was a short tunic of embroidered cloth, bound by a broad silk sash. An inner vest of rose-coloured silk, open at the breast, disclosed a camese of the purest white; the lower part of his body was wrapt in a sort of petticoat of thick linen made very full, below which appeared leggings of rich silk, and small shoes trimmed with rosettes,—the usual costume of the pages of Columbian ladies of rank. The merchant’s son was leaning against a mast, seemingly pondering over the fond remembrances of a happier time; for his features had lost that glow of excitement which a few minutes since his ambitious desires had created, and a shadow of deep yet tranquil melancholy had passed over them,—when he was roused from his reverie by the approach of the stranger.
“Master Oriel Porphyry!” said the page, taking off his cap and allowing a profusion of dark ringlets to fall upon his shoulders, and then taking from his vest a small sealed packet,—“Master Oriel Porphyry! The Lady Eureka sends you this.”
“Ha!” exclaimed the young merchant, gazing earnestly upon the features before him as if they were immediately recognised; then finding the recognition not reciprocal, he turned away with a deep expression of disappointment: yet, while breaking the seal of the envelope, and before he read the letter, he renewed his gaze two or three times, as if there was an attraction in the page’s handsome countenance he could not withstand; but the large dark eyes that met his own were bent steadily upon him with respectful attention; and, bewildered by the strange disturbance of his thoughts, he at last attempted to read the letter. It ran thus:—