and he would have none of his own depreciated Danish coin; so a little bag of gold was produced, and he was paid in the presence of Judge Feddersen and the clerk of the bank, while my husband did the legal business and took the receipt. I remember exactly how this Danish soldier cramped himself up to write his name, "Holder Guindrop" — I can see that autograph now. We then left him with his gold. He was a brother-in-law of the late Captain Leidesdorf, and he drank himself to death in three months out of his bag of gold.
When we came back to New York Captain Folsom called to see us — a pale, resolute man, very embittered and disappointed. He had fought with wild beasts at Ephesus for his land, and said that he had paid old Anna Maria Sparks $200,000 too much. He died soon after, and the distinguished firm of Halleck, Peachy & Billings took care of his affairs; this was the last little leaf of romance which came to me with my wedding journey.
We left Santa Cruz and our dear, hospitable friends, our kind Mr. Hawley, and the unique days we passed there with great regret. I often see in my dreams that flower-laden porch, the lovely view from Bulasminda, and during Christmas week I always hear that monotonous droning sound; I see the negroes advancing, singing that melancholy minor strain. Unhappy Africa with her burdens comes before me. I see the barbaric spirit get the mastery of them. They wildly throw their arms in the air, hysterically seize each other by the waist, as if the tarantula had bitten them; then they advance slowly and with majesty towards the house, with courtesy and obeisance. They ask for "old Missus," and raise her hand to their lips and their brows; then a fine athletic negro asks for the baby. It is brought in its long white robe; he takes it tenderly and passes it from one to
