I soon began to suspect the meaning of the thing, and
was afterwards told that it was a compliment, and an offer to become
the lady's gallant for the rest of the evening, and to wait upon her
home. If the hat was thrown off, the offer was refused, and the
gentleman was obliged to pick up his hat amid a general laugh. Much
amusement was caused sometimes by gentlemen putting hats on the
ladies' heads, without permitting them to see whom it was done by.
This obliged them to throw them off, or keep them on at a venture, and
when they came to discover the owner, the laugh was often turned
upon them.
The captain sent for us about ten o'clock, and we went aboard in
high spirits, having enjoyed the new scene much, and were of great
importance among the crew, from having so much to tell, and from the
prospect of going every night until it was over; for these fandangos
generally last three days. The next day, two of us were sent up to the
town, and took care to come back by way of Capitan Noriego's and
take a look into the booth. The musicians were still there, upon their
platform, scraping and twanging away, and a few people, apparently
of the lower classes, were dancing.
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