CHAPTERI
IhadalwayssuspectedthegeographicalauthoritiesdidnotknowwhattheyweretalkingaboutwhentheylocatedthebattlefieldofMundainthecountyoftheBastuli—Poeni，closetothemodernMonda，sometwoleaguesnorthofMarbella。
Accordingtomyownsurmise，foundedonthetextoftheanonymousauthorofthe/BellumHispaniense/，andoncertaininformationculledfromtheexcellentlibraryownedbytheDukeofOssuna，IbelievedthesiteofthememorablestruggleinwhichCaesarplayeddoubleorquits，onceandforall，withthechampionsoftheRepublic，shouldbesoughtintheneighbourhoodofMontilla。
HappeningtobeinAndalusiaduringtheautumnof1830，Imadeasomewhatlengthyexcursion，withtheobjectofclearingupcertaindoubtswhichstilloppressedme。ApaperwhichIshallshortlypublishwill，Itrust，removeanyhesitationthatmaystillexistinthemindsofallhonestarchaeologists。ButbeforethatdissertationofminefinallysettlesthegeographicalproblemonthesolutionofwhichthewholeoflearnedEuropehangs，Idesiretorelatealittletale。ItwilldonoprejudicetotheinterestingquestionofthecorrectlocalityofMonda。
IhadhiredaguideandacoupleofhorsesatCordova，andhadstartedonmywaywithnoluggagesaveafewshirts，andCaesar’s/Commentaries/。AsIwandered，oneday，acrossthehigherlandsoftheCachenaplain，wornwithfatigue，parchedwiththirst，scorchedbyaburningsun，cursingCaesarandPompey’ssonsalike，mostheartily，myeyelighted，atsomedistancefromthepathIwasfollowing，onalittlestretchofgreenswarddottedwithreedsandrushes。Thatbetokenedtheneighbourhoodofsomespring，and，indeed，asIdrewnearerIperceivedthatwhathadlookedlikeswardwasamarsh，intowhichastream，whichseemedtoissuefromanarrowgorgebetweentwohighspursoftheSierradiCabra，rananddisappeared。
IfIrodeupthatstream，Iargued，Iwaslikelytofindcoolerwater，fewerleechesandfrogs，andmayhapalittleshadeamongtherocks。
Atthemouthofthegorge，myhorseneighed，andanotherhorse，invisibletome，neighedback。BeforeIhadadvancedahundredpaces，thegorgesuddenlywidened，andIbeheldasortofnaturalamphitheatre，thoroughlyshadedbythesteepcliffsthatlayallaroundit。Itwasimpossibletoimagineanymoredelightfulhaltingplaceforatraveller。Atthefootoftheprecipitousrocks，thestreambubbledupwardandfellintoalittlebasin，linedwithsandthatwasaswhiteassnow。Fiveorsixsplendidevergreenoaks，shelteredfromthewind，andcooledbythespring，grewbesidethepool，andshadeditwiththeirthickfoliage。Androundaboutitacloseandglossyturfofferedthewandererabetterbedthanhecouldhavefoundinanyhostelryfortenleaguesround。
Thehonourofdiscoveringthisfairspotdidnotbelongtome。Amanwasrestingtherealready——sleeping，nodoubt——beforeIreachedit。
Rousedbytheneighingofthehorses，hehadrisentohisfeetandhadmovedovertohismount，whichhadbeentakingadvantageofitsmaster’sslumberstomakeaheartyfeedonthegrassthatgrewaround。
Hewasanactiveyoungfellow，ofmiddleheight，butpowerfulinbuild，andproudandsullen—lookinginexpression。Hiscomplexion，whichmayoncehavebeenfine，hadbeentannedbythesuntillitwasdarkerthanhishair。Oneofhishandsgraspedhishorse’shalter。Intheotherheheldabrassblunderbuss。
Atthefirstblush，Iconfess，theblunderbuss，andthesavagelooksofthemanwhoboreit，somewhattookmeaback。ButIhadheardsomuchaboutrobbers，that，neverseeingany，Ihadceasedtobelieveintheirexistence。Andfurther，Ihadseensomanyhonestfarmersarmthemselvestotheteethbeforetheywentouttomarket，thatthesightoffirearmsgavemenowarrantfordoubtingthecharacterofanystranger。\"Andthen，\"quothItomyself，\"whatcouldhedowithmyshirtsandmyElzevireditionofCaesar’s/Commentaries/？\"SoI
bestowedafriendlynodonthemanwiththeblunderbuss，andinquired，withasmile，whetherIhaddisturbedhisnap。Withoutanyanswer，helookedmeoverfromheadtofoot。Then，asifthescrutinyhadsatisfiedhim，helookedascloselyatmyguide，whowasjustcomingup。Isawtheguideturnpale，andpullupwithanairofevidentalarm。\"Anunluckymeeting!\"thoughtItomyself。Butprudenceinstantlycounselledmenottoletanysymptomofanxietyescapeme。
SoIdismounted。Itoldtheguidetotakeoffthehorses’bridles，andkneelingdownbesidethespring，Ilavedmyheadandhandsandthendrankalongdraught，lyingflatonmybelly，likeGideon’ssoldiers。
Meanwhile，Iwatchedthestranger，andmyownguide。Thislastseemedtocomeforwardunwillingly。Buttheotherdidnotappeartohaveanyevildesignsuponus。Forhehadturnedhishorseloose，andtheblunderbuss，whichhehadbeenholdinghorizontally，wasnowdroppedearthward。
Notthinkingitnecessarytotakeoffenceatthescantattentionpaidme，Istretchedmyselffulllengthuponthegrass，andcalmlyaskedtheowneroftheblunderbusswhetherhehadalightabouthim。AtthesametimeIpulledoutmycigar—case。Thestranger，stillwithoutopeninghislips，tookouthisflint，andlostnotimeingettingmealight。Hewasevidentlygrowingtamer，forhesatdownoppositetome，thoughhestillgraspedhisweapon。WhenIhadlightedmycigar，I
choseoutthebestIhadleft，andaskedhimwhetherhesmoked。
\"Yes，senor，\"hereplied。ThesewerethefirstwordsIhadheardhimspeak，andInoticedthathedidnotpronouncetheletter/s/*intheAndalusianfashion，whenceIconcludedhewasatraveller，likemyself，though，maybe，somewhatlessofanarchaeologist。
*TheAndalusiansaspiratethe/s/，andpronounceitlikethesoft/c/andthe/z/，whichSpaniardspronounceliketheEnglish/th/。
AnAndalusianmayalwaysberecognisedbythewayinwhichhesays/senor/。
\"You’llfindthisafairlygoodone，\"saidI，holdingoutarealHavanaregalia。
Hebowedhisheadslightly，lightedhiscigaratmine，thankedmewithanothernod，andbegantosmokewithamostlivelyappearanceofenjoyment。
\"Ah!\"heexclaimed，asheblewhisfirstpuffofsmokeslowlyoutofhisearsandnostrils。\"WhatatimeitissinceI’vehadasmoke!\"
InSpainthegivingandacceptingofacigarestablishesbondsofhospitalitysimilartothosefoundedinEasterncountriesonthepartakingofbreadandsalt。MyfriendturnedoutmoretalkativethanIhadhoped。However，thoughheclaimedtobelongtothe/partido/ofMontilla，heseemedveryill—informedaboutthecountry。Hedidnotknowthenameofthedelightfulvalleyinwhichweweresitting，hecouldnottellmethenamesofanyoftheneighbouringvillages，andwhenIinquiredwhetherhehadnotnoticedanybroken—downwalls，broad—rimmedtiles，orcarvedstonesinthevicinity，heconfessedhehadneverpaidanyheedtosuchmatters。Ontheotherhand，heshowedhimselfanexpertinhorseflesh，foundfaultwithmymount——notadifficultaffair——andgavemeapedigreeofhisown，whichhadcomefromthefamousstudatCordova。Itwasasplendidcreature，indeed，sotough，accordingtoitsowner’sclaim，thatithadoncecoveredthirtyleaguesinoneday，eitheratthegalloporatfulltrotthewholetime。Inthemidstofhisstorythestrangerpulledupshort，asifstartledandsorryhehadsaidsomuch。\"ThefactisIwasinagreathurrytogettoCordova，\"hewenton，somewhatembarrassed。\"I
hadtopetitionthejudgesaboutalawsuit。\"Ashespoke，helookedatmyguideAntonio，whohaddroppedhiseyes。
ThespringandthecoolshadeweresodelightfulthatIbethoughtmeofcertainslicesofanexcellentham，whichmyfriendsatMontillahadpackedintomyguide’swallet。Ibadehimproducethem，andinvitedthestrangertoshareourimpromptulunch。Ifhehadnotsmokedforalongtime，hecertainlystruckmeashavingfastedforeight—and—fortyhoursattheveryleast。Heatelikeastarvingwolf，andIthoughttomyselfthatmyappearancemustreallyhavebeenquiteprovidentialforthepoorfellow。Meanwhilemyguideatebutlittle，drankstillless，andspokeneveraword，althoughintheearlierpartofourjourneyhehadprovedhimselfamostunrivalledchatterer。Heseemedillateaseinthepresenceofourguest，andasortofmutualdistrust，thecauseofwhichIcouldnotexactlyfathom，seemedtobebetweenthem。
Thelastcrumbsofbreadandscrapsofhamhaddisappeared。Wehadeachsmokedoursecondcigar；Itoldtheguidetobridlethehorses，andwasjustabouttotakeleaveofmynewfriend，whenheinquiredwhereIwasgoingtospendthenight。
BeforeIhadtimetonoticeasignmyguidewasmakingtomeIhadrepliedthatIwasgoingtotheVentadelCuervo。
\"That’sabadlodgingforagentlemanlikeyou，sir!I’mboundtheremyself，andifyou’llallowmetoridewithyou，we’llgotogether。\"
\"Withpleasure!\"Ireplied，mountingmyhorse。Theguide，whowasholdingmystirrup，lookedatmemeaninglyagain。Iansweredbyshruggingmyshoulders，asthoughtoassurehimIwasperfectlyeasyinmymind，andwestartedonourway。
Antonio’smysterioussignals，hisevidentanxiety，afewwordsdroppedbythestranger，aboveall，hisrideofthirtyleagues，andthefarfromplausibleexplanationhehadgivenusofit，hadalreadyenabledmetoformanopinionastotheidentityofmyfellow—traveller。IhadnodoubtatallIwasinthecompanyofasmuggler，andpossiblyofabrigand。WhatcaredI？IknewenoughoftheSpanishcharactertobeverycertainIhadnothingtofearfromamanwhohadeatenandsmokedwithme。Hisverypresencewouldprotectmeincaseofanyundesirablemeeting。Andbesides，Iwasverygladtoknowwhatabrigandwasreallylike。Onedoesn’tcomeacrosssuchgentryeveryday。Andthereisacertaincharmaboutfindingone’sselfincloseproximitytoadangerousbeing，especiallywhenonefeelsthebeinginquestiontobegentleandtame。
Iwashopingthestrangermightgraduallyfallintoaconfidentialmood，andinspiteofmyguide’swinks，Iturnedtheconversationtothesubjectofhighwaymen。IneedscarcelysaythatIspokeofthemwithgreatrespect。AtthattimetherewasafamousbrigandinAndalusia，ofthenameofJose—Maria，whoseexploitswereoneverylip。\"SupposingIshouldberidingalongwithJose—Maria!\"saidItomyself。ItoldallthestoriesIknewaboutthehero——theywerealltohiscredit，indeed，andloudlyexpressedmyadmirationofhisgenerosityandhisvalour。
\"Jose—Mariaisnothingbutablackguard，\"saidthestrangergravely。
\"Ishejusttohimself，oristhisanexcessofmodesty？\"Iqueried，mentally，forbydintofscrutinizingmycompanion，IhadendedbyreconcilinghisappearancewiththedescriptionofJose—MariawhichI
readposteduponthegatesofvariousAndalusiantowns。\"Yes，thismustbehe——fairhair，blueeyes，largemouth，goodteeth，smallhands，fineshirt，avelvetjacketwithsilverbuttonsonit，whiteleathergaiters，andabayhorse。Notadoubtaboutit。Buthis/incognito/shallberespected!\"Wereachedthe/venta/。Itwasjustwhathehaddescribedtome。Inotherwords，themostwretchedholeofitskindIhadasyetbeheld。Onelargeapartmentservedaskitchen，dining—room，andsleepingchamber。Afirewasburningonaflatstoneinthemiddleoftheroom，andthesmokeescapedthroughaholeintheroof，orratherhunginacloudsomefeetabovethesoil。Alongthewallsfiveorsixmulerugswerespreadonthefloor。Thesewerethetravellers’beds。Twentypacesfromthehouse，orratherfromthesolitaryapartmentwhichIhavejustdescribed，stoodasortofshed，thatservedforastable。
Theonlyinhabitantsofthisdelightfuldwellingvisibleatthemoment，atallevents，wereanoldwoman，andalittlegirloftenortwelveyearsold，bothofthemasblackassoot，anddressedinloathsomerags。\"Here’sthesoleremnantoftheancientpopulationsofMundaBoetica，\"saidItomyself。\"OCaesar!OSextusPompeius，ifyouweretorevisitthisearthhowastoundedyouwouldbe!\"
Whentheoldwomansawmytravellingcompanionanexclamationofsurpriseescapedher。\"Ah!SenorDonJose!\"shecried。
DonJosefrownedandliftedhishandwithagestureofauthoritythatforthwithsilencedtheolddame。
Iturnedtomyguideandgavehimtounderstand，byasignthatnooneelseperceived，thatIknewallaboutthemaninwhosecompanyIwasabouttospendthenight。OursupperwasbetterthanIexpected。Onalittletable，onlyafoothigh，wewereservedwithanoldrooster，fricasseedwithriceandnumerouspeppers，thenmorepeppersinoil，andfinallya/gaspacho/——asortofsaladmadeofpeppers。ThesethreehighlyspiceddishesinvolvedourfrequentrecoursetoagoatskinfilledwithMontellawine，whichstruckusasbeingdelicious。
Afterourmealwasover，Icaughtsightofamandolinhangingupagainstthewall——inSpainyouseemandolinsineverycorner——andI
askedthelittlegirl，whohadbeenwaitingonus，ifsheknewhowtoplayit。
\"No，\"shereplied。\"ButDonJosedoesplaywell!\"
\"Domethekindnesstosingmesomething，\"Isaidtohim，\"I’mpassionatelyfondofyournationalmusic。\"
\"Ican’trefusetodoanythingforsuchacharminggentleman，whogivesmesuchexcellentcigars，\"respondedDonJosegaily，andhavingmadethechildgivehimthemandolin，hesangtohisownaccompaniment。Hisvoice，thoughrough，waspleasing，theairhesangwasstrangeandsad。Astothewords，Icouldnotunderstandasingleoneofthem。
\"IfIamnotmistaken，\"saidI，\"that’snotaSpanishairyouhavejustbeensinging。It’slikethe/zorzicos/I’veheardintheProvinces，*andthewordsmustbeintheBasquelanguage。\"
*The/privilegedProvinces/，Alava，Biscay，Guipuzcoa，andapartofNavarre，whichallenjoyspecial/fueros/。TheBasquelanguageisspokeninthesecountries。
\"Yes，\"saidDonJose，withagloomylook。Helaidthemandolindownontheground，andbeganstaringwithapeculiarlysadexpressionatthedyingfire。Hisface，atoncefierceandnoble—looking，remindedme，asthefirelightfellonit，ofMilton’sSatan。Likehim，perchance，mycomradewasmusingoverthehomehehadforfeited，theexilehehadearned，bysomemisdeed。Itriedtorevivetheconversation，butsoabsorbedwasheinmelancholythought，thathegavemenoanswer。
Theoldwomanhadalreadygonetorestinacorneroftheroom，behindaraggedrughungonarope。Thelittlegirlhadfollowedherintothisretreat，sacredtothefairsex。Thenmyguiderose，andsuggestedthatIshouldgowithhimtothestable。ButatthewordDonJose，waking，asitwere，withastart，inquiredsharplywhitherhewasgoing。
\"Tothestable，\"answeredtheguide。
\"Whatfor？Thehorseshavebeenfed!Youcansleephere。Thesenorwillgiveyouleave。\"
\"I’mafraidthesenor’shorseissick。I’dlikethesenortoseeit。
Perhapshe’dknowwhatshouldbedoneforit。\"
ItwasquitecleartomethatAntoniowantedtospeaktomeapart。
ButIdidnotcaretorouseDonJose’ssuspicions，andbeingaswewere，Ithoughtfarthewisestcourseformewastoappearabsolutelyconfident。
IthereforetoldAntoniothatIknewnothingonearthabouthorses，andthatIwasdesperatelysleepy。DonJosefollowedhimtothestable，andsoonreturnedalone。Hetoldmetherewasnothingthematterwiththehorse，butthatmyguideconsideredtheanimalsuchatreasurethathewasscrubbingitwithhisjackettomakeitsweat，andexpectedtospendthenightinthatpleasingoccupation。MeanwhileIhadstretchedmyselfoutonthemulerugs，havingcarefullywrappedmyselfupinmyowncloak，soastoavoidtouchingthem。DonJose，havingbeggedmetoexcusethelibertyhetookinplacinghimselfsonearme，laydownacrossthedoor，butnotuntilhehadprimedhisblunderbussafreshandcarefullylaiditunderthewallet，whichservedhimasapillow。
IhadthoughtIwassotiredthatIshouldbeabletosleepeveninsuchalodging。Butwithinanhouramostunpleasantitchingsensationrousedmefrommyfirstnap。AssoonasIrealizeditsnature，Irosetomyfeet，feelingconvincedIshoulddofarbettertospendtherestofthenightintheopenairthanbeneaththatinhospitableroof。
WalkingtiptoeIreachedthedoor，steppedoverDonJose，whowassleepingthesleepofthejust，andmanagedsowellthatIgotoutsidethebuildingwithoutwakinghim。Justbesidethedoortherewasawidewoodenbench。Ilaydownuponit，andsettledmyself，asbestIcould，fortheremainderofthenight。IwasjustclosingmyeyesforasecondtimewhenIfanciedIsawtheshadowofamanandthentheshadowofahorsemovingabsolutelynoiselessly，onebehindtheother。
Isatupright，andthenIthoughtIrecognisedAntonio。Surprisedtoseehimoutsidethestableatsuchanhour，Igotupandwenttowardhim。Hehadseenmefirst，andhadstoppedtowaitforme。
\"Whereishe？\"Antonioinquiredinalowtone。
\"Inthe/venta/。He’sasleep。Thebugsdon’ttroublehim。Butwhatareyougoingtodowiththathorse？\"Ithennoticedthat，tostifleallnoiseashemovedoutoftheshed，Antoniohadcarefullymuffledthehorse’sfeetintheragsofanoldblanket。
\"Speaklower，forGod’ssake，\"saidAntonio。\"Youdon’tknowwhothatmanis。He’sJoseNavarro，themostnotedbanditinAndalusia。I’vebeenmakingsignstoyoualldaylong，andyouwouldn’tunderstand。\"
\"WhatdoIcarewhetherhe’sabrigandornot，\"Ireplied。\"Hehasn’trobbedus，andI’llwagerhedoesn’twantto。\"
\"Thatmaybe。Buttherearetwohundredducatsonhishead。SomelancersarestationedinaplaceIknow，aleagueandahalffromhere，andbeforedaybreakI’llbringafewbrawnyfellowsbackwithme。I’dhavetakenhishorseaway，butthebrute’ssosavagethatnobodybutNavarrocangonearit。\"
\"Deviltakeyou!\"Icried。\"Whatharmhasthepoorfellowdoneyouthatyoushouldwanttoinformagainsthim？Andbesides，areyoucertainheisthebrigandyoutakehimfor？\"
\"Perfectlycertain!Hecameaftermeintothestablejustnow，andsaid，’Youseemtoknowme。IfyoutellthatgoodgentlemanwhoIam，I’llblowyourbrainsout!’Youstayhere，sir，keepclosetohim。
You’venothingtofear。Aslongasheknowsyouarethere，hewon’tsuspectanything。\"
Aswetalked，wehadmovedsofarfromthe/venta/thatthenoiseofthehorse’shoofscouldnotbeheardthere。InatwinklingAntoniosnatchedofftheragshehadwrappedaroundthecreature’sfeet，andwasjustabouttoclimbonitsback。InvaindidIattemptwithprayersandthreatstorestrainhim。
\"I’monlyapoorman，senor，\"quothhe，\"Ican’taffordtolosetwohundredducats——especiallywhenIshallearnthembyriddingthecountryofsuchvermin。Butmindwhatyou’reabout!IfNavarrowakesup，he’llsnatchathisblunderbuss，andthenlookoutforyourself!
I’vegonetoofarnowtoturnback。Dothebestyoucanforyourself!\"
Thevillainwasinhissaddlealready，hespurredhishorsesmartly，andIsoonlostsightofthembothinthedarkness。
Iwasveryangrywithmyguide，andterriblyalarmedaswell。Afteramoment’sreflection，Imadeupmymind，andwentbacktothe/venta/。
DonJosewasstillsoundasleep，makingup，nodoubt，forthefatigueandsleeplessnessofseveraldaysofadventure。IhadtoshakehimroughlybeforeIcouldwakehimup。NevershallIforgethisfiercelook，andthespringhemadetogetholdofhisblunderbuss，which，asaprecautionarymeasure，Ihadremovedtosomedistancefromhiscouch。
\"Senor，\"Isaid，\"Ibegyourpardonfordisturbingyou。ButIhaveasillyquestiontoaskyou。Wouldyoubegladtoseehalfadozenlancerswalkinhere？\"
Heboundedtohisfeet，andinanawfulvoicehedemanded：
\"Whotoldyou？\"
\"It’slittlematterwhencethewarningcomes，solongasitbegood。\"
\"Yourguidehasbetrayedme——butheshallpayforit!Whereishe？\"
\"Idon’tknow。Inthestable，Ifancy。Butsomebodytoldme——\"
\"Whotoldyou？Itcan’tbetheoldhag——\"
\"SomeoneIdon’tknow。Withoutmoreparleying，tellme，yesorno，haveyouanyreasonfornotwaitingtillthesoldierscome？Ifyouhaveany，losenotime!Ifnot，good—nighttoyou，andforgivemeforhavingdisturbedyourslumbers!\"
\"Ah，yourguide!Yourguide!Ihadmydoubtsofhimatfirst——but——
I’llsettlewithhim!Farewell，senor。MayGodrewardyoufortheserviceIoweyou!Iamnotquitesowickedasyouthinkme。Yes，I
stillhavesomethinginmethatanhonestmanmaypity。Farewell，senor!Ihaveonlyoneregret——thatIcannotpaymydebttoyou!\"
\"AsarewardfortheserviceIhavedoneyou，DonJose，promisemeyou’llsuspectnobody——norseekforvengeance。Herearesomecigarsforyourjourney。Goodlucktoyou。\"AndIheldoutmyhandtohim。
Hesqueezedit，withoutaword，tookuphiswalletandblunderbuss，andaftersayingafewwordstotheoldwomaninalingothatIcouldnotunderstand，heranouttotheshed。Afewminuteslater，Iheardhimgallopingoutintothecountry。
Asforme，Ilaydownagainonmybench，butIdidnotgotosleepagain。IqueriedinmyownmindwhetherIhaddonerighttosavearobber，andpossiblyamurderer，fromthegallows，simplyandsolelybecauseIhadeatenhamandriceinhiscompany。HadInotbetrayedmyguide，whowassupportingthecauseoflawandorder？HadInotexposedhimtoaruffian’svengeance？Butthen，whataboutthelawsofhospitality？
\"Ameresavageprejudice，\"saidItomyself。\"Ishallhavetoanswerforallthecrimesthisbrigandmaycommitinfuture。\"Yetisthatinstinctoftheconsciencewhichresistseveryargumentreallyaprejudice？ItmaybeIcouldnothaveescapedfromthedelicatepositioninwhichIfoundmyselfwithoutremorseofsomekind。Iwasstilltossedtoandfro，inthegreatestuncertaintyastothemoralityofmybehaviour，whenIsawhalfadozenhorsemenrideup，withAntonioprudentlylaggingbehindthem。Iwenttomeetthem，andtoldthemthebrigandhadfledovertwohourspreviously。Theoldwoman，whenshewasquestionedbythesergeant，admittedthatsheknewNavarro，butsaidthatlivingalone，asshedid，shewouldneverhavedaredtoriskherlifebyinformingagainsthim。Sheaddedthatwhenhecametoherhouse，hehabituallywentawayinthemiddleofthenight。I，formypart，wasmadetoridetoaplacesomeleaguesaway，whereIshowedmypassport，andsignedadeclarationbeforethe/Alcalde/。Thisdone，Iwasallowedtorecommencemyarchaeologicalinvestigations。Antoniowassulkywithme；suspectingitwasIwhohadpreventedhisearningthosetwohundredducats。Nevertheless，wepartedgoodfriendsatCordova，whereIgavehimaslargeagratuityasthestateofmyfinanceswouldpermit。
CHAPTERII
IspentseveraldaysatCordova。IhadbeentoldofacertainmanuscriptinthelibraryoftheDominicanconventwhichwaslikelytofurnishmewithveryinterestingdetailsabouttheancientMunda。Thegoodfathersgavemethemostkindlywelcome。Ispentthedaylighthourswithintheirconvent，andatnightIwalkedaboutthetown。AtCordovaagreatmanyidlerscollect，towardsunset，inthequaythatrunsalongtherightbankoftheGuadalquivir。Promenadersonthespothavetobreathetheodourofatanyardwhichstillkeepsuptheancientfameofthecountryinconnectionwiththecuringofleather。
Buttoatoneforthis，theyenjoyasightwhichhasacharmofitsown。AfewminutesbeforetheAngelusbellrings，agreatcompanyofwomengathersbesidetheriver，justbelowthequay，whichisratherahighone。Notamanwoulddaretojoinitsranks。ThemomenttheAngelusrings，darknessissupposedtohavefallen。Asthelaststrokesounds，allthewomendisrobeandstepintothewater。Thenthereislaughingandscreamingandawonderfulclatter。Themenontheupperquaywatchthebathers，strainingtheireyes，andseeingverylittle。
Yetthewhiteuncertainoutlinesperceptibleagainstthedark—bluewatersofthestreamstirthepoeticmind，andthepossessorofalittlefancyfindsitnotdifficulttoimaginethatDianaandhernymphsarebathingbelow，whilehehimselfrunsnoriskofendinglikeActeon。
Ihavebeentoldthatonedayapartyofgood—for—nothingfellowsbandedthemselvestogether，andbribedthebell—ringeratthecathedraltoringtheAngelussometwentyminutesbeforetheproperhour。Thoughitwasstillbroaddaylight，thenymphsoftheGuadalquivirneverhesitated，andputtingfarmoretrustintheAngelusbellthaninthesun，theyproceededtotheirbathingtoilette——alwaysofthesimplest——withaneasyconscience。Iwasnotpresentonthatoccasion。Inmyday，thebell—ringerwasincorruptible，thetwilightwasverydim，andnobodybutacatcouldhavedistinguishedthedifferencebetweentheoldestorangewoman，andtheprettiestshop—girl，inCordova。
Oneevening，afterithadgrownquitedusk，Iwasleaningovertheparapetofthequay，smoking，whenawomancameupthestepsleadingfromtheriver，andsatdownnearme。Inherhairsheworeagreatbunchofjasmine——aflowerwhich，atnight，exhalesamostintoxicatingperfume。Shewasdressedsimply，almostpoorly，inblack，asmostwork—girlsaredressedintheevening。Womenofthericherclassonlywearblackinthedaytime，atnighttheydress/alafrancesa/。Whenshedrewnearme，thewomanletthemantillawhichhadcoveredherheaddroponhershoulders，and\"bythedimlightfallingfromthestars\"Iperceivedhertobeyoung，shortinstature，well—
proportioned，andwithverylargeeyes。Ithrewmycigarawayatonce。
Sheappreciatedthismarkofcourtesy，essentiallyFrench，andhastenedtoinformmethatshewasveryfondofthesmelloftobacco，andthatsheevensmokedherself，whenshecouldgetverymild/papelitos/。Ifortunatelyhappenedtohavesomesuchinmycase，andatonceofferedthemtoher。Shecondescendedtotakeone，andlighteditataburningstringwhichachildbroughtus，receivingacopperforitspains。Wemingledoursmoke，andtalkedsolong，thefairladyandI，thatweendedbybeingalmostaloneonthequay。IthoughtI
mightventure，withoutimpropriety，tosuggestourgoingtoeataniceatthe/neveria/。*Afteramomentofmodestdemur，sheagreed。Butbeforefinallyaccepting，shedesiredtoknowwhato’clockitwas。I
struckmyrepeater，andthisseemedtoastoundhergreatly。
*A/café/towhichadepotofice，orratherofsnow，isattached。
ThereishardlyavillageinSpainwithoutits/neveria/。
\"Whatcleverinventionsyouforeignersdohave!Whatcountrydoyoubelongto，sir？You’reanEnglishman，nodoubt!\"*
*EverytravellerinSpainwhodoesnotcarryaboutsamplesofcalicoesandsilksistakenforanEnglishman（/inglesito/）。ItisthesamethingintheEast。
\"I’maFrenchman，andyourdevotedservant。Andyou，senora，orsenorita，youprobablybelongtoCordova？\"
\"No。\"
\"Atallevents，youareanAndalusian？Yoursoftwayofspeakingmakesmethinkso。\"
\"Ifyounoticepeople’saccentsoclosely，youmustbeabletoguesswhatIam。\"
\"IthinkyouarefromthecountryofJesus，twopacesoutofParadise。\"
Ihadlearnedthemetaphor，whichstandsforAndalusia，frommyfriendFranciscoSevilla，awell—known/picador/。
\"Pshaw!ThepeopleheresaythereisnoplaceinParadiseforus!\"
\"ThenperhapsyouareofMoorishblood——or————\"Istopped，notventuringtoadd\"aJewess。\"
\"Ohcome!YoumustseeI’magipsy!Wouldn’tyoulikemetotellyou/labaji/？*DidyouneverheartellofCarmencita？That’swhoIam!\"
*Yourfortune。
Iwassuchamiscreantinthosedays——nowfifteenyearsago——thatthecloseproximityofasorceressdidnotmakemerecoilinhorror。\"Sobeit!\"Ithought。\"LastweekIatemysupperwithahighwayrobber。
To—dayI’llgoandeaticeswithaservantofthedevil。Atravellershouldseeeverything。\"Ihadyetanothermotiveforprosecutingheracquaintance。WhenIleftcollege——Iacknowledgeitwithshame——Ihadwastedacertainamountoftimeinstudyingoccultscience，andhadevenattempted，morethanonce，toexorcisethepowersofdarkness。
ThoughIhadbeencured，longsince，ofmypassionforsuchinvestigations，Istillfeltacertainattractionandcuriositywithregardtoallsuperstitions，andIwasdelightedtohavethisopportunityofdiscoveringhowfarthemagicarthaddevelopedamongthegipsies。
Talkingaswewent，wehadreachedthe/neveria/，andseatedourselvesatalittletable，lightedbyataperprotectedbyaglassglobe。I
thenhadtimetotakealeisurelyviewofmy/gitana/，whileseveralworthyindividuals，whowereeatingtheirices，staredopen—mouthedatbeholdingmeinsuchgaycompany。
IverymuchdoubtwhetherSenoritaCarmenwasapure—bloodedgipsy。Atallevents，shewasinfinitelyprettierthananyotherwomanofherraceIhaveeverseen。Forawomentobebeautiful，theysayinSpain，shemustfulfilthirty/ifs/，or，ifitpleaseyoubetter，youmustbeabletodefineherappearancebytenadjectives，applicabletothreeportionsofherperson。
Forinstance，threethingsabouthermustbeblack，hereyes，hereyelashes，andhereyebrows。Threemustbedainty，herfingers，herlips，herhair，andsoforth。Fortherestofthisinventory，seeBrantome。Mygipsygirlcouldlaynoclaimtosomanyperfections。Herskin，thoughperfectlysmooth，wasalmostofacopperhue。Hereyesweresetobliquelyinherhead，buttheyweremagnificentandlarge。
Herlips，alittlefull，butbeautifullyshaped，revealedasetofteethaswhiteasnewlyskinnedalmonds。Herhair——atriflecoarse，perhaps——wasblack，withbluelightsonitlikearaven’swing，longandglossy。Nottowearymyreaderswithtooprolixadescription，I
willmerelyadd，thattoeveryblemishsheunitedsomeadvantage，whichwasperhapsallthemoreevidentbycontrast。Therewassomethingstrangeandwildaboutherbeauty。Herfaceastonishedyou，atfirstsight，butnobodycouldforgetit。Hereyes，especially，hadanexpressionofmingledsensualityandfiercenesswhichIhadneverseeninanyotherhumanglance。\"Gipsy’seye，wolf’seye!\"isaSpanishsayingwhichdenotescloseobservation。Ifmyreadershavenotimetogotothe\"JardindesPlantes\"tostudythewolf’sexpression，theywilldowelltowatchtheordinarycatwhenitislyinginwaitforasparrow。
ItwillbeunderstoodthatIshouldhavelookedridiculousifIhadproposedtohavemyfortunetoldina/café/。Ithereforebeggedtheprettywitch’sleavetogohomewithher。Shemadenodifficultiesaboutconsenting，butshewantedtoknowwhato’clockitwasagain，andrequestedmetomakemyrepeaterstrikeoncemore。
\"Isitreallygold？\"shesaid，gazingatitwithraptattention。
Whenwestartedoffagain，itwasquitedark。Mostoftheshopswereshut，andthestreetswerealmostempty。WecrossedthebridgeovertheGuadalquivir，andatthefarendofthesuburbwestoppedinfrontofahouseofanythingbutpalatialappearance。Thedoorwasopenedbyachild，towhomthegipsyspokeafewwordsinalanguageunknowntome，whichIafterwardunderstoodtobe/Romany/，or/chipecalli/——thegipsyidiom。Thechildinstantlydisappeared，leavingusinsolepossessionofatolerablyspaciousroom，furnishedwithasmalltable，twostools，andachest。Imustnotforgettomentionajarofwater，apileoforanges，andabunchofonions。
Assoonaswewereleftalone，thegipsyproduced，outofherchest，apackofcards，bearingsignsofconstantusage，amagnet，adriedchameleon，andafewotherindispensableadjunctsofherart。Thenshebademecrossmylefthandwithasilvercoin，andthemagicceremoniesdulybegan。Itisunnecessarytochronicleherpredictions，andasforthestyleofherperformance，itprovedhertobenomeansorceress。
Unluckilyweweresoondisturbed。Thedoorwassuddenlyburstopen，andaman，shroudedtotheeyesinabrowncloak，enteredtheroom，apostrophizingthegipsyinanythingbutgentleterms。WhathesaidI
couldnotcatch，butthetoneofhisvoicerevealedthefactthathewasinaveryeviltemper。Thegipsybetrayedneithersurprisenorangerathisadvent，butsherantomeethim，andwithamoststrikingvolubility，shepouredoutseveralsentencesinthemysteriouslanguageshehadalreadyusedinmypresence。Theword/payllo/，frequentlyreiterated，wastheonlyoneIunderstood。Iknewthatthegipsiesuseittodescribeallmennotoftheirownrace。Concludingmyselftobethesubjectofthisdiscourse，Iwaspreparedforasomewhatdelicateexplanation。Ihadalreadylaidmyhandonthelegofoneofthestools，andwasstudyingwithinmyselftodiscovertheexactmomentatwhichIhadbetterthrowitathishead，when，roughlypushingthegipsytooneside，themanadvancedtowardme。Thenwithastepbackwardhecried：
\"What，sir!Isityou？\"
IlookedathiminmyturnandrecognisedmyfriendDonJose。AtthatmomentIdidfeelrathersorryIhadsavedhimfromthegallows。
\"What，isityou，mygoodfellow？\"Iexclaimed，withaseasyasmileasIcouldmuster。\"Youhaveinterruptedthisyoungladyjustwhenshewasforetellingmemostinterestingthings!\"
\"Thesameasever。Thereshallbeanendtoit!\"hehissedbetweenhisteeth，withasavageglanceather。
Meanwhilethe/gitana/wasstilltalkingtohiminherowntongue。Shebecamemoreandmoreexcited。Hereyesgrewfierceandbloodshot，herfeaturescontracted，shestampedherfoot。Sheseemedtometobeearnestlypressinghimtodosomethinghewasunwillingtodo。WhatthiswasIfanciedIunderstoodonlytoowell，bythefashioninwhichshekeptdrawingherlittlehandbackwardandforwardunderherchin。
Iwasinclinedtothinkshewantedtohavesomebody’sthroatcut，andIhadafairsuspicionthethroatinquestionwasmyown。ToallhertorrentofeloquenceDonJose’sonlyreplywastwoorthreeshortlyspokenwords。Atthisthegipsycastaglanceofthemostutterscornathim，then，seatingherselfTurkish—fashioninacorneroftheroom，shepickedoutanorange，toreofftheskin，andbegantoeatit。
DonJosetookholdofmyarm，openedthedoor，andledmeintothestreet。Wewalkedsometwohundredpacesinthedeepestsilence。Thenhestretchedouthishand。
\"Gostraighton，\"hesaid，\"andyou’llcometothebridge。\"
Thatinstantheturnedhisbackonmeanddepartedatagreatpace。I
tookmywaybacktomyinn，rathercrestfallen，andconsiderablyoutoftemper。Theworstofallwasthat，whenIundressed，Idiscoveredmywatchwasmissing。
Variousconsiderationspreventedmefromgoingtoclaimitnextday，orrequestingthe/Corregidor/tobegoodenoughtohaveasearchmadeforit。IfinishedmyworkontheDominicanmanuscript，andwentontoSeville。AfterseveralmonthsspentwanderinghitherandthitherinAndalusia，IwantedtogetbacktoMadrid，andwiththatobjectIhadtopassthroughCordova。Ihadnointentionofmakinganystaythere，forIhadtakenadisliketothatfaircity，andtotheladieswhobathedintheGuadalquivir。Nevertheless，Ihadsomevisitstopay，andcertainerrandstodo，whichmustdetainmeseveraldaysintheoldcapitaloftheMussulmanprinces。
ThemomentImademyappearanceintheDominicanconvent，oneofthemonks，whohadalwaysshownthemostlivelyinterestinmyinquiriesastothesiteofthebattlefieldofMunda，welcomedmewithopenarms，exclaiming：
\"PraisedbeGod!Youarewelcome!Mydearfriend。Weallthoughtyouweredead，andImyselfhavesaidmanya/pater/andave/（notthatI
regretthem!）foryoursoul。Thenyouweren’tmurdered，afterall？
Thatyouwererobbed，weknow!\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"Iasked，ratherastonished。
\"Oh，youknow!Thatsplendidrepeateryouusedtostrikeinthelibrarywheneverwesaiditwastimeforustogointochurch。Well，ithasbeenfound，andyou’llgetitback。\"
\"Why，\"Ibrokein，ratherputoutofcountenance，\"Ilostit——\"
\"Therascal’sunderlockandkey，andashewasknowntobeamanwhowouldshootanyChristianforthesakeofa/peseta/，weweremostdreadfullyafraidhehadkilledyou。I’llgowithyoutothe/Corregidor/，andhe’llgiveyoubackyourfinewatch。Andafterthat，youwon’tdaretosaythelawdoesn’tdoitsworkproperlyinSpain。\"
\"Iassureyou，\"saidI，\"I’dfarratherlosemywatchthanhavetogiveevidenceincourttohangapoorunluckydevil，andespeciallybecause——because————\"
\"Oh，youneedn’tbealarmed!He’sthoroughlydonefor；theymighthanghimtwiceover。ButwhenIsayhang，Isaywrong。Yourthiefisan/Hidalgo/。Sohe’stobegarrottedthedayafterto—morrow，withoutfail。*Soyouseeonetheftmoreorlesswon’taffecthisposition。
WouldtoGodhehaddonenothingbutsteal!Buthehascommittedseveralmurders，onemorehideousthantheother。\"
*In1830，thenobleclassstillenjoyedthisprivilege。Nowadays，undertheconstitutional/regime/，commonershaveattainedthesamedignity。
\"What’shisname？\"
\"InthiscountryheisonlyknownasJoseNavarro，buthehasanotherBasquename，whichneitheryournorIwilleverbeabletopronounce。
Bytheway，themanisworthseeing，andyou，wholiketostudythepeculiarfeaturesofeachcountry，shouldn’tlosethischanceofnotinghowarascalbidsfarewelltothisworldinSpain。Heisinjail，andFatherMartinezwilltakeyoutohim。\"
SobentwasmyDominicanfriendonmyseeingthepreparationsforthis\"neatlittlehangingjob\"thatIwasfaintoagree。Iwenttoseetheprisoner，havingprovidedmyselfwithabundleofcigars，whichI
hopedmightinducehimtoforgivemyintrusion。
IwasusheredintoDonJose’spresencejustashewassittingattable。Hegreetedmewitharatherdistantnod，andthankedmecivillyforthepresentIhadbroughthim。HavingcountedthecigarsinthebundleIhadplacedinhishand，hetookoutacertainnumberandreturnedmetherest，remarkingthathewouldnotneedanymoreofthem。
Iinquiredwhetherbylayingoutalittlemoney，orbyapplyingtomyfriends，Imightnotbeabletodosomethingtosoftenhislot。Heshruggedhisshoulders，tobeginwith，smilingsadly。Soon，asbyanafter—thought，heaskedmetohaveamasssaidforthereposeofhissoul。
Thenheaddednervously：\"Wouldyou——wouldyouhaveanothersaidforapersonwhodidyouawrong？\"
\"AssuredlyIwill，mydearfellow，\"Ianswered。\"ButnooneinthiscountryhaswrongedmesofarasIknow。\"
Hetookmyhandandsqueezedit，lookingverygrave。Afteramoment’ssilence，hespokeagain。
\"MightIdaretoaskanotherserviceofyou？WhenyougobacktoyourowncountryperhapsyouwillpassthroughNavarre。Atalleventsyou’llgobyVittoria，whichisn’tveryfaroff。\"
\"Yes，\"saidI，\"IshallcertainlypassthroughVittoria。ButImayverypossiblygoroundbyPampeluna，andforyoursake，IbelieveI
shouldbeverygladtodoit。\"
\"Well，ifyoudogotoPampeluna，you’llseemorethanonethingthatwillinterestyou。It’safinetown。I’llgiveyouthismedal，\"heshowedmealittlesilvermedalthatheworehungaroundhisneck。
\"You’llwrapitupinpaper\"——hepausedamomenttomasterhisemotion——\"andyou’lltakeit，orsendit，toanoldladywhoseaddressI’llgiveyou。TellherIamdead——butdon’ttellherhowIdied。\"
Ipromisedtoperformhiscommission。Isawhimthenextday，andspentpartofitinhiscompany。FromhislipsIlearnedthesadincidentsthatfollow。
CHAPTERIII
\"Iwasborn，\"hesaid，\"atElizondo，inthevalleyofBaztan。MynameisDonJoseLizzarrabengoa，andyouknowenoughofSpain，sir，toknowatonce，bymyname，thatIcomeofanoldChristianandBasquestock。
IcallmyselfDon，becauseIhavearighttoit，andifIwereatElizondoIcouldshowyoumyparchmentgenealogy。Myfamilywantedmetogointothechurch，andmademestudyforit，butIdidnotlikework。Iwastoofondofplayingtennis，andthatwasmyruin。WhenweNavarresebegintoplaytennis，weforgeteverythingelse。Oneday，whenIhadwonthegame，ayoungfellowfromAlavapickedaquarrelwithme。Wetooktoour/maquilas/，*andIwonagain。ButIhadtoleavetheneighbourhood。Ifellinwithsomedragoons，andenlistedintheAlmanzaCavalryRegiment。Mountainfolkslikeussoonlearntobesoldiers。BeforelongIwasacorporal，andIhadbeentoldIshouldsoonbemadeasergeant，when，tomymisfortune，IwasputonguardattheSevilleTobaccoFactory。IfyouhavebeentoSevilleyouhaveseenthegreatbuilding，justoutsidetheramparts，closetotheGuadalquivir；IcanfancyIseetheentrance，andtheguardroomjustbesideit，evennow。WhenSpanishsoldiersareonduty，theyeitherplaycardsorgotosleep。I，likeanhonestNavarrese，alwaystriedtokeepmyselfbusy。Iwasmakingachaintoholdmypriming—pin，outofabitofwire：allatonce，mycomradessaid，’there’sthebellringing，thegirlsarecomingbacktowork。’Youmustknow，sir，thattherearequitefourorfivehundredwomenemployedinthefactory。
Theyrollthecigarsinagreatroomintowhichnomancangowithoutapermitfromthe/Veintiquatro/，**becausewhentheweatherishottheymakethemselvesathome，especiallytheyoungones。Whenthework—girlscomebackaftertheirdinner，numbersofyoungmengodowntoseethempassby，andtalkallsortsofnonsensetothem。Veryfewofthoseyoungladieswillrefuseasilkmantilla，andmenwhocareforthatsortofsporthavenothingtodobutbenddownandpicktheirfishup。Whiletheotherswatchedthegirlsgoby，Istayedonmybenchnearthedoor。Iwasayoungfellowthen——myheartwasstillinmyowncountry，andIdidn’tbelieveinanyprettygirlswhohadn’tblueskirtsandlongplaitsofhairfallingontheirshoulders。***Andbesides，IwasratherafraidoftheAndalusianwomen。Ihadnotgotusedtotheirwaysyet；theywerealwaysjeeringone——neverspokeasinglewordofsense。SoIwassittingwithmynosedownuponmychain，whenIheardsomebystanderssay，’Herecomesthe/gitanella/!’
ThenIliftedupmyeyes，andIsawher!ItwasthatveryCarmenyouknow，andinwhoseroomsImetyouafewmonthsago。
*Iron—shodsticksusedbytheBasques。
**Magistrateinchargeofthemunicipalpolicearrangements，andlocalgovernmentregulations。
***ThecostumeusuallywornbypeasantwomeninNavarreandtheBasqueProvinces。
\"Shewaswearingaveryshortskirt，belowwhichherwhitesilkstockings——withmorethanoneholeinthem——andherdaintyredmoroccoshoes，fastenedwithflame—colouredribbons，wereclearlyseen。Shehadthrownhermantillaback，toshowhershoulders，andagreatbunchofacaciathatwasthrustintoherchemise。Shehadanotheracaciablossominthecornerofhermouth，andshewalkedalong，swayingherhips，likeafillyfromtheCordovastudfarm。Inmycountryanybodywhohadseenawomandressedinthatfashionwouldhavecrossedhimself。AtSevilleeverymanpaidhersomeboldcomplimentonherappearance。Shehadananswerforeachandall，withherhandonherhip，asboldasthethoroughgipsyshewas。AtfirstIdidn’tlikeherlooks，andIfelltomyworkagain。Butshe，likeallwomenandcats，whowon’tcomeifyoucallthem，anddocomeifyoudon’tcallthem，stoppedshortinfrontofme，andspoketome。
\"’/Compadre/，’saidshe，intheAndalusianfashion，’won’tyougivemeyourchainforthekeysofmystrongbox？’
\"’It’sformypriming—pin，’saidI。
\"’Yourpriming—pin!’shecried，withalaugh。’Oho!Isupposethegentlemanmakeslace，ashewantspins!’
\"Everybodybegantolaugh，andIfeltmyselfgettingredintheface，andcouldn’thitonanythinginanswer。
\"’Come，mylove!’shebeganagain，’makemesevenellsoflaceformymantilla，mypetpin—maker!’
\"Andtakingtheacaciablossomoutofhermouthsheflippeditatmewithherthumbsothatithitmejustbetweentheeyes。Itellyou，sir，Ifeltasifabullethadstruckme。Ididn’tknowwhichwaytolook。Isatstock—still，likeawoodenboard。Whenshehadgoneintothefactory，Isawtheacaciablossom，whichhadfallenonthegroundbetweenmyfeet。Idon’tknowwhatmademedoit，butIpickeditup，unseenbyanyofmycomrades，andputitcarefullyinsidemyjacket。
Thatwasmyfirstfolly。
\"TwoorthreehourslaterIwasstillthinkingabouther，whenapanting，terrified—lookingporterrushedintotheguard—room。Hetoldusawomanhadbeenstabbedinthegreatcigar—room，andthattheguardmustbesentinatonce。Thesergeanttoldmetotaketwomen，andgoandseetoit。Itookmytwomenandwentupstairs。Imagine，sir，thatwhenIgotintotheroom，Ifound，tobeginwith，somethreehundredwomen，strippedtotheirshifts，orverynearit，allofthemscreamingandyellingandgesticulating，andmakingsucharowthatyoucouldn’thaveheardGod’sownthunder。Ononesideoftheroomoneofthewomenwaslyingonthebroadofherback，streamingwithblood，withanXnewlycutonherfacebytwostrokesofaknife。Oppositethewoundedwoman，whomthebest—naturedofthebandwereattending，I
sawCarmen，heldbyfiveorsixofhercomrades。Thewoundedwomanwascryingout，’Aconfessor，aconfessor!I’mkilled!’Carmensaidnothingatall。Sheclinchedherteethandrolledhereyeslikeachameleon。’What’sthis？’Iasked。Ihadhardworktofindoutwhathadhappened，forallthework—girlstalkedatonce。ItappearedthattheinjuredgirlhadboastedshehadmoneyenoughinherpockettobuyadonkeyattheTrianaMarket。’Why，’saidCarmen，whohadatongueofherown，’can’tyoudowithabroom？’Stungbythistaunt，itmaybebecauseshefeltherselfratherunsoundinthatparticular，theothergirlrepliedthatsheknewnothingaboutbrooms，seeingshehadnotthehonourofbeingeitheragipsyoroneofthedevil’sgodchildren，butthattheSenoritaCarmenwouldshortlymakeacquaintancewithherdonkey，whenthe/Corregidor/tookheroutridingwithtwolackeysbehindhertokeepthefliesoff。’Well，’retortedCarmen，’I’llmaketroughsforthefliestodrinkoutofonyourcheeks，andI’llpaintadraught—boardonthem!’*Andthereupon，slap，bank!ShebeganmakingSt。Andrew’scrossesonthegirl’sfacewithaknifeshehadbeenusingforcuttingofftheendsofthecigars。
*/Pintarunjaveque/，\"paintaxebec，\"aparticulartypeofship。
MostSpanishvesselsofthisdescriptionhaveacheckeredredandwhitestripepaintedaroundthem。