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。