Chapter II: Part 2

To accomplish her object, therefore, the first thing she did was to throw off her veil, in an easy and graceful manner, discovering a face of perfect beauty, and taking great pains to display her delicate white hands and a part of her neck. She then, with a negligent air, drew from her pocket a fine coral rosary, to which were attached several relics, gold crosses and precious stones, and without appearing to have any design in it, kept playing with this rosary all the while she was talking as though she were not aware of what she was doing, but all of a sudden she left off speaking in the middle of a sentence, looked at me with surprise, and began feeling her pockets with anxiety which seemed to increase every moment. I inquired the cause of her uneasiness, but instead of answering me she began to look on the floor, and every where that she could think of; then calling her servant who was in waiting at the chamber door: “Marcia,” said she, “I have lost the great cross belonging to the chaplet which my husband gave me; how unfortunate I am! he will certainly think I have made a present of it to some one.” “Madam,” replied the waiting-woman, “you are perhaps premature in your sorrow. You may possibly have left it at home, and I even fancy that I recollect to have seen it in one of your drawers.” “I can never rest until I be convinced of this,” replied the lady. “Let us therefore return home immediately, for I cannot bear to remain in doubt on such a subject.”

All my efforts to detain her were unavailing. I represented to her that there might be found many similar rosaries at a Goldsmith’s, and that, if she would allow me, I would presume to send her one as soon as possible; but she would not accept of my offer, requesting me, in an engaging manner, to allow her to depart; assuring me, that whether she found her cross at home or not, she would not fail to pay me a visit the next day at the same hour. Upon this she quitted my chamber, leaving me well pleased with her figure, and much grieved at her so precipitate departure.

It was no longer possible to think of sleeping after such an interview, so that I lay and reflected on my good fortune, and the pleasures that I anticipated, until it was time for dinner. I then rose and dressed myself, after which I sat down to a small table, and partook of a variety of dishes sufficient for six persons. In the middle of my repast, Marcia returned, and informed me with a mournful countenance that the golden cross could not be found; “and what is still more vexatious,” added she, “my mistress accuses me of being the cause of this misfortune, and I must allow that I was rather too pressing this morning to make her dress herself quickly to come and see you. I have been to a Goldsmith’s out of curiosity, to see if I could not find a cross of the same description, and have been fortunate enough to meet with one that resembles it as nearly as possible.” I soon understood her meaning, and wishing to be thought generous, I answered, that if she would wait until I had dined, I would accompany her to the Goldsmith’s, and purchase the cross which she had seen. As this was, in fact, the sole object of her coming, she replied, that she would do just as I pleased; then beginning to praise her mistress, she told me all that was charming of her.

After dinner we repaired to the Goldsmith’s together, and purchased the aforesaid cross, which I gave to Marcia, requesting her to tell her mistress, that as I considered myself in some degree the cause of her loss, it was my duty to repair it. This faithful servant, overjoyed at her good success, immediately departed, after having assured me that she would make her lady acquainted with my generous way of proceeding, and that she was sure her mistress would not fail to see me next day, personally to return thanks for my kindness.

As soon as Marcia had left me, I determined to avail myself of this opportunity to see my lady in St. Cyprian-street again; for although I had such good reason to believe that she was a cheat and her brother a bully, yet I should have been glad to have found myself mistaken; forgetting, therefore, the scurvy trick they had played me, I hastened towards their house, and perceived my charmer at a window, whence I was soon remarked. She made signs to me that she had company, but that I was not to go away; I stopped, and about a quarter of an hour after, saw her go out alone. I followed her at a distance, and observed her enter the great church to shorten her way to Patten street, whence she went into Mercer’s-street, and entered a shop, making signs to me to follow her, which I obeyed. How admirably did she then play her part! She burst into tears, which, I suppose, she had always ready at command, and complaining to Heaven that she had so troublesome a brother, she assured me of the extreme pain she had suffered on my account, swearing over and over again that it had not been her fault that so untoward an adventure had occurred to me: she then told me, that she hoped to recompense me for my late unpleasant night by assuring me of a pleasant one; that her brother was to set out immediately for the country, where he would remain for at least two days, and she trusted, therefore, that I would not refuse her invitation to spend that evening with her. She then spoke to me with so much tenderness, that I was completely convinced of her sincerity, and was weak enough to promise to see her at her own house again as soon as it was dusk.

As she had entered this shop, she could not make up her mind to leave it, without asking the prices and cheapening some trifles, as is customary with women; and she agreed to purchase some of them for a hundred and fifty reals; but instead of paying for them, she said to the shopkeeper, “you will be kind enough to allow me to take these articles with me now, and give me credit until to-morrow, when I will send my waiting-woman to pay you.” The shopkeeper, who either did not know her at all, or possibly was but too well acquainted with her, refused to trust her; upon which Signor Guzman, always ready to please the ladies, stepped forward and said to him, “my good friend, do you not perceive that the lady is only in jest; she has not this sum at hand, but I carry her purse, and have the honour to be her steward:” thus saying, I drew it from my pocket in the most graceful manner, and paid the shopkeeper his demand. After this we parted. “Adieu, my chicken,” said she, in a languishing and tender manner; “remember that I shall expect to see you at nine in the evening, but I absolutely forbid you to provide any supper, for I must insist on being allowed to treat you this time.”

The hour of rendezvous, which I expected with the greatest impatience, having at length arrived, I set out towards my charmer’s house, at the risk of passing another night there in the tub. I now approached her door again with as much eagerness as I had ran from it in the morning. I made the signal we had agreed upon; but no answer. I repeated it; but neither saw nor heard any one. I then began to fancy that the brother had been informed of his sister’s design, and had not set off for the country. Thinking it possible, however, that I had not given the signal loud enough, which was to knock with a stone at the bottom of the lower window, I redoubled my strokes; but I might as well have attempted to make the bridge of Alcantara hear me. I then knocked several times at the door, and put my ear to the key-hole to listen; but finding that there was not the least noise to be heard in the house, I remained in the street until midnight, quite at a loss to account for so extraordinary a silence.

My patience, however, began at length to fail me, and I was just on the point of returning, when I observed a company of armed men coming towards me; and took the precaution to retire to the end of the street, that I might notice them unobserved. They stopped at the door of my nymph’s house, and rapped loudly; and as the people in the house persisted in not answering them, they began to thunder at the door with their staves, and would soon have shivered it to atoms, if a servant had not appeared at one of the windows, and asked what was their business. “Open,” cried an Alguazil, “open, at the summons of Justice.” At these terrible words, I felt so alarmed, that I was tempted to scamper off as fast as my legs would carry me, not knowing but it was for me they looked; a culprit cannot behold these sort of people without emotion. My courage returned, however, when I reflected that I could only be considered the dupe of my princess and her pretended brother, whose laudable conduct, had, according to all appearance, attracted the attention of justice.

I even ventured to approach the house, as soon as the Alguazil and his myrmidons had entered it; and joining the crowd of neighbours who had collected in the street to see what was going on, I heard one among them say to the rest, “They call themselves brother and sister; but they must trace their pedigree from Adam, for they are no otherwise related. The man is an adventurer of Cordova, who for some months past, has lived here at Toledo with this woman who was formerly an actress at Seville, at the expence of such young fools as fell into their hands; but unfortunately for these two honest folks, they have been practising their knaveries upon a scrivener, who has played them this trick to be avenged on them.

At this relation, all the neighbours laughed heartily at the expence of the scrivener, whom they knew to be but newly married: but, although they were so glad to find that this limb of the law had been duped, they did not the less applaud his vengeance on that account, so true is it that nobody ever pities persons who are detected in dishonesty. It seemed even a most agreeable comedy for the witnesses of this adventure, when they saw the Alguazil and his officers leading to prison the lady all in disorder, accompanied by her gallant well bound with cords. For my own part, though I could not well forget her scurvy treatment of me in the tub, yet I could not feel any pleasure in seeing this miserable woman in her present deplorable situation: I was the only one of all the spectators who felt any pity for her, though I had most reason to feel none. Rejoiced, however, that I could no longer be her dupe, I returned to my inn, fool enough still to flatter myself that the other lady would not deceive me; but I waited, in vain, the whole of the next day at home for her: I did not even see her servant again: so that being no longer able to doubt that I was also gulled in that quarter, I resolved that in future I would be more upon my guard against the fair sex.

CHAP. XVII.

_Guzman takes a false alarm, and leaves Toledo precipitately. Another gallantry. Origin of the proverb, “at Malagon, a thief in every house, but in that of the Alcaid two, the father and the son.”_

Thus ended my gallantries at Toledo; and to complete my misfortunes, when I arrived at my inn, I met an Alguazil there, who, I was informed, had just arrived from Madrid, and had been making very particular inquiries of the landlord for a certain _quidam_, of whom he was in search. I did not hear this without uneasiness; nevertheless, alarmed as I was, I managed to put a bold face on the matter; but I was so agitated the whole of the night that I could not get a wink of sleep. I rose early the next morning, still thinking of this cursed Alguazil, and went out to walk in the Zocodover. I had not gone once round the square, before I heard a man crying, _Two mules returning to Almagro_.

I determined to avail myself of this opportunity, and resolved in a moment to hire these two mules, as though I had foreseen that I should find a company of soldiers at Almagro on the point of departure for Italy. I spoke to the crier, and we soon agreed; after which I sent my lackey to pay my landlord, and to fetch my baggage, which consisted of a portmanteau, in which was my fashionable dress, some fine linen, and what remained of my money. As soon as he rejoined me, I gave him one of the mules, mounted myself on the other, and rejoiced at having found so favourable an opportunity of leaving Toledo, where I could no longer remain in peace, I took the route towards Orgas, where I slept that night.

At the inn where we stopped there chanced to be a very pretty servant-maid, who, from her wit and obliging manners, seemed so superior to her condition that I commenced a conversation with her, in the course of which I could not refrain from plainly expressing the amorous desires I felt towards her. So far from being startled at this declaration, she anticipated my wishes, and went so far as to promise that she would steal into my chamber in the night. “But, my darling,” said I, “can I be sure that you will not deceive me? Can I rely upon this promise?” “Certainly,” answered she; “you are too handsome a young gentleman for me to wish to impose on; rely on it, I will keep my word.”

I slept that night in a chamber in which there were some oats kept, the door of which I took care to leave open, that my damsel might come in at what hour she pleased. I fell asleep while I lay waiting for her, though it is not very usual to think of sleeping on such occasions; but the uneasiness caused by the Alguazil the preceding night not having permitted me to take any repose, I felt more inclined to rest than to make love. I was soon awoke, however, by hearing a slight noise in the room, which I did not doubt was my fair one; and anxious to receive her with the attention that her punctual observance of her promise seemed to deserve, “Approach, my charmer,” said I, in a low voice, “I have been waiting impatiently for you.” No one answered. I thought the jade behaved thus to provoke my desires the more, and with this conviction I leant half my body out of bed, and stretched out my arms to seize her; and my hands lighted on something exceedingly soft, but of such a softness as revolted against my ideas. In fact, it was the ear of an ass, who had left his stable and entered my chamber, attracted by the smell of the oats that were kept there. This animal, whose head was almost as low as the floor when I touched him, raised it on a sudden, as a punishment for my sins, and gave me so violent a blow on the chin, that it loosened all my teeth, and filled my mouth with blood. I rose from my bed swearing, and with the intention of running my sword through this accursed beast, who, fortunately, however, for him, was frightened at the noise I made, and took to his heels. I was content, therefore, to lie down again, with curses against love, and renewing the oath I had already made, to be more cautious of its snares.

A few moments before day-light I was just beginning to doze again, when the muleteer entered my chamber to give me notice that breakfast was ready, and that if I wished to reach Malagon at any reasonable hour that day, I had no time to lose. I was soon up and dressed; and after having eaten a good breakfast of what the host chose to provide for me, I was just going to mount my mule, when she directed a violent kick at me, which would certainly have crippled me for the remainder of my days had I been at a greater distance; but I was luckily so close to the plaguy beast that she could not do me much harm. “The devil take all females!” cried I; “I was born to be ill-treated by them.” To divert the companions of my journey, and to amuse myself, I related to them on the road the particulars of my late adventure with the ass. This recital seemed particularly diverting and interesting to the muleteer, who told us, after having laughed his bellyful, that Luzia, which was the servant’s name, had been more faithful to him: that she had passed the greater part of the night with him, and he gave me this piece of information for my guidance in future: that the servants in inns were always considered the right of the muleteers, as a recompence for the service they do the landlord in bringing travellers to his house.

We arrived at Malagon at night, whence I set out again the next day, without any other scurvy trick of fortune except having lost one bottle of wine, which I missed when we had got about three or four leagues from the town. “As I live,” quoth I, “this theft brings to my recollection, and verifies the old proverb which declares, that _in Malagon there is a thief in every house, but in that of the Alcaid two, the father and the son_. Upon this the muleteer asked me if I knew the origin of this proverb. I answered that I did not, and that I should be glad to hear it. If I may believe an old man from whom I had it, replied he, this is the story.

“In the year 1236, when Don Fernando, surnamed the Holy, King of Castile and Leon, was one day at Beneventum, news was brought him that the Christian troops had entered Cordova, having already possessed themselves of the suburbs called Axarquia; but that the Moors, to whom the place belonged, and who were very superior in numbers, were preparing to repulse them. This monarch, animated by his zeal for his religion, resolved to fly to the relief of the Christians, and sent notice of his design to Don Alvaro Perez de Castro, and Don Ordonis Alvaroz, who were both at Marts. These two lords, who were at that time the most illustrious cavaliers in Castile, instantly repaired to the King, who immediately set out as he had determined. As he was only accompanied by about a hundred men, he issued orders to all his warriors and vassals, who might be dispersed in the different towns and villages under his dominion, to follow him to Cordova. These orders would have been executed willingly, and without delay, had it been practicable; but it was then just in the middle of the month of January, and the heavy snow and rains had fallen in such abundance as to cause all the rivers and springs to overflow: so that the troops were not able to advance, but were obliged to halt at every place they came to.

“So great a number of them were under the necessity of stopping at Malagon, that one soldier was obliged to be quartered in every house, and two in those of the more opulent citizens. The commander of these troops, and his son, who was also an officer, chanced to fall to the lot of the Alcaid. Though this was a very considerable town, yet there were now so many people in it, and the times were so hard, that provisions became extremely scarce and dear, and as the soldiers were not able to procure them at such excessive rates, they began to steal, to prevent their dying with hunger. While these things were going on, a merry conceited peasant who had just passed through the town in his way to Toledo, met a troop of cavaliers on the road near Orgas, who asked him whence he came. “From Malagon,” replied he; “and what news from thence?” inquired one of the cavaliers. The peasant made this answer, which has since become a proverb, “at Malagon there is a thief in every house, and in that of the Alcaid two, the father and the son.”

“It is most unfair,” continued the muleteer, “that this proverb should be applied to the inhabitants of Malagon, since they were the persons robbed, and not those that robbed others. On the contrary, I will maintain to their credit, that from Madrid to Seville there is no inn where travellers are better treated and less imposed on than at Malagon. I do not pretend to say that there are not knaves in that place, as well as elsewhere; but I assure you there are many worse in this country.”

Just as the muleteer ended his discourse, another muleteer of his acquaintance came up to us, of whom I asked what was going on at Almagro, whence he had just come, and he informed me that there was a company of soldiers there, newly raised, and destined, he believed, for Italy. I was enraptured at this news, and felt disposed to forgive fortune, now that she presented me with so favourable an opportunity of gratifying my violent desire to go to Genoa, for all the hardships that she had hitherto made me endure.

CHAP. XVIII.

_Guzman offers himself to serve in the Company newly raised. His reception by the Captain, and how they afterwards lived together._

All my fear was, that the muleteer had been misinformed; but on entering Almagro, I was soon convinced that he had told the truth. I perceived a flag suspended from a window of one of the houses where I supposed the Captain had taken up his residence.

I proceeded, therefore, to an inn in the neighbourhood, where I took up my lodging for that night; and in the morning I dressed myself in my best suit of clothes, and finest linen, and went to church, where I heard mass, and from thence to wait upon the Captain, whom I saluted with an air calculated to make him believe me a young man of quality, telling him that I had come express to Almagro to have the honour of serving the King by joining his company. My behaviour and appearance had the desired effect of casting a mist before the eyes of this officer, who was an extremely well-bred man. He received me, therefore, in the most polite manner, testifying his joy at finding me disposed to enter so early in the career of glory. He then thanked me for the preference I gave his company, which would be proud to receive among them a cavalier of noble race, which he could easily perceive I was. “All I regret,” added he, “is, that all the posts are filled up; but, though I cannot, therefore, offer you a commission, you shall at least share mine with me, and we will live together as though you were Captain as well as myself.”

To convince me that these excessive civilities were not mere compliments, he insisted on my staying to dinner, and regaled me in good style. He did not, however, forget to charge one of his servants, in private, to inquire of mine who I was. My page, who had frequently heard me style myself Don Juan de Guzman of the house of Toral, answered this question by saying that this was the name I bore, and that was all he knew of me. This was reported to the Captain, who most firmly believed that I was certainly one of the younger branches of that illustrious house. The next day I invited him, in my turn, to dine with me at my inn, and spared no expense to render the entertainment as complete as if I had been in reality the cavalier my valet had represented me to be. I did not stop here, but gave so many other dinners to the Captain and the principal officers of the company, that it is no wonder they all esteemed me, and considered me an honour to their corps. The Captain, in particular, was so extremely attentive to me, that I was frequently quite confused at his kind professions of regard. It is true, that to secure a continuance of his friendship, I sent him, almost every day, some little present by my page, which he was so kind as to accept of as a mark of my affection.

In the mean time my purse, having no flux and reflux like the sea, began to empty itself visibly, without any prospect of being filled again. What with my clothes, my gallantries, and my travelling expenses, in addition to these entertainments and presents, I had already squandered away more than half of my reals, without reckoning what I had lost at play with the officers, the majority of whom knew better than myself how to take advantage in gaming of every turn of fortune in their favour. I had still, however, a sufficient sum remaining to support my assumed character for some time longer, when orders were given for marching, and I followed the company, in quality of a volunteer, to the coast, where we had orders to wait until the galleys which were to transport us into Italy, with other troops, arrived at Barcelona, where we were to embark. But it was God’s pleasure that this embarkment should not take place till three months afterwards. This completed my ruin; for being willing to continue to live with the Captain and other officers as I had begun, I was soon compelled to make use of my _corps de reserve_; I mean my thirty pistoles, which were yet untouched, and which I soon ran through with as little frugality as my reals. When I found my resources thus at an end, I was obliged to sell my fine clothes and linen, and to get rid of my valet, who went to seek his fortune elsewhere; and having no money to game with, I ceased to associate with the officers, who guessed but too rightly the reasons that obliged me thus to alter my conduct towards them.

Reflections now came thick upon the prodigal child; and though I had not given way to them while my money lasted, now that it was gone, at least a million presented themselves to my imagination. I recalled to mind all my past follies, and reproached myself as severely as a professed pedagogue could have done, resolving to manage better for the future, as though I had still several bags of reals in my portmanteau. I chiefly repented of having given such fine entertainments to the Captain, who no longer invited me to dinner as usual, now that all my money was gone. The other officers, thinking that I had nothing more to lose, turned their backs upon me. The serjeants, who had before been in the habit of visiting me as a second Captain, and who had considered themselves honoured by my condescending to converse with them, no longer came near me. There was not a single soldier but avoided me; and I question if even the blackguards that followed them would have deigned to associate with me, had I been inclined to have been their comrade. But it was but just, after such useless extravagance, that I was punished as I deserved. If there was any thing that could console me in my unfortunate situation it was, that during the whole course of my prosperity I had not committed the least knavery. This gave my Captain a good opinion of me, who, believing as firmly as ever that I was a young man of high birth, still retained some esteem for me in my misery. He had himself too well profited by my foolish conduct not to forgive me from the bottom of his soul; and when I called upon him one evening he received me much as usual, without taking any notice of the situation of my affairs, though he was in reality much affected; and he could not avoid saying, to me, one day that I was more melancholy than usual, “My dear Guzman, I should indeed be hard-hearted and ungrateful were I insensible to your troubles, after the many proofs you have given me of your friendship. But you have yet to learn that my fortune is but little better than your own; and I am sincerely afflicted that I am utterly incapable of convincing you of my good wishes by my actions. All I can pretend to offer you in your present distress is a lodging in my house, and the table of my servants; for myself, I am obliged to dine out, from my utter incapacity to receive my friends at home.”

This proposal, which he did not make without a blush, was tendered in so obliging a manner that I accepted it. Pride becomes nobody, but still less a man who has no money, and knows not where to lay his head; it is a cameleon, which lives only on the wind. From his companion I was now become his servant. But I owe him this piece of justice: instead of treating me like a common servant, he behaved in the most considerate manner towards me. When he wished me to do any thing for him, he requested instead of commanding it; and, on my side, I was always more anxious than the other domestics to make myself useful to him, that I might preserve his friendship, and not eat the bread of idleness; and I so completely succeeded in my desire to please him, by anticipating his every wish, that, believing me to be faithful, and even prudent, though I had sufficiently proved myself the reverse by my former dissipations, he resolved to make me acquainted with the present state of his affairs, to convince me that he placed entire confidence in me.

He confessed to me then that he was so much reduced, that a few jewels which he possessed were his only resource. “Can you guess,” added he, “what has reduced me to this extremity?”--the time that was consumed in soliciting my employment, and the great presents I was obliged to make to obtain it. Yes, were I to begin life afresh, I would renounce such a profession, notwithstanding the desire that every Spanish gentleman naturally has to acquire glory in the army. I cannot reflect on what I have submitted to without blushing; for, besides the money that I have expended, how many whole days have I passed with my hat in my hand, soliciting, flattering, bowing to the ground, kicking my heels at levees, sometimes to speak to one person, sometimes to meet with another, cringing, acting a servant’s part, and a thousand other meannesses of which I am ashamed! But the most provoking treatment that I met with, and which I felt most sensibly, was on the day preceding that on which I had been promised my commission. After having consumed more than eight months in solicitations in the manner I have just described to you, I accompanied my patron as he came out of the palace, and conducted him, with the most profound respect, to the steps of his carriage, which was in waiting for him, but unfortunately put my hat on a moment before the carriage drove off. The Minister noticed this, darted a haughty look at me, and soon convinced me that this accident had offended him, for my commission was not delivered to me for above four months after. I even ran the risk of losing both my trouble and my money by not obtaining it at all.

“God deliver every honest man,” continued he, raising his eyes towards Heaven, “from persons who possess power and bad dispositions united! How blind are these idols of the Court, who expect to be adored like deities! They must surely have forgotten that they are but miserable comedians, appointed to play principal characters, and that at the end of the piece, that is to say, of their lives, they must leave the stage like ourselves, and be thought of no more.”

I was so affected by this relation, that I felt more interested in my Captain’s misfortunes than my own; and assured him, in the most impressive terms my heart could dictate, that there was nothing I would not undertake for him, and that I would willingly expose my life to be of service to him. He thanked me for my good wishes. “But what assistance,” added he, smiling, “can I expect from you in your present condition?” “That we shall see,” answered I; “for though I am young, necessity inspires wit, and may supply my deficiency of experience. Leave it to me to find you the means of living at ease until we embark.” The Captain smiled again at these words, and, without making any reply, shook his head, to shew me that he placed but little reliance on professions dictated by my inconsiderate zeal to serve him. Had he known my talents he would have formed a different opinion; but I soon obliged him to do me justice.

As the galleys were a long while ere they arrived, we were obliged to be billeted, upon short allowance, in the different villages, and frequently moved our quarters. At every house I left a dozen billets, which brought us in at least twelve reals each, and from some of the more opulent inhabitants fifty. For my own part, I gained admittance into every house at free cost, without quartering myself on any in particular; and I never failed to leave proofs at each that I had the perfect use of my hands. I really think that I would even have carried off water from their wells, rather than have gone away empty-handed. By these means I so completely re-established my Captain’s finances, that he was enabled to keep open table again as before; and the dexterity of my hands supplied him abundantly with good cheer, at a cheap rate: fowls, capons, geese, pullets, and pigeons, fell as thick as hail into the kitchen, and hams were not wanting to complete the larder.

If by chance the master of a house happened to catch me in the fact, in case it were but a small theft I made a jest of it, and though a greater, the worst that could happen to me was to be carried before my Captain, who reprimanded me in a severe manner, and sometimes caused me to be imprisoned in a chamber, where I received by his orders a hundred lashes which I never felt at all, though I always made the room ring with cries as if I were being torn in pieces, though I was never so much as touched all the while. This satisfied the injured parties, and saved the honour of the officer. Sometimes the complainants themselves would intercede with the Captain on my behalf, conjuring him out of pity to forgive me.

Jests like these, however, generally grow serious. After these petty thefts, I was not content until I ventured upon greater. For this purpose, I selected five or six of the most resolute fellows in our company; we all disguised ourselves, and went on the highway, where we stopped several travellers, who, by immediately surrendering their money, prevented the crimes which their resistance might have caused us to commit. Our Captain was no sooner informed of these dangerous proceedings, than, dreading the consequences both to himself and me, he positively forbade my carrying on this game any longer, desiring me to confine myself to more innocent amusement for the future, such as finding false musters, in which science I was a perfect adept. By a false beard, or a patch on the eye, I could easily make the same soldier receive pay three times over, without detection. In short, I became so useful to the Captain, that he confessed to me that my industry alone was worth much more to him than the whole income that he derived from his Company.

CHAP. XIX.

_Guzman proceeds with the Company to Barcelona, where he plays a trick upon a Jeweller, and embarks for Italy._

The galleys at length arrived at Barcelona. As soon as we received this intelligence, we marched thither to embark; but as the wind was not favourable, we were obliged to remain a considerable time in that city, where something more than my usual address was necessary to enable us to live in plenty at so cheap a rate as before. I soon remarked that my Captain was relapsing into his former despondency, and I easily guessed the cause: well might I know the nature of his complaint, since I was the physician who had already cured him of it.

For this once, however, I felt at a loss how to prescribe, being entirely unacquainted with the map of Barcelona, and the disposition of its inhabitants. I did not, however, forget to tender my exertions as a specific to my patient, who replied, in a serious manner, that we had no longer peasants to deal with, and that I must be very cautious what I did. Difficulties tended only to quicken my apprehension, and an idea occurred to me which I resolved to follow. I have already told you that the Captain had some jewels which he reserved for a rainy day. Amongst these jewels was a gold Reliquary, set round with diamonds, which he intended to dispose of for subsistence until we embarked. I requested him to shew it me, and asked if he could place so much confidence in me as to entrust it to me for a day or two, adding that I would return it to him with usury. “Oh! Oh! my little Guzman,” answered he with a smile, “what piece of roguery have you now in contemplation?” “You have only,” replied I, “to let me have the Reliquary, and keep up your spirits. If, notwithstanding all the precautions that I can take to perform safely the trick that I have in my head, I should be so unfortunate as to meet with any check from justice, I can at least pledge myself to save your honor, and to bear all the ill consequences of it myself.”

My Captain could hold out no longer, but gave me the Reliquary, saying, that he wished me success in my enterprize, whatever it might be. Nobody, indeed, had more interest in it than himself, to whom all the profit would accrue. I put the jewel into a purse which I hid in my bosom, the string of which I tied to the buttons of my doublet; after which I went to the first Jeweller’s I could meet, who, fortunately for me, was well known in the city as a noted usurer. I asked him if he was inclined to purchase a fine Reliquary. I shewed it him, and could easily perceive that he liked it very well, although he pretended not to think much of it. I did not wait until he asked me the usual questions, but told him that I was a soldier in a company newly raised, and that was destined for Italy; that I had spent all my money, and having no other resource, found myself reduced to dispose of this jewel, that I might not be entirely destitute. “You are at liberty,” added I, “to go and ascertain from my Captain, from the other officers, and even soldiers, who I am; they will inform you that I am styled Don Juan de Guzman: upon their report of me, you can make up your mind whether you will buy the Reliquary or not. While you are making these inquiries I will go and wait for you on the quay, where I have a little business to settle.”

The Jeweller, who was not willing to allow this jewel to escape him, took his cloak immediately, and hastened to the place where I told him we lodged, and did not fail to question several of the officers and soldiers, as to the character of a certain Don Juan de Guzman who described himself as belonging to their company. Every man of them (for I was generally beloved) assured him I was a young man of quality, who intended to pass over to Italy with them, and that they had known me make a most brilliant figure. In short, they spoke so well of me, that he soon returned to look for me on the quay, where he had no great difficulty to find me, for I had no other business there but to wait for and entrap him. He requested me, as soon as he came up, to allow him to see the Reliquary again, which he was come to treat for. “Willingly,” replied I, “but let us retire a little, as I have no wish to have a crowd assembled about us.”

I then drew the jewel out of my purse and handed it to him: he looked at it on all sides, and after having examined it minutely, asked me what I would have for it. I told him two hundred crowns; and though that was not half its value, the old usurer pretended to be quite astonished at such a price, and began to tell me that the gold was by no means of the finest quality. Besides which he found great fault with the workmanship, as well as with the diamonds: nevertheless, he offered me one half, and I was surprised in my turn. “That will not do,” cried I, “you take advantage of my situation; but distressed as I am for money, I declare that you shall not have it for less than a hundred and fifty crowns.”

He still continued to make so many objections, that I was at last contented to conclude the bargain at a hundred and twenty, and he requested me to accompany him to his shop to receive the money. This I refused, telling him that I expected a person to meet me on the quay, and, therefore, could not leave it; that if he would return home and procure the sum agreed on, he would find me again in the same place. The Jeweller, finding that I could not be prevailed on to accompany him, and being apprehensive that the person whom I expected might be another Jeweller, whom I had appointed to meet on the same subject, ran home with great haste, lest he should be deprived of his bargain before his return.

The old rogue soon returned to me again, quite out of breath, bringing with him in a small bag the hundred and twenty crowns, which he counted into my hand. I requested the bag of him in which I put the money, and offered him in exchange the purse that the Reliquary was kept in; but affecting to find great difficulty in untying the strings, which I had purposely well fastened, I snatched, as though from impatience, a knife which I observed in a sheath at his girdle, and cut them asunder. Although this action seemed to surprise him a little, he was so far from guessing the cause, that he departed and walked towards home, well satisfied with his purchase, and very far from suspecting the snare that I had laid for him.

After having allowed him to proceed a few steps, I beckoned to one of my comrades, as great a rogue as myself, whom I had stationed near at hand so as to be ready when called for, and desired him to carry the crowns to our Captain. Then I ran as fast as I could after my Jeweller, for I had not lost sight of him, and overtook him at a part where the roads met, where there happened to be some soldiers assembled, to whom I pointed him out, crying aloud, “stop thief, fellow soldiers, stop thief! for God’s sake stop that old rascal there, who has just robbed me; let him not escape!” The soldiers, some of whom belonged to our own company, stopped the poor Jeweller immediately, asking him how he had given me cause to complain thus of him. He was at first so bewildered with fear and astonishment, that he had not the power of uttering a word. Had he spoken, however, it would not have availed him, for his voice would have been drowned by that of his accuser: nobody was to be heard but myself, who kept up a continued roar; and to make more impression on the soldiers, I fell down on my knees before them, and forcing some tears into my eyes, implored their assistance.

“Gentlemen,” said I, “you see before you in that old rogue one of the greatest hypocrites in Spain. I chanced just now to be standing by him on the quay, where he remarked that I had a purse in my bosom, and asked me what was in it? a Reliquary, answered I, which my master the Captain accidentally left at the bed’s-head this morning, and that I have taken care of to give it to him again; upon this, the old rascal whom you have secured requested me in a civil manner to shew it him, telling me that he was a Goldsmith, and was curious in jewels. I satisfied his curiosity, and he asked me if I would dispose of this Reliquary. That cannot be, said I, for it is my master’s; at the same time I replaced it in my purse which was tied to my button; whereupon my thief, while he amused me with words, drew forth a knife which he had in a sheath at his girdle, and suddenly cut the strings, the ends of which are still to be seen. Take the trouble. Gentlemen, of searching him, I beg of you,” added I, “and you will find the purse containing the jewel somewhere about his person, for I have followed him so closely, that he has not had an opportunity of otherwise disposing of it.”

The soldiers instantly began to search him: they drew forth the purse containing the Reliquary from his bosom where he had placed it, and perceiving that the strings had really been cut, they no longer doubted the Goldsmith’s guilt: in vain did he protest and swear that I had sold it him; they would not believe him, it being so extremely improbable that an old and experienced Jeweller could consent to purchase so rich a Reliquary of a young soldier, without suspecting that it must have been stolen. “Once more,” cried the accused, “I assure you that I paid this young man for the Reliquary a hundred and twenty crowns in gold, which I reckoned into his hand, and which he must now have about him: you have only to search him also to find these gold coins, which I paid him only a few minutes since.” The soldiers, to satisfy him, rummaged my pockets out; and finding no money about me, they began to revile him most unmercifully, and even to beat him. Nevertheless, as he insisted on being conducted to a Judge, they carried us both before one.

Here I related my case in the same manner as I had reported it to the soldiers, who, upon being interrogated by the Judge, said more than was sufficient to convince him that the Jeweller had really seized this Reliquary from me by force; in addition to which, this citizen being so well known as a covetous man who would not scruple at a trifle, they were the more disposed to think him guilty. The Magistrate, however, out of consideration for his family, which consisted of some of the first persons in the city, was content to reprimand him severely, and delivered the jewel into my hands again, desiring me to carry it to my master, which I did immediately.

When I related this adventure to the Captain, he returned thanks to Heaven that it had ended so well: he had feared, and with some reason, that I should have come but scurvily off in so slippery an affair, and my boldness made him tremble. Although he was the only person that profited by my rogueries, yet he resolved to get rid of the rogue, fearing that I should at last ruin him as well as myself by some unlucky adventure. He was impatient for the day when we should embark, which at length arrived. The galleys left the harbour of Barcelona, and transported us in safety to Genoa, where we were no sooner landed, than my Captain said to me in private, “my dear Guzman, we are now in the country whither you have been so extremely anxious to come,” for I had communicated to him my intentions of visiting my kindred; “we must now, with your leave, begin to think of parting, for I am not more afraid of all the devils together than of the consequences of these legerdemain tricks of yours: farewell, my friend,” added he, putting a pistole into my hand, “I much regret that I am not in a situation to make you a better acknowledgment for your services.” Thus saying, he departed, leaving me so thunderstruck with his compliment, that I could not utter a word. But what could I have said to him? was it necessary to represent to him all the dangers I had faced on his account? he was well aware of them, for what else was it that caused my dismissal. I could not be surprised at his behaviour. I had only the common fate of rogues, who, like vipers and scorpions, are made use of, while any thing useful can be extracted from them, and afterwards thrown to the dogs.

CHAP. XX.

_Guzman having arrived at Genoa, resolves to present himself before his kindred there. How he was received by them._

As soon as I had quitted the captain, or rather when I found myself abandoned by him, my only thought was how to console myself under this misfortune, and I soon forgot it, when I reflected that I was now at Genoa, where I had so long desired to be. I inquired in the city about my relations, and was informed that they were the most rich and powerful persons in that republic. I was overjoyed at this news, for I did not doubt that I should receive the greatest assistance from them, when they knew that I was a branch of their noble family.

I looked about for another inn where I could live thriftily, until I should be rather a more decent figure to visit my relations. My pistole could not do much for me, part of which I was obliged to expend in procuring a pair of shoes which I was sadly in want of; my clothes were also much worn as well as my stockings and hat, so that my whole dress was in a ruinous condition. “So much the better,” said I: “my relations can never suffer me to remain long in such a state to be a disgrace to them. Let me quickly, therefore, make myself known to them, that I may the sooner be relieved from my misery.”

I then immediately set forward with this intention, and asked the way to their house, boasting to every one I spoke to that I had the honour to be of their family, which was soon reported to them by some of their enemies, who, thinking that the sight of a lad so wretchedly equipped would afford them no great pleasure, were the more anxious to communicate to them the agreeable news. My generous relations were almost desperate. They looked upon my poverty as an infamous disgrace to them; and I verily believe, that could they, without danger to themselves, have caused me to be poniarded, they would not have hesitated a moment, for such practices were but too common in that country. But, as I was already talked of all over the city, where my father had been so well known, if I had disappeared all of a sudden, the cause would have been easily guessed.