第47章

I mounted the horse and rode from the town, at first proceeding very slowly; I had no sooner, however, reached the moor, than I put the animal to his speedy trot, and proceeded at a tremendous rate for some time, expecting every moment to overtake the Gypsy.I, however, saw nothing of him, nor did Imeet with a single human being.The road along which I sped was narrow and sandy, winding amidst thickets of broom and brushwood, with which the despoblado was overgrown, and which in some places were as high as a man's head.Across the moor, in the direction in which I was proceeding, rose a lofty eminence, naked and bare.The moor extended for at least three leagues; I had nearly crossed it, and reached the foot of the ascent.I was becoming very uneasy, conceiving that I might have passed the Gypsy amongst the thickets, when I suddenly heard his well known Ola! and his black savage head and staring eyes suddenly appeared from amidst a clump of broom.

"You have tarried long, brother," said he; "I almost thought you had played me false."He bade me dismount, and then proceeded to lead the horse behind the thicket, where I found the route picqueted to the ground.I gave him the barley and provisions, and then proceeded to relate to him my adventure with the national.

"I would I had him here," said the Gypsy, on hearing the epithets which the former had lavished upon him."I would Ihad him here, then should my chulee and his carlo become better acquainted.""And what are you doing here yourself," I demanded, "in this wild place, amidst these thickets?""I am expecting a messenger down yon pass," said the Gypsy; "and till that messenger arrive I can neither go forward nor return.It is on business of Egypt, brother, that I am here."As he invariably used this last expression when he wished to evade my inquiries, I held my peace, and said no more; the animals were fed, and we proceeded to make a frugal repast on bread and wine.

"Why do you not cook the game which I brought?" Idemanded; "in this place there is plenty of materials for a fire.""The smoke might discover us, brother," said Antonio, "Iam desirous of lying escondido in this place until the arrival of the messenger."It was now considerably past noon; the gypsy lay behind the thicket, raising himself up occasionally and looking anxiously towards the hill which lay over against us; at last, with an exclamation of disappointment and impatience, he flung himself on the ground, where he lay a considerable time, apparently ruminating; at last he lifted up his head and looked me in the face.

ANTONIO.- Brother, I cannot imagine what business brought you to this country.

MYSELF.- Perhaps the same which brings you to this moor - business of Egypt.

ANTONIO.- Not so, brother; you speak the language of Egypt, it is true, but your ways and words are neither those of the Cales nor of the Busne.

MYSELF.- Did you not hear me speak in the foros about God and Tebleque? It was to declare his glory to the Cales and Gentiles that I came to the land of Spain.

ANTONIO.- And who sent you on this errand?

MYSELF.- You would scarcely understand me were I to inform you.Know, however, that there are many in foreign lands who lament the darkness which envelops Spain, and the scenes of cruelty, robbery, and murder which deform it.

ANTONIO.- Are they Calore or Busne?

MYSELF.- What matters it? Both Calore and Busne are sons of the same God.

ANTONIO.- You lie, brother, they are not of one father nor of one Errate.You speak of robbery, cruelty, and murder.

There are too many Busne, brother; if there were no Busne there would be neither robbery nor murder.The Calore neither rob nor murder each other, the Busno do; nor are they cruel to their animals, their law forbids them.When I was a child Iwas beating a burra, but my father stopped my hand, and chided me."Hurt not the animal," said he; "for within it is the soul of your own sister!"MYSELF.- And do you believe in this wild doctrine, OAntonio?