第51章

Many books have been written about that valley and those people.Caballero, I am proud of yonder hills; and were Iindependent, and without wife or children, I would purchase a burra like that of your own, which I see is an excellent one, and far superior to mine, and travel amongst them till I knew all their mysteries, and had seen all the wondrous things which they contain."Throughout the day I pressed the burra forward, only stopping once in order to feed the animal; but, notwithstanding that she played her part very well, night came on, and I was still about two leagues from Talavera.As the sun went down, the cold became intense; I drew the old Gypsy cloak, which Istill wore, closer around me, but I found it quite inadequate to protect me from the inclemency of the atmosphere.The road, which lay over a plain, was not very distinctly traced, and became in the dusk rather difficult to find, more especially as cross roads leading to different places were of frequent occurrence.I, however, proceeded in the best manner I could, and when I became dubious as to the course which I should take, I invariably allowed the animal on which I was mounted to decide.At length the moon shone out faintly, when suddenly by its beams I beheld a figure moving before me at a slight distance.I quickened the pace of the burra, and was soon close at its side.It went on, neither altering its pace nor looking round for a moment.It was the figure of a man, the tallest and bulkiest that I had hitherto seen in Spain, dressed in a manner strange and singular for the country.On his head was a hat with a low crown and broad brim, very much resembling that of an English waggoner; about his body was a long loose tunic or slop, seemingly of coarse ticken, open in front, so as to allow the interior garments to be occasionally seen; these appeared to consist of a jerkin and short velveteen pantaloons.

I have said that the brim of the hat was broad, but broad as it was, it was insufficient to cover an immense bush of coal-black hair, which, thick and curly, projected on either side; over the left shoulder was flung a kind of satchel, and in the right hand was held a long staff or pole.

There was something peculiarly strange about the figure, but what struck me the most was the tranquillity with which it moved along, taking no heed of me, though of course aware of my proximity, but looking straight forward along the road, save when it occasionally raised a huge face and large eyes towards the moon, which was now shining forth in the eastern quarter.

"A cold night," said I at last."Is this the way to Talavera?""It is the way to Talavera, and the night is cold.""I am going to Talavera," said I, "as I suppose you are yourself.""I am going thither, so are you, BUENO."

The tones of the voice which delivered these words were in their way quite as strange and singular as the figure to which the voice belonged; they were not exactly the tones of a Spanish voice, and yet there was something in them that could hardly be foreign; the pronunciation also was correct; and the language, though singular, faultless.But I was most struck with the manner in which the last word, BUENO, was spoken.Ihad heard something like it before, but where or when I could by no means remember.A pause now ensued; the figure stalking on as before with the most perfect indifference, and seemingly with no disposition either to seek or avoid conversation.

"Are you not afraid," said I at last, "to travel these roads in the dark? It is said that there are robbers abroad.""Are you not rather afraid," replied the figure, "to travel these roads in the dark? - you who are ignorant of the country, who are a foreigner, an Englishman!""How is it that you know me to be an Englishman?"demanded I, much surprised.

"That is no difficult matter," replied the figure; "the sound of your voice was enough to tell me that.""You speak of voices," said I; "suppose the tone of your own voice were to tell me who you are?""That it will not do," replied my companion; "you know nothing about me - you can know nothing about me.""Be not sure of that, my friend; I am acquainted with many things of which you have little idea.""Por exemplo," said the figure.

"For example," said I; "you speak two languages."The figure moved on, seemed to consider a moment, and then said slowly BUENO.

"You have two names," I continued; "one for the house and the other for the street; both are good, but the one by which you are called at home is the one which you like best."The man walked on about ten paces, in the same manner as he had previously done; all of a sudden he turned, and taking the bridle of the burra gently in his hand, stopped her.I had now a full view of his face and figure, and those huge features and Herculean form still occasionally revisit me in my dreams.

I see him standing in the moonshine, staring me in the face with his deep calm eyes.At last he said:

"Are you then one of us?"

* * * *

It was late at night when we arrived at Talavera.We went to a large gloomy house, which my companion informed me was the principal posada of the town.We entered the kitchen, at the extremity of which a large fire was blazing."Pepita,"said my companion to a handsome girl, who advanced smiling towards us; "a brasero and a private apartment; this cavalier is a friend of mine, and we shall sup together." We were shown to an apartment in which were two alcoves containing beds.

After supper, which consisted of the very best, by the order of my companion, we sat over the brasero and commenced talking.

MYSELF.- Of course you have conversed with Englishmen before, else you could not have recognized me by the tone of my voice.