CHAPTER XV.

BLAS EL GUERRILLERO--_continued_.

That the French might be sure to see their comrades, we drove all the inhabitants before us out of the place; a matter of no great difficulty, since _Santa Fé_, though dignified by its pious founders[209] with the title of _city_, is but a small walled village, the principal streets of which form a Greek cross; so that, standing in the centre of the place, its four gates may be seen by merely turning round, and are all within pistol-shot.

Carrying off all the plate, money, &c., that we could find, I determined now, whilst the country was clear, and a direct road open, to visit the place of my nativity; the thirst for revenge on my enemies and detractors increasing, as the opportunity of gratifying it appeared more within my reach.

We directed our march, therefore, down the _vega_, towards Osuna, demanding rations in the king's name wherever we had occasion to halt, and levying contributions whenever the least hesitation was shown in complying with our demands. In this way we picked up considerable booty, besides carrying off all the good horses we met with on the route; for the French, in consideration of the quietness with which Andalusia had submitted to the yoke, had hitherto dealt very leniently with its inhabitants.

Avoiding Loja and Antequera, which were occupied by French garrisons, we struck into the mountains again on approaching Osuna, proceeding by way of Saucejo and Villa Martin de San Juan, to the _venta_ of Zaframagon, on the road between Ronda and Seville.

I selected this spot, as being at a convenient distance from my native town, and as affording, at the same time, good shelter to my band during my purposed short absence. Lodging two of my men, therefore, disguised as peasants, in the _venta_, and bivouacking the rest of the troop in the adjacent forest, I proceeded, accompanied only by one trusty attendant, to M----; deeming it most prudent to reconnoitre the place, ere carrying my plan of revenge into execution.

It was now upwards of two years since I had paid my last hasty visit to the place, twenty-one since I had seen Don Benito. In that long period I had changed from youth to manhood,--to old age, I may almost say, as far as appearance went; for ten years of hard labour on the parched rock of Ceuta had marked my face with the deep lines of grief and suffering; and the scar left by my son's hand had as completely changed the expression of my countenance, even since my last visit to M----, as scenes of blood and strife had changed my natural character. Fancy not, however, by what I now say, that it was my purpose to take the life of the wretched old man whose presence I sought, though his deceit had been the cause of all my misfortunes. No! on my soul I swear it, I meant only to upbraid him with the wrongs he had heaped upon me, to ----.

Señor Blas here broke off with some little sign of emotion; but, swallowing a bumper of wine, he presently continued in a calmer tone.

But, to proceed with the thread of my story.--Wrapping an old cloak about me, and leaving my horse in charge of my attendant at the entrance of the town, I proceeded on foot to the principal _posada_, in full confidence that, changed and disguised as I was, no one could possibly recognise me.

Many persons, but chiefly old men (for those capable of bearing arms had been called to the armies), were assembled round the fire. I immediately joined the circle, and entered into conversation, representing myself as a stranger to the province. After some little time I ventured to ask if Don Benito Quisquilla still resided at the place; and, being answered in the affirmative, by way of allaying any suspicions, asked if his grandson, Fernando Maldonado, yet lived?

"No," replied an old man, whom I recognised as the town-crier, "he is dead; he fell gloriously in the battle-field, fighting for his country's liberty!"

"What!" I exclaimed, "did he not join the French army with his father?"

"With his father!" cried half a dozen voices in concert. "What! did that miscreant add to his crimes by joining the ranks of the vile enemies of our country? No: Fernando died like a true-born _Andaluz_; he fell, covered with the blood of our oppressors, in the fatal field of Tudela. But how know you, _Tio_, that his father joined the French?"

I stated that I had been so informed on very good authority, and had indeed come expressly to M---- to make a communication concerning Blas to his father-in-law, Don Benito.

"Go not near the old man if you have aught to say of that miscreant Blas," replied the town-crier, "unless it be to inform him that the devil has carried him off in a hurricane."

I rose, and left the house choking with rage. "What!" I ejaculated, "does the old villain attempt to clear his own conscience by accusing me, who have been the innocent victim of his crimes? Did he not blast my earliest hopes, drive me to desperation, bring my wife to the grave, rob me of my son, and, finally, send that son to fall by my hand!--miscreant in his teeth."

With these excited feelings, I proceeded straight to Don Benito's house, and rang the bell. The door flew open; and, in answer to my inquiry if Don Benito was within, a female servant from the gallery informed me that I should find him in one of the apartments on the ground-floor, opening into the _patio_.[210]

It was well I had been told that it was Don Benito I should find there, otherwise I never could have supposed that the wretched, withered being whom I beheld, enveloped in a grey flannel dressing-gown, with slipshod feet, and a black _montera_ cap on his head, was the once personable father of Alitéa. He did not attempt to rise from the _silla poltrona_[211] in which he was seated; but, removing the spectacles from his eyes, and wiping them with his pocket-handkerchief, desired me to approach and state my business.

For a moment I felt inclined to turn away and leave the house; a feeling of pity crept into my heart, and bade me spare him. Though I owed him little mercy for myself, he had intended to be kind to my boy; he had never entirely cast off my Alitéa; and he seemed so thoroughly wretched, that it appeared impossible to add more to his misery. I wish I had followed this first impulse, but a second thought determined me to try if his unforgiving nature remained unchanged. I began by simply asking if I was addressing Don Benito Quisquilla.

"What! can it be!" he exclaimed, starting upon his legs, as if newly invigorated with the breath of life; "is it my Fernando? Approach. No, no! I see--_he_ was in the bloom of youth, but you, like myself, have, it appears, bent to the gusts of many a tempest. Still, that voice--that figure! Say, I beseech you, stranger, who are you?"

The old man's emotion nearly choked him. I was half tempted to throw myself at his feet, when he continued, without waiting for my answer:

"But the wretched, misguided being, who begot him, had the same----. Excuse this emotion; you have touched a chord----."

"Wretched being, indeed!" I exclaimed, interrupting him, "you know then the fate of the _wretched_ Blas, and half my business is already executed."

"His _fate_? No," said the old man. "Has he then met the punishment so repeatedly due to his crimes? Has his last act of disloyalty to his king and country--of which I have had tidings--brought him to the gallows?"

"No, no!" I replied--all my rage returning at the old scoundrel's vindictiveness--"He lives, wretched, indeed, as you have said, for by your instrumentality he became the _murderer of his son_!"

"_Jesus! Hijo de Dios!_ what do I hear!" ejaculated Don Benito; "has the infamous villain crowned all his iniquities by so horrible a crime?"

"Vindictive old dotard!" I replied, throwing back my cloak, which had hitherto partially concealed my face, and clenching at him my right hand, "this hand, given at the altar, before all the saints of heaven, to your daughter--this very hand, through your accursed machinations, directed the point of the knife which drew the life's-blood from a son's heart!"

"Monster! hardened, damned, incorrigible monster!" screamed Don Benito, "may every curse----!" But my fiery temperament would not allow me to listen patiently to the old man's imprecations. We had approached close to each other; I raised my hand to drive the curse down his blasphemous throat--nothing more, for my knife was in my girdle, had I wished to use it--when the infatuated old man seized me by the collar, and called for help. It was the last sound that escaped from his lips--he fell dead at my feet.

Señor Blas here paused a moment to make choice of a fresh cigar, and then thus continued his story.

I left the house without a moment's delay, hurried through the town, and, mounting my horse, rode "_à toda priesa_" to rejoin my troop. I had intended to march it on M----, which was quite defenceless, and lay a heavy contribution upon the inhabitants, but a foolish weakness made me decide on keeping to myself the fatal result that had attended my visit; so, framing an excuse for the non-execution of my project, I drew my band off into another part of the Serranía de Ronda.

We remained in this intricate country several months, watching the different approaches to Ronda, which, being one of the depôts for storing the supplies collected for the siege of Cadiz, afforded us abundant opportunities of making booty. During that period I became acquainted with one Alonzo Bazan, the chief of another guerrilla. He was a gallant young fellow, though affecting the Royalist rather too much to please me. However, we joined our bands together on several occasions, to attack the common enemy, when a greater force than we respectively commanded was necessary.

My intimacy with Alonzo brought me acquainted with his sister, now my wife. She was at that time a blooming girl of eighteen, and over head and ears in love with a young _majocito_ of some substance, named Beltran Galindiz, who was the sworn friend of her brother, and had, at his persuasion--for I do not think he had a natural calling that way--raised a band of guerrillas amongst his relatives and dependents.

I confess to you, _Caballeros_, that I never felt the same love for Engracia, for such is my _esposa's_ name, that I had for my long-lost but ever-regretted Alitéa. The passion, indeed, to which her youth and beauty gave birth, might, perhaps, have passed away like many others, without leaving any impression, but for the very indifference with which my advances were received, and the passionate fondness that she evinced for the contemptible Beltran. In vain I practised every art to supplant him in her affections; and, what maddened me yet more than the thought of this beardless boy being preferred to myself, was that, as if confident of his influence over her, _he_ regarded my rivalry with the most perfect indifference.

It happened, soon after my acquaintance with Engracia commenced, that her brother Alonzo, during a visit to Ronda, was arrested as a spy, and the French commandant of that fortress, thinking it would have a beneficial effect in putting down the insurrection to have him publicly executed at the place of his birth, directed him to be taken on the following day to Utrera for that purpose.

Having obtained notice of this, I determined, short as the time was to make arrangements, to attempt a rescue. Accordingly, I proceeded without delay to Alfaquime (a village over-looking the road by which the escort would have to march), and, sending the horses of my party to the convent of _N. S. de los Remedios_, about half a league further on towards Olbera, took post with my dismounted troopers at the head of a steep and very narrow _defilé_, which the road enters after winding round the base of the rocky mound, whereon the little town of Alfaquime is strewed like a stork's nest.

Making my men conceal themselves in the gorse and underwood that clothed the banks of the narrow pass, and giving them orders not on any account to pull a trigger until they received the word, and then with deliberate aim, I picked out two good marksmen, whom I directed to fire at the _horse_ rode by Alonzo; and, finally, selecting a bold rider, posted him as a decoy on a conspicuous knoll beyond the pass, but overlooking the approach from Ronda, giving him my own horse (which I knew would outstrip any pursuers, should he have to gallop for it), and directing him to mount only when he was quite sure the enemy had seen him, and then ride off, _ventre a terre_, as if taken by surprise.

My plan succeeded _à merveille_. Two French dragoons, who were pushed on in advance, as the party approached Alfaquime, soon discovered my scout, and seeing him mount his horse in great haste, and ride off as if to carry information to others beyond, spurred after him up the ravine. The main body of the escort, seeing their comrades gain the table land at its head without obstruction, took it for granted the coast was clear, and hastened up the ravine to keep them in view.

At the word, "_fuego_,"[212] Alonzo and six of the twelve Frenchmen composing the escort rolled to the dust; those who were so fortunate as to escape unhurt turned their horses' heads, and fled back to Ronda. Alonzo was only stunned by the fall, but his horse was killed. We secured the chargers of the dead men, and rode in pursuit of the two dragoons who had given chace to our scout. We met them returning yet faster than they had gone, having discovered that we had sold them _gato por liebre_.[213]

They were two gallant fellows, and attempted to cut their way through us in spite of the fearful odds against them. This, _Caballeros_, (showing his mutilated hand) is a _souvenir_ of their proficiency in the sabre exercise. _Carajo!_ the hard-mouthed French brute I bestrode would not answer the bit so as to enable me to parry the blow; but my pistol brought the donor to the ground just as he had cut down one of my men, and was flattering himself he had got clear off. The other Frenchman made a desperate resistance also, but was sabred after wounding two of my _quadrilla_.

This exploit was followed by several others, wherein the _Gavachos_ were equally maltreated, but, into the details of which, it would be wearisome to enter. Suffice it to say that at length my name was so constantly _en la boca de la fama_,[214] that a large reward was offered for the body of _Blas el Ratonero_, dead or alive.

Whether the bribe thus publicly offered, or merely the intrigues of Beltran, led to an adventure, which--seeing you are not disposed to sleep--I will now relate, I never could satisfactorily learn. Perhaps both had a hand in it, with a little envy to boot; for, as our _refran_ says, _donde reyna la enbidia, no puede vivir la virtud_;[215] and I must needs confess that some of my followers were villains quite capable of _saccando los dientes de un ahorcado_,[216] if they would gain but the price of a bottle of wine by it.

I must, however, go back a little in my story, to inform you that, in gratitude for his deliverance from the French, my friend Alonzo (who considered that Beltran had rather held back on that occasion) declared himself in favour of my suit to his sister. But she, still infatuated with my smooth-tongued rival, whilst admitting my claims upon her esteem, said it was out of her power to regard me with a more tender feeling.

My _love affair_ remained in this state, when one morning Alonzo repaired to my bivouac in the neighbourhood of Ubrique, and, telling me that a spy, on whose fidelity he could perfectly rely, had sent him information that the enemy's garrison at Ronda had been so reduced by draughts for the siege of Cadiz that the defence of the place was intrusted almost entirely to a small detachment of cavalry, proposed that we should make a combined attack upon it; he undertaking to engage Beltran in the project by making a diversion in our favour to draw off part of the garrison in an opposite direction.

My own accounts of the state of the garrison of Ronda coinciding perfectly with that of Alonzo, I readily agreed to his proposal; and it was decided that, after he had given the necessary instructions to Beltran, with whom, notwithstanding their little coolness, he still continued on friendly terms, a messenger should be sent to me, to fix the day for our _rendezvous_ at Grazalema, a small but strongly situated town, on the line of communication between Ronda and Cadiz, from which the French had recently been driven.

After waiting impatiently for several days without receiving any further intelligence, a letter from Alonzo at length reached me, accounting for the delay by informing me he had been seized with a bad _Tertiana_, which kept him a prisoner at Gaucin, and, he regretted to say, would prevent his taking an active part in the projected attack on the enemy; but that every thing had been arranged as agreed between us, excepting that Beltran had preferred joining me with his troop, being but little acquainted with the country about El Burgo (whither it was proposed to decoy the enemy), and would cross the Guadiaro with his band at _La Torre del Paso_ on the third day after the date of this communication, and remain there until he heard from me. Meanwhile, Alonzo said, his own band had proceeded to El Burgo, under the command of his brother Melchor.

On the receipt of this letter, I immediately quitted my bivouac, and proceeded to Grazalema, so timing my movements as not to reach that town until the sun had sunk beneath the wide horizon of the Atlantic ocean; and, after establishing myself in the house of an old _compadre_,[217] I sallied forth to post the requisite videttes at the different outlets of the town. On returning to my quarters, I found a billet lying upon the table, containing the following mysterious warning, written in a female hand.

"BLAS MALDONADO.

"There are traitors in your band. Take care how you move from Grazalema, and, above all, beware of _Pépé el Alamin_.[218] Act with your wonted decision and circumspection, and you may yet escape the snare that is laid for you; but scorn not the advice of one who watches over you with the devoted affection that a woman's heart alone is capable of feeling."

I was lost in amazement; and who my fair _inamorata_ could be was not the least part of the mystery. That there was treason of some sort stirring was evident, but where to seek for it was the difficulty. Could Alonzo's illness be feigned? and his intention to betray me? Could it be a mere device of the French to detain me in the _guet à pans_ of Grazalema, whilst they surrounded me? But how should _they_ know of my arrival? Was it possible that my own secretary--the son of my adoption--Pépé el _Alamin_--was it possible that _he_ would betray me?

My first impulse was to send for this worthy, and tax him with his treason; but circumspection was pointed out as necessary; I had no proofs to convict him, and the danger to be apprehended from others engaged in the plot would still be hanging over my head. I determined, therefore, to adopt another course, and endeavour if possible to trace the dark conspiracy to the fountain-head.

My plan arranged, I sent for _Jacobo_, my lieutenant, and telling him that I was about to proceed secretly to El Burgo, with a view of ascertaining that every thing was going on _corriente_,[219] gave him a sealed packet containing instructions how to act, in the event of my absence being prolonged beyond eight and forty hours; until which time had expired, however, it was not to be opened. They were very brief, _à saber_[220]--Hang Pépé, and save yourself by a rapid flight to Zahara.

I then summoned Pépé to my presence, and informing him that the receipt of a very important communication, rendering it expedient that I should without loss of time consult my confederates Alonzo and Beltran, I was about to proceed forthwith to Gaucin; but, as it was essentially necessary that my absence should not be known to any one but himself, I directed him to meet me at a certain spot on the outskirts of the town in half an hour, bringing with him a fleet and sure-footed mule.

Stealing forth at the appointed time, I found Pépé at his post with every thing ready. He muttered something as I threw my leg across the saddle, about having lost my confidence; hoped I was not periling myself unnecessarily, and would be prudent, as without me the quadrilla would be like an _olla sin tocino_.[221]

"As to personal danger, Pépé," I made answer, "dismiss your fears for me. As I told you before, I am only going to see my friends Beltran and Alonzo; but unless I see them this very night, our project to surprise Ronda must be abandoned."

"Can you not," he rejoined, "communicate this to them by letter? your presence here may be very necessary; I will be the bearer."

"Impossible," said I; "it may be necessary to alter the whole of our arrangements. Good night, my faithful Pépé; be assured you have my full confidence. Should my non-appearance to-morrow excite surprise, say I am unwell, and have given orders not to be disturbed; but if my absence exceed forty-eight hours, go to Jacobo, and tell him all you know of my movements. He is aware of the value I set upon you; and your head--in the situation in which he will then be placed--will be required by him. Once more _adios y Pesetas!_ with this stout mule I trust I shall be able to reach Gaucin before midnight;" and putting spurs to the animal's sides, I urged him rapidly down the steep acclivity of the _Sierra Endrinal_, taking the _trocha_ to _Cortes_.

The dark shadows of the lofty impending mountain soon concealed my movements from observation, and quitting the beaten track, I struck into a path on the left hand, which is used only by the goatherds, and leads through a dense forest to _Montejaque_. Putting my animal to the utmost speed the bad road would admit, I reached that village in two hours.

Every inmate of the little Eagle's nest was at my command. I found no difficulty, therefore, whilst a barber was robbing me of my mustaches and eyebrows, in getting my mule exchanged for a stout _burro_, my military costume for a tattered _zamarra_;[222] and thus metamorphosed, issued forth from the village. Descending by a rugged footpath to the river Guadiaro, and fording the stream a little above where a remarkable cavern, called the _Cueva del Gato_, overhangs its right bank, I made a wide circuit round Ronda, until I had gained the high road from that place to Gaucin; and then turning to the left (directing my ass's head towards the French garrison), proceeded quietly along the road, until, on arriving at the commencement of the long suburb, which extends beyond the walls on the south side of the town, I fell in with an enemy's piquet.

My business being demanded, I desired to be forthwith conducted to the commandant of the fortress, stating that I had information of the utmost consequence to communicate. "You have the look of one who has important _disclosures_ to make," observed the corporal of the party, pointing to a large rent in my cloak, whilst examining me from head to foot with a lantern; at which _bon mot_ his men, as in duty bound, laughed very heartily. "You wish no doubt to make a clean breast before you are shot for a _Judas_!"

"Wit without discretion, my friend," said I, "is like a sword in the hands of a fool. Great ends are sometimes gained by small means; so lead me to your officer without further parley, otherwise your shoulders will have to bear a heavy responsibility."

"I have half a mind to handcuff the fellow for his self-importance," said the Frenchman to his companions, not supposing I could understand his language; "and would too, only that there _does_ appear to be something stirring; for one of his cut-throat _compatriots_ has already been admitted to make '_important disclosures_,' within the last twenty-four hours. _Eh bien mon vieux_, you shall be forwarded, but let us first see what you have about you." So saying, my person was strictly searched; but I had only a few _ochavos_ about me, half a dozen doubloons, which I had brought in case of need (for "_quien no trahe soga se ahoga_,"[223] as we Spaniards say), being tied to the rope passed through my _borrico's_ mouth.

Another short delay took place at the gate of the fortress; but an order was finally brought from the commandant to conduct me to his presence.

The information I had gained, that another of my countrymen had been recently admitted to the fortress on a similar errand as myself, tended to confirm the anonymous warning of treachery, and made my position rather alarming; since, if brought face to face with the other informer, I should indubitably be recognised, and as certainly be hanged, drawn, and quartered.

However, my motto was ever _a lo hecho buen pecho_.[224] It was too late to recede; so muffling myself up in the old cloak to avoid being recognised by any of my countrymen, and taking the doubloons from their hiding-place, I left my _monture_ at the town gate, and, accompanied by a file of soldiers, proceeded on foot to the governor's abode.

His excellency had just returned from his nightly _tertulia_, and, attended by a single _aide-de-camp_, or secretary, was awaiting my arrival in his dressing-room.

The governor was a wizen-faced elderly man, short, thin, and phthisical, with quick grey eyes, thick bushy eyebrows, a high forehead, and a nose made expressly for taking snuff. He appeared to be, and I believe was, one of the _emigrés rentrés_, whom, about this time, the Emperor Napoleon was imprudently admitting into his service. The secretary, on the other hand, had all the appearance of _un vieux caporal_; his pockmarked full face, shaggy black hair, _coiffé à la Brutus_, and affected _brusque fránchise_, denoting him clearly to be _un homme du peuple_.

_Haciendo la Zalama_,[225] and then looking round at my escort, I said, that the information I had to impart might better, perhaps, be communicated as privately as possible.

"_Q'uest ce qu'il dit?_" asked the governor, turning to his aide-de-camp.

This having been duly translated to him, "_Bien!_" he replied, in a sharp querulous key; and asking the corporal if my person had been searched, ordered him to withdraw with the escort. This done, addressing me in very bad Spanish, he begged to be made acquainted with the nature of my communication, desiring his secretary, who, I soon found out, conversed fluently in the Castillian language, to pay attention to what I said.

I briefly stated, that a plan had been laid by some guerrilla chieftains, assembled in the neighbouring Sierras, to entice him from Ronda, whilst a large body of _facciosos_, collected at El Burgo, was to pounce upon the fortress; that I was master of all the details of the project, and was willing to lend him my services in frustrating it.

He listened attentively until I had concluded, and my harangue had been translated into French; and then, compressing his eyebrows, and looking earnestly at me, repeated, "Collected at El Burgo, you say?"

"Si, Señor."

"And in what force?"

I stated a very exaggerated number.

"And how many of the _facciosos_ may there be at Grazalema?"

"Some forty or fifty."

"This appears to be an intelligent rascal, _Leboucher_," said his excellency, now addressing his aide-de-camp; who, standing at the fireplace, had been attentively perusing a paper hanging against the wall, from which, however, he from time to time turned round, to take a look at me. "This appears to be an intelligent rascal, but his information differs _in toto_ from that furnished by _the other_. Keep your eye upon him, therefore, whilst I put a few more questions, but do not let him perceive that you are watching him."

"I have _had_ my eye upon him," replied _Mr. Butcher_, "and, strange to say, the fellow corresponds in many respects with the description I have before me of _El Ratonero_."

"_Diable!_" exclaimed the governor, "give it me;" and he cast his eye hastily over the paper handed to him, without once looking up at me. This was most fortunate; for, from the dangerous situation in which I found myself placed, my countenance would, probably, have betrayed me, notwithstanding all my efforts to appear unconcerned, had one glance been directed towards me, especially had any questions been put to me at the moment. Fortunately, I say, however, the governor did not look up, nor say a word to me, until he had perused the paper which his aide-de-camp presented, and drew his attention to; but then, suddenly fixing his quick little eyes upon me, he asked rapidly, as if to throw me off my guard, "Do you know one _Blas Malditado_?"

"Blas who, did your excellency say?" asked I, affecting not to know whom he meant.

"Blas el Ratonero," he rejoined.

"Oh, Blas _Maldonado_!" I exclaimed. "Ay, that I do! I know him as well as I know my right arm, and have a long account to settle with him some day; for I owe him all my ills, and, _por quien Dios es_,[226] he shall have honest payment!"

"No, Leboucher," said the governor, now turning to his _factotum_, "no; you are certainly mistaken--he is, decidedly, _not_ the rat-catcher. I think I am a sufficient judge of human nature to pronounce, that no man could act the part of the _injurié_ so well. This fellow's hate is heartfelt, be assured, but I will probe him a little more;" and, again addressing himself to me, he asked, "Do you know where this Blas now is?"

"Not exactly," I replied, "for he moves about like a ball of quicksilver. One day he is at _Zeca_, another at _Meca_. There is no catching him."

"Where does he say?" asked the governor, addressing his secretary--"_à Meca? où diable donc est Meca?_"

"Allow me to question him," said Señor Leboucher, with an ill-suppressed smile, a request to which the governor gave a pettish assent.

"_Allons, mon brave! sans phrases!_ you know this Blas well?" commenced my new interrogator.

"Right well."

"And is he a man of such determination as report says?"

"He is a bold fellow," I replied, "one who is not to be trifled with. He is always as good as his word, and his promises are engraved with the knife's point."

Fixing his eyes now upon me with a penetrating glance, whilst, at the same time, a kind of smile played about his sarcastic mouth, implying, "now you understand perfectly what I mean," he very deliberately and significantly asked, "Is he to be ... _bought_?"

"No, _señor_," said I, "I think not. He hates your nation from the bottom of his soul; and, if you have any dealings with him, be assured you will find but a _nest_ where you think to get _birds_."

"And what is _your_ name, friend?"

"Jacobo Vargas," I replied, giving him the name of my lieutenant.

"Can you write?"

"I can."

"Then do me the favour to write your name on this paper."

I did so.

"Do you know one Beltran Galindiz?" continued my interrogator.

"Yes, by character."

"Is _he_ faithful to your cause, think you?"

"Not to my cause, certainly." (Here the governor smiled, as much as to say to his assistant, you are not so clever as you think yourself.) "_I_ am a good Spaniard, and loyal subject of Joseph Napoleon; _he_ is a friend of the _despotic Bourbon_."

The secretary smiled in return at the old aristocrat, and continued his cross-questioning.

"And where did you leave this redoubtable Blas?"

"I have not yet said that I was with him." (Another smile from the governor.)

"True, true; but it would appear that you have lately seen him."

"I saw him last at Grazalema."

"When?"

"This very night."

"_Sacrebleu!_ he is already netted then," exclaimed he, turning round and addressing the governor, "and we have, therefore, no occasion for this fellow's services, except to stretch a rope; for, take my word, he is a spy--a spy of this very Blas, if not the rascal himself; who, with all due deference to your superior discernment, I still think he is. Suppose, however, as their accounts differ so widely, we first have our two spies confronted?"

"Perhaps it would be as well," replied the governor; "but we must not break faith with the _other_ either. So, show him first this fellow's name; ask if he knows him; and, then, whether he objects to see him face to face. We shall then, I think, find out whether El Burgo or Grazalema be the real point of concentration of the _canaille_."

The foregoing questions had led me to _suspect_ who this _other_ was; the concluding speech of the governor, like the sun dispersing the _mirage_ on the Guadalquivir's banks, made every thing clear. The information he possessed _could_ only have been given by one of my confederates, and if he and I were confronted my fate was sealed. It was a trying moment for me; the slightest hesitation would have been my ruin; the gibbet, I might say, was prepared; but I determined not to be hanged, without making an effort to shift the rope round the neck of my betrayer. I collected myself, therefore, for the coming crisis, and, as soon as the secretary had left the room, addressing the governor in his own language, said, "Your excellency is so perfect a master of the Castillian tongue, that it would be presumption in me to stammer out the few words of French with which I am acquainted, only that I wish to avoid all appearance of deceit and----."

"_Bon Dieu de la France! mais vous parlez parfaitement!_" interrupted the governor. "_Pourquoi diable! ne m'avez vous pas dit cela auparavant?_"

"Because I was never asked the question, please your excellency."

"_Vrai, vrai_--that fellow, Leboucher, _will_ always be cleverer than every body else! But, since you _do_ speak French, and well too, pray have the goodness to make all further communications in that language."

"Willingly," I replied, "since such is your excellency's wish; and, to speak the truth, it is much more satisfactory to me to go to the fountain-head. I have ever found, with blood as with water, that the higher the stream the clearer it runs."

His excellency took a pinch of snuff with unequivocal satisfaction, and begged me to proceed with what I was going to state when he interrupted me.

"I was about to observe," said I, "that I might claim the same exemption from being brought before any of my countrymen, as has been granted to this _other_; but I am no secret informer--on the contrary----."

Here Señor Leboucher re-entered the apartment, and, giving the governor back the paper on which I had written my (or, rather, my lieutenant's) name, said, "The other knows this person well, but on no account will----."

"Hush, hush!" exclaimed the governor, "our friend here speaks French."

"The devil he does!" ejaculated the secretary. "Then hang him up at once for a spy! what further proof is required of his being so? Depend on it, he is El Ratonero, and not the person he represents himself to be."

"_Un moment_," said the governor, taking him aside, and whispering for some time in his ear, by which, however, whatever it may have been, the secretary did not appear at all convinced.

"I am not surprised, Señor," said I, addressing Monsieur Leboucher as soon as their consultation appeared to flag, "I am not surprised at your continuing in the mistake of supposing me to be _El Ratonero_. It requires less clear-sightedness than I am sure you possess, to discover a likeness, which (in spite of all my endeavours to conceal it) has frequently been observed. But I here solemnly swear, _por Dios y todos los Santos_, (and I crossed myself most devoutly) that Blas Maldonado has been through life my greatest enemy." Was not that true, Caballeros?

"To put all your doubts at rest, however," I continued, "bring forth this _other_--this Beltran, for well I know who your informer is. As regards me, have no scruples; for, as I have said before, I am no secret informer, but an open and faithful friend of the brave nation that has come to release my country from her fetters. As it affects the matter I have come about, however, our meeting will render abortive the whole plan I was about to propose to you. _He_ will at once see that his machinations are discovered, and you will have to hang him--a poor devil that never has and never can do you any harm;--whereas, by his absence from his confederates at El Burgo, _they_ will be aware that their project to entrap you has miscarried, and you will consequently miss the glorious opportunity of taking them in their own toils."

"Nay," said the governor, "I think, since you say that you left Blas at Grazalema this night, our plan has already succeeded without your assistance. By to-morrow night the pass in his rear will be occupied by a body of troops moved up from Cadiz; and our arrangements are made to give him a warm reception, should he attempt to escape on this side."

"And now, Señor," added the secretary, "since his excellency has thought fit to make you acquainted with so much of our plans, I believe you must remain our prisoner, until they have been fully carried into execution."

"That will be as his excellency pleases," I replied. "But I have yet a communication to make that may induce you to view the matter differently. Blas Maldonado left Grazalema this night; he sleeps at Gaucin, and from thence, in conjunction with the band of this very Beltran, is to attack your fortress as soon as ever you have been induced to move upon Grazalema, and thus...."

An orderly here entered the room, and delivered a packet to the governor. It was short, and seemed to confound him. He handed it to his secretary without a word of comment, who also seemed perplexed.

After another whispered consultation, the governor turned to me and said, "Your information is correct--Blas is now at Gaucin. Leboucher, reseal that letter, and carry it to the worthy Señor Beltran, and ask him if it contains any thing to be communicated to me. Say we have imprisoned Jacobo as he recommended."

In a few minutes the secretary returned, and stated that Beltran, having perused the letter, was desirous of departing immediately, as he feared something had gone wrong--that Jacobo (meaning me) must on no account be lost sight of.

"His impudence shall not save him," exclaimed the governor; "I'll have him before me this instant, and...."

"_Mon General_," I interrupted, "reap yourself the fruit of his perfidy; affect to place perfect reliance in him--allow him to depart, and I pledge you my word, before eight and forty hours are passed, you shall have _his ears_, if not the head of _Blas el Ratonero_."

My real earnestness and assumed frankness, the opportune arrival of the traitor Pépé's despatch to Beltran, announcing my sudden departure for Gaucin (for no one _but_ Pépé knew I was going there), and, lastly, Beltran's anxiety to get away, caused the general, and even Monsieur Leboucher, to place perfect confidence in me, and the rest of the night was passed in arranging a plan to circumvent Beltran; a plan, which, offering no great risks, (for my object now was rather to be revenged on my traitorous associates than to occasion loss to the French) was readily adopted, and before dawn I had left the town to perform my part in the drama; Beltran having been suffered to depart some hours previously.