Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-02-15
EAo'ii DehIiys Ml,celiaDy.
THE CONTRABANDISTA,
BY CAPTAIN MEDwIN.

den,. obedient to the voice of their ar
rieros, stopped with one accord before
the door of a venta, between CASTLE
and Andalusia. The hostel was inso-
lated, 'butin spite its miserable APP
pearance, was place of great resort.
In front, rising 10 considerable ele-
walton, was seen one Of those wells,
called in India, Persian wheels, for raj
sing water, whose simple construction
dates from the time of the Moors, and
whose machinery is set in motion by a
mule, who, bIindGoIded, keeps pacing
in the same circle.
The caravan had just crossed the
desolate plains of La Mancha, the mo-
notonous track (which is relieved by
no species ofvegetation. They seem
ed enveloped in ain atmosphere Of dust
and flame. Men and beasts were COW
cred with the red and srgilaceous dust;
and all expressed, each in his own way,
delighted at having reached their dts-
tination after the tolls of the day.
But the barking of half a dozen
dogs, chained on both sides ofthe door
was the only welcome WHICH the trav-
oilers received. No one passed the
threshold to do the.honors ofthe house;
and the mayoral. or head of the cara
van, without appearing in the least sur.
prised atthis want of hospitality, pre-
pared 10 make. lis way at once into The
house by the narrow passage left be-
tween the Cetberuses.
'Cfacias d Dio!' said he, lsapiing
nimbly from bis palfrey, and walking.
straightto wicket in the great portal
OF the venta, which being already I'M
barred, he led in his horse, and all the
mules followed. one by one, in the
same order which they had kept du--
ring 1.-THE. marcn, and then, like a WE'LL
drilled troop of dragons, ranged them
selves in line, their necks ou;slretcled,
and waiting patiently lo.be relieved of
their burthens. The'mule-drivers and
some travellers, who had for.nuluaIse-
curity joined the convoy, closed the
cayalcade;sa nd as soon as they had all
entered, the door was carefully shut
and bolted as before,-fo for the night
had now completely closed in.
The description of the interior CT
the venta will give an exact idea of the
inns in.Spail, or rather refugees as
they might more properly be Called,
established by the contributions of tie
pious, or by the vanity Of some high
and mighty dons, and which have often
been compared to die .caravanscras Of
the East.
This interior consists Of a single
apartment, vast barn, whose raftered
roofrests upon three ranges Of squire
stone pillars. The light Of day is only
admitted by some openings cut oct Of
the wall, resembling loop-hoIes in d
fortress, and these SO narrow, that at
midday the eye must be habituated TO
the twilight befoe it can Distinguish
the objects within. Men, beasts,
and their burthens, have all The same
accommodation; and has often happen
ed that this spacious. domiciIe has con-
tained more than hundred travellers.
and double or triple the number of
mules and horses. These latter are
fastened on both sides Of the wall. =
They are heard, however, rather than
seen; lor.the windows, innocent of glass,
are,so placed, that the light can only
penetrate 10 the middle of the room
and the two extremities are in utter
darkness. Near the. door are. ranged
the different vehicles of the country,
'galeras;' and here and there about the
pillars, the baggage and trunks Of the
different caravans are deposited. OPP
posite to the door, in the midst Of a
little paved hearth, the fire Of hospital
ity is kept constantly a light. The
smoke escapes how it can, either by
narrow loop-hoies, or by the chinks
between the rafters and the roof, for
Chimney there is none.
One partition only exists in the cor
ner Of this barn. Its, as it were a
hut within house, an asylum reserved
for the landlord and his family
Against this, upon some thick pianks
ofwood, are ranged with greatregular-
| ity some enormous vessels of red ear
thenware, which, 10 avoid the trouble
! Of constantly fetching water from the
well, contain some days provision fol
the animals, whilst water OF better
description, in vases Of a lighter kind
OF clay. unbaked, is carefully slowed
away for the use of the guests at the
venta.
twas in this splendid apartment
and as near to the fire as. they could
contrive to get, that the new arrival.
formed a group. Agrear many OTIS
ers had already taken. up their quarter
stretched at fuII1ength in their claok
or blankets, the only beds in the hos
ttelry, OF we're seated cross1legged i
| the Eastern fashion round long table
on the .grouRds and taking their frags
meal from the provisions which. the
!. had brought with them, for none wer
to be obtained in the place.
4 Ave Maria Sanctissima!' was th