The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-06-28

'S" W "PPe"ahSe, iOT ln me-
chanlcs, the Spaniards are behind every
nation in civilized Europe. There was
but one candle in the house, las the hos,
assured me,) and it was rapidly flutterinp
down in the currents of air. The patrons
transferred it from the lantern to an iron
holder, and it was placed on the table tc
light the room and my supper.
An ostler, or nondescript servant, wear.
ing fustian knee-buckles, without braces
with muleteer's embroidered shirt. and
having yellow handkerchief tied round
his head, spread (not over-clean) cloth
on the table; knives, forks and cover.
were laid for two, with cold fowl. loa
Of white bread, a dish Of beans, garlic and
bottle Of aquadiente.
obserbed this Withholding waiter fire.,
quently gancing At my rife, and the Jew
elled dirk that tangled at my waist-b belt ;
became suspicious of everything.
Yesterday We were wishing for an ad-
venture !"
You are well armed, senor," said he.
1T Is natural, for arms are my profes-
sion," said |.
looked at my watch the hands indi-
Gated IL o'clock! Two hours had elaps.
ed since Hall and | had separated still
there was no appearance of him. Twen-
ty times | opened the shutters of the un-
| glazed windows, and listened intentlv but
the nIght-wmd that swept down the dark
ravine in the Sierra, brought neither shout
nor tootstep; so | resolved to SUP, 90 to
bed, and trust to daylight for discovering
Jack, II he did not arrive at the posada
before morning.
had just concluded supper, when the
last remains of the last candle in this soil
tary inn, sank into its iron socket and left
us in darkness-at least with no other
light than the red, waverinp glow that
came from the hearth, where a few roots
OF pine and cork-wood smouldered. besides
the brown puchero, in which the amiabIe
patrona Lad boiled the beans for nv re-
! past.
Ho'~ ." l'.~-.y r'~~~, -..-...~.-- -.
SAID Martin Secco "we have not another
candle, were it to light blessed alter;
and the senior caballero must 90 to bed in
he dark"
Heed not that, senor patron" said | :;
'for am soldier, as you may see, and
am used to discomfort"
"Tis well {; for am sure that the senior
has experienced nothing but discomfort in
our poor posada. When | am rich
enough, senior, | hope to have hotel in
the Alameda; and then should the cabal-
lcro ever come to Malaga again, he will re-
member Martin Secco."
At this remark, | heard the patrona
utter low, chuckling laugh but whether
at the prospect of the fine hotel, or the
doubtful chances of my ever again visit
ing Malaga, could not say.
"Now, senor patron" said |, rising, and
taking up my rifle, 81 should like to reach
the town hetmes tomorrow SD show me
my chamber, and should my friend arrive,
fail not to call me-"
"Will you not leave your gun here ~
suggested the host.
Thank you-no," said |, while my un.
defined suspicious grew stronger within
me. "Do you lead the way, senior, and
shall follow. Good night, sonora pat
rono."
Bueno noshe, senor," said she, string up
the embers and we separated.
The fellow Martin was, perhaps, the
most unpleasant part that had yet ac-
ted; for had to grope my way after him
along dark passage, about forty feet
long, at the end of which he ushered me
into room, where there was no other
light than that given by the moon, which
shone through small window glazed
with little panes of coarse glasses. Here
he bade me "Bueno noche;" and, after
many apologies for my miserable accom-
mediation, left me.
The apartment was small. In one cor
ner stood French bed, having light-col
ored curtains this, with basin stand, two
chairs, and n mirror, made up the furni
ture. Like true soldier turned to Sc.
cure the door.
Destitute of lock or bolt it had only a
small thumb-latch.
Dismounting the ever and basin,
placed the stand endwIse between the BED
and the door, firmly fixing it, and forming
a barricade, which none could move with
out awsking me. To make all sure, !
again dropped the ramrod into each bar.
rel Of my rifle, passed finger over the
caps, unbncked the belt at which my dirl
dangled; and, without undressing. for eve
ry moment | expected to hear Jack Hal
hallowine outside the house--in short, u
be prepared for anything-I threw my
self down on the coveret, and weary an,
worn by long DAYS ramble among tn
mountains, prepared to sleep.
For a long time, speeches Of painful
wakefulness possessed me; the moans
the passing wind, the flappiny Of loos
board in the external gallery, the wavel
ing shadows thrown by the moonlight o.
the damp and discolored walIs--escn th
ticking Of my watch disturbed me, an
kept me constantly thinking Of poor Hall
uuaccountable absence, with a fear ths
he might have fallen into the hands Of Jr
an Of Anteque.a, and not few reproache
for my having, perhaps, too easily relir
quished my search for him,