Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-03-30

plated in one thick tail, which reached to her
heels Her gown was of rough red cloth,
with tight sleeves and short skirt, displaying
pair Of yellow worsted stockings and leather
sandals, fastened by thongs above the ankle.
Her face was coarse and bloated !; but the ex-
preston of her eye was terrible. 1t lowered
between the bright ferocious glare of snake,
and the glazed orb of an arrant sot She
scanned me closely; and thought the old
devil, (she was Spanish woman, and past
forty,) was accurately appraising the value Of
all had on.
Well, sonora patrona,' said /, 'what can
have for supper
The senior has come at bad time, for we
have little or no provisions in our larder. -
CThe larder Of every Spanish inn has been in
the same condition since the days of Cervantes
and Gongora.) For now this road between
Malaga and Antequera is but little frequented
after noon-day, owing to the terrible robberies
and the four assasslnations committed by Juan
Roa, during the last Salano. Caramba It's
very hard that we should suffer for him
What can have, then!'
"A roasted galina, dressed with few beans,
said the patrcna.
And glass of good aquadiente,' added the
host our Tierno has soured in the wine
skins
IT'S poor fare, this, for hungry men.
have said that expect my friends arrival mo-
mently.'
The host gave cold smile, and said, W.
have had nething ourselves, for week past
but Indian corn and boiled garbanzos (beans !
but the best we have is at the disposal Of the
senor cabalero.'
The inn was old and crazy the wind came
in at one Granny, and whistled out by another
The roof, walls and floor of the large apart
ment in which we three were seated, consisted
OF multitude of beams and boards, placed hor-
izontally and diagonally, without SKILL, and
without regard to design or appearance fol
in mechanics, the Spaniards are behind every
nation in civilized Europe. There was but
one candle in the house, (as the host assured
me,) and it was rapidly guttering down in the
currents of air. The patrona transferred il
from the lantern to an iron holder, and it was
placed on the table to light the room and my
supper.
An ostler, or nondescript servant, wearing
fustian knee-buckles, without braces, with
muleteers embroidered shirt, and having
yellow handkerchief tied rnnnd his head
spread (not over-clean) cloth on the table
knives, forks and covers were laid for two
with cold fowl, loaf of white bread, a disl
of beans, garlic and a bottle of aquadiente
| observed this Withholding waiter frequent
ly glancing at my rifle, and the jewelled dirl
that dangled at my waist-belt | became sus-
picious of everything.
You are well armed, senor, said he.
1t is natural for arms are my profession,
said |.
! looked at my watch: the hands indicated
II o'clock Two hours had elapsed since
Hall and had separated; still there was nc
appearance of him. Twenty times opened
the shutters of the unglazed windows, and lis
tened intently but the night-wind that swep
down the dark ravine in the Sierra, brought
neither shout nor footstep SO | resolved tc
sup, 60 10 bed, and trust to daylight for dis
covering Jack, if he did not arrive at the pos
ada before morning.
had just concluded supper, when the last
remains of the last candle in this solitary inn
sank into its iron socket and left us in dark
ness-at least with no other light than the red
wavering glow that came from the hearth
where few roots of pine and cork-wood
smouldered beside the brown puchero, in
which the amlable patrona had boiled the beans
for my repast.
Here is pretty piece of business 2 said
Martin Secco, we have not another candle
were it to light blessed altar; and the senol
caballero must go to bed in the dark
Heed not that, senor PATRON said |; fol
l am soldier, as you may see, and am used tc
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 caballero ever come to Malaga
again, he will remember Martin Secco.'
At this remark, heard the patrona utter a
low, chuckling laugh but weather at the pros
pect Of the fine hotel, or the doubtful chances
of my ever again visiting Malaga, could no
say.
Now, senor patron, said |, rising, and TAX
ing up my rifle, / should like to reach Tho
town betimes tomorrow; SO show me my
chamber, and should my friend arrive, fail no
to call me.
Will you not leave your gun here!' sug
gested the host.
Thank you-no, said /, while my unde-
fined suspicious grew stronger within me -
: Do you lead the way, senior, and j shall fol
low. Good night, sonora patrona.
Bueno nOchc, senor.' said she, stirring w
the embers; and we separated.
The fellow Martin was, perhaps, the most
unpleasant part that had yet acted for had
to grope my way after him along a dark pas
sage, about forty feet long, at the end OF which
he ushered me into a room, where there was
no other light than that given by the moon'
which shone through small window glazed