Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-11-17

I
once made thirty leagues in on
day, either at the galiop or trot. II
the midst of his panegyric, tn
stranger ceased brusquely, as
surprised and sorry at having sal,
too much. t'It was because | wa
very anxious to reach Cordoya," h
continued, with some eInbarrass
ment 81 was obliged to beseecl
the judges in suit" While talk
ing he looked at my guide, Anto
nio, who lowered his eyes.
The shade and spring so greatly
charmed me that recalled to mint
some excellent slices of ham tina
my friends at Montilla had put ii
the wallet of my guide. / haC
them produced, and invited tht
stranger to take his part of the i'm
promptu collation.. If he had no
smoked since long time, it appear
ed to me probable that he had moi
eaten since forty-eight' hours, al
least. He devoured the meat like g
half-starved wolf. / thought thai
my coming had been well nigh
providential for the poor fellow
My guide, however, ate little, drank
less, and said nothing at all, though
since the commencement of our
voyage he had exhibited himself as
braggart without parallel. The
presence of our guest seemed to
restrain him, and a certain dis
trust separated them from each
other without my being able to
positively divine the cause.
Already the last crunb of bread
and ham had disappeared, we had
each smoked u second cigar, | or
dered the guide to bride our horses
anG was going to bid adieu to my
friend, when he asked where | was
intending to pass the night.
en- by my guide | had replied that
| was going To the tavern Del Cuer-
vo.
ga bad lodging for person of
your quality, Senor. | am going
there. too, and if you will permit
me to accompanyyou we will travel
together.
"Gladly," L said, mounting my
horse. My guide, who was holding
my stirrup, made me another sign
with his eye. l responded by a
shrug of the shoulders, as if to as
sure him that l was perfectly calm,
and we proceeded on our way.
The mysterious hints of Antonio,
his restleSsnesS, some chance words
let fall by the stranger, above all
his thirty league ride, and the eX-
PLANTATION, not very plausible, that
he had given, had already formed
my opinion in respect to my COM
paniOn. did not doubt but that
| was talking with a contrabandier,
perhaps brigand. What did it
concern me? / was we'll enough
with the Spanish char
acter to be sure of having nothing
to fear from man who had eaten
and smoked with me. On the con-
trary, his presence was even sure
protection for me against other
knights of the road. Besides, ] was
very glad to find out what Il brigand
was. One does not see them every
day, and then there is a certain fac
ination in finding ones self near ii
person, especially when
he is in gentle and familiar mood.
[ hoped to lead him by degrees to
become confidential, and nOtwith-
standing the winks of my guide, /
put the conversation upon highway
robbers. You may be sure [ spoke
Of them very respectfully. There
was then Ii famous banditin Anda-
lusia named Jose Maria, whose eX-
ploits were on the tongue of every
body. perhaps | am now beside
Jose Maria," | thought. / related
the stories | knew concerning that
hero, all of which were to his praise,
and | loudly expressed my admira-
ton for his bravery and generosity.
"Jose Maria is nothing but a
scoundrel," coldly said the stran-
ger
SIS he doing himself justice, or is
it an excess of modesty on his
part ?" demanded, mentally, for
by sidelong glances at my compan-
ion, l had succeeded in applying to
him the description of Jose Maria
that [ had read posted upon the
gates of many of the Andalusian
cities. Eyes, it is indeed he
blonde hair, blue eyes, large mouth,
regular teeth, small hands, Il fine
shirt, velvet vest with silver but
ions, CATERS of white leather, bay
horse. There can be no doubt, but
let us respect his incOgnitO."
We arrived at the inn. 1t was as
it had been described, that is to say,
The most miserable had ever met.
One large room served for kitchen,
parlOr and bedroom.
Upon flat stone, placed in the
middle of the room, was the fire,
and the smoke made its exit through
1 hole cut in the roof, or rather
stopped, forming cloud few feet
above the floor. Along the wall,
upon the planks, could be seen
stretched five or six old mule blan-
zets. They were the beds for trav-
9lers. About twenty steps from the
house, or rather the shanty, have
ust described, was a sort of shed
Used for stable. In this charming
place there were no other human
beings, at least for the moment,
han an old woman and little girl
Of ten or twelve years, both black as
;oot and covered with rags. "There
S all that rests" mused, "of all
he population of antique Munda
Betica! 0, Caesar! o, Sextus
Pompeyg How you would be as
Onished if you should return to the
world"
Upon perceiving my companion,
he woman let escape an exclama-
ion of surprise: "Ah, SenOr Don
lose !" she cried.
Don Jose frowned, and raised his
land with gesture of authority
which Immediately arrested her. |
;urned toward my guide, and with
IN imperceptible sign / made him
that he had nothing to
each me concerning the man with
whom j was going to pass the night.
The supper was better than | eX-
)ected. They served us upon a
title table about foot high, chick
IN fricasee, with rice and strong
pepper, then some peppers in oil,
inally some gasp0chO, sort of sal
I'd of pepper. Three dishes so spicy
obliged us to often have resource to
/ measure of Montilla wine, which
seemed delicious. After having
,aten, seeing a mandoline leaning
against the wall (there are mando-
ines everywhere in Spain), / asked
he little girl who was waiting upon
is if she could play.
NO." she replied, "But Don Jose
plays upon it SO we'll"
''Be good enough, please, to sing
said to him; L am
1assionately fond of your national
music"