440 Autobiography of Polinario, the Spanish Bandit. [ APRIL, 



who had been sent to guard the treasure. I have made it a rule never 

 to spill blood without good cause ; and, perceiving little probability of 

 success, I darted into the gorge. Six bullets were sent after me, but 

 they all whizzed by. But to return to the canons. 



I had scarcely taken my seat on the wall, when my ear caught the 

 sound of carriage wheels, and in a few moments after, I had turned the 

 mules' heads, and opened the carriage door. " Reverend Senores/' said 

 I, " you see before you the representative of the renowned Don Jose de 

 Rabadel." 



, " Ah, Jesus Maria !" exclaimed all the three canons, at the same 

 time muttering a prayer, and rapidly crossing themselves. 



t( No doubt," continued I, " your reverences travel with well-stored 

 purses, that you may have wherewithal to bestow a charity by the 

 way/' 



" Mine, Senor," said one of the three, " is the only one of our purses 

 that is not entirely exhausted ; the demands of charity upon those of 

 my two brothers, have left not a real in either of them." 



" Then," said I, " I will be generous, and accept of the purses of 

 your brethren ;" and those being hesitatingly drawn forth, and presented 

 to me with faultering hands, I found, as I expected, to be well stored 

 with gold ; while the remaining purse that had been offered, I after- 

 wards learned from Bartolomeo contained scarcely as many pesetas as 

 paid for supper. " Remember, Senores," said I, tf that Polinario is the 

 name of the man who has made himself master of your gold, and that 

 he has taken two purses when he might have taken three " and having 

 requested absolution, which they dared not refuse, I allowed the canons 

 to pursue their journey, and arrived at the Venta soon after they had 

 entered it, and in sufficient time to partake of supper along with the 

 reverend sen ores whom I had robbed. 



<f No cause for alarm, Senores," said I, as entering the room where 

 the canons were just dipping their spoons in the soup ; they all let them 

 drop into the dish, and rose from their seats. " Pray, reverend sirs," 

 continued I, "resume your places; having shared your gold, I am 

 now going to partake of your supper ; but, harkee, say not a word of me 

 to the rascally innkeeper, who would play me a trick if he could, at the 

 first sign of recognition you understand me, Senores." This I said to 

 screen Bartolomeo from suspicion of being connected with me. The 

 loss of their gold, and perhaps my presence, appeared to have in some 

 degree diminished the appetite of the canons, so that there was abun- 

 dance, and choice too, for a fourth mouth ; and after supper was ended, 

 I divided the booty with Bartolomeo, who complimented me highly, 

 especially upon my having returned to sup with the canons, which he 

 said was just Don Jose's way. From this moment I was Polinario the 

 Robber, known and feared from Seville to Madrid. 



I do not purpose now to continue the regular thread of my exploits. 

 In the eleven years that I ranged over La Mancha and the Sierra, I 

 committed no fewer than three hundred and fifteen robberies ; but I 

 purpose only detailing a few of the most difficult, the most curious, and 

 the merriest of my adventures ; relating also in what manner I obtained 

 a wife, and how I visited my sister Maraquita, and my native village of 

 Tobaruela and Tobias, for it will be recollected that I am now on my 

 way to see my dear brother Diego, who lies at the point of death. 



