ANDALUSIAN SKETCH KS. . 53 



to defray the law charges. Nothing could be more reasonable. The 

 suit lasted for years, during which I was supported by my kind pro- 

 tector the priest. At length it was decided in my favour ; the decree 

 was issued, commanding my uncle to deliver over to me my right. 

 Don Pablo and myself set out in joyful mood for Olbera. But I was 

 doomed to be persecuted by unkind fortune : my vile relative seeing 

 that he must disgorge his plunder, and be for ever exposed to the 

 contempt of his fellow-townsmen, had converted every thing possible 

 into money, and had left the place. The decree of the court could 

 not therefore be served upon him. This happened at a memorable 

 period that of the infamous invasion of Spain by the French, under 

 the orders of Napoleon. My uncle joined the invaders, and was, I 

 believe, of infinite service to them as a guide and spy. Indeed it was 

 from his information that the combined expedition of the Spaniards 

 and English, commanded by your renowned countryman, Lord Blay- 

 ney, failed. The traitor afterwards met the fate he deserved ; he was 

 put to death by the invaders by the very men he basely served, 

 under a suspicion that he was about to change sides again and betray 

 them. But to return to myself. The laws in Spain are not admi- 

 nistered in a manner which enables suitors to obtain justice ; the legal 

 functionaries usually reap the whole harvest. Nothing could be 

 done, it appeared, towards restoring to me my property, until my uncle 

 was forthcoming, or a formal certificate of his decease produced. 

 Thejuslicia the court therefore, took possession of my houses and 

 the gardens belonging to me. At this time corps of guerillas were 

 forming all over Spain to act against the detested French. I joined 

 a band of serranos (mountaineers) and we performed good service to 

 our beloved country. I was soon chosen leader. Reckless of life, 

 I did some daring deeds ; besides, my knowledge of the goat-paths 

 and hiding places in the Sierra, acquired during my five years' resi- 

 dence in it,?gave me great advantages. After a period, my party of 

 guerillas was postly conveniently to the town of Olbera, in which I 

 established my head-quarters, and from whence we directed our ope- 

 rations against the convoys and detachments of French troops which 

 occasionally ventured to move between Seville and Ronda. Must I 

 confess that I had another motive for being so frequently in Olbera ? 

 Don Carlos Archoval, the alcalde, the worthy successor to my unworthy 

 uncle, had a daughter. She was indeed a mountain gem un almacen de 

 gracias; but I dare not attempt to describe her. Amongst all the 

 beauties of Andalusia you may have looked upon, you cannot have 

 beheld her equal ; I can scarcely even now whisper her name it 

 was Concha. I mark your smile of pity and incredulity ; but it is 

 too true. There is no accounting for the fancies and tastes of woman 

 I was not an unsuccessful suitor. Our union, however, was to be 

 delayed until more peaceful times: no matter let me resume my 

 narrative. If I were to relate to you the various defeats these robbers 

 encountered at the hands of my band, the summer would not be long 

 enough to enable me to finish my tale. I kept no regular account, 

 but I can swear that, with my own good gun and knife, I sent to 

 ' El Infierno ' at least one hundred of the scoundrels, I must 

 recount- one of my adventures. It was, I think, about the com- 



