678 THE TALISMAN; 



must undergo. But she more particularly dwelt upon the circum- 

 stance of the Sierra being the rendezvous of a formidable banditti, 

 whose detachments were then robbing on the roads towards France. It 

 was impossible, she averred, that I could avoid falling in with some 

 of the band, when I should certainly be plundered, and perhaps 

 viewed and treated as a spy. I was, however, in an obstinate humour, 

 and would not be scared from my purpose. Having made every ar- 

 rangement for a pedestrian journey, I put into one pocket a few 

 dollars, and into the other my small bright double-barrelled pistol, 

 which although in reality a very inefficacious weapon, I have known 

 to cause the greatest alarm to even a well-armed Spaniard. They 

 rarely use the pistol, but have an idea that it is the Englishman's 

 national weapon, and unerring in his hand. At this moment I remem- 

 ber me of an instance of this. I was passing on -foot through a street 

 in a town in Andalusia, when a savage-looking Spaniard rushed unex- 

 pectedly from a house, and nearly overthrew me. Instead of apology, 

 he uttered some rude exclamation, and I looked at him, as I felt, in- 

 dignant enough, adding a Spanish word of insult which I need not 

 here record. My antagonist's eyes flashed fire. " I have something 

 to punish you insolent foreigners," said he, drawing from his side- 

 pocket the formidable knife, which, athough prohibited by law, every 

 man carries in Spain. 



" But I have an article worth more than that," I replied as coolly 

 as I could ; and I produced at the instant my small pistol, which, 

 however, was unloaded, and by mere accident in my pocket. I 

 cocked and presented it at him. The moment he saw the shining 

 barrels, which glittered in the rays of the noon-day sun, he drew 

 back and lowered his knife. 



" You are right," said he, with amazing composure. " That pistol 

 is of more value than my navaja. I ask your pardon." 



I had not altogether lost my temper from the first, so that I was 

 enabled to accept, with a good grace, his amende, and to add the 

 vaya listed con Dios (God be with you), as I put up my weapon and 

 passed on. 



But to return to my Catalonian adventure. Prepared as I before 

 stated, I set out on my trip. As I quitted the door of the inn, I 

 found Marguerita at my side. 



" You English are strange creatures," said she. " Had I spoken 

 to a man of any other nation, half as much as I have done to you, to 

 induce him to give up such a ramble, the scheme would have been 

 abandoned at once. I ought to be offended. Nevertheless, I am 

 interested about you. Take this." 



She placed in my hand a lock of hair, of the same raven hue as 

 her own. It was bound together by a narrow ribbon, striped with a 

 variety of brilliant colours. 



" If you encounter robbers, as I fear you will do," continued she, 

 " make no resistance ; but, in a resolute manner, demand" to be at 

 once conducted to their chief to Alonzo, and exhibit this token ; it 

 will protect you." 



I smiled at her earnestness, but expressed my grateful thanks, and 

 pressing the talisman gallantly to my lips, I deposited it in my vest, 



