PLIK AND PLOK. 319 



the noble animal extricates himself from a position in which all other 

 quadrupeds of his species are most helpless. 



" A sort of inclined floating bridge, fastened to the ship's side by long 

 iron bars, was lowered into the water. The horse placed his forefeet upon 

 the extremity of this plank, and with a vigorous bound reached the deck, 

 which was almost level with the water." 



The assembled multitude, who have just heard the declaration of 

 the Gitano, rush almost simultaneously in pursuit of him. But be- 

 sides that their eagerness and numbers obstructs their attempt, they 

 find on reaching the shore that the boats have all been turned adrift. 

 However, they are consoled by the appearance of two revenue- 

 cutters that are bearing down upon the pirate. From this new danger 

 the Gitano is delivered by his coolness and courage, and his superior 

 knowledge of the coast, though we must confess we do not exactly 

 comprehend how he manages it ; but we believe it is by the sub- 

 stitution of an empty consort, resembling his ship in every particular. 

 After this we find him superintending the landing of his cargo, during 

 the performance of which exciting task he does little else than blas- 

 pheme, and jeer at a poor monk who is specially hired to bless the 

 goods, and to efface the traces of Satan left on them by his hands. 

 We shall quote a morsel of this as it presents us with another feat on 

 horseback. 



" While this discussion was proceeding, a man was seen hurrying down 

 the cliff. It was the fisherman, Pablo. ' In the name of the Virgin, fly/ 

 said he, 'fly the leather-coats are out we are betrayed by Punto/ 

 ' Death to Punto !' and the knives flashed in the moonlight. ' This is not 

 all/ added he, ' the crimes and profanations of the Gitano recoil upon you j 

 and the bishop has directed them to shoot you like dogs, for having leagued 

 with an excommunicated heathen.' ' The holy father changes his sheep into 

 wolves what a miracle !' exclaimed the philosopher. ' Death to Punto, 

 the traitor ! exclaimed the group of smugglers. ' He's done for/ said the 

 Gitano/ kicking the dead body ; ' and so load your goods in haste for the 

 tide is rising, and the sky is growing cloudy ; and if once the carbine of the 

 leather-coats shall glitter on the steep, your choice must lie betwee'n'fire 

 and water, my lads.' He then gave a low whistle, and his crew of blacks 

 instantly repaired on board the cutter. The Gitano remained upon the 

 shore, mounted upon his trusty steed. His countenance assumed a rather 

 equivocal expression, when a brisk fire of musketry announced the presence 

 of the revenue officers on the ridge of the cliff. All hope of retreat on that 

 side was cut oif. ' Holy Virgin, save us, noble captain/ said the monk ; 

 ' show us the secret passage/ * What passage ?' saith the Gitano, ' you 

 are dreaming/ " 



" A sharp fire was kept up upon the group, and three of the smugglers 

 had already expired upon the beach. The terror of the monk was at its 

 height: he dragged himself into the water, and there in accents of the deepest 

 despair, he besought the Gitano to save them. ' Invoke Satan, and I will 

 save you/ said the Gitano. ' Behind these rocks is a secret passage, masked 

 by a moveable stone: it will shelter you against your pursuers/ 'Well then, 

 Satan, since Satan you must be, save us/ cried the Spaniards, with a cry of 

 anguish. The Gitano shrugged his shoulders, turned his horse's head in the 

 direction of the vessel, and swam towards it amid a shower of bullets, singing 

 aloud an old moorish romance of Hafiz. The Smugglers remained thunder- 

 stricken. They had only to choose between fire and water, as the pirate had 

 predicted. The Gitano, alone, made his escape. ' By heaven/ exclaimed the 



