.t:-Ji 



ANDALUSIAN SKETCHES. 



pursuit to my own. We all three stood perfectly motionless for a few 

 seconds. Don Tomas spoke first, advancing gradually towards me, 

 holding his gun in his left hand, and making threatening gestures 

 with his right. " Well met, most renowned Miller," said he, with a 

 bitter sarcastic smile. " I am rejoiced to be enabled to communicate 

 to you, before I set out to-morrow for Ecija, that my sister has reco- 

 vered her senses, and will act with her wonted judgment and wisdom. 

 She no longer thinks, but in the manner she ought, of an outcast like 

 yourself; a chief of banditti for aught I know or can learn !" As he 

 concluded these words he had approached close to me, and I felt his 

 hand fall heavily upon my breast as if inflicting a blow. Could man 

 endure this? My gun in my hand cocked ready for the wild hog. 

 Can you wonder that I forgot my oath to Pomasina, and that this 

 was the last act and speech of the wilful young man ? I stepped back 

 a few paces, and lie died on the spot. " Murderer !" shouted Ra- 

 fael, as he levelled his gun at me, and in an instant I felt that I 

 was wounded. But it was a coward's aim, and I was not disabled 

 sufficiently to prevent my rushing upon him, and dispatching the med- 

 dling fool with this trusty knife. The presuming scoundrel, to think 

 of Pomasina as his wife ! For him and his fate I had no compunc- 

 tion ; I feel no regret. But when I looked on the corpse of Tomas, 

 marked his strong likeness to his sister, I almost lost my senses, and 

 fled, like a guilty man, as I am, to my house. My wound was slight, 

 in fact the ball had merely grazed my side, but I did not leave the 

 mill for several days. At length I could no longer endure this state 

 of suspense, and 1 rode towards Los Barrios. Near the cross which 

 stands on the summit of the hill, overlooking the town, I met a man 

 with whom I was well acquainted. " Where are you going, Pepe," 

 said he, with a look of consternation. " Do you not know, that yes- 

 terday, Don Tomas Iglesas, and Don Rafael Aranda, after being mis- 

 sing from home for several days, were found dead in the Cork Wood, 

 murdered ; and that you are suspected of having done the deed ! The 

 mass for the repose of their souls is to be chaunted to-night to-mor- 

 row the interment takes place. Innocent or guilty go not there." 

 I turned my horse, and galloped home. For some time I brooded 

 over my situation; but this state was insupportable, and I resolved, 

 come what might, to see Pomasina. I went to the town, to the house, 

 and was admitted. I found the family in deep mourning, the room 

 darkened. I was received in solemn silence. The old people ap- 

 peared to be so overpowered with their grief as scarcely to be aware 

 of my presence. After a dreadful pause of some minutes, Pomasina 

 spoke; " Wretched Pepe," said she, "what have you done? for 

 that this bloody deed was yours, I can have no doubt. I had faith 

 in man's love in man's devotion to one dear object. I believed in the 

 existence of a feeling of a passion, which could keep.down, control, 

 the natural violence of your dispositions. Alas ! I am awakened from 

 my dream ! You have destroyed a whole family. These miserable 

 old people are broken-hearted ; they have not long to live. I shall 

 close their eyes, and then unite myself to another lover, one who 

 will not deceive me. A convent will be my abode. Now go, they 

 wil not molest you. The Corregidor has been here and made en- 



