580 The Fortune-Hunters : [June, 
shirts, a mariner’s compass, and some tablets—things which certainly 
would not have been the choice of the two youths, who never could 
imagine that the Frenchman would burthen himself with his own valise 
for such miserable contents. They wished to make still a second essay, 
but they abstained from it, sure that by this time the fact was discovered, 
and the rest of the luggage placed in security. They had, beforehand, 
taken leave of those who had fed them by the way ; and, next morning, 
they sold the shirts for twenty reals in the market which is held beside 
the Arsenal. After this they walked about through the city, admiring 
the grandeur and magnificence of the Cathedral, and the great number 
of persons who lined the river ; for it was the time of loading the fleet. 
They remarked, above all, the six galleys that were there, nor could help 
sighing at their view in the fear of that day when they might be con- 
ducted on board them for the rest of their lives. They then turned their 
attention on certain youths who swarmed about the port, and whose 
trade seemed to consist in carrying in their baskets whatever was given 
them. Addressing one of them, they inquired of him what was his em- 
ployment? did it give much trouble? and did it bring much money ? 
The -young Asturian, to whom they made this demand, replied, 
that the business was easy enough, free from all tax or impost ; and that 
almost every day it brought him five or six reals, with which he filled 
his stomach as full as a king’s; that he never had to seek a master, or 
wait for a meal, as the one always found him ready, and he always found 
the other ready in any of the eating-houses. The two friends thought 
there was much sense in the Asturian’s relation; and his trade, far 
from being against their tastes, appeared to them as very proper to assist 
its execution with more of disguise and surety, as it would give them 
admittance inside the houses. 
On the spot, then, they resolved to purchase all the utensils necessary 
for it; and the more willingly, as there was no examination to undergo 
beforehand. They demanded of the Asturian, then, “‘ what ought they 
to buy?” He replied to them, “ you want nothing more than two 
sacks, new or clean, and each of you three hand-baskets, two large and. 
one small, to carry separately, meat, fish, and fruit. One sack is for 
bread, merely.” ‘The Asturian conducted them to where those things 
were sold—and with the produce of the Frenchman’s valise, they bought 
all that they had occasion for. In less than two hours they had learned” 
so well to bear their sacks and to carry their baskets, that one might — 
have imagined they had taken their degree in their new office. Their — 
conductor pointed out to them the gates where they ought to station 
themselves every morning—at the meat markets, and at the Place St. 
Saviour ; on fast. days at the fish-market, and the vegetable market ; 
every evening at the river, and always on Thursday at the fair. This 
lesson they engraved profoundly in their memories. Next morning they 
went betimes to the Place St. Saviour, and no sooner did they reach it, 
than many of the same trade surrounded them; and judging by 
the brilliance of their sacks and baskets, that they were new comers, 
they asked them a thousand questions, to which the others replied dis- 
creetly and measuredly. 
A sort of student and a soldier at this moment arrived in the square, 
and, charmed with the cleanliness of the baskets of: our new professors, 
he who appeared-to be a student, called Costado, and the soldier Bincon. 
« Saints be praised!” exclaimed they both. Then said Bincon to the 
7: 
Say, 
sis 
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