1829.) a Tale of the South. Bye) 
at one side of the court, while he walked up and down at the other. 
Monopadis demanded of our youths their trade, their father, and their 
province? Bincon answered, “For our trade, our being here tells it 
to you. As to our fathers, and our province, it does not strike me that 
there is any necessity for speaking of them, as there is no question at 
present of proofs for entering into an order of knight-errantry.”—* You 
say true, my child,” replied Monopadis ; “ it is just as well to keep 
one’s self incog.; for if fortune should be unfavourable, it is not agree- 
able that there should be set down in the jail-book, as the sentence, such a 
one, son of such a one, of such a place, has been hanged, or whipped, &c. 
Thus you will do well, I repeat, to conceal your name and _ birth- 
place from others, though with us there should be no concealment. 
However, at present, the knowledge of your names will suffice to me.”— 
Bincon and Costado gave them. “ For the future,” said Monopadis, “I 
will that ye be called Binconet and Costadillo; two names just moulded 
for your years. As to your parents’ names, we shall learn them in time, 
for we consider it a duty every year to order a certain number of masses 
for the souls of our relations and benefactors deceased—withdrawing, for 
the remuneration of those who say them, a certain portion from the booty 
we win; such masses being held to be of great efficacy both for the 
dead and living: and we count as our benefactors the lawyer who 
defends us—the alguazil who forewarns us—the officer who has mercy 
for us—and when we fly through the street, followed by ‘ stop, thief! 
puts himself right in the way, saying, ‘let him go, he is bad enough 
to be no better ; his own crime will be his worst punishment. We 
count, also, as benefactors, those poor young women who help to comfort 
us in the prisons, as in the galleys—and as benefactors the father and 
mother that brought us into the world. For all those of whom I make 
mention, our fraternity keeps every year a religious anniversary, 
with the greatest solemnity that is possible.”—< Certainly,” said Bincon, 
“all that is the fruit of the great and grand genius that, as we have 
heard said, the whole world acknowledges the Senor Monopadis to 
possess. Our fathers are yet alive, but if they die before us, we shall 
not fail, Senor, to inform the fraternity of it in time to secure their 
Sale against the grand anniversary, as you call it.’ So be it,” said 
onopadis. Then, calling the spy, he said to him, “ Ganchuelo, are 
the posts sentineled ?”—“ Yes,” replied Ganchuelo, “ there are three 
sentinels round us; no fear that we shall let ourselves be surprised.”— 
« But to return to our subject,” continued Monopadis, “ I should wish 
to learn, my children, of what you are capable, that so I may distribute 
to you employs suited to your inclinations and capacities ?”—*“ For 
me,” answered Bincon, “ I know a little how to amuse the clowns. I 
ean overhear the gander—I can see smoke a mile off ; whatever I once 
get hold of, I don’t readily quit ; and I can give a hard blow rather 
than pay a debt.”—“ Very fair beginnings,” said Monopadis, “ though 
they are but old tricks, known of all novices; but in time we shall see 
that on these foundations, and a half dozen of good lessons, you will turn 
,out an able companion, and, perhaps, a good master.”—« All that I 
know, or shall know, will be ever at the service of you, Senor, and these 
honourable gentlemen,” replied Bincon——“ And you, Costado, what 
dost know?” demanded Monopadis. “ Me, Senor, ’’replied Costado, “I 
know the rule to count two, and carry five; and I can sound a purse 
with skill.”—« Know you no more than that?” said Monopadis.— 
M.M. New Series —Vou. VII. No, 42. 4 F 
