586 The Fortune-Hunters : [June, 
“« No, Senor, for my sins,”- replied Costada.—“ Afflict not yourself, my 
child,” resumed Monopadis, “ you are now arrived in port, and you 
may reap from our school all the advantages that you can desire. Well, 
how go your hearts, my boys?”—“ How would you have them go?” 
replied Bincon ; “ here we are, ready to undertake all that touches our 
trade and exercise.” —“ It is very well,” said Monopadis, “ but I would 
that ye had also the courage to suffer, if necessary, a half dozen turns 
without flinching or speaking.”—“ We have already heard of your 
turns,” replied Bincon, “ and we have as much courage as our neigh- 
bours ; neither are we so ignorant as not to know that the neck often 
pays the slips of the tongue, and that no is shorter by a letter than yes.” — 
«« There is no need of more,” interruped Monopadis ; “ this sole argument 
induceth me—obligeth me—constraineth me, as it were, to admit you 
on the instant as members of the first class—and thus to discharge ye 
from your year of noviciate.”—“ I am of the same advice,” said one of 
the bravos. All those who were of the assembly, and had heard the 
replies of the two novices, approved of the favour that was shown to 
them, and prayed of Monopadis that they should, from the moment, 
enjoy the full privileges of the fraternity, of which their good appear- 
ance and ready wit rendered them worthy. He replied that in con- 
sideration for those who asked, their request was granted—informing 
the two youths that they were to look on this as a favour extraordinary, 
because these privileges consisted in not paying the half of their plunder, 
nor exercising the lowest employs for the noviciate year ; that is, not to 
carry provision to a brother in prison, but to give entertainment where, 
how, and when it seemeth good to them, without leave from the inspec- 
tor ;—to enter into instant partition of the plunder of the principals, as 
one of them, and to enjoy a number of other prerogatives, considered 
as a singular grace ; and for which they returned ample thanks. 
While this scene passed, there came in a little boy running and out of 
breath, who said to them “that the alguazil of the vagabonds was 
making straight towards that house, but without any followers after 
him.”—“ Let no one be alarmed,” said Monopadis, “it is a friend of 
ours, who never comes here for evil: recover yourselves, I go to speak 
to him.” They did, for they were a little moved ; and Monopadis went 
out at the gate, and there found the alguazil, with whom he had a 
moment's conversation; and, as soon as he re-entered, inquired “ to 
whom had fallen on that day the square of St. Laurent ?”—-* To me,” 
said the conductor of Bincon, and his comrade.—< How! and thou 
hast not given me part of an embroidered purse, which made shipwreck 
in that quarter this morning, containing fifteen crowns in geld, two 
reals in small silver, and I know not how much in copper?”—* It is 
true,” returned the lad, “that this purse has been stolen to-day— 
but I did not take it, nor can I imagine who did.”—“ No humbugging 
me, if you please,” said Monopadis, “ the purse must be forthcoming, 
because the alguazil requires it, and he is one of our friends, and a very 
useful friend.” The lad began again to swear that he was ignorant of 
what had become of it. Monopadis flew into a passion in such sort that 
fire seemed to strike from his eyes—while he cried out, “ Who dares to 
mock at Monopadis ? who is so hardy as to hesitate to obey his command ? 
Be his life the sacrifice. The purse, I say—produce the purse.” The 
lad swore a thousand oaths, and gave himself a thousand curses “ if he had 
either seen, taken, or knew aught of the purse.” It but the more irritated 
