588 The Fortune-Hunters : [Junu, 
foot in my house.”—‘“ We have no doubt of it,’ replied Monopadis, 
“ that the basket is in its natural state. I will stand between dog and 
wolf and examine its inside, and divide its contents among the commu- 
nity with all fair consideration.”—“ Just as it please you, my son,” 
replied the old woman ; “ it grows late, give me a cup, if you have it, to 
fortify my stomach, which is always weak.” Good Lord! what a 
swallow you have, old mother,” cried Esculante, the comrade of Gamen- 
ciosa. Then, removing the basket, they drew out a leathern barrel that 
might hold about three-and-twenty bottles of wine, and a flagon that 
could contain at least a quart. Esculante took the flagon, and gave it 
to the old devotee, who, seizing it with both hands, after having blown 
away the froth, said, “ There is plenty here, daughter Esculante—but 
Heaven gives strength enough for all,” and applying the flagon to her 
mouth, at one draught, never even stopping to draw breath, she passed the 
whole of it into her stomach, exclaiming, “ It is the wine of Guadalcanat, 
and not bad either. Heaven comfort thee, my girl, as thou hast comforted 
me. I fear, nevertheless, that it may do me evil, as I am yet fasting.” 
—‘ Fear nothing, good mother,” replied Monopadis, “the wine is old.” 
—* I hope the kind Virgin will grant me this grace,” replied the old 
devotee ; ‘try, dear daughters, if ye have not, by good luck, some money 
to give me to buy tapers. I ¢ame here in such haste to bring ye all 
news of the basket, that I forgot my pocket at home ?”—‘“ Aye, I have 
some, Dame Pipota,” (it was the hag’s name), replied Gamenciosa, 
“take these two sols to buy a taper, and put in my name before Senor 
St. Michael—and if you can get two for them, offer the other to Senor 
St. Blaise—those are my two patrons. I should wish much that you 
could put a third before Senora St. Lucia, for whom I have a great 
respect, on account of her curing of eyes, but I have no more money 
now—another time I expect to be able to satisfy my wish.’—* You will 
do well, my child—be not stingy—consider that it is better to make 
friends of the saints before death, than trust to our heirs and executors to 
do it afterwards for us.”—“ Mother Pipota speaks well,” said Esculante, 
and putting her hand to her pocket, gave her a sol, begging her to put 
two other tapers before such saints as she thought might be most ser- 
viceable and grateful. Pipota promised, saying, “ Enjoy yourselves, 
my children, now that you may—age will come, and you will then weep 
the youthful moments you have thrown away, as I do now daily. 
Recommend me, all of you, to Heaven in your prayers, as I am going to do 
you and myself-—and that he may save and keep us in our trade, from 
the unforseen hand of justice,’—and thus saying, she went away. No 
sooner was she departed than the fraternity seated themselves round the 
mat, on which Gamenciosa spread the bed sheet for a table cloth. The 
first thing she drew from the basket was a large bunch of radishes, 
somewhere near to two dozens of oranges and lemons, and a great dish 
of stock-fish cut in slices. She afterwards exhibited the half of a 
Holland cheese, a pot of the finest olives, a dish of tripe, a quantity 
of lobsters, seasoned with capers, and swimming in a sauce of Indian red 
pepper, and three great loaves of white bread. Those to breakfast 
were to the number of fourteen, and each of them pulled out a yellow 
handled knife, except Bincon, who produced his short sword. The two 
ancients in black; and the young spy, had the flagon new filled given 
between them. Scarcely had this joyous company began to fall on the 
oranges, than they were surprised by a knocking at the gate. Monopadis 
