594 The Fortune-Hunters : (June, 
us twenty ducats, and you do not stir from this till you either give 
them, or a pledge for them.”—“ What! you call it keeping one’s 
word,” said the cavalier, “ to give the pinking to the valet, that was 
ordered for the master ?”—“ Well, and is it not nearly the same thing ?” 
replied the bravo. ‘“ According to the old adage— love me, love my 
‘dog.’ ”—« And what has this proverb to say to the affair in question ?” 
resumed the cavalier—< Why, it is as much as to say, ‘ hate my dog, 
hate me,’” continued the bravo.—< The valet is the dog, and your 
hatred is thus shown for the master. So, as that settles your debt, you 
must now settle ours, without more words.”’—“ Chiquisnaque speaks like 
an oracle,” said Monopadis ; “ so, my good Senor, there is no use in 
attempting to trick your friends. Pay at once what is done—and if 
you would give the master as much as his face will hold, fancy him 
under the barber’s hands already.”—“ If I was sure of this,” replied 
the cavalier, “I would pay willingly.’—* Be as sure of it as that you 
are a Christian,” said Monopadis, “ Chisquisnaque shall set his mark so 
well, that it will look as if he was born with it.’—“ Well,” replied the 
cavalier, “ on that promise, here is a golden chain I will leave you as a 
pledge for the twenty ducats due, and the forty for the picado to come. 
It weighs a thousand reals, and, probably, it may remain with you 
entirely ; for I foresee that I shall require another fourteen point picado 
before many days.”—Undoing a chain which went several times round 
his neck, he handed it to Monopadis, who, by the touch and weight, 
knew at once it was of no composition ; and, thanking him with much 
ceremony for it, he charged the bravo “ not to be later than that same 
night in the execution of his office.” The cavalier then went off, well 
satisfied ; and Monopadis, calling all his company about him, drew from 
the hood of his cloak some tablets which, not knowing how to read, 
any more than the rest of the fraternity present, he begged of Bincon 
to do it for him. The youth, opening the first half, read— 
« List of Picadoes, to be given this week : 
“ First, to the merchant of the crossway, price 60 dollars :—Received 
“on account, 30.—Agent, Chiquisnaque.” 
«I think there is nothing more, my child,” said Monopadis ; “ pass on, 
and see what is written under the head ‘ Drubbings.’” Bincon turned 
the leaf, and found— 
« List of Drubbings : 
« To the victualler of the alfalz, 12 of the best blows, at a dollar a blow. 
Received on account, 8 dollars.—Time within 6 days.” 
«© We may rub out that article,” said Maniferro, “ because to-night 
I shall bring its receipt.”—“ Is there any other article ?” inquired 
Monopadis.—* Yes,” replied Bincon, “ one more, which runs thus:— 
«© To the hump-backed tailor, nicknamed the giber, 12 blows of the 
best quality, at the suit of the donna, whose pearl necklace he has in 
pledge.—Agent, Dimochado.’ ”’ 
“TI am much surprised,” observed Monopadis, “ that this article has - 
not been yet.rubbed out ; it must be that Dimochado is ill, for the time 
is passed.” I saw him yesterday,” said Maniferro ; “he told me the 
humpback had been ill, and did not stir out.”—‘ Something of the sort, 
I guessed.” I knew Dimochado for a good and punctual workman, 
