J831.] Spanish Highways and Byways. 273 



them their benison, and trotted ofT, as they confidently expected, to court 

 our fate. 



It was not without good reason that my friends, the muleteers, warned 

 me of danger, and it was not long before I had reason to repent my 

 temerity. We had not proceeded more than a league and a half from 

 the posada, when I observed three men of most suspicious appearance, 

 coming down on us in an oblique direction from the hills, evidently 

 with the intention of taking us in flank, whichever way we might feel 

 disposed to attempt a retreat. I had hardly time to communicate my 

 apprehensions to my servant, when they called aloud to us to halt. ]\Iy 

 servant being unfortunately of a nervous temperament, was about to 

 comply ; but I, not seeing the necessity for such over-civility, applied 

 the thong pretty sharply to his horse, and calling on him to fly for his 

 life, put spurs to my own, and fairly tried the merit of our heels. The 

 fellows, shouting, pursued us; but not gaining ground, one of them 

 drew up, and levelling his carbine fired — I heard the ball whistle past 

 me. This so far from having the effect desired, only lent an additional 

 energy to my heels, which communicating in an increased ratio with 

 those of my horse, soon made the distance greater between us, and I 

 overtook my servant, who having the swifter steed, was most gallantly 

 leaving me behind. He was in a terrible state of agitation, and I con- 

 fess I looked for a repetition of the last favour, with no little anxiety. 

 I told him, however, to reserve his fire in case they should succeed in 

 nearing us, as, on our defensive system, we could not afford time to re- 

 load. Looking over my shoulder, I had the pleasure of finding only 

 two in pursuit, the other having stopped, as I supposed, to reload ; but 

 seeing that I coidd expect no help from my comrade, I determined to 

 effect our retreat, if possible, without risking an engagement. We were 

 now ascending a steep hill, and our horses being heavily laden, and 

 urged beyond their proper speed, began to shew evident symptoms of 

 distress. My servant's horse, though the fleetest at first, now but sulkily 

 obeyed his repeated and nervous application of the whip ; and, Hen- 

 riquez, casting a glance of terror behind, beheld our pursuers now gain- 

 ing ground, and steadily tracking their prey. " We must fight, Henri- 

 quez," said I, " looking to my pistols. In an agony of apprehension he 

 crossed himself repeatedly, and most fervently, and called on all the 

 saints in heaven, by name, to effect a miracle in his behalf. " That 

 won't serve you, my friend," said I, " look to your priming." The man- 

 ner in which I spoke seemed only to increase his fear, so that seeing no 

 assistance could be expected of him, I looked about for a position to 

 strengthen my defence. On the summit of the hill stood the scattered 

 ruins of an old castle, and by the management of whip and spur, I 

 reached the friendly cover of its now delapidated walls. There, standing 

 in the breach, which had, in its time, been defended by many a braver 

 man, I awaited the coming of the enemy. This manoeuvre seemed to 

 stagger them, for they had evidently calculated on our failing strength. 

 They were within a good rifle-shot of us, and they halted, as I suppose, 

 to determine their movements. To as.sist their consultation, I now low- 

 ered my piece, which I had previously charged with ball, and taking a 

 steady aim, fired. The distance was too great for execution with a fowl- 

 ing-j)iece; but I had the satisfaction of seeing them widen the distance 

 between us. Here they turned and consulted again, and I gave them 

 an additional hint, when shaking their fists ferociously towards us, and 

 M. U. New Hcrics—Yoi.. XII. No. G9. '2 C 



