The Straw-Loft 



The unusualness of the requirement appeared from the 

 fact, that by this time the greater part of the wool-carriers 

 were strev/n about here and there on the mud floor of the 

 windy vestibule ; some of them without even a manta to lie 

 upon. I did not feel that this would exactly suit me, and 

 began to make inquiries about the straw-loft. " Oh yes, 

 there was a pcijar^ — would his worship like to inspect it ? " 

 A ladder was brought, and set up against a wall in the 

 stable-yard, up which went the polite mo'z.o with his flaring 

 lamp, and I followed. 



A straw-loft does not sound an uncomfortable place to 

 sleep in ; and if you have long straw, you cannot be better 

 off : but the straw here was short, that is to say, cut into 

 bits about half an inch long, to mix with barley, and my 

 prospect for the night's accommodation looked more like a 

 great heap of loose chaff than anything else. The ostler 

 remarked that it was " una condicion muy suelta para 

 acostar " (very loose stuff to lie among), but, if I liked to 

 sleep here, he would get a couple of sacks to lay over it. 

 The slightest touch loosened and sent rustling down an 

 avalanche from the crumbling heap. We strewed a plain 

 below, and spread the two broad sacks. I drew my plaid 

 over me, the mo-LO bid me sleep well, and, taking away the 

 lamp, left me to my reflections. 



The pajar had a doorway but no door, and the aperture 

 afforded plenty of fresh air and a favourable view of the 

 constellation Cassiopeia. I was, nevertheless, quite warm 

 enough, and should have been in perfect tranquillity but for 

 the fear of chopped straw falling into my eyes, nose, and 

 mouth, if I stirred otherwise than very gingerly. Still, to 

 set off against this drawback, there certainly was some 

 romance in sleeping in a real straw-loft, a dream of adven- 

 ture I had never put in act before. 



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