Works of Supper-Arrogation 



became a corkscrew-staircase-street, winding in and out 

 among the huge-protruding hulks of rock, patched here and 

 there with buildings, which seemed in comparison as small 

 and frail as cobwebs in a quarry. After another half mile 

 of this corkscrew street, still steeper than the road, we came 

 to the market-place, from whence we saw the castled crag 

 still towering high above us. However, we were luckily at 

 the end of our day's journey, for here we entered the Posada 

 de la Plaza. 



It was choke full and in a great bustle. The stable, more- 

 over, was, if possible, still fuller, and indeed two mares had 

 to be turned out somewhere else to make way for our ponies. 

 My little black stallion made a tremendous uproar on going 

 into the stable ; and in passing them no doubt very much 

 shocked the nerves of the unprotected mares who were so 

 ungallantly turned out for his accommodation.' 



I gave him his barley, but instead of eating it he kept 

 pawing and whinnying over the sore backs of some peace- 

 able decrepit old mules, at another entero^ who snorted back 

 contemptuous defiance in return. I left him to go and pro- 

 vide our own supper ; and after my manner when I am 

 hungry and impatient, began to order everybody about in a 

 great hurry, speaking with much authority. 



The landlady seemed impressed with the necessity of 

 making an effort towards getting our supper ready, but the 

 landlady's son, who acted also in the capacity of mozo de la 

 cuadra (ostler), set up his bristles and said, " Who is this 

 man in the garments of a muleteer who gives himself the 

 airs of a gran duque^ that the suppers of all our guests should 

 be postponed for the convenience of his belly ? " 



" I am an English gentleman, and hungry — therefore, 

 though the sun and moon and all the planets were brought 

 to a stand, I must have my supper, and that presently." 



H3 



