An Uncivil Spaniard 



not generally requisite to teach Spaniards, whom we have 

 found a courteous people. You appear to be an unfortunate 

 exception ; and, feeling that your education had been neg- 

 lected, we thought a little practical instruction would do 

 you good. If you had spoken civilly to us at first, we 

 should have been happy to show you our papers, and con- 

 vince you of our respectability on the spot ; but, as it is, we 

 have given you a slight run in the sunshine, to sweat the 

 surplus acerbity out of your manners." 



" Carajo J Spaniards are not accustomed to be made a jest 

 of. I shall arrest you — you shall be fined and imprisoned, 

 carajo ! " cried he, panting and puffing, and wiping his face 

 with his sleeve. 



" You seem a gentleman of great importance and autho- 

 rity ! perhaps you are an alcalde ! " 



" Yes, alcalde I am ; and I will alcadeise you when we 

 come to the next village. 



" What is it called ? " 



" Magas ; and its prison is much at your service." 



" Ah ! sefior alcalde of Magas, your principality seems to 

 contain but a few shabbyish cottages ; and indeed it must 

 be a poor place which sends its alcalde to work on the road. 

 Still it is something to reign at all. How does su senora^ 

 the alcaldesa^ and all the little alcaldesitos of Magas ? " 



" Be silent, insolent man. I said I was an alcalde on the 

 road, and there I will make my authority respected." 



" Oh ! then you are only governor of pickaxes and ham- 

 mers, with a stone-heap for your throne. But come along, 

 we like your company, and indeed it seems you prefer wear- 

 ing the road to mending it. We shall feel it our duty, as 

 you have treated us uncivilly, to take you before the alcalde 

 of the next place ; for, though the little eccentricities of your 

 manner (he had cursed us by all the most indecent oaths he 



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