O'Reilly — Remarks on Captain OueUar''s Narrative. 207 



■enduring on tlie road many trials, the greatest and that which gave 

 me the keenest pain was caused by a native (salvaje) whom I met 

 with on the road, and who by deceit led me to his hut which lay in 

 a desolate valley, and then informed me that I should have to pass 

 the rest of my life at his trade which he showed me to be that of a 

 blacksmith. I knew not what to answer him, nor indeed did I dare 

 to say anything in opposition to his putting me to the forge, on the 

 contrary, I showed a smiling countenance and commenced to work, 

 and continued blowing the bellows for more than eight days, which 

 •assiduity much pleased, as well, the malicious and savage smith 

 (seeing that I worked carefully in order not to xjause him annoyance) 

 as also a cursed old woman that he had for wife. I was brooding over my 

 troubled andmiserable state consequent on the continuous and fatiguing 

 labour that I had to undergo, when our Lord brought me a remedy 

 by causing the clergyman to pass that way. He was shocked at seeing 

 me, and learning that the native (salvaje) would not allow me to pass 

 my way in order that he might get service out of me. The clergyman 

 abused him roundly and told me not to be in trouble that he would 

 speak to the lord of the castle to which I was intending to go, and 

 cause him to send for me. This he did the following day when he 

 sent four of his native followers and a Spanish soldier, he having 

 already ten of these with him of those who escaped from the wrecks 

 by swimming to shore. Seeing me so naked and covered with straw, 

 the soldier and those who were with him were sorely grieved, and 

 even their women wept to see the ill-treatment I had received. 

 They succoured me there (at the castle) as well as they could, giving 

 me a cloak such as they were in the habit of using themselves, so 

 that I passed three months with them in the same savage way as they 

 themselves do. The wife of my master was extremely handsome, and 

 was very kind to me, so it happened that one day we were sitting 

 out in the sun, she and other of her relatives and friends, they com- 

 menced askiug me about the affairs of Spain and of other countries, and 

 finally they came to asking me to look at their hands and tell them 

 their fortunes. I, thanking God, since it had come to the pass that 

 I should play the part of gipsy amongst these savages (salvajes), 

 commenced to examine the hand of each one in turn, making a 

 a hundred thousand absurd remarks which gave them the greatest 

 pleasure, so that^ I was declared the best of the Spaniards, and was 

 the man who had the greatest influence with them. Kight and day 

 both men and women pestered me asking to have their fortunes 

 told them, so much so that I found myself very much embarrassed, 



