Having eluded all pursuit, and gained a point which, whilst it favoured our future operations, was in the vicinity of some of the most intricate mountain country in Andalusia, but with which I was thoroughly acquainted; I determined, if possible, to obtain possession of the French governor of Granada’s despatches to his subordinates commanding the towns upon the sea-coast, with the view of ascertaining how his forces were distributed, their strength, &c., as well as the steps he purposed taking to interrupt or pursue my band.
Appointing, therefore, one of my most devoted adherents to the command of the troop during my absence, I doffed my old contrabandista dress, and, accompanied by one only of my men, proceeded to the ventas de Huelma, where I understood the French orderlies were in the habit of baiting their horses for half an hour when journeying to and from Alhama.
The place consists only of two wretched ventas, and half a dozen ranchas. We reached it about mid-day, and, as luck would have it, just in time to see two French Dragoons ride in at the door of one of the inns. After waiting a few minutes to make sure that they had not merely called for their goutte, we also rode up to the venta, and alighted at the portal, and, securing our horses to the stakes in the wall, entered, as the saying is, santamente en la casa.[187]
The inn was crowded with people, and the two Frenchmen, having given their horses a feed of barley, were holding forth to the arrieros and villagers grouped round them; who, with eager, though silent, interest, were listening to their discourse. Our Ave Maria purissima hardly attracted notice, an old crone, seated in the chimney corner at her spindle, being the only person to mumble in return the usual “sin pecado concebida.”[188] Addressing myself to the ventero, I begged he would furnish me with a slice of bread, some oil, vinegar, and the other ingredients requisite for making a gazpacho.
“Caramba!” exclaimed my host, looking inquisitively at me, “these are not the cooling alimentos Blas Maldonado used formerly to ask for!”
“They are not, good Pacheco,” said I, finding that the number of years which had elapsed since our last meeting had not prevented his recognizing me,—“They are not, good Pacheco; but as the proverb says,
“‘Ajo crudo y vino puro
hacen andar al mozo seguro.’”[189]
And I gave a significant glance at the Frenchmen.
“Is it so!” replied he; “then to answer you with another proverb—‘à perro viejo no has tus tus’[190]—how can I serve you?”
“Tell me first,” said I, “do you know those gavachos?”[191]