Myself.—‘Have you travelled much about Spain?’
First Gypsy.—‘Very little; I have never been out of this province of Estremadura, except last year, as I told you, into Portugal. When we wander we do not go far, and it is very rare that we are visited by our brethren of other parts. I have never been in Andalusia, but I have heard say that the Gitános are many in Andalusia, and are more wealthy than those here, and that they follow better the Gypsy law.’
Myself.—‘What do you mean by the Gypsy law?’
First Gypsy.—‘Wherefore do you ask, brother? You know what is meant by the law of the Calés better even than ourselves.’
Myself.—‘I know what it is in England and in Hungary, but I can only give a guess as to what it is in Spain.’
Both Gypsies.—‘What do you consider it to be in Spain?’
Myself.—‘Cheating and choring the Busné on all occasions, and being true to the erráte in life and in death.’
At these words both the Gitános sprang simultaneously from their seats, and exclaimed with a boisterous shout—‘Chachipé.’
This meeting with the Gitános was the occasion of my remaining at Badajoz a much longer time than I originally intended. I wished to become better acquainted with their condition and manners, and above all to speak to them of Christ and His Word; for I was convinced, that should I travel to the end of the universe, I should meet with no people more in need of a little Christian exhortation, and I accordingly continued at Badajoz for nearly three weeks.
During this time I was almost constantly amongst them, and as I spoke their language, and was considered by them as one of themselves, I had better opportunity of arriving at a fair conclusion respecting their character than any other person could have had, whether Spanish or foreigner, without such an advantage. I found that their ways and pursuits were in almost every respect similar to those of their brethren in other countries. By cheating and swindling they gained their daily bread; the men principally by the arts of the jockey,—by buying, selling, and exchanging animals, at which they are wonderfully expert; and the women by telling fortunes, selling goods smuggled from Portugal, and dealing in love-draughts and diablerie. The most innocent occupation which I observed amongst them was trimming and shearing horses and mules, which in their language is called ‘monrabar,’ and in Spanish ‘esquilar’; and even whilst exercising this art, they not unfrequently have recourse to foul play, doing the animal some covert injury, in hope that the proprietor will dispose of it to themselves at an inconsiderable price, in which event they soon restore it to health; for knowing how to inflict the harm, they know likewise how to remove it.