"Many an illustrious senor who has been captain-general of the Canaries for his Most Catholic Majesty has offered a thousand duros for its discovery, and many a dog of a Jew has almost lost his senses in the rocky valley; others have nearly died of starvation rather than quit the search; but it always seems to melt away on being approached or as day dawns, so there are many who aver that it is no diamond at all."
"What then?"
"An enchanted light," replied the hostalero.
Hislop seemed to ponder for a moment; then a bright smile spread over his jovial and sunburnt face, and he asked,—
"Will this be a good night for seeing it, think you, senor hostalero?"
"The innkeeper turned to the north-west, where the clouds were still banking up in heavy masses.
"Si, senor; I should say so."
"At what distance is this diamond visible, and from what spot?"
The Spaniard now gave us a knowing glance; his keen black eyes glittered, and he laughed aloud.
"Par todos santos, if you, senor, have any desire for getting it, you may find it easier to call down one of the blessed stars that are now beginning to twinkle in the heavens above us."