As it is not my intention, however, to pretend to entertain my reader with a journal, I need only add, that, after having concealed myself in this manner in the wood for a full fortnight, I considered that I had no longer any thing to fear, and that all the hounds of Justice had by this time so completely lost scent of me as to have given over their pursuit. I fished up my treasure again, which I deposited at the bottom of my hamper, under some fresh provisions which I had been again to Madrid to procure. As to my basket, I left that in the water with the stones upon it. I then cut me two good sticks, one to carry my burthen on my back, and the other I made into a sort of pilgrim’s staff; after which, like a new pilgrim, I took my route towards Toledo across the fields, thinking it more prudent to avoid the high roads.
CHAP. XIV.
Guzman in his way to Toledo meets with a young man: what passed between them.
I tripped along so briskly, that after two nights trudge, I found myself in the midst of the Sagra, near a wood called Açuqueyca, within about two leagues of Toledo. I entered this wood, intending to rest there the whole of the day, that I might not enter the City till night. I sat down under a shady tree, and began to think in what manner I should spend my money. I soon determined on so many fine purchases, that four times what I possessed would have been insufficient to have procured them. It were impossible to enumerate the variety of visions and fancies that possessed my mind. I was no longer afraid of appearing before my relations like a beggar, but now looked forward with pleasure to my arrival at Genoa, and all the purchases that I made in my mind, were with a view to cut a most brilliant figure among them.
A stream of clear spring water ran at my feet, with which I found myself much refreshed, and beginning to feel hungry, I spread my provisions on the grass for breakfast. Scarcely had I eaten a mouthful, when I heard a noise, and turning round hastily, I was much alarmed at perceiving a man close behind me, seated also on the grass, with his head reclining against a tree. But when I considered him with attention I soon found that I had nothing to fear. He appeared to be about my own age, but seemed as raw and inexperienced as if he had not been long weaned from his mother’s breast. Although he was well dressed and had a large bundle lying at his side, through which I could discern some clothes and linen, he looked so unhappy that I judged his purse could not be very full, and set him down for some knight-errant like myself, who had been fool enough to forsake his family to wander about the world. We stared at each other for some moments without saying a word; but when I observed that he looked with a longing eye on my provisions, I could not help pitying him. His eager looks reminded me of my own feelings when I stood before the kind-hearted Monk at the Inn; and I determined not to be less generous than his Reverence. I, therefore, immediately invited this young man in the most polite manner to breakfast with me. Shame prevented him at first from accepting my offer; but when I repeated it, he laid aside his modesty, and confessed to me that he had not tasted any thing for the last four and twenty hours. This I found no difficulty in believing, when I saw in what style he demolished the meat and the bread and cheese I gave him.
During the repast we inquired of each other concerning our travels. He told me that he had come from Toledo, and was going to Madrid; and I acquainted him that I had just come from Burgos and was on my way to Cordova. He then related a most romantic story about the occasion of his pilgrimage, and I was not more sincere with him: considering that he was but a novice, he lied with a very good grace, and by no means disgraced his countrymen, who have the reputation for wit and smart answers on every occasion. I asked him, how he came to set out on his journey, without providing himself with victuals. He replied, that he had not had time to procure any, having been forced to leave the place with precipitation, and that he was more laden with clothes than money. “So much the worse,” said I, “so much the worse; money is the most necessary commodity for a traveller now-a-days; for even though you were going on a pilgrimage to St. Jago in Galicia, I would not advise you to reckon much upon charity, which has grown very cold of late; you will find something more than your staff necessary to support you by the way.” “I perfectly agree with you,” replied the Toledan, “and am well aware of my imprudence in setting out without provisions; but as it cannot now be remedied, it is useless to regret it.”
“It is in your own power,” answered I, “to repair your neglect, by disposing of a part of the clothes contained in that large bundle, which you must find extremely burdensome. Money is more portable.” “Granted,” said he, “and I need not inform you that it is my intention to sell at least half of them, as soon as I can find a purchaser.” “Perhaps,” replied I, “without going any further, you have a man before you who is willing to relieve you of the greater part of your load, and give you as much for them as they are worth. Shew me the contents of your bundle, and I will select such as I am inclined to purchase.” My little gentleman turned pale at these words; he considered me a knave who intended to repay myself for the breakfast by robbing him of a part of his property, or at least, that I was willing to amuse myself at his expense; for when he surveyed my elegant attire, which was not worth four maravedis, he could not for a moment think that I was in earnest: every one is apt to judge in this manner, forming opinions of strangers from the difference of dress and outward appearances. Such as I see you, such I take you to be.
I observed his confusion; or rather, saw plainly that he suspected my intentions; and as he made no answer, I drew out one of my bags very deliberately, untied it, and exhibited a handful of reals to his astonished eyes: “I believe, my little hero,” said I, “that here is enough to pay for what I wish to buy of you.” The colour was soon restored to his cheeks at this sight; he immediately left off eating, and ran to fetch his bundle, saying that all he had was at my service. At the same time he was proceeding to show me his best suits, but this I would not permit, until we had finished our meal. His hopes seemed to serve as a fresh sauce to his appetite, and he fell to again, as though he could not do sufficient honor to my breakfast; he could scarcely contain the joy that he felt.
That he might not form an ill opinion of me on account of my appearance, and to prevent his suspecting that the money which he had just seen was ill got, I addressed him to this effect:—“Whatever you may take me for,” said I, “be assured that I am in reality as well born as yourself. This I have thought fit to inform you, that you may learn not always to judge of people by their looks. When I left Burgos I had as good clothes as you, but I sold them in the first village I passed through, to relieve myself of so inconvenient a burden, and contented myself with these tattered garments, which would excite the pity, or at the worst the compassion, of thieves whom a better dress would probably have tempted. If I had not taken this precaution I should have been robbed a hundred times ere this, and be at this moment without a single maravedi in my pocket. As, however, it is my intention to stop at Toledo for some time in my way to Cordova, I have now immediate occasion for a good suit of clothes; and if you have any that will fit me, I am ready to be a purchaser.”
The Toledan, burning with impatience to commence business, with his mouth still full, began to spread out on the grass a complete suit, the cloak of which was of most excellent cloth of a light grey colour, together with two fine shirts and a pair of silk stockings. I tried them all on, and they fitted me exactly. This the young man did not fail to tell me, to make me have the better opinion of them. He seemed apprehensive that my money would slip through his fingers, or that I should change my mind. He need have been under no such fear, for I was as anxious to buy as he was to sell, so that our bargain was soon struck. He asked me a hundred reals, and I agreed to give him this price, upon condition that he would truck his clothes-bag with me for my hamper. This he consented to, and I put my money into it, with the two shirts and the silk stockings. My new clothes I still wore; and I hung up the old suit and the rest of my rags on a tree, as a trophy of my success in beggary. The Toledan on his side filled the hamper with his goods, and the victuals that were left. During all this time, the Sun was insensibly going down, and the hour of parting having arrived, we embraced each other with a thousand professions of friendship: after which we each pursued our particular route, both well satisfied with our bargain.