"Yes, you are right," said Bertel, now smiling at his own fears, and what he considered to be the offspring of his heated fancy. "If ever the Prince of Darkness has assumed a human form, then he resides in this hut. But that is just the reason why we will look the worthy gentleman in the face, and force him to give us lodgings for the night. Hullo, there! open the door to some travellers."
These words were accompanied by some heavy blows on the door.
CHAPTER IX.
DON QUIXOTE DE LA MANCHA.
After some time the door was opened, and an old man, bent with age, and with snow-white hair, disclosed himself. Accustomed by the right of war to take whatever was necessary, when it was not given voluntarily, Bertel pushed the old man aside and entered the miserable hut without ceremony. To his great astonishment he found it empty. A half burnt "perta,"* stuck in between the bricks of the fire-place, threw a flickering light around this abode of poverty. There was no door except the entrance; no living being besides the old man and a large woolly dog, which lay outstretched on the hearth, and showed his teeth to the uninvited guest.
* A thin stick of pine-wood, a yard long and an inch thick, which the peasants sometimes use instead of candles.
"Where is the man in the black leather hood, who was here a moment ago?" asked Bertel sharply.
"God bless your grace," answered the old man humbly and evasively, "who could be here but your grace?"
"Out with the truth! Somebody must be hidden here. Under the bed ... no. Behind the oven ... no. And yet you have just had a large fire kindled in the fire-place. What? I believe it is put out with water? Answer."
"It is so cold, your grace, and the hut is full of cracks..."