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The Alhambra - The Journey.

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Category: The Alhambra

Published on Thursday, 25 November 2010 20:54

Written by Washington Irving

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The Journey.

IN THE spring {spring [sprɪɳ] primavera, manantial, fuente, muelle, resorte, elasticidad, brinco, primaveral, saltar, mover con un salto, abalanzarse, (el agua) brotar, (una noticia, etc) dar de golpe} of 1829, the author of this work, whom curiosity had brought into Spain, made a rambling {ramble ['ræmbəl] paseo por el campo, pasear por el campo, divagar} expedition from Seville to Granada in company with a friend, a member of the Russian Embassy at Madrid. Accident had thrown us together from distant regions of the globe, and a similarity of taste led us to wander {wander ['wɒndəʳ] vagar por, vagar, deambular, alejarse, desviarse} together among the romantic mountains of Andalusia. Should these pages meet his eye, wherever thrown by the duties of his station, whether mingling {mingle ['mɪɳgəl] mezclarse} in the pageantry of courts, or meditating on the truer glories of nature, may they recall the scenes of our adventurous companionship, and with them the recollection of one, in whom neither time nor distance will obliterate {obliterate [ə'blɪtəreɪt] destruir, eliminar, (un recuerdo, una vivencia) borrar} the remembrance of his gentleness and worth.

And here, before setting forth, let me indulge {indulge [ɪn'dʌldʒ] mimar, satisfacer, darse el gusto} in a few previous remarks on Spanish scenery and Spanish travelling. Many are apt {apt [æpt] (nombre) apropiado, (comentario) acertado, oportuno, pertinente, propenso, capaz, competente} to picture Spain to their imaginations as a soft southern region, decked {deck [dek] (barco) cubierta, (bus) piso, baraja, (discos) plato, pletina, adornar} out with the luxuriant charms {charm [tʃɑ:m] encanto, hechizo, encantar} of voluptuous Italy. On the contrary, though {though [ðəʊ] aunque, si bien, (as though) como si, sin embargo} there are exceptions in some of the maritime provinces, yet, for the greater part, it is a stern {stern [stɜ:n] severo, Náut popa} , melancholy country, with rugged mountains, and long sweeping plains, destitute {destitute ['destɪtjʊ:t] indigente} of trees, and indescribably silent and lonesome {lonesome ['ləʊnsəm] (US) triste y solo} , partaking of the savage and solitary character of Africa. What adds to this silence and loneliness, is the absence of singing birds, a natural consequence of the want of groves {grove [grəʊv] (of trees) bosquecillo } and hedges {hedge [hedʒ] seto, cercar con un seto, (una apuesta, inversión) cubrir, compensar, evitar contestar, dar rodeos} . The vulture {vulture ['vʌltʃəʳ] buitre} and the eagle are seen wheeling about the mountain--cliffs, and soaring {soar [sɔ:ʳ] (una ave, un avión) volar alto, planear, (los precios) dispararse, (un edificio) alzarse} over the plains, and groups of shy bustards stalk {stalk [stɔ:k] (de planta) tallo, (de cereza, etc) rabo, acechar, seguir los pasos a, acosar sexualmente} about the heaths; but the myriads of smaller birds, which animate the whole face {face [feɪs] cara, rostro, fachada, (de un reloj) esfera, dignidad, mirar hacia, afrontar, (orientación) dar a, estar enfrente de, frente a} of other countries, are met with in but few provinces in Spain, and in those chiefly among the orchards and gardens which surround the habitations of man.

In the interior provinces the traveller occasionally traverses great tracts cultivated with grain as far as the eye can reach, waving at times with verdure, at other times naked and sunburnt, but he looks round in vain for the hand that has tilled the soil {soil [sɔɪl] (para plantas) tierra, suelo, ensuciar, manchar} . At length, he perceives some village on a steep {steep [stɪ:p] empinado, (precio) excesivo} hill, or rugged crag, with mouldering battlements and ruined watchtower; a strong--hold, in old times, against civil war, or Moorish inroad; for the custom among the peasantry {peasant ['pezənt] campesino, (pey) paleto} of congregating together for mutual protection is still {still [stɪl] todavía, aún aun así, con todo, sin embargo, tranquilo, silencioso, inmóvil, sin gas, fotograma, alambique, acallar} kept up in most parts of Spain, in consequence of the maraudings of roving freebooters.

But though {though [ðəʊ] aunque, si bien, (as though) como si, sin embargo} a great part of Spain is deficient in the garniture of groves {grove [grəʊv] (of trees) bosquecillo } and forests, and the softer charms {charm [tʃɑ:m] encanto, hechizo, encantar} of ornamental cultivation, yet its scenery is noble in its severity, and in unison with the attributes of its people; and I think that I better understand the proud, hardy, frugal and abstemious Spaniard, his manly defiance of hardships, and contempt {contempt [kən'tempt] desprecio, desdén, desacato al tribunal} of effeminate indulgences, since I have seen the country he inhabits.

There is something too, in the sternly {stern [stɜ:n] severo, Náut popa} simple features of the Spanish landscape, that impresses on the soul a feeling of sublimity. The immense plains of the Castiles and of La Mancha, extending as far as the eye can reach, derive an interest from their very nakedness and immensity, and possess, in some degree, the solemn grandeur of the ocean. In ranging {range [reɪndʒ] (de productos) gama, línea, (selección) surtido, (de precios) escala, (de montañas) sierra, cadena, (de árboles) hilera, autonomía, alcance, (precios, tamaño, etc) oscilar, variar, extenderse, colocar, alinear} over these boundless wastes {waste [weɪst] pérdida, derroche, despilfarro, residuos, desechos, tierra baldío, desechado, residual, (el tiempo) perder, derrochar, despilfarrar, desperdiciar, malgastar, no aprovechar} , the eye catches sight here and there of a straggling {straggle ['strægəl] crecer en desorden, ir rezagado, rezagarse} herd {herd [hɜ:d] (de ganado) manada, multitud, tropel, arrear} of cattle attended by a lonely herdsman, motionless as a statue, with his long slender {slender ['slendəʳ] (persona) esbelto, (posibilidad) remoto, (recursos) escaso} pike tapering {taper ['teɪpəʳ] estrecharse, afilarse, vela, candela} up like a lance into the air; or, beholds {behold [bɪ'həʊld] (liter) contemplar} a long train of mules slowly moving along the waste {waste [weɪst] pérdida, derroche, despilfarro, residuos, desechos, tierra baldío, desechado, residual, (el tiempo) perder, derrochar, despilfarrar, desperdiciar, malgastar, no aprovechar} like a train of camels in the desert; or, a single horseman, armed with blunderbuss and stiletto, and prowling {prowl [praʊl] to ~ about o around, rondar, merodear} over the plain. Thus the country, the habits, the very looks of the people, have something of the Arabian character. The general insecurity of the country is evinced in the universal use of weapons. The herdsman in the field, the shepherd in the plain, has his musket and his knife. The wealthy {wealthy ['welɵɪ] rico} villager rarely ventures to the market--town without his trabuco, and, perhaps, a servant on foot with a blunderbuss on his shoulder; and the most petty {petty ['petɪ] insignificante, (persona) mezquino} journey is undertaken with the preparation of a warlike enterprise.

The dangers of the road produce also a mode of travelling, resembling, on a diminutive scale, the caravans of the east. The arrieros, or carriers, congregate in convoys, and set off in large and well--armed trains on appointed days; while additional travellers swell {swell [swel] hincharse, crecer, subir, aumentar} their number, and contribute to their strength. In this primitive way is the commerce of the country carried on. The muleteer is the general medium of traffic, and the legitimate traverser of the land, crossing the peninsula from the Pyrenees and the Asturias to the Alpuxarras, the Serrania de Ronda, and even to the gates of Gibraltar. He lives frugally and hardily: his alforjas of coarse {coarse [kɔ:s] basto, áspero, grueso, grosero, ordinario, (chiste) verde} cloth hold his scanty stock of provisions; a leathern bottle, hanging at his saddle {saddle ['sædəl] silla de montar, sillín, (caballo) ensillar, to ~ sb with sthg, endilgarle algo a alguien} --bow, contains wine or water, for a supply across barren {barren ['bærən] baldío, estéril} mountains and thirsty plains; a mule--cloth spread upon the ground is his bed at night, and his pack--saddle his pillow. His low, but clean--limbed and sinewy {sinewy ['sɪnjʊ:ɪ] vigoroso, poderoso, (con nervios) nervudo} form betokens strength; his complexion is dark and sunburnt; his eye resolute, but quiet in its expression, except when kindled by sudden emotion; his demeanor {demeanor [dɪ'mi:nər] comportamiento, conducta, porte} is frank, manly, and courteous, and he never passes you without a grave salutation: "Dios guarde a usted!" "Va usted con Dios, Caballero!" ("God guard you!" "God be with you, Cavalier!")

As these men have often their whole fortune at stake {stake [steɪk] staca, poste, apuesta, to be at ~, estar en juego, the issue at ~ el asunto en cuestión, (Fin) interés, participación, cercar con estacas, to ~ a claim to sthg, reclamar algo, apostar, jugarse, invertir} upon the burden {burden ['bɜ:dən] carga, cargar} of their mules, they have their weapons at hand, slung {sling [slɪɳ] cabestrilla, (arma) honda, (juego) tirador, tirar, colgar} to their saddles {saddle ['sædəl] silla de montar, sillín, (caballo) ensillar, to ~ sb with sthg, endilgarle algo a alguien} , and ready to be snatched {snatch [snætʃ] robo, secuestro, fragmento, arrebatar, quitar, robar, (una oportunidad, etc) no dejar pasar, (la felicidad,...) conseguir} out for desperate {desperate ['despərət] desesperado, encarnizado, apremiante} defence; but their united numbers render {render ['rendəʳ] hacer, volver, presentar, (frml) dar, traducir, verter, (constr) enlucir} them secure against petty {petty ['petɪ] insignificante, (persona) mezquino} bands of marauders, and the solitary bandolero, armed to the teeth, and mounted on his Andalusian steed, hovers {hover ['hɒvəʳ] planear, merodear} about them, like a pirate about a merchant convoy, without daring to assault.

The Spanish muleteer has an inexhaustible stock of songs and ballads, with which to beguile {beguile [bɪ'gaɪl] cautivar, seducir} his incessant wayfaring. The airs are rude and simple, consisting of but few inflections. These he chants forth with a loud voice, and long, drawling cadence, seated sideways on his mule, who seems to listen with infinite gravity, and to keep time, with his paces {pace [peɪs] paso, ritmo} , to the tune. The couplets thus chanted, are often old traditional romances about the Moors {moor [mʊəʳ] páramo, moro, (Náut) amarrar} , or some legend of a saint, or some love--ditty; or, what is still {still [stɪl] todavía, aún aun así, con todo, sin embargo, tranquilo, silencioso, inmóvil, sin gas, fotograma, alambique, acallar} more frequent, some ballad about a bold contrabandista, or hardy bandolero, for the smuggler and the robber are poetical heroes among the common people of Spain. Often, the song of the muleteer is composed at the instant, and relates {relate [rɪ'leɪt] relacionar, relacionarse, (un cuento) relatar} to some local scene, or some incident of the journey. This talent of singing and improvising is frequent in Spain, and is said to have been inherited from the Moors {moor [mʊəʳ] páramo, moro, (Náut) amarrar} . There is something wildly pleasing in listening to these ditties among the rude and lonely scenes they illustrate; accompanied, as they are, by the occasional jingle of the mule--bell.

It has a most picturesque effect also to meet a train of muleteers in some mountain--pass. First you hear the bells of the leading mules, breaking with their simple melody the stillness of the airy height; or, perhaps, the voice of the muleteer admonishing {admonish [əd'mɒnɪʃ] amonestar a} some tardy or wandering {wander ['wɒndəʳ] vagar por, vagar, deambular, alejarse, desviarse} animal, or chanting, at the full stretch {stretch [stretʃ] estirar, desplegar, extender, exagerar, estirarse, desperezarse, dar de sí, trecho, tramo, extensión, periodo} of his lungs, some traditionary ballad. At length you see the mules slowly winding {winding ['waɪndɪɳ] sinuoso, serpenteante} along the cragged defile, sometimes descending precipitous cliffs, so as to present themselves in full relief against the sky, sometimes toiling up the deep arid chasms {chasm ['kæzəm] sima, (fig) abismo} below you. As they approach {approach [ə'prəʊtʃ] acercamiento, acceso, enfoque, propuesta, acercarse, abordar, dirigirse a} , you descry their gay decorations of worsted stuffs, tassels {tassel ['tæsəl] borla} , and saddle {saddle ['sædəl] silla de montar, sillín, (caballo) ensillar, to ~ sb with sthg, endilgarle algo a alguien} --cloths, while, as they pass by, the ever--ready trabuco, slung {sling [slɪɳ] cabestrilla, (arma) honda, (juego) tirador, tirar, colgar} behind the packs and saddles {saddle ['sædəl] silla de montar, sillín, (caballo) ensillar, to ~ sb with sthg, endilgarle algo a alguien} , gives a hint {hint [hɪnt] indirecta, consejo, pista} of the insecurity of the road.

The ancient kingdom of Granada, into which we[1] were about to penetrate, is one of the most mountainous regions of Spain. Vast sierras, or chains of mountains, destitute {destitute ['destɪtjʊ:t] indigente} of shrub {shrub [ʃrʌb] mata, arbusto} {shrub [ʃrʌb] arbusto} or tree, and mottled {mottled ['mɒtəld] (piel) con manchas, moteado} with variegated marbles and granites, elevate their sunburnt summits against a deep--blue sky; yet in their rugged bosoms {bosom ['bʊzəm] pecho, seno} lie ingulfed verdant and fertile valleys, where the desert and the garden strive {strive [straɪv] esforzarse por} for mastery, and the very rock {rock [rɒk] argot brillante, (en tierra) peñón, (en la mar) roca, escollo, (fig) sostén, (a un niño) acunar, (noticia, etc) conmover, mecer, (barco) balancear} is, as it were, compelled to yield {yield [jɪ:ld] (cosecha) producir, (resultado) dar, (interés) rendir, ceder, rendirse, ceder, cosecha, rendimiento} the fig, the orange, and the citron, and to blossom with the myrtle and the rose.

[1] Note to the Revised Edition.-- The Author feels at liberty to mention that his travelling companion was the Prince Dolgorouki, at present Russian minister at the Court of Persia.

In the wild passes of these mountains the sight of walled towns and villages, built like eagles’ nests among the cliffs, and surrounded by Moorish battlements, or of ruined watchtowers perched {perch [pɜ:tʃ] zool perca, (para un pájaro) percha, (un pájaro) posarse, (una persona) sentarse, (fam) colocar} on lofty {lofty ['lɒftɪ] magnánimo, noble, sublime} peaks, carries the mind back to the chivalric days of Christian and Moslem warfare, and to the romantic struggle for the conquest of Granada. In traversing these lofty {lofty ['lɒftɪ] magnánimo, noble, sublime} sierras the traveller is often obliged to alight, and lead his horse up and down the steep {steep [stɪ:p] empinado, (precio) excesivo} and jagged {jagged ['dʒægɪd] dentado} ascents {ascent [ə'sent] subida} and descents, resembling the broken steps of a staircase.

Sometimes the road winds along dizzy precipices, without parapet to guard him from the gulfs below, and then will plunge {plunge [plʌndʒ] zambullida, inmersión, desplome, zambullirse, desplomarse, sumergir, hundir, sumir} down steep {steep [stɪ:p] empinado, (precio) excesivo} , and dark, and dangerous declivities. Sometimes it struggles through rugged barrancos, or ravines {ravine [rə'vɪ:n] barranco} , worn by winter torrents, the obscure path of the contrabandista; while, ever and anon, the ominous {ominous ['ɒmɪnəs] de mal agüero, siniestro} cross, the monument of robbery and murder, erected on a mound {mound [maʊnd] montón, pila, (Geol) montículo} of stones at some lonely part of the road, admonishes {admonish [əd'mɒnɪʃ] amonestar a} the traveller that he is among the haunts {haunt [hɔ:nt] favorito, (refugio) guarida, (fantasma) aparecerse en, atormentar, obsesionar, frecuentar, ~ed ['hɔ:ntɪd] (castillo, casa) encantado, embrujado} of banditti, perhaps at that very moment under the eye of some lurking {lurk [lɜ:k] merodear, estar al acecho, estar escondido} bandolero. Sometimes, in winding {winding ['waɪndɪɳ] sinuoso, serpenteante} through the narrow valleys, he is startled {startle ['stɑ:təl] asustar} by a hoarse {hoarse [hɔ:s] ronco} bellowing {bellow ['beləʊ] bramar, rugir, gritar} , and beholds {behold [bɪ'həʊld] (liter) contemplar} above him on some green fold {fold [fəʊld] doblez, pliegue, rebaño, redil, doblar, plegar, (com) quebrar} of the mountain a herd {herd [hɜ:d] (de ganado) manada, multitud, tropel, arrear} of fierce Andalusian bulls, destined for the combat of the arena. I have felt, if I may so express it, an agreeable horror in thus contemplating, near at hand, these terrific animals, clothed with tremendous strength, and ranging {range [reɪndʒ] (de productos) gama, línea, (selección) surtido, (de precios) escala, (de montañas) sierra, cadena, (de árboles) hilera, autonomía, alcance, (precios, tamaño, etc) oscilar, variar, extenderse, colocar, alinear} their native pastures in untamed wildness, strangers almost to the face {face [feɪs] cara, rostro, fachada, (de un reloj) esfera, dignidad, mirar hacia, afrontar, (orientación) dar a, estar enfrente de, frente a} of man: they know no one but the solitary herdsman who attends upon them, and even he at times dares not venture to approach {approach [ə'prəʊtʃ] acercamiento, acceso, enfoque, propuesta, acercarse, abordar, dirigirse a} them. The low bellowing {bellow ['beləʊ] bramar, rugir, gritar} of these bulls, and their menacing aspect as they look down from their rocky height, give additional wildness to the savage scenery.

I have been betrayed unconsciously into a longer disquisition than I intended on the general features of Spanish travelling; but there is a romance about all the recollections of the Peninsula dear to the imagination.

As our proposed route to Granada lay through mountainous regions, where the roads are little better than mule paths, and said to be frequently beset {beset [bɪ'set] acosar} by robbers, we took due travelling precautions. Forwarding the most valuable part of our luggage a day or two in advance by the arrieros, we retained {retain [rɪ'teɪn] retener, conservar, mantener, quedarse con, guardar} merely {mere [mɪəʳ] mero, simple} clothing and necessaries for the journey and money for the expenses of the road, with a little surplus of hard dollars by way of robber purse {purse [pɜ:s] monedero, US (de mujer) bolso, public ~, el erario público, premio, fruncir los labios} , to satisfy the gentlemen of the road should we be assailed. Unlucky is the too wary {wary ['weərɪ] cauteloso, receloso, ~ess ['weərɪnɪs] cautela} traveller who, having grudged {grudge [grʌdʒ] rencilla, rencor, dar de mala gana} this precaution, falls into their clutches {clutch [klʌtʃ] embrague, apretón, agarrar, tratar de agarrarse a} empty handed: they are apt {apt [æpt] (nombre) apropiado, (comentario) acertado, oportuno, pertinente, propenso, capaz, competente} to give him a sound {sound [saʊnd] sonido, ruido, (Geo) estrecho, sonda, (una construcción) sólido, (de la salud) sano, (una persona) responsable(un argumento) sensato, (una victoria) contundente, sonar, resonar, (una alarma, un claxon, etc) tocar, hacer sonar, (un sonido) pronunciar, (Med Náut fig) sondar} ribroasting for cheating them out of their dues. "Caballeros like them cannot afford to scour {scour [skaʊəʳ] fregar, restregar, (una zona) rastrear, peinar, un (un periódico) l e e r detenidamente} the roads and risk the gallows for nothing."

A couple of stout {stout [staʊt] corpulento, fuerte, firme, tenaz} steeds were provided for our own mounting, and a third for our scanty luggage and the conveyance of a sturdy {sturdy ['stɜ:dɪ] robusto, fuerte, resistente, sólido} Biscayan lad, about twenty years of age, who was to be our guide, our groom, our valet {valet ['væleɪ] ayuda de cámara} , and at all times our guard. For the latter office he was provided with a formidable trabuco or carbine, with which he promised to defend us against rateros or solitary footpads; but as to powerful bands, like that of the "sons of Ecija," he confessed they were quite beyond his prowess. He made much vainglorious boast {boast [bəʊst] presunción, alarde, presumir, jactarse, ostentar, disponer de} about his weapon at the outset {outset [aʊt'set] from the ~ desde el principio} of the journey, though {though [ðəʊ] aunque, si bien, (as though) como si, sin embargo} , to the discredit of his generalship, it was suffered to hang unloaded behind his saddle {saddle ['sædəl] silla de montar, sillín, (caballo) ensillar, to ~ sb with sthg, endilgarle algo a alguien} .

According to our stipulations, the man from whom we hired the horses was to be at the expense of their feed and stabling on the journey, as well as of the maintenance of our Biscayan squire, who of course was provided with funds for the purpose; we took care, however, to give the latter a private hint {hint [hɪnt] indirecta, consejo, pista} , that, though {though [ðəʊ] aunque, si bien, (as though) como si, sin embargo} we made a close bargain {bargain ['bɑ:gɪn] trato, pacto, ganga, chollo, negociar, regatear} with his master {master ['mɑ:stəʳ] amo, profesor, experto, maestro, (Náut) capitán, (grabación, programa, etc) original, (interruptor) general, , (dormitorio) principal, llegar a dominar} , it was all in his favor {favor ['feɪvəʳ] (acción amable) favor, favorecer a, (aprobar) ser partidario, honrar} , as, if he proved a good man and true, both he and the horses should live at our cost, and the money provided for their maintenance remain in his pocket. This unexpected largess, with the occasional present of a cigar, won his heart completely. He was, in truth, a faithful {faithful ['feɪɵfʊl] fiel} , cheery, kind--hearted creature, as full of saws and proverbs as that miracle of squires, the renowned {renowned [rɪ'naʊnd] renombrado, célebre} Sancho himself, whose name, by the by, we bestowed {bestow [bɪ'stəʊ] (frml) conceder, otorgar} upon him, and like a true Spaniard, though {though [ðəʊ] aunque, si bien, (as though) como si, sin embargo} treated by us with companionable familiarity, he never for a moment, in his utmost {utmost ['ʌtməʊst] mayor, sumo} hilarity, overstepped {overstep [ˌəʊvə'step] sobrepasar} the bounds {bound [baʊnd] salto, brinco, (pl) límites, dar un salto} of respectful {respectful [rɪs'pektfʊl] respetuoso} decorum.

Such were our minor preparations for the journey, but above all we laid in an ample {ample ['æmpəl] abundante, amplio, extenso} stock of good humor, and a genuine disposition to be pleased, determining to travel in true contrabandista style, taking things as we found them, rough or smooth, and mingling {mingle ['mɪɳgəl] mezclarse} with all classes and conditions in a kind of vagabond companionship. It is the true way to travel in Spain. With such disposition and determination, what a country is it for a traveller, where the most miserable {miserable ['mɪzərəbəl] triste, afligido, deprimente, desgraciado, desdichado, despreciable, vil, (sueldo, etc) miserabl e} inn is as full of adventure as an enchanted castle, and every meal is in itself an achievement! Let others repine at the lack of turnpike roads and sumptuous hotels, and all the elaborate comforts of a country cultivated and civilized into tameness {tame [teɪm] (animal) domesticado, (por naturaleza) manso, (estilo, etc) insulso, domar} and commonplace; but give me the rude mountain scramble {scramble ['skræmbəl] mezclar, codificar, ir gateando, pelearse, hacer motocross, subida o escalada difícil, confusión, motocross} ; the roving, haphazard {haphazard [hæp'hæzəd] caótico, desordenado} , wayfaring; the half wild, yet frank and hospitable manners, which impart such a true game flavor to dear old romantic Spain!

Thus equipped and attended, we cantered out of "Fair Seville city" at half--past six in the morning of a bright May day, in company with a lady and gentleman of our acquaintance {acquaintance [ə'kweɪntəns] conocimiento, (persona) conocido} , who rode a few miles with us, in the Spanish mode of taking leave. Our route lay through old Alcala de Guadaira (Alcala on the river Aira), the benefactress of Seville, that supplies it with bread and water. Here live the bakers who furnish Seville with that delicious bread for which it is renowned {renowned [rɪ'naʊnd] renombrado, célebre} ; here are fabricated those roscas well known by the well--merited appellation of pan {pan [pæn] cazuela, cacerola} de Dios (bread of God), with which, by the way, we ordered our man, Sancho, to stock his alforjas for the journey. Well has this beneficent little city been denominated the "Oven of Seville"; well has it been called Alcala de los Panaderos (Alcala of the bakers), for a great part of its inhabitants are of that handicraft, and the highway hence to Seville is constantly traversed by lines of mules and donkeys laden with great panniers of loaves and roscas.

I have said Alcala supplies Seville with water. Here are great tanks or reservoirs, of Roman and Moorish construction, whence water is conveyed {convey [kən'veɪ] (mercancías, pasajeros) transportar, (sonido) transmitir, (una idea) comunicar} to Seville by noble aqueducts. The springs {spring [sprɪɳ] primavera, manantial, fuente, muelle, resorte, elasticidad, brinco, primaveral, saltar, mover con un salto, abalanzarse, (el agua) brotar, (una noticia, etc) dar de golpe} of Alcala are almost as much vaunted as its ovens; and to the lightness, sweetness, and purity of its water is attributed in some measure the delicacy of its bread.

Here we halted for a time, at the ruins of the old Moorish castle, a favorite resort for picnic parties from Seville, where we had passed many a pleasant hour. The walls are of great extent {extent [ɪk'stent] extensión} , pierced with loopholes; inclosing a huge square {square [skweəʳ] cuadrado, cuadro, casilla, plaza, escuadra, pañuelo, (trato) justo, directamente, cuadrar, elevar al cuadrado, (las cuentas) ajustar, saldar} tower or keep, with the remains of masmoras, or subterranean granaries. The Guadaira winds its stream round the hill, at the foot of these ruins, whimpering {whimper ['wɪmpəʳ] gimotear, quejido} among reeds, rushes {rush [rʌʃ] junco, prisa, apuro, to be in a rush, tener prisa,, torrente, ráfaga, apresurar, hacer a todo correr, llevar urgentemente, enviar rápidamente, asaltar, precipitarse, urgente} , and pond--lilies, and overhung {overhang [ˌəʊvə'hæŋ] sobresalir, por encima de} with rhododendron, eglantine, yellow myrtle, and a profusion of wild flowers and aromatic shrubs {shrub [ʃrʌb] mata, arbusto} {shrub [ʃrʌb] arbusto} ; while along its banks are groves {grove [grəʊv] (of trees) bosquecillo } of oranges, citrons, and pomegranates, among which we heard the early note of the nightingale.

A picturesque bridge was thrown across the little river, at one end of which was the ancient Moorish mill {mill [mɪl] molino, molinillo, moler, fresar} of the castle, defended by a tower of yellow stone; a fisherman’s net hung against the wall to dry, and hard by in the river was his boat; a group of peasant {peasant ['pezənt] campesino, (pey) paleto} women in bright--colored dresses, crossing the arched bridge, were reflected in the placid stream. Altogether {altogether [ɔ:ltə'geðəʳ] en conjunto, en total, completamente, del todo, desnudo} it was an admirable scene for a landscape painter.

The old Moorish mills {mill [mɪl] molino, molinillo, moler, fresar} , so often found on secluded {secluded [sɪ'klʊ:dɪd] aislado, retirado, solitario} streams, are characteristic objects in Spanish landscape, and suggestive of the perilous times of old. They are of stone, and often in the form of towers with loopholes and battlements, capable of defence in those warlike days when the country on both sides of the border was subject to sudden inroad and hasty {hasty ['heɪstɪ] rápido, apresurado, precipitado} {haste [heɪst] precipitación} ravage {ravage ['rævɪdʒ] ~s estragos, devastar} , and when men had to labor with their weapons at hand, and some place of temporary refuge.

Our next halting {halting ['hɔ:ltɪɳ] vacilante} place was at Gandul, where were the remains of another Moorish castle, with its ruined tower, a nestling place for storks, and commanding a view over a vast campina or fertile plain, with the mountains of Ronda in the distance. These castles were strong--holds to protect the plains from the talas or forays to which they were subject, when the fields of corn would be laid waste {waste [weɪst] pérdida, derroche, despilfarro, residuos, desechos, tierra baldío, desechado, residual, (el tiempo) perder, derrochar, despilfarrar, desperdiciar, malgastar, no aprovechar} , the flocks and herds {herd [hɜ:d] (de ganado) manada, multitud, tropel, arrear} swept from the vast pastures, and, together with captive peasantry {peasant ['pezənt] campesino, (pey) paleto} , hurried off in long cavalgadas across the borders.

At Gandul we found a tolerable posada; the good folks could not tell us what time of day it was-- the clock only struck {strike [straɪk] huelga, descubrimiento, golpe, ataque, pegar, golpear, pulsar, asestar, (una bala, un rayo) alcanzar, parecer, ocurrirse, (oro, petróleo) descubrir (un equilibrio) encontrar, (un acuerdo) cerrar, encender, acuñar, (un desastre) sobrevenir, ocurrir, hacer huelga, (reloj) dar la hora, ~ out: tachar} once in the day, two hours after noon; until that time it was guesswork. We guessed it was full time to eat; so, alighting, we ordered a repast {repast [rɪ'pæst] ágape, comida} . While that was in preparation we visited the palace once the residence of the Marquis of Gandul. All was gone to decay {decay [dɪ'keɪ] (de cuerpo, de comida) descomposición, (de cultura) decadencia, (de dientes) caries, (de edificios) desmoronamiento, pudrirse, descomponerse, (dientes) picarse, (edificio) deteriorarse} ; there were but two or three rooms habitable, and very poorly furnished. Yet here were the remains of grandeur: a terrace, where fair dames and gentle cavaliers may once have walked; a fish--pond and ruined garden, with grape--vines and date--bearing palm--trees. Here we were joined by a fat curate, who gathered {gather ['gæ ðəʳ] reunir, juntar, acumular, cosechar, coger, recoger, poner en orden, cobrar, (velocidad) ganar, ir ganando, deducir, fruncir} a bouquet of roses and presented it, very gallantly, to the lady who accompanied us.

Below the palace was the mill {mill [mɪl] molino, molinillo, moler, fresar} , with orange--trees and aloes in front, and a pretty stream of pure water. We took a seat in the shade, and the millers, all leaving their work, sat down and smoked with us; for the Andalusians are always ready for a gossip {gossip ['gɒsɪp] (persona) cotilla, chismoso, (rumor) chismes, cotilleo, cotillear, chismorrear} . They were waiting for the regular visit of the barber, who came once a week to put all their chins in order. He arrived shortly afterwards: a lad of seventeen, mounted on a donkey, eager to display his new alforjas or saddle {saddle ['sædəl] silla de montar, sillín, (caballo) ensillar, to ~ sb with sthg, endilgarle algo a alguien} --bags, just bought at a fair; price one dollar, to be paid on St. John {john [dʒɑ:n] (US coloq) baño, váter} ’s day (in June), by which time he trusted to have mown beards enough to put him in funds.

By the time the laconic clock of the castle had struck {strike [straɪk] huelga, descubrimiento, golpe, ataque, pegar, golpear, pulsar, asestar, (una bala, un rayo) alcanzar, parecer, ocurrirse, (oro, petróleo) descubrir (un equilibrio) encontrar, (un acuerdo) cerrar, encender, acuñar, (un desastre) sobrevenir, ocurrir, hacer huelga, (reloj) dar la hora, ~ out: tachar} two we had finished our dinner. So, taking leave of our Seville friends, and leaving the millers still {still [stɪl] todavía, aún aun así, con todo, sin embargo, tranquilo, silencioso, inmóvil, sin gas, fotograma, alambique, acallar} under the hands of the barber, we set off on our ride across the campina. It was one of those vast plains, common in Spain, where for miles and miles there is neither house nor tree. Unlucky the traveller who has to traverse it, exposed as we were to heavy and repeated showers of rain. There is no escape nor shelter. Our only protection was our Spanish cloaks {cloak [kləʊk] capa, figurado tapadera, encubrir} , which nearly covered man and horse, but grew heavier every mile. By the time we had lived through one shower we would see another slowly but inevitably approaching {approach [ə'prəʊtʃ] acercamiento, acceso, enfoque, propuesta, acercarse, abordar, dirigirse a} ; fortunately in the interval there would be an outbreak {outbreak [aʊt'breɪk] (of war) estallido, comienzo, brote m} of bright, warm, Andalusian sunshine, which would make our cloaks {cloak [kləʊk] capa, figurado tapadera, encubrir} send up wreaths {wreath [rɪ:ɵ] (de flores, hojas) corona, (de humo) espiral} of steam, but which partially dried them before the next drenching {drench [drentʃ] empapar} .

Shortly after sunset we arrived at Arahal, a little town among the hills. We found it in a bustle with a party of miquelets, who were patrolling the country to ferret out robbers. The appearance of foreigners like ourselves was an unusual circumstance in an interior country town; and little Spanish towns of the kind are easily put in a state of gossip {gossip ['gɒsɪp] (persona) cotilla, chismoso, (rumor) chismes, cotilleo, cotillear, chismorrear} and wonderment by such an occurrence. Mine host, with two or three old wiseacre comrades in brown Cloaks {cloak [kləʊk] capa, figurado tapadera, encubrir} , studied our passports in a corner of the posada, while an Alguazil took notes by the dim {dim [dɪm] (habitación) oscuro, (luz) débil, tenue, (memoria) vago, (perfil) indistinto, (vista) turbio, (futuro) nada prometedor, (fam) corto, de luces, tonto, (la luz) atenuar, (luz) irse atenuando, (la vista) debilitarse} light of a lamp. The passports were in foreign languages and perplexed them, but our Squire Sancho assisted them in their studies, and magnified our importance with the grandiloquence of a Spaniard. In the mean time the magnificent distribution of a few cigars had won the hearts of all around us; in a little while the whole community seemed put in agitation to make us welcome. The corregidor himself waited upon us, and a great rush {rush [rʌʃ] junco, prisa, apuro, to be in a rush, tener prisa,, torrente, ráfaga, apresurar, hacer a todo correr, llevar urgentemente, enviar rápidamente, asaltar, precipitarse, urgente} --bottomed arm--chair was ostentatiously bolstered {bolster ['bəʊlstəʳ] almohada, cabezal, reforzar, (sostener) apoyar} into our room by our landlady, for the accommodation of that important personage. The commander of the patrol took supper with us-- a lively, talking, laughing Andaluz, who had made a campaign in South America, and recounted his exploits in love and war with much pomp of phrase, vehemence of gesticulation, and mysterious rolling of the eye. He told us that he had a list of all the robbers in the country, and meant to ferret out every mother’s son of them; he offered us at the same time some of his soldiers as an escort. "One is enough to protect you, senores; the robbers know me, and know my men; the sight of one is enough to spread terror through a whole sierra." We thanked him for his offer, but assured him, in his own strain {strain [streɪn] torcerse, cansar, forzar, poner a prueba, volver tenso, abusar de, colar, escurrir, filtrar, esforzarse, tirar, tensión, estrés, esguince, torcedura, tensión} , that with the protection of our redoubtable squire, Sancho, we were not afraid of all the ladrones of Andalusia.

While we were supping with our Drawcansir friend, we heard the notes of a guitar, and the click of castanets, and presently a chorus of voices singing a popular air. In fact mine host had gathered {gather ['gæ ðəʳ] reunir, juntar, acumular, cosechar, coger, recoger, poner en orden, cobrar, (velocidad) ganar, ir ganando, deducir, fruncir} together the amateur singers and musicians, and the rustic belles of the neighborhood, and, on going forth, the courtyard or patio of the inn presented a scene of true Spanish festivity. We took our seats with mine host and hostess and the commander of the patrol, under an archway opening into the court; the guitar passed from hand to hand, but a jovial shoemaker was the Orpheus of the place. He was a pleasant--looking fellow, with huge black whiskers; his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. He touched the guitar with masterly skill, and sang a little amorous ditty with an expressive leer {leer [lɪ:əʳ] mirar lascivamente, mirar con malicia} at the women, with whom he was evidently {evidently ['evɪdəntlɪ] evidentemente, al parecer, por lo visto} a favorite. He afterwards danced a fandango with a buxom {buxom ['bʌksəm] (mujer) pechugona} Andalusian damsel, to the great delight of the spectators. But none of the females present could compare with mine host’s pretty daughter, Pepita, who had slipped {slip [slɪp] resbalón, error, (moral) desliz, papelito, (ropa interior de mujer) combinación, resbalar(se), (precios) bajar, (la moral) decaer, deteriorar, dar disimuladamente } away and made her toilette for the occasion, and had covered her head with roses; and who distinguished herself in a bolero with a handsome young dragoon. We ordered our host to let wine and refreshment circulate freely among the company, yet, though {though [ðəʊ] aunque, si bien, (as though) como si, sin embargo} there was a motley {motley ['mɒtlɪ]abigarrado, diverso, variado, variopinto} assembly of soldiers, muleteers, and villagers, no one exceeded {exceed [ek'sɪ:d] exceder, sobrepasar} the bounds {bound [baʊnd] salto, brinco, (pl) límites, dar un salto} of sober {sober ['səʊbəʳ] (no borracho) sobrio, formal, serio, (ropa) discreto, (un acto) solemne} enjoyment. The scene was a study for a painter: the picturesque group of dancers, the troopers in their half military dresses, the peasantry {peasant ['pezənt] campesino, (pey) paleto} wrapped in their brown cloaks {cloak [kləʊk] capa, figurado tapadera, encubrir} ; nor must I omit to mention the old meagre Alguazil, in a short black cloak {cloak [kləʊk] capa, figurado tapadera, encubrir} , who took no notice of any thing going on, but sat in a corner diligently writing by the dim {dim [dɪm] (habitación) oscuro, (luz) débil, tenue, (memoria) vago, (perfil) indistinto, (vista) turbio, (futuro) nada prometedor, (fam) corto, de luces, tonto, (la luz) atenuar, (luz) irse atenuando, (la vista) debilitarse} light of a huge copper lamp, that might have figured in the days of Don Quixote.

The following morning was bright and balmy {balmy ['bɑ:mɪ] (clima) suave} , as a May morning ought to be, according to the poets. Leaving Arahal at seven o’clock, with all the posada at the door to cheer us off we pursued {pursue [pə'sjʊ:] seguir, perseguir, buscar, ejercer} our way through a fertile country, covered with grain and beautifully verdant; but which in summer, when the harvest is over and the fields parched {parched [pɑ:tʃt] (boca) seco, (fam persona) sediento, muerto de sed, (tierra) reseco} and brown, must be monotonous and lonely; for, as in our ride of yesterday, there were neither houses nor people to be seen. The latter all congregate in villages and strong--holds among the hills, as if these fertile plains were still {still [stɪl] todavía, aún aun así, con todo, sin embargo, tranquilo, silencioso, inmóvil, sin gas, fotograma, alambique, acallar} subject to the ravages {ravage ['rævɪdʒ] ~s estragos, devastar} of the Moor {moor [mʊəʳ] páramo, moro, (Náut) amarrar} .

At noon we came to where there was a group of trees, beside a brook {brook [brʊk] arroyo} in a rich meadow. Here we alighted to make our midday meal. It was really a luxurious spot {spot [spɒt] punto, lunar, mancha, grano, espinilla, un poquito, un problemilla, gota, TV anuncio, salpicar, notar} , among wild flowers and aromatic herbs, with birds singing around us. Knowing the scanty larders of Spanish inns, and the houseless tracts we might have to traverse, we had taken care to have the alforjas of our squire well stocked with cold provisions, and his bota, or leathern bottle, which might hold a gallon, filled to the neck with choice Valdepenas wine.[2] As we depended more upon these for our well--being than even his trabuco, we exhorted him to be more attentive in keeping them well charged; and I must do him the justice to say that his namesake, the trencher--loving Sancho Panza, was never a more provident purveyor. Though {though [ðəʊ] aunque, si bien, (as though) como si, sin embargo} the alforjas and the bota were frequently and vigorously assailed throughout {throughout [ɵrʊ:'aʊt] (en el tiempo) durante todo, (en el espacio) por|en todo, (en el tiempo) desde el principo hasta el fin, (en el espacio) totalmente, en|por todas partes} the journey, they had a wonderful power of repletion, our vigilant squire sacking every thing that remained from our repasts {repast [rɪ'pæst] ágape, comida} at the inns, to supply these junketings by the road--side, which were his delight.

[2] It may be as well to note here, that the alforjas are square {square [skweəʳ] cuadrado, cuadro, casilla, plaza, escuadra, pañuelo, (trato) justo, directamente, cuadrar, elevar al cuadrado, (las cuentas) ajustar, saldar} pockets at each end of a long cloth about a foot and a half wide, formed by turning up its extremities. The cloth is then thrown over the saddle {saddle ['sædəl] silla de montar, sillín, (caballo) ensillar, to ~ sb with sthg, endilgarle algo a alguien} , and the pockets hang on each side like saddle {saddle ['sædəl] silla de montar, sillín, (caballo) ensillar, to ~ sb with sthg, endilgarle algo a alguien} --bags. It is an Arab invention. The bota is a leathern bag or bottle, of portly dimensions, with a narrow neck. It is also oriental. Hence the scriptural caution, which perplexed me in my boyhood, not to put new wine into old bottles.

On the present occasion he spread quite a sumptuous variety of remnants on the green--sward before us, graced with an excellent ham brought from Seville; then, taking his seat at a little distance, he solaced himself with what remained in the alforjas. A visit or two to the bota made him as merry and chirruping as a grasshopper filled with dew {dew [djʊ:] rocío} . On my comparing his contents of the alforjas to Sancho’s skimming {skim [skɪm] (la leche) desnatar, (el caldo) espumar, rozar, rasar, l e e r por encima} of the flesh {flesh [fleʃ] (de animal, persona) carne, (de fruta) pulpa} --pots at the wedding of Camacho, I found he was well versed in the history of Don Quixote, but, like many of the common people of Spain, firmly believed it to be a true history.

"All that happened a long time ago, senor," said he, with an inquiring look.

"A very long time," I replied.

"I dare say more than a thousand years"-- still {still [stɪl] todavía, aún aun así, con todo, sin embargo, tranquilo, silencioso, inmóvil, sin gas, fotograma, alambique, acallar} looking dubiously.

"I dare say not less."

The squire was satisfied. Nothing pleased the simple--hearted varlet more than my comparing him to the renowned {renowned [rɪ'naʊnd] renombrado, célebre} Sancho for devotion to the trencher, and he called himself by no other name throughout {throughout [ɵrʊ:'aʊt] (en el tiempo) durante todo, (en el espacio) por|en todo, (en el tiempo) desde el principo hasta el fin, (en el espacio) totalmente, en|por todas partes} the journey.

Our repast {repast [rɪ'pæst] ágape, comida} being finished, we spread our cloaks {cloak [kləʊk] capa, figurado tapadera, encubrir} on the green--sward under the tree, and took a luxurious siesta in the Spanish fashion. The clouding up of the weather, however, warned us to depart {depart [dɪ'pɑ:t] marcharse, irse, salir, desviarse} , and a harsh {harsh [hɑ:ʃ] duro, severo, discordante, áspero} wind sprang up from the southeast. Towards five o’clock we arrived at Osuna, a town of fifteen thousand inhabitants, situated on the side of a hill, with a church and a ruined castle. The posada was outside of the walls; it had a cheerless look. The evening being cold, the inhabitants were crowded round a brasero in a chimney corner; and the hostess was a dry old woman, who looked like a mummy. Every one eyed us askance as we entered, as Spaniards are apt {apt [æpt] (nombre) apropiado, (comentario) acertado, oportuno, pertinente, propenso, capaz, competente} to regard {regard [rɪ'gɑ:d] buena opinión, consideración, respeto, considerar, mirar} strangers; a cheery, respectful {respectful [rɪs'pektfʊl] respetuoso} salutation on our part, caballeroing them and touching our sombreros, set Spanish pride at ease; and when we took our seat among them, lit our cigars, and passed the cigar--box round among them, our victory was complete. I have never known a Spaniard, whatever his rank {rank [ræ ɳk] (Mil) grado, rango, fila, hilera, línea, clasificar, ordenar, (nivel) estar, figurar, (pey) (injusticia, principiante) absoluto, (planta) demasiado exuberante, fétido} or condition, who would suffer himself to be outdone {outdo ['aʊt'du:] superar, mejorar} in courtesy; and to the common Spaniard the present of a cigar (puro) is irresistible. Care, however, must be taken never to offer him a present with an air of superiority and condescension; he is too much of a caballero to receive favors {favor ['feɪvəʳ] (acción amable) favor, favorecer a, (aprobar) ser partidario, honrar} at the cost of his dignity.

Leaving Osuna at an early hour the next morning, we entered the sierra or range {range [reɪndʒ] (de productos) gama, línea, (selección) surtido, (de precios) escala, (de montañas) sierra, cadena, (de árboles) hilera, autonomía, alcance, (precios, tamaño, etc) oscilar, variar, extenderse, colocar, alinear} of mountains. The road wound through picturesque scenery, but lonely; and a cross here and there by the road side, the sign of a murder, showed that we were now coming among the "robber haunts {haunt [hɔ:nt] favorito, (refugio) guarida, (fantasma) aparecerse en, atormentar, obsesionar, frecuentar, ~ed ['hɔ:ntɪd] (castillo, casa) encantado, embrujado} ." This wild and intricate country, with its silent plains and valleys intersected by mountains, has ever been famous for banditti. It was here that Omar Ibn Hassan, a robber--chief among the Moslems, held ruthless {ruthless ['rʊ:ɵlɪs] despiadado} sway {sway [sweɪ] balanceo, influencia, dominio, balancearse, mecerse, (un borracho, etc) tambalearse, convencer} in the ninth century, disputing dominion even with the caliphs of Cordova. This too was a part of the regions so often ravaged {ravage ['rævɪdʒ] ~s estragos, devastar} during the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella by Ali Atar, the old Moorish alcayde of Loxa, father--in--law of Boabdil, so that it was called Ali Atar’s garden, and here "Jose Maria," famous in Spanish brigand story, had his favorite lurking {lurk [lɜ:k] merodear, estar al acecho, estar escondido} places.

In the course of the day we passed through Fuente la Piedra near a little salt lake of the same name, a beautiful sheet of water, reflecting like a mirror the distant mountains. We now came in sight of Antiquera, that old city of warlike reputation, lying in the lap of the great sierra which runs through Andalusia. A noble vega spread out before it, a picture of mild {mild [maɪld] (clima) templado, benigno, suave, (crítica) poco severo, leve, (persona) apacible, bondadoso, (sabor, sensación) suave} fertility set in a frame of rocky mountains. Crossing a gentle river we approached {approach [ə'prəʊtʃ] acercamiento, acceso, enfoque, propuesta, acercarse, abordar, dirigirse a} the city between hedges {hedge [hedʒ] seto, cercar con un seto, (una apuesta, inversión) cubrir, compensar, evitar contestar, dar rodeos} and gardens, in which nightingales were pouring forth their evening song. About nightfall we arrived at the gates. Every thing in this venerable city has a decidedly Spanish stamp. It lies too much out of the frequented track of foreign travel to have its old usages trampled {trample ['træmpəl] pisotear} out. Here I observed old men still {still [stɪl] todavía, aún aun así, con todo, sin embargo, tranquilo, silencioso, inmóvil, sin gas, fotograma, alambique, acallar} wearing the montero, or ancient hunting cap, once common throughout {throughout [ɵrʊ:'aʊt] (en el tiempo) durante todo, (en el espacio) por|en todo, (en el tiempo) desde el principo hasta el fin, (en el espacio) totalmente, en|por todas partes} Spain; while the young men wore the little round--crowned hat, with brim {brim [brɪm] (de sombrero) ala, borde, rebosar} turned up all round, like a cup turned down in its saucer, while the brim {brim [brɪm] (de sombrero) ala, borde, rebosar} was set off with little black tufts {tuft [tʌft] (de pelo) mechón} like cockades. The women, too, were all in mantillas and basquinas. The fashions of Paris had not reached Antiquera.

Pursuing {pursue [pə'sjʊ:] seguir, perseguir, buscar, ejercer} our course through a spacious street, we put up at the posada of San Fernando. As Antiquera, though {though [ðəʊ] aunque, si bien, (as though) como si, sin embargo} a considerable city, is, as I observed, somewhat {somewhat ['sʌmwɒt] algo, un tanto} out of the track of travel, I had anticipated bad quarters and poor fare at the inn. I was agreeably disappointed, therefore {therefore ['ðerfɔ:r]['ðeəfɔ:ʳ] por lo tanto, por consiguiente} , by a supper table amply supplied, and what were still {still [stɪl] todavía, aún aun así, con todo, sin embargo, tranquilo, silencioso, inmóvil, sin gas, fotograma, alambique, acallar} more acceptable, good clean rooms and comfortable beds. Our man, Sancho, felt himself as well off as his namesake, when he had the run of the duke’s kitchen, and let me know, as I retired for the night, that it had been a proud time for the alforjas.

Early in the morning (May 4th) I strolled {stroll [strəʊl] dar un paseo, paseo} to the ruins of the old Moorish castle, which itself had been reared on the ruins of a Roman fortress. Here, taking my seat on the remains of a crumbling tower, I enjoyed a grand and varied landscape, beautiful in itself, and full of storied and romantic associations; for I was now in the very heart of the country famous for the chivalrous contests {contest ['kɒntest] concurso, prueba, lucha, refutar, impugnar, pugnar, luchar por} between Moor {moor [mʊəʳ] páramo, moro, (Náut) amarrar} and Christian. Below me, in its lap of hills, lay the old warrior city so often mentioned in chronicle and ballad. Out of yon gate and down yon hill paraded {parade [pə'reɪd] desfile, parada, desfilar, hacer alarde de, pasearse} the band of Spanish cavaliers, of highest rank {rank [ræ ɳk] (Mil) grado, rango, fila, hilera, línea, clasificar, ordenar, (nivel) estar, figurar, (pey) (injusticia, principiante) absoluto, (planta) demasiado exuberante, fétido} and bravest bearing {bear [beəʳ] portar, llevar, tener, llevar aguantar, tolerar, ~ing ['beərɪɳ] relación, (aspecto, prestancia) porte, (Náut pl)) marcación, to get one's ~, orientarse} , to make that foray {foray ['fɔ:reɪ] (Mil) incursión} during the war and conquest of Granada, which ended in the lamentable massacre among the mountains of Malaga, and laid all Andalusia in mourning. Beyond spread out the vega, covered with gardens and orchards and fields of grain and enamelled meadows, inferior only to the famous vega of Granada. To the right the Rock {rock [rɒk] argot brillante, (en tierra) peñón, (en la mar) roca, escollo, (fig) sostén, (a un niño) acunar, (noticia, etc) conmover, mecer, (barco) balancear} of the Lovers stretched {stretch [stretʃ] estirar, desplegar, extender, exagerar, estirarse, desperezarse, dar de sí, trecho, tramo, extensión, periodo} like a cragged promontory into the plain, whence the daughter of the Moorish alcayde and her lover, when closely pursued {pursue [pə'sjʊ:] seguir, perseguir, buscar, ejercer} , threw themselves in despair.

The matin peal from church and convent below me rang sweetly in the morning air, as I descended. The market--place was beginning to throng {throng [ɵrɒɳ] multitud, gentío, entrar-salir en tropel, atestar} with the populace, who traffic in the abundant produce of the vega; for this is the mart of an agricultural region. In the market--place were abundance of freshly plucked {pluck [plʌk] arrancar, desplumar, (las cejas) depilar, coger, puntear, valor, ánimo} roses for sale; for not a dame or damsel of Andalusia thinks her gala dress complete without a rose shining like a gem among her raven tresses.

On returning to the inn I found our man Sancho, in high gossip {gossip ['gɒsɪp] (persona) cotilla, chismoso, (rumor) chismes, cotilleo, cotillear, chismorrear} with the landlord and two or three of his hangers--on. He had just been telling some marvellous story about Seville, which mine host seemed piqued to match with one equally marvellous about Antiquera. There was once a fountain, he said, in one of the public squares {square [skweəʳ] cuadrado, cuadro, casilla, plaza, escuadra, pañuelo, (trato) justo, directamente, cuadrar, elevar al cuadrado, (las cuentas) ajustar, saldar} called IL fuente del toro, the fountain of the bull, because the water gushed {gush [gʌʃ] (un líquido) manar a raudales, brotar, hablar efusivamente} from the mouth of a bull’s head, carved of stone. Underneath {underneath [ʌndə'nɪ:ɵ] bajo, debajo de, por debajo de, abajo, por debajo, en el fondo, inferior, de abajo, parte inferior} the head was inscribed:

EN FRENTE DEL TORO SE HALLEN TESORO. (In front of the bull there is treasure.) 

Many digged in front of the fountain, but lost their labor and found no money. At last one knowing fellow construed the motto a different way. It is in the forehead (frente) of the bull that the treasure is to be found, said he to himself, and I am the man to find it. Accordingly he came late at night, with a mallet, and knocked the head to pieces; and what do you think he found?

"Plenty of gold and diamonds!" cried Sancho eagerly.

"He found nothing," rejoined mine host dryly; "and he ruined the fountain."

Here a great laugh was set up by the landlord’s hangers--on; who considered Sancho completely taken in by what I presume was one of mine host’s standing jokes.

Leaving Antiquera at eight O’clock, we had a delightful ride along the little river, and by gardens and orchards, fragrant with the odors of spring {spring [sprɪɳ] primavera, manantial, fuente, muelle, resorte, elasticidad, brinco, primaveral, saltar, mover con un salto, abalanzarse, (el agua) brotar, (una noticia, etc) dar de golpe} and vocal with the nightingale. Our road passed round the Rock {rock [rɒk] argot brillante, (en tierra) peñón, (en la mar) roca, escollo, (fig) sostén, (a un niño) acunar, (noticia, etc) conmover, mecer, (barco) balancear} of the Lovers (el Penon de los Enamorados), which rose in a precipice above us. In the course of the morning we passed through Archidona, situated in the breast of a high hill, with a three--pointed mountain towering above it, and the ruins of a Moorish fortress. It was a great toil to ascend a steep {steep [stɪ:p] empinado, (precio) excesivo} stony street leading up into the city, although it bore {bear [beəʳ] portar, llevar, tener, llevar aguantar, tolerar} the encouraging name of Calle Real del Llano (the Royal Street of the Plain), but it was still {still [stɪl] todavía, aún aun así, con todo, sin embargo, tranquilo, silencioso, inmóvil, sin gas, fotograma, alambique, acallar} a greater toil to descend from this mountain city on the other side.

At noon we halted in sight of Archidona, in a pleasant little meadow among hills covered with olive--trees. Our cloaks {cloak [kləʊk] capa, figurado tapadera, encubrir} were spread on the grass, under an elm by the side of a bubbling rivulet; our horses were tethered {tether ['teðəʳ] atadura, (a un animal) atar} where they might crop the herbage, and Sancho was told to produce his alforjas. He had been unusually silent this morning ever since the laugh raised at his expense, but now his countenance {countenance ['kaʊntɪnəns] semblante, rostro, aprobar, tolerar} brightened, and he produced his alforjas with an air of triumph. They contained the contributions of four days’ journeying, but had been signally enriched by the foraging {forage ['fɒrɪdʒ] buscar (comida), rebuscar} of the previous evening in the plenteous inn at Antiquera; and this seemed to furnish him with a set--off to the banter {banter ['bæntəʳ] bromear, bromas} of mine host.

EN FRENTE DEL TORO SE HALLEN TESORO would he exclaim, with a chuckling {chuckle ['tʃʌkəl] reír entre dientes, risita} laugh, as he drew {draw [dru:] dibujar, trazar, tirar de, (cortinas), abrir, descorrer, correr, persianas) bajar, (la atención) llamar, (un arma, una conclusión, confesión, fuerza, un diente, dinero del banco, etc) sacar, (un talón) librar, (un sueldo) cobrar, (comparación) hacer, empatar, empate, (exposición, espectáculo) atracción} forth the heterogeneous contents one by one, in a series which seemed to have no end. First came forth a shoulder of roasted kid, very little the worse for wear; then an entire partridge; then a great morsel {morsel ['mɔ:səl] trocito, cachito} of salted codfish wrapped in paper; then the residue of a ham; then the half of a pullet, together with several rolls of bread, and a rabble {rabble ['ræbəl] multitud, muchedumbre} rout {rout [raʊt] aniquilación, aniquilar derrota aplastante} of oranges, figs, raisins {raisin ['reɪzən] pasa} , and walnuts {walnut ['wɔ:lnʌt] nuez, nogal} . His bota also had been recruited with some excellent wine of Malaga. At every fresh apparition from his larder, he would enjoy our ludicrous {ludicrous ['lʊ:dɪkrəs] absurdo} surprise, throwing himself back on the grass, shouting with laughter, and exclaiming "Frente del toro!-- frente del toro! Ah, senores, they thought Sancho a simpleton {simpleton ['sɪmpəltən] inocentón} at Antiquera; but Sancho knew where to find the tesoro."

While we were diverting ourselves with his simple drollery, a solitary beggar approached {approach [ə'prəʊtʃ] acercamiento, acceso, enfoque, propuesta, acercarse, abordar, dirigirse a} , who had almost the look of a pilgrim. He had a venerable gray beard, and was evidently {evidently ['evɪdəntlɪ] evidentemente, al parecer, por lo visto} very old, supporting himself on a staff, yet age had not bowed {bow [baʊ] inclinarse, (teat) saludar, reconocer la superioridad de, (la cabeza) inclinar, (por vergüenza) bajar, (con la cabeza, el cuerpo) reverencia, (Náut) proa, Dep Mús arco, (nudo) lazo} him down; he was tall and erect, and had the wreck {wreck [rek] naufragio, restos, (coche) cacharro, ruina, (uso pasivo) hacer naufragar, destrozar, estropear, desbaratar, echar a perder} of a fine form. He wore a round Andalusian hat, a sheep--skin jacket, and leathern breeches, gaiters, and sandals. His dress, though {though [ðəʊ] aunque, si bien, (as though) como si, sin embargo} old and patched, was decent, his demeanor {demeanor [dɪ'mi:nər] comportamiento, conducta, porte} manly, and he addressed us with the grave courtesy that is to be remarked in the lowest Spaniard. We were in a favorable {favor ['feɪvəʳ] (acción amable) favor, favorecer a, (aprobar) ser partidario, honrar} mood for such a visitor; and in a freak {freak [frɪ:k] monstruo, estrafalario, fanático, insólito} of capricious charity gave him some silver, a loaf {loaf [ləʊf] pan {pan [pæn] cazuela, cacerola} , barra de pan {pan [pæn] cazuela, cacerola} , (rebanadas) pan {pan [pæn] cazuela, cacerola} de molde, ~ about o around gandulear} of fine wheaten bread, and a goblet of our choice wine of Malaga. He received them thankfully, but without any grovelling tribute of gratitude. Tasting the wine, he held it up to the light, with a slight {slight [slaɪt] ligero, lejano, menudo, delgado, delicado, desaire, desairar, hablar desdeñosamente de} beam {beam [bɪ:m] (de luz) rayo, barra fija, brillar, sonreír, transmitir} of surprise in his eye, then quaffing it off at a draught {draught [drɑ:ft] corriente (de aire), (de líquido) trago, ~ (beer), cerveza de barril, (pl) juego de damas, (caballo, etc) de tiro} , "It is many years," said he, "since I have tasted such wine. It is a cordial to an old man’s heart." Then, looking at the beautiful wheaten loaf {loaf [ləʊf] pan {pan [pæn] cazuela, cacerola} , barra de pan {pan [pæn] cazuela, cacerola} , (rebanadas) pan {pan [pæn] cazuela, cacerola} de molde, ~ about o around gandulear} , "Bendito sea tal pan {pan [pæn] cazuela, cacerola} !" "Blessed be such bread!" So saying, he put it in his wallet. We urged {urge [ɜ:dʒ] instar, exhortar, pedir con insistencia, impulso} him to eat it on the spot {spot [spɒt] punto, lunar, mancha, grano, espinilla, un poquito, un problemilla, gota, TV anuncio, salpicar, notar} . "No, senores," replied he, "the wine I had either to drink or leave; but the bread I may take home to share with my family."

Our man Sancho sought our eye, and reading permission there, gave the old man some of the ample {ample ['æmpəl] abundante, amplio, extenso} fragments of our repast {repast [rɪ'pæst] ágape, comida} , on condition, however, that he should sit down and make a meal.

He accordingly took his seat at some little distance from us, and began to eat slowly, and with a sobriety and decorum that would have become a hidalgo. There was altogether {altogether [ɔ:ltə'geðəʳ] en conjunto, en total, completamente, del todo, desnudo} a measured manner and a quiet self--possession about the old man, that made me think that he had seen better days; his language too, though {though [ðəʊ] aunque, si bien, (as though) como si, sin embargo} simple, had occasionally something picturesque and almost poetical in the phraseology. I set him down for some broken--down cavalier. I was mistaken; it was nothing but the innate courtesy of a Spaniard, and the poetical turn of thought and language often to be found in the lowest classes of this clear--witted people. For fifty years, he told us, he had been a shepherd, but now he was out of employ and destitute {destitute ['destɪtjʊ:t] indigente} . "When I was a young man," said he, "nothing could harm or trouble me; I was always well, always gay; but now I am seventy--nine years of age, and a beggar, and my heart begins to fail me."

Still {still [stɪl] todavía, aún aun así, con todo, sin embargo, tranquilo, silencioso, inmóvil, sin gas, fotograma, alambique, acallar} he was not a regular mendicant: it was not until recently that want had driven him to this degradation; and he gave a touching picture of the struggle between hunger and pride, when abject destitution first came upon him. He was returning from Malaga without money; he had not tasted food for some time, and was crossing one of the great plains of Spain, where there were but few habitations. When almost dead with hunger, he applied at the door of a venta or country inn. "Perdon usted por Dios, hermano!" ("Excuse us, brother, for God’s sake!") was the reply-- the usual mode in Spain of refusing a beggar.

"I turned away," said he, "with shame greater than my hunger, for my heart was yet too proud. I came to a river with high banks, and deep, rapid current, and felt tempted to throw myself in: ‘What should such an old, worthless, wretched {wretched ['retʃɪd] desdichado, (fam tiempo, etc) horrible, espantoso, despreciable, (fam) maldito} man as I live for?’ But when I was on the brink {brink [brɪɳk] borde} of the current, I thought on the blessed Virgin, and turned away. I travelled on until I saw a country--seat at a little distance from the road, and entered the outer gate of the court--yard. The door was shut, but there were two young senoras at a window. I approached {approach [ə'prəʊtʃ] acercamiento, acceso, enfoque, propuesta, acercarse, abordar, dirigirse a} and begged. ‘Perdon usted por Dios, hermano!’-- and the window closed.

"I crept out of the court--yard, but hunger overcame {overcome ['əʊvər'kʌm] (oponente) reducir, (miedo) superar, vencer, invadir, abrumado por} me, and my heart gave way: I thought my hour at hand, so I laid myself down at the gate, commended myself to the Holy Virgin, and covered my head to die. In a little while afterwards the master {master ['mɑ:stəʳ] amo, profesor, experto, maestro, (Náut) capitán, (grabación, programa, etc) original, (interruptor) general, , (dormitorio) principal, llegar a dominar} of the house came home. Seeing me lying at his gate, he uncovered my head, had pity on my gray hairs, took me into his house, and gave me food. So, senores, you see that one should always put confidence in the protection of the Virgin."

The old man was on his way to his native place, Archidona, which was in full view on its steep {steep [stɪ:p] empinado, (precio) excesivo} and rugged mountain. He pointed to the ruins of its castle. "That castle," he said, "was inhabited by a Moorish king at the time of the wars of Granada. Queen Isabella invaded it with a great army; but the king looked down from his castle among the clouds, and laughed her to scorn {scorn [skɔ:n] desdén, desdeñar} ! Upon this the Virgin appeared to the queen, and guided her and her army up a mysterious path in the mountains, which had never before been known. When the Moor {moor [mʊəʳ] páramo, moro, (Náut) amarrar} saw her coming, he was astonished {astonish [ə'stɒnɪʃ] asombrar, pasmar} , and springing {spring [sprɪɳ] primavera, manantial, fuente, muelle, resorte, elasticidad, brinco, primaveral, saltar, mover con un salto, abalanzarse, (el agua) brotar, (una noticia, etc) dar de golpe} with his horse from a precipice, was dashed {dash [dæ ʃ] (precipitado) carrera, poquito, pizca, gota, guión, arrojar, (romper) estrellar, correr} to pieces! The marks of his horse’s hoofs," said the old man, "are to be seen in the margin of the rock {rock [rɒk] argot brillante, (en tierra) peñón, (en la mar) roca, escollo, (fig) sostén, (a un niño) acunar, (noticia, etc) conmover, mecer, (barco) balancear} to this day. And see, senores, yonder is the road by which the queen and her army mounted: you see it like a ribbon up the mountain’s side; but the miracle is, that, though {though [ðəʊ] aunque, si bien, (as though) como si, sin embargo} it can be seen at a distance, when you come near it disappears!"

The ideal road to which he pointed was undoubtedly a sandy ravine {ravine [rə'vɪ:n] barranco} of the mountain, which looked narrow and defined at a distance, but became broad and indistinct on an approach {approach [ə'prəʊtʃ] acercamiento, acceso, enfoque, propuesta, acercarse, abordar, dirigirse a} .

As the old man’s heart warmed with wine and wassail, he went on to tell us a story of the buried treasure left under the castle by the Moorish king. His own house was next to the foundations of the castle. The curate and notary dreamed three times of the treasure, and went to work at the place pointed out in their dreams. His own son--in--law heard the sound {sound [saʊnd] sonido, ruido, (Geo) estrecho, sonda, (una construcción) sólido, (de la salud) sano, (una persona) responsable(un argumento) sensato, (una victoria) contundente, sonar, resonar, (una alarma, un claxon, etc) tocar, hacer sonar, (un sonido) pronunciar, (Med Náut fig) sondar} of their pickaxes and spades at night. What they found nobody knows; they became suddenly rich, but kept their own secret. Thus the old man had once been next door to fortune, but was doomed {doom [dʊ:m] (terrible destino) perdición, fatalidad, muerte, (pasivo) condenar} never to get under the same roof.

I have remarked that the stories of treasure buried by the Moors {moor [mʊəʳ] páramo, moro, (Náut) amarrar} , so popular throughout {throughout [ɵrʊ:'aʊt] (en el tiempo) durante todo, (en el espacio) por|en todo, (en el tiempo) desde el principo hasta el fin, (en el espacio) totalmente, en|por todas partes} Spain, are most current among the poorest people. Kind nature consoles with shadows for the lack of substantials. The thirsty man dreams of fountains and running streams, the hungry man of banquets, and the poor man of heaps of hidden gold: nothing certainly is more opulent than the imagination of a beggar.

Our afternoon’s ride took us through a steep {steep [stɪ:p] empinado, (precio) excesivo} and rugged defile of the mountains, called Puerto del Rey, the Pass of the King; being one of the great passes into the territories of Granada, and the one by which King Ferdinand conducted his army. Towards sunset the road, winding {winding ['waɪndɪɳ] sinuoso, serpenteante} round a hill, brought us in sight of the famous little frontier city of Loxa, which repulsed Ferdinand from its walls. Its Arabic name implies "guardian," and such it was to the vega of Granada, being one of its advanced guards. It was the strong--hold of that fiery veteran, old Ali Atar, father--in--law of Boabdil; and here it was that the latter collected his troops, and sallied forth on that disastrous foray {foray ['fɔ:reɪ] (Mil) incursión} which ended in the death of the old alcayde and his own captivity. From its commanding position at the gate, as it were, of this mountain pass, Loxa has not unaptly been termed {term [tɜ:m] periodo, (Educ) trimestre, (Jur) pena, (Pol) mandato, plazo, término, (plur) condiciones, relaciones, calificar de} the key of Granada. It is wildly picturesque; built along the face {face [feɪs] cara, rostro, fachada, (de un reloj) esfera, dignidad, mirar hacia, afrontar, (orientación) dar a, estar enfrente de, frente a} of an arid mountain. The ruins of a Moorish alcazar or citadel crown a rocky mound {mound [maʊnd] montón, pila, (Geol) montículo} which rises out of the centre of the town. The river Xenil washes its base, winding {winding ['waɪndɪɳ] sinuoso, serpenteante} among rocks {rock [rɒk] argot brillante, (en tierra) peñón, (en la mar) roca, escollo, (fig) sostén, (a un niño) acunar, (noticia, etc) conmover, mecer, (barco) balancear} , and groves {grove [grəʊv] (of trees) bosquecillo } , and gardens, and meadows, and crossed by a Moorish bridge. Above the city all is savage and sterile, below is the richest vegetation and the freshest verdure. A similar contrast is presented by the river; above the bridge it is placid and grassy, reflecting groves {grove [grəʊv] (of trees) bosquecillo } and gardens; below it is rapid, noisy and tumultuous. The Sierra Nevada, the royal mountains of Granada, crowned with perpetual snow, form the distant boundary to this varied landscape; one of the most characteristic of romantic Spain.

Alighting at the entrance {entrance ['entrəns] entrada, cuota, ingreso, [ɪn'trɑ:ns] encantar, ~ing: fascinante, que hechiza} of the city, we gave our horses to Sancho to lead them to the inn, while we strolled {stroll [strəʊl] dar un paseo, paseo} about to enjoy the singular beauty of the environs. As we crossed the bridge to a fine alameda, or public walk, the bells tolled the hour of oration. At the sound {sound [saʊnd] sonido, ruido, (Geo) estrecho, sonda, (una construcción) sólido, (de la salud) sano, (una persona) responsable(un argumento) sensato, (una victoria) contundente, sonar, resonar, (una alarma, un claxon, etc) tocar, hacer sonar, (un sonido) pronunciar, (Med Náut fig) sondar} the wayfarers, whether on business or pleasure, paused, took off their hats, crossed themselves, and repeated their evening prayer-- a pious {pious ['paɪəs] piadoso, (pey) beato} custom still {still [stɪl] todavía, aún aun así, con todo, sin embargo, tranquilo, silencioso, inmóvil, sin gas, fotograma, alambique, acallar} rigidly observed in retired parts of Spain. Altogether {altogether [ɔ:ltə'geðəʳ] en conjunto, en total, completamente, del todo, desnudo} it was a solemn and beautiful evening scene, and we wandered {wander ['wɒndəʳ] vagar por, vagar, deambular, alejarse, desviarse} on as the evening gradually closed, and the new moon began to glitter {glitter ['glɪtəʳ] brillo, oropel, relucir} between the high elms of the alameda.

We were roused from this quiet state of enjoyment by the voice of our trusty squire hailing {hail [heɪl] granizo, saludo, (un taxi) llamar, aclamar} us from a distance. He came up to us, out of breath. "Ah, senores," cried he, "el pobre Sancho no es nada sin Don Quixote." ("Ah, senores, poor Sancho is nothing without Don Quixote.") He had been alarmed at our not coming to the inn; Loxa was such a wild mountain place, full of contrabandistas, enchanters, and infiernos; he did not well know what might have happened, and set out to seek us, inquiring after us of every person he met, until he traced us across the bridge, and, to his great joy, caught sight of us strolling {stroll [strəʊl] dar un paseo, paseo} in the alameda.

The inn to which he conducted us was called the Corona, or Crown, and we found it quite in keeping with the character of the place, the inhabitants of which seem still {still [stɪl] todavía, aún aun así, con todo, sin embargo, tranquilo, silencioso, inmóvil, sin gas, fotograma, alambique, acallar} to retain {retain [rɪ'teɪn] retener, conservar, mantener, quedarse con, guardar} the bold, fiery spirit of the olden time. The hostess was a young and handsome Andalusian widow, whose trim basquina of black silk, fringed with bugles, set off the play of a graceful form and round pliant limbs {limb [lɪm] miembro, ~s prótesis, rama} . Her step was firm and elastic; her dark eye was full of fire, and the coquetry of her air, and varied ornaments of her person, showed that she was accustomed to be admired.

She was well matched by a brother, nearly about her own age; they were perfect models of the Andalusian majo and maja. He was tall, vigorous, and well--formed, with a clear olive complexion, a dark beaming {beam [bɪ:m] (de luz) rayo, barra fija, brillar, sonreír, transmitir} eye, and curling {curl [kɜ:l] rizo, rizar} chestnut whiskers that met under his chin. He was gallantly dressed in a short green velvet jacket, fitted to his shape, profusely decorated with silver buttons, with a white handkerchief in each pocket. He had breeches of the same, with rows of buttons from the hips to the knees; a pink silk handkerchief round his neck, gathered {gather ['gæ ðəʳ] reunir, juntar, acumular, cosechar, coger, recoger, poner en orden, cobrar, (velocidad) ganar, ir ganando, deducir, fruncir} through a ring, on the bosom {bosom ['bʊzəm] pecho, seno} of a neatly--plaited shirt; a sash {sash [sæ ʃ] faja, (de ventana) marco} round the waist to match; bottinas, or spatterdashes, of the finest russet leather, elegantly worked, and open at the calf {calf [kɑ:f] n (pl calves [kɑ:vz]) becerro, ternero, cría, pantorilla} to show his stockings and russet shoes, setting off a well--shaped foot.

As he was standing at the door, a horseman rode up and entered into low and earnest conversation with him. He was dressed in a similar style, and almost with equal finery-- a man about thirty, square {square [skweəʳ] cuadrado, cuadro, casilla, plaza, escuadra, pañuelo, (trato) justo, directamente, cuadrar, elevar al cuadrado, (las cuentas) ajustar, saldar} --built, with strong Roman features, handsome, though {though [ðəʊ] aunque, si bien, (as though) como si, sin embargo} slightly pitted {pit [pɪt] hoyo, foso, mina de carbón, (del estómago) boca, (Teat) platea, (Bot) hueso, marcar, picar, (una aceituna, cereza) deshuesar} with the small--pox; with a free, bold, and somewhat {somewhat ['sʌmwɒt] algo, un tanto} daring air. His powerful black horse was decorated with tassels {tassel ['tæsəl] borla} and fanciful {fanciful ['fænsɪfʊl] soñador, (idea) extravagante} trappings, and a couple of broad--mouthed blunderbusses hung behind the saddle {saddle ['sædəl] silla de montar, sillín, (caballo) ensillar, to ~ sb with sthg, endilgarle algo a alguien} . He had the air of one of those contrabandistas I have seen in the mountains of Ronda, and evidently {evidently ['evɪdəntlɪ] evidentemente, al parecer, por lo visto} had a good understanding with the brother of mine hostess; nay, if I mistake not, he was a favored {favor ['feɪvəʳ] (acción amable) favor, favorecer a, (aprobar) ser partidario, honrar} admirer of the widow. In fact, the whole inn and its inmates had something of a contrabandista aspect, and a blunderbuss stood in a corner beside the guitar. The horseman I have mentioned passed his evening in the posada, and sang several bold mountain romances with great spirit. As we were at supper, two poor Asturians put in in distress {distress [dɪ'stres] angustia, dolor, afligir, apenar} , begging food and a night’s lodging {lodge [lɒdʒ] casa del guarda, portería, refugio, logia, alojar, fijarse, (denuncia, queja) presentar} . They had been waylaid by robbers as they came from a fair among the mountains, robbed of a horse, which carried all their stock in trade, stripped of their money, and most of their apparel, beaten for having offered resistance, and left almost naked in the road. My companion, with a prompt generosity natural to him, ordered them a supper and a bed, and gave them a sum of money to help them forward towards their home.

As the evening advanced, the dramatis personae thickened. A large man, about sixty years of age, of powerful frame, came strolling {stroll [strəʊl] dar un paseo, paseo} in, to gossip {gossip ['gɒsɪp] (persona) cotilla, chismoso, (rumor) chismes, cotilleo, cotillear, chismorrear} with mine hostess. He was dressed in the ordinary Andalusian costume, but had a huge sabre tucked {tuck [tʌk] meter} under his arm, wore large moustaches, and had something of a lofty {lofty ['lɒftɪ] magnánimo, noble, sublime} swaggering {swagger ['swægəʳ] pavoneo, pavonearse} air. Every one seemed to regard {regard [rɪ'gɑ:d] buena opinión, consideración, respeto, considerar, mirar} him with great deference.

Our man Sancho whispered to us that he was Don Ventura Rodriguez, the hero and champion of Loxa, famous for his prowess and the strength of his arm. In the time of the French invasion he surprised six troopers who were asleep: he first secured their horses, then attacked them with his sabre, killed some, and took the rest prisoners. For this exploit the king allows him a peseta (the fifth of a duro, or dollar) per day, and has dignified him with the title of Don.

I was amused to behold {behold [bɪ'həʊld] (liter) contemplar} his swelling {swell [swel] hincharse, crecer, subir, aumentar} language and demeanor {demeanor [dɪ'mi:nər] comportamiento, conducta, porte} . He was evidently {evidently ['evɪdəntlɪ] evidentemente, al parecer, por lo visto} a thorough {thorough ['ɵʌrə] minucioso, concienzudo, profundo} Andalusian, boastful {boast [bəʊst] presunción, alarde, presumir, jactarse, ostentar, disponer de} as brave {brave [breɪv] valiente, desafiar} . His sabre was always in his hand or under his arm. He carries it always about with him as a child does her doll, calls it his Santa Teresa, and says, "When I draw {draw [drɔ:] dibujar, trazar, tirar de, (cortinas), abrir, descorrer, correr, persianas) bajar, (la atención) llamar, (un arma, una conclusión, confesión, fuerza, un diente, dinero del banco, etc) sacar, (un talón) librar, (un sueldo) cobrar, (comparación) hacer, empatar, empate, (exposición, espectáculo) atracción} it, the earth trembles" ("tiembla la tierra").

I sat until a late hour listening to the varied themes of this motley {motley ['mɒtlɪ]abigarrado, diverso, variado, variopinto} group, who mingled {mingle ['mɪɳgəl] mezclarse} together with the unreserve of a Spanish posada. We had contrabandista songs, stories of robbers, guerilla exploits, and Moorish legends. The last were from our handsome landlady, who gave a poetical account of the infiernos, or infernal regions of Loxa, dark caverns, in which subterranean streams and waterfalls make a mysterious sound {sound [saʊnd] sonido, ruido, (Geo) estrecho, sonda, (una construcción) sólido, (de la salud) sano, (una persona) responsable(un argumento) sensato, (una victoria) contundente, sonar, resonar, (una alarma, un claxon, etc) tocar, hacer sonar, (un sonido) pronunciar, (Med Náut fig) sondar} . The common people say that there are money--coiners shut up there from the time of the Moors {moor [mʊəʳ] páramo, moro, (Náut) amarrar} , and that the Moorish kings kept their treasures in those caverns.

I retired to bed with my imagination excited by all that I had seen and heard in this old warrior city. Scarce {scarce [skeəs] escaso, to be ~, escasear, (fig) to make oneself ~, esfumarse; ~y ['skeəslɪ] apenas} had I fallen asleep when I was aroused {arouse [ə'rəʊz] despertar, (sexualmente) excitar} by a horrid {horrid ['hɒrɪd] horrible, horroroso} din {din [dɪn] estruendo, estrépito} and uproar {uproar [ʌp'rɔ:ʳ] tumulto, alboroto, protesta airada} , that might have confounded {confound [kən'faʊnd] confundir, desconcertar} the hero of La Mancha himself whose experience of Spanish inns was a continual uproar {uproar [ʌp'rɔ:ʳ] tumulto, alboroto, protesta airada} . It seemed for a moment as if the Moors {moor [mʊəʳ] páramo, moro, (Náut) amarrar} were once more breaking into the town, or the infiernos of which mine hostess talked had broken loose {loose [lʊ:s] suelto, soltar, flojo, to come|work ~, aflojarse, suelto, holgado, a granel, inexacto, permisivo, de moral dudosa, holgadamente, libremente} . I sallied forth half dressed to reconnoiter. It was nothing more nor less than a charivari to celebrate the nuptials of an old man with a buxom {buxom ['bʌksəm] (mujer) pechugona} damsel. Wishing him joy of his bride and his serenade, I returned to my more quiet bed, and slept soundly until morning.

While dressing, I amused myself in reconnoitering the populace from my window. There were groups of fine--looking young men in the trim fanciful {fanciful ['fænsɪfʊl] soñador, (idea) extravagante} Andalusian costume, with brown cloaks {cloak [kləʊk] capa, figurado tapadera, encubrir} , thrown about them in true Spanish style, which cannot be imitated, and little round majo hats stuck on with a peculiar knowing air. They had the same galliard look which I have remarked among the dandy mountaineers of Ronda. Indeed, all this part of Andalusia abounds with such game--looking characters. They loiter {loiter ['lɔɪtəʳ] holgazanear, merodear, perder el tiempo} about the towns and villages, seem to have plenty of time and plenty of money: "horse to ride and weapon to wear." Great gossips {gossip ['gɒsɪp] (persona) cotilla, chismoso, (rumor) chismes, cotilleo, cotillear, chismorrear} ; great smokers; apt {apt [æpt] (nombre) apropiado, (comentario) acertado, oportuno, pertinente, propenso, capaz, competente} at touching the guitar, singing couplets to their maja belles, and famous dancers of the bolero. Throughout {throughout [ɵrʊ:'aʊt] (en el tiempo) durante todo, (en el espacio) por|en todo, (en el tiempo) desde el principo hasta el fin, (en el espacio) totalmente, en|por todas partes} all Spain the men, however poor, have a gentleman--like abundance of leisure, seeming to consider it the attribute of a true cavaliero never to be in a hurry; but the Andalusians are gay as well as leisurely, and have none of the squalid accompaniments of idleness. The adventurous contraband trade which prevails throughout {throughout [ɵrʊ:'aʊt] (en el tiempo) durante todo, (en el espacio) por|en todo, (en el tiempo) desde el principo hasta el fin, (en el espacio) totalmente, en|por todas partes} these mountain regions, and along the maritime borders of Andalusia, is doubtless at the bottom of this galliard character.

In contrast to the costume of these groups was that of two long--legged Valencians conducting a donkey, laden with articles of merchandise, their musket slung {sling [slɪɳ] cabestrilla, (arma) honda, (juego) tirador, tirar, colgar} crosswise over his back ready for action. They wore round jackets (jalecos), wide linen bragas or drawers {drawer ['drɔ:əʳ] cajón} scarce {scarce [skeəs] escaso, to be ~, escasear, (fig) to make oneself ~, esfumarse; ~y ['skeəslɪ] apenas} reaching to the knees and looking like kilts, red fajas or sashes {sash [sæ ʃ] faja, (de ventana) marco} swathed tightly round their waists, sandals of espartal or bass weed, colored kerchiefs round their heads somewhat {somewhat ['sʌmwɒt] algo, un tanto} in the style of turbans but leaving the top of the head uncovered; in short, their whole appearance having much of the traditional Moorish stamp.

On leaving Loxa we were joined by a cavalier, well mounted and well armed, and followed on foot by an escopetero or musketeer. He saluted us courteously, and soon let us into his quality. He was chief of the customs, or rather, I should suppose, chief of an armed company whose business it is to patrol the roads and look out for contrabandistas. The escopetero was one of his guards. In the course of our morning’s ride I drew {draw [dru:] dibujar, trazar, tirar de, (cortinas), abrir, descorrer, correr, persianas) bajar, (la atención) llamar, (un arma, una conclusión, confesión, fuerza, un diente, dinero del banco, etc) sacar, (un talón) librar, (un sueldo) cobrar, (comparación) hacer, empatar, empate, (exposición, espectáculo) atracción} from him some particulars concerning the smugglers, who have risen to be a kind of mongrel chivalry {chivalry ['ʃɪvəlrɪ] caballerosidad} in Spain. They come into Andalusia, he said, from various parts, but especially from La Mancha, sometimes to receive goods, to be smuggled {smuggle ['smʌgəl] pasar de contrabando, pasar a escondidas} on an appointed night across the line at the plaza or strand {strand [strænd] (Náut) varar, (a una persona) dejar tirado, playa, (de hilo) hebra, tendencia} of Gibraltar, sometimes to meet a vessel, which is to hover {hover ['hɒvəʳ] planear, merodear} on a given night off a certain part of the coast {coast [kəʊst] costa, litoral, (Auto) ir en punto muerto, superar fácilmente} . They keep together and travel in the night. In the daytime they lie quiet in barrancos, gullies {gully ['gʌli] barranco, surco, cauce} of the mountains or lonely farm--houses; where they are generally well received, as they make the family liberal presents of their smuggled {smuggle ['smʌgəl] pasar de contrabando, pasar a escondidas} wares. Indeed, much of the finery and trinkets worn by the wives and daughters of the mountain hamlets and farm--houses are presents from the gay and open--handed contrabandistas.

Arrived at the part of the coast {coast [kəʊst] costa, litoral, (Auto) ir en punto muerto, superar fácilmente} where a vessel is to meet them, they look out at night from some rocky point or headland. If they descry a sail near the shore {shore [ʃɔ:ʳ] orilla, costa, on shore: en tierra (firme), (up), apuntalar} they make a concerted signal; sometimes it consists in suddenly displaying a lantern three times from beneath {beneath [bɪ'nɪ:ɵ] bajo, debajo de, debajo, inferior} the folds {fold [fəʊld] doblez, pliegue, rebaño, redil, doblar, plegar, (com) quebrar} of a cloak {cloak [kləʊk] capa, figurado tapadera, encubrir} . If the signal is answered, they descend to the shore {shore [ʃɔ:ʳ] orilla, costa, on shore: en tierra (firme), (up), apuntalar} and prepare for quick work. The vessel runs close in; all her boats are busy landing the smuggled {smuggle ['smʌgəl] pasar de contrabando, pasar a escondidas} goods, made up into snug {snug [snʌg] (un sitio) cómodo y acogedor, (ropa) ajustado} packages for transportation on horseback. These are hastily {hastily ['heɪstɪlɪ] deprisa, apresuradamente} thrown on the beach, as hastily {hastily ['heɪstɪlɪ] deprisa, apresuradamente} gathered {gather ['gæ ðəʳ] reunir, juntar, acumular, cosechar, coger, recoger, poner en orden, cobrar, (velocidad) ganar, ir ganando, deducir, fruncir} up and packed on the horses, and then the contrabandistas clatter {clatter ['klætəʳ] estrépito, hacer ruido estrepitoso} off to the mountains. They travel by the roughest, wildest, and most solitary roads, where it is almost fruitless to pursue {pursue [pə'sjʊ:] seguir, perseguir, buscar, ejercer} them. The custom--house guards do not attempt it: they take a different course. When they hear of one of these bands returning full freighted through the mountains, they go out in force, sometimes twelve infantry and eight horsemen, and take their station where the mountain defile opens into the plain. The infantry, who lie in ambush some distance within the defile, suffer the band to pass, then rise and fire upon them. The contrabandistas dash {dash [dæ ʃ] (precipitado) carrera, poquito, pizca, gota, guión, arrojar, (romper) estrellar, correr} forward, but are met in front by the horsemen. A wild skirmish ensues {ensue [ɪn'sjʊ:] seguir, resultar} . The contrabandistas, if hard pressed, become desperate {desperate ['despərət] desesperado, encarnizado, apremiante} . Some dismount, use their horses as breast--works, and fire over their backs; others cut the cords, let the packs fall off to delay the enemy, and endeavor {endeavor [ɪn'devəʳ] esfuerzo, intentar, procurar} to escape with their steeds. Some get off in this way with the loss {loss [lɒs] pérdida} of their packages; some are taken, horses, packages, and all; others abandon every thing, and make their escape by scrambling {scramble ['skræmbəl] mezclar, codificar, ir gateando, pelearse, hacer motocross, subida o escalada difícil, confusión, motocross} up the mountains. "And then," cried Sancho, who had been listening with a greedy {greed [grɪ:d] glotonería, gula, codicia, avaricia, avidez} ear, "se hacen ladrones legitimos"-- and then they become legitimate robbers.

I could not help laughing at Sancho’s idea of a legitimate calling of the kind; but the chief of customs told me it was really the case that the smugglers, when thus reduced to extremity, thought they had a kind of right to take the road, and lay travellers under contribution, until they had collected funds enough to mount and equip themselves in contrabandista style.

Towards noon our wayfaring companion took leave of us and turned up a steep {steep [stɪ:p] empinado, (precio) excesivo} defile, followed by his escopetero; and shortly afterwards we emerged from the mountains, and entered upon the far famed Vega of Granada.

Our last mid--day’s repast {repast [rɪ'pæst] ágape, comida} was taken under a grove {grove [grəʊv] (of trees) bosquecillo } of olive--trees on the border of a rivulet. We were in a classical neighborhood; for not far off were the groves {grove [grəʊv] (of trees) bosquecillo } and orchards of the Soto de Roma. This, according to fabulous tradition, was a retreat founded by Count Julian to console his daughter Florinda. It was a rural resort of the Moorish kings of Granada, and has in modern times been granted to the Duke of Wellington.

Our worthy squire made a half melancholy face {face [feɪs] cara, rostro, fachada, (de un reloj) esfera, dignidad, mirar hacia, afrontar, (orientación) dar a, estar enfrente de, frente a} as he drew {draw [dru:] dibujar, trazar, tirar de, (cortinas), abrir, descorrer, correr, persianas) bajar, (la atención) llamar, (un arma, una conclusión, confesión, fuerza, un diente, dinero del banco, etc) sacar, (un talón) librar, (un sueldo) cobrar, (comparación) hacer, empatar, empate, (exposición, espectáculo) atracción} forth, for the last time, the contents of his alforjas, lamenting that our expedition was drawing to a close, for, with such cavaliers, he said, he could travel to the world’s end. Our repast {repast [rɪ'pæst] ágape, comida} , however, was a gay one; made under such delightful auspices. The day was without a cloud. The heat of the sun was tempered by cool breezes from the mountains. Before us extended the glorious Vega. In the distance was romantic Granada surmounted by the ruddy {ruddy ['rʌdɪ] rubicundo} towers of the Alhambra, while far above it the snowy summits of the Sierra Nevada shone like silver.

Our repast {repast [rɪ'pæst] ágape, comida} finished, we spread our cloaks {cloak [kləʊk] capa, figurado tapadera, encubrir} and took our last siesta al fresco, lulled {lull [lʌl] (Meteor) calma, tregua, pausa, adormecer, calmar} by the humming {hum [hʌm] tararear, canturrear, zumbar, tararear, canturrear, (de abejas) zumbido} of bees among the flowers and the notes of doves among the olive--trees. When the sultry {sultry ['sʌltrɪ] (Meteo) bochornoso, (persona, voz) sensual} hours were passed we resumed our journey. After a time we overtook {overtake [ˌəʊvə'teɪk] adelantar, superar, adelantar, rebasar} a pursy little man, shaped not unlike a toad {toad [təʊd] sapo} and mounted on a mule. He fell {fell [fel] (árbol) talar, (persona) derribar} into conversation with Sancho, and finding we were strangers, undertook to guide us to a good posada. He was an escribano (notary), he said, and knew the city as thoroughly as his own pocket. "Ah Dios, senores! what a city you are going to see. Such streets! such squares {square [skweəʳ] cuadrado, cuadro, casilla, plaza, escuadra, pañuelo, (trato) justo, directamente, cuadrar, elevar al cuadrado, (las cuentas) ajustar, saldar} ! such palaces! and then the women-- ah Santa Maria purisima-- what women!" "But the posada you talk of," said I; "are you sure it is a good one?"

"Good! Santa Maria! the best in Granada. Salones grandes-- camas de luxo-- colchones de pluma (grand saloons-- luxurious sleeping rooms-- beds of down). Ah, senores, you will fare like King Chico in the Alhambra."

"And how will my horses fare?" cried Sancho.

"Like King Chico’s horses. Chocolate con leche y bollos para almuerza" ("chocolate and milk with sugar cakes for breakfast"), giving the squire a knowing wink {wink [wɪɳk] guiño, guiñar, (luz) parpadear} and a leer {leer [lɪ:əʳ] mirar lascivamente, mirar con malicia} .

After such satisfactory accounts nothing more was to be desired on that head. So we rode quietly on, the squab little notary taking the lead, and turning to us every moment with some fresh exclamation about the grandeurs of Granada and the famous times we were to have at the posada.

Thus escorted, we passed between hedges {hedge [hedʒ] seto, cercar con un seto, (una apuesta, inversión) cubrir, compensar, evitar contestar, dar rodeos} of aloes and Indian figs, and through that wilderness of gardens with which the Vega is embroidered {embroider [ɪm'brɔɪdəʳ] bordar, adornar, exagerar, embellecer} , and arrived about sunset at the gates of the city. Our officious little conductor conveyed {convey [kən'veɪ] (mercancías, pasajeros) transportar, (sonido) transmitir, (una idea) comunicar} us up one street and down another, until he rode into the courtyard of an inn where he appeared to be perfectly at home. Summoning {summon ['sʌmən] convocar, pedir, citar, ~s ['sʌmənz] llamada, llamamiento, citación judicial, citar} the landlord by his Christian name, he committed us to his care as two caballeros de mucho valor, worthy of his best apartments and most sumptuous fare. We were instantly reminded of the patronizing {patronize ['pætrənaɪz] (pey a una persona) tratar con condescendencia, (frml) (negocio) ser cliente, habitual de} stranger who introduced Gil Blas with such a flourish of trumpets to the host and hostess of the inn at Pennaflor, ordering trouts {trout [traʊt] (Zool) trucha} for his supper, and eating voraciously at his expense. "You know not what you possess," cried he to the innkeeper and his wife. "You have a treasure in your house. Behold {behold [bɪ'həʊld] (liter) contemplar} in this young gentleman the eighth wonder of the world-- nothing in this house is too good for Senor Gil Blas of Santillane, who deserves to be entertained {entertain [entə'teɪn] entretener, divertir, recibir, considerar, contemplar, tener invitados} like a prince."

Determined that the little notary should not eat trouts {trout [traʊt] (Zool) trucha} at our expense, like his prototype of Pennaflor, we forbore to ask him to supper; nor had we reason to reproach ourselves with ingratitude; for we found before morning the little varlet, who was no doubt a good friend of the landlord, had decoyed us into one of the shabbiest posadas in Granada.

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