Guide. - I have no passport. Who would think of bringing a passport
to such a place as this, where I don't suppose there are two
individuals who can read? I have no passport; my master's passport
of course includes me.
Alcalde. - It does not. And since you have no passport, and have
confessed that your name is Sebastian, you shall be shot. Antonio
de la Trava, do you and the musketeers lead this Sebastianillo
forth, and shoot him before the door.
Antonio de la Trava. - With much pleasure, Senor Alcalde, since you
order it. With respect to this fellow, I shall not trouble myself
to interfere. He at least is no Englishman. He has more the look
of a wizard or nuveiro; one of those devils who raise storms and
sink launches. Moreover, he says he is from Padron, and those of
that place are all thieves and drunkards. They once played me a
trick, and I would gladly be at the shooting of the whole pueblo.
I now interfered, and said that if they shot the guide they must
shoot me too; expatiating at the same time on the cruelty and
barbarity of taking away the life of a poor unfortunate fellow who,
as might be seen at the first glance, was only half witted; adding,
moreover, that if any person was guilty in this case it was myself,
as the other could only be considered in the light of a servant
acting under my orders.
"The safest plan after all," said the alcalde, "appears to be, to
send you both prisoners to Corcuvion, where the head alcalde can
dispose of you as he thinks proper. You must, however, pay for
your escort; for it is not to be supposed that the housekeepers of
Finisterra have nothing else to do than to ramble about the country
with every chance fellow who finds his way to this town." "As for
that matter," said Antonio, "I will take charge of them both. I am
the valiente of Finisterra, and fear no two men living. Moreover,
I am sure that the captain here will make it worth my while, else
he is no Englishman. Therefore let us be quick and set out for
Corcuvion at once, as it is getting late. First of all, however,
captain, I must search you and your baggage. You have no arms, of
course? But it is best to make all sure."
Long ere it was dark I found myself again on the pony, in company
with my guide, wending our way along the beach in the direction of
Corcuvion. Antonio de la Trava tramped heavily on before, his
musket on his shoulder.
Myself. - Are you not afraid, Antonio, to be thus alone with two
prisoners, one of whom is on horseback? If we were to try, I think
we could overpower you.
Antonio de la Trava. - I am the valiente do Finisterra, and I fear
no odds.
