Just before I
entered the town, however, the corporal, who had followed me
unperceived, tapped me on the shoulder. "You must go with me to
the governor," said he. "With all my heart," I replied. The
governor was shaving, when we were shown up to him. He was in his
shirt sleeves, and held a razor in his hand. He looked very ill-
natured, which was perhaps owing to his being thus interrupted in
his toilet. He asked me two or three questions, and on learning
that I had a passport, and was the bearer of a letter to the
English consul, he told me that I was at liberty to depart. So I
bowed to the governor of the town, as I had done to the governor of
the fort, and making my exit proceeded to my inn.
At Vigo I accomplished but little in the way of distribution, and
after a sojourn of a few days, I returned in the direction of Saint
James.
CHAPTER XXIX
Arrival at Padron - Projected Enterprise - The Alquilador - Breach of
Promise - An Odd Companion - A Plain Story - Rugged Paths - The
Desertion - The Pony - A Dialogue - Unpleasant Situation - The Estadea-
-Benighted - The Hut - The Traveller's Pillow.
I arrived at Padron late in the evening, on my return from
Pontevedra and Vigo.
