He
Said He Had An Excellent Mountain Pony At My Disposal, And That He
Himself Would Accompany Me, But At The Same Time Observed, That It
Was A Terrible Journey For Man And Horse, And That He Expected To
Be Paid Accordingly.
I consented to give him what he demanded, but
on the express condition that he would perform his promise
Of
attending me himself, as I was unwilling to trust myself four or
five days amongst the hills with any low fellow of the town whom he
might select, and who it was very possible might play me some evil
turn. He replied by the term invariably used by the Spaniards when
they see doubt or distrust exhibited. "No tenga usted cuidao," I
will go myself. Having thus arranged the matter perfectly
satisfactorily, as I thought, I partook of a slight supper, and
shortly afterwards retired to repose.
I had requested the alquilador to call me the next morning at three
o'clock; he however did not make his appearance till five, having,
I suppose, overslept himself, which was indeed my own case. I
arose in a hurry, dressed, put a few things in a bag, not
forgetting the Testament which I had resolved to present to the
inhabitants of Finisterra. I then sallied forth and saw my friend
the alquilador, who was holding by the bridle the pony or jaco
which was destined to carry me in my expedition. It was a
beautiful little animal, apparently strong and full of life,
without one single white hair in its whole body, which was black as
the plumage of the crow.
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