A Young And Wealthy Merchant Of
Coruna, Who Was A National Guardsman, Became Enamoured Of His
Glossy Skin And Long Mane And Tail.
For my own part, I was glad to
part with him for more reasons than one; he was both vicious and
savage, and was continually getting me into scrapes in the stables
of the posadas where we slept or baited.
An old Castilian peasant,
whose pony he had maltreated, once said to me, "Sir Cavalier, if
you have any love or respect for yourself, get rid I beseech you of
that beast, who is capable of proving the ruin of a kingdom." So I
left him behind at Coruna, where I subsequently learned that he
became glandered and died. Peace to his memory!
From Coruna I crossed the bay to Ferrol, whilst Antonio with our
remaining horse followed by land, a rather toilsome and circuitous
journey, although the distance by water is scarcely three leagues.
I was very sea-sick during the passage, and lay almost senseless at
the bottom of the small launch in which I had embarked, and which
was crowded with people. The wind was adverse, and the water
rough. We could make no sail, but were impelled along by the oars
of five or six stout mariners, who sang all the while Gallegan
ditties. Suddenly the sea appeared to have become quite smooth,
and my sickness at once deserted me. I rose upon my feet and
looked around. We were in one of the strangest places imaginable.
A long and narrow passage overhung on either side by a stupendous
barrier of black and threatening rocks.
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