Testaments in my
possession, but did not despair of procuring some speedily from
England. He then asked me a great many questions concerning my
biblical travels in Spain, and my success, and the views
entertained by the Society, with respect to Spain, adding that he
hoped we should pay particular attention to the Asturias, which he
assured me was the best ground in the Peninsula for our labour.
After about half an hour's conversation, he suddenly said, in the
English language, "Good night, Sir," wrapped his cloak around him,
and walked out as he had come. His companions, who had hitherto
not uttered a word, all repeated "Good night, Sir," and, adjusting
their cloaks, followed him.
In order to explain this strange scene, I must state that in the
morning I had visited the petty bookseller of the place, Longoria,
and having arranged preliminaries with him, I sent him in the
evening a package of forty Testaments, all I possessed, with some
advertisements. At the time he assured me that, though he was
willing to undertake the sale, there was, nevertheless, not a
prospect of success, as a whole month had elapsed since he had sold
a book of any description, on account of the uncertainty of the
times, and the poverty which pervaded the land; I therefore felt
much dispirited. This incident, however, admonished me not to be
cast down when things look gloomiest, as the hand of the Lord is
generally then most busy; that men may learn to perceive, that
whatever good is accomplished is not their work but his.
Two or three days after this adventure, I was once more seated in
my large scantily-furnished room; it was about ten, of a dark
melancholy morning, and the autumnal rain was again falling. I had
just breakfasted, and was about to sit down to my journal, when the
door was flung open and in bounded Antonio.
"Mon maitre," said he, quite breathless, "who do you think has
arrived?"
"The pretender, I suppose," said I, in some trepidation; "if so, we
are prisoners."
"Bah, bah!" said Antonio, "it is not the pretender, but one worth
twenty of him; it is the Swiss of Saint James."
"Benedict Mol, the Swiss!" said I, "What! has he found the
treasure? But how did he come? How is he dressed?"
"Mon maitre," said Antonio, "he came on foot if we may judge by his
shoes, through which his toes are sticking; and as for his dress,
he is in most villainous apparel."
"There must be some mystery in this," said I; "where is he at
present?"
"Below, mon maitre," replied Antonio; "he came in quest of us. But
I no sooner saw him, than I hurried away to let you know."
In a few minutes Benedict Mol found his way up stairs; he was, as
Antonio had remarked, in most villainous apparel, and nearly
barefooted; his old Andalusian hat was dripping with rain.
"Och, lieber herr," said Benedict, "how rejoiced I am to see you
again. Oh, the sight of your countenance almost repays me for all
the miseries I have undergone since I parted with you at Saint
James."
Myself. - I can scarcely believe that I really see you here at
Oviedo. What motive can have induced you to come to such an out-
of-the-way place from such an immense distance?
Benedict. - Lieber herr, I will sit down and tell you all that has
befallen me. Some few days after I saw you last, the canonigo
persuaded me to go to the captain-general to apply for permission
to disinter the schatz, and also to crave assistance. So I saw the
captain-general, who at first received me very kindly, asked me
several questions, and told me to come again. So I continued
visiting him till he would see me no longer, and do what I might I
could not obtain a glance of him. The canon now became impatient,
more especially as he had given me a few pesetas out of the
charities of the church. He frequently called me a bribon and
impostor. At last, one morning I went to him, and said that I had
proposed to return to Madrid, in order to lay the matter before the
government, and requested that he would give me a certificate to
the effect that I had performed a pilgrimage to Saint James, which
I imagined would be of assistance to me upon the way, as it would
enable me to beg with some colour of authority. He no sooner heard
this request, than, without saying a word or allowing me a moment
to put myself on my defence, he sprang upon me like a tiger,
grasping my throat so hard that I thought he would have strangled
me. I am a Swiss, however, and a man of Lucerne, and when I had
recovered myself a little, I had no difficulty in flinging him off;
I then threatened him with my staff and went away. He followed me
to the gate with the most horrid curses, saying that if I presumed
to return again, he would have me thrown at once into prison as a
thief and a heretic. So I went in quest of yourself, lieber herr,
but they told me that you were departed for Coruna; I then set out
for Coruna after you.
Myself. - And what befell you on the road?
Benedict. - I will tell you: about half-way between Saint James and
Coruna, as I was walking along, thinking of the schatz, I heard a
loud galloping, and looking around me I saw two men on horseback
coming across the field with the swiftness of the wind, and making
directly for me. Lieber Gott, said I, these are thieves, these are
factious; and so they were.
