It Is The Statue Of A Maragato Carrier Who Endowed
The Cathedral With A Large Sum.
He is in his national dress, but
his head is averted from the lands of his fathers, and whilst
He
waves in his hand a species of flag, he seems to be summoning his
race from their unfruitful region to other climes, where a richer
field is open to their industry and enterprise.
I spoke to several of these men respecting the all-important
subject of religion; but I found "their hearts gross, and their
ears dull of hearing, and their eyes closed." There was one in
particular to whom I showed the New Testament, and whom I addressed
for a considerable time. He listened or seemed to listen
patiently, taking occasionally copious draughts from an immense jug
of whitish wine which stood between his knees. After I had
concluded he said, "To-morrow I set out for Lugo, whither, I am
told, yourself are going. If you wish to send your chest, I have
no objection to take it at so much (naming an extravagant price).
As for what you have told me, I understand little of it, and
believe not a word of it; but in respect to the books which you
have shown me, I will take three or four. I shall not read them,
it is true, but I have no doubt that I can sell them at a higher
price than you demand."
So much for the Maragatos.
CHAPTER XXIV
Departure from Astorga - The Venta - The By-path - Narrow Escape - The
Cup of Water - Sun and Shade - Bembibre - Convent of the Rocks -
Sunset - Cacabelos - Midnight Adventure - Villafrancs.
It was four o'clock of a beautiful morning when we sallied from
Astorga, or rather from its suburbs, in which we had been lodged:
we directed our course to the north, in the direction of Galicia.
Leaving the mountain Telleno on our left, we passed along the
eastern skirts of the land of the Maragatos, over broken uneven
ground, enlivened here and there by small green valleys and runnels
of water. Several of the Maragatan women, mounted on donkeys,
passed us on their way to Astorga, whither they were carrying
vegetables. We saw others in the fields handling their rude
ploughs, drawn by lean oxen. We likewise passed through a small
village, in which we, however, saw no living soul. Near this
village we entered the high road which leads direct from Madrid to
Coruna, and at last, having travelled near four leagues, we came to
a species of pass, formed on our left by a huge lumpish hill (one
of those which descend from the great mountain Telleno), and on our
right by one of much less altitude. In the middle of this pass,
which was of considerable breadth, a noble view opened itself to
us. Before us, at the distance of about a league and a half, rose
the mighty frontier chain, of which I have spoken before; its blue
sides and broken and picturesque peaks still wearing a thin veil of
the morning mist, which the fierce rays of the sun were fast
dispelling.
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