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.
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