Lieber Himmel, I Never Saw Such
Robbers; So Finely Dressed, So Well Armed, And Mounted So Bravely
On Two Fiery Little Hakkas, That Looked As If They Could Have Taken
Wing And Flown Up Into The Clouds!
So we continued staring at each
other, till at last one asked me who I was, whence I came, and
where I was going.
"Gentlemen," said I, "I am a Swiss, I have been
to Saint James to perform a religious vow, and am now returning to
my own country." I said not a word about the treasure, for I was
afraid that they would have shot me at once, conceiving that I
carried part of it about me. "Have you any money?" they demanded.
"Gentlemen," I replied, "you see how I travel on foot, with my
shoes torn to pieces; I should not do so if I had money. I will
not deceive you, however, I have a peseta and a few cuartos," and
thereupon I took out what I had and offered it to them. "Fellow,"
said they, "we are caballeros of Galicia, and do not take pesetas,
much less cuartos. Of what opinion are you? Are you for the
queen?" "No, gentlemen," said I, "I am not for the queen, but, at
the same time, allow me to tell you that I am not for the king
either; I know nothing about the matter; I am a Swiss, and fight
neither for nor against anybody unless I am paid." This made them
laugh, and then they questioned me about Saint James, and the
troops there, and the captain-general; and not to disoblige them, I
told them all I knew and much more.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 495 of 809
Words from 136209 to 136491
of 222596
