The
Children Of Spain Would Thus Be Brought To Know That Such A Work As
The New Testament Is In Existence, A Fact Of Which Not Five In One
Hundred Were Then Aware, Notwithstanding Their So Frequently-
Repeated Boasts Of Their Catholicity And Christianity.
CHAPTER XXI
Departure from Salamanca - Reception at Pitiegua - The Dilemma -
Sudden Inspiration - The Good Presbyter - Combat of Quadrupeds - Irish
Christians - Plains of Spain - The Catalans - The Fatal Pool -
Valladolid - Circulation of the Scriptures - Philippine Missions -
English College - A Conversation - The Gaoleress.
On Saturday, the tenth of June, I left Salamanca for Valladolid.
As the village where we intended to rest was only five leagues
distant, we did not sally forth till midday was past. There was a
haze in the heavens which overcast the sun, nearly hiding his
countenance from our view. My friend, Mr. Patrick Cantwell, of the
Irish College, was kind enough to ride with me part of the way. He
was mounted on a most sorry-looking hired mule, which, I expected
would be unable to keep pace with the spirited horses of myself and
man, for he seemed to be twin brother of the mule of Gil Perez, on
which his nephew made his celebrated journey from Oviedo to
Penaflor. I was, however, very much mistaken. The creature on
being mounted instantly set off at that rapid walk which I have so
often admired in Spanish mules, and which no horse can emulate.
Our more stately animals were speedily left in the rear, and we
were continually obliged to break into a trot to follow the
singular quadruped, who, ever and anon, would lift his head high in
the air, curl up his lip, and show his yellow teeth, as if he were
laughing at us, as perhaps he was. It chanced that none of us was
well acquainted with the road; indeed, I could see nothing which
was fairly entitled to that appellation. The way from Salamanca to
Valladolid is amongst a medley of bridle-paths and drift-ways,
where discrimination is very difficult. It was not long before we
were bewildered, and travelled over more ground than was strictly
necessary. However, as men and women frequently passed on donkeys
and little ponies, we were not too proud to be set right by them,
and by dint of diligent inquiry we at length arrived at Pitiegua,
four leagues from Salamanca, a small village, containing about
fifty families, consisting of mud huts, and situated in the midst
of dusty plains, where corn was growing in abundance. We asked for
the house of the cura, an old man whom I had seen the day before at
the Irish College, and who, on being informed that I was about to
depart for Valladolid, had exacted from me a promise that I would
not pass through his village without paying him a visit and
partaking of his hospitality.
A woman directed us to a cottage somewhat superior in appearance to
those contiguous. It had a small portico, which, if I remember
well, was overgrown with a vine. We knocked loud and long at the
door, but received no answer; the voice of man was silent, and not
even a dog barked. The truth was, that the old curate was taking
his siesta, and so were his whole family, which consisted of one
ancient female and a cat. The good man was at last disturbed by
our noise and vociferation, for we were hungry, and consequently
impatient. Leaping from his couch, he came running to the door in
great hurry and confusion, and perceiving us, he made many
apologies for being asleep at a period when, he said, he ought to
have been on the lookout for his invited guest. He embraced me
very affectionately and conducted me into his parlour, an apartment
of tolerable size, hung round with shelves, which were crowded with
books. At one end there was a kind of table or desk covered with
black leather, with a large easy chair, into which he pushed me, as
I, with the true eagerness of a bibliomaniac, was about to inspect
his shelves; saying, with considerable vehemence, that there was
nothing there worthy of the attention of an Englishman, for that
his whole stock consisted of breviaries and dry Catholic treatises
on divinity.
His care now was to furnish us with refreshments. In a twinkling,
with the assistance of his old attendant, he placed on the table
several plates of cakes and confectionery, and a number of large
uncouth glass bottles, which I thought bore a strong resemblance to
those of Schiedam, and indeed they were the very same. "There,"
said he, rubbing his hands; "I thank God that it is in my power to
treat you in a way which will be agreeable to you. In those
bottles there is Hollands thirty years old"; and producing two
large tumblers, he continued, "fill, my friends, and drink, drink
it every drop if you please, for it is of little use to myself, who
seldom drink aught but water. I know that you islanders love it,
and cannot live without it; therefore, since it does you good, I am
only sorry that there is no more."
Observing that we contented ourselves with merely tasting it, he
looked at us with astonishment, and inquired the reason of our not
drinking. We told him that we seldom drank ardent spirits; and I
added, that as for myself, I seldom tasted even wine, but like
himself, was content with the use of water. He appeared somewhat
incredulous, but told us to do exactly what we pleased, and to ask
for what was agreeable to us. We told him that we had not dined,
and should be glad of some substantial refreshment. "I am afraid,"
said he, "that I have nothing in the house which will suit you;
however, we will go and see."
Thereupon he led us through a small yard at the back part of his
house, which might have been called a garden, or orchard, if it had
displayed either trees or flowers; but it produced nothing but
grass, which was growing in luxuriance.
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