Were it possible to become wise by the wisdom of another, Badajos
would have had a watchful governor. Prolonged watching is no easy
task, but L'Isle knew that if the Spaniard could be roused to a week
of vigilance, the urgent need of it would be over.
He spent an industrious morning, making himself agreeable to his
companion, while inspecting the resources of the place, and the day
was well worn away when his guide and escort took leave of him at the
posada. His business here finished, he wished to leave Badajoz at
once; and on looking for his groom, found him ensconced in the
kitchen, providently dining on a rabbit, stuffed with olives, and
draining a bottle of wine, baptized _Valdepenas_--addressing the
landlord's tawny daughter with a flattering air, and smacking his lips
approvingly, after each mouthful, whether solid or fluid, while he
abused both food and wine in emphatic English, throwing in many
back-handed compliments to the lady's beauty, and she stood simpering
by, construing his words by his manner.
On seeing his master enter hastily, Tom, who had laid in all the wine,
and most of the food set before him, got up respectfully to receive
his orders; while with a full mouth he mumbled out: "Prayer and
provender hinder no man's journey.
Pages:
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399