GIL BLAS AND THE ROBBERS. in ambush in a small wood which bordered on the road to Leon. There we waited, expecting that fortune would throw some good luck in our way, when we perceived a Dominican (contrary to the custom of these good fathers) riding upon a sorry mule. "Ho, ho," cried the captain, laughing, "there's the coup d'essai of Gil Blas-let him go and unload that monk, while we observe his behaviour." All the rest were of opinion that this was a very proper commission for me, and exhorted me to acquit myself handsomely in it. "Gentlemen," said I, "you shall be satisfied; I will make that priest as bare as my hand, and bring hither his mule in a twinkling.' "No, no," replied Rolando, "she is not worth the trouble; bring us only the purse of his reverence, that is all we expect of thee." "For this purpose I sallied from the wood and made towards the clergyman, begging Heaven, all the way, to pardon the action I was about to commit. I would gladly have made my escape that moment, but the greatest part of the thieves were better mounted than I, and, had they perceived me running away, would have been at my heels in an instant and entrapped me again in a very short time, or perhaps discharged their carbines at me, in which case I should have nothing to brag of. Not daring, therefore, to hazard such a delicate step, I came up with the priest, and clapping a pistol to his breast, demanded his purse. He stopped short to survey me, and without seeming much afraid, "Child," said he, "you are very young; you have got a bad trade by the hand betimes." "Bad as it is, father," I replied, "I wish I had begun it sooner." "Ah! son, son," said the good friar (who did not comprehend the true meaning of my words), "what blindness! allow me to represent to you the miserable condition "O father," said I, interrupting him hastily, "a truce with your morals, if you please; my business on the highway is not to hear sermons; I want money." "Money!" cried he, with an air of astonishment, “you are little acquainted with the charity of the Spaniards, if you think people of my cloth have occasion for money, while they travel in this kingdom. Undeceive yourself; we are everywhere cheerfully received, having lodging and victuals, and nothing is asked in return but our prayers; in short, we never carry money about us on the road, but confide altogether in Providence." | 289 "your dependence is not altogether so visionary, for you have always some good pistoles in reserve, to make more sure of Providence. But, my good father," added I, "let us have done; my comrades, who are in that wood, begin to be impatient; therefore throw your purse upon the ground instantly, or I shall certainly put you to death." At these words, which I uttered with a menacing look, the friar, seeming afraid of his life, said— "Hold! I will satisfy you then, since there is a necessity for it: I see tropes and figures have no effect on people of your profession." So saying, he pulled from underneath his gown a large purse of chamois leather, which he dropped upon the ground. Then I told him he might continue his journey; a permission he did not give me the least trouble of repeating; but clapped his heels to the sides of his mule, which belying the opinion I had conceived of her (for I imagined she was not much better than my uncle's), all of a sudden went off at a pretty round pace. As soon as he was at a distance, I alighted, and taking up the purse, which seemed heavy, mounted again, and got back to the wood in a trice, where the thieves waited with impatience to congratulate me upon my victory. Scarce would they give me time to dismount, so eager were they to embrace me. "Courage, Gil Blas," said Rolando, "thou hast done wonders; I have had my eyes on thee during thy expedition; I have observed thy countenance all the time, and I prophesy thou wilt in time become an excellent highwayman. The lieutenant and the rest approved of the prediction, which they assured me I should one day certainly fulfil. I thanked them for the high idea they had conceived of me, and promised to do all that lay in my power to maintain it. After they had loaded me with so much undeserved praise, they were desirous of examining the booty I had made. "Come," said they, "let us see what there is in the clergyman's purse." "It ought to be well furnished," continued one among them, "for those good fathers don't travel like pilgrims." The captain untied the purse, and opening it pulled out two or three handfuls of copper medals, mixed with bits of hallowed wax, and some scapularies. At the sight of such an un 1 Scapularies are pieces of consecrated stuff, worn by "That won't go down with me," I replied, priests and nuns. VOL. VIII. 188 290 GIL BLAS AND THE ROBBERS. common prey all the robbers burst out into an immoderate fit of laughter. "Upon my soul," cried the lieutenant, "we are very much obliged to Gil Blas, for having, in his coup d'essai, performed a theft so salutary to the company." This piece of wit brought on more. Those miscreants began to be very merry upon the matter; a thousand sallies escaped them, that too well denoted their immorality. I was the only person who did not laugh, my mirth being checked by the raillers, who enjoyed themselves at my expense. Every one having shot his bolt, the captain said to me "In faith, Gil Blas, I advise thee, as a friend, to joke no more with monks, who are, generally speaking, too arch and cunning for such as thee." for although I was present I saw nothing; and my fear, in confounding my imagination, concealed from me the horror of the spectacle that occasioned it. All I know of the matter is, that after a great noise of firing, I heard my companions shout and cry, "Victory! victory!" At that exclamation, the terror which had taken possession of my senses dissipated, and I saw the four horsemen stretched lifeless on the field of battle. On our side we had but one man killed. The lieutenant received a wound in the arm; but it was a very slight one, the shot having only ruffled the skin. Signior Rolando ran immediately to the door of the coach, in which there was a lady of about four or five and twenty years of age, who appeared very handsome, notwithstanding the We remained in the wood the greatest part of melancholy condition in which she was; for the day, without perceiving any traveller that she had swooned during the engagement and could make amends for the priest. At last we was not yet recovered. While he was busied left it in order to return to our cavern, con- in looking after her, we took care of the booty, fining our exploits to that ludicrous event, beginning with securing the horses of the which still constituted the subject of our dis- killed, which, frightened at the noise of the course, when we discovered, at a distance, a firing, had run away, after having lost their coach drawn by four mules, advancing at a riders. As for the mules they had not stirred, brisk trot, and escorted by three men on horse- although the coachman, during the action, back, who seemed well armed. Upon this had quitted his place, in order to make his Rolando ordered his troop to halt and held a escape. We alighted, and unyoking, loaded council, the result of which was that they them with some trunks we found fastened to should attack the coach. We were imme- the coach before and behind. This being diately arranged according to his disposition, done, the lady, who had not as yet recovered and marched up to it in order of battle. In her senses, was, by order of the captain, taken spite of the applause I had acquired in the out and placed on horseback before one of the wood, I felt myself seized with a universal robbers that was best mounted; after which, tremor, and immediately a cold sweat broke quitting the highroad, the coach, and the out all over my body, which I looked upon as dead, whom we had stripped, we carried off no very favourable omen. the lady, the mules, and the horses. The coach and horsemen approached, who, knowing what sort of people we were, and guessing our design by our appearance, stopped within musket-shot, and prepared to receive us; while a gentleman of a good mien and richly dressed, came out of the coach, and mounting a horse that was led by one of his attendants, put himself at their head, without any other arms than a sword and a pair of pistols. Though they were but four against nine (the coachman remaining on the seat), they advanced towards us with a boldness that redoubled my fear; I did not fail, however, though I trembled in every joint, to make ready to fire; but, to tell the truth, I shut my eyes and turned away my head, when I discharged my carbine; and, considering the manner in which it went off, my conscience ought to be acquitted on that score. I will not attempt to describe the action; It was within an hour of daybreak when we arrived at our habitation, and the first thing we did was to lead our beasts into the stable, where we were obliged to tie them to the rack and take care of them with our own hands, the old negro having been three days before seized with a fit of the gout and rheumatism, that kept him abed, deprived of the use of his limbs: the only member at liberty was his tongue, which he employed in testifying his impatience by the most horrible execrations. Leaving this miserable wretch to swear and blaspheme, we went to the kitchen, where our whole attention was engrossed by the lady, and we succeeded so well as to bring her out of her fit; but when she had recovered the use of her senses, and saw herself in the hands of several men whom she did not know, she perceived her misfortune and was seized with horror. The most lively sorrow and direful GIL BLAS AND THE ROBBERS. despair appeared in her eyes, which she lifted | up to Heaven, as if to reproach it with the indignities that threatened her; then giving way of a sudden to these dismal apprehensions, she | relapsed into a swoon, her eyelids closed, and the robbers imagined that death would deprive them of their prey. The captain, thinking it more proper to leave her to herself than to torment her with their assistance, ordered her to be carried to Leonarda's bed, where she was left alone, at the hazard of what might happen. We repaired to the hall, where one of the thieves, who had been bred a surgeon, dressed the lieutenant's wound, after which, being desirous of seeing what was in the trunks, we found some of them filled with lace and linen, others with clothes; and the last we opened contained some bags full of pistoles, at sight of which the gentlemen concerned were infinitely rejoiced. This inquiry being made, the cookmaid furnished the side-board, laid the cloth, and served up supper. Our conversation at first turned upon the great victory we had obtained, and Rolando, addressing himself to me 291 lected that the old negro was not in a condition to move, and that, since his being taken ill, the cook-wench kept the key of the grate. This reflection warmed my imagination, and made me conceive a scheme, which I digested so well, that I proceeded to put it in practice immediately, in the following manner. Pretending to be racked with the colic, I began with complaints and groans; then raising my voice, uttered dreadful cries, that wakened the robbers and brought them instantly to my bedside. When they asked what made me roar so hideously, I answered that I was tortured with an horrible colic, and, the better to persuade them of the truth of what I said, grinded my teeth, made frightful grimaces and contortions, and writhed myself in a strange manner; then I became quiet all of a sudden, as if my pains had given me some respite. In a moment after, I began again to bounce upon the bed and twist about my limbs; in a word, I played my part so well, that the thieves, cunning as they were, allowed themselves to be deceived, and believed, in good earnest, that I was violently griped. In a moment all of them were busied "Confess, Gil Blas," said he, "confess that in endeavours to ease me. thou wast horribly afraid." I ingenuously owned that what he said was very true, but that when I should have made two or three campaigns I would fight like a knight-errant; whereupon the whole company took my part, observing that my fear was excusable, that the action had been very hot, and that, considering I was a young fellow who had never smelled gunpowder, I had acquitted myself pretty well. The discourse afterwards turning upon the mules and horses we had brought into our retreat, it was agreed that to-morrow before day we should all set out together in order to sell them at Mansilla, which place, in all probability, the report of our expedition had not yet reached. As soon as I got to bed, instead of resigning myself to sleep, I did nothing but think of that lady's misfortune: I never doubted that she was a person of quality, and looked upon her situation as the more deplorable for that reason. I could not, without shuddering, represent to myself the horrors to which she was destined, and felt myself as deeply concerned for her as if I had been attached by blood or friendship. At last, after having bewailed her hard fate, I began to revolve the means of rescuing her honour from the danger in which it was, and of delivering myself at the same time from the subterranean abode. I recol At last, being able to resist them no longer, I was fain to tell them that the gripes had left me, and to conjure them to give me quarter. Upon which they left off tormenting me with their remedies, and I took care to trouble them no more with my complaints, for fear of undergoing their good offices a second time. This scene lasted almost three hours, after which the robbers, judging that day was not far off, prepared themselves to set out for Mansilla: I would have got up, to make them believe I was desirous of accompanying them, but they would not suffer me to rise, Signior Rolando saying- "No, no, Gil Blas, stay at home, child; thy colic may return. Thou shalt go with us another time; but thou art in no condition to go abroad to-day." I was afraid of insisting upon it too much, lest he should yield to my request, therefore I only appeared very much mortified, because I could not be of the party. This I acted so naturally, that they went out of the cavern without the least suspicion of my design. After their departure, which I had endeavoured to hasten by my prayers, I said to myself "Now, Gil Blas, now is the time for thee to have resolution; arm thyself with courage to finish that which thou hast so happily begun. Domingo is not in a condition to oppose thy enterprise, and Leonarda cannot hinder its execution. Seize this opportunity of escaping, than which, perhaps, thou wilt never find one more favourable." These suggestions filled me with confidence; I got up, took my sword and pistols, and went first towards the kitchen: but before I entered, hearing Leonarda speaking, stopped in order to listen. She was talking to the unknown lady, who, having recovered her senses and understood the whole of her misfortune, wept in the utmost bitterness of despair. "Weep, my child," said the old beldame to her; "dissolve yourself into tears and don't spare sighs, for that will give you ease. You have had a dangerous qualm; but now there is nothing to fear since you shed abundance of tears. Your grief will abate by little and little, and you will soon accustom yourself to live with our gentlemen, who are men of honour. You will be treated like a princess, meet with nothing but complaisance, and fresh proofs of affection every day. There are a great many women who would be glad to be in your place." I did not give Leonarda time to proceed; but entering, clapped a pistol to her breast, and, with a threatening look, commanded her to surrender the key of the grate. She was confounded at my behaviour, and, though almost at the end of her career, so much attached to life that she durst not refuse my demand. Having got the key in my possession, I addressed myself to the afflicted lady, saying "Madam, Heaven has sent you a deliverer; rise and follow me, and I will conduct you whithersoever you shall please to direct." The lady did not remain deaf to my words, which made such an impression upon her that, summoning up all the strength she had left, she got up, and throwing herself at my feet conjured me to preserve her honour. I raised her, and assured her that she might rely upon me; then taking some cords which I perceived in the kitchen, with her assistance I tied Leonarda to the feet of a large table, swearing that if she opened her mouth I would kill her on the spot. I afterwards lighted a flambeau, and going with the stranger into the room where the gold and silver was deposited, filled my pockets with pistoles and double pistoles, and to induce the lady to follow my example, assured her that she only took back her own. When we had made a good provision of this kind, we went towards the stable, which I entered alone with my pistols cocked, firmly believing that the old negro, in spite of his gout and rheumatism, would not suffer me to saddle and bridle my horse in quiet; and fully re solved to cure him of all his distempers if he should take it in his head to be troublesome; but, by good luck, he was so overwhelmed with the pains he had undergone and those he still suffered, that I brought my horse out of the stable even without his seeming to perceive it; and the lady waiting for me at the door, we threaded, with all despatch, the passage that led out of the cavern; arrived at the grate, which we opened; and at last came to the trap-door, which we lifted up with great difficulty, or rather, the desire of escaping lent us new strength, without which we should not have been able to succeed. Day began to appear just as we found ourselves delivered from the jaws of this abyss; and as we fervently desired to be at a greater distance from it, I threw myself into the saddle, the lady mounting behind me, and following the first path that presented itself, at a round gallop, got out of the forest in a short time, and entered a plain, divided by several roads, one of which we took at random. I was mortally afraid that it would conduct us to Mansilla, where we might meet with Rolando and his confederates; but happily my fear was vain. TO MARY IN HEAVEN. My Mary from my soul was torn. Where is thy place of blissful rest? See'st thou thy lover lowly laid? Hear'st thou the groans that rend his breast! That sacred hour can I forget, Can I forget the hallowed grove, Where by the winding Ayr we met, To live one day of parting love! Eternity will not efface Those records dear of transports past; Thy image at our last embrace: Ah! little thought we 't was our last? Ayr, gurgling, kiss'd his pebbled shore, Proclaim'd the speed of winged day. Still o'er these scenes my memory wakes, And fondly broods with miser care! |