yes were at once on the mule, and said
one of them, "We can sell this on Thursday in Toledo."

[74] Gipsy encampment.

"By no means," said Andrew; "for there is not a hired mule in Madrid, or
any other town, but is known to all the muleteers that tramp the roads
of Spain."

"Por dios, Senor Andrew," said one of the gang, "if there were more
signs and tokens upon the mule than are to precede the day of judgment,
we will transform it in such a manner that it could not be known by the
mother that bore it, or the master that owned it."

"That maybe," said Andrew; "but for this time you must do as I
recommend. This mule must be killed, and buried where its bones shall
never be seen."

"Put the innocent creature to death!" cried another gipsy. "What a sin!
Don't say the word, good Andrew; only do one thing. Examine the beast
well, till you have got all its marks well by heart; then let me take it
away, and if in two hours from this time you are able to know, it again,
let me be basted like a runaway negro."

"I must insist upon the mule's being put to death," said Andrew, "though
I were ever so sure of its transformation. I am in fear of being
discovered unless it is put under ground. If you object for sake of the
profit to be made by selling it, I am not come so destitute to this
fraternity but that I can pay my footing with more than the price of
four mules."

"Well, since the Senor Andrew Caballero will have it so," said the other
gitano, "let the sinless creature die, though God knows how much it goes
against me, both because of its youth, for it has not yet lost mark of
mouth, a rare thing among hired mules, and because it must be a good
goer, for it has neither scars on its flank nor marks of the spur."

The slaughter of the mule was postponed till night, and the rest of the
day was spent in the ceremonies of Andrew's initiation. They cleared out
one of the best huts in the encampment, dressed it with boughs and
rushes, and seating Andrew in it on the stump of a cork tree, they put a
hammer and tongs in his hands, and made him cut two capers to the sound
of two guitars. They then bared one of his arms, tied round it a new
silk ribbon through which they passed a short stick, and gave it two
turns gently, after the manner of the garotte with which criminals are
strangled. Preciosa was present at all this, as were many other gitanas,
old and young, some of whom gazed at Andrew with admiration, others with
love, a