drew said
he would go thieving by himself; for he was nimble enough to run from
danger, and did not lack courage to encounter it; so that the prize or
the penalty of his thieving would be exclusively his own.

The gipsies tried to dissuade him from this good purpose, telling him
that occasions might occur in which he would have need of companions, as
well to attack as to defend; and that one person alone could not make
any great booty. But in spite of all they could say, Andrew was
determined to be a solitary robber; intending to separate from the gang,
and purchase for money something which he might say he had stolen, and
thus burden his conscience as little as possible. Proceeding in this
way, in less than a month, he brought more gain to the gang than four of
the most accomplished thieves in it. Preciosa rejoiced not a little to
see her tender lover become such a smart and handy thief; but for all
that she was sorely afraid of some mischance, and would not have seen
him in the hands of justice for all the treasures of Venice; such was
the good feeling towards him which she could not help entertaining, in
return for his many good offices and presents. After remaining about a
month in the Toledan district, where they reaped a good harvest, the
gipsies entered the wealthy region of Estramadura.

Meanwhile Andrew frequently held honourable and loving converse with
Preciosa, who was gradually becoming enamoured of his good qualities;
while, in like manner, his love for her went on increasing, if that were
possible: such were the virtues, the good sense and beauty of his
Preciosa. Whenever the gipsies engaged in athletic games, he carried off
the prize for running and leaping: he played admirably at skittles and
at ball, and pitched the bar with singular strength and dexterity. In a
short while, his fame spread through all Estramadura, and there was no
part of it where they did not speak of the smart young gitano Andrew,
and his graces and accomplishments. As his fame extended, so did that of
Preciosa's beauty; and there was no town, village, or hamlet, to which
they were not invited, to enliven their patron saints' days, or other
festivities. The tribe consequently became rich, prosperous, and
contented, and the lovers were happy in the mere sight of each other.

It happened one night, when the camp was pitched among some evergreen
oaks, a little off the highway, they heard their dogs barking about the
middle watch, wit