so.

"Do you carry arms, Don Jose?"

"A revolver--ah! now I understand. Are there robbers about?"

"Perhaps," answered the peasant, with visible apprehension. "I think I
heard a shot."

"We shall soon see. Forward!" said the young man, putting spurs to his
nag. "They are not very terrible, I dare say."

"Keep quiet, Senor Don Jose," exclaimed the peasant, stopping him.
"Those people are worse than Satan himself. The other day they murdered
two gentlemen who were on their way to take the train. Let us leave off
jesting. Gasparon el Fuerte, Pepito Chispillas, Merengue, and Ahorca
Suegras shall not see my face while I live. Let us turn into the path."

"Forward, Senor Licurgo!"

"Back, Senor Don Jose," replied the peasant, in distressed accents.
"You don't know what kind of people those are. They are the same men
who stole the chalice, the Virgin's crown, and two candlesticks from the
church of the Carmen last month; they are the men who robbed the Madrid
train two years ago."

Don Jose, hearing these alarming antecedents, felt his courage begin to
give way.

"Do you see that great high hill in the distance? Well, that is where
those rascals hide themselves; there in some caves which they call the
Retreat of the Cavaliers."

"Of the Cavaliers?"

"Yes, senor. They come down to the high-road when the Civil Guards are
not watching, and rob all they can. Do you see a cross beyond the bend
of the road? Well, that was erected in remembrance of the death of the
Alcalde of Villahorrenda, whom they murdered there at the time of the
elections."

"Yes, I see the cross."

"There is an old house there, in which they hide themselves to wait for
the carriers. They call that place The Pleasaunce."

"The Pleasaunce?"

"If all the people who have been murdered and robbed there were to be
restored they would form an army."

While they were thus talking shots were again heard, this time nearer
than before, which made the valiant hearts of the travellers quake a
little, but not that of the country lad, who, jumping about for joy,
asked Senor Licurgo's permission to go forward to watch the conflict
which was taking place so near them. Observing the courage of the boy
Don Jose felt a little ashamed of having been frightened, or at least
a little disturbed, by the proximity of the robbers, and cried, putting
spurs to his nag:

"We will go forward, then. Perhaps we may be able to lend assistance to
the unlucky travellers wh