the zincali-第49章
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MYSELF。 … 'This book is Saint Luke's Gospel in the Gypsy language;
how can this book concern you?'
STRANGER。 … 'No one more。 It is in the language of my people。'
MYSELF。 … 'You do not pretend to say that you are a Calo?'
STRANGER。 … 'I do! I am Zincalo; by the mother's side。 My father;
it is true; was one of the Busne; but I glory in being a Calo; and
care not to acknowledge other blood。'
MYSELF。 … 'How became you possessed of that book?'
STRANGER。 … 'I was this morning in the Prado; where I met two women
of our people; and amongst other things they told me that they had
a gabicote in our language。 I did not believe them at first; but
they pulled it out; and I found their words true。 They then spoke
to me of yourself; and told me where you live; so I took the book
from them and am come to see you。'
MYSELF。 … 'Are you able to understand this book?'
STRANGER。 … 'Perfectly; though it is written in very crabbed
language: (48) but I learnt to read Calo when very young。 My
mother was a good Calli; and early taught me both to speak and read
it。 She too had a gabicote; but not printed like this; and it
treated of a different matter。'
MYSELF。 … 'How came your mother; being a good Calli; to marry one
of a different blood?'
STRANGER。 … 'It was no fault of hers; there was no remedy。 In her
infancy she lost her parents; who were executed; and she was
abandoned by all; till my father; taking compassion on her; brought
her up and educated her: at last he made her his wife; though
three times her age。 She; however; remembered her blood and hated
my father; and taught me to hate him likewise; and avoid him。 When
a boy; I used to stroll about the plains; that I might not see my
father; and my father would follow me and beg me to look upon him;
and would ask me what I wanted; and I would reply; Father; the only
thing I want is to see you dead。'
MYSELF。 … 'That was strange language from a child to its parent。'
STRANGER。 … 'It was … but you know the couplet; (49) which says; 〃I
do not wish to be a lord … I am by birth a Gypsy … I do not wish to
be a gentleman … I am content with being a Calo!〃'
MYSELF。 … 'I am anxious to hear more of your history … pray
proceed。'
STRANGER。 … 'When I was about twelve years old my father became
distracted; and died。 I then continued with my mother for some
years; she loved me much; and procured a teacher to instruct me in
Latin。 At last she died; and then there was a pleyto (law…suit)。
I took to the sierra and became a highwayman; but the wars broke
out。 My cousin Jara; of Valdepenas; raised a troop of brigantes。
(50) I enlisted with him and distinguished myself very much; there
is scarcely a man or woman in Spain but has heard of Jara and
Chaleco。 I am now captain in the service of Donna Isabel … I am
covered with wounds … I am … ugh! ugh! ugh … !'
He had commenced coughing; and in a manner which perfectly
astounded me。 I had heard hooping coughs; consumptive coughs;
coughs caused by colds; and other accidents; but a cough so
horrible and unnatural as that of the Gypsy soldier; I had never
witnessed in the course of my travels。 In a moment he was bent
double; his frame writhed and laboured; the veins of his forehead
were frightfully swollen; and his complexion became black as the
blackest blood; he screamed; he snorted; he barked; and appeared to
be on the point of suffocation … yet more explosive became the
cough; and the people of the house; frightened; came running into
the apartment。 I cries; 'The man is perishing; run instantly for a
surgeon!' He heard me; and with a quick movement raised his left
hand as if to countermand the order; another struggle; then one
mighty throe; which seemed to search his deepest intestines; and he
remained motionless; his head on his knee。 The cough had left him;
and within a minute or two he again looked up。
'That is a dreadful cough; friend;' said I; when he was somewhat
recovered。 'How did you get it?'
GYPSY SOLDIER。 … 'I am … shot through the lungs … brother! Let me
but take breath; and I will show you the hole … the agujero。'
He continued with me a considerable time; and showed not the
slightest disposition to depart; the cough returned twice; but not
so violently; … at length; having an engagement; I arose; and
apologising; told him I must leave him。 The next day he came again
at the same hour; but he found me not; as I was abroad dining with
a friend。 On the third day; however; as I was sitting down to
dinner; in he walked; unannounced。 I am rather hospitable than
otherwise; so I cordially welcomed him; and requested him to
partake of my meal。 'Con mucho gusto;' he replied; and instantly
took his place at the table。 I was again astonished; for if his
cough was frightful; his appetite was yet more so。 He ate like a
wolf of the sierra; … soup; puchero; fowl and bacon disappeared
before him in a twinkling。 I ordered in cold meat; which he
presently despatched; a large piece of cheese was then produced。
We had been drinking water。
'Where is the wine?' said he。
'I never use it;' I replied。
He looked blank。 The hostess; however; who was present waiting;
said; 'If the gentleman wish for wine; I have a bota nearly full;
which I will instantly fetch。'
The skin bottle; when full; might contain about four quarts。 She
filled him a very large glass; and was removing the skin; but he
prevented her; saying; 'Leave it; my good woman; my brother here
will settle with you for the little I shall use。'
He now lighted his cigar; and it was evident that he had made good
his quarters。 On the former occasion I thought his behaviour
sufficiently strange; but I liked it still less on the present。
Every fifteen minutes he emptied his glass; which contained at
least a pint; his conversation became horrible。 He related the
atrocities which he had committed when a robber and bragante in La
Mancha。 'It was our custom;' said he; 'to tie our prisoners to the
olive…trees; and then; putting our horses to full speed; to tilt at
them with our spears。' As he continued to drink he became waspish
and quarrelsome: he had hitherto talked Castilian; but he would
now only converse in Gypsy and in Latin; the last of which
languages he spoke with great fluency; though ungrammatically。 He
told me that he had killed six men in duels; and; drawing his
sword; fenced about the room。 I saw by the manner in which he
handled it; that he was master of his weapon。 His cough did not
return; and he said it seldom afflicted him when he dined well。 He
gave me to understand that he had received no pay for two years。
'Therefore you visit me;' thought I。 At the end of three hours;
perceiving that he exhibited no signs of taking his departure; I
arose; and said I must again leave him。 'As you please; brother;'
said he; 'use no ceremony with me; I am fatigued; and will wait a
little while。' I did not return till eleven at night; when my
hostess informed me that he had just departed; promising to return
next day。 He had emptied the bota to the last drop; and the cheese
produced being insufficient for him; he sent for an entire Dutch
cheese on my account; part of which he had eaten and the rest
carried away。 I now saw that I had formed a most troublesome
acquaintance; of whom it was highly necessary to rid myself; if
possible; I therefore dined out for the next nine days。
For a week he came regularly at the usual hour; at the end of which
time he desisted; the