letters-第66章
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nds； were reading aloud the comfortable words of salvation。
It is probable that had I remained a longer period in Aranjuez I might have sold many more of our divine books； but I was eager to gain La Mancha and its sandy plains； and to conceal myself for a season amongst its solitary villages； for I was apprehensive that a storm was gathering around me。 But when once through Ocana； the frontier town； I knew well that I should have nothing to fear from the Spanish authorities as their power ceased there； the rest of La Mancha being almost entirely in the hands of the Carlists； and overrun by small parties of banditti； from whom however I trusted that the Lord would preserve me。 I therefore departed for Ocana； situate about three leagues from Aranjuez。
I started with my servant about six in the evening； having early in the morning sent forward Lopez with between two and three hundred Testaments。 We left the high road and proceeded by a shorter way； through wild hills and over very broken and precipitous ground。 Being well…mounted we found ourselves just after sunset opposite Ocana； which stands on a steep hill。 A deep valley lay between us and the town； we descended and came to a small bridge which traverses a rivulet at the bottom of the valley； at a very small distance from a kind of suburb； we crossed the bridge； and were passing by a deserted house on our left hand when a man appeared from under the porch。
What I am about to state will seem incomprehensible to you； but a singular history and a singular people are connected with it。 The man placed himself before my horse so as to bar the way； and said SCHOPHON； which in the Hebrew tongue signifies a rabbit。 I knew this word to be one of the Jewish countersigns； and asked the man if he had anything to communicate。 He said： 'You must not enter the town； for a net is prepared for you。 The CORREGIDOR of Toledo； on whom may all evil light； in order to give pleasure to the priests of Maria； in whose face I spit； has ordered all the ALCALDES of these parts and the ESCRIBANOS and the CORCHETES to lay hands on you wherever they may find you； and to send you and your books and all that pertains to you to Toledo。 Your servant was seized this morning in the town above as he was selling the writings in the streets； and they are now awaiting your arrival in the POSADA； but I knew you from the accounts of my brethren； and have been waiting here four hours to give you warning； in order that your horse may turn his tail to your enemies and neigh in derision of them。 Fear nothing for your servant； for he is known to the ALCALDE and will be set at liberty； but do you flee； and may God attend you。' Having said this； he hurried towards the town。
I hesitated not a moment to take his advice； knowing full well that； as my books had been taken possession of； I could do no more in that direction。 We turned back； in the direction of Aranjuez； the horses notwithstanding the nature of the ground galloping at full speed； and like the true Moorish breed bearing their tails erect and stiff； but our adventures were not over。 About mid…way； and about half a league from the small village of Antigola； we saw close to us on our left hand three men on a low bank。 As far as the darkness would permit us to distinguish they were naked； but each bore in his hand a long gun； these were RATEROS； or the common assassins and robbers of the roads。 We halted； and cried out 'Who goes there？' They； replied； 'What's that to you？ Pass by。' Their drift was to fire at us from a position from which it would be impossible to miss。 We shouted： 'If you do not instantly pass to the right side of the road； we will tread you down beneath the horses' hoofs。' They hesitated； and then obeyed； for all Spanish assassins are dastards； and the least show of resolution daunts them。 As we galloped past； one cried with an obscene oath； 'TIRAREMOS' （'fire'） but another said； 'NO！ HAY PELIGRO' ＇'there's danger'＇。 We reached Aranjuez； where early next morning Lopez rejoined us； and we returned to Madrid。
I am sorry to state that two hundred Testaments were seized at Ocana； where they were sealed and despatched to Toledo。 Lopez informed me that in two hours he could have sold them all； the demand was so great； as it was； twenty…seven were sold in less than ten minutes。 He is just departed on another expedition； and I am about to follow； for with God's leave I will fight it out to the last。
I enclose you a list of all the towns and villages hitherto visited。 I have nothing more to say for the present； but that you may make what use you please of this letter。
Such is my life in Spain。
（UNSIGNED。）
PUEBLOS。
Villa Seca。 Azana。 Mocejon。 Ylleicas。 Magan。 Forrejon。 Oliar。 Parla。 Vargas。 Pinto。 Villaluenga。 Baldemoro。 Yuncler。 Zetafe。 Alameda。 Leganez。 Anober。 Aranjuez。 Cobena。 Ocana。
LETTER： 23rd August； 1838
To the Rev。 A。 Brandram （ENDORSED： recd。 Sept。 12； 1838） ＇LABAJOS； PROVINCE OF SEGOVIA； AUG。 23RD； 1838。＇
REVD。 AND DEAR SIR； … Lord William Hervey was perfectly satisfied with my conduct in the affair stated on the other side； and so was Count Ofalia； who expressed his regret that circumstances had compelled her Majesty's Government to take those steps against the circulation of the Scriptures with which you are already acquainted。
G。 B。
COPY OF LETTER TO THE RIGHT HON。 LORD WILLIAM HERVEY
LABAJOS； PROVINCE OF SEGOVIA； AUGUST 23rd； 1838。
MY LORD； … I beg leave to call your attention to the following facts。 On the 21st instant I received information that a person in my employ of the name of Juan Lopez had been thrown into the prison of Villallos； in the province of Avila； by order of the CURA of that place。 The crime with which he was charged was selling the New Testament。 At the time I alluded to； I was at Labajos； in the province of Segovia； and the division of the factious chieftain Balmaseda was in the immediate neighbourhood。 On the 22nd； I mounted my horse and rode to Villallos； a distance of three leagues。 On my arrival there； I found that Lopez had been removed from the prison to a private house。 An order had arrived from the CORREGIDOR of Avila； commanding that the person of Lopez should be placed in full and perfect liberty and that the books which had been found in his possession should be alone detained。 Nevertheless； in direct opposition to this order； a copy of which I herewith transmit； the ALCALDE of Villallos； at the instigation of the CURA； refused to permit the said Lopez to quit the place； either to proceed to Avila or in any other direction。 It had been hinted to Lopez that； as the factious were expected； it was intended on their arrival to denounce him to them as a liberal； and to cause him to be sacrificed。 Taking these circumstances into consideration； I deemed it my duty； as a Christian and a gentleman； to rescue my unfortunate servant from such lawless bands； and in consequence defying opposition I bore him off； though perfectly unarmed； through a crowd of at least one hundred peasants。 On leaving the place I shouted 'VIVA ISABELA SEGUNDA。'
As it is my belief that the CURA of Villallos is a person capable of any infamy； I beg leave humbly to entreat your Lordship to cause a copy of the above narration to be forwarded to the Spanish Government。
I have the honour to remain； my Lord； your Lordship's most obedient and most humble servant；
GEORGE BORROW。
LETTER： 29th August； 1838
To the Rev。 G。 Browne （ENDORSED： recd。 Sept。 6th； 1838） MADRID； AUG。 29； 1838。
REVD。 AND DEAR SIR； … I am this moment arrived at Madrid from my expedition in Old Castile； and I have received your kind lines appended to my friend Mr。 Brandram's communication。
I will set out for England as soon as possible； but I must be allowed time。 I am almost dead with fatigue； suffering and anxiety； and it is necessary that I should place the Society's property in safe and sure custody。
It has pleased the Lord to assist me visibly in my las
