Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Pages ...
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
DE CHASTE’S VOYAGE TO TERCERA. 845
ever fhould bring him the Count de Torrevedros, who was in the woods of the moun-
tains, whether dead or alive, fhould receive five hundred ducats, the commander not
having been able to include him in his capitulation, although he had endeavoured to
do fo more out of commiferation than from his defert. Immediately the Spanifh fol-
diers, fond of money, began forming into parties to go to the mountains in fearch of
the count, being no longer afraid of the French as the treaty was figned, and having
very little regard for the Portuguefe: a corporal and eight of his companions proceed-
ed thither, and on the fkirts of the wood at the foot of the mountains, perceived a
negro, who ran away from them; he fpurred on his horfe, purfued him, and feizing
him by the collar, his fword in his hand, and fwearing, faid, if you do not inform me
avhere the count ts, I will certainly kill you. ‘The negro, being afraid of his fury, con-
fefled to him that he had been his groom for eight years, and that he had left him in
a-cavern, where he had refided feven or eight days, entirely abandoned by his gentle-
men and domeftics. The Spaniard made him get up behind, quitted his companions
who were on foot, and purfued his way towards the count, who at that inftant came
out of his cave to fee if his negro was bringing him fome bread, as he had promifed
him. ‘The count had no other drefs than that of a country perfon, and a wallet faft-
ened to his neck; the corporal, who had no knowledge of him, and obferving his
miferable appearance, and that he was drawing back, cried out to him, here my good
man, [peak to me and fear nothing. ‘The count approached, his hat in his hand, not
having been able to regain his cavern, and faid to him, What do you want fir? Are
you not, {aid the corporal, one of thofe dogs of Portuguese who fought againft us? I cannot
deny, faidhe, that lama Portuguese, but I ama poor wretch, who by my labour maintain
my wife and children on this miferable foil, and have no concern with war. The corporal
then obferved, [/hall not faymuch, but if you don’t immediately /bewmethe place where the count
is concealed, you fhall die by my hand. ‘The other being a party concerned, obferved to
him, fir, you may do as you pleafe ; as to fhewing you the count it is impoffible, for it is
a long while fince I have feen him. Ue held a ducat in his mouth to prevent thirft, on
account of the extreme heat, and the diltrefs in which he was; perceiving this, the
corporal afked, what is that you are rolling about in your mouth? He anfwered that it
was a piece of gold which was all he was worth in the world, with which he wifhed to
buy bread at fome of the houfes in the mountains, to carry to his children, whom he
had not feen fince they landed in this country, and that he was dying with hunger.
The corporal took the ducat, and rummaging him, afked him, if that was all he had.
O yes fir, faid the count, and I have had it more than fifteen years ; but for the love of
God give me fome piece of money: Go along you rafcal, I ought to take away your life, {aid
the Spaniard, and went his way. The negro who was behind to apprehend his maf-
ter, was fearful he would be killed, and feeing him in this miferable plight, and re-
prefenting to himfelf the kindnefs he had fhewn him, was moved with pity, and the
tear ftanding in his eye, he pretended not to know him; but the corporal going into
the woods, faid to him, What, you poltroon, will you make me ride about all day lon
without bringing nie to this cavern? I fee that you are tired of living, but I fhall do for
you prefently. ‘Then placing his hand on his fword, the negro exclaimed ; forgive me
fir, you have juft left him, but I could not point him out to you I was fo much affected,
How, faid the corporal, is it poffible it could be that man who looked fo mean? When
galloping back, and finding him in the filthy entrance of the cave, he faid to him,
hollo, father, take back your ducat, I have not the confcience to deprive you of it. The
count then approaching, held out his hand to receive it, which was feized by the cor-
poral, who made him a prifoner in the name of king Philip. Wretch, then exclaimed
he
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
