Confessions Of Con Cregan Part 56

My plans were very simple. Once at Guajuaqualla, I should find out where Donna Maria de los Dolores lived, and then, providing myself with a suitable equipage and servants, I should proceed to pay my addresses in all form, affecting to have resumed my real rank and station, from which, on our first acquaintance, a pa.s.sing caprice had withdrawn me.

I antic.i.p.ated, of course, very shrewd inquiries as to my family and fortune; but I trusted to "native wit" to satisfy these, secretly resolving at the time that I would avoid lying for the future. And _a propos_ of this propensity, I had never indulged in it, save from that vagrant impulse that tempts a child to scamper over the flower-plat of a garden, instead of keeping to the gravel,--the great charm being found in the secret that it "was wrong." And, oh, ye dear, good, excellent souls whose instincts are always correct, who can pa.s.s knockers on doors and not wish to wring them off; who see gas-lamps in lonely spots, and never think of breaking them; who neither "humbug" the stupid, nor mistify the vain; who "take life" seriously,--forgive the semi-barbarism of our Celtic tastes, which leads us to regard "fun" as the very honey of existence, and leads us to extract it from every flower in life's path!

When I "lied,"--as only the great "Pinto" ever lied more atrociously,--I was more amused by my own extravagances than were my listeners. I threw out my inventions among stupid folk as a rich man flings his guinea among a group of beggars, to enjoy the squabbling and contending for such an unlooked-for prize.

And now I was going to abandon the habit, as one un-suited to the responsibilities of a rich man's station! Oh, dear, what a sigh honest Jack Falstaff must have heaved when he swore "he would eschew sack and low company, and live cleanly."

I now addressed myself more practically to my work, and, seeing that it would be quite impossible for me to carry the great bulk of my treasure to Guajuaqualla, I replaced the canvas sack, with the gold and some of the larger bags of the gems, in the ground, and merely took those that contained the paper securities, and some of the more valuable emeralds, along with me.

In parting with my wealth, even for a short absence, I confess my feelings were very poignant. A thousand fears beset me, and I turned to survey the spot beneath which it lay, wondering if there was any indication to mark the concealed riches below. All, however, looked safe and plausible; and I proceeded on my way, with a heart as easy as, I suppose, rich men's hearts are permitted to be!

I believe the road along which I journeyed lay in the midst of a fertile and pleasing tract,--I believe, I say; for I own I saw nothing of it.

The river along which walked seemed silver, molten silver, to me; the fruit-trees bore apples of pure gold; the stars which studded the morning sky seemed sapphires and diamonds; the dewdrops on the gra.s.s were opals all. If I sat down to rest myself, I instantly took one of my precious bags from my pocket, to gaze at the bright treasures it contained, and feast my eyes with brilliancy.

At last I found myself on the great high road, and, as the sign-post told me, only "tres leguas"--three leagues--from Guajuaqualla. For a few copper coins I obtained a seat upon a peasant's "carro," and journeyed along more agreeably, secretly laughing to myself at the strange conveyance that carried "Caesar and his fortunes."

The peasant was an old man who lived by selling watermelons, gourds, and cuc.u.mbers in the city, and knew most of its well-known inhabitants. It was, therefore, a good opportunity for me to learn something of those in whom I was interested. He told me that the banker Don Xafire Hijaros had died several years ago, but that his son Manuel carried on the business, and was reputed to be the richest man in Guajuaqualla. It was said that the great wealth of the house had been acc.u.mulated in ways and by means that would not bear too close scrutiny. Large sums had been, it was alleged, lodged in his hands by negroes and Indians working at the mines, the owners of which were often made away with,--at least, few of those who made large deposits ever lived to claim them. The peasant told me several stories in ill.u.s.tration of this suspicion; but although they certainly did make an impression upon me, I attributed much to the exaggeration so common to every piece of local gossip, and I had seen enough in the world to know how frequently successful industry meets disparagement.

As for Don Estaban Olarez, the old man told me that he had once been extremely rich, but that certain speculations he had entered into having proved unfortunate, he had lost the greater part of his fortune, and lived now in a state of comparative retirement about a league from Guajuaqualla. This piece of news had not the depressing effect upon me it might be supposed, since I augured that a rich son-in-law would be less scrupulously interrogated by the broken merchant than by the millionnaire. I even speculated on the manner I should adopt to dazzle him by my splendor, and with what cold and cutting irony I would address the Fra Miguel, and thank him for the considerate kindness with which he had repaid my services. Haughty and proud, with a dash of condescension,--"that must be my tone," said I; and so I went on, like my prototype in the Eastern tale, ruminating upon my power and my merciful disposition, till I had warmed my blood to a very good tyrant pitch, from which state I was aroused by the guard at the gate of the town asking if I had anything with me which should pay custom.

"A poor traveller with his knapsack," said I, "may surely pa.s.s freely."

"Vaya con Dios," said he, carelessly, and I entered the city.

Although the little plain in which Guajuaqualla stands is more favorable as a site than the narrow gorge where Chihuahua is situated, the city itself is inferior to the latter. Built irregularly, not only as chance or caprice directed, but sharing in all the vicissitudes of speculation which the mines afforded, great palaces stand by the side of mean hovels, and gorgeous churches are flanked by abodes of squalid poverty.

Streets, properly speaking, there were none. Each choosing the spot for his house at will, and as the city was founded in troubled times, when lawless violence was unrestrained,--the fortress-like character of the buildings was often conspicuous. Ma.s.sive iron bars and stanchions protected the windows of the ground-floors; heavy fastenings secured the doors, whose surface was a fretwork of iron. Loop-holes for musketry usually guarded each side of the entrance, and a "grille," like that of a convent, showed that no stranger could be admitted un interrogated.

Many of the houses were surrounded by regular outworks of moat and bastion, while here and there an old rusty cannon, half hid among the weeds, would show more pretentious, though possibly not very efficient, means of defence.

Of shrines, holy wells, and altars there was no end. The superst.i.tious character of the Gambusino life had been adroitly laid hold of by the priests, who rarely fail to turn each phase of existence to their own profit, and, in this spot, the priestly hierarchy appeared to have nothing so near at heart as the success of the "Placers." Here were pictured virgins, looking blandly down at a group of very ill-favored half-breeds, at a was.h.i.+ng; there was an old negro presenting a ma.s.sive lump of gold to St. Joseph, who, with a sly look, seemed to promise not to forget the donor. St. Francis himself, pick in hand, was seen laboring at the head of a st.u.r.dy gang of workmen, and angels of all sizes appeared to busy themselves in gold-seeking, as though it were their natural pastime.

Upon several of the altars, pieces of solid gold and silver lay, in a security that said much for the religious zeal of the inhabitants, while lamps of pure silver hung in a profusion on 'wery side,--surrounded by votive offerings of the same metal,--such as shovels, barretas, picks, and sieves. Nor did piety limit itself merely to incentives to "stand well with the saints;" some most terrible examples of the opposite line of conduct were conspicuously displayed. Pictures representing dreadful catastrophes, by falling ma.s.ses of rock, irruptions of torrents, and down-pouring cataracts, showed what fates were ever in store for those who "forgot the Church." And, as if to heighten the effect, whenever a cayman or a jaguar was "sloping off" with a miner in his mouth, a respectable saint was sure to be detected in the offing, wiping his eyes in compa.s.sion, but not stirring a finger to his a.s.sistance.

I will not say that these specimens of pictorial piety induced any strong religious feeling to my mind, but they certainly amused me highly; and although hungry from a long fast, I stopped full twenty times on my way to the Posada to gaze and wonder at them.

At the "Mono" (the "Ape"), a beast which at first _I_ mistook for a certain historical character to whom popular prejudice always vouchsafes a tail, I put up, and having discussed a very sumptuous breakfast, sent for the landlord, a little dark-visaged Jew from Pernambuco.

"I hear," said I, arranging myself in an att.i.tude of imposing elegance, "I hear, Senhor Maestro, that my people and equipages have not arrived yet, and I begin to feel a great anxiety for their safety. Can you learn from any of the Muleros if they have seen two carriages, with four mules each, on the Chihuahua road?"

"I have just inquired," said the Jew, with a sly, almost impertinent leer, "and his Excellency's suite have not been seen."

"How provoking!" said I, impatiently. "This comes of indulging that capricious taste for adventure which always inclines me to a solitary ramble among mountains. And now, here I am, without clothes, baggage, horses, servants,--in fact, with nothing that a person of my condition is accustomed to have about him."

The Jew's face changed its expression during this speech, and, from a look of droll malice which it wore at first, a.s.sumed an air of almost open insolence as he said,--

"Senhor Viajador, I am too old to be imposed upon by these fooleries.

The traveller who enters an inn on his feet, with ragged clothes and tattered shoes, takes too high a flight when he raves of equipage and followers."

I bethought me of the lesson I once gave the mate of the transport s.h.i.+p at Quebec, and I lay back indolently in my chair and stared coolly at the Jew. "Son of Abraham," said I, with a slow intonation, "take care what you say. I indulge in a vast variety of caprices, some of which the severe world calls follies; but there is one which I never permit myself,--namely, to suffer the slightest liberty on the part of an inferior. I give you this piece of information for your guidance, since it is possible that business with the banker Don Manuel Hijaros may detain me a few days in this place, and I desire that the lesson be not lost upon you."

The Jew stood, while I delivered these words, a perfect ideal of doubt and embarra.s.sment. The pretentious tone, contrasted with the ragged apparel, the air of insufferable pride, with all the semblance of poverty, and the calm composure of confidence, seemed to him singular features in one whose apparent dest.i.tution might have suggested humility.

"I see your embarra.s.sment," said I, "and I forgive your error; and now to business. I have several visits to pay in this neighborhood; my people may not arrive for a day or two; and I cannot afford the delay of waiting for them. Can you tell if there be anything suitable in the way of equipage for a man of rank to be had here? Something simple, of course, as befitting the place,--a plain carriage, with four mules,--if Andalusian, all the better; two lazadores, or outriders, will be sufficient, as I wish to avoid display; the liveries and equipment may be plain also."

"There is at this moment, Senhor, the open carriage of the late Gobernador of Guajuaqualla to be sold,--he had not used it when he was called away by death: that and his six mules,--not Andalusian, it is true, but of the black breed of the Habannah,--are now at your Excellency's disposal."

"And the price," said I, not seeming to notice the half-impertinent smile that curled his lip as he spoke.

"Three thousand crowns, Senhor,--less than half their cost."

"A mere trifle," said I, carelessly, "if the carriage please me.

"Your Excellency can see it in the court beneath."

I followed the Jew as he led the way into the open "cour," and, after pa.s.sing across it, we entered a s.p.a.cious building, where, amidst a whole hospital of ruined and dilapidated caleches, carres, and wagons, stood a most beautiful britscka, evidently imitated from some London or Parisian model. It was of a dark chocolate color, with rich linings of pale-blue silk. The arms of the late Gobernador were to have been painted on the doors, but fortunately were not begun when he died, so that the "carroza" seemed in every respect a private one. The Jew next showed me the team of mules, magnificent animals of fifteen and half hands in height, and in top condition. The harness and housings were all equally splendid and suitable.

"If your Excellency does not deem them unworthy of you," said he, with a smile of most treacherous meaning, "they are certainly a great bargain.

I have myself advanced fifteen hundred piastres upon them."

"I'll take them," said I, curtly; "and now for the servants."

"The coachman and a few lacqueys are here still, your Excellency; but their liveries had not been ordered when the sad event occurred."

"Send the first tailor in the place to my apartment," said I; "and if there be a diamond merchant or a gem valuer here, let him come also."

"I am myself a dealer in precious stones, your Excellency," replied the Jew, with a more submissive air than he had yet exhibited.

"Come with me then," said I; "for I always carry some of my less valuable trinkets about with me, as the least c.u.mbrous mode of taking money." Leaving the landlord in the sitting-room, I pa.s.sed into my chamber, and speedily re-entered with a handsome emerald ring upon my finger, and a ruby brooch of great size in my breast.

The Jew's eyes were lit up with a l.u.s.tre only inferior to that of the gems as he saw them, and in a voice tremulous with eagerness he said, "Will your Excellency dispose of these?"

"Yes," said I, carelessly; "there are others also, which I am determined to turn into cash. What value would you put upon this ring?"

"Five hundred crowns, Senhor, if it be really as pure as it seems."

"If that be your valuation, friend," rejoined I, "I would be a purchaser, not a seller, in this city. That gem cost me six thousand piastres! To be sure, something of the price must be laid to the charge of historical a.s.sociations. It was the present of the Sultan Al Hadgid ak Meerun-ak-Roon to the Empress Matilda."

"Six thousand piastres!" echoed the Jew, whose astonishment stopped short at the sum, without any regard for the great names I had hurled at him.

"I believe I may have paid a trifle too much," said I, smiling; "the Prince of Syracuse thought it dear! But then here is a much more valuable stone, which only cost as much;" and, so saying, I took from my pocket an immense emerald, which had once formed the ornament of a dagger.

"Ah, Dios! that is fine," said the Jew, as he held it between him and the light; "and, were it not for the flaw, would be a rare prize!"

"Were it not for the flaw, friend," said I, "it would still be where it stood for upwards of eight hundred years,--in the royal crown of Hungary, in the 'Schatzkammer' of Presburg. The Emperor Joseph had it mounted in his own poignard; from his hands it reached the Caltons of Auersberg; and then, at the value of six thousand piastres, by a wager, came into my own."

"And at what price would you now dispose of it?" asked he, timidly.

"A friend might have it for ten thousand," said I, calmly; "to the world at large the price would be twelve."

"Ah, your Excellency, such sums rest not in our humble city! You must go to Madrid or Grenada for wealth like that."