The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane

Chapter V. Of the arrival of more thieves in the subterranean habitation, and the agreeable conversation that happened among them.

20 The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane me pass through divers apartments, some of which contained bales of linnen, others of silks and stuffs:2 in one I perceived gold and silver, and a great quantity of plate3 in different cupboards.—Then I followed him into a large hall, illuminated by three branches of copper, which also gave light to the rooms that communicated with it: here he put fresh questions to me; asked my name, and reason for leaving Oviedo; and when I had satisfied his curiosity in these particulars, “Well, Gil Blas, (said he) since thy design in quitting the place of thy nativity was to obtain some good post, thou must certainly have been born with a cawl upon thy head;4 because thou hast fallen into our hands.—I have already told thee, that thou shalt live here in affluence, and roll upon gold and silver: nay more, thou shalt be safe; for such is the contrivance of this retreat , that the officers of the holy brotherhood may come into the wood an hundred times without discovering it. The entry is unknown to every living soul, except me and my comrades: perhaps thou wilt wonder how it could be executed without being perceived by the people in the neighbourhood! know then, my lad, that this is not a work of our hands, but was made many years ago; for after the Moors had got possession of Grenada, Arragon, and almost the whole of Spain, the christians, rather than submit to the yoke of infidels, fled and conceal’d themselves in this country, in Biscay, and in the Austeries, whither the valiant Don Pelagio5 retired: fugitives, and dispersed in small numbers, they lived in mountains and woods; some lurked in caves, and others contrived many subterranean abodes, of which number this is one. Having afterwards been so lucky as to drive their enemies out of Spain, they returned into the towns; and, since that time, their retreats have served for asylums to people of our profession. ’Tis true, indeed, the holy brotherhood* have discovered and destroyed some of them; but there are still plenty remaining; and (thank heaven) I have lived here in safety near fifteen years: my name is captain Rolando: I am chief of the company, and he whom thou sawest with me, is one of my gang.” chapter v. Of the arrival of more thieves in the subterranean habitation, and the agreeable conversation that happened among them. Signior Rolando had scarce done speaking, when six new faces appeared in the hall; these were the lieutenant with five of the company, who returned loaded with booty, which consisted of two hampers full of sugar, cinnamon, pepper, dried figs, almonds and raisins: the lieutenant addressing himself to the captain, told him, that he * The holy brotherhood in Spain, called la Santa Hermandad:6 was formerly, an association to suppress robbers, in times of civil commotion; and at this day, is an establishment kept up through all the kingdoms and provinces of Spain, for the same purpose. Volume One: I.5 21 had taken these hampers from a grocer of Benavento, whose mule he had also carried off. When he had given an account of his expedition to his superior, the pillage of the grocer was ordered into the store, and it was unanimously agreed to make merry. A table being covered in the great hall, I was sent back into the kitchen, where dame Leonarda instructed me in the nature of my office; and yielding to necessity, (since my cruel fate had so ordained) I suppressed my sorrow, and prepared myself for the service of those worthy gentlemen. My first essay was on the side-board, which I adorned with silver cups, and many stone-bottles of that good wine which signior Rolando had praised so much. I afterwards brought in two ragouts,1 which were no sooner served, than the whole company sat down to eat. They began with a good appetite, while I stood behind, ready to supply them with wine; and acquitted myself so handsomely, that I had the honour to be complimented upon my behaviour. The captain recounted my story in a few words, which afforded a good deal of diversion, and afterwards observed that I did not want merit: but I was at that time cured of my vanity, and could hear myself praised without danger. Not one of them was silent on the subject...