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Chapter XII. The disagreeable manner in which Gil Blas and the lady were interrupted.
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Volume One: I.12 41 at his return, would pursue us with a great number of people, and overtake us. Nevertheless , we continued our journey two days, without seeing one horseman behind us; and in hopes that the third would pass in the same manner, were conversing with each other in great tranquility; Don Alvaro had just recounted the melancholy adventure, which had given rise to the report of his death, and how, after having been a slave five years, he had recovered his liberty; when yesterday, on the road to Leon, we met those thieves, with whom you was in company. He is the person whom they murdered, with all his attendants, and for whom these my tears are shed. chapter xii. The disagreeable manner in which Gil Blas and the lady were interrupted. Donna Mencia having ended her relation, shed a torrent of tears, while I,1 letting her give free vent to her sighs, wept also; so natural is it to interest one’s self for the unfortunate, especially for a fine lady in distress. I was going to ask what she intended to do in the present conjuncture; and perhaps she was about to consult me on the same subject; when our conversation was interrupted by a great noise in the inn, which, in spite of us, attracted our attention. This noise was occasioned by the arrival of the corregidor followed by two alguazils*2 and a guard, who without any ceremony entered the room where we were. A gentleman who accompanied them, approached me first, and examining my dress, had no occasion to hesitate long, but cried, “By St. Jago! this is my individual doublet, as easy to be known again as my horse: you may apprehend this gallant on my testimony; he is one of the thieves who have an unknown retreat somewhere in this country.” At this discourse, by which I understood he was the gentleman who had been robbed, and whose spoils I was unluckily in the possession of, I was surprized, confounded, and dismayed! The corregidor, whose office obliged him to put a bad construction on my disorder, rather than interpret it favourably, concluded that I was not accused without reason, and presuming that the lady might be an accomplice, ordered us to be imprisoned separately. This judge, far from being one of those who assume a stern countenance , was all softness and smiles; but God knows if he was a bit the better for that; for I was no sooner committed, than he came into the jail with his two terriers, I mean, the alguazils, who (not forgetting their laudable custom) began to rummage me3 in a moment . What a glorious windfal was this, for those honest gentlemen! I do not believe, that ever they got such a booty before: at every handful of pistoles they pulled out, I saw their eyes sparkle with joy; the corregidor in particular, was transported! “Child, (said he, with a voice full of meekness) we must do our duty, but be not afraid: if thou * Alguazils are attendants of justice, whose office resembles that of our bailiffs. 42 The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane art innocent, thou shalt sustain no harm.” In the mean time, with all their gentleness, they emptied my pockets, and even robbed me of that which the thieves had respected, I mean my uncle’s forty ducats: their greedy and indefatigable hands searched me from head to foot, they turned me about on all sides, and even stript me to see if I had any money between my shirt and my skin. When they had dextrously acquitted themselves in this manner, I was interrogated by the corregidor, to whom I ingenuously recounted every thing that had happened to me. He ordered my deposition to be taken in writing , and then went away with his attendants and my coin, leaving me entirely naked among straw. “O life! (cried I, when I found myself alone in this condition) how full of capricious accidents and disappointments art thou! Since I left Oviedo, I have met with nothing but misfortunes! Scarce had I got out of one danger, when I fell into another! and when I came into this town, I was far from thinking that I should so soon become acquainted with the corregidor.” While I made these vain reflections, I put on again the cursed doublet and the rest of the dress which my evil genius had lent...