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Chapter IV. A description of the subterranean habitation, and of what Gil Blas observed therein.
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Volume One: I.4 19 ering the cover, with cords fastened to the inside for that purpose, behold the worthy kinsman of my uncle Perez, caught like a mouse in a trap. chapter iv. A description of the subterranean habitation, and of what Gil Blas observed therein. Inow discovered my situation, and any one may easily believe that this discovery effectually dispelled my former fear: a terror more mighty, and better founded, took possession of my soul! I laid my account with losing my life as well as my ducats; and looking upon myself as a victim led to the altar, walked (more dead than alive) between my two conductors, who, feeling me tremble, exhorted me in vain to fear nothing.— When we had gone about 200 paces, turning and descending all the way, we entered into a stable, lighted by two great iron lamps hanging from the arch above. Here I saw plenty of straw, and a good many casks full of provender: there was room enough for twenty horses; but at that time there were only the two that we brought along with us, which an old negro, who seemed vigorous for his years, was tying to a rack.—We went out of the stable, and by the dismal glimmer of some lamps, that seemed to enlighten the place, only to shew the horrors of it, came to a kitchen, where an old cookmaid was busy in broiling steaks, and providing for supper.—The kitchen was adorned with all necessary utensils, and hard by there was a larder stored with all sorts of provisions.—The cook (for I must draw her picture) was a person somewhat turned of sixty: in her youth the hair of her head had been red as a carrot;1 for time had not as yet so much bleached it, but that one might still perceive some shades of its primitive colour: she had an olive complexion, a chin pointed and prominent, with lips fallen in, a huge aquiline nose that hung over her mouth, and eyes that flamed in purple. “Well, dame Leonarda, (said one of the gentlemen, presenting me to this fair angel of darkness) here’s a young man we have brought for you.” Then turning to me, and observing me pale and dismayed, “Friend, (said he) banish thy fear; we will do thee no harm—Having occasion for a servant to assist our cook-maid, we met with thee, and happy is it for thee we did: thou shalt here supply the place of a young fellow, who let himself die about fifteen days ago: he was a lad of a very delicate complexion; but thou seemest to be more robust, and wilt not die so soon: indeed thou wilt never see the light of the sun again; but in lieu of that, thou shalt have good cheer, and a rousing fire. Thou shalt pass thy time with Leonarda, who is a very gentle creature, and enjoy all thy little conveniencies. I will shew thee, (added he) that thou hast not got among beggars.” With these words he took up a flambeau, and, bidding me follow him, carried me into a cellar, where I saw an infinite number of bottles and jars well cork’d, which (he told me) were filled with excellent wine. He afterwards made 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...