THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 SAISDOVAL; 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE FREEMASON. 
 
 A SPANISH TALE. 
 
 BY 
 
 THE AUTHOR OF "DON ESTEBAN." 
 
 IN THREE VOLUMES. 
 VOL. L 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 HENRY COLBURN, NEW BURLINGTON STREET. 
 
 1826.
 
 Sbackell, Arrow smitb, and Hodges, Johnson's-court, Fleet-sTiet.
 
 V.I 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 The author of the following tale, encouraged 
 by the favourable manner in which his previous 
 work, Don Esteban, has been received, ven- 
 tures a second time to appear before the public, 
 and again to claim its indulgence. 
 
 The garb which he has in the present instance 
 assumed would, doubtless, entitle him to a still 
 greater degree of favour, if he could but flatter 
 himself, that the diligence with which he has la- 
 boured had enabled him to wear it with advan- 
 tage. In glancing, however, over the difficulties 
 against which he has had to struggle in the course 
 of his work, he can hardly hope that he has so 
 far succeeded in his object, as not to stand in need 
 of some sort of apology- 

 
 IV PREFACE. 
 
 In the first instance, the task of writing in a 
 language foreign to him, and in which he has 
 not yet had sufficient practice to enable him to 
 exhibit the correctness of style, elegant turn of 
 expression, and strictness of colloquial idiom, 
 which are necessary to do justice to the variety 
 of subjects his work embraces, — this task is 
 at all times sufficiently arduous even to greater 
 proficients in the language than the Author.* 
 A second great obstacle which he had to 
 surmount, arose from the obligation which, 
 from the beginning, he imposed upon himself, 
 to relate throughout nothing but facts, whe- 
 ther they had reference to political events, the 
 
 * 111 his former work a similar apology was offered to 
 tlie public, the author considering himself in need of a 
 similar indulgence; but some of the critics did him the 
 honour to disbelieve his assertion, and even treat it as 
 "uncandid," under the impression, that it was either a 
 translation by an English hand, or written originally in 
 English by a native. However flattering to his vanity 
 may be the opinion formed by those gentlemen, the author 
 begs that he may be allowed to rectify it, and to assure 
 them, that Don Esteban, as well as the present work, was 
 originally written in English by himself.
 
 PREFACE. V 
 
 domestic incidents recorded in his book, or the 
 pubUc or private characters introduced ; of 
 course, however, presuming to use his own dis- 
 cretion in the plan of his story. This he has 
 done with the view of presenting a more faithful 
 picture of Spanish manners, and Spanish habits ; 
 but it has considerably increased the difficulties 
 which his inexperience in novel-writing already 
 opposed to him. 
 
 It will be readily allowed, that it is no easy 
 matter, without infringing on the established 
 principles of novel-writing, to carry on faithfully, 
 and in chronological order, through a period of 
 six busy years, the history of the Secret Associ- 
 ation to which the hero of the tale belonged, — 
 to make several puWic individuals actors on a 
 scene, where, nevertheless, they speak no more 
 than what they have actually uttered, — to pre- 
 serve the localities, — give characteristic sketches 
 of provincial habits and scenery, — and inter- 
 weave with the whole, the private adventures 
 of an individual. He would fain have accom- 
 plished this difficulty ; but he cannot, nor, if he
 
 VI PREFACE. 
 
 could, would he dissemble the truth, that he 
 has in some instances departed from those rules, 
 and in others assumed too much the character 
 of an historian. He considered, however, (and 
 he flatters himself the reader will agree with 
 him) that the interest of the occurrences, which 
 he has thus introduced, was more than suffi- 
 cient to justify the transgression alluded to. 
 
 In the course of these volumes, the reader 
 will meet with incidents which will appear to 
 him very extraordinary ; but he ought to bear 
 in mind, that the scene is laid in Spain, where 
 the order of things, in these oppressive times, has 
 been so completely overthrown by the obstinate 
 perverseness of the ruling despot, and his im- 
 moral counsellors, that everything there assumes 
 an extraordinary character. 
 
 With respect to the conduct of that grave 
 personage of his tale, the monk, the author can 
 assure his reader, that it is a faithful copy, taken 
 from certain great prelates, who are now at the 
 head of the Spanish church. Everybody in 
 Spain, who takes the trouble of looking at
 
 PREFACE. VU 
 
 things with his own eyes, sees, that the gene- 
 rality of them are downright atheists. — " He 
 believes in God T said a certain Bishop to a 
 friend of the author, alluding contemptuously 
 to another clergyman who passed for a man 
 of talent and intrigue, " what great things can 
 any one expect from him ?"" — But is Father 
 Martinez, Bishop of Malaga, or Father Cirilo, 
 General of the Franciscans, or Father Velez, 
 General of the Capuchins, or any other of those 
 who compose the Spanish hierarchy, a whit 
 better than the above-mentioned ecclesiastical 
 sneerer at piety ? The author could fill a folio 
 volume with anecdotes of the impious deeds and 
 blasphemies of these men. 
 
 With respect to the source from which he 
 has drawn his information, he begs to observe, 
 that he is indebted for whatever has not imme- 
 diately passed before his eyes to various friends 
 of his, who were actors in the scenes he describes, 
 and in particular to Don Eusebio Polo, who 
 w^as one of the most indefatigable Freemasons 
 of Spain, and a strenuous advocate of her rights.
 
 Vlll PREFACE. 
 
 That which relates to the unfortunate General 
 Riego, he has received from the worthy brother 
 of that martyr for his country, Don Miguel del 
 Riego, to whom, as well as to his other friends, 
 he returns this public acknowledgment of their 
 favours.
 
 SANDOVAL ; 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE FREEMASON. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Cthello. Wliat is the news ? 
 Cassio. Something from Cyprus, as I may divioe : 
 It is a business of some heat. 
 
 Shakspeare. 
 
 In Spain, previous to the invasion of Napo- 
 leon, the profession of arras, as in most absolute 
 monarchies, formed in the state a class quite 
 distinct from all others. As it was principally 
 by family connexions, and court favour, that a 
 man could obtain promotion, none who did not 
 belong to the rank commonly denominated 
 
 VOL. I. B
 
 2 SANDOVAL; OE, 
 
 noble, or had no friends among the people then 
 in office, ever thought of entering on a career, 
 from the pursuit of which little advantage and 
 less honour were to be derived. The army, 
 therefore, was the exclusive patrimony of the 
 younger sons df both the great and petty aristo- 
 cracy, and of those wealthy plebeians who, under 
 the auspices of that great leveller of conditions 
 — gold, being pretty certain of promotion, had 
 ambition enough to gird on the sword, and wear 
 the king's livery. 
 
 The knowledge possessed by this class (as 
 doubtless my reader readily suspects,) was not 
 likely to cause much disquietude to government. 
 In fact, no revolutionary notions or subversive 
 principles, like those of their immediate succes. 
 f^ors, had yet entered the minds of men too much 
 occupied in sporting their epaulettes at balls, 
 bull-fights, pilgrimages, theatres, churches, and 
 all other places of public resort and amusement, 
 intriguing night and day, and staking their last 
 real on the chances of a gaming-table 
 
 To this happy state of ignorance, and indif-
 
 THE FREEMASO>J. 3 
 
 ference with respect to their own more important 
 interests, and those of their native land, were the 
 military class of Spain reduced when Napoleon 
 entered the Peninsula, with the intention (as 
 he himself expressed it,) of regenerating the 
 Spaniards. From that moment thousands of in- 
 dividuals, who had much to lose by a regenera- 
 tion, came forward of their own accord, or sent 
 their children to serve in the armies that were 
 in process of organization by the different pro- 
 vincial juntas, to provide for the safety of the 
 commonwealth ; and thus was that barrier, which 
 till then had separated the military from the 
 other classes of society, removed, not more by 
 the force of circumstances, than by the absolute 
 helplessness of that privileged set of men, who,' 
 on such an emergency as this, could do little or 
 nothing for the country that supported them. 
 
 But notwithstanding the amalgamation which 
 thus took place, a wide difference was still ob- 
 servable between the veterans, or officers of the 
 old school, and those children of the revolution, 
 who, by their efforts and abilities, had raised 
 b2
 
 4 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 themselves to posts of confidence and command- 
 These men, many of whom had belonged to the 
 learned professions, or had just left the colleges 
 and universities, were more capable of compre- 
 hending and keeping pace with the gradual pro- 
 gress of the political and moral information, 
 which the press of the country already began to 
 put forth, and consequently less imbued with 
 exclusive and military prejudices than the class of 
 the veterans above mentioned. They, therefore, 
 more readily adopted, those innovations of the 
 new government, which tended to do away with 
 all unreasonable pretensions to superiority, than 
 their companions, who never having accustomed 
 themselves to the fatigue of thinking very deeply 
 on any subject, looked upon every attempt at 
 reform as a blow aimed at their natural rights. 
 This difference of opinion produced warm dis- 
 cussions, high words, and now and then a broken 
 head. 
 
 As, however, it is by free discussion and in- 
 vestigation alone, that prej,udices are made to 
 give way, and knowledge gains ground, and as 
 
 1
 
 THE FREEMAS05?. 5 
 
 ihe last was now rapidly diiFusing itself through- 
 out the country, notwathstandlng the state of 
 agitation in which it was involved, many of the 
 veteran officers gradually yielded to its influence, 
 and became converts to the new doctrines; while 
 others of the same school, who would not be 
 persuaded by mere reasoning, found promotion 
 to a higher rank too eloquent an argument to be 
 strenuously resisted. 
 
 On the other hand, nothing was more common, 
 even amidst comfortless encampments, and after 
 long and painful marches, than to see the officers 
 eagerly perusing those works in which the prin- 
 ciples of liberty were discussed ; while others, 
 surrounded by their comrades, read aloud the 
 contents of a poHtical pamphlet, or some periodi- 
 cal just received from the seat of government; 
 and again, some of those who understood those 
 principles more thoroughly than the rest might 
 be seen standing on some elevated spot, explain- 
 ing them to the uninformed soldiery, who eagerly 
 pressed round to devour the information thus 
 afforded. This active intercourse of ideas, which,
 
 6 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 notwithstanding the toils of war, was exercised 
 by all, uplifted the majority from the inaction to 
 which they had been consigned for centuries be- 
 fore, and threw them into a state of restless but 
 salutary agitation. 
 
 With respect to those officers who composed 
 the staiF, as the majority of them had been se- 
 lected by the provisional government from among 
 the most enlightened members of the army, and 
 from those youths furnished by the mihtary col- 
 leges, they were the best and firmest friends of 
 the new institutions. Thus we shall find, that, 
 with the exception of some superior officers of 
 the ancient regime, in whom the mistaken no- 
 tions of military honour had taken too deep a root, 
 nearly all who held commissions in the service 
 were favourable to the establishment of the con- 
 stitutional system. Such was the state of public 
 feeling among the troops on Ferdinand's return 
 to Spain, at which epoch our history opens. It 
 was in every respect one of the most momentous 
 in the annals of the country, its highest interests 
 being at stake, and the future offering two pros-
 
 THE FREEMASON. 7 
 
 pects equally exciting, although most dissimilar 
 in their results — the triumph of liberty or des- 
 potism ; the achievement of glory or disgrace ; 
 the election of civil war or slavery. Hence the 
 minds of the military fluctuated in a painful un- 
 certainty between doubt and hope; they caught 
 with avidity at the news that came from the ca- 
 pital, and anxiously watched Ferdinand''s slight- 
 est motions, as if to infer from them whether 
 Spaniards would be brought back to shame and 
 degradation, or be allowed still to retain the ex- 
 alted station to which their own heroic efforts' 
 had raised them. 
 
 Having thus given an idea of the state of 
 feeling and opinion among the troops, we shall 
 proceed to our narrative, the thread of which 
 our readers will now be better able to follow, 
 than if we had omitted the above indispensable 
 obsen^ations. 
 
 Soon after the battle of Toulouse, the third 
 Spanish army, commanded by the Prince of 
 Anglona, being quartered at Ortez, received 
 orders to commence its march to the Spanish
 
 8 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 frontiers, there to form their encampments. 
 While the various divisions of the army occupied 
 Irun and the adjacent towns, the head-quarters 
 were fixed at Ondres, which is a Httle village dis- 
 tant a few miles from Bayonne, on the road to 
 Dax, or rather a number of houses forming a 
 single street, and skirting the road which leads 
 to those towns. It is situated in a delightful 
 plain, chequered with vineyards, corn-fields, 
 meadows, orchards, and neat country houses, 
 some emerging from amidst clusters of the 
 richest foliage, and others offering to the eye 
 symmetrical parterres, with alleys and groves of 
 trees, cut into numberless fantastic shapes. 
 
 In one of these delightful country seats, which 
 stood on a little elevation, with which the Py- 
 renees connected themselves by a long and varied 
 chain of cliffs, some white with the snow of ages, 
 and others covered to their very tops with brush- 
 wood, intermingled with tall mountain trees, a 
 young Spanish officer and his servant were bil- 
 leted. The latter, whose dark eyes, swarthy 
 complexion, and sufficiently regular features.
 
 THE FREEMASON. 
 
 the expression of which, when their owner hap- 
 pened to be in a silent mood, inclined to a degree 
 of gravity, and even gloominess, though evi- 
 dently capable of assuming a very opposite ex- 
 pression, showed him to be a Castllian by birth, 
 was reclining, at the moment our history openo, 
 on an upper front window of the house, smoking 
 his cigar, and busily contrasting the scene before 
 him with that in which he had spent the early 
 part of his life. " These Gabachos,"* said he 
 to a comrade of his, who sat in the court below, 
 " certainly understand better than we do in our 
 country how to make much of nothing. That 
 nice pool of water in front of the house, not only 
 provides food and amusement to those who like 
 fishing and eating the carp and tench with 
 which it is crammed, but also to the ducks and 
 geese that go there to fatten, and acquire that 
 taste between fish and fowl which renders them 
 so palatable. Moreover it quenches the thirst of 
 all the cattle of the farm, and waters the flowers 
 
 * A nick-name given in Spain to Frenchmen. 
 
 B 3
 
 10 SANDOVAL; OE, 
 
 and plants of the parterre, and the vegetables of 
 the kitchen-garden. Then the trees with which 
 it is surrounded are all fruit-trees, nicely trim- 
 med and properly taken care of; they oversha- 
 dow it, give a coolness to the air around, and 
 prevent the waters from being so soon dried up 
 as they otherwise would in this hot weather. 
 Now, I remember there was in my village a 
 house, it was the hidalgo's, and the only one in 
 the village in front of which there was to be seen 
 such another piece of water as that ; but it was 
 half filled with thick mud, which made the water 
 as black as ink, and unfit for any purposes — the 
 cattle of' the farm could not drink it, but were 
 , obliged to go one or two leagues distance to get 
 good water ; the flowers and plants (had our hi- 
 dalgo ever known there were such things in exist- 
 ence, and sought to lay out a parterre) would 
 have either withered for want of water, or 
 obtained a quiet grave under that filth I speak 
 of As for fish, he might as soon have thought 
 of putting a whale in his pond ; and if he had, 
 he knew well enough we all clairped an equal
 
 THE FREEMASON. ll 
 
 right to any we might have put ourselves to the 
 trouble of catching. Then for ducks and geese, 
 they are not in* fashion in Castile ; the reason of 
 which I take to be, that we are already pretty 
 well stocked with beings that resemble them on 
 more than one account. And lastly, if our hi- 
 dalgo had ever planted any thing in the shape 
 of a tree, why the whole district would have 
 made a pilgrimage to our village to see it r 
 
 " And whose fault is that ?" enquired his 
 comrade. " Think you, we should prefer cab- 
 bages and pippins to cauliflowers and artichokes, 
 an elm or a pine to a peach-tree or pine-apple, 
 were it not that we know but too well that the 
 church would come in for half their produce, 
 and the king for the vOther half .f^ Zounds! the 
 wonder to me is tliat we have cabbages and pip- 
 pins to eat, and pine-kernels to crack." 
 
 " Ay, thafs true enough," said our friend 
 Roque ; " but why do we not, as our master 
 says, stand for our rights .'' and why do we allow 
 ourselves to be harnessed, and driven about like 
 asses .''" »
 
 12 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 " Ay, indeed, why do we ?" cried the other. 
 " But if we must believe what is reported about 
 to-day, we may soon expect to wear more than 
 one pack-saddle on our backs."" 
 
 " What are the reports, then ?"" enquired 
 Roque. 
 
 " That the Constitution is gone to Old Nick, 
 and the serviles are crowing victory ; that is 
 all?" 
 
 " And, by Judas Iscariot ! that is enough ! 
 But is that true, though ? How do you know 
 it ?'' enquired Roque again. 
 
 " Why, the Madrid mail, which is just ar- 
 rived, has brought the intelligence, and I war- 
 rant you there will be a pretty kick up by and 
 bye." 
 
 " Zounds ! I '11 go and tell my master, though 
 he'll go raving mad about it; still, perhaps, 
 being such a fine spirited youth as he is, he may 
 be able to suggest what is to be done, if the news 
 be true. But here comes a comrade. Halloo ! 
 friend, what news .''" 
 
 " Here are some letters for your master ; de- 
 
 1
 
 THE FUEEMASON. ' 13 
 
 liver them to him immediately. I dare say they 
 are of importance, for I promise you there are 
 fine goings on. in Spain." 
 
 Saying this, he stuck them at the end of a 
 pole, and lifted them up to Roque, who, seizing 
 them, carefully examined their superscription. 
 " This I know," said he to himself, as he looked 
 over the first, "is the hand writing of Don Ig- 
 nacio Sandoval, my ma£ter"'s father ; this other 
 1 don't know ; but this, I'll bet a dollar, will 
 make his heart bound again in his bosom. Bless 
 the angel ! it is the first we have seen of her for 
 these twelve months past. FU wager now she is 
 dying to see him ; and I dont wonder at it, for 
 they might have been married and happy long 
 ago, if it hadn't been for this cursed long war. 
 But patience awhile, my dear Senorita, for we 
 are already on our return ; and before the sum- 
 mer is over, you may possess the hand of the best 
 and handsomest youth in Spain." 
 
 After this soliloquy, Roque directed his steps 
 towards a parlour, where our young hero was
 
 14 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 sitting at a breakfast table, between his French 
 hostess and her handsome daughter, who like 
 the girls of Bearn, though naturally timid and 
 shy, appeared nevertheless quite at home in the 
 presence of the amiable foreign guest, to whom, 
 in imitation of her mother, she was showing a 
 thousand pleasing little attentions, which he re- 
 ceived with all that attractive gallantry that 
 characterized his demeanour on such occasions. 
 The host himself was not backward in tendering 
 his civilities. *' You must really,"" said he, " do 
 honour to your country, by tasting of this ham ; 
 for it comes from Galicia, which as you well 
 know is famous for its hams." 
 
 *' Ay, that it is," said Roque, who presum- 
 ing a good deal on his long services to his master, 
 availed himself of every opportunity to thrust in 
 his word, seldom considering whether his obser- 
 vations were agreeable or not, " thanks to the 
 savoury and meally chesnuts with which the pigs 
 are there fed, whom, by the way, in that parti- 
 cular, many of your countrymen would envy.
 
 THE FREEMASON. 15 
 
 But, Monsieur, I hope you did not mean to hint 
 that my master comes from Galicia ? * Why 
 he might as well be a Frenchman V 
 
 '•' Monsieur Roque," said the host, a httle 
 piqued at the contemptuous sneer with which 
 the Castilian accompanied the last words, " I 
 am a Frenchman, and would be very glad to 
 know in what j'^ou Castilians are superior to 
 us." 
 
 " In the first instance," replied Roque, " we 
 should never send to that beggarly Galicia for 
 hams, as you do, even if we were starving ; in 
 the second, we never bake loaves of brown bread, 
 as large as the wheels of a water-mill, to save 
 fuel, and eat less bread by eating it stale ; in 
 the third, we never make that execrable stuff 
 
 • It ought to be observed here, that CastiHans have a 
 high opinion of themselves, and always speak of other 
 Spaniards somewhat cavalierly; but particularly of the 
 Galicians, whom they hold in great contempt, owing to 
 the annual visits which the last pay to Castile, to perform 
 that sort of work which the inhabitants would think them- 
 selves dishonoured by undertaking, no matter what their 
 circumstances, such as vineyard-keepers, watermen, tin- 
 kers, &c.
 
 16 SANDOVAL ; Oa, 
 
 wliich you call petit-vin, and which you give to 
 your labourers to drink, reserving to yourselves 
 the real juice of the grape, as if their throats 
 were of a different order from yours; in the 
 fourth, we never wear either wooden clogs, or 
 hempen sandals, as you do, according to the sea- 
 son, but always good, strong leather shoes, with 
 thick soles, well studded with hobnails; in the 
 fifth, we always wear breeches with long gaiters, 
 of good brown Segovia cloth, and vest and jacket 
 of the same, while your peasantry seem quite sa- 
 tisfied with a short petticoat, not quite reaching 
 to the knees, and a waistcoat of ten thousand 
 hues, or sometimes a shirt over all, the better to 
 hide the want of the shirt that should be under 
 all; — in the sixth, . . . ." 
 
 Here our host inierrupted him, with a thou- 
 sand pardons, and begged to assure him, that no 
 Frenchman ever went about shirtless, adding 
 that such an accusation was altogether groundless. 
 
 " Then,"" said Roque, " to sum up, no Cas- 
 tilian would ask a thousand pardons, and go ten 
 leagues round about to tell another man, what 
 
 I
 
 THE FREEMASON. 17 
 
 in plain terms means neither more nor less, you 
 Her 
 
 These words^ somewhat startled the host, who 
 was not quite prepared to hear such a plain 
 speech. He knitted his brows, and then assumed 
 a fierce look, which however disappeared when 
 he observed Sandoval, whose physiognomy, 
 though of that placid cast of which a soft melan- 
 choly is a prominent expression, when in a state 
 of quietude, never failed to become animated 
 when his feelings were in any manner roused, 
 cast his dark and penetrating eyes on Roque, 
 with a look of displeasure, accompanied by — 
 " Peace, you knave ! How dare you talk thus 
 to a man who entertains you so generously in his 
 house, and while he is performing an act of hos- 
 pitality.'* Another word, and I'll have you run 
 the gauntlet." 
 
 " What !"" exclaimed Roque, " and would 
 you really use me so, after having served your- 
 self and your family ever since I was born ?" 
 
 " Even so," said his master, 
 
 " I doubt it, though," returned he, " but, if
 
 18 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 I were sure of it, j^ou would never see again the 
 colour of my coat. But it is always so with you ; 
 you must needs take the part of these Gabachos, 
 to whom no doubt you owe a great many obli- 
 gations ; among which you may reckon as one, 
 the misfortune that befel your beloved Dona 
 Gabriela Lanza." 
 
 " What misfortune is that.-^" cried his mas- 
 ter, in an agitated tone, his eyes lighting up, 
 and sparkling like brilhants shaken before a 
 light. 
 
 " Why, have you not told me a hundred 
 thousand times, that she must have fallen a sa- 
 crifice to the ferocity of the French, or else you 
 would have heard from her before now .?" en- 
 quired Roque, with an inward sentiment of plea- 
 sure, at seeing he had now his revanche for the 
 harsh words his master had uttered. 
 
 " Roque !'' exclaimed Sandoval, in a melan- 
 choly manner, after some minute's silence, " do 
 you take pleasure in giving me this pain .?'■' 
 
 " Well, if I do," replied he, " have I not the 
 means to cure the pain I cause .'* That I have
 
 THE FREEMASON. 19 
 
 — and here" (drawing from his pocket the pack- 
 age of letters, and tapping on the top one) " is 
 real medicine for you, I know the reading of this 
 letter will ease* your heart. It is from my lady 
 Dona Gabriela, as sure as I am Roque." 
 
 Sandoval eagerly snatched the package from 
 his hands, and breaking the seal of the one 
 pointed out by his servant, commenced perusing 
 it with the utmost avidity. As we have permis- 
 sion to pry into its contents, we shall also extend 
 this privilege to our readers. They were as fol- 
 lows : — 
 
 " Logrono, April 28th, 1814. 
 " My still dearly beloved Calisto, 
 " Although since your departure for the army, 
 I have not received a single line from you, which 
 might have soothed a little the pain of your pro- 
 tracted absence, and although I am conscious 
 you must have received some of the numerous 
 letters I have sent you by every opportunity that 
 offered itself, I will not yet believe the insidious 
 rumours which at every moment I hear repeated 
 by those who surround me, and by persons Avho,
 
 20 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 arriving from France, affirm them to be true, 
 from their own knowledge. Conscious of having 
 given you no motive to act in any way unjustly 
 towards me, I will not believe that, unmindful 
 of those solemn promises, which by receiving 
 the sanction of our parents, bound us to each 
 other, you have renounced me for ever, and 
 transferred to another that faith once pledged to 
 me in love and truth. 
 
 " Such, however, is the import of those 
 rumours. Am I wrong in believing you in- 
 capable of so black a perfidy ? I think I am not, 
 though your uninterrupted silence seems to 
 encourage and confirm what is hourly rung in 
 my ears. Should I, however, be mistaken in 
 ihis, or should you have found an object worthier 
 of your affection than your once beloved Ga^ 
 briela, I entreat you to tell me the whole truth ; 
 for were I called upon to resign that hope which 
 I have cherished for years within this heart, and 
 which has supported me through your absence, 
 the sacrifice would be made, though it cost me my 
 life, provided I knew that it was the only way
 
 THE FKEEMASON. 21 
 
 to ensure your happiness. But let me hope 
 better. Let me put a more favourable con- 
 struction on your silence, and attribute it to the 
 pressing duties, and peculiar difficulties of your 
 unsettled life, which must often prevent you 
 from doing that which your heart desires. Still, 
 did you but know how this painful absence, has 
 been embittered by the unfavourable reports 
 which are here daily circulated, I am convinced 
 you would snatch half an hour from your repose, 
 to relieve my mind from the anxiety under which 
 it labours. 
 
 " In my former letters, I have given you an 
 account of the gradual change which had been 
 operating in my mother's mind, and which 
 threatened to destroy every hope of an union, 
 which she was the first to sanction and en- 
 courage. I have now the grief to add, that it 
 is so much confirmed that I tremble for the 
 results, particularly as I know it springs from 
 a source which nothing will be ever able to turn 
 aside. Her excessive piety, which at all times 
 placed her under the absolute dominion of her
 
 22 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 spiritual director, has taken the alarm about 
 your religious principles, which father Lobo, 
 her present confessor, has taken great pains to 
 represent to her as bordering on downright 
 infidelity. He has even hinted, that you belong 
 to the society of free-masons ; that, while such 
 is the case, you are out of the pale of the church, 
 and that it would be on her part a mortal offence 
 to hold communion with you. You, who know 
 how easily her scruples are raised, may form an 
 idea of the horror with which she heard such 
 appalling intelligence. Indeed, from that mo- 
 ment, a complete revolution has taken place in 
 her feehngs; and she no longer speaks of you 
 with the fondness of a tender and affectionate 
 mother, as she used to do ; on the contrary she 
 avoids mentioning your name, and when she 
 does, it is with a bitterness of expression amount- 
 ing almost to detestation. In vain do I entreat 
 her to suspend her judgment until the truth of 
 such assertions shall have been proved, — Father 
 Lobo has spoken, and she will not hear my 
 prayers, nor be touched by my tears.
 
 THE FREEMASON. US 
 
 " I cannot guess the motives which have 
 urged that wicked monk to defame your cha- 
 racter, and ruin you in my mother's good 
 opinion, unless it be on account of your liberal 
 principles, to which he, like all his colleagues, 
 is most furiously opposed. Of late, indeed, he 
 has introduced to our house a nephew of his, 
 whose deformed and ferocious countenance 
 makes me shudder, and whose unpolished 
 manners betray the lowness of his extraction. 
 This horrid and frightful man persists in an- 
 noying me with his hateful attentions ; though 
 I have given him to understand that they dis- 
 please and offend me. I really know not what 
 the end of all this will be. Certain it is, that 
 I am nearly distracted by a complication of 
 miseries, and that they will be greatly increased 
 if you should keep me much longer in the 
 painful anxiety, which your long silence has 
 occasioned. 
 
 " If you still love me, and have any regard 
 for your own character, you will write without 
 the loss of an instant, were it only to quash
 
 24 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 the injurious rumours so assiduously circulated 
 against you. Meantime, believe that nothing 
 shall ever shake the confidence I have in the 
 sincerity of your affection, and that mine shall 
 cease only with my last breath., 
 
 Gabhiela." 
 
 Whilst Sandoval read this letter, his coun- 
 tenance offered a forcible representation of what 
 he inwardly felt, — melting tenderness for a being, 
 the purity and fervour of whose affection filled 
 his heart with gratitude, — offended pride at the 
 unjust and inconsistent conduct of Gabriela's 
 mother, in condemning him without even a 
 hearing, — and wrath and indignation at the 
 monk, whom he did not hesitate an instant to 
 accuse of having intercepted both Gabriela's 
 letters and his own. Having perused the letter 
 again and again, he desired Roque to bring his 
 portfolio, and immediately wrote one in answer 
 to Gabriela's, full of passion and tenderness, in 
 which he assured her of the constancy of his 
 affection, and utter foundlessnes3 of the malicious
 
 THE FREEMASON. 25 
 
 reports circulated against him. He likewise 
 wrote to Dona Angela, Gabriela's mother, ex 
 pressing his astonishment at the sudden resolu- 
 tion she had taken, and requesting, that, at least, 
 she would suspend her judgment until he could 
 answer personally the charges thus brought 
 against him ; and that these two letters should 
 not meet with the same fate as the others, he 
 resolved immediately on his arrival in Spain to 
 send a trusty messenger with them. 
 
 This duty performed, he next broke the seal 
 of his father's letter. No sooner were his eyes 
 set on the paper, than they began moving with 
 such rapidity as threatened to disappoint Roque's 
 curiosity, who stood opposite to him endeavour- 
 ing to catch, from the expression of his physiog- 
 nomy, some indication of the contents. To his 
 great relief, however, his master paused awhile, 
 and then he observed that as he proceeded in 
 the perusal of it, his eyes kindled more and 
 more, and his cheeks became flushed with a 
 deeper red. The hand that held the paper now 
 began to shake with agitation, while the fingers 
 
 VOL. I. c
 
 26 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 of the other beat a quick measure on the table. 
 Presently, his lips became compressed, and the 
 word " traitorl " burst forth with such marked 
 feelings of indignation, that the French family, 
 who stood looking on, apparently astonished at 
 his agitation, were fairly frightened out of the 
 room. 
 
 When he had finished reading his letter, he 
 started up from his seat, and asked his servant 
 for his sword, with a tone and a look that clear- 
 ly intimated his wish not to be annoyed with 
 questions. Roque, though burning with cu- 
 riosity to know the cause of his master's excited 
 feelings, took the hint, and placed the sword in 
 his hands without uttering a single word ; but 
 was fully determined to follow him and see 
 where all this would end. Consequently, as 
 soon as Sandoval left the house, he snatched up 
 his own Aveapon and ran after him. 
 
 I
 
 THE FREEMASON. 27 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 By oppression's woes and pains. 
 By your sons in servile cbains, 
 We will drain our dearest veins. 
 
 But they shall be free. 
 
 BcRNt. 
 
 As they proceeded with hasty steps towards 
 the Uttle square, the only one in the village, a 
 great bustle was observable among both the 
 officers and soldiers, which indicated that some- 
 tliing unusual and alarmuig was about to take 
 place. Most of them were armed from head to 
 foot, and ran about with their naked swords, vo- 
 ciferating " to the square, to the square." At 
 this moment a drummer passed by Sandoval 
 carrying his drum on his back. *' Beat the 
 generate quickly," cried he to him, " and on 
 your life tell your comrades to do the same." 
 c2
 
 28 SANDOVAL ; OE, 
 
 The drummer instantly jerking his drum off 
 his shoulders began to perform his part with 
 more than usual vigour and alacrity, seemingly 
 delighted to be thus allowed to add the noise of 
 his instrument to the great confusion that al- 
 ready prevailed. — " Pino !" cried he to one of 
 his comrades who was seen sauntering about, 
 " get thee gone for thy drum, man, and let us 
 awaken the devil from his slumber, that he may 
 preside at the glorious row which is now in the 
 wind. — Why are you gaping there you block- 
 head/' added he, seeing that his comrade took 
 no notice of what he said, " do not your fingers 
 itch to be employed as mine are ? Aye, I dare 
 say they do ; but had you been a man of fore- 
 sight you would have come out prepared as I 
 did." 
 
 " Mind your shoulders do not smart before 
 many minutes are over. Master Foresight," said 
 his comrade with a significant look ; and no 
 sooner had he said it, than the luckless drummer 
 felt a smart lash across his back. 
 
 '' How now ycu knave, what do you mean
 
 THE FREEMASON. 29 
 
 by this noise ?" cried the squeaking voice of 
 General Rodriquez, who held the office of Quar- 
 ter Master General to the armjj — an ancient 
 looking personage, wearing a wig with a long 
 pig-tail, a hat in the style of Frederick of Prus- 
 sia, high riding boots, not unlike those of a 
 French postilion, a Toledo sword nearly as long 
 as its owner, a uniform coat, a precious monu- 
 ment of the good old times, shaped in front like 
 a court dress, and with sku'ts so humble that they 
 nearly kissed the ground, and lastly that essential 
 part of an ancient officer's accoutrement, a long 
 cane with a gold top. This officer, who to a 
 long and lanky figure, joined a no less long and 
 lanky face, was a true chip of that ancient block 
 of which rancid prejudice, false pretensions to 
 honour, total incapacity, and innate love of com- 
 mand form the principal qualities. As he made 
 his chief occupation to consist in checking the 
 young officers for what he called " the mania of 
 politicizing," and hammering into the heads of 
 the privates, the doctrine of passive obedience, 
 he could not conceive how after so many ex-
 
 30 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 liortations of his, both officers and soldiers should 
 be running about uttering imprecations against 
 his royal master, and sending all his dear friends 
 to the infernal regions. Consequently he ac- 
 costed the drummer in the above-men tionetl 
 manner, but so incensed was he against the 
 caitiff for beating the generak out of all 
 regularity, that had he found in his heart 
 sufficient courage to draw his ioledanay he 
 would have run him through upon the spot. 
 However, as he was always rather loath to un- 
 sheath his sword for hostile purposes, and as, 
 moreover,^the ancient regulations by which he go- 
 verned his conduct, were not peremptory on this 
 point, he contented himself with laying his cane 
 again and again on the poor drummer's shoulders, 
 and repeating the question inverted in various 
 ways, as — " What do you mean by this noise, 
 you knave ? You knave, what do you mean by 
 this noise ? &c. Does not Chapter XXI, page 
 99, of our book of ordinances expressly forbid a 
 drummer to beat the generate, unless commanded 
 to do so by his drum-major, wlio is himself un-
 
 THE FREEMASOX. 31 
 
 der the immediate command of his Colonel, 
 whose orders he may receive through the Ad- 
 jutant ?" 
 
 The drummer pointing with his drum-stick 
 towards Sandoval, who was at that moment a 
 little farther on, engaged in an animated conver- 
 sation with another officer, the countenance of 
 the latter gradually assuming that expression of 
 wrath and indignation, which w^as so forcibly 
 stampt on our hero's — said to the pig-tailed Ge- 
 ral, " You must address that question to Cap- 
 tain Sandoval,"- — and then applying his hand to 
 the drum, re commenced his occupation with 
 redoubled vigour. 
 
 Our General now walked towards Sandoval 
 with as stately a step, as the hurry of his feel" 
 ings permitted, uttering as he went along, some 
 favourite words of his own, which, even during 
 his sleep, he was frequently heard to utter, and 
 which comprised the whole range of his ideas ; 
 namely, " discipline, subordination, ordinances, 
 and passive obedience." On approaching the 
 place where our hero stood conversing with
 
 ^2 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 his comrade, the ancient chief ceremoniously 
 touching his hat, begged to know the reason of 
 his commanding a drummer to beat the gene- 
 rale. — " You must be aware, Captain," added 
 he, " that you have assumed, in this instance, a 
 right which is no where assigned to you in our 
 mihtary ordinances ; for if you look into them 
 you will find in Chapter XXI, page 99, of the 
 book aforesaid, that to the drum-major alone 
 belongs the issuing of orders to his drummers. 
 But this total subversion of our military regula- 
 tions, is of a piece with those levelling principles, 
 now so much in fashion with our young upstarts, 
 who, ignorant of every rule of discipline, strive 
 to establish a system that precludes the respect 
 due to superior officers, which, however, is the 
 only true and sound foundation of social order. 
 Yet, you. Captain, methinks ought to know 
 better. Your noble birth, and the fact of hav- 
 ing studied at the Military College of Segovia, 
 ought to inspire you with the veneration which 
 we all should feel for our book of ordinances." 
 Sandoval listened to this discourse with all the 
 
 I
 
 THE FREEMASON. L • 
 
 patience which the respect he entertained for his 
 superiors usually imposed on him ; but the 
 feelings which had urged him to lay aside the 
 rules of discipline on this occasion being too 
 powerful to be so easily controuled, he answered 
 rather sharply, that he had hitherto proved, by 
 his conduct, he was not ignorant of the mihtary 
 regulations ; but that when he conceived the 
 interests of his country were at stake, he would 
 not hesitate an instant in laying empty forms 
 aside, and doing that which he considered right 
 to secui'e those interests. 
 
 " Empty forms !'' ejaculated the ancient chief, 
 astonished and appalled at his rash words. "Hark 
 you, young gentleman, I have always had a par- 
 ticular liking for you ; because your conduct in 
 the field has always been that of a true and 
 gallant soldier, and because you are a Castilian 
 of noble birtli, and becoming morals; but do 
 you know the import of those words ? ' Empty 
 forms I' Are you ignorant that our book of 
 ordinances ought to be to us, mihtary men, what 
 the book of the Gospels is to all Christians — the 
 c3
 
 34 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 fountain from which we ought to drink the pre- 
 cepts of our mihtary conduct ? VVhy, what 
 says the edict of the King our Lord and Mas- 
 ter, at the beginning of the ordinances, immedi- 
 ately after the table of contents, and before 
 Chapter I ? Does it not expressly say, that '''' 
 
 " For heaven's sake, Sir, spare me what is 
 said there,'"* interrupted Sandoval, rather ab- 
 ruptly, " I have already told you, that, in this 
 instance, I care not a straw for what the book of 
 ordinances says. If I act contrary to it, I do so 
 on my own responsibility, and allow me to add, 
 that I will act so, even if by so doing I give my 
 friends an opportunity of displaying at a court 
 martial their knowledge of the ordinances." 
 
 With this answer, which he expected would 
 have overwhelmed the Quarter-Master General, 
 and released him from his hold, he attempted a 
 salutation ; but the indefatigable citcr, in his 
 zeal to explain the ordinances, grasped more 
 firmly the button which he had seized a moment 
 before, and exclaimed — " Then you grant that 
 you will come under Book VIII, Chapter X,
 
 THE I'TvEEMASOK. 35 
 
 which treats on military crimes, and more parti- 
 cularly under paragraph 53, page 28(), which 
 says, in speaking of tumultuary movements, thai 
 they who should excite them shall undergo cor- 
 poral punishment, or even death, according to 
 the degree of mischief arising therefrom. But 
 I'll tell you the very words, — * he who without 
 
 a just motive ' '"' 
 
 Here our hero lost all patience—" Sir, Sir," 
 he exclaimed, " do you imagine that I have no- 
 thing else to do than stand here listening to your 
 jargon ? I request you will let my button go, 
 else, Sir, you'll compel me to use some measure 
 repugnant to my feelings, and contrary to the 
 duty I owe to your rank and grey hairs." 
 
 Here he touched the hilt of his sword, which 
 no sooner was observed by the doughty G eneral, 
 than he feel back to a respectful distance, ex- 
 claiming, *' By my faith ! Sir, then you have 
 forgotten altogether the book of which I speak 
 — Do you not recollect, that Book VIII, Chap- 
 ter X, paragraph 47, which treats on duels ? or 
 the edict at the end of the ordinances, v-here it 
 
 I
 
 3 6 SANDOVAL ; OE, 
 
 is expressly said, that whoever should at any> 
 time grasp a weapon, no matter of Avhat sort, 
 for the purpose of obtaining private satisfaction, 
 shall undergo the penalty of death by hanging, 
 being previously degraded of his rank, orders 
 and distinctions, if he happen to have any, as 
 Avell as his seconds, antagonists, and abettors ; 
 nay, even those who, suspecting their intentions, 
 neglect giving information to the proper autho- 
 rities ?" 
 
 The greatest part of this harangue, Sandoval 
 and his companion lost ; for no sooner had the 
 pragmatical General quitted his hold on the but- 
 ton, than they both walked away towards the 
 square, leaving him behind to conclude it in so- 
 liloquy, and ruminate on some other chapter of 
 the ordinances. 
 
 In the square, the crowd of officers and sol- 
 diers assembled there, and forming different 
 groups, presented an almost terrific sight. Some 
 of them were seen waving on high the letters 
 they had received by that day's post, and voci- 
 ferating their contents to their comrades, who
 
 THE FREEMASON. 37 
 
 now and then broke out into indignant exclama- 
 tions, flourished their swords with looks in which 
 rage and indignation were strongly depicted. 
 Their dark bright eyes, as they glanced around, 
 appeared to emit sparkles, and their frowning 
 eye-brows, wrinkled foreheads, compressed lips, 
 and clenched teeth, seemed to threaten a sudden 
 and general burst of violence. 
 
 When Sandoval reached the middle, of the 
 square, he leapt upon a table, which had been 
 left there by some of the market-women, and 
 from which an officer had just descended, and 
 waving in his uplifted hand his father's letter, 
 called the attention of the various groups : — 
 '* Gentlemen !" cried he, with a powerful and 
 distinct voice, " I hold in my hand a letter from 
 Madrid, which I beg leave to read to you. Its 
 contents will doubtless excite every honest man's 
 indignation ; but if we follow the advice con- 
 tained in it, we may yet defeat the horrid ma- 
 chinations of a few traitors, who wish to enslave 
 us for ever; we may yet snatch our dearly
 
 S8 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 beloved country from the utter ruin and de- 
 gradation into which they seek to plunge her." 
 
 " Read, read,"" cried a multitude of voices, 
 and an instantaneous hush spreading itself 
 through the multitude, Sandoval read as fol- 
 lows : — ■ 
 
 " My beloved son, 
 
 *' I have this instant received a letter from 
 Count Montijo, who with many other grandees 
 a few da} s ago set off for Valencia, with the 
 avowed intention of complimenting king Ferdi- 
 nand on his return to the throne of Spain ; but, 
 as it turned out, upon a very different mission. 
 In this letter, which is a compound of folly and 
 villainy, he advises me, as a friend — lie my 
 friend ! — instantly to quit the capital for a foreign 
 country, as everything is now arranged between 
 the king, the servile party, and some perjured 
 troops, at the head of which is Elio, to overthrow 
 the sacred code raised by the sacrifice of our for- 
 tunes, and cemented by our blood!" 
 
 Here a general burst of indignation interrupted
 
 THE FREKMASON. 39 
 
 the speaker, and exclamations of " villain," 
 " traitor," " ingratc," ran from mouth to mouth. 
 " It appears * now," resumed Sandoval, "that 
 Ferdinand's object in going out of his road, and 
 against the express directions of the Cortes to 
 Zaragoza, was not that professed by him,— of 
 gratifying a laudable curiosity, by visiting the 
 glorious ruins of that Numantia of modern his- 
 tory. No, that was the mask with which he 
 covered the blackest and most perfidious inten- 
 tions. His journey was undertaken purely with 
 the view of giving traitors and knaves time to 
 remove the obstacles which opposed themselves 
 to their meditated perfidy. It was indispensable 
 before the blow was struck, to blacken the cha- 
 racter of the victim they wished to sacrifice, and 
 present it to the world as a pernicious monster, 
 worthy of the fate they marked out for it ; and 
 with this object hundreds of subversive pam- 
 phlets, every line of which 'breathes vengeance 
 and blood, have been circulated in that city, the 
 king himself giving his sanction to these disgrace- 
 ful proceedings ! I have, hov'^ever, been informed
 
 40 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 that his perverse intention to overturn the con- 
 stitution, has been formed only since his arrival 
 at Valencia, where, it is asserted, an address, 
 signed by several members of the Cortes, re- 
 questing him to annul all that has been done in 
 Spain during his absence, was what principally 
 induced him to adopt that measure. This is 
 more than probable, since, to my knowledge; the 
 most base and treacherous means have been re- 
 sorted to here by those traitors who style them- 
 selves the friends of the king, to obtain from 
 several members of the Cortes, remarkable for 
 their weakness and timidity, signatures for a 
 secret document, the nature of which is not very 
 difficult to guess. Besides, it is enough to ob- 
 serve the barefaced exultation of the servile 
 party, the unreserved expression of their senti- 
 ments, the insolent and open threats which they 
 unhesitatingly denounce against the liberals, and 
 the undismayed|effrontery with which they carry 
 on their once secret meetings, to enable any one 
 to conclude that they are now pretty sure of suc- 
 cess. Yet strange as it may appear, the govern-
 
 THE FREEMASOX. 41 
 
 ment sees all these ominous indications of their 
 ruin, the Cortes hear the distant thunder rolling 
 along the sky,, and momently approaching the 
 very precincts of their temple, and yet no voice 
 is raised to excite the people and their defenders 
 to rise and strike at tyranny. On the contrary, 
 we have heard even patriots say, that no blood 
 but our own shall be spilt ! ]\Iust we then 
 tamely yield up for ever all our dearest rights 
 and interests, consent to our ruin and degrada- 
 tion, and fall without a struggle ? — nay, must we 
 be carried bound hand and foot to the scaffold ? 
 I ask this of thee, my son, and you must ask it 
 of your companions in arms."" 
 
 As Sandoval pronounced these words he 
 paused, and cast his eyes arovmd on the soldiery. 
 " No, it shall not be," was emphatically shouted 
 forth by all the spectators, as if they had been 
 inspired by one sentiment. " Death to the trai- 
 tors !" " Death to the ingrate king !"" " Long 
 live the Constitution !" 
 
 " Comrades !" cried Sandoval, " a word more, 
 and I have done." A deep siicnce agam pre-
 
 42 SANDOVAL; OE, 
 
 vailed, and he resumed his reading:— '' Since 
 those who stand at the helm of the state, over- 
 come by their own fears, have so far lost all con- 
 fidence in themselves as to be unable to steer the 
 vessel any longer in safety, it is the duty of every 
 true patriot to act without their concurrence in 
 rescuing it from destruction. I therefore suggest 
 that some general of experience, who to a well- 
 tried love of his country joins the ambition of 
 rendering his name immortal, may be selected 
 from among those who are now on the frontiers, 
 at the head of so many brave men, and that, ac- 
 companied by all those who wish to share in this 
 glorious enterprise, he may, without the loss of 
 one instant, march hither to the capital, to prevent 
 the subversion of our dearly bought institutions. 
 This is the only step which can save us in this 
 painful crisis. It ought, indeed, to have been 
 adopted long before this time ; but, I still hope, 
 that it is not too late, and moreover, that though, 
 unfortunately, a few military have been found 
 weak enough to allow themselves to be seduced 
 from their dutv, and become traitors to their
 
 THE FREEMASON. 43 
 
 country, there are otliers, and these more numer- 
 ous than the perjured party, who ^nll know how 
 to preserve unstained the true character of sol- 
 diers, and the honour" of Spain. I exhort you 
 and your friends to act with promptness and 
 decision." 
 
 On the conclusion of this letter the air rent 
 with cries of " To Madrid ! To Madrid !" But 
 public attention being immediately called to se- 
 veral officers, Avho also read aloud the letters 
 tliey had received, all tending to question the 
 purity of Ferdinand's intentions, and all con- 
 curring in the opinion that some bold measure 
 should be instantaneously adopted, to defeat so 
 much treachery and ingratitude, the groups re- 
 tained their places, and with every letter that 
 was read their indignation increased, till at 
 length nothing was heard but threats and im- 
 precations against the ingrate king, and liis per- 
 fidious counsellors. The tumult now increased, 
 and Avith it the fury of the military. A thou- 
 sand opinions were delivered, and as many reso- 
 lutions proposed ; but, as it invariably happens
 
 M SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 in popular commotions, the one superseded the 
 other, and nothing but noise and confusion pre- 
 vailed. Had they listened only to the impulse 
 of their wrath, the first movement would have 
 been to seize their arms, and commence their 
 march to Madrid, to revenge the meditated in- 
 sult to the nation ; but besides that, the various 
 divisions which composed the army were already 
 in full march, and far from head- quarters, the 
 General-in-Chief, the Prince of Anglona, had 
 not yet returned from Toulouse, where he had 
 gone to congratulate the Generalissimo, Duke of 
 Wellington, on his splendid victory over Soult's 
 troops ; and no great reliance could be placed 
 on his second in command. General Cienfuegos, 
 who, though a man very well disposed to favour 
 the cause of liberty, was of too timid and irre- 
 solute a disposition to take any decisive steps to 
 i nsure its success. 
 
 Whilst matters remained in this state of con- 
 fusion, every man recommending his own plan 
 as the best, Sandoval, convinced they had not a 
 moment to lose, cried out with a stentorian voice.
 
 THE FREEMASON. 45 
 
 that as it was of the highest importance that all 
 the army should act unanimously on this point, 
 he would propose that commissioners should 
 immediately be sent to the other divisions, to 
 insure their concurrence ; and also, that the oath 
 to the Constitution should again be pubhcly 
 taken, and a report of their proceedings be sent 
 to government, to convince them that the third 
 army was ready to support the Constitution to 
 the last drop of blood. This proposition, being 
 seconded by Don Francisco Ferrez, chief of the 
 staff, was unanimously adopted by the whole 
 crowd, amidst tremendous shouts of ••' Viva la 
 Ccnstitucion r 
 
 The whole mass now poured forwards, like a 
 torrent, to the house of the chief of the staff. 
 The colours of the regiments floated in the wind ; 
 the drums and fifes struck up a quick and lively 
 measure; and the swords and muskets of the 
 soldiery, who followed promiscuously in the rear 
 of the body of officers, glittering in the sunlight, 
 formed a brilliant and inspiring spectacle. At 
 all times a large mass of men, acting under the 
 
 I
 
 46 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 same Impulse, has in itself a very imposing ef- 
 fect ; but when to unanimity of action a deep 
 feehng of injury and a strong excitement of the 
 passions are added, the effect then is more than 
 imposing — it is overwhelming and terrific. The 
 inhabitants of the village, as if impressed with 
 this sentiment, were seen peeping behind the 
 blinds of their windows, or the hedges which 
 border the various winding paths that led to 
 their houses; but neither male nor female durst 
 appear openly before this moving phalanx of 
 wrath and power. 
 
 On reaching the house of the chief of the 
 staff, the principal chaplain of the army, clad 
 in his white surplice, and with the book of the 
 Gospels in his hand, presented himself on the 
 tlireshold of the house, which formed a kind of 
 portico, and in a loud, impressive voice, admi- 
 nistered to the different chiefs there assembled 
 the oath by which they pledged themselves to 
 defend theXonstitution of the realm to the last 
 drop of their blood ; and having kissed the sa- 
 cred volume, proceeded to administer the same
 
 THE FEF.EMASOX. 47 
 
 oath to the troops, who filed off under the un- 
 furled standards, the officers kissing them with 
 patriotic ardour and sincerity as they passed 
 underneath. During this ceremony a religious 
 silence was observed by all ; but no sooner was 
 it over, than the air resounded with a burst of 
 music from the military bands, striking up pa- 
 triotic hymns, accompanied by loud cries of 
 " Viva la Constitucion /" 
 
 The officers then signed their names to the 
 declaration that was to be sent to the govern- 
 ment, and immediately afterwards retired to 
 their respective quarters, somewhat relieved by 
 having thus given expression to the feelings 
 which had oppressed and agitated them just 
 before. 
 
 I
 
 48 SAXDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 Return to Xerxes ; tell him on this rocic 
 The Grecians, faitliful to their post, await 
 His chosen myriads ; tell him thou hast seen 
 How far the lust of empire is below 
 A free-born mind ; and tell him to behold 
 A tyrant humbled, and by virtuous death 
 To seal my country's freedom, is a good 
 Surpassing all his boasted pow'r can give. 
 
 Glovek's Leonidas 
 
 Early on the following day, the staff pro- 
 ceeded on their march to Irun, which they 
 reached about evening, when orders were issued 
 for their sojourn till the arrival of the General- 
 in-Chief, which took place a few days after. 
 Meantime the ordinary marches of the other 
 divisions of the arm}' had been a great obstacle 
 to effecting those resolutions formed at Ondres, 
 by the officers at head-quarters, for ensuring
 
 THE FREEMASON. 49 
 
 tmantmity and acting in concert with their com- 
 rades and friends. It was not easy for them, 
 while the latter were distant from each other, 
 and frequently shifting their quarters, to consult 
 and agree on their plans with that promptness 
 which circumstances demanded. This impedi- 
 ment, joined to the more serious one of receiving 
 no official orders from the government, which, 
 by sanctioning their resolutions, might give con- 
 fidence to their party, gave their enemies, who 
 had, by a well-concerted system, laboured with 
 great activity, a decided advantage over them. 
 The resources of the former, too, were confined 
 to simple appeals to friendship, honour, and pa- 
 triotism, while those of the latter were backed 
 by the more tangible incentives of active gold, 
 and the alluring prospect of promotion and dis- 
 tinctions. The king and the clergy had both 
 these powerful means in their hands, and their 
 agents did not neglect to lavish the one on the 
 subaltern and the soldier, and promise the other 
 to their chiefs. 
 
 Such was the state of things aniong the third 
 
 VOL. T.
 
 50 SANDOVAL; OK, 
 
 army, when three days after the arrival of the 
 staff at Irun, positive news of the treachery of 
 Eho reached the encampment, as well as some 
 copies of that fatal and ever-memorable decree 
 of the 4th of May, in which the code containing 
 the rights of the Spaniards — that dearly earned 
 reward of all their toils, and the pride of every 
 patriot — was declared null and void. That same 
 day, too, doubtless by some well-concerted com- 
 bination of the servile faction, and as if to crush 
 their opponents by repeated blows, an officer 
 received a letter from Puente la Reyna, a town 
 in Navarre, where the ai'my of reserve, com- 
 manded by the traitor Abisbal, had its head- 
 quarters. In this letter was inclosed the pro- 
 clamation issued by that general, in which he 
 exhorted his ti'oops openly to declare in favour 
 of the absolute king, and against that govern- 
 ment to which they owed their existence, and 
 which still had their oaths and his. The popu- 
 lar scenes of this day arc well worth recording, 
 as sliewing the spirit which prevailed in the 
 mass of the military ; but before we attempt to
 
 THE FllEEMASOK. 51 
 
 describe them, we must follow our hero on a 
 little excursion to Passages, whither he had 
 early that morning bent his course on the sum- 
 mons of a mysterious billet, which had reached 
 him at a late hour of the previous night, and 
 which ran thus: — 
 
 " One who loves you, and is most anxious to 
 save you from ruin and disgrace, will give you, 
 to-morrow morning, an opportunity of overcom- 
 ing your present dangers, provided you will go 
 to Passages, and meet a friend of his on the pier 
 at six o'clock precisely." 
 
 What these dangers were, Sandoval could not 
 tell; but he determined to go and ascertain 
 them. No sooner had the day dawned than 
 he was seen on the mountain road which led to 
 the place of rendezvous. 
 
 The country about Irun presents many pro- 
 spects, which may be equalled but not surpassed 
 by any in the world ; as, however, they have 
 already frequently figured in the works of tra- 
 vellers, we shajl pass them over ia silence, and 
 D 2
 
 $2 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 follow Sandoval through a wild, romantic pati« 
 over the mountains, which as being much shorter, 
 he followed in preference to the beaten road. 
 This path, at first bordered with verdant slopes 
 gently rising one above another, presented every 
 where a scene of rural life and animation, that 
 baffles all power of description. The Biscayan 
 women, industrious, robust, and fine made, 
 were already busily employed in their rural 
 labours. They might here be seen arranged 
 in regular files, in which all was order and 
 uniformity, employed in digging the earth. 
 The regularity and simultaneousness of their 
 varied motions gave a singular and pleasing, 
 effect to their labours, and assisted them, more« 
 over, to work with greater ease and rapidity, as 
 it obliged every one to keep up in the line formed 
 by her companions. The forked spade with 
 which they till their land, though in reality 
 large and heavy, is well suited to the moun- 
 tainous nature of the country, and endbles them 
 to cultivate even the precipitous sides of the
 
 THE FREEMASON. 5S 
 
 most abrupt hills, where no oxen could tread ; 
 hence the state of high cultivation which this 
 province every where presents. 
 
 On the other hand the elegant villas and neat 
 built farms with which those verdant slopes are 
 interspersed, and which have in front of them 
 tasteful parterres, and behind well stored kitchen 
 gardens, both surrounded with luxuriant or- 
 ciiards, and tall majestic trees, presented a busy 
 scene of men and women employed in gardening, 
 milking cows, mowing grass, felling wood, feed- 
 ing cattle, pigs and poultry, in a word performing 
 all the morning duties of the farms. Some, too, 
 were employed in catching birds, of which the 
 people of this province are passionately fond, 
 whether for the purpose of keeping in cages, 
 OT for making pates and fricassees. At a dis- 
 tance from the kitchen garden, there is inva- 
 riably a plot of ground exclusively devoted to 
 the feathered tribe, in which maize, hemp, and 
 various other seeds, are grown for their use. 
 A grove of trees and a little pool, shaded by 
 thick shrubs, render still more attractive this de-
 
 54 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 licious retreat ; in front of which stands a little 
 summer-house, so completely concealed by the 
 creeping plants which overrun it, that nothing 
 of its masonry is seen. Here those persons, who 
 either find amusement or profit in catching 
 birds, repair, and watch the favourable mo- 
 ment to pull the strings of a net, which com- 
 municates with the house, and is laid out close 
 by the pool, where several cages with decoy 
 birds and domestic fowls, tied by secret 
 threads, are^ also placed to allure those which 
 stiU soar above in freedom. 
 
 But to continue our path — After these 
 smiling hills, the scene suddenly shifts to a 
 frowning mountain, crowned with thick plan- 
 tations of tall mountain-trees ; while, here and 
 there, the winding path on each side is over- 
 hung by bold and craggy rocks, whose jutting 
 summits form a kind of archway over the tra- 
 veller's head. From the summit of this moun- 
 tain the eye wanders over a most magnificent and 
 sublime landscape, presenting in one glorious 
 picture a succession of fertile dales and va-
 
 THE FEEEMASON. 55 
 
 ried hills, narrow ravines and winding streams, 
 lofty mountains, and, lastly, the ocean itself 
 spreading its broad and ample bosom in the dis- 
 tance. On descending this mountain, the lulling 
 noise of gushing rivulets, forming a succession 
 of foaming cascades (some of which are hurled 
 from such a height, that their falling waters 
 rise again, and cling around the cliffs in dense 
 mists) keep the senses absorbed in sweet con- 
 templative lethargy ; but, as the traveller de- 
 scends stiD lower, the sides of the path again 
 bring him within sight of orchards, tillage and 
 green meadows, and he beholds at no great dis- 
 tance the picturesque convent of the Capuchin 
 friars, embosomed in a cluster of fine majestic 
 trees. Beyond this lies Passages, surrounded by 
 a bold and abrupt chain of cliffs, so closely con- 
 nected with each other, that it is only through 
 a small aperture a glimpse of the distant sea 
 is again discernible. 
 
 To this spot it was that our hero directed 
 his steps. As he approached the pier, he saw
 
 56 SANDOVAL ; OK, 
 
 some thirty or forty >vomen. drawn up m 
 line, all armed with oars, and dressed alike, 
 with a broad-brimmed hat lightly thrown on 
 one side of the head, a clean white kerchief 
 underneath falling about their ears, and long- 
 tresses of dark hair floating about their 
 shoulders, a loose jean jacket, a short petti- 
 coat of various colours, reaching to about the 
 calf of their naked legs, and small shoes 
 graced with large bows. As soon as they 
 perceived him, they set up a hallooing in 
 the dialect of the district, the more strange 
 and deafening as both their voices and ages 
 differed considerably ; and, as if their loud 
 clattering were insufficient to express their 
 wishes, they accompanied the whole with the 
 most extraordinary contortions of the mouth, 
 eyes, head, arms, and legs ; and yet, with all 
 this eagerness for preference, no one dared 
 to advance a step beyond the line marked 
 out by themselves. Thus they all remained 
 stationary, until Sandoval succeeded in making
 
 THE PEEEMASON. 57 
 
 them understand that his object was not to go 
 on the water, when they immediately broke the 
 line and dispersed, each her own way. 
 
 Having walked backward and forward 
 for about twenty minutes, Sandoval at last 
 distinguished a lig-ht skiff with four Bis- 
 cayan women pulling most vigorously to the 
 shore. At the stern sat a man, apparently an 
 officer, in a military cocked hat and cloak, with 
 which he was so muffled up, that his features 
 could not be discerned, even by those who were 
 in the skiff with him. No sooner was she 
 moored, than he rose, and throwing a dollar to 
 the women, who immediately commenced a most 
 animated conversation among themselves, which 
 threatened to end in blows, he walked towards 
 Sandoval, and, without unmuffling, addressed 
 him in the following words. — "If I am not 
 mistaken, you are Don Calisto Sandoval." 
 
 " I am,'"" replied he, fixing his eyes on the 
 stranger, and endeavouring to discover who he 
 was. Unable, however, to succeed, he inquired 
 if he might be favoured with the name of one, 
 who seemed so well acquainted with his. 
 D 3
 
 58 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 " You shall know it in due time," said the 
 stranger. " At present let us walk towards the 
 glen yonder; for I have business of a secret 
 nature to discuss with you, whicli requires a 
 more secluded place of conference than this." 
 
 " With all my heart,"" said Sandoval, touch- 
 ing the hilt of his sword in a manner which 
 could not fail to be observed by the stranger. 
 
 " You seem to have there a trusty com- 
 panion," remarked this last. 
 
 " It has proved so to me in many a ren- 
 contre," said Sandoval, "and I trust I shall 
 find it still unchanged." 
 
 " Well !" exclaimed the stranger, " they 
 say, that he who fears death is better prepared 
 to avoid it; but make your mind easy, for I 
 have no hostile intentions towards you." 
 
 " Be it so, though I care little wliether your 
 intentions be hostile or not. Fair play I am 
 entitled to, from a man of honour ; and as long 
 as I have that, there are few men I fear." This 
 Sandoval uttered in an apparently careless tone, 
 yet very desu'ous to ascertain this point; for 
 though he was no coward, he knew too well that
 
 THE FREEMASON. 
 
 many a foul deed had been done about that 
 period by the servile faction, who would have 
 had little scruple in getting rid, by any means, 
 of one who took no great pains to conceal his 
 principles. 
 
 " Were I an enemy of yours," said the 
 stranger, " I have no hesitation in saying, you 
 should have fair play, and yet I would be 
 numbered by you among the few you fear." 
 
 " I am glad to hear it," cried Sandoval, " for 
 no villain ever would dare to measure his sword 
 with mine." 
 
 After this brief conversation, they both walked 
 silently towards the spot pointed out by the 
 stranger, it was a ■wild, solitary dale, where 
 one or two shepherds huts only were seen, 
 perched like a'iries near the tops of some of the 
 cliffs. A single rivulet, bordered by a few 
 cherry and apple-trees, together with some goats, 
 which were chmbing to the summit of the sur- 
 rounding rocks, were the only mo\dng objects 
 that could be discerned at the moment the two 
 officers entered the glen. 
 
 *' We are now out of the reach of any man's
 
 60 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 hearing,'* said the stranger still muffled up in his 
 cloak, and if possible concealing still more hiS' 
 face, " and I may now safely disclose to you my 
 mission. But, before I begin, I must request 
 of you to be satisfied with what you see of mCy 
 and to make no attempt to discover who I am. 
 Were you less hot-headed," continued he, 
 " there would be no need of any of this 
 mystery, but as I know how easily your blood 
 rises, particularly if the justice of your political 
 principles is questioned by any one, I thought 
 it wiser to take these extraordinary precautions." 
 " And is it, Sir, for the purpose of discussing 
 these, that I am called to this spot by you .?" en- 
 quired Sandoval. 
 
 " A little patience, Seiior Don Calisto,"" re- 
 torted the stranger ; " I have no more to do with 
 the matter in question than a simple bearer of a 
 message can have. Allow me to lay it before 
 you, and then you will judge and decide either 
 for, or against, just as you may chance to be in 
 the humour. My duty will be performed by 
 listening to your answer. And now. Sir, to 
 begin — You have some influence on the Prince
 
 THE FREEMASON. 61 
 
 of Anglona's mind, and a great deal on that of 
 General Cienfuegos. Have you not ?" 
 
 " The Prince,"" replied Sandoval, " has con- 
 descended now and then to listen favourably to 
 some of the propositions made by me ; and upon 
 this foundation alone rests the reputation I 
 may have acquired of possessing some influence 
 on his mind. With respect to General Cien- 
 fuegos, his excessive good nature, and great 
 kindness to me, have on my part excited 
 feelings of the liveliest gratitude, and I have 
 endeavoured to perform all that duty and the 
 respect I have for him required of me ; but I 
 protest against the assumption that I exercise 
 any undue influence over his mind, which I 
 should presume is what you would insinuate." 
 
 " Very modestly urged, upon my honour !" 
 cried the stranger in a sneering tone; " but how 
 does it come to pass, that you are commonly 
 called, the General?" 
 
 " That, Sir, I suppose, I owe to the excessive 
 candour of those, who like you, profess to be my 
 friends," replied Sandoval in a similar tone. 
 " "Well, let that pass," said the stranger
 
 62 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 " but as you own you are in habits of intimacy 
 with the one, and on good terms with the other, 
 it may not be difficult for you, by exerting your 
 influence, to persuade them to declare for the 
 king, and against the Constitution." 
 
 At these words Sandoval involuntarily started 
 back, as if a ball had just grazed his face, and 
 with a look of the utmost surprise, gazed a 
 while on the stranger ; half doubting whether 
 what he had heard was meant as a jest. — " I 
 thought I heard you say," cried he, when he ha^ 
 sufficiently recovered from his amazement, " that 
 my political principles were known to you." 
 
 " So they are," returned the stranger calmly. 
 
 " Then," said Sandoval, his cheeks reddening 
 with passion, " be good enough to explain to 
 me what you mean by thus daring to think me 
 capable of betraying the oaths I have taken 
 before the altar of God and my country, and 
 trampling on the sacred duties imposed on me, 
 by all the laws of honour, virtue, and pa- 
 triotism." ' 
 
 *' My meaning is soon explained," cried the 
 other, " you are the heir of a noble house, and
 
 THE FREEMASON. 
 
 your interest, to say nothing of your duty, calls 
 upon you to support the royal cause. In an 
 absolute monarchy you have privileges over 
 your fellow countrymen which place you as 
 much above, as you will be below them under 
 a representative government. This form more- 
 over, is foreign to our habits, and detested by 
 the mass of the people, who prefer the govern- 
 ment of ancient families, to that of upstarts, and 
 demagogues, whose object is only to enrich 
 themselves at the expense of those, that like 
 yourself, have property to lose. If, therefore, 
 you will follow the king's party, and induce the 
 two generals to do the same, the command of 
 a regiment is assured to you. The honours of 
 the court also will be open to you; titles, wealth, 
 and military distinctions will shower down upon 
 you, as on the very favourite of fortune ; but, 
 if on the contrary, you should choose to go on 
 playing the part of a champion of liberty, and 
 conspiring with the enemies of the altar and the 
 throne, to overturn both, you may look forward 
 to certain ruin, poverty, and disgrace, as the 
 only reward of all your efforts and toils."
 
 64 SANDOVAL ; on, 
 
 ^* I have listened to you,'' cried Saiidoval, 
 his eyes flashing fire, " without crushing you to 
 the earth, because I wished to see how far your 
 shameless folly would go ; but, as you have 
 delivered your errand like a trusty messenger, 
 return to your employers and tell them, that it 
 shall be the endeavour of my life, to wash away 
 in their blood die stain of having, by a conduct, 
 perhaps, too weak, inspired them with the hope 
 of finding in me a villain and a traitor." 
 
 *' And am I really to carry that message to 
 my employer, Avithout your knowing who my 
 employer is ?" enquired the stranger in a sarcas- 
 tic tone. 
 
 " Be it the king himself. Sir," answered 
 Sandoval sternly, " the man who makes such a 
 jDro{X)sal to me is a villain, whose name I care 
 not to know."" 
 
 " Nay, but my employer is not a villain," 
 returned the stranger in the same strain of sar- 
 casm, " such an ungracious epithet does not 
 become the dear, young innocent being who 
 sends me "
 
 THE FREEMASON. 65 
 
 " Do you trifle with me, Sir?" cried Sa'^doval, 
 laying his hand on his sword, and half unsheath- 
 ing it. 
 
 "I have seen naked swords, even before now," 
 rephed the stranger, apparently little moved by 
 Sandoval's action, " and depend upon it, I shall 
 not show you my heels on this occasion. But 
 I must put an end to your kindling passion by 
 a little disclosure. That employer of mine, 
 whom you liave so gratuitously abused, is no 
 other than your once beloved Gabriela Lauza. — 
 Do not start thus, man, nor look as dark and 
 fierce as a hungry vulture — I can convince you, 
 beyond every human doubt." 
 
 " Villain !' cried Sandoval, vainly striving to 
 suppress the rage by which he was nearly 
 choked, " on your life shew this instant the 
 proofs of your daring assertion."" 
 
 " Take it,'' said the stranger, drawing from 
 underneath his cloak a gold locket, and placing 
 it in his hands, " that is the token which Gabri- 
 ella herself gave me, that I might be able to 
 convince you, should you prove incredulous.''*
 
 66 ' SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 Sancjoval snatched the locket from the stran- 
 ger's hand, and gazed on it in silence. It was 
 his own miniature, the same he had given to 
 Gabriela on the night previous to his departure 
 for the army. The effect which the sight of it 
 produced on him, was electrical ; his cheeks 
 became bloodless ; his eyes, which a moment 
 before seemed instinct with light, grew dim and 
 overcast, and his whole frame shook so violently, 
 that it was with difficulty he reached a tree close 
 by, against the trunk of which he rested his 
 right arm, then leaning against it his forehead, 
 from which a cold sweat ran profusely, he 
 remamed some minutes in a state of stupor. 
 Meanwhile the stranger was preparing himself 
 for the raging storm which might follow this 
 momentary calm ; he arranged the folds of his 
 doak over his shoulders, so that, if a struggle 
 ensued, he should not be left uncovered ; then 
 grasping the hilt of his sword, drew it out a 
 little, and with a like precaution ascertained that 
 the various weapons he had about him were 
 ready to answer his call.
 
 THE FREEMASON. 67 
 
 Sandoval, who began now to recover from that 
 state of temporary insensibility, called out to 
 him, his head still recHned against his arm, to 
 approach — " Say," added he, raising a httle his 
 eyes and fixing them on him, " you, muffled up 
 villain ! by what means did you obtain this 
 miniature? — what is become of its mistress? — 
 On your life, let me know where she is to be 
 found. — But, mark ! if you attempt to deceive 
 me, bj heavens, I shall, before we part, avenge 
 on your treacherous head your falsehoods and 
 impostures. Now, your answer quickly," and 
 immediately renewmg his erect posture, he 
 unsheatlied his sword with the rapidity of 
 lightning. 
 
 " The plague seize the suspicious fool !" cried 
 the stranger, in a tone that showed more impa- 
 tience than fear, " What interest could I possi- 
 bly have in deceiving you ? Have I not said al- 
 ready, that I am but a simple messenger, not 
 caring a straw whether vou do or do not accede 
 to tlie wishes of vour mistress ? Give me a 
 straight forward answer to this question, and I
 
 68 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 have done with my errand, and with you. Are 
 you determined to stand by your party, and for- 
 feit, not only the brilliant prospects that are 
 held out to you, but the love and esteem of one 
 who breathes for you alone?'' 
 
 "All, sooner than become a traitor,'' exclaim- 
 ed Sandoval indignantly. 
 
 " Then, take her curse, and that of your 
 brother," cried the stranger, " they both cast 
 you from their affections." 
 
 " My brotlier, villain ! — Is he ^" 
 
 *' He is a loyal man," interrupted the stranger, 
 " attached to his king, and no less than your- 
 self to his country. But, adieu, for I have 
 done^now, and time is too precious with me to 
 waste any more of it with such a madman as 
 you are." 
 
 Saying this he turned his back on Sandoval, 
 and hastened away. " By heavens ! you shall 
 not go without resolving all my doubts," cried 
 Sandoval rushing after, and trying to stop him, 
 by placing himself, with his naked sword, in 
 kis way.
 
 THE FREEMASON. 69 
 
 " Stand out of the way," said the stranger, 
 drawing from underneath his cloak a pistol, 
 which he aimed at liis head, " else by the king 
 I serve, you are a dead man." 
 
 " Fire,"" exclaimed the rash Sandoval, " and 
 tell my unworthy brother, — tell my perfidious 
 mistress, that surrounded by traitors and villains, 
 I thought my life not worth possessing," 
 
 " I shall tell them rather, that you are nwre 
 worthy of their pity than their anger," said the 
 stranger contemptuously, and hiding his weapon ; 
 " but,*' added he, in an authoritative tone, 
 " put up your sword, and let us part ; for I 
 hear the trampling of a horse, and we must not 
 be seen tocrether."" 
 
 While he was yet speaking, Roque, Sando- 
 val''s servant, made his appearance, and called 
 his masters attention to some papers he held in 
 his hand. — " I have been looking for you every 
 where," said he, j" and began to fear that the 
 wolves of these mountains had made a meal of 
 you ; so that these despatches from General 
 Ceinfuegos would remain for ever unanswered."
 
 70 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 While Sandoval was occupied in perusing the 
 papers, the stranger walked quickly away. This 
 did not escape our hero's notice ; but as the 
 information brought to him was of an official 
 nature, and called him back to Irun without 
 delay, he contented himself with observing, that 
 he trusted soon to hear from him, or else he 
 would find him out 
 
 " You are welcome to do so,*" said the other, 
 with a nod, " meantime, peace be with thee." 
 
 " Zounds !" exclaimed Roque, " there is 
 something about that man which is not altogether 
 unknown to me, and, if I am not mistaken, I 
 saw him yesterday muffled up in his cloak, just 
 as he is now, throwing handfuls of money to 
 some soldiers, as if he were godfather at the 
 christening of a marquis." 
 
 " Alight,"" said Sandoval, seeing that Roque 
 still kept his saddle, "and follow me to Irun 
 as fast as your legs can carry you." 
 
 " If it is your pleasure," cried Roque, " of 
 course I must alight, but it appears to me that 
 this nag is strong enough to carry us both. You
 
 THE FREEMASON. 71 
 
 know he is mine by right of conquest, and that 
 my neck had a narrow escape from the red-coats, 
 when I took him in France ; — but he is much at 
 your service,"" added he, percei\ang his master's 
 brows knitting; and bounding from the animal's 
 back, " Now, Sir, I'll be at Irun sooner than 
 yourself."" 
 
 Sandoval mounted, and putting spurs to the 
 horse, rode away as fast as the steep nature of 
 the road permitted. In about an hour he was 
 at head-quarters.
 
 72 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 How dare you mention Heaven ? Call to mind 
 Your perjured vows, your plighted broken faitli, 
 To Heaven, and all things holy I 
 
 SOUTHKRNE. 
 
 On Sandoval's reaching the house in which 
 General Cienfuegos was quartered, and which 
 stood at the entrance of the town, he was shown 
 up stairs, where he found the good general, in 
 company with some officers of the staff", walking 
 backwards and forwards in a state of great agita- 
 tion, rumpling a paper which he held in his 
 hand, and muttering aloud, — " The villain I 
 who could ever liave believed this of him ! — 
 Zounds ! it won't avail him, though. I"ll go 
 and see the Prince this moment, and, har^g me, 
 if we don't march at once to Madrid, and kick 
 him and his throne out of Spain.''
 
 THE IKEEMASON, 7.'5 
 
 Such was the ungentle language held at that 
 moment by General Cienfuegos, who, however, 
 was one of the most loyal and decided royahsts, 
 with no small share of aristocratic feeling, and 
 reverence for the olden time. But this was a 
 trying moment for every true lover of his country, 
 which he undoubtedly was ; and, therefore, his 
 expressions, though a little Jacobinical, must be 
 pardoned by my loyal readers. 
 
 Sandoval, who had seldom seen him in such a 
 ruffled mood, stood at the door, gazing on him 
 with surprise, which, we must own, had in it 
 something of the agreeable. — " General !" cried 
 he, when he thought his first burst was over^ 
 " what ails you ?" 
 
 " Only a rascally Fi'enchman, like him, curse 
 him and all his race ! would have played us such 
 a trick," continued the General, pacing the room 
 without observing Sandoval, " but, I'll promise 
 you, we shall send him back before many weeks 
 are over. — Ah ! Captain Sandoval, welcome, ray 
 young friend. I sent for you to ask your opi- 
 nion in this emergency. You, who are yoimg 
 
 VOL. I. E
 
 74 SANDOVAL; OK, 
 
 and resolute, will be less controuled by prudential 
 motives than these gentlemen, who though all 
 agree in the determination to avenge the affront 
 offered to the nation by that minikin, Ferdinand, 
 are far from chiming in with our resolution of 
 marching directly to Madrid. But read that, 
 and then say whether there is an instant to be 
 lost." 
 
 He then handed him the paper he held in his 
 hand, which was the memorable decree issued at 
 Valencia, on the 4th of May. As Sandoval read 
 it, his expressive countenance became lighted up, 
 or depressed, according to the sentiments the 
 document contained, now interrupting himself 
 by bursts of indignation, and now pacing the 
 room silently, and with long strides, while the 
 General exclaimed from time to time, — " Well ! 
 what do you think of that ? Would you have 
 believed that of him ? Yet that is the ingrate 
 for whom we have shed our blood !" 
 
 When Sandoval had finished perusing the 
 decree, he exclaimed, — " If there be any man 
 in his senses who would for an instant hesitate in
 
 THE FREEMASON. 75 
 
 adopting the only step that can save the country, 
 that man I denounce as a traitor." 
 
 " I am of opinion that it ought not to be 
 taken,"" said one of the officers present, " simply 
 because the government, who must be the best 
 judges of the danger that threatens them, do not 
 require of us such a step. It is my firm behef 
 that their cause is too good to stand in need of 
 military bayonets to support it. Besides, our 
 allies themselves would not permit those insti- 
 tutions, sanctioned by them all, to be overthroAvn 
 by a man whose fetters we have just knocked 
 off." 
 
 •* Another motive for not taking it," said an- 
 other officer, " is that the decree of the 4th ac- 
 knowledges all our rights, and promises us our 
 liberties. It even goes so far as to declare, that 
 the ancient Cortes shall shortly be convoked. 
 What Spaniard, then^ who has read anything of 
 the history of his own country, will maintain that 
 our ancient laws are less democratical than those 
 promulgated in Cadiz ? In my opinion, liberty 
 will gain by the exchange."
 
 76 SANDOVAL ; OE, 
 
 " Now, curse your democracy," cried the 
 General, "those laws which you so much admire 
 might be very befitting the democratical times 
 you speak of; but it is ridiculous to say thai 
 they would suit us equally well. Besides, I do 
 not see why we should not be as capable of 
 making laws as were our ancestors. Nay, we 
 have made them ; and, methinks, M^e ought, were 
 it only to establish our claims to wisdom, to sup- 
 port them through thick and thin." 
 
 " It appears to me gentlemen," said Sandoval, 
 " that all these discussions are foreign to our 
 present purpose. What we ought principally 
 to resolve upon, is, whether we are to stand still 
 witnessing, without attempting to interfere, the 
 fall of a government whose existence we have 
 sworn to maintain ? — whether we shall allow 
 our own opinions to outweigh the duties we have 
 entered upon ? — and whether the oaths taken at 
 the altar of our country, and before our God, 
 are to be considered by us as idle formalities 
 not worth attending to .'* If such be the opinion 
 of the gentlemen present, and of the rest of our
 
 THE FREEMASON. 77 
 
 companions in arms, why, then we need not 
 interfere in such inconsiderable trifles, as the 
 total subversion of our rights, and the ruin of 
 our country; indeed there would be in them, 
 something extremely congenial to minds so 
 completely unprejudiced. But, if the opinion 
 c£ my brother officers be contrary to this, you 
 will allow that our interference is indispensable.'" 
 
 *' Wisely spoken, by our Lady of Cava- 
 donga !""* cried the General, " but let us 
 proceed to the residence of our commander-in- 
 chief, to see what he thinks of the matter." 
 
 After this conversation they all sallied out, and 
 proceeded to the Prince of Anglona's residence. 
 On entering the town, they observed that a great 
 sensation had taken place among the military. 
 The streets were literally blocked up by officers 
 and soldiers, who were anxiously pressing their 
 way to the square, to hear the contents of a 
 
 * General Cienfuegos was a native of Asturias, as this 
 exclamation clearly indicates. He was of an ancieni family, 
 and died while the author of this work was yet engaged 
 upon it.
 
 78 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 letter just received ftom the head-quarters of 
 the army of reserve, of whom, as it has already 
 been observed, Abisbal was the commander. 
 Our party, equally anxious to hear news from 
 this quarter, followed in the mass, and reached 
 the square just at the moment when an officer," 
 mounted on the shoulders of some|men, began to 
 read aloud the proclamation, to which we have 
 alluded at the beginning of the last chapter, 
 from General Abisbal to his troops, exhorting 
 them to declare for the king, and against the 
 Constitution. No sooner was the purport of 
 the proclamation discovered by the assembled 
 multitude, than cries of, "To the fire with it ! — 
 to the fire with it, — and its infamous owner !" 
 
 " At these words, the speaker suddenly dis- 
 appeared, his supporters alarmed at the doom 
 pronounced by the crowd, dropped their load, 
 and endeavoured to escape the fury of their 
 comrades by mixing with them. The orator, 
 however, was not so fortunate, for, as he fell 
 down, he was collared by some of those 
 who Avere nearest to him, and kept fast, to
 
 THE FREEilASON. 79 
 
 undergo the summary sentence passed upon 
 him. Meantime, several of the soldiers were 
 seen climbing to the windows of the surrounding 
 houses, and presently chairs and tables were 
 hurled out of them, to furnish fuel for the in- 
 tended political auto-da-fe. In a few minutes 
 the pile was prepared, in the middle of the 
 square; volumes of thick smoke rose on high 
 performing their vertical evolutions, followed by 
 immense sparkles, and at length, by a pyra- 
 miclical column of flame, which waved its terrific 
 radiance over the heads of the infuriated sol- 
 diery. 
 
 During these fearful preparations, the des- 
 tined victim was protesting to heaven, and all its 
 saints, that he was perfectly "innocent of any evil 
 intentions ; that he had not read the procla- 
 mation previous to his reading it in public, and 
 consequently could not know its contents ; and 
 that moreover, he was as ready as any of them 
 to lose his blood in support of the Constitution. 
 General Cienfuegos, who heard his protestations, 
 and various officers of the staff, who were then
 
 80 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 present, interposed in his behalf, and obtained 
 his acquittal, to the no small disappointment of 
 many soldiers, who had been feasting their 
 imaginations with the prospect of seeing a 
 servile roasted. However, the proclamation 
 of Abisbal, and even several copies of the decree 
 of the 4th of May, which had been received by 
 that day's post, were committed to the flames 
 sine redemptione^ and amidst loud acclama- 
 tions. 
 
 Our party now moved on towards the place 
 of their destination ; but they met with more 
 than one interruption from the various groups 
 who were discussing the events of the day. — 
 " Comrades !" cried an officer, who was very 
 numerously surrounded, "hear the language of 
 that infamous traitor, Abisbal, at a splendid 
 dinner given to commemorate the battle of 
 Toulouse, and compare it with what he now says 
 in his foul proclamation. I assisted at that ban- 
 quet, and sat near him ; the goblets were 
 charged to the brim, and we all rose at his 
 request. — ' Gentlemen !' cried he with a feigned
 
 THE FHEEM^SOK. 81 
 
 patriotism, * I request you to pledge me to a 
 toast, which cannot fail to be acceptable to every 
 patriot, but more particularly so to me, because 
 an opportunity now offers to prove to the world 
 the sincerity of my sentiments, by the public 
 expression of my wishes.' — He then gave this 
 toast : — * May the man who should ever consent 
 to have, even a comma, erased from the tablet 
 of the Constitution, disappear from the face of 
 the earth, and his soul be everlastingly tor- 
 mented by the furies of hell I' ''* 
 
 " Death to the traitor !" vociferated the sur- 
 rounding group, and then the officer continued 
 with his speech, which, however, we shall take 
 leave to omit, in order to keep up with our 
 party, which after various other interruptions, 
 reached at last the house at which the General- 
 in- chief was quartered. 
 
 The Prince of Anglona is brother of the 
 Duke de Ousna, and a nobleman very superior 
 
 * Such were the very words of that despicable traitor at 
 the moment alluded to. 
 
 £ 3
 
 82 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 to those of his class in point of information, and 
 c nsequently differs also in political principles. 
 At that time, at least, he espoused the cause of 
 liberty, and acted with becoming decision in 
 favour of the newly established institutions^ 
 though since that time various family considera- 
 tions have obliged hira to abstain from publicly 
 shewing his attachment to the Constitution. 
 He was then in the twenty-ninth year of his 
 age, of very pleasing manners, and an elegant 
 person, though rather slender, and not above 
 the middle size : but his physiognomy was 
 animated and agreeable. At the moment our 
 party entered his apartments, he was sur- 
 rounded by a crowd of officers, among whom 
 Ferraz, Merconchini, Don Santiago Vigo, 
 I\Ianzanares, Infante, and several of the officers 
 of the General's brave battalion, known by the 
 name of the Barbudos of Ballesteros* shewed 
 
 * Ballesteros'' bearded men. They were some of the 
 most gallant fellows that ever wore beards, and dis- 
 tinguished themselves in every rencontre they had with the 
 enemy.
 
 THE FREEMASON. 83 
 
 xa their expressive countenances strong marks 
 of wrath and indignation. — " My dear Gene- 
 ral," cried Anglona to Cieni'uegos> " you come 
 in good time. Have the fatal news of the day 
 yet reached you ?" 
 
 " That they have," replied the old General, 
 " and with a vengeance." 
 
 " Have you then thought on the line of con- 
 duct which we ought to adopt," enquired the 
 Prince. 
 
 " Not I," answered the unassuming Cienfue- 
 gos, " but these gentlemen, and particularly San- 
 doval, who takes these things much to heart, says 
 that no time ought to be lost in marching to 
 Madrid, in order to prevent what seems in con- 
 templation. For my part I will be ready at an 
 hour's notice, and shall feel proud in contribut- 
 ing to the defeat of that monster's plans for the 
 total subversion of our rights.'- 
 
 *' That is a plan," said General Barrutel, who 
 was also present, " which may suit the young 
 Captain very well, particularly, if he be tired of
 
 84 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 these mountains, and wishes to enjoy the plea- 
 sures of the capital, or show off his handsome 
 person there ; but, methinks, that we, at least, 
 have other duties to attend to, and, moreover, 
 ought not to be directed by what a youngster 
 like him pleases to urge" 
 
 Sandoval, who felt deeply the injustice of this 
 inuendo, advanced towards Barrutel, with a 
 look in which his indicant feelings were 
 strongly pourtrayed. — " Sir,"" cried he, " though 
 you are my superior in military rank, I shall 
 expect you to prove here, before our General-in- 
 chief, in what instances you have found me ne- 
 glecting my duties for my pleasures; but should 
 you not be able to do this, (which you yourself 
 know very well you cannot), I shall then call 
 upon you to prove whether your courage is 
 any truer than your tongue." 
 
 Here the Prince interfered, and reproved in 
 unequivocal terms BarrutePs conduct ; which he 
 said was a most uncalled for attack on a young 
 and deserving officer. The General made a
 
 THE FREEMASON. 85 
 
 lame apology and withdrew ; and Sandoval re- 
 ceived the praises of General Cienfuegos for his 
 spirited retort. . 
 
 At this moment, the Colonel Don Joaquin 
 Escario, an officer on the staff, who had that in- 
 stant arrived from Madrid, and who came to 
 ascertain the state of feeling in the third and 
 fourth armies, was announced. On his entering 
 the hall, all the officers present crowded around 
 him, to know what tidings he brought from the 
 capital. The Colonel did not hesitate in giving 
 them a true picture of the confusion and con- 
 sternation that reigned in it, adding, that the 
 government entertained no other hope but that 
 which the conduct of the two armies, whose as- 
 sistance they earnestly implored, inspired them 
 with. The two Generals and their assembled 
 officers, cursed unanimously tlie criminal irreso- 
 lution of the government, who had allowed 
 thing's to reach that crisis without having once 
 consulted them on the measures to be adopted 
 for the prevention of the evils that threaten the 
 country. If Elio's troops were to get possession
 
 86 SANDOVAL; ORj 
 
 of the capital the most disastrous consequences 
 were to be expected, and they feared, that all 
 their efforts would not then alter the tide of 
 events. The necessity, therefore, of actnig with 
 promptness and decision was felt by both chiefs 
 and officers, but the Generalissimo, Lord Wel- 
 lington, being expected in two or three days at 
 I run, on his way to Madrid, and directions hav- 
 ing been given to the other divisions of the army 
 to repair to head-quarters, for the purpose of 
 being reviewed by his Lordship, it was now im- 
 possible to take any active steps until tliat visit 
 was over. This delay they very justly con- 
 ceived, was likely to be highly prejudicial to the 
 interests of the country, as it could not fai^ to 
 give their enemies time to carry on their plans of 
 bribery, deception, and intimidation ; but as it 
 could not be avoided, it was thought necessary, 
 in order to check these plans, to assume a hos- 
 tile attitude, and adopt some particular device, 
 which might distinguish them from their per- 
 jured companions in arms. The majority of 
 officers being agreed on these points, orders
 
 THE FHF.KMASOX. 87 
 
 were immediately issued by the General-in-chief 
 to the depots of the third army, then at Pam- 
 plona, to forward to head-quarters the necessary 
 warhke ammunitions for the objects in view. 
 The adoption of a new cockade (red and yellow) 
 was also publicly proposed to the army, and 
 immediately agreed upon. 
 
 Such were the incidents of this day, so event- 
 ful to Sandoval. The various feelings by which 
 he had been agitated, and the rapid succession 
 in which they followed each other, had prevented 
 him from bestowing on his morning excursion 
 that reflection which it-s importance seemed to 
 demand. On his return to his quarters, he re- 
 tired alone to his chamber, and seated at a little 
 deal table, before a taper of resinous wood, the 
 common light of the country, he launched out 
 in numberless conjectures, as to who the dis- 
 guised person could be, and by what extraordi- 
 nary accident his dearly beloved Gabriela should 
 from being as great an enthusiast in the cause of 
 freedom as himself, thus suddenly turn over to
 
 88 SAXDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 servilism.* — " Are women's minds so unstable 
 in these matters," said he to himself, " as peo- 
 ple pretend ihey are in those of love ? or is it 
 really an indication that I am supplanted by 
 another, and he too a servile ? Was her letter 
 to me intended to serve as an excuse for the per- 
 fidy she was meditating ? If this were true — but 
 no, it cannot be. Pardon that base tliought, 
 Gabriela ! You pledged your love to me, and 
 I know it was by your heart's Own inspiration 
 you did it. Yes !" added he, rising abruptly, 
 and upsetting the table, and the light, which was 
 
 * As it may appear strange to our fair English reader, 
 why Gabriela should be either a liberal or a servile, we think 
 right to explain, that Spanish ladies have from time im- 
 memorial always taken a very active part both in political 
 discussions, and warlike disputes. Their active minds and 
 fine sensibilities do not allow them to remain passive spec- 
 tators of tlieir countrymen's quarrels. Love, hatred, or 
 prejudice, may, indeed, have a share in their decisions 
 (though generally speaking their sense of right and wrong 
 is very strong, which accounts for the fact that the gene- 
 rality of them are liberals) ; but, to take no part at all, 
 would be utterly impossible for them.
 
 THE FREEMASON. 89 
 
 extinguished by the fall, " thy heart is as true 
 to me, as mine is to thee, Gabriela !" 
 
 At this moment loud clashing of swords, ai\d 
 cries of " Zounds ! blow the traitor's brains out," 
 — " kill him,"—" send his soul to hell,"—" let 
 us leave no spy alive," were heard at the door 
 of the house where Sandoval resided. Soon 
 after, a pistol was fired, and a rush heard of 
 several men towards the door, which shut with 
 a tremendous clash. Sandoval began to grope 
 about the room in search of his arms ; but as 
 he had just lighted on his sword, the door of his 
 room flew open, and some one entered, and 
 drew the bolt after him. " Who enters there ?" 
 cried Sandoval, unsheathing his sword. 
 
 " A man of honour, who seeks protection here 
 from a set of assassins," answered a voice. 
 
 ** If you are such,"" returned Sandoval, " you 
 shall have it ; but what is your name, and why 
 are you pursued ?"" 
 
 " My name matters little to you or any one 
 else,*" cried the voice ; "and as to your last
 
 90 SANDOVAL ; OE, 
 
 question, I am pursued for doing a duty im- 
 posed upon me by my principles and my con- 
 science." 
 
 At this moment loud blows, struck against the 
 door of the house, threatened to bring it down, 
 and Sandoval went to the balcony to enquire 
 into and quell the uproar. The armed men be- 
 low, who immediately knew the voice of the 
 Captain, said that they wanted an officer belong- 
 ing to Abisbal's army, who had been detected 
 in the act of bribing several of their sergeants 
 and soldiers to declare against the Constitution. 
 " The villain," added one of them, " has taken 
 refuge in this house, and God's malediction fall 
 on me, if we don't have his treacherous head ?''"' 
 
 " Ah !" exclaimed Sandoval, speaking to the 
 fugitive, " have we a traitor here — and yet thou 
 call' St thyself a man of honour .'' By heavens ! 
 if that be true, thou shall rue thy imposture !" 
 
 " Liberal man !" cried the fugitive, in a tone 
 of true sarcasm, " am I to be condemned with- 
 out a hearing ? Would your refined notions of
 
 THE FREEMASON. 91 
 
 justice be against sending away the assassins 
 beJow, and judging me according to honour and 
 impartiality ?"" 
 
 " My friends," said Sandoval to the mihtary 
 below, " retire in peace to your quarters, and 
 rely upon my word, that you shall to-morrow 
 hear a good account of any man who may have 
 entered this house under the circumstances you 
 state. My o^vn sword shall punish the villain, 
 if he has indeed come to make traitors among 
 you." 
 
 The mihtary obeyed, though not until some 
 altercation passed among themselves, and they 
 had uttered an abundance of oaths and impreca- 
 tions against all spies and traitors. 
 
 When Sandoval saw there was no further 
 danger to be apprehended from them, he re- 
 entered the room, shut the balcony, and pro- 
 ceeded towards the chamber-door to call for a 
 light ; but as he groped about to find it, he felt 
 two hands oppose themselves to his breast, of- 
 fering a more strenuoiis resistance as he tried
 
 92 SANDOVAL ; OK, 
 
 to move on : " Keep off your hands, sirrah !" 
 cried Sandoval, endeavouring to force his way. 
 
 " I can tell, and you too can hear my story 
 quite as well in the dark," said the stranger, 
 keeping his ground firmly. 
 
 " Zounds ! but I will not hear it without 
 reading it too in your eyes," returned Sandoval, 
 with another push, by which he succeeded in 
 reaching the bolt. 
 
 " Well !" said the stranger, " if it must be, 
 let tlie light come," and he was heard to move 
 to another part of the room. Sandoval then 
 called for a light, and continued at the door, to 
 prevent the man's escape, until the terrified host- 
 ess had brought him what he sought. He then 
 bolted the door again, and advanced towards 
 the middle of the room, holding the taper in one 
 hand, and his unsheathed sword in the other. 
 The stranger moved on towards the darkest 
 corner, and Sandoval, who followed his steps, 
 stretched out the arm in which he held the light, 
 and saw by its reflection, to his no small sur-
 
 THE FREEMASOy. 93 
 
 prise, the stranger with whom he had that very 
 morning had an interview, standing in an erect 
 posture against the wall, muffled up in his cloak 
 as before. " How now, villain,"" exclaimed he, 
 *' what other traitor's message have you been 
 entrusted with ?" 
 
 " Nothing that concerns you,"" replied the 
 stranger calmly. 
 
 " Have you brought also to our sergeants 
 some love-tokens, or rather some pledge of your 
 own \'ill:any, to urge them to deeds of treason 
 and perjury ?" enquired Sandoval, in a tone of 
 bitter reproach. 
 
 " No," answered the stranger, in the same 
 sarcastic manner ; •' men are not all love-sick, 
 though few are* not money-sick. I therefore 
 brought them that which I knew they would 
 like, and to which they would yield, and I make 
 no secret of it ; because I am of opinion, that 
 no means are illegal or dishonest which are in- 
 tended to bring men back to their duty." 
 
 " To their duty !" repeated Sandoval, " say 
 to their eternal disgrace. The man who accepts
 
 94 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 a bribe, and he who offers it, are equally unprin- 
 cipled and equally dishonest. The one gives 
 gold, because he has no better arguments to 
 offer, and the other accepts it, because he wants 
 virtuous firmness to withstand temptation. Both 
 are villains conspiring together for guilty pur- 
 poses; both are traitors uniting their meditated 
 treachery to stab some innocent victim to the 
 heart ; both are the contemp'ible slaves of base 
 and mercenary passions." 
 
 " Be it so," said ihe stranger, " but villainy 
 and treachery, when used for good purposes, 
 become commendable virtues; and I do boast 
 myself a villain and a traitor in that sense of the 
 words." 
 
 " Then," cried Sandoval, bursting with pas- 
 sion, and raising the hand in which he held his 
 sword, " by the country I serve ! I'll send thee 
 to hell, where thou may'st find proselytes to thy 
 infernal doctrines." 
 
 " Strike -f" cried the stranger, throwing aside 
 his cloak, which till then had concealed his per- 
 son and his features.
 
 THE FREEMASON. 95 
 
 Sandoval started back, and the sword drop- 
 ped from his hand. 
 
 " Strike," continued the other, " and hve to 
 boast that you sacrificed your brother to your 
 Jacobinical principles." 
 
 "God of mercy !" exclaimed Sandoval, throw- 
 ing himself on a chair, and resting his head on 
 his hand, " why has a life, so often on the brink 
 of death, been spared me to %vitness this accursed 
 moment ? Why do I live to see a brother — and 
 he too the only one I have, for whom I would 
 have given the very light of my eyes, the last 
 drop of blood in my veins — thus lost to honour 
 and to virtue, an agent of despotism, the spy of 
 villains, and himself a traitor to his country I — 
 Great God ! what will our father do when he 
 learns this.'* Oh heavens! crush me now, and 
 spare me the sight of that venerable parent, 
 who gave us life, dying of a broken heart, and 
 cursing the brother 1 love, in spite of his in- 
 famy !■" 
 
 " CaHsto !"" said his brother, moved at his 
 distress, " I am not the villain you suppose. If
 
 96 SAXDOVAL ; Oil, 
 
 my conscience directs me to follow a path dif- 
 ferent from the one you have chosen, still are my 
 motives pure and patriotic, still our country's 
 welfare is all I have in view. I demand nothing 
 for my services, — I expect nothing for thern, — 
 I betray no oath, for I have taken none, — 
 I . . . " 
 
 « Hold !" interrupted Calisto. " The army 
 in which you served was the first to take their 
 oaths to the Constitu.tion, and that in the very 
 sanctuary of our independence, and where the 
 structure of our liberties was raised." 
 
 " True," replied his brother, " but I was not 
 then present, nor have I since pledged myself to 
 the support of aught but our God, our king, and 
 his unshackled power. For these I have risked 
 m_y life, and for these I will yet shed my 
 blood." 
 
 " For our king have I done both," cried San- 
 doval, "and from him we had a different re- 
 coinpense to hope. Disgraceful treaties,* false 
 
 • This refers to that infamous treaty, conchided by Fer- 
 dinand with Napoleon, on the 11th of December, 1813, by
 
 THE FREEMASON. 97 
 
 promises, treacherous conduct, and base deeds, 
 are neither the rewards nor the inducements 
 which ought to bind the lover of his country to 
 the despot Avho wishes to rule, even to the injury 
 of her best interests. But," added he, in a hur- 
 ried manner, " ^s"ere I certain that a scaffold 
 awaited my efforts, they should not be wanted, 
 Avhile a pulse beat within my bosom." 
 
 " Fortunately for Spain,^' cried his brother, 
 " the souls of all your boasted patriots have not 
 received from nature, that degree of unbending 
 temper w'hich I admire in yours, but neverthe- 
 ess cannot approve. Among them I have found 
 many who would not yield to intimidation ; but 
 who could not resist gold, and the hope of pro- 
 motion. Those men, you will say, are truly 
 contemptible, perhaps as much as those who 
 
 which be pledged himself, on reaching the Spanish soil, 
 to withdraw from the alliance of the other monarchs, and 
 particularly from that of Great Britain, whom he was to 
 compel to quit the posts her army occupied in the Pyren- 
 iic-es, &c. &c., which treat\% being presented to t L.rtes 
 by the Duke of San Carlos, was sent back unanswered, 
 without finding a single voice to advocate its adoption. 
 VOL. I. F
 
 98 SANl^OVAL ; OR, 
 
 yield to fear. For my part, I despise them both 
 as much as yourself; but they will be useful, 
 and I am reconciled to live with them on terms 
 of amity, until the moment arrives when there 
 will be no further occasion for their services, 
 and then we shall gladly lay them aside for eve;." 
 " Fermin !" cried Cahsto, "you have lost all 
 principle, or else those accursed notions which 
 you imbibed from the monks who educated you, 
 have vitiated a mind naturally just and vigorous, 
 and made cold to every generous impulse a 
 heart once capable of virtuous and magnanimous 
 feelings. Yet you tell me you are disinterested, 
 and I myself will say I have always found you 
 so; but why mislead others with promises that 
 can never be fulfilled .? Why advocate a system 
 of corruption, from which you derive no advan- 
 tage ? Am I to believe that you expect no 
 honours, no recompense of any sort, for the sacri- 
 fice of the half of our patrimony, to which you 
 are entitled under the government of the Cortes, 
 but which, under that of a despotic king, you 
 forfeit to me as the head of the family ?""
 
 THE FJIEEMASON. 99 
 
 " Recompenses were made for those degraded 
 souls only, whose thirst for earthly advantages 
 outweighs a sense of duty," answered Fermin ; 
 " but, with me, the consciousness of acting up to 
 the precepts of our holy religion, is more than 
 all the world can give. It is the good of my 
 soul only that I am anxious to ensure ; the rest 
 I despise, and willingly abandon it to the slaves 
 of the devil and the flesh." 
 
 " You are a fanatic!" said Calisto, " and thus 
 alone can I account for the absurd contradictions 
 which your conduct involves. You would not 
 hesitate to commit a bad action, nay, an atrocious 
 crime, if you imagined it might redound to the 
 honour of what you call religion. That is the 
 accursed principle of the Jesuits ; and had you 
 been brought up a monk, instead of a soldier, 
 you would surpass in barbarous cruelty the 
 savage Torrequemada and his seven minions. — 
 But leaving this aside, tell me now, with your 
 wonted sincerity, has Gabriela too suffered her- 
 self to be seduced by your arguments ? Did she 
 really request that I should forswear myself, or 
 F 2
 
 100 SANDOVAL ; OK, 
 
 forfeit her love? Answer me candidly. Do not 
 unnecessarily torture a heart, already too much 
 bruised by these repeated blows."" 
 
 " Did I still liarbour the hope, that by such 
 a deception I could gain 3'ou over to your king," 
 replied he, after a long pause, during which a 
 look of sadness overspread his countenance, *' I 
 Avould say, yes ; but as my stratagem has failed, 
 and hope is flown, I think it a duty to tell you 
 the whole truth. That portrait was taken from 
 Gabriela"'s bosom by her mother, when she lay 
 asleep, and it was forwarded to me for the pur- 
 pose of forcing you into the right cause. As for 
 Gabricla's love for you, it is unabated. It is, 
 indeed, a flame as unquenchable as that which 
 burns in your own bosom for that phantom of 
 liberty, which you se«k in vain ; and I know for 
 certain, had you fallen into our snares, she would 
 hseve hated you as cordially as she now loves 
 you ; and then .... but, God's will be done !" 
 
 " Now, Heaven be blessed !" exclaimed San- 
 doval, his eyes glistening with tears, " these are 
 the only words yet uttered by you, in which I
 
 THE TREEMASON. 101 
 
 find some of that fraternal affection with which 
 you used once to cheer up my drooping hopes. 
 Oh, Fermin ! why will you not be yourself 
 again ? Why will you not be a worthy brother, 
 a dutiful son, a true patriot ? Come, my yet 
 beloved brother, give me your' hand in pledge of 
 our mutual reconciliation. Let us straighten the 
 bonds of blood, by those of honour and patriot- 
 ism.''' 
 
 Fermin could not resist this touching appeal. 
 His first impulse was to grasp his brother''s hand, 
 which he shook with apparent emotion; and 
 Calisto, sure of having now triumphed over his 
 prejudices, extended his arms in rapture to throw 
 them around his brother's neck ; but Fermin 
 stept back, — " Hold, hold," cried he, " I am 
 not yet a liberal — I will not be one — I will never 
 be my sovereign's foe. Much as I love you, 
 deeply as I venerate our father, I will never 
 betray my king, our God"'s vicegerent on earth. 
 — No, I cannot. — Adieu, adieu !" added he, and 
 with the rapidity of a startled stag, rushed to the 
 door, unbolted it, and fled ! whilst Sandoval re-
 
 102 SANDOVAL; OE, 
 
 mained riveted to the spot, following his bro- 
 ther's motions with his eyes, and able only to 
 ejaculate, while he panted for breath, " Stay, 
 stay, for God's sake stay." 
 
 But Fermin was far beyond hearing. 
 
 I
 
 THE FREttMASON \0S 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 My resolution's plac'd, and I have nothing 
 Of woman in me ; now from head to foot 
 I am marble constant ; now the fleeting moon 
 Xo planet is of mine. 
 
 Shakspeare. 
 
 Some time elapsed before Sandoval began to 
 recover from the distress into which his brother's 
 sudden flight had thrown him. The generosity 
 of his character, and the warmth of his affections 
 had prompted him to seek a reconciliation, though 
 he felt convinced that he had justice on his side; 
 but his brother, who never allowed his feelings 
 to interfere with his resolutions, and who wa, 
 equally persuaded of the justice of his cause, 
 had disappointed his hopes, and wounded his 
 heart deeply. His sorrow then gradually gave 
 place to a feeling of indignation, mingled with
 
 104 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 pity, which by keepinfr possession of his mind 
 during the whole of tlie night, harassed and 
 prevented him from closing his eyes. 
 
 On the following day he rose with the dawn, 
 resolved to seek his brother, and rnake an at- 
 tempt to reclaim him from a position which 
 appeared to him unnatural and disgraceful ; 
 but all his efforts to find him out were useless. 
 
 His feelings on this subject, however, soon 
 gave way to others of a more general nature. 
 The important events by which Spain was at 
 tl>at moment convulsed, succeeded each other 
 with a rapidity which kept the minds, both of 
 the people and the military, in a state of con- 
 stant fermentation. Every hour things were 
 assuming a more unfavourable aspect for the 
 liberal party. Even in the third armv, which 
 was one of those most favourably disposed for 
 the Constitution, con'uption was gaining ground, 
 and the secret agents of Abisbal were hourly- 
 making new proselytes. At Pamplona they had 
 so effectually laboured, that those who were in- 
 trusted with the ammunitions and warlike stores
 
 THE FREEMASON. 105 
 
 of the third army, and to whom superior orders 
 had been sent to forward them to head-quarters, 
 evenly refused to do so. On the other har.d, 
 tlie fourth army, commanded by General Freyre, 
 whose head-quarters were at Tarbes, did not 
 display much trust-worthiness, though the Gene- 
 ral-in- chief, the staff, and many officers were 
 ready to act in concert with those of the third ; 
 but the prevalent opinion that General Morillo, 
 who commanded one of the divisions of the 
 fourth, and who was stationed at St. Jean de 
 Luz, was hostile to the Constitutional system, 
 occasioned a distrust, which obliged the third 
 army to keep a respectable force on the Bidasoa, 
 to prevent a surprise from his troops. Mina's 
 division, which also formed part of the fourth 
 army, were not in open relation with the third, 
 nor were there proofs wanting that many officers 
 in it inclined to favour the king's pretensions. 
 
 Affairs were in this inauspicious state, when 
 
 news of the king's entry into the capital, and 
 
 of the total overthrow of the Constitution, reached 
 
 head-quarters. The joy and exultation of thv 
 
 F 3
 
 106 SANDOVAL ; oU, 
 
 servile party were equalled only by the rage and 
 despair of their opponents, whose passions, now- 
 roused to the highest pitch, soon compelled their 
 antagonists to moderate their extravagant de- 
 monstrations of satisfaction, and confine them 
 to their own circles. The meetings among the 
 officers of the liberal party were now more 
 frequent than ever. Their numbers, indeed, 
 were daily diminishing ; but those who were 
 true to their cause, seemed to gain fresh vigour 
 by the new disasters which befell their party. 
 Plans were traced out by them to arrest the 
 progress of the evils which threatened to lay 
 the country in ruins. Proclamations were 
 printed, and orders to their comrades issued 
 in every direction. Their object now was to 
 muster as many resolute men as they could, 
 and march through Biscay and Asturias, to unite 
 themselves with the army of General Lacy, 
 who was then in Galicia, taking active steps to 
 oppose himself to the establishment of absolute 
 power. This plan, though not officially sanc- 
 tioned by Anglona, received his consent; but
 
 THE FREEMASON. 107 
 
 its execution was retarded by various causes 
 one among which was the expected visit of 
 Lord Wellington 
 
 Meantime, however, their opponents were 
 not idle. The deep laid intrigues of Abisbal 
 had succeeded, not only in rendering abortive 
 the steps taken by some of the liberal officers 
 of an advanced division of the third army, com- 
 manded by General Barrutel, who had agreed 
 to act in concert with those at head-quarters, 
 but in persuading the majority of that division 
 to declare for the absolute king. On that 
 occasion a meeting had been convoked, in which 
 General Barrutel and his friends, profiting by 
 the surprise produced by the king's triumphant 
 aitry into Madrid, resolved to send an officer 
 to the capital, for the purpose of congratulating 
 his majesty on his happy restoration to the 
 absolute throne of his ancestors. This was done 
 in the name of the whole division, and without 
 the concurrence of the General-in-chief, nor, 
 indeed, of any other general, or body of troops. 
 Not satisfied with thus acting against all military
 
 108 SANDOVAL ; OE, 
 
 subordination, by the adoption of measures so>" 
 prejudicial to the honour of the rest of the army, 
 they laboured incessantly to pervert the good 
 feeling which existed in the other divisions 
 stationed in the neighbouring villages, and 
 conspired in every possible way to stifle the 
 just indignation manifested by the majority. 
 
 These various circumstances, united to the 
 melancholy news which every instant poured 
 in from the other provinces, where the clergy — 
 the inveterate enemies of all sakitary reforms, — 
 were constantly sowing the mo»t pernicious 
 doctrines, and blackening the character of the 
 liberals, threw a damp on the minds of even 
 the most active patriots, and reduced their 
 numbers still lower. Thus the arena was now 
 occupied only by a few dauntless spirits, and 
 free-born souls, who, spurning the threats of 
 their enemies, were of opinion that a successful 
 attempt might yet be made to redeem their 
 country from disgrace ; but the Prince of 
 Anorjona, who apprehended a failure, or con- 
 sidered their number too inconsiderable to offer
 
 THE FREEMASON. 109 
 
 any effectual resistance to the torrent that 
 threatened to hurl everything before it, called 
 them around him, for the purpose of representing 
 the evil consequences which he feared might 
 result from the undertaking. 
 
 Among the band of fearless patriots was our 
 hero, whose ardent mind had endured indescrib- 
 able torments during the last two or three days; 
 while he contemplated the weakness of some, 
 the corruption of many, and the indifference or 
 apathy of the rest. His efforts to keep up 
 among all his comrades the flame of patriotism, 
 which he saw gradually dying away, had been 
 unremitting. Night and day he had passed in 
 strengthening the opinions of those Avho ap- 
 peared wavering or undecided. He had threat- 
 ened and implored, flattered and reproached 
 those who had been weak enough to yield to the 
 suggestions of their enemies, who, in order to 
 succeed better in making proselytes among the 
 liberals, reported that it was in realitv tlie inten- 
 tion of the king to call the ancient Cortes to- 
 gether — give to the government a representative
 
 1 10 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 form— establish the liberty of the press, 8ec. &c., 
 as specified in the decree of the 4lh of May. 
 All, in a word, that a man could do to bring- 
 back to their duty those who had abandoned it, 
 had been tried by Sandoval. These constant 
 struggles had impressed on his countenance a 
 deep feeling of anxiety, which was immediately 
 remarked by the Prince of Anglona, when our 
 hero, with his other comrades, attended the meet- 
 ing which had been convoked at the Prince's 
 quarters. " My young friend," said the Prince 
 to him in the kindest tone, and taking liis hand, 
 " I fear you have suffered much of late, and 
 what is still worse than all, that your patriotic 
 exertions will be of little avail. Every town in 
 Spain, with the exception of Cadiz, which for- 
 mally refuses to acknowledge tbe authority of 
 the king, but wliich, however, cannot hold out 
 long, and one or two more in GaHcia, where 
 Lacy keeps up, by incredible exertions, the 
 spirit of the military, have now submitted to' the 
 views of Ferdinand. In this state of affairs it 
 would be madness to imagine that, with the
 
 THE FREEMASON. Ill 
 
 disunion which exists in our army, witliout men 
 or money, we could successfully oppose our 
 feeble efforts to those of our powerful enemies, 
 who are in possession of everything we stand in 
 need of, and who, moreover, have on their side 
 a lawless mob, who, headed by daring and fana- 
 tical friars, keep the peaceable inhabitants in 
 constant alarm, and prevent them from giving a 
 free expression to 'their opinions." 
 
 " Then," cried Sandoval dejectedly, "your 
 Excellency also abandons the cause of the 
 nation, and we must yield without a struggle, 
 perhaps be sacrificed by that monster of ingra^ 
 titude !" 
 
 " I fear our interference would only hasten 
 our fall," said the Prince; "but to prove that I 
 am not willing to yield as long as the remotest 
 hope exists of support from our companions in 
 arms of the fourth army, I shall request you 
 immediately to set off for Tarbes, to ascertain 
 from the General-in-chief how far we may rely 
 on their co-operation.'" 
 
 Sandoval bowed, and withdrew ; and a few
 
 lis SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 minutes afterwards, lie was seen winding his 
 way towards the summit of the first hill, on the 
 other side of the Bidasoa ; and Roque, who 
 never failed to accompany his master on his 
 journeys, following at a little distance on his 
 ambling French nag. Presently, however, he 
 made up to his master, who, he thought, stood 
 in need of some of his chat, to drive away the 
 melancholv which seemed to prey on his mind. 
 " This is a fine hilly country," said he, as he 
 came up with him, "-but the people here say, 
 that witches and elves are seen at twilight, 
 gamboling on the mountain tops, and playing all 
 sorts of unnatural pranks."" 
 
 " What do you call unnatural pranks.'*" en- 
 quired Sandoval. 
 
 " Why, I mean using their heads instead of 
 their feet for dancing, and whirling in the air 
 like as many fireworks. I have heard a French- 
 man of St. Jean de Luz say, that some nights 
 after Soult's posts on these heights were carried 
 by the united armies, a grand carol was held on 
 the place by a numerous assemblage of moun-
 
 THE FREEMASON. US 
 
 tain spirits. This happened just at mid-night, 
 and, as on that month, and at that hour, all was 
 darkness, the effect was very grand, as the 
 Frenchman said. First of all, noises like the 
 grunting of pigs were heard, proceeding from 
 the bowels of the earth, and these were answered 
 by others resembling the screeching of owls 
 overhead. All of a sudden, various explosions 
 followed those noises, and the surface of the 
 different hills presented the wavering tops of 
 lights gradually issuing from each ; when pre- 
 sently out popped a number of witches, holding 
 in their hands lighted torches, the flame of 
 which, reflecting on the sky, showed a multitude 
 of black spirits capering in the air with uncom- 
 mon sprightliness, and astonishing rapidity of 
 motion ; or, as the Frenchman said, ' avec heau- 
 coiip de grace et de Uglreie: After various 
 dances, in which the hags and the elves mixed 
 promiscuously to the sound of their own horrid 
 screams, a loud rumbling noise suddenly stopped 
 their whirling motions. The hajjs now uttered 
 their malignant cry of ' ah, ah, ah,' and the elves 
 of ' hih, hih, hib,' and immediately appeared a
 
 114 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 troop of giant-like black-winged spirits, resem- 
 bling devils, with twisted horns, long tails, and 
 cloven feet, holding skulls in their hands filled 
 with blood, which they quaffed off to the health 
 of Napoleon, while wolves, bears, and wild 
 boars danced around them, and owls, vultures, 
 and vampyres hovered over their heads. Sud- 
 denly a clap of thunder was heard, and the whole 
 hellish crew disappeared, leaving notliing be- 
 hind, but a thick cloud of smoke strongly im- 
 pregnated with sulphur !" 
 
 " A fine tale that, my friend Roque," said 
 Sandoval, " and you, like a simpleton, believe 
 it, no doubt ?" * 
 
 *' I own," replied Roque, very gravely, " that 
 I don't see how it is possible not to believe it ; 
 you recollect the numerous desertions that hap- 
 pened among the English soldiers at that time ?* 
 
 • This is a fact; several desertions took place at the 
 moment alluded to, and had it not been for the severity used 
 against those who were taken in the act of deserting, they 
 would have been much more numerous, those superstitious 
 notions being then very prevalent among the uninformed 
 soldiery.
 
 THE FEEEMASON. 115 
 
 Well ! how do you account for that, unless, as 
 it was then believed by ail, you allow that there 
 are spirits who practised their cunning arts on 
 those poor fellows — obliging them to desert to 
 their enemies ? Is it likely, think ye, that 
 Englishmen would ever have passed over to the 
 French, without some supernatural cause to com- 
 pel them ? If you think so, why you may as 
 well believe, that Englishmen prefer water to 
 wine ; and the one is as likely as the other." 
 
 " Rut how did it come to pass," enquired his 
 master, " that those desertions ceased altogether 
 when a few, convicted of making the attempt, 
 were shot, by way of example to the others ? 
 Was the fear of being shot stronger than all the 
 cunning arts of your mountain spirits ?" 
 
 « That I can't tell,'* answered Roque ; " pos- 
 sibly the shame of dying like deserters might 
 have called forth all their resolution to with- 
 stand these witcheries ; but certain it is, that 
 those who deserted must have been bewitched.*^ 
 
 " And why did not those witches entice you, 
 or any other Spaniard, over to the enemy ?"
 
 116 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 " Why, because they are French witches, 
 naturally fond of their countrymen, and knew 
 we could not serve them in any but one way — 
 that was by stirring their hearts with the stiletto; 
 and by the god Bacchus ! had I been prevailed 
 upon by them to pass over, I think I should 
 have asked of the French a good account for 
 burning our village-house, and murdering our 
 relations and friends." 
 
 " They are very considerate witches then," 
 cried Sandoval. " But do you see some men 
 on the right hand, concealing themselves behind 
 a thicket ?" 
 
 " I do," answered Roque, " and if my eyes 
 deceive me not, they are Spanish officers." 
 
 " Let us make to them," said Sandoval, 
 putting spurs to his horse, in which he was 
 imitated by Roque. As they approaches!, one 
 of them stept out and challenged them. At 
 Sandoval's answer of "an officer of die third 
 anny," the rest of his companions came forwai'd. 
 They all proved to be officers belonging to 
 Moriilo's division, who informed our hero of
 
 THE FREEMASON. "117 
 
 their intention to join Anglona's army, in order 
 to avoid the danger to which all liberals in 
 Morillo's division- were now exposed, as the 
 worst feeling existed throughout it. This in- 
 formation did not fail to increase Sandoval's 
 anxiety and his speed to reach Freyre's head- 
 quarters, which he did on the following day, 
 having allowed himself only a few hours' rest 
 during his two days' journey. 
 
 On entering the house where the General-in- 
 chief was quartered, he found a large concourse 
 of officers, dressed en grande ienne, ready to sit 
 down to a banquet, which was to be honoured 
 by the presence of the Generalissimo, Lord 
 Wellington, who had that day arrived from 
 Toulouse, and who immediately after was to 
 proceed post to Madrid. After the usual in- 
 troductions, congratulations on the glorious ter- 
 mination of the war, and lamentations on the 
 unfortunate events then passing in Spain, San- 
 doval was invited to take his seat among the 
 officers of the staff. At the head of the table 
 sat General Freyre, with his illustrious guest on
 
 118 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 his right hand, and surrounded by those supe- 
 rior officers of his army who were then at head- 
 quarters. The dinner was as became the occa- 
 sion, sumptuous and dehcately dressed, several 
 French cooks having exerted their united talents 
 to%how, that if Frenchmen were not always in- 
 vincible in the art of war, they defied all the 
 world to beat them in the culinary sciences. 
 The conversation very naturally turned upon 
 the affairs of Spain, and as the wine circulated, 
 men's heads became heated, and their tongues 
 more firee. The conduct of King Ferdinand 
 was generally reprobated, his counsellors de- 
 nounced as traitors, and he himself as a despot 
 and a tyrant. Sandoval painted in energetic 
 colours the state to which all the patriots were 
 likely to be reduced, if no vigorous steps were 
 taken by them to compel the king and the ser- 
 vile faction to adopt a wiser line of conduct 
 and concluded his discourse by putting the fol 
 lowing question to the Generahssimo, — " My 
 Lord, what conduct would your Excellency 
 adopt in a similai' situation ?''"'
 
 THE FEEEMASON. 119 
 
 " My functions of General-in-chief of the 
 Spanish armies," said his Lordship, " will soon 
 terminate, consequently it is not for me to in- 
 terfere in the internal aifairs of the Peninsula ; 
 but as an Englishman I must ever love the 
 cause of freedom, and were I placed in a similar 
 situation, the conduct I should adopt is not at 
 all doubtful."* 
 
 This reply, which though cautiously worded, 
 was decidedly flattering to their feelings, was 
 greatly applauded by all the guests, none of 
 whom could now doubt that his Lordship conti- 
 nued still as favourable to the constitutional cause 
 as he had been previous to the king''s return.-f- 
 
 * These are as nearly as possible the words used by the 
 noble Duke on the above occasion, the author having 
 heard them from several of the officers who were present 
 at that banquet. 
 
 t Many persons then imagined, and many still think, 
 that his Grace took some share in the events of May, 1814; 
 but this is a gratuitous assertion, resting on mere conjec- 
 ture. That he should have acted iu concert with Ferdi- 
 jiand seems not only improbable, but impossible. The 
 treaty which this detestable and ungrateful tyrant had 
 just concluded with Napoleon, in which he bound himself
 
 120 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 After various patriotic toats and sentiments the 
 party broke up, and Sandoval, taking leave of 
 the General-in-chief and his friends, immediately 
 set off for Iran, having ascertained by this 
 journey, that Freyre, like Anglona, Avas wilHng 
 to act in favour of the Constitution, but was 
 quite as isolated and helpless 
 
 Sandoval reached Irun on the same day that 
 Lord Wellington was to review the third army. 
 All the troops were formed on the road to Oyar- 
 zun, and presented a somewhat less tattered ap- 
 pearance than they had done on previous occa- 
 sions, when the events of the war, and the 
 want of funds, left them almost in a state of 
 nudity. After the various customary evolutions 
 liad been performed. Lord Wellington called 
 around him all the officers of the staff, chiefs of 
 battalions, captains, &c. and having highly 
 eulogized the bravery and good conduct of all 
 during the war, which had now so gloriously 
 
 to declare war against England, &c. being the best evi- 
 dence of the total fallacy and absurdity of such sus- 
 picions.
 
 THE FREEMASON. 121 
 
 terminated, and particularly during the time 
 they had been under his immediate orders, he 
 touched upon iht step taken by General Barru- 
 tel, which he condenmed in the strongest and 
 most unequivocal terms, considering it as a 
 breach of military subordination, unjustifiable 
 under any circumstances. He then exhorted 
 them all to stifle whatever resentment might still 
 exist in consequence of any difference of politi- 
 tical opinions, and recommended to them union 
 and fraternity as virtues essentially requisite 
 among military men. To the Prince of An- 
 glona, who requested his Lordship's mediation 
 at court, that a veil might be drawn over all the 
 occurrences which had taken place in his army, 
 and that none of the officers should ever after 
 be molested for having expressed their senti- 
 ments in an open manner, Lord Wellington 
 promised to use all his influence in their behalf, 
 assuring him, that as he himself did not attach any 
 criminality to their conduct, his efforts should 
 be unremitting, till he had obtained from the king 
 
 VOL. I. G
 
 122 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 a promise that no proceedings whatever should 
 be instituted against them.* His Lordship then 
 took his leave of the army, wishing them all 
 happiness and prosperity, and the troops replied 
 by hearty cheers of Viva nuestro General- 
 isimo ! Viva el Lord Wellington ! Viva el de- 
 fensor de nuestros derechos .'"•{- 
 
 After the review, the officers were seen re- 
 turning to their respective quarters in small 
 bodies, some walking or riding silently on, with 
 dejected looks, and slow steps; and others, on 
 the contrary, tripping on lightly, with triumpii- 
 ant air, in loud and animated converse, occa- 
 sionally interrupted by bursts of laughter. The 
 contrast showed that the former were liberals, 
 and the latter serviles ; for things had now come 
 to that pass, when those who might, a few days 
 
 • This promise his Grace the Duke of Wellington ob- 
 tained from Ferdinand, and strange to say, this despot 
 king kept it, though with some tiifling exceptions. 
 
 t Long live our Generalissimo ! Long hve Lord Wel- 
 lington ! Long live the defender of our rights !
 
 THE FREEMASON. 123 
 
 before, have been the arbiters of the nation's 
 destiny, were noiv reduced to the humiliating 
 necessity of soliciting the mediation of a foreign 
 general ! — " Only a little resolution in one of 
 these inert men at the head of an army, and 
 Spain preserves her honour undefiled, and raises 
 herself to the station she ought to hold — the 
 first nation of Continenta Europe," muttered 
 Sandoval to himself, biting his lips with a feel- 
 ing of mortification : — *' but, no," he added, 
 " Spain has nothing to expect from men -who 
 - may all be classed either as fools or as traitors." 
 " Captain !" cried a thin squeaking voice be- 
 hind him, proceeding from a person who is, or 
 ought to be, known to my readers, " though 
 the scales are much turned since we last met, 
 and that I have particular reasons for being 
 displeased with you, I pardon you freely, and, 
 moreover, offer you my protection at court, 
 whither I set off this moment, called by our au* 
 gust sovereign to receive the reward due to ray 
 eminent services." 
 
 g2
 
 124 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 " Your eminent services !" exclaimed Sando- 
 val, " pray. General, enumerate them to me, for 
 I'll be shot if I know them." 
 
 *' What, Sir, do you mean to insinuate that 
 I have not done my duty to our sovereign as our 
 ordinances prescribe ?" asked General Rodriguez, 
 a little disturbed by Sandoval's question. 
 
 " God forbid I should ever utter such a blas- 
 phemy r cried Sandoval ; " but I am a little puz- 
 zled to discover how your services have become 
 eminent. Pray, is it because you have never been 
 once during the whole campaign in a field of 
 battle .'' or is it because you were always to be 
 found in the rear of the army whenever danger 
 pressed in front, and at the head of it when the 
 rear stood in peril ?" 
 
 " Ay ! but you forget that I was subject to 
 a fever whenever a battle was to be fought," 
 said the Quarter- Master -General, " and this 
 simply because I worked up my courage to that 
 degree of excitement, that it invariably brought 
 on shiverings. This, too, was my reason for
 
 THE FREEMASON. J 25 
 
 accepting my pi-esent post of Quarter-Master- 
 General, which obliged me to keep in the rear. 
 Besides, mere courge is not worth a groat — that 
 is a gift which almost every brute possesses ; it 
 is understanding, a knowledge of the ordinances, 
 and above all, obedience, whicii are most re- 
 quisite." 
 
 " And I should add prudence, of which few 
 have a greater share than yourself,'' said San- 
 doval, ironically, but which the General inter- 
 preted literally ; " it is this essential quality 
 which has rendered you so celebrated among uSj 
 and for which it is just the legitimate govern- 
 ment should recompense you. Well, Sir, re- 
 ceive my congratulations,. for I make no doubt 
 you will become the favorite of our Lord and 
 ^Master, the King." 
 
 " Reckon upon my protection," said the ah- 
 cient chief, quite pleased at Sandoval's eulogy, 
 and no less so at the prospect he held out of the 
 probability of becoming his master's favorite- 
 ** If you v/ere to be a little more attentive to 
 our ordinance-book," added he, " I could ahiiost
 
 ^26 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 promise you a step above your own; but we 
 must see when we are at court what we can do 
 for you." 
 
 " Many thanks and a pleasant journey to 
 you/"' said Sandoval, bowing his head so low 
 that it nearly touched his horse's neck; after 
 which he rode oft* to avoid the grape-shot of ar- 
 ticles, chapters, and books, from the military 
 ordinances, which the General never failed to 
 fire off' against every individual who came within 
 his reach.
 
 THE FEEEMASON. 127 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 AU is still, 
 
 But the lattice that flaps when the wind is shrill- 
 Though raves the gust, and floods the rain, 
 No hand shall close its clasp again. 
 On desert sands 'twere joy to scan 
 The rudest steps of fellow man ; 
 So here the very voice of Grief 
 Might wake an Echo like relief. 
 
 Lord Btrom. 
 
 The time for the dissolution of the army 
 was now fast approaching. It was not to be ex- 
 pected that the servile faction, which now held 
 the reins of government, would allow a power, 
 which had shewn itself hostile to the establish- 
 ment of their favourite system, to exist long. 
 Orders, therefore, were issued to the General-in- 
 chief a short time after the troops took their 
 departure from the. frontiers to the interior, to
 
 128 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 license his troops, and most of the officers. 
 These orders, which were received at Siguenza, 
 where the head-quarters of the army happened 
 then to be, were hailed with equal pleasure, 
 both by liberals and serviles. The desire of 
 returning to their homes, after so many years 
 absence and danger, \\'as as strong with one 
 party as with the other. Both had their parents, 
 relations, and friends to embrace, and many 
 among both, perhaps, were influenced by still 
 dearer and more tender ties. 
 
 Among these last was our hero, who rejoiced 
 at quitting the army, both because, by being- 
 free from military shackles, he should be better 
 able to reahze those plans of happiness, so long 
 and fondly cherished by him, — his union w'ith 
 the beloved idol of liis heart, — and because he 
 expected to find more opportunities of effec- 
 tually serving his country by quitting, than 
 by continuing in a service, which might compel 
 him to act contrary to his sense of justice and 
 utility, and to comply with the commands of 
 despotism and tyranny. Accordingly, when
 
 THE FREEMASON, 1S9 
 
 fce took leave of his Generals, though laoth of- 
 fered to use at court their own influence, and 
 that of their friernls, to obtain the promotion 
 due to his services, if he would but continue 
 in the army, he declined availing himself of 
 their kind offers, declaring himself to be per- 
 fectly satisfied with the consciousness of having 
 done his duty, and with carrying with him their 
 esteem and good wishes. 
 
 Having now taken an affectionate leave of 
 his comrades and friends, Sandoval took the 
 road to Logrono, his native town, whither he 
 not only expected to find his beloved Gabriela, 
 but also his father, who in his last letter from 
 Madrid had informetl him of his intention to 
 repair thither. Of course, our friend Roque 
 was not left behind on this important occasion. 
 Indeed, he had sworn to live and die with his 
 master, and being too much of a Castilian ever 
 to forget his word, he would much sooner have 
 hanged himself tlian remained behind, even if 
 requested to do so. Besides he had a notion, 
 that he was invaluable to his master, not 
 G 3
 
 130 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 because he considered himself more clever than 
 any of his acquaintances, but because his an- 
 cestors, having served in Sandoval's family 
 during some generations, he thought his master 
 derived as much pride from this as himself, and 
 that it would be as great an infamy for him to 
 live with another master, as for his master to put 
 up with the attentions of another servant. 
 
 " Mi capitan," cried he as they rode silently 
 over the wide and sterile Sierras* which run 
 through the greatest part of Lower Castile on 
 the confines of Arragon and Navarre, " what 
 makes you so silent and moody? Are you sorry 
 to return to the house of your fathers ?" 
 
 " Alas, Roque !"" said his master with a sigh, 
 '' you would not have me gay, when you re- 
 member, that I shall find there only one, though 
 when I parted I left two ? My poor mother, 
 she who loved me so tenderly, is no more ! In 
 vain now shall my eyes search for her in those 
 places where I used to see her smile on me, 
 
 • Chains of Mountains.
 
 THE FREEMASON. ISl 
 
 and where she has so often folded me in her 
 arms. Do you recollect, how eagerly, after a few 
 days absence, she used to run down to the gate 
 the instant she caught a glance of me, and with 
 what transports she would embrace me as I 
 alighted from my horse ? Ah Roque ! what 
 would I not give to receive, after an absence 
 like this, one more of those embraces ! — my life, 
 my life!" 
 
 " For the holy Virgin's sake ! Sir," cried 
 Roque, dashing a tear from his cheek with the 
 back of his hand, " do not talk so, or you'll 
 make a child of me. Don't I too recollect, as 
 well as yourself, the many times when her 
 ladyship, (may her soul rest with God), with 
 her own white hands, as white as a curd, used 
 to cut and present me with a good large slice 
 of cecinaJ* or an Estremadura sausage, or may- 
 be a nice piece of foreign cheese, because, as she 
 was pleased to say, she liked to see Roque 
 participate in the good things of this world "^ 
 
 * A sort of salt beef, which is hung in the kitchens 
 until it becomes dry, and which is really a delicate 
 morceau.
 
 132 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 God bless her I — Ay, well do I remember that, 
 and a good many other things, and never shall 
 I forget them, while I live ; but, Sir, it was the 
 will of God to call her to himself, (curse all the 
 French of this and the world to come who were 
 the cause of it,) yet let us hope we shall meet 
 her in a better place." 
 
 " True, friend Roque, it was the will of 
 God," replied his master; " but thoughts like 
 these will sometimes intrude on our minds, and 
 make us melancholy. — But changing to another 
 subject, — what do you think of Dona Ga- 
 briela.'' Would you say she was still attached 
 to me ?" 
 
 " Would I .''"' said Roque, casting his head 
 on one side knowingly, " I wish to God I could 
 say as much of that little jade Rosa, who though 
 she snorted like a high mettled horse, and wept 
 and tore her hair when I left her, I suspect, 
 there was more noise than nuts,* in all her de- 
 monstrations. Zounds ! if she has forgotten 
 
 * A Spanish proverb — Mas es el ruido que las nueces, 
 corresponding to the old English one of " Like shearing 
 hogs, a great cry and little wool."
 
 THE FliEEMASOK. 1QS 
 
 rae, it will not be my fault ; for I have, more 
 than once, recommended several of my acquaint- 
 ances to dance with her, and trip* her for me, 
 as often as I used to do, which she cannot fail 
 rememl^ering well ; for once she got a lump on 
 the back of her head as large as my fist, which 
 I rather think she never got rid of." 
 
 " Whv, man, was that not throwing tempta- 
 tion in her way, or, in other words, recommend- 
 ing her to the devil ? Indeed, the only wonder 
 would be if you were to find her true; not- 
 withstanding your endeavours to make her 
 false." 
 
 " Ay, ay," cried Roque, " doubtless you 
 imacnne such a trick as that would be as cur- 
 rent a coin with our class, as it is w ith yours ; 
 but I should like to see the gallant, who having 
 been entrusted with such a commission, would 
 dare play false -vrith me, or any one else. By 
 the holy Mar}- ! I should not ask leave of the 
 
 * This tripping up of the fair dancw's heeb, is con- 
 sidered a piece of gallantry among the peasants of Caitile, 
 and the oftener the lady is brought to the ground, the more 
 gallant the lover is thought.
 
 134 SANDOVAL ; OE, 
 
 alcade to cudgel the knave's brains out, and 
 break his marrow-bones for him, I promise 
 you." 
 
 " Then/' said his master, " I fear you will 
 have some work on your hands on our arrival, 
 and maybe with more than one of your honest 
 folks.'' 
 
 " Never fear that. Sir," cried Roque, *' but 
 if I find the jade has forsaken me for any one 
 else, I'll call her to a reckoning. By heavens ! 
 not a bead will I leave on her neck, nor a 
 ribbon on her head. The silver shoe-biickles 
 I gave her, which were the envy of all her 
 friends, and which cost me no less than one 
 dollar, six reals, and twenty maravedis, she 
 shall sport no more ; nor the beautiful silver^ 
 gilt locket with the Virgin Mary on one side, 
 and the bleeding heart, pierced with two arrows 
 on the other, tied to a silver chain, the whole of 
 which cost me twenty-five reals; nay, I will 
 not even leave her the consolation of showing 
 on her fingers the two silver rings she was so 
 proud of, one of which had on it no less than
 
 THE FREEMASON. 135 
 
 fifteen beautiful coloured imitation stones, and 
 the other a real cameo, cut in glass. — And what 
 do you think I bring her now frota France?" 
 
 " I suppose some fine diamond ear-rings, or 
 some beautiful piece of lace, or else a well 
 wrought gold comb, or maybe a pearl neck- 
 lace," replied Sandoval. 
 
 " And maybe, you think, I could have 
 stolen that too ? Else where the deuce should 
 I have found money to buy diamonds, and 
 pearls, gold and lace ? I am sure I never saw 
 even the colour of them in France. It is true 
 1 saw there a great deal of gilt brass, and false 
 beads, many knick-knacks, not worth picking 
 up, and which all the gold of America could 
 not buy, if I were to believe what the French- 
 men who sold them said, — in a word, much tinsel 
 and little gold, — just such another stuff as goes 
 to the composition of the French themselves — 
 But were you all the days of your life guessing 
 at it, you would not liit the mark — Well, then 
 ril tell you; it is four beautiful flat shells, 
 which I picked up near St. Jean de Luz, and 
 which I have made into a pair of castanets, the
 
 1®6 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 sound of which will drown half a dozen of the 
 common ones, and which I defy any man to 
 shew me the like." 
 
 " Upon my honour, Roque !" exclaimed his 
 master, '* I had no idea you had so much gal- 
 lantry and ingenuity." 
 
 " Let me alone for that," returned he, 
 " for though I am no Andalusian to brag about 
 my merits, were I to tell you the varioxis orna- 
 ments I made for the jade, you would) remain 
 crossing* yourself till to-morrow morning." 
 
 *' Then pray spare me their description," said 
 Sandoval, spurring his horse towards an emi- 
 nence on the right of the road, from which his 
 native city burst at once upon the sight. No 
 sooner had he reached the summit of this hill, 
 than, overcome by a thousand different emotions 
 with whicli the gay and animated sporis of his 
 boyhood inspired him, he pulled up his horse to 
 breathe awhile, and contemplate from it the rich 
 plain on which Logroiio stands, fertilized by the 
 
 * It is a common practice among certain classes of 
 people in Spain, to cross themselves when they hear any- 
 thing very surprising.
 
 THE FKEEMASON. 137 
 
 meandering Ebro, and chequered with luxuriant 
 vineyards, ohve plantations, elegant villas, sur- 
 rounded by beautiful gardens, and picturesque 
 ruins, some of which, finely overrun with ivy, 
 form a delightful contrast to the erect and sym- 
 metrical towers and churches, which contribute 
 in no trivial degree to the adornment of the 
 scene by the varied architecture of their lofty 
 spires and belfries, and overlook a number of 
 well-built edifices. The old walls of the town 
 too, and the half-ruined bridge by which the 
 Ebro is crossed on the road to Vittoria, were 
 seen uninjured by the destructive hand of war. 
 Every object indeed exhibited the same ap- 
 pearance as when he had left the city, and natu- 
 rally brought to his mind a crowd of recollec- 
 tions, some pleasing and others melancholy ; 
 but those were always pure and bright, which 
 carried him back to the days of infancy — the 
 age of illusion or unalloyed happiness. 
 
 Roque, who, though a servant, had also the 
 gift of recollecting past pleasures, stood by his 
 master, ready to weep or laugh at the rcmem-
 
 138 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 brance of things now hui'ried into eternity, just 
 as the impulse was communicated to him by his 
 master, who, however, was so much absorbed in 
 his meditations, that neither tears nor smiles 
 were observable in his countenance. Keeping 
 his saddle in an erect ppsture, in his right hand 
 holding a telescope, which he pressed against 
 his thigh, and his eyes immovably fixed on the 
 scene below, he offered an excellent model for 
 the statue of a young hero, with his gallant, 
 manly, intelligent physiognomy to aid the effect 
 of his figure. " I hope he is not petrified," 
 said Roque to himself, greatly tempted to 
 touch him, and then he added aloud, " Mi 
 capitan, are we to bivouac here to-night ; for if 
 so, I had better prepare our mess, and turn our 
 horses into the valley below." 
 
 Sandoval started as if from a dream, and 
 Jifter a long-drawn sigh, he silently led his 
 horse down the hill, and having reached the 
 high road to Logrouo, commenced a sharp trot, 
 which soon brought him into the city. The 
 agitation of his mind, and the wish to reach his
 
 THE FEEEMASON. 139 
 
 paternal roof, made him hurry through the 
 streets without taking the least notice of the 
 numerous assemblage of fashionable ladies who 
 were repairing to the promenade in their white 
 lace veils, and their silk basguinas,'^ many of 
 whom cast their large dark eyes on him with a 
 kind of interest that indicated some previous 
 knowledge of the stranger. 
 
 At length he came within sight of his father's 
 house, and he felt his heart beat with so much 
 violence in his bosom, that he was obliged to 
 pause a few minutes to recover a little serenity. 
 Meantime, his anxious eyes were busily cm- 
 ployed in examining every part of its exterior. 
 There was in it no material change. The same 
 massive appearance about the principal door, 
 surmounted Vv'ith the family escutcheon, cut on 
 stone, was still discernible; the eight balconies 
 — the six grated windows below — were still the 
 same : even the twelve projecting spouts on the 
 edge of the roof were complete, and underneath 
 
 ' A petticoat worn by Spanish ladies wheaever they go 
 out.
 
 140 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 were yet to be seen almost the same number of 
 swallows' nests. Yet one thing Sandoval ob- 
 served, which excited anxious forebodings in 
 his breast, both the balconies and the windows 
 were completely shut up ; and though it was 
 now the latter end of July, no white curtain 
 decked the exterior, as was the case with those 
 of the other houses. The principal door, 
 which led to the patio,* and to the great stair- 
 case, was also shut, and only a wicket of the 
 same door was half open. 
 
 " Hold my horse," cried Sandoval to Roque, 
 alighting with apparent emotion, " for I must 
 clear this mystery, and you wait here till I 
 return." He then walked towards the wicket, 
 pushed it open, and entered the court. As he 
 cast a glance around, he was surprised to see it 
 looking waste and desolate. Even the fountain 
 that decorated the centre was dried up, and 
 covered with dust and rubbish. Hastening, 
 
 * A court wliich is attached to the houses of most Spanish 
 gentlemen, and in the middle of which there is generally a 
 fountain.
 
 THE FREEMASON. ] 4-1 
 
 however, to the great staircase, he ran up, and 
 "vvas on the ]ioint of grasping the knocker of the 
 inner door wlien 'he heard a harsh voice issuing 
 from underneath one of the corridors, vociferat- 
 ing — " Eh, halt there ! What is your business 
 here ?" 
 
 Surprised at such an enquiry, Sandoval 
 turned his head towards the place from which 
 ihe voice issued, and observed in one corner of 
 the patio a ragged soldier with a cigar in his 
 mouth, carelessly reclining against the wall, and 
 supporting a musket with one hand. " Pray, 
 good friend," cried Sandoval, casting his eyes 
 around the place as if to be assured of the fact ; 
 " am I mistaken, or is not this Don Fabricio 
 Sandoval's house ?" 
 
 " Odd enough if it were so," answered the 
 soldier, puffing away at his cigar, and winking 
 sarcastically on our hero, " but good friend, let 
 me ask you two questions ; first, in what booth 
 or stable have we dined together to entitle me to 
 be your good friend ; and secondly, where did 
 you hear of a bird having a cage when he has
 
 142 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 flown away from it ? Not in our days, I am 
 sure." 
 
 Sandoval stared at the fellow, unable to un- 
 derstand either his impudence, or his jargon. 
 " Sirrah !" exclaimed he, " I'll break your bones 
 for you, though you be on duty, if you don't 
 answer my question intelligibly, and quickly." 
 
 " Why, as to quickly," returned the soldier 
 leisurely, " it was never my failing to do things 
 in a hurry ; and as to intelligibly, nothing can 
 be more clear, — if a bird flies away from his 
 cage, is the cage his, or his master's ? In the 
 same way, if a man chooses to fly from his 
 house, is the house his, or our lord the king's r" 
 
 " Zounds !" exclaimed Sandoval impatiently, 
 " trifle you with me ? Say instantly what has 
 become of Don Fabricio ?"" 
 
 " I was not born a conjuror," returned the 
 soldier, in as indifferent a tone as ever, " he 
 may be hung for what I know or care.'' 
 
 " Sirrah !" cried Sandoval angrily, " I'll 
 make you care, you rascal. See you this ?'"' un- 
 buttoning his surtout and shewing him his cap-
 
 THE FREEMASON. 143 
 
 tain's insignia. " You'll repent your insolence, 
 and that shortly too." 
 
 The soldier apparently little concerned at it, 
 approached to examine the buttons of Sandoval's 
 coat, and [then exclaimed, — " Ay, I see, you 
 belonged to the third army, and have been in 
 France. You must be purified before I can 
 fear your threats — and it is all very proper, by 
 Saint Francis ! for, as his holy disciples say, 
 who knows but you may have smuggled heresy 
 and impiety into Spain ?" 
 
 This was too much for Sandoval. To be 
 thus jeered by a ragged soldier in his own house, 
 and at such a conjuncture, when every second 
 to him was as precious as years might be to the 
 egotist, was more than he, or any one else could 
 have borne. " Hark ye, scoundrel I" cried he, 
 bursting with passion, " whether I be pure or 
 impure, that will not shield you from being shot 
 before a week elapses. Take my word for it, 
 ril have an example made of you, to teach others 
 the subordination due to their superiors." 
 
 As he spoke these words, several people's
 
 144 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 foot-steps were heard entering the patio. It 
 was a corporal and three soldiers, who came to 
 chano:e the centinel. Sandoval withdrew on 
 one side to allow the corporal to perform his 
 duty, and M^hen this was done, he enquired of 
 liim Avhy a centinel was posted there. 
 
 " Because," replied the corporal, " this is 
 Don Fabricio Sandoval's house, on which there 
 is a sequestration laid for being a traitor to the 
 king." 
 
 " A traitor !" exclaimed Sandoval indignantly, 
 " what do you mean. Sir, by a traitor ?" 
 
 " I mean one who is not a servile,"" replied 
 the corporal ; " for now a-days £tll are traitors 
 who don't cry — ' Long live the King, our 
 Lord !^ " 
 
 " And what has become of Don Fabricio ?" 
 enquired Sandoval hastily. 
 
 " That is more than I can tell," returned tlie 
 corporal. " All I know for certain is, that 
 about a week ago he left Logrofio, and has not 
 been heard of since." 
 
 So saying he raised his hand to his cap, and
 
 THE FREEMASON. 145 
 
 withdrew with his men, leaving Sandoval pinned 
 to the spot, struggling with the most painful 
 feelings. His filial devotion and attachment, 
 at all times excessive, and now excited to the 
 highest state of alarm, painted in the most vivid 
 colours the sufferings and privations to which 
 the venerable old man might be exposed. After 
 all the sacrifices his father had made to restore 
 Ferdinand to the throne of his ancestors, so 
 pusillanimously abandoned by him, and after 
 his patriotic exertions to insure to his country a 
 less degrading system of government, by which 
 its welfare and prosperity might be established 
 on a lasting basis, even by the sacrifice of those 
 privileges of his class which he enjoyed, he was 
 entitled to another recompense than banishment 
 and spoliation, at least, so thought his son. 
 These and other reflections, which the present 
 scene excited, to a mind naturally fervid, could 
 not but be painful and distressing in the highest 
 degree. Unconscious of the centinel's presence, 
 he paced the patio with long strides, his arms 
 folded across his breast, now ejaculating broken 
 
 VOL. I. H
 
 146 SANDOVAL ; OK, 
 
 exclamations of filial tenderness and affection,^ 
 and now bursting into fits of passion, in which 
 vengeance was fervently invoked, and which 
 wasted itself in apostrophies and wrathful ex- 
 pressions. 
 
 While he was thus employed, Roque, who 
 had observed the soldiers going in and out, sus- 
 pected all was not right within, and consequently 
 got his head in at the wicket, and cried out to 
 his master — " Mi capitan, how do things stand 
 here, and where are the knaves of my old 
 master's servants, who do not hasten to open this 
 gate, and allow our horses to come in ? Am I to 
 be holding them here to all eternity ?" 
 
 " Where shall I find my unfortunate father ?" 
 ejaculated Sandoval, unheeding Roque's question, 
 and pacing the patio hurriedly, " or where shall 
 1 turn my steps ? Houseless and fatherless, where 
 shall I find happiness and consolation? — Alas ?" 
 exclaimed he, making a sudden pause, " this 
 was the very spot where I received the parting 
 kiss of her whom I shall see no more ! Well do 
 I remember the hour. How her tears moistened
 
 THE FREEMASON. 147 
 
 ray cheeks ! — ah ! doubtless it was the presenti- 
 ment of what was to happen !^Yes, for never 
 does the heart thus bleed unconscious of its ap- 
 proaching doom! And here too, — dare I now 
 think of her ? — can I now think on plans of happi- 
 ness? — may I now hope that the soothing hand of 
 love will heal the wounds of fate and tyranny ? 
 — Gabriela ! this was the spot where you pledged 
 the vow I asked, and sealed it with a kiss, — 
 here didst thou plight thy faith to me in truth 
 and sincerity — here, in this spot, didst thou fold 
 me to thy bosom, and amidst sighs and tears 
 swore by the holiest things in the creation, never 
 to forget me, never to be another"'s, but mine, — 
 mine only. — How is it now .'' — Has my absence 
 destroyed those recollections?— Do' st thou hold 
 that faith pledged to me, as lightly as the many 
 perjured traitors hold the oaths, taken at the 
 altar of their country?"" — He paused a while, 
 and wiping his forehead, from which a cold sweat 
 ran, rushed towards the door. " Roque," cried 
 he, " take our horses to the Fonda del Angel, 
 and wait there my return. This is no longer my 
 u2
 
 148 
 
 SANDOVAL ; OK, 
 
 home. I have no home — I have no parents." 
 Saying this, he left the house alone, and follow- 
 ing the impulse of his heart, in a few minutes 
 "he found himself at the door of Don Antonio 
 Lanza, the father of liis adored Gabriela,
 
 THE FREEMASON. 149 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Oh ! I have nothing to expect on earth ! .' 
 But misery is very apt to talk ; 
 I thought I Qiight be heard ! 
 
 Southern. 
 
 It is not easy for us to express what Sandoval 
 felt on reaching Don Antonio's house. Hope 
 and fear, mingled with a thousand contending 
 passions, so agitated and distressed him, that he 
 hesitated whether to go in, or retrace his steps 
 His natural impatience, however, urged him 
 forward, and he entered the portal* of the house; 
 but before he could bring his mind to announce 
 himself, a thousand apprehensions rushed- into 
 
 * A sort of interior portico.
 
 150 SANDOVAL; OK, 
 
 his mind, and a feeling of faintness came over 
 him, which obliged him to recline his head 
 against the door. After one or two minutes of 
 violent agitation, he mustered sufficient courage 
 to grasp the knocker, and give a rap. The 
 noise made him start, and he drew back in- 
 voluntarily towards the street door ; but before 
 he had reached it, a servant man came to ans- 
 wer the knock, and asked to know his business; 
 — "Are the family at home ?" enquired Sandoval, 
 with a faultering voice. 
 
 " They are all at home," said the servant, 
 looking steadily into his face, " do you wish to 
 see them ? What name shall I say ? ' 
 
 " Don Cahsto Sandoval." 
 
 The man looked more fixedly on him. — 
 " And do you really wish to see them ?" en- 
 quired he again. 
 
 " I have told you so before." 
 
 " I think you had better take a glass of wine 
 before you go in. You look deadly pale ; you 
 must be unwell,"" said the man, and without
 
 THE FREEMASON, 151 
 
 waiting for an answer opened a cover, and 
 drawing out a glass and a bottle, he poured out 
 a bumper. 
 
 " Friend," cried Sandoval, taking the glass 
 and tasting some of the wine, " are you a Navar- 
 rese or a Biscayan? — one of the two undoubt- 
 edly you are." 
 
 '* I am a Biscayai\ — but why do you ask 
 it .5"' 
 
 *' Because I suspect you imagine that wine is 
 a cure for all diseases," rephed Sandoval with a 
 melancholy smile. 
 
 " The deuce, and you guessed it well," said 
 the servant, *' I am really of that opinion ; and, 
 moreover, that it gives the weak man boldness, 
 which you want above all things ; — but here 
 goes to your health, and success against all 
 your rivals;" he then swallowed two bum- 
 pers, one after another, put the bottle in the 
 cover, and beckoned Sandoval to follow him. 
 
 " Stay," cried Sandoval, agitated, though 
 affecting to smile, " who are those rivals you 
 talk of? You don''t know me, do you ?"
 
 152 SANDOVAL; OK, 
 
 " / rather think I have heard your name be- 
 fore now," said he, laying a great emphasis on 
 the first words ; " but you seem impatient to see 
 the family," he added, " they are here in the 
 lower apartment, which looks into the garden," 
 and walking hastily to a little door opposite, all 
 the while pretending not to hear SandovaPs 
 whisper of " stop, stop ;" he lifted the latch, 
 and announced him. 
 
 On entering, he found Don Antonio sitting 
 at one extremity of the room, before a table, on 
 which there was a wax taper burning to light 
 his cigar. He was in close conversation with a 
 reverend father, whose white habit, black cloak, 
 and large round hood shewed him to be a 
 Dominican, and who was in fact the family 
 spiritual director. About the middle of the 
 room was Dona Angela Lanza, Don Antonio's 
 wife, kneeling before a picture of the Virgin 
 Mary, that hung over a sofa, and holding a 
 prayer-book in her hand ; and near one of the 
 balconies that looked into the garden, sat, em- 
 broidering: at a tambour frame, Gabriela her- 
 
 •
 
 THE FREEMASON. 163 
 
 self. She was cloatlied in a white muslin dress, 
 and wore a la^e fichu over her well formed 
 bosom, on which the shining dark-ebony tresses 
 that fell from her Grecian hair-dress sported 
 lightly, moved by the evening breeze which re- 
 freslied the room, as it passed through the 
 verdant foliage with which the trees in the gar- 
 den were clothed. Her fine oval countenance, 
 at all times beautiful by the perfect symmetry 
 of its features, looked now doubly interesting by 
 ■an air of melancholy sweetness which overspread 
 it, and by the soft paleness of her cheeks, on 
 which now and then the parting rays of the 
 sunset cast a rosy tinge, which no soonei' had 
 the leaves of the trees recovered from the 
 tremor, caused by the pressure of the wind, shut 
 the rays out, than it disappeared. 
 
 On our hero's name being announced, all four 
 rose as if moved by one impulse, and fixed their 
 eyes on the door. Sandoval paused an instant, 
 as he glanced around, and then with open arms 
 hastened towards Don Antonio to embrace him ; 
 buc the latter raising up his hand as he ap- 
 h8
 
 154 Sandoval; or, 
 
 proached, bid him stop, exclaiming, — " Gently, 
 gently, Don Calisto, before I embrace you, I 
 must first know that you are worthy of it." 
 
 Sandoval remained motionless and rivetted to 
 the spot, as if converted into a statue by the 
 words ; but he was soon roused from the over- 
 whelming astonishment they had caused by a 
 faint scream from Gabriela, who after an at- 
 tempt to speak, fell back on her xihair and 
 fainted away. The distressed lover ran to her, 
 and throwing himself on his knees, grasped her 
 hand, which he pressed fervently to his lips, 
 calling her by a thousand endearing names. 
 Then rising from the ground, ran distract- 
 edly about the room, wringing his hands, and 
 calling to his servant Roque, if he valued his 
 life to fetch immediately a physician, salts, 
 hartshorn, vinegar, and all the restoratives 
 he could think of, swearing all the while he 
 would have him shot if he did not return quick- 
 1}'. When this first burst was over, he seemed 
 to recover a little serenity, and, drawing near 
 Gabriela placed the palm of his hand over her
 
 THE FHEEMASON. 155 
 
 lips, felt her left side, and then her pulse, held 
 up her head, pressed her hand in his, and 
 covered it with kisses. — " This is some of her 
 nonsense," cried DoSa Angela, who had till 
 then been looking with greater surprise and 
 alarm at Sandoval's violent demonstrations of 
 affection, than at her daughter's accident. — 
 " Had you never been allowed to read any 
 other books than the prayer book, and the offices 
 of the holy week, you would not thus make a 
 fool of yourself," she added, shaking Gabriela 
 by the arm. 
 
 " For God's sake, Dona Angela," cried the 
 terrified Sandoval, " have a little considera- 
 tion, Gabriela is almost lifeless. Do not destroy 
 her, pray be . . . ." 
 
 *' As you, Doua Angela very well observed," 
 interrupted the reverend father, who stood look- 
 ing on, seemingly little affected, either at San- 
 doval's distress, or Gabriela's situation, *' the 
 mischief lies in reading, that is the root of all 
 evil. Young women now-a-days get hold of
 
 156 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 books, which they are incapable of understand-' 
 ing, and from them learn only how to despise' 
 their parent's wholesome advice, and to run 
 from folly into vice, and from vice into per- 
 dition." 
 
 " Methinks, holy Sir," cried Sandoval, not a 
 Kttle incensed at the brutal insensibility of his 
 Reverence, " that such reflections are here un- 
 seasonable, and tliat it would be more befitting 
 and christian like, were your reverence to try 
 conciliatory measures, instead of lighting up dis- 
 cord, and to assist in restoring this unhappy 
 lady." 
 
 Dona Angela seemed much shocked at this 
 observation. " SeBor Don Calisto," said she, 
 drily, " if you have learned in France how to 
 be disrespectful to the holy ministers of our 
 mother church, I insist upon your not display- 
 ing your acquirements in my house ; and as 
 your assistance here can be dispensed with, you 
 are at liberty to go as soon as you like." 
 
 Sandoval, notwithstanding he was prepared
 
 THE FEEEMASON, 157 
 
 to hear, after the unkind reception he had met 
 from Gabriel a's, parents, any unceremonious dis- 
 course, felt a great difficulty in checking his 
 excited feehngs, though his love for Gabrieia 
 imposed upon him this necessity. " Madam,"" 
 said he, after a few minutes silence, " I should 
 never have intruded my presence on you, or 
 entered your house, had I not been so earnestly 
 invited by yourself. It is true,'' added he, 
 hanging down his head, " circumstances are 
 mucli changed since, and instead of my being 
 the wealthy heir of the house of Sandoval, I 
 am a houseless wanderer, and may be a beggar 
 shortly. Yet, Dona Angela, to a civil recep- 
 ticai I think I am entitled, though you may no 
 longer court my alliance.'" 
 
 " Sir," replied the devout Doua Angela, 
 " had you not forsaken your principles, and 
 abjured your religion, while remaining in that 
 heretical country from which you have just re- 
 turned, you would find me as much alive to 
 kindness now, as I was when I gave my consent
 
 1^ SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 to your marriage with Gabriela, and you would 
 have no occasion to accuse me of being actuated 
 by paltry and worldly motives " 
 
 " Madam," returned Sandoval, " whoever 
 has told you I have forsaken my principles and 
 abjured my religion, him I declare a villain in 
 the very face of the world. My principles at 
 this moment are the same as they were since I 
 came to the age of reason, and my religion as 
 undianged as they. The only difference now 
 is, that my circumstances and prospects are 
 altered. This is a crime impardonable in the 
 eyes of many, and calls forth the hackneyed 
 pretext for every breach of faith in our age — 
 the want of loyalty and religion."" 
 
 " 'Tis impossible for a young man to live in 
 a heretical country, and not become tinged 
 with heretical ideas," said gravely his Reverence. 
 
 " And does your Reverence really think 
 France a heretical country ".'' enquired San- 
 doval, in a tone of contempt. 
 
 '* And pray young man," returned the friar,
 
 th£ feeemason. 159 
 
 with a jeering smile, " may I ask of your wis-. 
 dom to inform "my ignorance, what else are the 
 French people but heretics?"* 
 
 " By telling you, that the majority are Roman 
 Catholics,"*' replied Sandoval. ** I presume I am 
 not informing you, but merely repeating what it 
 is impossible you should be ignorant of." 
 
 ** So that, according to your presumption, I 
 am more a knave than a fool ? — I am extremely 
 obliged to you,'' said his Reverence with an af* 
 fected bow, and then turning himself towards 
 Dona Angela, he added with a triumphant look, 
 
 * People in Spain, before and during Napoleon's inva- 
 sion, were taught to believe that those Frenchmen who 
 were not atheists, were heretics ; the conduct of the French 
 troops under Napoleon justified this absurd accusation. 
 But since the late holy crusade, in which a true son of St. 
 Louis, a brother of Prince Hohenlohe, (of miracle-working 
 notoriety,) a pious Moncey, a mistified Baron Damas, a de- 
 vout No;ailles, and various other saints, " bajados del cielo h 
 pedradas,'"' descended to the earth on being stoned from 
 heaven, as the Spanish adage goes, did not disdain to kiss 
 the holy habit of that most formidable of all saints, the 
 Trappist, their ideas must have undergone considerable 
 alteration.
 
 WQ san-doval; or, 
 
 " "'TIS delightful, Madam, to see how improved 
 these young men are after a journey to France !" 
 While this conversation was going on, Sando- 
 val did not neglect to tender every assistance in 
 his power for the recovery of his beloved, in 
 which he was effectually aided by Don Antonio, 
 who though a weak man, and easily influenced 
 by others, was very much attached to his 
 daughter, who was his only child. At last, by 
 dint of applications, chafing, and other remedies, 
 they succeeded in recalling her to herself ; and 
 Sandoval, who had been watching with great 
 anxiety the moment of her recovery, on perceiv- 
 ing her lips quiver, and her bosom heave, dropped 
 one knee on the ground, and clasping her hand 
 in his, pressed it to his burning lips. Gabriela 
 suddenly opened her large dark eyes ; but yet 
 unconscious of what was passing, she cast a 
 vacant stare around the room, as if to collect her 
 senses, rubbed her temples with her disengaged 
 hand, and drew a long sigh. At these evident 
 signs of restored animation, Sandoval's tears 
 flowed profusely on the hand which he still held
 
 THE FREEMASON. 161 
 
 to his lips, and she now, feeling the burning 
 drops, looked down on him, and suddenly dis- 
 engaging herself from his clasp, threw her arms 
 round his neck, and burst into a flood of tears. 
 
 This affecting scene did not fail to excite Don 
 Antonio's sympathy, and even to soften a little 
 the severity of DoSa Angela herself. The 
 servants themselves, as tliey stood looking on, 
 rubbed their eyes with their aprons, and partici- 
 pated in those delightful feelings, to which the in- 
 dulgence of all compassionate impulses gives rise. 
 But not so the friar, who a total stranger to all 
 social affection, and free from human ties, being 
 attadied to society only by the selfish comforts 
 he derived from it, walked about, unmoved at 
 this sight, smoking his cigar, and from time to 
 time casting a look of scorn on the interesting 
 group. 
 
 At this conjuncture the Comisario Regio^* of 
 
 * A sort of judge created by Ferdinand, to try allied 
 political offences, or rather to persecute to utter destruction 
 the enlightened and patriotic meD who had replaced him on 
 the throue.
 
 162 SANDOVAL ; oil, 
 
 LogroEo, Don Aniceto Artimana, was announc- 
 ed, and in walked a man of low stature, dressed 
 in a rich gold embroidered coat, decorated with 
 the grang cross of Charles Til, white kerseymere 
 pantaloons, hessian boots with gold fringe and 
 tassels, a gold-laced cocked hat under his left 
 arm, and a cane with a gold top in his right 
 hand. Unfortunately, all this finery could not 
 conceal a look of marked ferocity, and features 
 as coarse and vulgar as they were disgustingly 
 deformed. Eyes of a greenish colour, sunken 
 into the head, and so concealed by the bushy 
 eye-brows which overhung them, that only a 
 twinkling, resembling the glimmerings of a light 
 burning in a deep dark dungeon was observed ; 
 a nose which, by some unlucky accident in his 
 boyhood, had been so completely flattened on 
 his face, that it was impossible to discern either 
 nostrils or bridge ; thick projecting hps of a 
 mulberry hue, shewing through them a set of 
 large, half broken, blackened, irregular teeth ; 
 and a chin which instead of being, like most 
 human chins, dimpled and nicely rounded,
 
 THE FREEMASON. 163 
 
 slanted off so suddenly from the lower line of 
 the inferior lip, that it was lost in the large 
 straight jaws which ran considerably beyond the 
 ears. His hair too was so fantastically arranged, 
 that it resembled a half-dried artichoke, having 
 some of its leaves erect, others half bent, and 
 others hanging down. 
 
 This person, such as we have described him, 
 was the nephew of the above Reverend Father, 
 though it was whispered by some that he was 
 his son ; be this as it might, any one could have 
 sworn that he was a man of low extraction, and 
 of no education whatever; and all the world 
 knew, that he had been raised to the important 
 post he enjoyed by his uncle's exertions and 
 intrigues. As all that was required to perform 
 well the duties of his situation, was a violent 
 hatred of liberal principles, and the complete 
 absence of every feeling of integrity, justice, and 
 humanity, Artimaiia acquitted himself of his 
 office with considerable success. His natural 
 ferocity, joined to the low and depraved propen- 
 sities, and the deep hypocrisy, which he had ac-
 
 164 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 quired in the cloister, where he had served in 
 an inferior situation, rendered him one of the 
 most useful members of tlie body of commis- 
 sioners, and the dread of every upright and 
 honourable man in Logrouo, and the country 
 around. Wherever he appeared, liis presence 
 produced that chiUing sentiment of horror which 
 is felt at the approach of the Inquisitor General, 
 or a man familiar with deeds of blood ; but as 
 he had the art of conceaUng the dark side of his 
 character to those before whom it was his 
 interest to appear quite the reverse of what he 
 really was, he had succeeded in impressing Don 
 Antonio and his wife with the notion, that he was 
 one of the best men breathing, and accordingly 
 was always received by them with every mark 
 of respect. 
 
 As soon as he entered the room, the two 
 lovers were left to themselves to talk over their 
 own sorrows, while all the rest went towards 
 Artunaua, to give him a suitable reception. 
 " What a day is this for me !" exclaimed the 
 unhappy Sandoval, gently pressing Gabriela's
 
 THE FREEMASON. l65 
 
 hand, " little did I expect when I quitted 
 France to return to my home, that I should 
 find it deserted by the only parent left to me, 
 and that your own would add bitterness to my 
 other disappointments ! Alas ! I fancied that 
 all my dangers and troubles being now over, I 
 might confidently hope that those plans of hap- 
 piness, so long and fondly cherished, would be 
 at last realized, — but how delusive was that 
 hope ! — how cruel — how bitter my disappoint- 
 ment .'" 
 
 *' I fear,'"* said Gabriela, endeavouring to 
 suppress the tears that started from her fine 
 dark eyes, " our misfortunes will not stop h^re. 
 My mother has peremptorily ordered me to think 
 no more of such a union, declaring that she 
 will never consent to an alliance between her 
 family and that of a liberal. And — I shudder 
 to think of it, — she has given me to understand 
 that I must be prepared to receive the hand of 
 another." 
 
 *' By heavens ! not while I live," exclaimed
 
 166 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 Sandoval with animation, " or she shall raise 
 your nuptial couch over my tomb !" 
 
 " Nor while I breathe," cried Gabriela, 
 clasping both his hands in hers, ".sooner than 
 fail in my promised faith, I vow to thee, 
 CaHsto, the grave shall close over me !" 
 
 The emotion with which she pronounced 
 these words, which manifested the warmth and 
 sincerity of her attachment, threw Sandoval 
 into a sort of ecstacy — " My angel," he ex- 
 claimed, pressing her hand to his heart, "what 
 need I fear now ? What great misfortunes 
 does an adverse fortune keep in store for me 
 which I shall not overcome by the assurance of 
 an affection so pure and disinterested, of a fi- 
 delity so lasting and sincere ?" 
 
 " fiely on both," said Gabriela fervently, 
 " the day that my aflPeetion and fidelity shall 
 cease to exist, on that day the knell shall toU 
 that warns my spirit into eternity. Let my 
 mother, aided by those two monsters in human 
 form, exert her severity in a thousand ways,
 
 THE FREEMASON. 167 
 
 atill shall I be true to my promised faiih. Only 
 be you true to your's, and I shall think lightly 
 of all my troubles. — But," added she, drawing 
 secretly from her bosom a letter which she put 
 into his hand, " here is a trust your father left 
 with me. Its contents will inform you of the 
 cause of his departure. Follow his injunctions, 
 for they interest me, and they interest your 
 country. As a dutiful son, as the lover of your 
 country, and of your Gabriela, you are bound 
 to follow them strictly; but I need not exhort 
 you to do it, I know you will.'"' 
 
 At this moment their attention was called to 
 Artimaua, who, on his uncle enquiring the news 
 of the day, replied that one of the principal 
 topics of conversation in the town was the 
 public sale of Don Fabricio Sandoval's property, 
 — " which," added he, " I am of opinion will 
 fetch a good sum, as I understand the number 
 of bidders is very great, which is always the 
 case when the property of these enemies of Grod 
 and the throne is put to sale. The fact is, 
 people feel confident in the stability of our go-
 
 168 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 vernment, and are anxious to shew their appro- 
 bation of those wise measures by embarking 
 their capitals in such speculations. Besides, as 
 part of the funds raised through them go to- 
 wards keeping up the splendour of the altar, 
 God will continue his protection to our pious 
 King, and his legitimate government." 
 
 Sandoval, who heard his excellent father thrrs 
 abused, started up from his seat, and walking 
 towards ArtimaSa — " Sir,'' said he, addressing 
 him, " I am ignorant of my father's crimes, 
 though I suspect they are such only in the eyes 
 of the ruling faction ; but surely there cannot 
 be either justice or wisdom in those measures, 
 so highly lauded by you, which visit the faults 
 of the father on his progeny. If he ever had 
 committed a crime, I see no justice in his child- 
 ren being reduced to beggary, when they have 
 done their duty to their king and their country." 
 
 " Of all the wise laws which have come under 
 my knowledge," cried his Reverence, "none 
 appears to me more befitting the present de- 
 praved times than that by which children are
 
 THE FREEMASON. 169 
 
 included in the punishment of theur parents ; for 
 it is an observation we have an opportunity of 
 making every day," (casting a significant look 
 at Sandoval) " that when the father is bad, the 
 child is worse." 
 
 " And be pleased to observe too," said Arti- 
 mana, raising his bloated hand, and extending 
 its fore-finger, "that the fact of such a law 
 emanating from the throne, precludes the possi- 
 bility of its being unjust." 
 
 " A very just observation," remarked the 
 friar instantly, " and one that ought to be en- 
 graven in letters of gold on all the corners of 
 the streets to remind the people of their duties 
 as loyal subjects." 
 
 Sandoval's lips quivered with passion ; but 
 Crabriela, alarmed at the consequences, had 
 placed herself by his side, and softly whispered 
 to liim — " For God's sake, Calisto, do not give 
 way to your indignation, or you are a lost man.*" 
 On this he immediately snatched up his hat, 
 and casting a fiery glance at the uncle and ne- 
 phew, retired. 
 
 VOL. I. I
 
 170 S^NBOVAL ; OR, 
 
 "So," said the latter, when Sandoval left 
 them thus abruptly, " that is the eldest and fa- 
 vourite son of Don Fabricio Sandoval ? 'Tis no 
 wonder^ then, he should be so lost to loyalty 
 and religion. And yet, he will expect lenity, or 
 perhaps even a recompense at the hands of those 
 whom he outrages by a conduct truly revolu- 
 tionary ? He may think himself fortunate if, 
 like his father, he escapes the avenging sword of 
 the law. Not that I should wish to do him any 
 harm, God forbid ! My own feelings have never 
 allowed me to be tlie instrument in the ruin of 
 any of my fellow-beings, although the duties of 
 my station imperiously impose upon me the ne- 
 cessity of denouncing to justice those, who, like 
 Iwrn, tread under foot the laws enacted by our 
 beloved sovereign." 
 
 " For God's sake," exclaimed the alarmed 
 Gabriela, who guessed the import of these words, 
 " consider his youth, and the severe trials he 
 tias been put to within these last few hours. It 
 is natural he should feel irritated at hearing so 
 rauch abuse poured on his father, and it would 
 
 i
 
 THE FREEMASON. 171 
 
 be tlie height of inhumanity to make hhn re- 
 sponsible for words uttered under such apalling 
 circumstances." 
 
 " And wliat becomes then of the so much 
 vaunted philosophy of the hberals, my lady ?" 
 asked his Reverence, laying a strong emphasis 
 on that dreaded word ; " were he a truly ortho- 
 dox Catholic, and not a philosopher^ I suspect 
 he would have shewn a little more resignation, 
 and less pride and impiety.*" 
 
 " Do you hear tiiat ?" asked the mother with 
 an imperious nod, " and Avill you still have au 
 oar in the boat* for him ? I have told you more 
 than once that all your encomiums will be of no 
 avail, and that your hopes must be entirely re- 
 linquished, if you do not wish to become as 
 criminal as himself." 
 
 " But my dear mother, you yourself cannot 
 think of violating tlie solemn promises we all 
 
 • The Spanish phrase is meter cucharada, literally to put 
 ill her spoon. 
 
 I 2.
 
 1T£ saitdoval: or. 
 
 have made to H'rm ?'" said Gabrieku oideaTOur- 
 ing to clii?p her hand. 
 
 " Don't talk of promises," said Dona Angela, 
 pualm^ her^and off, "beades, when thej were 
 madehe^a.>a Ca: i nam he is worse 
 
 tham a iiEatetic, he is a -j \ ; : *r. So let roe 
 hear no more f£ him.'' 
 
 " What piTX^ have we to believe he is 
 not a — "^ 
 
 " >:-. : ~. Toa disobedieiit prattler, that's 
 e:. _ .. . raother, stupping Gahnda's 
 
 mouth, ^ I want none of your qaeiies.^ 
 
 "My dear Dona Angela,* said AftimaBa, 
 with an affected compassion, "aDoir her to 
 apeak. Obsdnacj is often remedied l^ discos- 
 sk», and I have no doubt yonr reasons wooW 
 soon conrince her.*^ 
 
 '^ Yaa are too good, SeSor Aitimaia, to take 
 lierpait as joa ahravs do : hot ^le ill requites 
 your kindness. For m j part I do not choo<se to 
 encourage her obstinaf^ by arginnents. She 
 shall rjbf-crTbe to mv will, wheth«" she pleases
 
 THE FREEMASON. 173 
 
 or not. I am her mother, and have a right to 
 exact obedience, and that's enough." 
 
 " Severity is sometimes requisite," said the 
 monk, drawing the cowl over his shaven crown ; 
 after which he made his bow to the family, and 
 retired in company with his nephew ArtimaHa.
 
 174 SANDOVAL ; OK, 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 When all the blanilishroents of life are gone. 
 The coward sneaks to death, the brave live on. 
 
 Dr. Seaves. 
 
 Leaving the worthy pair, uncle and nephew, 
 to go their own ways, we shall follow Sandoval 
 out of Don Antonio''s house. The agitated 
 state of mind in which he left it may easily be 
 conceived. The cruel reception he had met 
 from Gabriela's parents, the fatal news of their 
 intention respecting her, the dread of the infer- 
 nal machinations of the above-mentioned uncle 
 and nephew to which she was exposed, the chil- 
 ling consciousness of knowing that he himself 
 was in their power, and the additional pang of 
 learning that he was completely ruined by the 
 sale of his father's property, all rushed into his 
 
 I
 
 THE FREEMASON. 175 
 
 brain at the same time, and kept it in a state of 
 fermentation, which the recollection of Gabriela's' 
 words alone could sooth and qualify in some 
 little degree. To them, therefore, he recurred 
 as often as they gave way to the intruding sen- 
 timents of grief, which still kept the ascendancy. 
 Meantime, he pursued his way with wander- 
 ing steps till he came to a secluded walk along 
 the city ramparts, where, finding himself alone 
 and unobserved, he drew from his pocket his 
 father's letter, and read as follows : — 
 
 *' My beloved Caltsto, 
 " When your faithful Gabriela delivers this 
 into your hands, I shall probably be a fugitive 
 in tliat country, against whose children we have 
 been waging an exterminating war, to rescue a 
 tyrant who now rewards our toils and sacrifices 
 with banishment, fetters, and death ! There 
 must your unfortunate father weep alone over 
 the evils which afflict his beloved country, and 
 lament (without the cheering prospect of reme- 
 dying it) the cruel oppression which compels
 
 176 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 him to be separated from all his heart holds 
 dear. But let not this thought torment you, I 
 am less to be pitied than you, my poor boy. 
 What melancholy changes will meet your eyes 
 wherever you chance to turn them? How 
 will you bear so many bitter disappoint- 
 ments, and meet the new dangers by which you 
 will be surrounded ? Yet you must, my dear 
 Calisto, your father, nay your country requires 
 it. You have her wrongs to avenge. To fight 
 her domestic tyrants is a no less imperious duty 
 for a virtuous citizen, than to combat her foreign 
 ones. You did this, you must now do the 
 other. Oh ! had not old age frozen the vigour 
 of youth, with what delight I would show you 
 the Avay to your country's deliverance ! But 
 since that consolation is not permitted me, listen 
 to what I have to say and follow my instx'uctions 
 literally. 
 
 " Not far from the city bridge, after crossing 
 it, you will observe on the right-hand a small 
 fisherman's hut, situated near the banks of the 
 river. There lives in disguise a friend of mine,
 
 THE FREEMASON. 177 
 
 who passes under the name of Anselmo; to 
 him you must present yourself, and shew this 
 letter. He has instructions from me to furnish 
 you with whatever sums of money you may 
 want. Listen to his advice, for he is a man no 
 less prudent than enhghtened. He will be a 
 second father to you. We have known each 
 other long, and I have the greatest esteem for 
 him. Younger and more enterprising than my- 
 self, he prefers serving his country, at the hazard 
 of his life, to becoming an exile ; for he, too, like 
 your father, h?.s forfeited it for having sacri- 
 ficed himself to the despot who proscribed us. 
 As I am convinced the similarity of situations 
 and ideas will link you in the closest bonds of 
 friendship, I have only to add on this subject, 
 tliat since I, with a thousand others, am become 
 a victim for performing the duties of a good 
 citizen, and a lover of his country, you will al- 
 ways keep in mind the injuries thus heaped upon 
 me and her, and endeavour to avenge them. 
 
 "I cannot express the grief I feel at that breach 
 of faith and friendship upon the part of Ga- 
 I 3
 
 ITS SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 briela's parents, ivhich affects both you and her- 
 The pain which you both must experience at the 
 prolonged postponement of your anxiously ex- 
 pected happiness, I myself feel as deeply as 
 either you or she can do. Were it in my power 
 to purchase it with my life, it should not long 
 be deferred ; but no sacrifice of mine, short of 
 that of my principles, would satisfy the mis- 
 guided Doiia Angela, and her good-natured, 
 but weak-minded husband ; and that, neither 
 you nor Gabriela would ever exact from m€. 
 But do not lose all hope, things cannot continue 
 long as they are, and the day so much wished 
 for by us all may yet come sooner than we ex- 
 pect. Love her then as you have hitherto done ; 
 for she is worthy of you, and she will return 
 your affection with a constancy of which she 
 alone is capable, and in spite of all the machi- 
 nations that your enemies and her's may con- 
 trive to render you hateful to each other. 
 
 "One word more I would fain add; but it tears 
 my heart to think of it. It is of all my misfor- 
 tunes, the most cruel and severe. Tliat son.
 
 THE FREEMASON. 179 
 
 against whose virtues and integrity I have 
 nothing to say^ and whose firm, intrepid, and 
 independent spirit I have always admired ; but 
 whose mind, warped by some fatal prejudice of 
 boyhood, leads hira on in a path trodden only 
 by knaves and fools, perseveres in entailing dis- 
 grace on my name, and grief and sorrow on ray 
 grey hairs, by adhering to a faction that exists 
 only by rapine, injustice, and oppression. All 
 that argument and reason could urge, all that 
 prayer and entreaty could do, was tried by me 
 to reclaim him from a situation which would 
 throw a stain, even on a wicked man's reputation; 
 but all failed ; his obstinacy was invincible. — 
 ' To betray his God and his King,' as he 
 termed the separation from his party, was not in 
 his power ; and I had the grief to part from him 
 without even a distant hope of seeing him re- 
 stored to honour and his country. It grieves 
 my soul to think, that a son of mine should be 
 so blinded by prejudice, as not to see the injus- 
 tice and ingratitude of the ruling tyrant's con- 
 duct, and his country's misfortunes. My male-
 
 ISO SANl/OVAL ; OR, 
 
 diction should have fallen on his head, were I 
 not persuaded that the curses of fathers only 
 serve to urge children on to their ruin, and that 
 far from being reclaimed by such a step, it 
 renders them more desperate in the course they 
 have adopted. Fermin is sincere, and I love 
 him, because the errors of his mind do not ex- 
 tend their baneful influence to the virtues of his 
 heart. Try all you can to convince liim of 
 them. It will be the greatest consolation, amidst 
 the troubles by which I am beset, to hear that 
 he espouses the cause of liis country. 
 
 " Adieu, my beloved son, and may all your 
 patriotic efforts meet with the success they de- 
 serve, that thy father may once more, before he 
 closes his eyes on the light of this world, clasp 
 thee in his arms. Adieu and receive the affec- 
 tionate blessing of thy father — Fabuicio.'" 
 
 The perusal of this letter caused SandovaPs 
 tears to flow abundantly. It presented such a 
 true picture of his father's excellent heart, and ~ 
 of the sorrows by which he was afflicted, that
 
 .THE FKJ-.EMASON. 181 
 
 the idea of his mourning, forlorn and unheeded, 
 in a foreign country, uncertain of the duration 
 of his exile, naturally recurred to his mind with 
 increased force. Did he but know the place of 
 his residence, he would wilhngly become an 
 exile himself, to be the partner of his sorrows, 
 and the comforter of his latter days ; but the 
 uncertainty of his destination was a check to his 
 fihal devotion ; and he resolved, in the utter 
 impossibility of joining his father, faithfully to 
 follow all his injunctions, were he even to fall a 
 victim in the attempt 
 
 There was in these resolutions, and even in 
 his father's letter something so soothing, that he 
 felt as if a heavy weight had been removed from 
 his heart ; and, as it was now growing dark, he 
 proceeded more calmly to the Meson del Angel, 
 to which he had sent Roque, and which was one 
 of the best hotels in Logrono. 
 
 Here he found his servant waiting impatiently 
 for him, and casting his longing eyes towards a 
 table which stood in a corner of the kitchen, and 
 which presented a truly rejoicing spectacle ; a
 
 182 SANDOVAL ; 0R> 
 
 huge soup-dish overflowing with rich broth frorti 
 the olla, the contents of which were also dis- 
 played in various dishes, as well as a good sized 
 roasted kid, a large turkey, fowls, and rabbits 
 made into ragouts, dishes of eggs and ham, 
 sausages and omelets, and abundance of vegeta- 
 bles, fruits of various descriptions, and large 
 jugs of wine. The table was beset by as sub- 
 stantial a set of men, as the victuals under which 
 it groaned ; thick set strong built arrieros, from 
 the surrounding provinces, who were going with 
 their various productions to the fair of Santo 
 Domingo de la Calzada; wealthy farmers, 
 traders, horse and mule dealers, graziers, &c., 
 all assembled there for the same purpose as the 
 fonner, and all of tliem having well-furnished 
 pouches, and no aversion to the good things of 
 this world. 
 
 " Thank God !" exclaimed Roque to himself, 
 as soon as he perceived his master. " Here he 
 comes alive — I was afraid he might have jumped 
 into the Ebro, so wild were his looks when he 
 left me." .
 
 THE FREEMASON. 183 
 
 " How is this, Roque ?"" inquired liis master, 
 surprised at seeing that he did not partake of 
 the inviting supper, " have you lost your appe- 
 tite, or is this a fast-day with you, fhat you 
 don't join those good fellows ? and that, too, after 
 having fasted all the day ?'' 
 
 " It is not for want of an appetite," replied 
 Roque, " nor that I fast to-day, or any other 
 day ; for, as you know very well, the church 
 makes an exception in our favour, for fighting 
 and fasting almost every day of our lives ; but 
 I heard you say that you had no longer a 
 home, and I was afraid you might be without 
 money too, and, thought I to myself, it don't 
 become me to eat what my master himself may 
 stand in need of. Neither would I accept the 
 invitation of those gentlemen ; because, what 
 would the world say if they knew that Roque, 
 Don Calisto Sandoval's servant, had sat down 
 to eat a charity dinner ? It would have been a 
 dishonour to your name, and consequently 'to 
 mine ; so that I chose to fast, as I have done
 
 184 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 many a time before now, rather than be in- 
 debted to any man's kindness." 
 
 " You are a good-hearted fellow, Roque," 
 said his master, *' and a true Castilian into the 
 bargain ; but go and join them ; for though it 
 is true I have no home, I am not yet so desti- 
 tute as to want a few pieces to pay for your 
 dinner."" 
 
 Having thus dismissed his servant, he bec- 
 koned to the landlady, a brisk, bustling, pretty 
 young woman, who advanced towards him, 
 dropping gracious bows, and welcoming him 
 warmly to her house. " Let me conduct you 
 to the room, where you will meet with suitable 
 company, my dear Sir," added she, her lively 
 eyes becoming still more animated when she dis- 
 covered she had got in her house a really hand- 
 some fellow ; " but perhaps you prefer first 
 seeing your bed-room, and securing a bed ?— <• 
 This way then. Captain, along this corridor — 
 take care you don't spoil your hat against those 
 hams, or the sausages yonder ; for, as our house
 
 THE FREEMASON. 185 
 
 has got such an excellent name, travellers of all 
 descriptions flock here to be entertained in such 
 numbers, that we are obliged to hang up our 
 hams and sausages, black puddings, and tongues, 
 cheeses and cecinas, anywhere we can, for as you 
 may suppose there is a good demand for them. 
 But now this is the room,"" added the loquacious 
 landlady, shewing him into a long apartment con- 
 taining seven or eight beds, arranged like those 
 in an hospital against the side wall. " Allow 
 me to assist you in pulling off your surtout, 
 that you may lay it on either of these two beds, 
 to mark your berth, for the rest are already 
 taken." 
 
 " I should prefer having a room to myself,"" 
 said Sandoval, " if there be one unoccupied."" 
 
 *' But there is none,'' rephed she, " except 
 one, which I would not let you have for all the 
 world." 
 
 " Why so ?''"' enquired Sandoval. 
 
 " Because it communicates with mine, and 
 you are too handsome a man to have you near 
 me ; for, you know, we are all prone to fall
 
 186 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 into temptation, and 'tis better avoided ; be- 
 sides, my husband is on a journey that will keep 
 him absent at least four days yet, and what 
 would the other folks say if they knew you 
 slept there ?" 
 
 " But some one must," said Sandoval, " and 
 I promise you to sacrifice to the pleasure of 
 being by myself, any of those temptations which 
 so nruch alarm your conscience." 
 
 " Ah !"" exclaimed she, shaking her head sig- 
 nificantly, " there are no Josephs now-a^days, 
 and much less in the shape of young Cap- 
 tains." 
 
 Sandoval laughingly assured her, that if she 
 would not believe in his being absolutely a 
 Joseph, she should have no cause to complain, 
 if she would allow him to become her neigh- 
 bour ; but unable to prevail upon her, he took 
 possession of one of the beds, and afterwards 
 proceeded in her company to a saloon on the 
 ground floor, which communicated with the 
 garden, and where a table d'hote was spreading 
 out for the supper of the assembled travellers.
 
 THE FREEMASON. 187 
 
 some of whom sat close to the glass door, which 
 opened into the -garden ; others on the stone 
 steps, and the rest on the benches placed under 
 some of the trees. The company consisted of 
 various descriptions of people, forming different 
 groups, some young men, sons of mayorazgos, 
 who were on their way to the fair of Santo 
 Domingo, not on business, but pleasure, were 
 sitting round two or three ladies, one of whom 
 iseemed to monopolize a good deal of the ccfti- 
 versation, and who, although by no means in 
 the spring of her years, still possessed many 
 personal attractions, joined to great vivacity of 
 manners, and a playfulness of wit, which kept 
 up a succession of mirth and harmony through 
 the circle of admirers. Further on was anotlier 
 group, listening to a lady and a gentleman, who 
 were singing a duo, accompanying themselves 
 on guitars. On another bench sat two grave 
 priests, and some elderly people, enveloped in 
 the smoke of their cigars, conversing on the 
 events of the day, while here and there was 
 seen a fugitive individual, saunterin": from one
 
 188 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 place to another, to catch the cream and sub- 
 stance of the conversation. 
 
 As Sandoval approached towards the glass 
 door, he was accosted by a diminutive fellow, 
 with toad-hke eyes, starting from their sockets, 
 acquiline nose, and sharp chin, who introduced 
 himself to the Captain, by comphmenting him 
 on the noble appearance of his person, and his 
 gentlemanly look, and then, as if his compli- 
 ments entitled him to a knowledge of all the 
 circumstances of Sandoval's life, he enquired 
 his name, birth, place, parentage, where he came 
 from, and where he was going to. — " And, 
 pray," cried Sandoval, staring at the little fel- 
 low, " what am I to expect for confiding to you 
 all my secrets ?" 
 
 " I'U tell you in return the life and ^eeds of 
 all the people present," replied the little man. 
 
 " Well, then, my little Cleofas, begin you 
 first, by informing me, who that lady is, who 
 makes so merry in that group of young men," 
 said our hero. 
 
 " Ah ! Sir, she is a most wonderful crea-
 
 THE FREEMASON. 189 
 
 ture !" said he, trying to whisper it into San- 
 doval's ear, — " but you are so tall, that I can 
 hardly reach your ear. Come and sit down in 
 that corner of the room, and I'll tell you all 
 about her." 
 
 Sandoval complied with this reasonable re- 
 quest of this modern diablo cojuelo,* and in- 
 clined his head to be better able to hear what 
 he had to communicate. 
 
 *' Well ! Sir, as I was saying, she is a most 
 wonderful woman ! and I assure you I should 
 not wish for better fortune than having her for 
 my wife. Her name is Doiia Susana Gazmona, 
 though, by the bye, I should say her christian 
 name was not given her on account of her in- 
 vincible virtue, very far from it : — but let that 
 pass. She has just arrived from Madrid, and 
 is going to Calahorra, bringing away the office 
 of Intendant of that district for her husband, 
 who was only first clerk in the Intendancy of 
 that city. Imagine, Sir, how wonderful her 
 
 * Devil upon two slicks.
 
 190 SANDOVAL ; on, 
 
 powers of pleasing must be, when in less than 
 two months at court, and without any pecuniary 
 sacrifice, she obtained a situation which would 
 have cost the cleverest and best patronized man 
 in Spain three thousand hard dollars, and two 
 years' smiling, bowing, and scraping in the 
 minister's ante-chamber. But the fact is. Sir, 
 that she is one of those bewitching creatures 
 who will do more in one night than any man 
 would in a month, simply because she has such 
 an amiable disposition, that no human soul can 
 }>art from her without being enchanted. Be- 
 sides, she is so well acquainted with the world, 
 that there was neither cat nor dog in the mi- 
 nister's office, with whom she did not make 
 friends, and joke. The moment she arrived at 
 the capital, she went straight to the ministei's 
 office, and declared she could not state her case 
 to his Excellency before so many gentlemen as 
 attended his public audiences ; for she coufld not 
 lielp blushing, and begged his Excellency 
 might grant her a private hearing. Macanaz, 
 who was not born with a hear<^ flintv enough to
 
 THE FEEEMASON. 191 
 
 refuse the prayers of such modest petitioners, 
 gratified her in this ; and the porters, who 
 know more asleep tlian many awake, or, as the 
 phrase goes, who smelt the musk at one 
 league's distance, as soon as they saw her ap- 
 pear, saluted her with a smile, and what is still 
 more extraordinary, sometimes stood up as she 
 entered. Of course, the lady was immediately 
 ushered into his Excellency's private cabinet, 
 and the poor devils who had been in the saloon 
 coohng their heels, ever since twelve in the 
 morning, might have still continued that occu- 
 pation till night, or else put their petitions in 
 their pockets and walked off; because his Ex- 
 cellency had a great deal to do ! Faith ! not 
 many weeks elapsed before she succeeded in 
 throwing the Intendant, who was accused of 
 liberalism, off his saddle, and getting her hus- 
 band into his place, to the great disappointment 
 of the treasurer, the chief accountant, the 
 cashier, and every other candidate ready to 
 pounce on that situation. At the news of the 
 nomination of such a man, we were all struck
 
 192 SANDOVAL; OK, 
 
 dumb ; for, knowing as we did his incapacity, 
 we saw, as in clear water, that tlie situation had 
 not been given to him, but to his wife. Ah, 
 Sir, she is a wonderful woman !*" 
 
 As Sandoval found his httle man so commu- 
 nicative, and well informed in the private his- 
 tory of his fellow travellers, he now asked him, 
 who was another lady, who sat by herself so 
 mournfully in a corner, with a countenance, 
 though overcast with melancholy, still exceed- 
 ingly interesting. 
 
 " Why, between you and me," he replied, 
 " she is one of those poor conscientiously foolish 
 women, whose extravagant ideas of virtue have 
 brought ruin and misery on her whole family. 
 Her husband, who had about as much brain 
 as herself, held an office under the minister 
 of finance, who thought proper to honour 
 their house with a visit. No sooner, however, 
 did the husband discover the intentions of his 
 Excellency, than, unmindful of the respect due to 
 the high station of his principal, desired his 
 servants to give him a not at home whenever he
 
 THE FREEMASON. 198 
 
 should call. The minister, naturally felt highly- 
 offended at this liberty, and dismissed him from 
 his office ; but still continued to honour his wife 
 with his visits. The foolish husband, however, 
 instead of adopting the proper conciliating 
 course, as became one who had everything to 
 lose, chose to shew off his airs, and requested his 
 Excellency to discontinue his visits. Of course 
 this fresh insult only aggravated his Excellency's 
 displeasure, and he had him taken before that 
 newly invented and admirable commission called 
 the Tribunal, for vagabonds: and as it was there 
 proved beyond all doubt, that he had no office, 
 pension, or income, he was very justly condemned 
 to ten years in the galleys ; and when the first 
 convoy which conducted the galley slaves to 
 their destination sailed, he was tied to one of liis 
 fellow slaves, and marched off, in spite of his 
 tears and those of his wife. His Excellency, 
 however, always generous and forgiving, now 
 renewed his 'asits to her house ; but the lady, 
 instead of having learnt something by experience, 
 persisted in playing off the Roman matron's part, 
 
 VOL. T. K
 
 194 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 and obstinately refused to comply with his 
 Excellency's wishes, till at last, losing patience, 
 he was compelled to have her banished from 
 Madrid, where she might find too much protec- 
 tion from her friends ; and now she is returning 
 to Tudela of Navarre, her native place, to live 
 there under tlie surveillance of the police. For 
 my part, I think her too much of a fool to merit 
 the pity of any one ; for what other woman in 
 Spain would have allowed such a fine oppor- 
 tunity to have slipped through her fingers, or 
 not have thought it her duty to forward the 
 interests of her husband ? — But the fact is, that 
 lx)th her husband and herself are liberals." 
 
 " And is that the way the offices under 
 government are obtained and lost at court in 
 our days .'" exclaimed Sandoval, surprised and 
 indignant at such scandalous proceedings, and 
 no less so at the vein of the narrator. 
 
 " What other way, then, should you wish, 
 pray ?" enquired the little man, seemingly no 
 less surprised at Sandoval's exclamation. 
 
 " Shame on you !" replied Sandoval, "■ and
 
 THE FREEMASON. 195 
 
 on every Spaniard -who puts up with such in- 
 famous abuses !"" . 
 
 "• I'll tell you what, Sir,"" said the little man, 
 rising from his chair, and strutting before him 
 with the importance of a little bantam cock, " I 
 presume, that when the king, our lord, has 
 chosen those gentlemen as his ministers, it be- 
 hoves every Spaniard, and you among the 
 number, to respect their acts, and applaud their 
 deeds, be they what they may." 
 
 Sandoval, who had very different notions of 
 the duties of a citizen from those of the little 
 man, was on the point of giving him one of his 
 own sharp replies, when his eyes caught those of 
 the landlady, who was beckoning to him rather 
 mysteriously, — " That may be your opinion," 
 said lie checking himself ; " but all men do not 
 think ahke, you know, friend Cleofas." — Then 
 rising from his seat, walked away towards the 
 landlady, to learn the reason of her signs. 
 
 " Friend Cleofas," muttered the little man to 
 himself, " I shall certainly be a Cleofas in dis- 
 covering who you are, I promise you." 
 K 2
 
 196 SA1«D0VAL ; OB, 
 
 " Well, my pretty hostess, what have you to 
 communicate now ?" enquired Sandoval of the 
 landlady. 
 
 " Do you know the man to whom you were 
 speaking ?" she asked. 
 
 " Not I," answered Sandoval, *' but I sus- 
 pect him to be an unprincipled villain, who has 
 neither shame, nor cunning enough to conceal 
 what he is." 
 
 '' Then you had better be on your guard; 
 for he is an agent of the police, whom we are 
 compelled to receive, and who comes to spy into 
 what is going forward, and listen to the conver- 
 sation of the travellers who alight here, for the 
 pui-pose of reporting it afterwards to his 
 employers." 
 
 " That accounts for his knowing so well theiir 
 private history," said Sandoval. " Thank you 
 for your hint, I shall henceforth be a little more 
 cautious," 
 
 Caution indeed was a virtue highly requisite 
 at that epoch, though by no means a distinguish- 
 ing trait in Sandoval's character ; but being aware
 
 THE PREEMASOK, 197 
 
 that his situation was particularly critical, he 
 resolved to put a seal on his lips, however mon- 
 strous and irritating the propositions which any 
 one cliose to advance might be, " For," said he to 
 himself, '" by giving vent to my indignation, I 
 lay myself open to their suspicions, and endanger 
 my personal hberty, without benefiting the 
 cause I wish to defend." 
 
 *' Ladies and gentlemen," cried the landlady, 
 *' supper is on the table ; pray take your seats;" 
 and then laying hold of Sandoval's arm, she 
 went towards the table, and sat down at one ex- 
 tremity before a roasted turkey, requesting her 
 favourite to place himself on her right-hand. 
 The honorary seats of the middle were occupied 
 by the ladies ; and at the other extremity of the 
 table, before a huge beef stew, presided one of 
 the grave priests already mentioned, who ad- 
 ministered his henedicite with becoming gravity. 
 The table was covered with good cheer, to which 
 all the elements had contributed their share, 
 there being game and fish, vegetables and fruits 
 of all descriptions, in abundance, and dressed in
 
 198 SANDOVAL; OK, 
 
 various ways. The good old wines of the pro- 
 vince, too, circulated briskly, and soon set peo- 
 ple's brains in motion. Of course the young 
 inen, who sat between the ladies, were all atten- 
 tion and politeness, while the fair ones flirted 
 with every one within reach of sweet words or 
 ogles, who was not under fourteen, or above 
 seventy. 
 
 *' Seiiora Intendenta,""* cried Sandoval, 
 "your Seiloria-f- is so numerously guarded, and 
 well attended, that I am afraid you are inac- 
 cessible, and I shall not be able to prevail on 
 you to taste some of this hare, which is parti- 
 cularly recommended by our hostess." 
 
 " Why, Captain," replied her Seiioria, 
 " though 1 certainly am well guarded, I sus- 
 pect, I am not impregnable, particularly to your 
 attacks ; and although I intended to taste some 
 of these fried capsicums that are before me — a 
 
 * Ladies in Spain are generally addressed by their hus- 
 band's titles, but the name of the office must be changed 
 nto the feminine gender to suit their sex. 
 
 t A title between worship and lordship given to the 
 Intendants.
 
 THE FREEMASON. 199 
 
 dish, which by the bye, I have not tasted since 
 my departure from Rioja to the capita], and 
 which may be considered as indigenous to our 
 province — to shew you how much I prize your 
 flattering attention, I'll change my mind and 
 accept part of a leg." 
 
 " No unusual thing with your sex," said pee- 
 vishly a young man, who had been her cortejo* 
 during the greatest part of the day ; " and I 
 would not vouch any more for a woman's incli- 
 nations, than for the reality of our landlady's 
 hare, as God only knows, whether it be not a 
 hare of the tiles." 
 
 " Why don't you set it down at once for a 
 young ass," replied sharply the landlady ; " it 
 might then have a better chance of your ac- 
 quaintance." 
 
 This observation, which excited a good deal 
 of mirth, was thought very apropos, particular- 
 ly by those who had been his unsuccessful 
 rivals, and perfectly silenced, for the rest of the 
 
 * A beau.
 
 200 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 night, the young man, who, within his own mind, 
 had predetermined to be the wittiest man at 
 table, at least during supper time. 
 
 *' Your Seiioria must feel very keenly the 
 want of many of the delicacies you enjoyed at 
 Madrid," said a sharp looking fellow, who sat 
 opposite the Intendenta. 
 
 " I assure you I do," said she affectedly, 
 " particularly after having attended so many of 
 the entertainments given by the Grandeza,* 
 and above all, those delicious soupers of that un- 
 rivalled actor Maiquez, where I had the honour 
 to meet our gracious monarch for the first 
 time." 
 
 " What does your Senoria think of his ma- 
 jesty's personal charms ?'' enquired, the little 
 spy, who occupied a corner of the table. " Don't 
 you think him a handsome, noble-looking man ?" 
 
 " I was particularly struck with his counte- 
 nance," replied she, " there is something about 
 it very majestic. Whether we look at each fea- 
 
 • The body of grandees is so denominated.
 
 THE FREEMASON. 201 
 
 ture of his countenance individually, or as form- 
 ing a tout ensemble, we shall be obliged to con- 
 fess that there are few men in Spain more hand- 
 some than he. All is charming in his counte- 
 nance — a retreating forehead, like that of his 
 august ancestors, an exquisitely aquiline nose, 
 bending over a mouth, which though somewhat 
 irregular, is not without its charms ; then those 
 discoloured cheeks of his, which impress his 
 physiognomy with a certain interesting air of 
 melancholy, and his large square chin and long 
 straight jaws, which I have always considered 
 points of beauty in a man, are irresistible accom- 
 plishments, and I am sure no woman can be- 
 hold them without mintjled feelings of awe and 
 tenderness." * 
 
 * The disciples of Lavater will learn with pleasure, that 
 the best portrait of Ferdinand VII. has been found in an 
 excellently preserved medal of Nero. •, The likeness was so 
 striking, that it was observed by every one who saw it. Its 
 possessor, however, is now paying for having exhibited it, 
 with other curiosities, during the time of the Constitution ; 
 an information having been filed against him, since the late 
 restoration of the king to his absolute power, on the ground 
 
 K 3
 
 202 SAKDOVAL ; OK, 
 
 At the beauty of this sketch, Sandoval felt a 
 strong inclination to laugh outright ; but as 
 there is no accounting for tastes in physiognomi- 
 cal matters, he contented himself vnth observing, 
 with a smile, that he was inclined to think many 
 of the peculiar beauties enumerated by her Se- 
 fioria, must derive their principal merit from 
 royalty. 
 
 " To his physiognomical accomplishments," 
 continued the Intendenta, '• must be added the 
 higher beauties of the mind. There was a wit 
 and a delicacy, both in the ideas and expressions 
 of all his majesty uttered, quite different from 
 wliat others said, though there were some of the 
 wittiest noblemen in the room at tlie time I 
 speak of. I shall never forget the night, wJien 
 I had the honour to sup with him at Maiquez's, 
 iris familiarity was enchanting, and his observa- 
 
 of his having done so with the view to assimilate Ferdi- 
 nand's character with that of the Roman tyrant. The 
 gentleman alluded to is now an exile; and had he not fled 
 in time from Madrid, it is probable he would have for- 
 feited his head ; which event would have given additional 
 weight to Lavater's system of physiognomy.
 
 THE FREEMASON. 203 
 
 lions were ail .replete with wit and vivacity. 
 There was a young guardia de corps in the 
 room, a great favourite with our sovereign, wlio 
 sung with a peculiar grace some of those smart 
 boleras, commonly sung by the rnanolos,* and to 
 him his majesty addressed these admirable words, 
 which we all praised with one accord as the 
 wittiest sally of that night. ' I say Pepe,t I'll 
 bet you your horse, that you learned those green 
 couplets at Lavapie.'J Nothing can be more 
 playfully roguish, and yet more delicately said 
 than that, the word greeji being so well adapted 
 to express that pungency, which though biting 
 to the tongue, is pleasing to the palate, as a 
 green pickled cucumber for instance, that 1 defy 
 
 * A low class of people who inhabit a certain part of 
 Madrid, from whose ranks the circus get their bull-fighters, 
 the ladies of the higher circles their beaus, and those of the 
 lower their bullies. In the third volume of this tale, these 
 people are described. 
 
 t The familiar name for Joseph, the same as Joe in 
 English. 
 
 : The Saint Giles's of Madrid.
 
 204 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 the wittiest man alive to say anything more to 
 the purpose." 
 
 The company applauded the wit of this royal 
 sally almost as much as the Intendenta, and 
 each commented on the word green separately, 
 Sandoval excepted, who was too much amused 
 with the fruitless efforts at ingenuity of some of 
 the guests in finding out new meanings, to put 
 his own invention to the rack. The conversa- 
 tion now shifted to another subject, to which 
 our hero listened with greater interest, as it con- 
 cerned him more immediately. " What pur- 
 chases did you make at Don Fabricio SandovaFs 
 sale.''" inquired an elderly man of the canon 
 who sat at the top of the table. 
 
 " None of any importance," he answered, 
 " and the reason of it was, that half an hour be- 
 fore I went in, almost all Don Fabricio's estates 
 had been knocked down to Don Aniceto Arti- 
 mana, he being the only bidder there at the 
 moment they were put to sale, though afterwards 
 the house overflowed with people."
 
 THE FREEMASON. 205 
 
 " It is pretty clear," said another gentleman, 
 " that it was previously so arranged ; but though 
 the house was afterwards crowded to excess, it 
 was curiosity chiefly that attracted us there. All 
 those whom I spoke to seemed impressed with a 
 strong sense of the injustice and illegality of the 
 sale, and would not become the spoilers of an 
 honourable man, from whom we have only re- 
 ceived benefits, even if the property had been 
 offered them for nothino;. This was not the 
 case with Don Aniceto Artimaua, whose personal 
 interests are too much identified with the exist- 
 ence of the present order of things, to feel 
 scrupulous at buying estates, for which he 
 did not deposit a real, and which will not 
 cost him an acorn. Indeed, it was whispered 
 about the room, that it had been agreed upon, 
 between him and the Intendant, to refuse their 
 sanction * to any other bidder, should their con- 
 
 * In similar public sales, both the Intendant and the 
 Commissioner of Finance have the power to refuse giving 
 their sanction to the sale, which they are sure to do, if it 
 interfered with their interests, and this small inconvenience 
 is thought by many a sufficient reason for not becoming 
 bidders on such occasions.
 
 S06 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 trivance fail ; but they need not have feared that, 
 as it would have been dangerous for any man 
 to show he had large sums of money in his pos- 
 session, and still more dangerous to have depo- 
 sited them in their hands, consequently none of 
 those who might on this occasion have been 
 willing to become purchasers would then step 
 forward." 
 
 " Do you recollect," inquired the other gen- 
 tleman, " for what sum Don Fabricio's principal 
 estate on the banks of the Ebro was knocked 
 down ?" 
 
 " For a trifle," replied he, " for half a mil- 
 lion of reals,* which I am sure is no more than 
 what the estate produces annually. But had 
 the sale been at the full value of the estate, it 
 would have been all one ; the public treasury 
 would not have become richer than it will now ; 
 for 'tis all a farce, and that is the truth of the 
 story." 
 
 The little spy did not allow one word of this 
 
 * Five thousand pounds.
 
 THE FREEMASON'. 207 
 
 precious conversation to be lost. He took notes 
 of it as slily as possible in a pocket-book, wliich 
 he held on his lap, and which was' concealed 
 from his neighbours by the table, while to them 
 he appeared dozing, and altogether heedless of 
 what the speaker said. 
 
 After some other observations from the priests 
 who were present, in favour of the measures of 
 government, and some replies from those who 
 disapproved of them, grace was said, and the 
 whole party rose from table, and, like a com- 
 munity of monks, retired at the same time to 
 bed. 
 
 As on that night the house was particularly 
 full, and all the private chambers were pre- 
 viously occupied, three of the travelling fair 
 ones were obliged to sleep in the long room, a 
 circumstance not at all uncommon in Spanish 
 inns. To obviate the inconveniencies that might 
 result from eight persons of both sexes undress- 
 ing in the same room, the single lamp which 
 hung in the middle of the chamber, and which 
 shed a faint glimmering around, was, according
 
 208 SAXDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 to custom, put out just when both ladies and 
 gentlemen had disencumbered themselves of 
 their very exterior habiliments, leaving them in 
 the dark to complete their vmdress ; a plan to 
 which, as good travellers, they all seemed pretty 
 well used. 
 
 A ludicrous occurrence, however, took place 
 in the course of the night, which we shall at- 
 tempt to describe to our readers, only to show 
 the inconvenience of a long room with more 
 beds than one. About midnight, our friend 
 the canon, who had left the apartment a little 
 time previous, on his return, (whether wilfully 
 or by mistake, we are unable to say,) jumped 
 into the bed of the Intendenta, who, startled by 
 the unexpected weight that fell on her, ima- 
 gined in her drowsy fright that the beams of 
 the ceiling were coming down, and screamed 
 out so lustiiy, that the canon thought it more 
 prudent to remove himself to- another bed. 
 Unfortunately for him, the one he came to next 
 was also occupied by a female traveller, who, 
 awakened by the shrieks of the Intendenta,
 
 THE FREEMASON. 209 
 
 was sitting up in her bed, half dying with 
 fright, though fCilly determined to defend her- 
 self to the last, should the attack extend so far 
 as her bed, when this strange body came in con- 
 tact with her's. As she held her hands in 
 readiness, and he fell with his head foremost, 
 her nails fastened on his face, and she in- 
 flicted some deep gashes upon the fleshy part 
 of it, his natural wig, also, suffering considerable 
 injury in the scuffle, while he, anxious only to 
 be released from the grasp of this tigress, who 
 kept him fast by the neck, strove to get away 
 by most ungallantly returning her favours by 
 sundry cuffs and buffetings, till he succeeded 
 in disengaging himself from her hold. Mean- 
 time, her shrieks raised the cry of " light, 
 light !" in the room ; at wliich our canon, afraid 
 of being discovered, leapt, like a grasshopper, 
 from bed to bed, bruising and frightening every 
 inmate, till, reaching his own, he got in, and 
 lay very snugly, though not in any condition to 
 enjoy the confusion he had thus raised.
 
 2] SANDOVAL ; OE, 
 
 When the hght came, all the travellers were 
 seen sitting up in their respective beds, with 
 a different expression of countenance ; some ma- 
 nifesting affright, others eager curiosity, and 
 the more distant a malicious look of suspicion. 
 One lady, however, was missing ; but after a 
 strict search, she was found under her own bed, 
 trembling like an aspen leaf with terror and 
 dismay. She was the same who had fought 
 it out so bravely with the canon, and who, 
 notwithstanding her success, had taken refuge 
 there to avoid a second engagement ; but as her 
 antagonist had so well escaped detection, and 
 no one avowed himself the author of this uproar, 
 the majority of her chamber companions, sus- 
 pecting some intrigue in the case, began reprov- 
 ing her most severely for what they called her 
 impropriety, particularly the canon, who shewed 
 his scratched face in token of the sufferings he 
 had undergone in the cause of virtue. 
 
 The lady protested, with tears in her eyes, 
 to heaven and earth, that she was innocent, and
 
 THE FREEMASON. 211 
 
 that, far from havinfr assaulted any one in the 
 room, she had herself been most inhumanly 
 beaten ; but she was not to be believed upon her 
 bare assertion ; for, as the canon said, "It was 
 enough she was the wife of a liberal to be prone 
 to mischief, which his face could prove.'*' At 
 last the generous Sandoval, who read her in- 
 nocence in her distress, resolved to take the 
 blame upon himself, and assured the party, that 
 they were wrong in their suspicions; for, that 
 he alone had caused the uproar, having had 
 occasion to go out, and mistaken another bed 
 for his own on his return. This explanation, 
 though far from satisfying the majority, had 
 the effect of putting an end to their repri- 
 mands, if it did not actually restore their opi- 
 nion of the lady's virtue ; but the Intendenta 
 told him she VN'ould never forcj-ive him for his 
 rude conduct to herself.
 
 212 SANDOVAL; OE, 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 O L d ! thou kens what zeal I bear, 
 
 When drinkers drink, and swearers swear. 
 And singin' here, and dancin' there, 
 
 Wl' great an' sma'; 
 But I am keepitby Uiy fear, 
 
 Frae 'mang them a'! 
 
 But yet, O L d ! confess I must. 
 
 At times I am fash'd wi' fleslily lust. 
 An' sometimes too in warlJly trust, 
 
 Vile self gets in ; 
 But thou remembers we are dust 
 
 Defil'd in sin, 
 
 B(ifi.NS 
 
 Whilst our hero tries to make up for the 
 time lost, by the interruption caused by the 
 canon, it may not be amiss to shift the scene to 
 the Dominican convent, whither the father con- 
 fessor, and his nephew Artimaua directed their 
 steps soon after leaving Don Antonio's house.
 
 THE FREEMASON. 213 
 
 The religious gloom of the long cloisters, 
 lighted at intervals by oil lamps, whose light 
 revealed on the walls the atrocious deeds of 
 the great founder of the order, represented on 
 the various pictures which decorated them, was 
 in perfect harmony with the dark broodings of 
 the personages who glided silently through 
 their windings. Herfe was seen, painted in 
 colours which made the figures start from the 
 canvass, the horrific scene of slaughter which 
 took place when that savage fanatic Castelnovo, 
 at the head of his blood hounds, entered a 
 Huguenot's church at Toulouse, and massacred 
 in cold blood above two thousand individuals of 
 all ages, sexes, and conditions, who had taken 
 refuge within its sacred precincts. Here they 
 were represented plunging their daggers into 
 the breast of the terrified mother, Avho clasped 
 her innocent infant, in her arms — or the defence- 
 less old man, who, kneeling with hands uplifted 
 to heaven, resigned his spirit into those of his 
 creator — or the weeping virgin, whose tears and 
 innocence procured her no exemption from the
 
 2J4 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 general doom— while each of the murderers held 
 a crucifix in his left hand, and shouted in savage 
 rapture, that his massacres were for the glory of 
 God ! Further on, the flames of the faith were 
 seen consuming scores of human beings, and St. 
 Dominic, seated under a rich canopy, and sur- 
 rounded by his satellites, gazed on the horrific 
 spectacle with a fiendish joy, that passed for 
 celestial. In another picture his colleague, 
 Castelnovo, was seen with arrogant and savage 
 demeanor, treading on the neck of the conquered 
 Count of Toulouse, who, dressed in his peni- 
 tential habit, lay prostrate at his feet. Thus 
 every picture that presented itself was fraught 
 with horror and crime ; and yet they all hung 
 there, as if they were supposed to present models 
 of conduct for the disciples of those atrocious 
 fanatics, whom the church of Rome has ca- 
 nonized as saints. Is it to be wondered at, 
 then, if these men thirst after blood, and pant 
 after crime ? 
 
 Having left behind these gloomy cloisters, 
 the uncle and nephew mounted a handsome
 
 THE FREEMASON. 215 
 
 Stone staircase, illuminated with magnificent 
 candelabras, and -decorated with finely carved 
 figures of saints and virgins placed in niches, 
 which brought them to a capacious corridor, 
 supported by a handsome colonnade, on the 
 opposite side of which were the doors of the 
 monks'" cells. In approaching the middle of 
 the cloister, the father drew from his pocket 
 a key, and opened one of the doors, caie- 
 fully locking it inside as they entered. They 
 then went first into a sort of ante-room, neatly 
 fitted up, and afterwards into a more hand- 
 some one, having all- round it m.ahogany book- 
 cases, with glass doors, containing well bound 
 books, and surmounted with plaster and stone 
 busts of learned monks. On one side of this 
 room was a bureau of modern workmanship, 
 with a comfortable arm-chair before it, and on 
 the other a kind of desk, on which lay open 
 before an ivory crucifix and two wax tapersj 
 fixed on silver candlesticks, a large book of 
 prayers, and at the foot of the desk a fine silk 
 cushion for the knees. In the middle of the
 
 216 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 room stood a round table, moving on brass 
 wheels, on which a handsome lamp was burning. 
 " Now, my dear Aniceto," cried the uncle, 
 throwing both his black cloak and white habit 
 aside, and remaining in a short jacket, black 
 breeches, and silk stockings, " put aside your 
 hat, sword, and cane, and let us see if there be 
 in my covers anything to do penance upon." 
 
 He then went into an inner room, and returned 
 loaded with a large tray, on which was a roasted 
 capon, a small barrel of pickled oysters, a nice 
 dried tongue, cheese, a dish of sallad, and seve- 
 ral plates presenting pyramids of rich fruits. — 
 " Hold up that lamp, and let me spread the 
 table-cloth," said he, " for we must mortify 
 ourselves comfortably. And now, if you go 
 into the next room, you will find in the lower 
 covers half a dozen bottles of wine ; bring them 
 all here, to add a bitter draught to our mastica- 
 tory sufFerings." 
 
 The nephew obeyed, and when all was ready, 
 they both sat down to do their duty, the one, 
 as a good monk, and the other, as an unworthy
 
 THE FREEMASON. 217 
 
 sinner. " This is performing penance like 
 Clixistians," said the nephew, with a grin, which 
 he meant for a smile, " to eat on a Friday meat 
 and fish, is showing that we understand the pre- 
 cepts of our mother church tolerably well." 
 
 " Aye," cried the monk, " had you not come 
 to partake of it here, I should have gone to our 
 prior's cell to do as much there; but let us 
 moisten the capon with a bumper of Valdepe- 
 Sas ;* for though a dry wine in itself, it relishes 
 well after poultry." 
 
 " With all my heart," said the nephew, " but 
 do you know, I should drink it with greater plea- 
 sure were we now at Madrid, you as Confessor 
 to the King, and I as Minister of Police ?" 
 
 " All in due time,'' returned his Reverence, 
 " we must not pull the bow-string too tight, 
 for fear it snaps, and there may be a difficulty 
 in mending it. The cry raised in this town at 
 
 * The Valdepeiias wine is considered in Spain as one of 
 the best. It is grown in La Mancha, and is much in use 
 at Madrid ; but is an expensive article in the more distant 
 provinces. 
 
 VOL. I. L
 
 218 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 your nomination of Comisionado Regio is a 
 pretty proof of ray assertion, and had it not 
 been for my friend Ostolaza,* who supported 
 my claims with the king so strenuously, 'tis 
 certain you would have continued a spy all your 
 life. Now, however, with prudence and perse- 
 verance, we are pretty sure to succeed in climb- 
 ing to the top of the wheel ; but in so doing we 
 should not forget, that when once we have got 
 a footing, we must take care that those go down 
 who have lent us a hand. This is a sine qua 
 non among courtiers." 
 
 " That will be the least part of the difficulty," 
 said the nephew, " let me once get to the top, 
 and the devil himself runs a chance of cutting a 
 caper with his head foremost." 
 
 " 1 believe thee, my worthy nephew," cried 
 
 his Reverence, " but to change the subject — 
 
 Do you know that this arrival of Don Fabricio's 
 
 eldest son may be fatal to your hopes?" 
 
 * Ostolaza was, at the epoch here alluded to, the King's 
 Confessor. His life was a tissue of villainy and immo- 
 rality, so much so, that the Inquisition itself was obliged 
 to interfere. He died in one of its cells.
 
 THE FREEMASON. 219 
 
 " I am inclined to think it may be so, as his 
 presence must contribute to fan a flame which 
 already rages too wildly in Gabriela's bosom, to 
 promise myself any success ; and I really don't 
 see how we can oblige her to f>ive her consent to 
 our marriage, unless the young man is disposed 
 of in some way or other.'' 
 
 " The same thought has struck me," cried 
 the uncle, "but stay — let us first clearly un- 
 derstand our object. Is Gabriela's hand so 
 necessary to your happiness ? and should we not 
 gain our principal point by getting possession of 
 the old man's property ?" 
 
 " I should be deceiving you," replied Arti- 
 mana," " were I to say, that I feel for Gabriela 
 that sort of love which involves a man's happi- 
 ness. That is a thing of which I have not the 
 least notion ; and which, therefore, I cannot 
 feel. But her charms. Sir, her charms — that 
 divine form of hers, that angelic countenance, 
 those coral lips, that bosom, by heavens !— is 
 that not worth possessing, eh ? — I know that the 
 freedom of a bachelor's life, is by far preferable 
 L 2
 
 220 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 to the ties and shackles of matrimony ; but can 
 I hope to obtain the one without the other? 
 Know you not her undaunted firmness of cha- 
 racter ?" 
 
 " You talk like a fool, my dear nephew," 
 said the uncle. " Is she the only woman who 
 has charms? and can you not at this moment 
 think of a hundred who might rival her in 
 beauty, and who would think themselves 
 honoured by receiving your attentions ? Take my 
 word for it, — wedlock was made for fools only. 
 It imposes on them the disagreeable necessity of 
 blindly subscribing to the caprices of women. 
 It renders them the slaves of the sex, without 
 increasing their pleasure one iota ; on the con- 
 trary, it frequently destroys it, and is attended 
 by never ending vexations. Then come the 
 brats, — the pretty dears ! with their cries 
 and shrieks, their slaverings and filth, more of 
 the charms of matrimony ! Who, in the name of 
 Lucifer, can think of it seriously, and in his" 
 senses ? — Believe me, all we ought to be eager 
 about, is to ensure a permanent fund, which
 
 THE FREEMASON. 221 
 
 may furnish us with every worldly comfort ; and 
 this I think we can obtain, by persuading Don 
 Antonio to get Gabriela into a convent, and 
 adopt you as his son. The old man's natural 
 weakness and great deference to my advice, and 
 Doiia Angela's blindness for any thing I pro- 
 pose, will greatly facilitate the success of this 
 plan. Thus the existence of young Sandoval, 
 or even his residence at Logrono, can be of little 
 importance to us; but should it prove otherwise, 
 we can then recur to the means which happily 
 enough are in our power." 
 
 On the uncle concluding this eulogy on matri- 
 mony, the nephew, who, as we have already 
 remarked, had not even a suppositious father 
 to boast of, did not altogether dislike the idea of 
 becoming the adopted son of a man of the rank 
 and character of Don Antonio Lanza, con- 
 sequently, he not only approved his uncle's plan, 
 but made a long panegyric upon his wisdom and 
 foresight. After this, he expatiated on the ex- 
 cellent purchase which his friend the Intendant 
 had made for him. — " He will get half the
 
 222 SANDOVAL ; OE, 
 
 property," added he, " but it is no bad job to 
 secure for ourselves the other half, without pay- 
 ing down a single real. But do you know, I was 
 afraid the second son of Don Fabricio Sandoval 
 would have put in his protest, and baffled our 
 plans ; for he has powerful friends at court, and 
 his well known loyalty gives him claims which 
 could not fail to meet with attention." 
 
 " You know him not," said the monk, " if 
 you thought he would have taken such a step. 
 Thanks to me, I have inspired him with sufficient 
 disinterestedness for the things of this world, 
 that he should ever entertain such a thought. 
 What I most dreaded from him, was his deter- 
 mination to secure it for his eldest brother, which 
 I was obliged to combat with every imaginable 
 argument. Many his fanaticism, fortunately, 
 furnished me with, and to these he at length 
 yielded." 
 
 While this edifying conversation lasted, the 
 uncle and nephew had demolished the greatest 
 part of the capon and tongue, emptied half the 
 barrel of oysters, swallowed a great part of the
 
 THE FREEMASON. 223 
 
 cheese and salad, made deep inroads on the fruit 
 dishes, and did not forget the wine, of which four 
 bottles had been already discussed. Notwith- 
 standing this, they were on the point of uncork- 
 ing the remaining two, when a knock at the 
 outer door stopped their proceedings, — 
 '' Zounds !" exclaimed the monk, rising ab- 
 ruptly from table, and running to the corner of 
 the room where he had thrown his habit, which 
 he put on in a great hurry — " in the name of 
 the foul fiend ! who comes to disturb our medi- 
 tations, and prevent us from finishing our wine ? 
 Whoever it be, I wish him at the devil. — How- 
 ever, kick that table into the next room, — remove 
 those bottles, — light the tapers on my prayer- 
 desk — and get thee gone to my bed-room, while 
 I go through my usual farce. — Who comes at 
 tliis hour of night to interrupt my prayers ?" 
 added he loud enough to be heard outside, and 
 winking at his nephew, who retired grinning 
 and shrugging up his shoulders into the bed 
 room. 
 
 *' Fermin Sandoval, reverend father, who
 
 224? SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 is anxious to consult you on a point of con- 
 science." 
 
 " Curse the conscientious fool !'' ejaculated 
 his Reverence, and going towards the door, 
 opened it, and said — " Come in, my son, I am 
 always glad to see thee, but particularly when 
 tormented by the world, the flesh, or the devil, 
 thou comest to fortify thyself against their 
 temptations. What snares have they now spread 
 against thee, my son .?" 
 
 Fermin, whose well formed features were 
 overcast with an expression of deep melancholy, 
 knelt and kissed his hand reverentially, " I see 
 father," said he, " I have interrupted your 
 devotions. You were at your prayer desk, and 
 I, sinner that I am ! who, like you, ought to 
 have been praying to the Almighty to give me 
 wisdom and fortitude, have been sinfully strug- 
 gling against your commands, and cavilling at 
 your good advice. Forgive me, father, if I of- 
 fend you, but I must follow a different conduct 
 towards my brother from that which you pointed 
 out. I must see him, — I must console him, —
 
 THE FREEMASON. 225 
 
 he is wretchedly unhappy, Reverend father, and 
 I cannot stifle the voice of nature, nay, that of 
 conscience. To comfort the afflicted is a chris- 
 tian virtue, 'tis a precept enjoined upon us by 
 our blessed Saviour, (crossing himself.) I am 
 sinning against it by delaying, even an instant, 
 to offer my unhappy brother the consolation he 
 stands so much in need of. My heart bleeds to 
 think, that abandoned as he is by the whole 
 world, he should be so likewise by me, — great 
 God !' added he lifting his hands to heaven, 
 *' can'st thou demand of me such a painful 
 sacrifice ?*" 
 
 '• He doth," said the monk sternly, '*' rebel- 
 lious youth ! Did he not ask a greater one from 
 Abraham ? How is your unhappy brother to 
 be brought into the path of righteousness, if 
 while following that of sin and guilt, he see not 
 the finger of God marking his destruction ? 
 Wouldst thoUj then, act against his express 
 commands, and oppose thy will to his ? Reflect 
 on the enormity of such a sin — reflect, and then 
 talk of your sacrifices."" 
 
 L 3
 
 226 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 At these words the unfortunate Fermin, who 
 still was kneeling at the monk's feet, seemed to 
 shrink into the earth. " Father," he cried, 
 wringing his hands in agony, and lifting up his 
 large hazel eyes filled with tears, " I am a most 
 unhappy, a most wretched being. I can find in 
 my heart no power to withstand the cry raised 
 there by nature and compassion. What shall I 
 do, father, what shall I do ?" 
 
 " Pray, my son, pray to God that he may 
 give thee fortitude to bear up with these little 
 human tribulations, and resolution sufficient to 
 obey his sacred commands,'"" said the monk, 
 with a softened tone of voice, adding, after some 
 minutes silence, during wliich Fermin lay with 
 his forehead touching the ground, absorbed in 
 prayer, " now my son, thou wilt find all the 
 efforts of obstinacy and disobedience of no 
 avail against thy good resolutions. May the 
 blessing of God be with thee, for I must to 
 my prayers, in which thou shalt not be for- 
 gotten." 
 
 " Thanks, father, thanks," said Fermin, fer-
 
 THE FREEMASON. 227 
 
 vently kissing his hand, and immediately leaving 
 the cell. 
 
 " Zounds !'' said the monk, as Antima^"a 
 came out from his hiding place, " that bigot of 
 a youth gives me more trouble than half-a-dozen 
 old devotees, and pays not so well as one of 
 them. Always teazing me with his scruples, 
 and his conscience, and disturbing my hours of 
 quiet and enjoyment. However, he is a useful 
 tool in our hands, and we must have some re- 
 gard for him, for were he our enemy, the 
 resolution and firmness of his character alone 
 would be sufficient to overturn our best con- 
 certed plans. But you have no idea how much 
 I have laboured to mould him to my will, and 
 induce him to act towards his father and brother 
 as suited our views. Were it not for that su- 
 perstitious awe of the church's commands, with 
 which from his infancy we inspired him, and 
 which renders him the weakest of creatures in 
 our hands, it is certain he would be quite 
 unmanageable." 
 
 ^ There is a haughtiness about him which I
 
 228 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 do not altogether like," said the nephew; "he 
 pays me no deference whatever, and there is in 
 his look something so imposing, that I actually 
 tremble when I gaze steadily at his face." 
 
 " 'Tis a good conscience and an upright heart 
 which give a man that look, you fool !" cried 
 the monk sneeringly, " don't you know that ? 
 But go into the next room, and fetch a couple 
 of bottles of the old Santo Domingo, our blessed 
 patron, whose sanctity brings many a cask into 
 our cellars.'* 
 
 '"• Aye," said the nephew, rising to obey him, 
 " that it does ; but if we are to believe what 
 some. of 3'^our grave brethren say about your 
 blessed patron, had his rules been followed up, 
 I should find you now in some cave regaling 
 yourself witli a few water-cresses, a piece of 
 brown bread, and a jug of pure water, instead 
 of seeing you here mortifying yourself in the 
 rigid manner you have done to-night." 
 
 " I'll be hanged if you had," cried the 
 monk; " I would sooner have shouldered a 
 musket, and joined one of the errant tribes of 
 
 I
 
 THE FREEMASON. 229 
 
 gipsies, than be an anchorite a single hour ; 
 and I think had those rules been observed, few 
 of my brethren would have shewn so much par- 
 tiality for the cloister ; living secluded from the 
 world and its comforts, working and praying 
 night and day, (which our great patron recom- 
 mended as necessary duties,) was not a rule 
 made for his disciples, nor for himself either, 
 though he made it." 
 
 " What I liked in your patron," said Arti- 
 mana, as he returned loaded with the bottles, 
 was his sang froid at seeing heretics roasted. 
 One would think he fed upon the smell of an 
 auto-da-fe, so fond was he of the treat." 
 
 " He certainly had some good points in him," 
 cried the monk, " that maxim of his, which 
 none had yet dared to advance, and which now 
 forms the ground work of our conduct, was evi- 
 dently founded on a deep knowledge of human 
 nature, and showed him to be a man of fore- 
 sight." 
 
 "Do you mean," enquired the nephew, " when 
 unsheathing his dagger, he threw aside the scab-
 
 230 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 bard, and requested his comrades to do the 
 same ; saying, they would want it no more, as 
 either they or the enemies of God must be ex- 
 terminated ; for there was a light abroad, which 
 could not be extinguished, unless by putting out 
 hfe ?'■' 
 
 *' Aye, I see you have not forgotten his 
 apophthegm, my worthy disciple. Keep it in 
 mind my boy, and, depend upon it, we shall have 
 little to fear from those idiots the liberals, who 
 boast of being more enhghtened than ourselves. 
 But now let us finish our wine, that we may go 
 to our nocturnal carol at our httle witch''s, and 
 be able to perform it with becoming spirit.'' 
 
 A detail of the debauch which took place at 
 the house of the little witch, as his Reverence 
 called his mistress, would set in a still stronger 
 light the life and morals of the Spanish monks 
 of the present age ; but we shall not forget that 
 these pages are intended for an English public, 
 and that such an exposure could not but be 
 highly offensive to public decency, and an insult 
 to our readers. We must, however, be allowed
 
 THE FBEEMASOK. 231 
 
 to make here a fe»v observations on another 
 matter. 
 
 A multitude of writers have asserted, that the 
 monastic state was instituted for the purpose of 
 reviving and perpetuating among us the purity 
 of morals of the first Christians. St. Jerome 
 himself says, that the life led by the monks of 
 his own times was the same as that of the former ; 
 and, indeed, never did the spirit of poverty and 
 disinterestedness, wliich are the best tokens of a 
 contemplative life, shine forth with greater 
 splendour than at the very birth of Christianity. 
 But where shall we now look for that primi- 
 tive perfection ? Is it in those magnificent mo- 
 nasteries that resemble, by the grandeur and 
 splendour of their architecture the majestic 
 palaces of kings, rather than the humble asy- 
 lums of innocence and virtue? Is it in those 
 hospederias* of their monasteries, which are per- 
 petually crowded with wealthy ladies and gen- 
 
 * Houses kept at the expence of religious communities 
 for the reception and accommodation of travellers and 
 strangers.
 
 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 tlemen, who, either through devotion for their 
 patron saint, or friendship for the abbot, or 
 prompted by their own interests, go to pay their 
 court to him, and spend in those delightful re- 
 treats a day of mirth and amusement ; the whole 
 forming the strongest contrast with the deep 
 silence that reigns in the interior of the cloisters? 
 — Or is it in those numerous country houses, 
 and commodious town dwellings, which are the 
 ordinary residences of their proctors, who are 
 incessantly watching over the interests of the 
 community, putting in claims the most distant, 
 and involving people of slender fortunes in long 
 and expensive law suits, frequently without a 
 glimpse of right on their side, in order to ac- 
 complish their own objects? 
 
 In surveying, one by one, the innumerable 
 monasteries in Spain, we shall find that even the 
 wealthiest grandee cannot compete with them in 
 objects of mere luxury ; such, doubtless, are 
 those thick, shady, and neatly lopped planta- 
 tions which generally surround their convents ; 
 those interior extensive gardens, thickly studded
 
 THE FREEMASON. 
 
 with all kinds of fruit-trees, and offering to the 
 sight a scene no less beautiful than useful and 
 agreeable ; and lastly, those reservoirs filled 
 with eels, tench, trouts, crawfish, and fresh 
 water tortoises, which though seldom appearing 
 on the tables of their refectories, are to be found 
 in those of their cells, and particularly in that 
 of the Senor Ahad, who never fails to regale 
 his guests and protectors with the choicest of 
 these dainties. But what shall we say of those 
 capacious and numerous granaries, which seem 
 every moment ready to sink under the immense 
 weight of the corn collected from their lands 
 and tithes ? — of those extensive subterraneous 
 caves, in which the most exquisite wines of 
 Europe are annually laid up in prodigious and 
 almost incredible quantities ? — of those magnifi- 
 cent stables, always well furnished with horses 
 and mules of the best breed, height, and value ? 
 — of those extensive pasture grounds and rich 
 meadows, which are stocked with thousands of 
 all sorts of cattle } — and, lastly, of the commerce 
 they make of all these articles, which if not
 
 234 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 quite in accordance with their vows of poverty, 
 is at least sufficiently lucrative to compensate 
 for the sacrifice of principle? 
 
 We own, that on seeing such wealthy patri- 
 monies enjoyed by men, who have renounced the 
 vanities and comforts of this perishable world, 
 to occupy themselves only with the blessings of 
 the world to come, it is only after considerable 
 friction of our temples, and many looks up to 
 the ceiling that we can hit upon any answer 
 which may be likely to satisfy our readers. 
 *' If, we at length say to ourselves, our Savioiir 
 had travelled about the world with the pomp 
 and ostentation of some of the abbots and gene- 
 rals of the Spanish monasteries, he certainly 
 would not have found the search for disciples to 
 assist him in preaching and propagating his 
 divine doctrines such a difficult matter ; but his 
 laborious life, his poverty, and the rigid morality 
 of his conduct, are no longer in fashion, and, 
 consequently, a travelling stick, instead of a 
 comfortable carriage, or a good-paced horse, a 
 single tunic, instead of cambric linen and silk
 
 THE FREEMASON. 235 
 
 habits, and for food some fish, or a piece of 
 honey-comb, instead of every delicacy that 
 wealth can procure, would not at all fall in with 
 the notions of our modern recluses. Yet, Jesus 
 Christ and his apostles, though poor, ill fed, 
 and covered with dust, no sooner entered a town 
 and commenced preaching their doctrine, than 
 the hearts of their hearers were filled with com- 
 punction, and they became meek and humble, 
 while the fine carriages, retinue, pomp, rich 
 crosses, and pectorals of the thrice happy mo- 
 dem abbots, are more likely to inspire pride and 
 vanity into their flocks, and introduce effemi- 
 nacy, dissipation, and voluptuousness among 
 their brethren, than the love of retirement, 
 poverty, and meditation on heavenly things."
 
 236 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 " If I'm desi(;n'd yon Inrdling's slave. 
 
 By nature's lnw design'd. 
 Why was an independent wish 
 
 E'er planted in my mind? 
 If not, why am I subject to 
 
 His cruelty or scorn ? 
 Or why has man the will and pow'r 
 
 To make his fellow mourn ?" 
 
 Burns. 
 
 Returning now to our hero, whom we left 
 in the long room, endeavouring to bury in sleep 
 the memory of that day's misfortunes, we shall 
 find, that as soon as the day dawned, after 
 having spent a sleepless night, his mind per- 
 petually wandering from disappointments past, 
 to painful anticipations of the future, he rose, 
 in the hope of escaping the bitter recollections 
 which during the lonely hours of repose had 
 haunted his imagination, and immediately di-
 
 THE FREEMASON. 237 
 
 rected his steps towards the abode of his father's 
 friend, which, as we have already observed, was 
 by the river side. 
 
 As he approached it through a vineyard, oc- 
 casionally interspersed with olive trees, he could 
 not help admiring the neatness and corafort 
 that reigned around it. Two little hedges 
 formed of rosemary and laurel led to the door 
 of the hut, on each side of which, and encir- 
 cling the only two windows of which it could 
 boast, a number of jessamines and rose trees 
 spread their flowery stems, and perfumed the 
 air around. On the left side of the hut, and 
 facing the south, was a little bee-house, with 
 two rows of hives ; and on the right, a small 
 shed, the walls of which were hung with nets 
 of different sizes and forms, fish-baskets, large 
 hooks, ropes, and two or three broken oars. 
 Between the two beams that supported the 
 angular covering of the shed, lay a small boat, 
 which completed the fisherman's chattels. 
 
 As Sandoval approached the door of the hut, 
 he was met by a dog, who ran out barking hos-
 
 238 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 pitably, and wagging his tail in a manner which 
 indicated peaceful intentions. He was followed 
 by a man clad in the dress of a common pea- 
 sant, but in whose countenance Sandoval thought 
 he could discern a person of superior intellect. 
 He had a high forehead, strongly marked by a 
 thick line, which seemed to separate it into two 
 orbits, an aquiline nose, a well-formed mouth, 
 large, dark, expressive eyes, and a complexion 
 rather tanned with exposure to the sun and air. 
 Its expression, however, was that of thought- 
 fulness and melancholy, and at first sight seemed 
 marked by coldness and reserve. He was of 
 middle stature, but his gait was far above the 
 humble costume he wore. He stepped firmly, 
 presented an elevated chest, and carried his 
 head high. Upon the whole, his person and 
 features were sufficiently prepossessing to in- 
 terest Sandoval from the first moment of his 
 appearance. He advanced towards him, and 
 enquired if his name was not Anselmo ? — 
 " Even so," said he, " what is your pleasure, 
 Sir .?"
 
 THE FREEMASON. 239 
 
 Sandoval drew from his pocket his fathers 
 letter — " I understand," said he, " you are a 
 friend of the writer of this letter, I am his son.'* 
 
 Anselmo glanced rapidly over its contents, 
 and welcomed him to his hut with the warmth 
 and cordiality of one who sees a friend he loves 
 and esteems, " You are come at an unhappy 
 moment," added he, " and I lament the nu- 
 merous disappointments which have thus 
 crowded upon you ; but remember your fa- 
 ther's advice ; let not your afflictions enervate 
 your courage, and deprive you of the power of 
 fighting in your country's cause. If we tri- 
 umph, all may yet be well." 
 
 Saying this he invited him to repose himself 
 awhile in his habitation, the interior of which 
 corresponded in every respect with its exterior. 
 There was nothino- unbecominor a fisherman's 
 hut ; but it breathed the same cleanliness and 
 comfort. Two wooden chairs were placed on 
 each side of a large hearth, on which a cheerful 
 fire of vine shoots was blazing, to prepare his 
 breakfast ; in the middle of the room stood a
 
 240 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 clean deal table, over which a candil* hung 
 from the end of an iron hook fixed to the ceil- 
 ing. A kind of dresser constructed of mason 
 work, on which a few common earthen plates 
 were arranged in good order, took up the 
 greatest part of one of the side walls ; whilst 
 on the opposite, and between the space of the 
 door and window, there was a large deal box, 
 in which Anselmo's clothes and linen were con- 
 tained. Facing the hearth there was a door 
 communicating with a very small room, which 
 just admitted Anselmo's bed. 
 
 *' Here,'"* said he to Sandoval, who was in- 
 wardly contrasting Anselmo's manners with his 
 humble habitation, " I live in a condition ap- 
 parently bordering on indigence ; but which is 
 far from being so, since I am contented with 
 the little I possess. My wants are ievr, and 
 here I find enough to gratify them. Milk, 
 honey, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and fish, are 
 productions which are always within my reach, 
 
 * A rude iron lamp.
 
 THE FREEMASON. 241 
 
 and which suffice for my subsistence. A little 
 vineyard, on which my labours are more suc- 
 cessfully bestowed than they have been among 
 my fellow men, yields wine enough for my 
 consumption, and a glass to spare for any visi- 
 tor that chance may bring to my hut. So that 
 far from being indigent, I even possess super- 
 fluities." 
 
 Sandoval expressed his delight at the sim- 
 plicity and happiness of such a life ; and highly 
 praised that philosophy, which enabled his friend 
 thus to reconcile himself to the new condition to 
 which he had been reduced by the outrages of 
 an unprincipled faction ; but at the same time 
 he could not help regretting that a man of his 
 virtues and acquirements should be thus wasting 
 his life and talents in obscurity. 
 
 "" Were those outrages confined to myself 
 alone,"" replied Anselmo, " I should think 
 lightly of them ; but shared as they are by 
 every honourable man in the land, and by the 
 majority of my countrymen, they become at 
 times very irksome, and not a night elapses but 
 
 VOL. 1. M
 
 *!42 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 my pillow is wetted by my tears. This ex- 
 treme sensibility may, perhaps, be thought un- 
 ])hilosophical ; but it is not in my nature, edu- 
 cation, or habits, to be indifferent to the evils 
 which afHict our country. I was brought up 
 in a manner that necessarily called my reason- 
 ing faculties into action. The father, who 
 educated me, died a victim to his liberal prin- 
 ciples in the dungeons of the Holy Office of 
 Zaragoza. The persecutions he endured, the 
 early notions I imbibed of our common rights 
 from the perusal of the best English and French 
 works on these subjects, and my constant strug- 
 gles with the enemies of reason and humanity, 
 cannot be cancelled at my age. The love of 
 our country has become deeply rooted in mv 
 breast, it forms a vital part of my existence, 
 and is always foremost in my thoughts. Were 
 I convinced that the restoration of liberty in 
 our land was a visionary scheme, wliich I am 
 far from beheving, still my efforts would be 
 unremitting, and, hke my ancestors, I would fall 
 in support of our rights I am only sorry that
 
 THE FREEMASON. 243 
 
 the enemies we have to fight will not face us 
 honestly, and that their ferocity and oppression 
 force the undaunted friends of freedom to resort 
 to means which they alone can practice with 
 success. "We must have recourse to secrecy 
 and nocturnal meetings, to binding oaths, and 
 disguises, in a word to means which I despise, 
 as much as I hate ; but to whicli we all must 
 conform, as no other are now left in our hands 
 to oppose to our powerful and treacherous 
 CTiemies." 
 
 Sandoval lamented the fatal change brought 
 about after tlie glorious termination of the strug- 
 gle in which Spain had been engaged. " It was 
 my firm opinion,'' said he, " that independence 
 was the surest forerunner of liberty ; and fondly 
 did I hope it might prove so in this instance ; 
 for a nation that is roused to a sense of its own 
 dignity, and sensible of the blessings accruing 
 fi-oni the former, is in a fit state to understand 
 those arising from the latter. Nay, they are 
 linked together ; and nothing is more natural to 
 the mind of man, than the application of a ge- 
 M 2
 
 244 SANDOVAL ; OK, 
 
 neral principle to an individual one belonging to 
 the same class. If a man knows that the reason 
 of his taking up arms against a foreign enemy, 
 is to preserve the property he possesses, and ta 
 avoid becoming a slave, he must necessarily know 
 that that property is Ms own, and that no one 
 but himself has a right to any part of it, unless 
 it be by his consent ; as likewise that he is his 
 own master, and no one has a controul over him 
 as long as he is just to others. Then, how easy 
 it is to make that man understand that the do- 
 mestic tyrant, who claims his property and his 
 person as if it were his own, is no less rapacious 
 and unjust than the foreigner who comes into 
 his country for a similar object .'' — How then our 
 countrymen have allowed themselves to be bereft 
 of their already well established, and well un- 
 derstood rights, is a paradox to me." 
 
 " I differ from you in believing they were 
 well understood," said Anselmo; "if they had 
 been so, nothing could have overturned them ; 
 for it is not in human nature to yield up advan- 
 tages of whiqh one is sensible, for inevitable ruin.
 
 THE FREEMASOiT. 245 
 
 Those riolits were well understood at Cadiz* 
 and hence Cadiz -offered a formal resistance to 
 the establishment of an absolute king ; but in 
 the provinces, particularly in those where the 
 French had swayed, nothing was known of 
 them. The Constitution was a word, which 
 during the struggle had but just reached them; 
 but the advantages which might be derived from 
 it were totally unknown to them. The name of 
 the king, on the contrary, was tlieir watch- word ; 
 and for the king, the majority of the people 
 declared as soon as he proscribed the Constitu- 
 tion. It is the government of the Cortes we 
 ought rather to blame, for foolishly imagining 
 that the moral beauty of their system was of 
 itself sufficient to ensure our liberties. Those 
 who had then the power in their hands ought, 
 as soon as they discovered that Ferdinand would 
 be content with nothinor short of absolute mo- 
 narchy, to have employed it in maintaining our 
 rights against this domestic intruder, instead of 
 endeavouring to suppress the just indignation 
 of those who were willine- to stake their lives
 
 246 SANDOVAL ; OB, 
 
 and fortunes in their defence. The perjury of 
 one or two generals would then have rendered 
 our triumph more complete. But, my young 
 friend," added he hurriedly, "the past cannot 
 be recalled ; at most it may serve as a living 
 monument of our folly to avoid committing it 
 again." 
 
 He then invited him to partake of his humble 
 breakfast, w-hich consisted of some fish, caught 
 earlv that morning, milk, and honey, and some 
 excellent fruit, which Sandoval relished, both on 
 account of his naturally good appetite, and the 
 pleasure of taking it with a man whose principles 
 were in perfect harmony with his own, and from 
 whose conversation he derived no less pleasure 
 tlian instruction. When the breakfast was over, 
 Anselmo's avocation oblioring him to attend to 
 other pursuits, he prepared himself to take leave 
 of his friend, requesting his presence at a meet- 
 ing of some good friends of freedom, who were 
 to assemble in his hut precisely at midnight, to 
 talk over some of their plans, and read the cor- 
 respondence which they expected by that day's
 
 THE FKEEMASOX. 247 
 
 post. " As you already belong to our society, 
 you need not fear the terrifying tri.ils of initia- 
 tion," added he with a smile, " it shall only be 
 a presentation, at which the most we shall re- 
 quii'e of you will be the security of yourhonour. 
 When, some months ago, our enemies were plot- 
 ting in their bloody conventicles the ruin of 
 their country, they always required from those 
 who became their associates to take the mur- 
 derer's dagger in one band, and the crucifix in 
 the other, and swear that they were willing and 
 ready, not only to sacrifice to the wish of their 
 chiefs their social affections ; but to spill the 
 blood of their dearest relatives, if the atrocious 
 ci'ime were commanded. Our morality differs 
 as widely from theirs as our political creed ; 
 tlierefore, we shall not bid you go and stab your 
 brother to the heart, though he be our inveterate 
 enemy, the supporter of tyranny, and a disobe- 
 dient son, all of which are great crimes in our 
 eyes ; neither shall we ask you to become the 
 assassin of any man, however cruel and trea- 
 cherous his conduct may have been towards us.
 
 248 SANDOVAL ; ORy 
 
 We seek not for murderers, but for men of ho- 
 nour, for men who can steadily look on the tor- 
 turing wheel of the Inquisitors while it is pre- 
 paring for them, and who will not allow a sign of 
 weakness to escape them while their limbs are 
 torn asunder by the executioner. If, as I thinks, 
 you have a soul endowed with sufficient firmness 
 to do this, you will feel a pleasure in meeting 
 with other men who are all resolved to sacrifice 
 their lives for their country, and to undergo the 
 greatest sufferings and privations in her cause. 
 
 Sandoval assured Anselmo of the delight he 
 would feel at becoming the associate of such 
 patriotic spirits, adding that his devotion for the 
 cause of his country being founded both on 
 principle and filial duty, he was ready to sa,cri- 
 fice to it his repose and his life. " We are not 
 yet so far advanced in our plans,'' said Anselmo, 
 as he took a final leave of him, " as to require 
 the last of those sacrifices; but I doubt not, 
 when the hour arrives, you will, if necessary, 
 cheerfully make good your word. Adieu, then, 
 till to-night, at twelve precisely."
 
 THE ?UE!5;MAS0N. 24)9 
 
 In fact, until this epoch, nothing had yet been 
 done by the patriots to establish a regular system 
 of communication by means of secret societies. 
 Scattered about the country, weakened, and dis- 
 couraged by the destructive proceedings of their 
 adversaries, a few of them, at most, assembled 
 in private houses and secret places, to communi- 
 cate to each other the news they received from 
 their dispersed friends. The freemasons' lodges, 
 which became afterwards the bonds of union 
 with the Hberal party, were at the moment here 
 alluded to few in number, and very contracted 
 in tlieir object ; but even before the king's re- 
 turn their influence had been very inconsi- 
 derable. Freemasonry, in Spain, previous to 
 Napoleon's invasion, was confined only to a few 
 individuals, who had been accepted masons in 
 foreign lodges. The intercourse with both 
 French and English freemasons, who went to 
 Spain on account of the war, caused that number 
 to be augmented, though by no means so greatly 
 as might have been expected. The first attempt 
 at forming a grand Spanish Orient was made by 
 M 3
 
 250 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 those Spaniards who were attached to the party 
 of king Joseph ; and who, aided by their Gallic 
 friends, succeeded in nominally establishing it. 
 Their numbers increased in proportion as their 
 party gained ground ; but their object in making 
 new proselytes, was principally to give strength 
 to their faction, and obtain mutual assistance 
 from each other in whatever difficulties, either 
 personal or political, they might find themselves 
 involved. At about the same period, and soon 
 after the promulgation of the Constitution, those 
 liberals who were at Cadiz, and who belonged 
 to that society, formed also a kind of lodge, the 
 object of which was merely to prevent the ser- 
 viles from obtaining a preponderance in the ad- 
 ministration ; but neither these masons, nor those 
 belonging to the same party who were scattered 
 about the country in the different armies, had 
 among themselves any bond of union, or deter- 
 mined political object. This fact was well 
 know to the servile faction ; yet on the king's 
 return to Spain, unwilling to forget that it was 
 owing to the efforts of some of the freemasons
 
 THE FREfeMASON. Sol 
 
 •that they had failed in obtaining, during the 
 time they were at Cadiz, Avhat they so much 
 panted after, namely, a preponderance in the 
 government, they, in conjunction with the be- 
 loved Ferdinand, the Grand Inquisitor, and our 
 Holy Father, the Pope, fulminated a decree 
 against the freemasons, in which, as the holy 
 Inquisitors themselves expressed it, " AVe 
 henceforth offer to receive xvith open arms, and 
 all that tenderness which has always charac- 
 terized our ministry, those who, witliin the space 
 of fifteen days from the date of this decree, 
 shall spontaneously and voluntarily denounce 
 themselves to us ; but if any person (which God 
 forbid !) persist in following the road to perdition, 
 we shall employ, to our great regret, rigour, and 
 severity, causing the pains and penalties of the 
 civil and canonical lav/s to be inflicted on the 
 offenders." It is needless to add, tliat this de- 
 cree was followed by numerous arrests througii- 
 out the Peninsula ; and that, even some of those 
 persons fiuspccted of bemg suspicious in this 
 respect, were unfortunate enough to be received
 
 552 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 "• in the open arms" of the holy Inquisitors, 
 whose embraces we can compare only to the ■ 
 loving coil of the boa constrictor, or the more 
 rapturous clasp of the African tyger. 
 
 But to return to our hero. Having arranged 
 with Anselmo how he was to get down to his 
 hilt at that late hour of the night, when the city 
 gates were all closed, he took leave of him, and 
 walked slowly towards town, in rather better 
 spirits than he had left it. '" Reduced, by the 
 present anarchical state of things, to almost the 
 state of an outcast," said he to himself as he 
 walked on, " deserted, by former associates, 
 deprived of the society of an enlightened parent, 
 and disappointed in my long cherished hopes, 
 how should I have been able to bear the weight 
 of life, had I not met in Anselmo a true and 
 valuable friend, whose society will compensate 
 for many of those severe losses I have sustained .'' 
 It is a resource and a consolation of which the 
 despotism of men can never deprive me, at least, 
 so long as we both inhale the free air." 
 
 It must be confessed that there was nothing
 
 THE FREEMASON. 2^53 
 
 in those hopes very visionary, or unreasonable ; 
 t)ut the vicissitudes of his life proved that a man 
 who, like him, existed more for others than for 
 himself, and who was under the controul of 
 events, exposed to a thousand crosses and dis- 
 appointments, had no right to entertain hopes 
 of any kind, any more than they who are the 
 slaves of circumstances, or of men — a comfort- 
 able reflection for him who is in either of these 
 two predicaments !
 
 ^54 SANDOVAL; OK, 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 " Fare thpp wpll! most foul! most fair! farewell! 
 
 For thee I'll loelc itp all tlie gates of love, 
 And on my eyelids let conjecture hang, 
 To turn all beauty into thoughts of harm. 
 And never shall it more be gracious.'' 
 
 Sjiakspeare. 
 
 The midnight hour was anxiously expected 
 by Sandoval ; who, elated at the idea of renew- 
 ing before other patriots, those vows which he 
 had a thousand times made within his o\An 
 breast, felt as if at last they were about to be 
 carried into effect. Besides, there was in the 
 expectation of meeting congenial minds, some- 
 thing delightfully exciting for one, whose heart, 
 overflowing with social affections, felt the neces-
 
 THE FREEMASON. 253 
 
 sity of expansion. In order, therefore, not to 
 fail in his appoiritment, as soon as the hour of 
 departure came, he directed his steps towards 
 an unfrequented quay, where he was to find a 
 boat, the management of which was to be un- 
 dertaken by his servant Roque, who was an ex- 
 cellent rower ; but who, on this occasion, accom- 
 panied his master with some reluctance, having 
 heard people say, that spirits slept in the waters, 
 and not feeling very anxious to disturb their re- 
 pose by the plashing of his oars, lest they 
 should testify their sense of the obligation in a 
 style of courtesy to which he was not accus- 
 tomed. 
 
 The night was serene and cloudless, and the 
 moon, which was on the zenith, appeared reflected 
 Ml the waters like a silver mirror inlaid on the 
 surface of a dark and highly polished marble. 
 There was such a stillness in the air, that even 
 the most distant murmur passed softly on, and 
 died away in the distance by gradations as gen- 
 tle, as those of the echo in a vaulted cavern. 
 Nature itself seemed at a stand, so deep was the
 
 256 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 silence of the night, and so motionless were all 
 the elements. Man alone, that restless being, 
 whose passions so often disturb the harmony of 
 nature, was found wandering in the midst of 
 this universal calm. Sandoval and his servant, 
 however, reached theu' boat without any interrup- 
 tion, unmoored it, and rowed away as silently as 
 tliat operation permitted. As they were obliged 
 to traverse the whole line of the city in order 
 to reach their place of destination, many a 
 sigh escaped Sandoval as they passed along some 
 of the houses, the gardens of which, though con- 
 siderably raised above the level of the river, 
 extended to the water side, in which he had 
 once spent some happy hours, but the doors 
 were now shut against him. Among these 
 was one, which, long before they came to it, 
 brought more painful recollections to his mind, 
 — it was that of Gabriela's father. " Row not 
 so fast,"'*' whispered he to Roque, some minutes 
 before they reached it, "who knows but I 
 may catch a glimpse of my unhappy love in 
 some of those bowers near the river, in which
 
 THE FREEMASON. 257 
 
 she has often sat in such nights as this to 
 hear my Hght hearted serenade. All then was 
 hope and light around us, all now is darkness 
 and solitude '."" 
 
 As he said these words, the plashing of 
 oars was faintly heard in the distance ; it be- 
 came gradually more audible, the quick suc- 
 cession of the strokes, indicating that the boat 
 was well manned, and coming rapidly on. 
 Sandoval wrapt himself up in his cloak, and 
 ordered Roque to row as close along shore 
 as possible, towards a cluster of trees that 
 cast a dark shadow on the waters. Here 
 they remained concealed till the other boat 
 passed them, which happened very soon after. 
 They observed by the moonlight, an officer in 
 his regimentals sitting at the stern, with his 
 arms folded across his breast ; but the distance 
 being too great to distinguish his uniform, 
 it was impossible for Sandoval to guess 
 whether he belonged to the preventive ser- 
 vice, or to the troops of the line. How- 
 ever, he kept his eye on the boat, to see
 
 258 SANDOVAL ; oil, 
 
 whither it was going. This he very soon ascer- 
 tained ; for no sooner it came opposite Don 
 Antonio Lanza's garden than the rowers pulled 
 to shore ; and on the officer leaping out, the boat 
 retraced its way with the same rapidity as it had 
 come down. Sandoval's curiosity was strongly 
 excited ; anxious to discover who the officer 
 was, and also, if possible, to ascertain the object 
 of a visit there at such an hour, he commanded 
 Roque to row ashore. This done, he jumped 
 out, and desired him not to stir from the place; 
 but keep himself in readiness at an instant's 
 notice, should he be obliged to make a precipi- 
 tate retreat. He then walked up towards that 
 part of the rampart over which he had seen the 
 officer climb and disappear ; and here he found 
 a rope ladder fastened to the iron balustrade of 
 the terrace. He did not hesitate an instant in 
 ascending and leaping over the railing. Having 
 stood awhile endeavouring to catch some sounds 
 which might direct his steps, he thought he heard 
 voices whispering in one of the pavilions on the 
 right side of the garden. He listened more at-
 
 THE I'EEEMASON. 250 
 
 tentively, and being soon confirmed in his 
 opinion, stole with cautious steps towards the 
 place whence the sounds issued. As he came 
 nearer it, he lieard distinctly a voice too familiar 
 to his ear to be mistaken by him, saying — " You 
 know it well, Fermin, my love is too deeply 
 rooted in my heart, to require those soothing 
 expressions you bestow. If we must again be 
 separated — if our mutual interests demand this 
 painful sacrifice — if, as you say, it may be the 
 means of bringing about our long expected 
 union — why should I then oppose your measures, 
 when I have none better of my own to urge ; 
 nay, when by his sudden arrival, and untimely 
 visit to our house yesterday, my hope became 
 nearly extinct ? Do, then, as your belter judg- 
 ment shall direct, and rely on it, I shall not 
 slirink from any task you may impose on me. 
 My heart could be sooner rooted out, than the 
 affection that is kindled there. But for God's 
 
 sake, Fermin, be cautious, in " here 
 
 Sandoval's extreme agitation prevented his 
 hearing the remainder of the sentence, and all
 
 S60 SANDOVAL ; OE, 
 
 he now heard were half suppressed sighs from 
 Gabriela, and soothing words addressed to her 
 by his brother, expressive of tender and even 
 passionate feelings. At last she made an effort 
 to speak more collectedly — " You knew Calisto's 
 temper," she said, " and how easily it is excited 
 — ^you know the passion that rages in his breast, 
 spare then his feelings, as far as it may be in your 
 power — Poor Calisto ! how will you bear this 
 news ! — ^but it must be — yes ! I am resolved, 
 Fermin ! I submit to your dictates. There will 
 tlien be a greater probability of accomplishing 
 our plans of happiness." 
 
 " Traitors !" exclaimed Sandoval, unable to 
 restrain himself any longer, and rushing towards 
 the pavilion, " it shall not be — by heavens ! it 
 shall not be — I'll be revenged on both of ye 
 before we part !" 
 
 At these words, Gabriela shrieked wildly, — 
 " Great God, 'tis he !" and darting from the pa- 
 vilion, rushed through some tall shrubs, and 
 disappeared ; Fermin following her with equal 
 celerity, but exclaiming — " Holy Virgin, have
 
 THE FEEEMASON. 261 
 
 mercy on me ! 'tis my father confessor !" — while 
 Sandoval stood at the entrance enveloped in 
 his long cloak, and rivetted to the spot, gazing 
 after both, but unable to follow. Soon after, a 
 door was heard turning on its hinges, and bolts 
 drawn, and then a dead silence ensued. " They 
 are gone, the traitors are gone !"" cried San- 
 doval, gnashing his teeth, " but they shall pay 
 dearly for their perfidy ;" saying which, he 
 flew to the balustrade, and dropping do^n tlie 
 rope-ladder as swiftly as a squirrel, regained the 
 boat, where he threw himself on his seat, ex- 
 claiming, " Row on, and let us fly this accursed 
 land." 
 
 " "Whither shall I row .?" enquired Roque, 
 astonished at his master's extreme agitation. 
 
 " Whither, idiot ! to hell !" was the reply. 
 
 *' I rather you would not insist on my com- 
 pany then,"" muttered Roque, and commenced 
 rowing: for home. 
 
 *' Fool I the other way!" cried his master; 
 " the traitor !^' added he, stamping so violently, 
 that he almost overturned the boat ; " but lie
 
 262 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 loves me! — He would sacrifice his repose 
 and his happiness — nay, he would give his life 
 to save mine ! — How kind ! how disinterested ! 
 — Yet he does not hesitate to seduce from me 
 my betrothed mistress ! — to blast my hopes, and 
 to destroy my happiness ! — nay, to stab me to 
 the lieart ! Hypocrite ! is that your boasted 
 religion ? villain, knave, and double traitor ! is 
 ^thst the love you bear me ? And thou, perfi- 
 dious, and no less abandoned woman ! where 
 are now thy solemn vows, thy sincere tears, all 
 thy binding pledges? — Ah, where? — I puff 
 them from me ; there,"" said he, " I have done 
 Avith you both — I cast you from my heart, — I 
 drive you from my memory — seek now another 
 fool to cheat and betray.'"' 
 
 After this first burst, he sat motionless, as if 
 lie really intended to think no more on the sub- 
 ject ; but an affection so deeply rooted is not to 
 be so easily forgotten. It is not without a pang 
 that a man can redeem a heart he has once 
 plighted to a beautiful and beloved woman. 
 Many an hour of sorrow and irresolution must
 
 THE FREEMASON. 263 
 
 be spent before he can bring his niind to forego 
 the dehghtful hopes on which he has so long 
 existed. Thus while Sandoval's resentment 
 lasted, he was able to preserve the sullen silence 
 of contempt ; but when it began to subside, the 
 certainty that he had lost the affection of a 
 woman whom it was impossible for him to for- 
 get, gradually made way into his mind, and 
 goaded him to madness and despair. 
 
 Roque made several attempts to pacify his 
 master, by enumerating the many stories he had 
 treasured up in his memory from the various 
 ballads he had learned of gallant knights who 
 had been cruelly forsaken by their mistresses, 
 and ^\ho instead of hanfjincr, or drownino-, or 
 stabbing themselves, as seemed to be his inten- 
 tion, had taken the wiser course of conferring 
 one of those favours on the false fair one, and 
 her lover into the bargain ; but unable to suc- 
 ceed, he desisted, and now enquired if it was 
 his intention that they should take a trip to the 
 Mediterranean, as it appeared he ha(J forgotten 
 they had already left the town half a league be-
 
 264 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 hind. " Row to the opposite shore," said he, 
 " for tliis accursed interruption had nearly 
 driven from my mind the object of my excur- 
 sion."' 
 
 Roque obeyed, and Sandoval stepping out of 
 the boat, desired him to wait there his return, 
 which he said would take place in a few hours, 
 during which he was at liberty to take his re- 
 pose. Roque then wrapt himself up in his 
 cloak, and stretched himself at full length in the 
 boat, while his master walked towards Ansel- 
 mo's hut, which he reached later than he might 
 have done had he not purposely followed a cir- 
 cuitous route, in order to have a little more time 
 to compose his mind. In looking through the 
 crevices both of the window, and door, he could 
 not see a glimpse of a light, nor hear a murmur 
 which indicated there was a single person stirr- 
 ing inside. Afraid that the hour of meeting 
 was past, and that the party had already broke 
 up, he hesitated a long time before he could 
 bring his mind to disturb Anselmo's repose. 
 Unwilling, however, to return to town without
 
 THE FEEEMASON. 265 
 
 having first ascertained the fact, he at length 
 tapped gently at the door, which, hov/ever, was 
 opened on a second knock. Sandoval then en- 
 tered, and the bolts were drawn back. " I am 
 afraid,"' said he, as he vainly looked for a light, 
 " I have disturbed your rest, and am come too 
 late." 
 
 " Better late than never," cried a deep voice, 
 which he recognized as that of his friend An- 
 selmo ; " but give me your hand and follow me. 
 Sandoval groped along, led by Anselmo to the 
 other extremity of the room, where a little trap- 
 door, which had escaped his notice in the morn- 
 ing, was lifted up, and he was requested to de- 
 scend some steps that led to what had been 
 during Anselmo' s predecessor a wine cellar, and 
 which served now as the place of meeting for a 
 few trusty patriots. On reaching the bottom 
 of these steps another door was opened, and 
 Sandoval's eyes came at last in contact with a 
 light, by which he saw five middle-aged gentle- 
 men seated round a table, covered with letters 
 and newspapers, Spanish, French, and English, 
 
 VOL. I. N
 
 266 SANDOVAL; ORj 
 
 and busied in examining their contents. Therr 
 countenances, only partially revealed by the 
 light of a single lamp, exhibited, nevertheless, 
 nobler features than a Dutch painter would 
 have given to a group similarly situated. At 
 the approach of Anselmo and their new asso- 
 ciate, they all rose, and one after another wel- 
 comed him to their sanctum with the warmth 
 of old friends, two or three of whom were in 
 fact well known to him. " Here, my young 
 friend," said one of these to Sandoval, " we are 
 obliged to assemble, in order to concert our 
 plans of regeneration, under ground, and at 
 the midnight hour, as if we were so many mur- 
 derers, contriving schemes of plunder and as- 
 sassination ; but we must not forget that we are 
 struggling with an enemy as powerful as perfi- 
 dious, and that to escape oppression, the weak 
 can never be too cautious. The office of a spy 
 is now become a lucrative, and, among our 
 oppressors, an honourable profession. We can- 
 not make a step without stumbling upon one. 
 We are afraid of speaking aloud, lest the very
 
 THE FREEMASON. 267 
 
 walls or the stones should betray us ; nay, such 
 is the absolute dominion of the clergy over the 
 minds of the generality of people, that in our 
 own houses we dare not trust our thoughts, 
 even to our wives, children, or brothers, those 
 monsters having succeeded in dissolving the 
 social ties which bind the hearts of the nearest 
 relatives, by inspiring them with the horrible 
 belief that they perform a religious duty in 
 betraying each other ! nay, that the very salva- 
 tion of their souls depends upon their doing so ! 
 Thus every individual in Spain who attends the 
 confessional (and woe to him that does not,) 
 must necessarily be a hypocrite or a villain. He 
 must betray his dearest friends, or the prin- 
 ciples of his rehgion, by committing the sacrilege 
 ■of communing with his God, without having 
 first made a competent confession,"" 
 
 "Gentlemen!" said Anselmo, "it matters 
 little where we assemble, provided we can put 
 an end to such degradations. My blood boils 
 in my veins, when I think of these atrocities ; 
 but still more, when I see our inability to remedy 
 N 2
 
 268 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 them. Still I hope that a better day may yet 
 dawn for our land ; and I am led to this hope 
 by a letter, which I have this day received from 
 Madrid ; and which I beg leave to read to you. 
 It is written by an intelligent friend of mine, 
 and gives a tolerable insight into the actual 
 state of tilings at court. But you shall hear 
 it." 
 
 " My dear Friend, 
 
 " The violent excesses committed here against 
 the patriotic party by those persecuting dema- 
 gogues who style themselves the friends of 
 order and religion, are by this time too well 
 known throughout the Peninsula to require my 
 entering into the painful details they present. I 
 shall, therefore, confine myself to such particulars 
 as could not so well have reached you, and 
 which may have reference to future events, 
 already foreseen by all but those who never 
 think on any subject. 
 
 " The sight which this capital offers at the 
 present moment is such as would create in you,
 
 THE FREEMASON. 269 
 
 who hear of nothing but persecutions, proscrip- 
 tions, punishments, outrages, and injustices, the 
 utmost astonishment. Were jou to come to 
 Madrid, and judge only by what you saw in 
 pubhc^you would be inclined to doubt the truth 
 of the accounts you have heard. Wherever you 
 might direct your steps, you would be struck 
 with the luxury, joy, and exultation, which are 
 every where displayed. The city and the court 
 overflow with grandees and noblemen from the 
 provinces, prelates, and dignitaries, high officers 
 of government, and generals of all descriptions. 
 These last, in particular, throng the saloons of 
 the palace to congratulate Ferdinand on his 
 return to the absolute throne of his ancestors. 
 Their names have long ago ceased to exist, but 
 their proper persons with their uniforms and 
 insignia, now re-appear before the world as if by 
 miracle or enchantment. Half a dozen of them 
 at most took part in the late war, the rest fled, 
 like cowards, to Mallorca, Cadiz, Ceuta, and 
 even to the Canary Islands, where they remained 
 distant from the roaring of the enemy's cannon.
 
 270 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 and sheltered from its unpleasant effects, receiv- 
 ing and spending their salaries, while their un- 
 fortunate countrymen were struggling for life or 
 death. Yet these are the men who share among 
 themselves the highest and most lucrative offices 
 of the state, the wealth of the nation, and the 
 spoils of the liberal party, as a recompense for 
 the extraordinary merit which they had display- 
 ed during our late struggle. You will think I 
 am jesting, when I state, that Orcasitas, of whom 
 you may perhaps have a faint recollection as 
 being among the first generals who considered 
 they served their country best by taking care of 
 themselves, presented a memorial to the king, in 
 which he had the shameless effrontery to say, 
 that " such was his hatred to the French, that 
 he could boast, and prove, that during the whole 
 war he had not seen even a French prisoner, 
 much less any of their troops !" But if such a 
 disgraceful fact appear incredible to you, how 
 will you believe, that this impudent declaration 
 obtained for him not only the verbal thanks of 
 the tyrant, but the grand crosses due to merit
 
 THE FREEMASON. 271 
 
 only, a post in the supreme council of war, a 
 military knighthopd, worth annually eighty 
 thousand reals, with its inheritance for one of 
 his sons, and as many pensions as he had 
 daughters ? You will say it is impossible, but I 
 assure you it is as true as that you are now 
 reading this. Yet, at this very moment^ Mina 
 and the Empecinado — those two heroic chieftains, 
 the glory and pride of Spain, the brave defenders 
 of their natal soil, and the two great champions 
 to whom Ferdinand is most indebted for his 
 restoration to that throne so basely abandoned 
 by him, and so deeply and frequently stained 
 by his turpitude and tyranny — those heroes, I 
 say, whom he himself had called to Madrid, 
 though rather for the sake of gratifying a petty 
 curiosity, than paying them the homage of that 
 gratitude which was their due, were seen enter- 
 ing the capital in the most private manner, when 
 all the triumphal arches, all the pomp and so- 
 lemnity used on such occasions in ancient Rome, 
 would hardly have sufficed to do justice to the 
 immortal deeds they had performed.
 
 SANDOVAL ; OE, 
 
 " It was, however, an extraordinary sight to 
 see these two brave warriors enter with the manly 
 port, which conscious dignity alone can impart, 
 the crowded saloons of tVie palace, where the 
 despot was receiving the base incense of flattery 
 from a multitude of embroidered sycophants, 
 who crouched at his feet, and kissed the very 
 floor on which he trod — to see them modestly 
 take their place in one corner of the saloon, 
 stared at by some with an air of impatient cu- 
 riosity, mingled with contempt ; and by others 
 with the pride of birth and self-importance.'—- 
 * Do you observe Mina's coat,' said one of those 
 embroidered puppets, 'what a cut! By heavens! 
 I'll send my tailor to him to take a copy of it. It 
 is a curiosity worthy of being preserved in the 
 Royal Museum !' — ' Aye,' cried his companion, 
 ' and what say you to that other clownish look- 
 ing ruffian, whose very look makes me shudder? 
 Do you see his straight lank locks, falhng about 
 his ears, like a lion's mane ? He might as well 
 have had them cropt before he dared show him- 
 self to his sovereign.' — ' And what mean barber.
 
 THE FREEMASON. 273 
 
 however filthily inclineJ, would have liked the 
 job?' enquired 'a third, with a contemptvious 
 sneer — ' What I most lament, and am most sur- 
 prised at,' said another, ' is that men of our 
 birth and long standing in the army, should be 
 obliged to associate with such clownish upstarts 
 as these.' — ' It will not last long, you will find,"" 
 said the first speaker. 
 
 " Meantime, the two heroes looked around 
 with the native curiosity of men not accustomed 
 to such sights. Their manly forms, and the 
 extreme simphcity of their manners and dress, 
 while it afforded the degraded courtiers subject 
 for gross and vulgar remarks, offered as striking 
 a contrast as that of Walton and his companion 
 in the country of the monkeys, or Gulliver in 
 the land of Lilliput. Aware that they were 
 objects of ridicule, yet impressed, too, with the 
 idea that the little unmeaning beings by whom 
 they were surrounded, were not worthy of their 
 frowns, much less their wrath, they smiled, and 
 asked one another the names of those who were 
 most covered with gold and silver, crosses, rib- 
 N 3
 
 274 SANDOVAL ; OK, 
 
 bons, and decorations ; but, alas ! neither of the 
 two could tell — they had never seen them in the 
 field of honour — they had never heard their 
 names mentioned in the hour of danger. 
 
 " But the tyrant himself did not receive them 
 more graciously than the vile flatterers by whom 
 he was surrounded. This will appear extraor- 
 dinary ; but, I think, he has good reasons for 
 such conduct. For who will say, he does 
 not consider the services rendered to him 
 during his pretended captivity, as nothing 
 more than shameful testimonies of his own 
 weakness and cowardice ? — or, in fact, that he 
 does not look upon the patriots as bold trans- 
 gressors, for having, contrary to his express 
 commands, — that they should remain in subser- 
 viency to Napoleon and his brother, Joseph, — 
 forced him into a throne of which he was un- 
 worthy, whether on the score of ability, or of 
 virtue ? 
 
 " This treatment from the man they had just 
 liberated, had a different effect on their minds 
 than the scoffings of the sycophants. I could
 
 THE FREEMASON. 275 
 
 see Mina"*s steady eye penetrate the inmost 
 recesses of Ferdinand's soul, and there read 
 ingratitude written in bloody characters. He 
 smiled scornfully, and withdrew, his noble soul 
 fired with a just indignation, which was worked 
 up to a greater height, when he found that 
 those men who had declared themselves his 
 friends, were either consigned to dungeons, or 
 otherwise harshly treated by the government ; 
 and particularly, when shortly after he himself 
 received orders to quit the capital, and fix his 
 residence at Pamplona, as a retired officer. 
 There, too, he found that the troops, whom he 
 had led through such extraordinary perils, in 
 the late glorious campaign, and who owe their 
 existence to him alone, had been placed under 
 the orders of Espeleta, a decrepid old man, who 
 during the war remained a distant spectator of 
 our efforts ; and who now must be rewarded by 
 the tyrant with high posts of office, for his well- 
 known hatred of liberal opinions. 
 
 " It is impossible that a man of Mlna's energy, 
 and fine sense of honour and patriotism, can
 
 276 
 
 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 remain the slave of the perverse dotard, under 
 whose vigilance he has been placed, or look upon 
 the evils which afflict his beloved country with a 
 criminal apathy, [ndeed, it is my firm opinion, 
 that we may look up to him as the man who is 
 destined by heaven to be the saviour of his 
 country. May this prophecy be fulfilled, and 
 when the moment of trial comes, may he meet 
 with stout hearts to aid his virtuous enterprise. 
 He has my prayers, and those of every true 
 friend of freedom and his country." 
 
 "And now, Gentlemen," added Anselmo, 
 " 1 have the pleasure to inform you, that I have 
 likewise received communications from Pamplo- 
 na, which lead me to think that my fiiend"s con- 
 jectures respecting Mina, are not only probable, 
 but well-founded. An attempt to hoist the 
 banners of the Constitution is really meditated 
 by him, the result of which we shall shortly 
 know." 
 
 " Since that is the case," cried Sandoval, who 
 had been listening with intense interest to An- 
 selmo's communications, "to-morrow, gentlemen,
 
 THE FREEMASON. 277 
 
 I will set off to join Mina, and share his fortunes, 
 whatever they may be. I will become a glad 
 participator in an enterprise, which cannot but 
 cover those with glory who may engage in it, 
 whatever may be its termination." 
 
 " My brave and gallant youth," cried An- 
 selmo, as he folded the young enthusiast in his 
 arms, " you have anticipated my wishes. Go 
 and exert yourself to save the country of your 
 birth; and remember, that he who falls for such 
 a cause can never die. He Kves in every pa- 
 triot's heart, and his name is handed down from 
 father to son to the remotest posterity." 
 
 " May heaven's blessing be witli you, and 
 may your virtuous endeavours be crowned with 
 success," said the other gentlemen, as they 
 saluted him one after anotlier. 
 
 He then left the hut, anxious to regain his 
 quarters before the day dawned, in order to 
 avoid exciting any suspicions at the inn, which 
 might endanger the prosecution of his designs, 
 and returned to town by water, as he had come.
 
 278 SANDOVAL; oil, 
 
 without meeting any other adventures worth 
 recording. 
 
 The rest of the time, till the hour of his de- 
 parture, was spent, not in sleep, but in the medi- 
 tations suggested by the various, and, to him, 
 important occurrences of the past eventful night.
 
 THE FEEEMASON. 279 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Man, vain man, 
 Drest in a little brief authority, 
 Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven 
 A3 make the angels weep. 
 
 Sharspeabb. 
 
 The resolution formed by Sandoval of join- 
 ing Mina was to be carried into effect early that 
 day. In this measure he saw the only remedy 
 which could have a chance of healing the deep 
 wound his heart had received on the previous 
 night. It was natural enough to suppose that 
 while his fiiind remained inactive, it would recur 
 to the painful subject of liis brother's treachery, 
 and Gabriela's faithlessness ; but if, on the con- 
 trary, it was engaged in matters which he had
 
 S80 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 ever considered paramount to all personal con- 
 cerns, he could then hope to escape much of the 
 misery he at present endured, the undertaking 
 being of itself of sufficient weight to absorb 
 every other feeling. Indeed, deep as was his 
 passion for Gabriela, he would not, even when 
 motives of affection might have urged his stay 
 at Logrono, have hesitated an instant in sacri- 
 ficing tiiem to the duty' he owed to his country, 
 much less now when he wished to obliterate all 
 remaining traces of his unfortunate passion. 
 Accordingly, he no sooner rose than he gave 
 instructions to Roque to prepare everything for 
 their departure, and begged the landlady to 
 bring his chocolate, and a bill of the expences 
 lie had incurred at her inn, as some urgent 
 business rendered his instant departure indis- 
 pensable. 
 
 The little hostess, whose natural inquisitive- 
 ness, joined to that of her profession, had en- 
 abled her to pump out of Roque some of the 
 principal incidents of his master's life, and who 
 really felt a certain sympathy for his misfor-
 
 THE FREEMASON. 281 
 
 tunes, could not liear this sudden resolution 
 without some emotion, and assured him that if 
 he left her house on account of any pecuniary 
 embarrassment, she would take it as very un- 
 kind of him ; " For," added she, " I am not so 
 covetous as we innkeepers have the reputation 
 of being. To be sure, if God Almighty sends 
 me a fat beneficiado, or a wealthy mayorazgo, I 
 should belie myself were I to say that I would 
 not try to pluck a feather out of him. That is 
 one of the duties of our profession. But you 
 need not apprehend an exercise of it ; nay, I 
 can accommodate you with any sum you want ; 
 for I have the key of the strong box in my 
 possession, and can dis}X)se of the money as I 
 please ; and don't imagine that my husband 
 would say a Avord about it, for I would tear the 
 eyes out of his head if he dared even to hint at 
 it, as sure as my name is Juana. What ! have 
 I not as much right as he to share in what I 
 earn, and spend it as I please T'' 
 
 This right is too generally admitted in Spain, 
 for Sandoval to have thought of disputing it.
 
 282 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 However, thanking her warmly for the interest 
 she seemed to take in his affairs, he declined 
 accepting anything from her, as he stood in 
 no need of money. While his breakfast was 
 preparing, he sat down to write a letter to 
 Gabriela, in which he expressed all the bitterness 
 of his feelings in language more forcible than 
 temperate. He had just finished it, when Roque 
 came running into the room, with looks expres- 
 sive of anxiety and alarm, and nearly out of 
 breath, said, that all thoughts of departing 
 must now be relinquished, as several alguaciles* 
 were about the house in search of him, and the 
 worst of it was that even an attempt to escape 
 would prove useless, as all the doors were 
 guarded. 
 
 " Virgen Santisima !" cried the landlady, 
 much alarmed at this intelligence, " what shall 
 we do ? — I know of no place where if concealed 
 you might not be easily found out — There, that 
 is what comes of talking," added she with a 
 
 * Officers of police.
 
 THE FREEMASON. 283 
 
 reproving look, " I would lay a wager, that you 
 are arrested in consequence of the information 
 of that vile pohce man, who is constantly pes- 
 tering us here, and poking his ugly face in 
 every where. If it be so, I shall break my 
 heart; for really. Captain, I feel very much 
 concerned about you, now that I know who you 
 are. Yet I don't understand why the deuce 
 the government people should trouble their 
 heads about your opinions, or any other person's. 
 Surely, thoughts don't break bones ?" 
 
 *' But thoughts," replied Sandoval, " if allowed , 
 to diffuse themselves freely, might enlighten the 
 people, and make some change in the circum- 
 stances of those who lord it over us in such a 
 tyrannical manner, and it is to prevent this that 
 the thinkers must be kept down. However, 
 should any new misfortune befal me, or should 
 I lose my liberty, you will remember me now 
 and then." 
 
 " Nay, Captain, you need not recommend 
 that to rae," said she, wiping a tear from her
 
 284 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 eyes, " I shall often go and see you, should the 
 wretches imprison you; but I trust in God that 
 will not be the case/' 
 
 Sandoval gratefully pressed her hand, and 
 waited the alguacile's arrival with that serenity 
 which conscious innocence alone can impart; 
 nay, he looked gay, and was the first to address 
 the officer as soon as he made his appearance — 
 " I understand," said he to him, " you are in 
 search of one Don Calisto Sandoval." 
 
 " 'Tis so, Sir," answered the alguacil, " and 
 moreover I want him to attend me to the office 
 of the police.'" 
 
 " Would you allow him to take his breakfast, 
 before he attends you there ?" asked Sandoval. 
 
 " Ay, he may, if he will pay reasonably for 
 such an indulgence," cried the alguacil. 
 
 " And what do you consider reasonable .'"' 
 returned our hero. 
 
 " Why, ten reals for half an hour, twenty for 
 a whole one, forty for two^ and so on." 
 
 ^' Faith !" cried Sandoval, " that would be 
 
 I
 
 THE FREEMASON. 285 
 
 more than his breakfast, dinner, and supper put 
 together would cost him. However, as I sup- 
 pose it is an irrevocable regulation, he must 
 submit — Roque,'' added he, addressing his 
 servant, " bring my breakfast as quickly as 
 you can ; for otherwise I shall be ruined — 
 Pray, my good man,"" said he, turning to the 
 officer, " don't people complain a great deal 
 about the want of money to defray such ex- 
 pences as you and your friends bring upon 
 them ?" 
 
 " When did men not complain of wanting 
 money ?" replied the alguacil, '* 'tis the burden 
 of every song. Sir ; though now certainly more 
 than ever. However, I can tell you this, that 
 never were times better than at this present 
 moment, thanks to the king, our lord and 
 master, and to the clever people by whom he 
 is advised. Why, I recollect ten years ago, 
 when I entered upon my office of alguacil, 
 that even the cleverest chap in the corporation 
 had hardly enough to say grace for himself,
 
 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 much less for his family ; but now, Sir, I would 
 not exchange my switch* for a beneficio simple^f 
 so true it is that times have much mended since 
 then." 
 
 '"■ I should think so, indeed, if things have 
 come to that happy state, when an alguacil 
 despises a beneficio simple," said Sandoval. 
 
 " You may rely on it, Sir, they are very 
 much improved," returned the alguacil, " for 
 it is an undeniable fact, that for only half a 
 dozen writs a month, which might be sent out 
 at the time I allude to, and that too against 
 pennyless individuals, pickpockets, and thieves, 
 they issue now as many a day, and all against 
 men of worth, character, and property, which, 
 besides being highly profitable to us, is also 
 much pleasanter, inasmuch as we have to deal 
 with people of your rank and gentlemanly man- 
 
 * In Spain the alguaciles commonly carry a short switch 
 in their hand, which on great public occasions is exchanged 
 for a longer one, 
 
 t An ecclesiastical living, which is neither a curacy nor 
 a prebend, but more properly speaking a sinecure.
 
 THE FKEEMASOX. 287 
 
 ners. So that it must be allowed, there is no 
 reason to complain of the times." 
 
 ^' None whatever,'' cried Sandoval ; " and 
 those men must be great fools, to say no worse, 
 who do not identify the individual prosperity of 
 your honourable profession with that of the 
 country." 
 
 " That they are, Sir," cried he, " nay, I 
 should say they were liberals^ which, as you 
 know very well," (winking significantly) "is still 
 worse; though I, as a public man, was obhged 
 to lie under the imputation during the short 
 life of that accursed Constitution, which reduced 
 me to a mere ambulating spectre, as well as my 
 fellow alguaciles. I assure you, that of all his 
 majesty's subjects, none rejoiced more at its 
 overthrow than our honourable body." 
 
 " I believe it," said Sandoval, getting through 
 his breakfast as fast as he could ; and then 
 rising, he added, " but I am now at your 
 commands ; and, if you will lead, I'll follow." 
 
 " I will," said the alguacil, walking before 
 him, but having his eyes, which seemed to
 
 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 turn upon a pivot, fixed on his prisoner, that he 
 might not give him the shp. 
 
 A short walk brought the aJguacil and his 
 charge to the house where his Seuoria die 
 Comisionado Regio held his sittings. The 
 court was crowded with ragamuffins of various 
 descriptions — soldiers almost in a state of nudity, 
 and with rusted arms, reclining against the 
 walls, and lying about the court — spies chosen 
 from the lowest dregs of the people, — and algua- 
 ciles, with their long switches and looks of im- 
 portance, bustling about to convey to their 
 superior, either the information obtained, no 
 matter how, or to bring before him the unfor- 
 tunate men suspected of liberalism ; and lastly, 
 a low rabble assembled there to plunder and 
 assassinate any one pointed out to them by the 
 insolent friars of all colours and denominations, 
 who were entertaining them with the most 
 vulgar and indecent species of ribaldry. 
 
 As our hero entered the court, the eyes of 
 those who happened to be in his line of march 
 were immediately turned upon him with a sort
 
 THE FREEMASOy. 289 
 
 of savage satisfaction, mingled with strong cu- 
 riosity. " Who is he ?' was the general 
 inquiry. 
 
 *' The son of Don Fabricio Sandoval," whis- 
 pered the alguacil. 
 
 *' In with him," shouted the crowd, wav- 
 ing their various weapons above their heads 
 " Zounds !" exclaimed one of them, " he is a 
 prize. We'll have something out of him, or 
 the thunderbolt shall crush me !"" saying which, 
 several ruffians rushed towards him, and laying 
 their hands on his epaulettes, and on the crosses 
 which decorated his breast, tore them away. 
 Sandoval grasped the hilt of his sword, but the 
 impetuosity of the crowd so overpowered him, 
 that he was unable to draw it, or to hinder 
 his being pushed about by some, and dragged 
 on by others to the door of the hall itself, 
 where, on being admitted, he found his Seiloria, 
 the Comisionado Regio, occupying a chair, 
 considerably raised above those of the clerks by 
 whom he was surrounded, in front of which 
 stood a table, covered with passports, WTits, 
 
 VOL. X. o
 
 290 SANDOVAL ; OE, 
 
 charges, and declarations, decrees, and other 
 official documents. His haggard look and 
 jaundiced appearance betrayed the debauch of 
 the previous night, and added a disgusting de- 
 formity to his already horrific countenance. 
 
 At the moment Sandoval entered the hall, a 
 respectable looking elderly man stood in front 
 of tlie table listening with a cheerful air to the 
 accusation preferred against him by his Senoria, 
 who, with a hoarse and rattling voice, more re- 
 sembling the gruntings of swine than the ac- 
 cents of a human being, was saying — "The crime 
 you stand accused of will subject you to ten 
 years imprisonment in Ceuta, if it be clearly 
 proved you have acted wilfully in the commis- 
 sion of it. It falls under the late decree of his 
 majesty, in which it is expressly forbidden to 
 laymen to wear underneath their hats the black 
 silk cap, that became so fashionable during the 
 late disorganizing government, and which, as 
 the decree itself expresses it, ' was intended as 
 an encroachment on the rights of the clergy, 
 the said cap having, from time immemorial.
 
 THE FREEMASON. 291 
 
 been made use of exclusively by the holy minis- 
 ters of the church, to cover their sacerdotal 
 pericraniums." " 
 
 " Your Seuoria takes me quite by surprise," 
 said the elderly gentleman, " for I assure you I 
 was not aware of the existence of such a law. I 
 have worn a black cap for these ten years past ; 
 not for the sake of fashion, but because being 
 nearly bald, I found it a very comfortable sub- 
 stitute for the want of a natural covering, par- 
 ticularly in foggy and damp weather, when I 
 am always in the habit of pulling it over my ears 
 to keep them warm ; for which purpose, I assure 
 your Senoria, it answers admirably." 
 
 ArtimaBa frowned darkly at this speech, — 
 " By the frivolous manner in which you speak, ' 
 said he, " I should not at all be surprised if you 
 were the first to set to others the pernicious 
 example of wearing that cap, and as the author 
 of such a heinous crime I know of no punish- 
 ment bad enough to expiate it. — Take him away 
 to prison," added he, addressing himself to some 
 of the armed guards, who were in the room, 
 o %
 
 292 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 "and let him be shut up in solitary confine- 
 ment, till the will of his majesty the king, our 
 lord and sovereign, be made known to us." 
 
 The gentleman made an attempt to speak, but 
 the guards instantly collared him, and dragged 
 him out of the hall. A minute after a savage 
 shout of approbation from the rabble in the 
 court put the seal to this case. 
 
 His Senoria now called aloud the name of 
 another gentleman, who sat in a corner of the 
 room, and who advanced at the summons of his 
 judge — " I have been informed," said his Seno- 
 ria, " that yesterday, in going in your carriage 
 to the promenade, you met a clergyman carry- 
 ing the sacrament to a sick person, and disre- 
 garding the established usages, by which you 
 were in duty bound to alight from your carriage, 
 and humbly give up your seat to that holy 
 minister of God, you continued your way 
 without even making him a tender of it. By 
 this scandalous conduct, you were guilty of a 
 twofold offence, being unmindful not only of a 
 rehgious duty, but of the example set to us, and
 
 THE FREEMASON. SQS 
 
 to the world, by our beloved sovereign, who on 
 similar occasions does not disdain to walk on 
 foot beside his own carriage, as every true 
 christian ought, till the clergyman reaches the 
 house where he is going to administer the sacra- 
 ment. As this is a crime very much reprobated 
 by his majesty, and as instances of it are but 
 too common in our days, I shall condemn you 
 to the loss of your carriage and horses, which 
 must be sold for the benefit of the church ; but 
 being informed that this is your first offence, 
 I shall not compel you to pay any fine in 
 money." 
 
 The gentleman said, in his defence, that he 
 had not alighted (as it had been his wish) 
 because his wife, who was then in the carriage 
 with her babe in her arms, and also another son, 
 were in a very precarious state of health, and 
 unable to walk far; to which Artimaila returned 
 the following laconic, but feeling answer — " Sir, 
 your duty to God ought to be paramount not 
 only to your child's life, but to your own, and
 
 294 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 to that of every member of your family either 
 past, present, or to come." 
 
 " Amen," cried a voice in the hall, which was 
 followed by a burst of laughter among the 
 spectators ; but which so kindled the passion of 
 his Seiioria, that he started up from his seat, 
 and said, his teeth clattering like a pair of 
 castanets — " In the name of the king, I con- 
 demn to ten years presidio* the insolent person 
 who has thus endeavoured to throw a ridicule 
 on the proceedings of this august tribunal. Let 
 him now appear before me." 
 
 At these words an old woman, most raggedly 
 dressed, and holding a rosary in her hands, stept 
 forward, and said, she would apologize for 
 having uttered that word aloud during her 
 prayers, if it were required for the sake of 
 justice ; " but," added she, " I suppose there 
 will be no necessity for that, when you see it 
 was your own mother who said it, though since 
 
 * The galleys.
 
 THE FREEMASON. S95 
 
 your nomination to the post of Comisionado, you 
 have behaved to me in such a scandalous manner, 
 (treating me hke an old slipper, and disowning 
 me in public, as if people knew not you were my 
 son) that perhaps ycfu may wish to carry your 
 sentence into execution." 
 
 " Away with that mad woman," cried Arti- 
 mana bursting with passion, "take her to a 
 mad-house, and let me see no more of her."" 
 
 " Ungrateful wretch,"" cried she indignantly, 
 "tliink'st thou people will not hate thee the more 
 for repaying all my cares with ingratitude, 
 though I am poor and aged ? Ay, and think 
 thee a deeper villain too ? The curse of heaven 
 and of man will fall on thy head for thy wicked 
 deeds sooner than thou art aware of."" 
 
 Artimana's face became livid with passion, 
 and he waved his hand, unable to utter a word; 
 till his mother was carried away by some of his 
 minions, when he sunk into his chair, and with 
 a sort of groan, called for the next case, which 
 was still more extraordinary than cither of the 
 two preceding.
 
 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 A younor man, who had just arrived from 
 England, had brought away, among other books, 
 the Elegant Extracts, the title-page of 
 which runs thus : — " Elegant Extracts, se- 
 lected for the improvement of YOUNG per- 
 s&iis.'''' On his arrival at Irun, on the Spanish 
 frontier, the priest, commissioned by the Inqui- 
 sition to examine the books that are imported 
 from foreign countries, in comparing the title- 
 page of the works belonging to the travellers, 
 with the names of those comprised in the index 
 expurgatorius furnished him by the holy tri- 
 bunal, found the one above-mentioned, and 
 threw it aside to be burnt, because, as he said, 
 *' those were the damnable writings of the here- 
 tical and sacrilegious Young, whose name was 
 marked down on his list."*' In vain did the 
 youth endeavour to prove that those volumes 
 which he condemned as the productions of 
 Young were only extracts, or a selection of 
 useful matter from different authors, for the 
 improvement oi young persons ; the priest, with 
 that characteristic pertinacity which belongs to
 
 THK FREEMASON. 297 
 
 ignorance, insisted that the title-page said 
 YOUNG, and that that was enough for him 
 to have the books burnt, which was accordingly 
 done. The youth, however, could not help 
 smiling at the gross ignorance displayed by the 
 priest, and even ventured to compare the justice 
 of the auto-da-fe made of his harmless books, 
 to those performed in former days by Father 
 Torrequeraada, and his fellow champions of the 
 Faith, on their innocent victims. This sally 
 did not pass unnoticed or unforgiven by that 
 learned priest, who immediately wrote to the 
 Comisionado Regio of Logrono, the place to 
 which the young man was proceeding, request- 
 ing his SeSoria to question him closely, as he 
 suspected he had been smuggling into Spain 
 heretical works from England. In fact, on his 
 arrival at his native city, he was arrested and 
 examined ; but declared he had brought only 
 those which had been burnt, and a few more 
 that did not come within the pale of the sacred 
 index. The Comisionado, however, not being 
 satisfied with this declaration, had sent him to 
 o 3
 
 298 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 prison, from which he was now brought to the 
 court, to undergo another examination. 
 
 Artimaiaa, whose mind, though callous to the 
 voice of conscience, was extremely alive to the 
 ridicule of the world, which he conceived his 
 mother's exposure was greatly calculated to 
 raise, sat immovable in his chair, with one hand 
 on the table firmly closed, and the other thrust 
 into his waistcoat, darkly glancing about the 
 room, to discover if an impression of merriment 
 was any where visible. 
 
 " Well !'' said he, with a savage look, as the 
 young man above mentioned came before him, 
 " do you still persist in denying the well known 
 fact of having introduced into this country 
 English works, containing most pernicious doc- 
 trines on religion and government ?" 
 
 " As long as such a fact remains unproved," 
 replied the youth fearlessly, *' I must persist in 
 doing so. This I declared during my former 
 examination, and shall continue to declare while 
 the fear of offending my Creator holds a place 
 in my heart."
 
 THE FREEMASON. 299 
 
 " I thought," said his SeSoria, " that a 
 week's imprisonment would have sufficed to 
 make you confess the truth ; but I see you have 
 visited the coiuitry of the heretics to some pur- 
 pose, you have at all events acquired their im- 
 pious obduracy of character in denying truths 
 as palpable as the gospels. But we shall see if 
 your acquirements can withstand other proofs, 
 — approach ."" 
 
 The young man obeyed, and Artimafia drew 
 from the table-drawer near him a thumb-screw, 
 of which there Avere several of different sizes, 
 and into which he put the young man's thumbs.* 
 The savage complacency with which he screwed 
 them up, shewed that he was now in his ele- 
 
 • Rufino Gonzalez, whom Ferdinand nominated Minis- 
 ter of Police, after his return to Madrid from Cadiz, and 
 whose barbarous decrees are the opprobrium of the age in 
 vdiich we live, was at the epoch alluded to in the text, 
 Comisionado Regio at Pamplona, and made use of the 
 thumb screws above described, as did also several of his 
 colleagues in other cities. For this fact, many gentlemen 
 at present in this country, among whom the author himself 
 is one, can vouch, having been eye-witnesses of these 
 barbarities.
 
 300 S.AXDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 ment. At every turn of the screw, the crack- 
 ing of the bones became louder, and the blood 
 gushed out at the tops of the thumbs in greater 
 quantity ; and as they splintered into pieces 
 one after another, the very marrow flew from 
 them, and besmeared the tormentor himself. 
 Still he proceeded, and watched the eyes and 
 countenance of the youth with that kind of de- 
 light that an anatomist, who is trying an experi- 
 ment, feels at the discovery of some important 
 truth, or rather it was the gratification of the 
 tiger when he holds fast in his claws his expir- 
 ing victim, and sees his last agonies. At the 
 excruciating pain, the unhappy youth"'s eyes 
 filled with tears, bui not a groan nor a sigh 
 escaped his lips. Firm in his resolution to 
 breathe his last, rather than utter a falsehood to 
 save liimself, every time Artimana interrogated 
 him, he repeated his first assertion with that 
 undaunted courage peculiar to innocence, till at 
 last his tormentor, having satiated his cruelty, 
 gave up this mode of interrogatory, but sent 
 his victim with an escort to the Inquisition,
 
 THE FEEEMASON. 301 
 
 where, he said, hq had no doubt his obduracy 
 would be conquered. 
 
 Sandoval, who had felt the utmost astonish- 
 ment at the two first cases, which he thought 
 nothing could equal in absurdity and caprice, 
 hardly knew how to contain his indignation at 
 the wanton barbarity of the third. He looked 
 around him to observe if there were no others 
 in the room, who sympathizing with him, would 
 rush forward to snatch the prey from the mon- 
 ster's hands ; but instead of compassion, he saw 
 terror depicted in the countenances of some, 
 and satisfaction in those of others, while his 
 own motions were watched by a great num- 
 ber in a manner, that would have rendered his 
 interference useless to the youth, and fatal to 
 himself. Compelled, therefore, to remain in his 
 place, he waited impatiently until his name 
 should be called, which was done as soon as 
 the young man was removed from tlie hall, 
 when he advanced before his judge with an air 
 of bold defiance. 
 
 His lofty and manly gait, and the quick
 
 ^2 8AND0v^^L ; or, 
 
 penetrating glance of his eyes, seemed to throw 
 around him a sort of spell, which kept the 
 spectators breathless and immovable, and seemed 
 to make Artimaiia shrink into his chair, im- 
 pr^sed with an irresistible feeling of awe, as if 
 conscious of the presence of a superior being. 
 Having remained some instants looking fixedly 
 at his judge, Sandoval broke the deep silence 
 which reigned in the hall, and demanded in a 
 commanding voice to know for Avhat purpose 
 he had been desired to present himself there. 
 
 " I think .... there is -a mistake . . ." 
 muttered the Comisionado hesitatingly, rum- 
 maging some of the papers that lay on the table, 
 and now and then casting fearful looks towards 
 a door in the hall, that stood ajar. — " I can find 
 no charge against you .... you are acquitted,'"' 
 added he still in a trembling voice. 
 
 Sandoval smiled scornfully on him, and without 
 a word more, walked out of the office with a 
 firm step, casting a contemptuous look on the 
 awe-struck multitude, who followed him with 
 their eyes, as if it had been an apparition, glid-
 
 THE FREEMASON. 303 
 
 ing through the hall. In the court, the whisper, 
 " he is dismissed," ran from mouth to mouth, 
 and, as he approached, the assembled rabble fell 
 back to afford him a passage, though they kept 
 a sullen silence, and fro\vned darkly, as if dis- 
 pleased at such a decision. Roque, who had 
 followed his master to the office, stalked after 
 him as erect as a stork, casting triumphant 
 looks around him, and muttering to himself — 
 " The villain could not bear my master's look. 
 It was one of his manly ones, though, which 
 few could ^vithstand, and which would have 
 made all these ragamuffins take to their heels, and 
 conceal themselves in the darkest comer of their 
 hovels, as effectually as the sign of the cross 
 does the devil." 
 
 " Roque," said his master, when they were 
 at some distance from the pohce office, " I will 
 walk on to the road of Pamplona, and in half 
 an hour's time I shall expect you to meet me 
 with the horses beyond the city bridge ; for I 
 suspect I shall not be permitted to quit the town 
 on horseback without some kind of passport,
 
 304 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 which I have no time to procure, and which 
 probably I could not obtain " Saying this he 
 left him, and proceeded with hasty steps towards 
 the appointed place, as anxious now to quit his 
 native town, as he had been to reach it two days 
 before, the disappointments which had crowded 
 upon him during that short period being such 
 as to justify the sentiment of disgust, which 
 he now felt for everything that surrounded 
 him.
 
 THE FEEEMASON. 305 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Grief may to grief in endless round succeed. 
 And nature suflfer when our children bleed ; 
 Yet still superior must that hero prove. 
 Whose first, best passion is his countr>-'s love. 
 
 W. Whitehead. 
 
 In his way through the town to the place of 
 rendezvous, he could not resist the temptation 
 of passing before the house of Don Antonio 
 Lanza, not indeed with the intention of cross- 
 ing its threshold, but for the melancholy plea- 
 sure of gazing for the last time on the walls 
 that contained the being he still found it so 
 difficult to forget ; and whom, nevertheless, he 
 imagined he now hated. That he should have
 
 306 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 sought of his own accord this way of increasing 
 his torments and despair, may appear strange ; 
 but it is not at all singular. It is only what Ave 
 every day^^behold in almost every human occur- 
 rence. The man who has just escaped ship- 
 wreck turns himself when on the beach, towards 
 the furious element, on which the planks are 
 scattered that once formed the vessel to which 
 his all was entrusted. He whom the devouring 
 flames have driven from his house, returns, the 
 instant his first alarm is over, to contemplate 
 the ravages they have committed, and see the 
 last wall crumble and fall to the ground. The 
 motlier who has lost her darling child, finds a 
 solace in kneeling and weeping beside the grave 
 that encloses its mouldering bones. And the 
 unhappy exile, who Avanders friendless and un- 
 heeded in a foreign land, feels a pleasure in 
 turning his sight towards those hills behind 
 which lies his native home, and recalling, during 
 his sleepless nights, the pleasures and comforts 
 he has once known, and now lost, perhaps for 
 ever. Even so it is with the disappointed lover ;
 
 THE FREEMASOX. 307 
 
 — to seek and frequent those spots where once 
 he has "breathed the sigh, and vowed the vow," 
 — to weep where he has been wont to enjoy 
 the delights of a pure affection — to listen to the 
 voice of the being who can no longer be his, are 
 the impulses of every heart that feels deeply, 
 and cannot forget what appears to him at the 
 moment an irreparable loss. 
 
 Thus Avhen Sandoval had gratified this last 
 wish, he hastened away to the appointed place ; 
 where he found Roque waiting for him with 
 scane impatience. The better to escape the 
 suspicions of the centinel on the bridge, and 
 look more like a common peasant, he had as- 
 sumed the inonterd^ of the country and put on 
 his large brown cloak, under which he concealed 
 his military dress. He had also had the precau- 
 tion to place on his master's horse the portman- 
 teaus in the manner of bales, and throw the 
 usual matting over them, that he might ,not 
 
 * A cap in the shape of a cone, worn by the peasants of 
 that province.
 
 308 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 attract attention. Sandoval after bestowing on 
 him the praises due to his ingenuity, and assist- 
 ing him in unloading and saddling his horse, and 
 arranging their equipage in the most portable 
 manner, mounted and proceeded on his journey. 
 For the first two leagues, they kept travelling 
 on the fertile borders of the Ebro, which pre- 
 sent many rich and varied prospects. But on 
 leaving that river on their right and follow- 
 ing the track leading to the mountains, the 
 scenery becomes more wild and imposing, and 
 as tlie travellers penetrated deeper into those 
 solitudes, it grew still more awful and majestic. 
 Yet, however delightful it may be to travel 
 through a country where gigantic cliffs and 
 abrupt rocks lift themselves so as to over-hang 
 a number of narrow winding ravines, rushing 
 torrents, and wild cascades, we doubt whether 
 it would afford our readers an equal pleasure 
 were we to describe minutely those objects as 
 they appeared to Sandoval, who, though a 
 great lover of nature in all her luxuriant wildness 
 of mountain scenery, considered them now more
 
 THE FREEMASON. 309 
 
 in the light of impediments to his progress than 
 as objects worthy of his or any other person's 
 admiration. Hence he travelled as fast as the 
 nature of the country permitted, his mind 
 now bent on the subject upon which he was 
 about to enter, and now wandering to her whose 
 charms still flitted before his imagination, and 
 whose form he thought he could see emerging 
 from every cloud that rose above the cliffs. But 
 with all his speed, it was not till the day after 
 his departure from Logrono, and on his reach- 
 ing Puente de la Reyna, a town four leagues 
 distant from Pamplona, situated on the banks 
 of the river Arga, which fertilizes one of the best 
 cultivated and most beautiful districts in Spain, 
 that he met with some of the friends he sought. 
 From some of the soldiers with whom our 
 travellers spoke in the outskirts of the town, 
 they ascertained that the troops in garrison 
 there belonged to Mina*'s division, and consisted 
 of the First Regiment, commanded by the va- 
 liant Colonel Gorriz, to whose house Sandoval 
 immediately repaired, with the intention of dis-
 
 310 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 covering the place where he was hkely to meet 
 with the General. 
 
 Gorriz, who was one of the few bosom friends 
 of Mina, and whose valour and fidelity had 
 been well tried during that period, when such 
 virtues were of vital importance to his chief, 
 was, at the moment our hero entered his house, 
 in close conversation with several of the officers 
 of the regiment ; but on seeing Sandoval ap- 
 pear, and request a word in private, he rose to 
 receive him, and led him to an inner room, 
 where lie requested him to wait a few instants, 
 while he gave some indispensable orders to his 
 ofHcers. Having done so, Gorriz re-entered the 
 apartment where Sandoval was waiting, and re- 
 quested to know his pleasure. " I am just 
 arrived from Logrono," rephed Sandoval, " and 
 should be glad to know where I can find jour 
 General .?" 
 
 " I cannot exactly say where you would find 
 him at present,'' said Gorriz, " but can I do 
 your business for you ? I shall either send to 
 him, or see him myself to-night."
 
 THE FREEMASON. 311 
 
 " My business,"" said Sandoval, " cannot be 
 done through a third jierson ; but as I know 
 the intimacy which exists between you and him, 
 and as, moreover, your patriotic sentiments are 
 also well known to me, I will not hesitate in 
 disclosing to you the object of ray visit to the 
 General. It is simply this : — I have positive 
 information that he is on the point of raising 
 the standard of liberty in our unhappy country, 
 and re-asserting the sovereignty of the people, 
 and as I am bound by my oath to support such 
 principles, I come to offer him my sei' vices, and 
 shed my blood for the sacred cause he thus 
 heroically espouses, if I may be thought worthy 
 of participating in his glorious enterprize." 
 
 Gorriz gazed on Sandoval's countenance 
 with a look of surprise, mixed with intense in- 
 terest, and after a few minutes silence said' — 
 " You may be sincere in what you say. Sir, 
 but I am surprised you should be bold enough 
 to make such a declaration to one who is an 
 utter stranger to you." 
 
 <' I care not who knows it,'"' returned San-
 
 312 - SANDOVAL; OR,' 
 
 doval. " To live under the despot who rules 
 over us, is worse to me than death itself ; and 
 that, too, shall be welcome if the hour has 
 arrived, though I would fain not die without a 
 struggle. I, however, should not have spoken 
 thus openly to you, were I not convinced you 
 feel as a true patriot and a Spaniard." 
 
 Gorriz still paused before he spoke, and then 
 enquired his name. 
 
 " Calisto Sandoval,"" was the reply. 
 
 " Calisto Sandoval," repeated the Colonel, 
 slowly smoothing his forehead with his hand, 
 and looking down thoughtfully — " I have heard 
 
 that name true — you are Sandoval the 
 
 artillery Captain, the friend of General Cien- 
 fuegos, of the Third Army." 
 
 " The same," said our hero. 
 
 " Why, now I remember having seen you 
 while you remained at Pamplona, in your way 
 to the interior. How is it that you left the 
 army ?" 
 
 " Because I have sworn in my heart to bear
 
 THE FREEMASON. 31B 
 
 no arms against any but despots and tyrants," 
 replied Sandoval. 
 
 " So then, you are still true to those senti- 
 ments I heard you deliver with manly boldness 
 when I once dined with your General ; and 
 you purpose living in them ?" enquired again 
 Gorriz. 
 
 " And dying too, if it be required," an- 
 swered Sandoval. " Such at least is the motive 
 that urges me to go in quest of your heroic 
 General, who I know must feel and resent the 
 treatment we receive at Ferdinands hands, for 
 the sacrifices and toils we have undergone for him.'" 
 
 " Indeed," said Gorriz, throwing away sA\ 
 reserve, " you may well say so. Here in this 
 province, where we lavished torrents of our 
 blood, and where our valiant chief led us 
 through such extraordinary perils, to drive the 
 enemy from our land, and restore Ferdinand to 
 the throne ; do we see Espeleta, a man known 
 only by his cowardice and inutility, invested 
 with the vice-royalty, and daring publicly to 
 
 VOL. I. p
 
 814> SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 declare that he will have Mina tried for the just 
 punishments he inflicted during the war on 
 those traitors who would have delivered him to 
 the enemy tied hand and foot. Mina tried ! 
 whose immortal deeds caused him to be hailed 
 wherever he went as the avenger and saviour of 
 our native mountains, and who might (had he 
 but wished it) have declared himself the king, 
 and defied the whole power of the ruling despot, 
 as he had just done that of a more powerful 
 enemy ! — and it is this Espeleta who threatens to 
 try him ! — Is this to be borne ?— No, no, it 
 shall not be,*" added he, pacing the room in 
 hurried manner, '' this night, yes, this night, 
 shall our banner wave on the city ramparts, and 
 to-morrow a purer sun shall gild the horizon of 
 Spain, and cheer the patriot's heart."'' 
 
 " Then,"" cried Sandoval, enraptured at the last 
 words that had escaped Gorriz, "I am still in 
 time to aid in raising the banner of liberty ? — 
 thapk God !" 
 
 " What did I say, then ?"" asked Gorriz, start-
 
 THE FREEMASON. 315 
 
 ing back, and with anxious looks. " Did I betray 
 the secret ? Did I say any thing about to-night ?' ' 
 
 " You have confided, not betrayed a secret," 
 answered Sandoval, "and if it were entrusted to 
 you as such, it shall not pass iny lips. — Make your 
 mind easy, Colonel,"" added he, seeing that Gorriz 
 was disturbed, "you have nothing to fear. In my 
 bosom it lies concealed as sacredly as in your 
 own." 
 
 " 'Tis not that I fear your betraying it," said 
 the Colonel, " I know it is as sacred with you as 
 with myself; but it is the first in my life that has 
 escaped me, and I ought to have been on my 
 guard. You are the only one who knows it, and 
 I would I could recal it even at the expence of my 
 life ; — ^but since it cannot be, let it be buried in 
 your bosom. And now, farewell, and be pre- 
 pared to march with us to-night at eight o'clock.'"' 
 
 The pleasure felt by Sandoval on leaving 
 Gorriz's quarters, can only be conceived by those 
 who, having once engaged in perilous undertak- 
 ings, are on the point of striking the blow which is 
 
 to secure to them what they have been vainly en- 
 p 2
 
 Sl6 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 deavouring to obtain through years of toil and 
 strife. His countenance, limbs, motions, all ex- 
 hibited the degree of excitement he felt on this 
 joyful occasion. Unconscious that he was in the 
 public streets, he ran rather than walked, hopped, 
 limped about, and rubbed his hands in such a 
 strange manner, that he might easily have been 
 taken for some harmless madman, who had given 
 the slip to his keepers, and was enjoying his new 
 liberty. How long he would have rambled about 
 at this pace it is impossible to say, had he not 
 happened to run into the barracks, where Gorriz's 
 regiment was quartered. In looking around, he 
 was surprised to see that most of the soldiers he 
 met appeared dejected or discontented, some even 
 frowned sulkily at the officers who passed by. — 
 " Zounds !'' said one, who had been just repri- 
 manded by an officer for the boisterous insolence 
 of his language, " give me what you have been 
 promising every day for these eight months, and 
 you'll get rid of my grumbling. We en- 
 gaged to serve during the war only, and our 
 licences ought not to have been withheld from us
 
 THE FEEEMASON. 317 
 
 an instant after it terminated. Instead of that, 
 here we are quartered amidst filth and vermin, 
 and kept, as it were, to be gradually starved, till 
 we become as dry as cod-fish.' 
 
 In fact the barracks presented the very picture 
 of misery and desolation. Windows unglazed, 
 dormitories without any partitions, and with only 
 a few planks raised a few inches from the floor, 
 on which some rotten straw, intended for mat- 
 trasses, and emitting an offensive smell, was 
 strewed here and there, their whole covering con- 
 sisting of a blanket, the colour of which it was im- 
 possible to ascertain. The floors, matted with 
 dust and filth, created every species of vermin ; 
 and the bare walls, the holes and chinks of which 
 were the receptacles of disgusting reptiles, pre- 
 sented on all sides frightful faces, monsters of 
 every description, and revolting obscenities drawn 
 by their predecessors, the French, with the black 
 smoke of the torches with which that wretched 
 abode was lighted at night. On the other hand, 
 the dress of the soldiers corresponded in every 
 respect with their dwelling, their regimentals ex-
 
 318 SANUOVAL ; OR, 
 
 hiblting patches of various colours, or stiches as 
 long as bears' teeth, and the shoes, of those who 
 had any, holes through which the toes peeped 
 out in despite of the patches which had been care- 
 fully sown to cover them. As to rations and pay, 
 they had been gradually retrenched, until the 
 soldiers considered themselves very fortunate if 
 they received their half pound of bread, some 
 lentils or beans, and five quartos* a day. 
 
 It was not to be wondered at, then, if these 
 poor wretches, who had so much contributed to 
 the triumph of Spanish independence, and who 
 were now so infamously treated, showed symp- 
 toms of insubordi nation and dissatisfaction, espe- 
 cially against their officers, whom they were taught 
 by Mina's enemies to consider as the principal per- 
 sons through whose agency they had been brought 
 to that state of miser}'. — "While your General 
 and your officers were in want of you," said the in- 
 sidious enemies, " you were abundaiuly provided 
 with everything you wanted ; but now, when 
 
 * Three half-pence.
 
 THE FEEKMASON S19 
 
 your services are no longer needed, you see how 
 you are treated. And yet they keep from you 
 the licences which they had promised to give you 
 on the termination of the war ; but they do so to 
 have soldiers over whom they may continue to 
 exercise the tyrannical authority to which they 
 are accustomed." 
 
 The fact was, that Mina's admirable system 
 of administration, by wliich, during the war, his 
 soldiers enjoyed such excellent rations and good 
 pay, had been discontinued by the ruUng faction 
 during the GeneraFs visit to Madrid ; and all the 
 remonstrances of the other chiefs to obtain redress 
 had been unavailing. But those calumnies were 
 circulated with the meditated object of rendering 
 Mina and his officers unpopular with their 
 soldiers. Afraid that the violence and tyranny 
 of their faction would rouse the indignation of that 
 upright chief, they thought, that the best way to 
 render his efforts nugatory was to demoralize his 
 troops, and deaden that influence which he had 
 so usefully exerted, during the late struggle, 
 over the minds of his soldiers, and which forms
 
 320 SANDOVAL ; OK, 
 
 the basis of all military subordination. In order 
 to effect this, they did not confine themselves to 
 mere calumnies ; but exhorted the soldiers to 
 desert, using every argument in their power to 
 convince them that it was a duty they owed to 
 themselves and their families; and when these 
 arguments failed, they resorted to privations and 
 slights, which could not fail to make an impression 
 on men, who had been accustomed to be re- 
 ceived with open arms, and looked upon as 
 heroes and liberators wherever they arrived. 
 Hence desertion, which before was hardly known, 
 became now very common, some urged by the 
 reasons just stated, and others yielding to the re- 
 peated entreaties of their families ; so that, as a 
 considerable number of the division was com- 
 posed of volunteers from the neighbouring pro- 
 vinces, who had engaged to serve only while the 
 war lasted, it was at the epoch here alluded to 
 considerably diminished, and those who remained 
 in it J had not, as we have already observed, great 
 reason to be satisfied with the treatment they 
 received.
 
 THE FREEMASON. 321 
 
 Such was the deplorable state of things 
 among Mina's division on his return from Madrid 
 to Navarre. To some it will appear extraordinary 
 that, under such circumstances, he should have 
 thought of making the bold attempt of raising 
 the standard of liberty ; but besides that it was 
 impossible for him ever to imagine that the de- 
 moralization of his soldiers had reached to such 
 a height, though he had been punctually informed 
 of some of the principal occurrences, if the at- 
 tempt was to be made at all, was he to wait till 
 he had not a man left, or till all obedience was at 
 an end ? Impressed from the moment he left the 
 slavish court of the ungrateful Ferdinand, that 
 there was not an instant to be lost in demanding 
 the fulfilment of the decree of the 4th of May, 
 in which a royal promise had been given to con- 
 voke the Cortes, as the ancient Constitution of the 
 realm prescribed, he thought the moment of his 
 return to the division the best for carrying into 
 effect the plan he had conceived, and ensuring the 
 success of his just demands, trusting still to find 
 p 3
 
 Sa^idoval; ORy 
 
 the remainder of his fellow soldiers alive tof 
 honour and patriotism. 
 
 We return now to Sandoval. After various con- 
 versations which he held with some of the soldiers, 
 from which he augured nothing very favourable 
 to the success of the great enterprise they were 
 about to undertake, and which considerably damp- 
 ed the enthusiasm to which a moment before he 
 had so extravagantly abandoned himself, he went 
 to the inn where his servant Roque had taken the 
 horses, with the intention of recruiting all his 
 forces, that he might be able to go through the 
 fatiffues of the nig-ht with the resolution that 
 SI strong mind derives from an increase of physical 
 vigour. Having performed this duty as became 
 his youth and appetite, he proceeded to Gorriz's 
 quarters, where he found him seated at table 
 with some of his officers, and on the point of 
 finishing their repast. Soon after, the Colonel 
 and Sandoval were left alone, the officers having 
 the necessary preparations to make for the march ; 
 irhen they entered into a confidential conversation
 
 THE FEEEMASON. 323 
 
 an the approaching events, in which, however, 
 both seemed afraid of touching on the discontent 
 prevalent among the troops. They, nevertheless, 
 drank together to the success of the glorious en- 
 terprise, with the enthusiastic fervour peculiar to 
 each, and contented themselves with looking on 
 the bright side of the picture.
 
 324 SANDOVAL ; OK, 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 
 Though perils did abound 
 
 As thick as thought could make 'em, and appear 
 In forms more horrid ; yet my duty 
 As doth a rock against the chiding flood, 
 Should the approach of this wild river break, 
 And stand unshaken yours. 
 
 S11AK8PEAKE. 
 
 At six o'clock precisely Gorriz''s regiment was 
 formed in the square. It did not present a 
 splendid show of finely arrayed warriors; but 
 there were no faint hearts among them ; for their 
 General never kept any individual in his division 
 who in the hour of danger betrayed the least 
 signs of fear, and all his men had passed the 
 ordeal of his steady and penetrating eye. On 
 this occasion, however, their hard features were 
 overcast with an air of sullenness and discontent
 
 THE FREEMASON. 325 
 
 that foreboded no good. They asked each other 
 in low whispers whither their chief intended 
 marching them ; there were even some who put 
 the question to their officers ; but as none knew, 
 their curiosity remained ungratified, which did 
 not fail to add considerably to their previous dis- 
 satisfaction. At last the order to march being 
 given, they left Puente de la Reyna through the 
 Pamplona gate. On the road to this city they 
 continued for about an hour; but Gorriz, who 
 had received orders from Mina to take every 
 precaution that prudence could suggest to dis- 
 guise their undertaking, and defeat even the re- 
 motest conjecture of the soldiers, led them through 
 circuitous paths, some miles away from the beaten 
 road, always refusing to give any explanation to 
 the officers who demanded it. This mysterious 
 conduct raised their suspicions, which encreased 
 considerably when they saw that a company, who 
 had received orders to march to a neighbouring 
 village, returned to join the regiment loaded with 
 ladders, which they had found there ready for 
 them. As their march lengthened, the road they
 
 326 SA.NDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 followed, though still circuitous, was gradually 
 becoming more direct to Pamplona. The officers 
 now began to murmur loudly about the intended 
 operations, and the soldiers marched reluctantly 
 091, both parties being convinced that an assault 
 on the city was meditated, and speculating on 
 the object of such an attempt. The soldiers, 
 anxious to ascertain it, enquired of the Serjeants, 
 and the latter of the officers, who on their side 
 put the question to their Colonel ; he, however, 
 answered them by assurances that he knew 
 nothing more of the matter, than that he had 
 received in the morning an official order from 
 the General, directing him to repair to head- 
 quarters by the road they were now following. 
 
 Such an explanation did not satisfy either the 
 officers or the men, who, whether through 
 fatigue, for it was now almost midnighj;, and they 
 liad marched over many leagues of territory, or 
 through reluctance to commence a fresh struggle, 
 began to slacken their march, break the line of 
 formation, and by degrees to lag behind and de- 
 eprt. The clamour of the men, as they approach-
 
 THE FREEMASON. 327 
 
 ed Pamplona, and tlie visible desertion that had 
 taken place among them, obliged the officers to 
 demand from the Colonel, in a more peremptory 
 manner, satisfactory explanations respecting the 
 meditated attempt. Gorriz, who saw that the 
 soldiery were almost in a state of mutiny, caused 
 them to halt, and complying with the wishes of 
 the officers, withdrew aside to hold a conference 
 on the subject. He again protested he knew 
 nothing of the nature or object of the attempt ; 
 but that at about a quarter of a league from 
 Pamplona, he was to receive the necessary in- 
 structions to act, and would also give them the 
 information they wanted ; and that should it not 
 be sufficiently satisfactory, they might then send 
 to the General himself, who by that time would be 
 near the citadel. The officers said, that to ensure 
 tile co-operation of their men, and gain their con- 
 fidence, some explanation less ambiguous ought to 
 be given them on the spot, and that they them- 
 selves must have a more defined notion of this 
 mysterious undertaking before they marched a 
 step farther Gorriz exerted himself to the
 
 S28 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 Utmost, to persuade them to march at least a 
 quarter of a league towards Pamplona ; but 
 unable to prevail on them, he resolved to send 
 Sandoval and another officer to the place where 
 the General was likely to be found, to inform 
 him of the state of things in the regiment he 
 commanded. 
 
 Sandoval and his companion rode as fast as 
 the darkness of the night permitted, and in little 
 more than twenty minutes they reached the foot 
 of the citadel. As they walked their horses slow- 
 ly round ihe ramparts, which were, completely 
 enveloped in darkness, they heard, amidst 
 the deep silence which prevailed around, 
 some whispers, and low murmurs in one of the 
 moats. They approached, and by the footsteps, 
 rustling of arms, and other noises, they inferred 
 that it must be there that the General would be 
 found. Having alighted and secured their 
 horses, they descended into the moat, and found 
 Mina, with various officers of the staff, some 
 lancers, and some infantry soldiers, preparing 
 the ladders for the assault of the citadel.
 
 THE FREEMASON. , 329 
 
 The two emissaries called the General aside, 
 and after the first greetings with Sandoval, and 
 a hearty welcome, he listened to his statement 
 of the occurrences in Gorriz's regiment with 
 looks in which surprise was blended with indig- 
 nation — " How !" he exclaimed, " are things 
 come to this crisis! — and does the first regiment, 
 in which 1 placed my greatest trust, refuse 
 to obey my orders ? — It is impossible ! — I cannot 
 believe it — it cannot be." 
 
 " Unfortunately it is but too true. General," 
 said Sandoval's companion. 
 
 " Then," cried he indignantly — " it shall not 
 be," and walking rapidly out of the moat to a 
 short distance, where he had a horse ready 
 saddled, he mounted it, and accompanied by 
 our two emissaries galloped on towards the 
 place where the regiment halted. Aware that 
 he had not a moment to lose, if he wished to 
 prevent the failure of the enterprise, and un- 
 willing to abandon it altogether while there was 
 the remotest hope of success, he was resolved to
 
 330 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 make every exertion to bring the soldiers back 
 to their duty. 
 
 On arriving near the place where the troops 
 were, he stopped his horse, and sent forward the 
 officer who accompanied him, to request his 
 brother officers to come and confer witli him, 
 without being overheard by the soldiery. Mean- 
 time he alighted and walked to and fro, holding 
 his horse by the bridle, till they all arrived, with 
 Gorriz at their head. — " Gentlemen," said he, 
 when he saw himself surrounded by them all, 
 " what do you want to know from me? Can you 
 no longer trust your chief.'' — and must he now 
 take no step without first disclosing its object to 
 every man of his division.'* — How often have I 
 betrayed you, that you should do me the injus- 
 tice to suspect that I could undertake anything 
 that was not to your honor and advantage.'*" 
 
 " General," said one of the officers, " allow 
 me to assure you in the name of my brother 
 officers, that our confidence in the measures you 
 may meditate is at the present moment as firm
 
 THE FREEMASOX. 331 
 
 as it was formerly. We believe that they can 
 only be for the honour and interest, both of our- 
 selves an4 the nation; but the perverted ^irit 
 of the soldiery demands some expiauation. which 
 by gi^'ing them an insight into the subject, 
 should, at the same time convince them that 
 their condition would be amehorated by the 
 project in execution.'' 
 
 " My friends," said the General, " every one 
 of you is acquainted with Ferdinand's conduct 
 towards all those who have laboured for his 
 restoration, towards yourselves, and towards the 
 nation. From the observations which I had an 
 opportunity of making during my residence at 
 Madrid, 1 mfer, that we have nothing to expect 
 from him but contempt, misery, and degra- 
 dation. This being the case, I have resc^ve4 
 to seize on Pamplona, hoist the banners of libertyr 
 on its turrets, call around them the friends of a 
 rational government, and compel Ferdinand to 
 show his gratitude to the nation, by giving back 
 the institutions which he has so treacherously 
 overthrown, or at least by fuliilling the promise
 
 332 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 he gave us in the decree of the fourth of May, 
 of convoking the Cortes in the manner of our 
 forefathers. These are my intentions, and I 
 appeal to you if I am wrong in demanding this 
 reward for our services." 
 
 The officers unanimously applauded those 
 resolutions, and declared themselves ready to 
 assist in such a glorious enterprise. Some of them, 
 however, wished to know if there were any pro- 
 bability of success, to which Mina replied, that 
 he could offer the firmest assurances of it — 
 " The entrance in the city," added he, " pre- 
 sents no risk whatever; for those points through 
 which we shall penetrate are occupied by one 
 of those regiments who are in the secret of our 
 plans. As for the other troops who are in the 
 town, they must yield either willingly or per- 
 force, as also those troops belonging to the 
 fourth army, who are stationed in various places 
 of this and the neighbouring provinces ; though 
 I have good reasons for saying that their chiefs 
 will not stir the length of a pike to oppose our 
 plans, nay, I am assured of their co-operation."
 
 THE FREEMASON. 333 
 
 After various other explanations, all tending 
 to shew that the meditated attempt was not the 
 result of the single effort of an individual, nor 
 that of rashness and despair, it was agreed by 
 all that the plan should proceed. The General, 
 then, to show the satisfaction he felt at this 
 decision, shook every officer successively by the 
 hand with enthusiastic warmth, and afterwards 
 gave them orders to place themselves at the 
 head of their men. They all immediately 
 occupied their respective posts, drawn up in line 
 of battle ; and Mina, placing himself in front of 
 the troops, addressed them in a short but ener- 
 getic speech, in which he recalled to them their 
 past deeds, the confidence they had alwiays 
 reposed in him, and their obedience to his 
 orders, the honour they would now confer on 
 themselves and the nation by their devotedness 
 to the sacred cause of their country, and the 
 brilliant prospects that awaited them on the 
 termination of the glorious entei*prise in which 
 they were about to be engaged. 
 
 During this short discourse the deepest silence
 
 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 reigned among the soldiers ; but no one doubted 
 it would be followed by enthusiastic cheers and 
 repeated vivas. But what was the surprise, 
 vexation, and disappointment of the General 
 and his officers, when, instead of shouts, there was 
 not even a whisper to be heard. Mute, and 
 fixed to the spot, the soldiers appeared to have 
 suddenly lost the power of speech or of action. 
 Mina, accustomed as he had been to receive the 
 dieers of his soldiers whenever he addressed 
 them, presaged from this sullen silence the most 
 fatal results ; but as it was necessary to make a 
 virtue of necessity, he gave the word of command 
 to march by companies. The grenadiers, com- 
 manded by Juanito (who has of late years shown 
 so much zeal against the Constitutional party in 
 the same province) were the first to carry arms 
 and march forward; but when the Captain of 
 the first company gave the word of command to 
 his men, a tremendous shout was suddenly heard, 
 as simultaneously uttered as if it had proceeded 
 from one gigantic throat. — " Halt," was the cry, 
 *' not a soul stirs from hence, — give' us our
 
 THE FREEMASON. 335 
 
 licences — the war is now over — we go to our 
 homes only — expect no more obedience from 
 ns.'" 
 
 Amidst these and other deafening cries, those 
 of the officers, who, mad with rage, endeavoured 
 by oaths and threats to bring the soldiers back 
 to their duty, were not even heard. One deep 
 shout was immediately followed by another 
 deeper still, and oaths and imprecations were 
 fulminated from the mouths of all. Amidst 
 this horrid confusion, the intrepid Mina rushed 
 towards the soldiers, eager to quell the mutiny, 
 and, fired with rage and despair, thundered out 
 his words above those drowning cries, and for a 
 moment silenced the uproar; but it was for a 
 moment only ; for no sooner his mighty voice 
 was heard alone, than the soldiery, as if 
 ashamed to have been borne down by a single 
 tongue, again burst out — " Away, General, 
 away, or you are a dead man.'" — " Fire," cried 
 a voice among them, and an in-egular discharge 
 suddenl)'^ commenced. The confusion and dis- 
 order that ensued are indescribable. The
 
 Si36 SANDOVAL ; OE, 
 
 officers, anxious to prevent bloodshed, rushed 
 towards their soldiers ; but amidst the obscurity 
 of the night their swords clashed against the 
 bent bayonets, as they approached them, and in 
 retracing their steps they stumbled upon eacli 
 other, and fell, frequently in no small danger of 
 being run through by their own weapons, while 
 the fearless General stood firmly in front of 
 the troops exposed to the volleys of musquetry 
 that resounded from time to time, imploring 
 them to be pacified, and say what they wanted. 
 After more than ten minutes the mutiny 
 gradually subsided, and to the repeated ques- 
 tions of Mina, the soldiers answered, that they 
 must return to Puente de la Reyna and have 
 their licences granted. — " Return," said he, 
 " and there you shall obtain them ; but you will 
 one day repent having this night shut your ears 
 against the voice of your chief." Saying this 
 he gave the orders which the circumstances 
 permitted, for the return of the troops to Puente 
 de la Reyna with something like order; but 
 amidst the murmur and noise of the soldiers; the
 
 THE FREEMASON. 337 
 
 voices of the chiefs were not heard, and every 
 one took the road that best suited him ; some 
 indeed seized that opportunity to return to their 
 homes, armed and ready equipped, whilst those 
 officers, w ho had met most resistance from their 
 men, were obhged to go back to their quarters 
 through bye-ways, in order to avoid the outrages 
 to which they were still exposed. 
 
 Meanwhile Mina, accompanied by Gorriz, 
 Sandoval, and some other officers, returned at 
 full gallop to the place where he had been 
 making preparations to scale the walls of the 
 citadel; and, in hopes of being able again t(j 
 try his i'ate, gave orders to those who were 
 waiting for him in the moat to withdraw the 
 ladders immediately, and keep them in readiness 
 for the following night. This done, he desired 
 the friends who were around him to meet him 
 in a few hours, as he intended to present himself 
 at Puente de la Reyna before the mutineers, and 
 endeavour to gain them over either by promises 
 or threats, or at all events to ascertain how far 
 VOL. I. a
 
 SS8 SANDOVAL ; OR, 
 
 they would be inclined to act in favour of their 
 country. 
 
 " Mi capitan," said Roque to his master, as 
 they turned aside from the front of the citadel, 
 in search of a hut, where they purposed passing 
 a few hours of repose, " it is a pretty mess that 
 we have witnessed. I had already recommended 
 my soul to God, and yours too ; for I saw that 
 those earnest entreaties of yours to the soldiers 
 to listen to the voice of their chief, those plung- 
 ings from one extremity of the line to the other, 
 whither I followed you, as if my nag had been 
 tied to your horseVtail, were likely to be re- 
 compensed by a couple of bullets, which would 
 at once have put an end to our exploits. I 
 never witnessed more stubbornness, even from 
 jack asses, than I saw displayed by those ac- 
 cursed fools; but what else could have been 
 expected from the well known obstinacy of 
 Biscayans and Navarese ? Does not the proverb 
 say of them, that a bull will beat them in intel- 
 lect ; but not in force and stubbornness.?"
 
 THE FREEMASON. 339 
 
 "• True, Roque," cried his master, " even a 
 bull would have yielded to those pathetic ex- 
 hortations of the brave and unfortunate Mina. 
 How my heart bled at seeing the brutal apathy 
 of those deluded slaves, and the torments he 
 suffered at their disobedience and insensibility ! 
 I would have given my life that they had but 
 followed his steps; by this time Spain would 
 have been free, and their own misfortunes at an 
 end. — Yet he means to try them again ; but I 
 have no hope left. Nothing can be expected 
 from men whom our enemies have brutified and 
 demoralized.'' 
 
 '' I think so too,'' said Roque, " therefore I 
 would advise our return to Logrono without 
 loss of time, and before the Captain General's 
 hounds begin their hunt after us, which I guess 
 will be a pretty hot one. And be assured we 
 shall not be spared, if we are caught, for the 
 trouble of coming so far in search of adventures." 
 
 " Let come what may, Roque," said his 
 master, "our duty is not yet over. While 
 Mina entertains a hope, we must stand by him, 
 ft 2
 
 340 SANDOVAL ; OE, 
 
 and ever afterwards, should he h& in need of 
 our arms — But," added he, alighting near softie 
 ruined houses, " let us enter one of these ruins, 
 for I see no dwelling near which to direct our 
 steps, and our horses stand as much in need of 
 lepose as ourselves/' 
 
 They now took possession of one of the ruins, 
 and having secured their horses, Roque struck 
 a light, shared between the horses some barley 
 he had brought with him in his bags, and then 
 drawing out some cold meat, bread and cheese, 
 sat down to his supper with that keenness of 
 appetite to which he was never a stranger, and 
 much less now, when it had been considerably 
 increased by the long march which they had 
 performed. Meantime his master spread his 
 cloak on the ground, and lying down resigned 
 his senses to the influence of sleep, in which he 
 was imitated by Roque, as soon as the cravings 
 of hunger had been duly appeased. 
 
 It is an observation which the soldier has 
 often an opportunity of making, that, however 
 fatigued, he can always awake at the precist
 
 THE FREEMASON. 341 
 
 time he wishes, even if liis repose must be con- 
 fined to a couple of hours ; hence Sandoval and 
 his servant were on their legs, ready to join 
 Mina, three hours after they had laid themselves 
 down; when they proceeded to the place of 
 rendezvous, which was on the road to Puente 
 de la Reyna, where they found Mina ready to 
 start with his adjutants, some officers, a few 
 employes^ and a party of light cavalry belonging 
 to his regiment of lancers. This cavalcade set 
 off for the place of their destination at a brisk 
 trot; but in coming near the town they met an 
 oflBcer who had just left Puente de la Rejma, 
 and who, belonging to the regiment of the 
 mutineers, informed Mina, that the voices of the 
 officers was not yet listened to, and that there 
 was as much noise and confusion as on the 
 previous night. Upon this information the 
 General sent one of his escort to the town, with 
 an official order to the Lieutenant-Colonel, on 
 whom the command of the regiment had de- 
 volved, (Gorriz being then with Mina,) request- 
 ing an interview with him. The messenger was 
 Q. 3
 
 3i2 «ANDOVAL ; OB, 
 
 not long in returning with an answer from the 
 Lieutenant-Colonel, in which he regretted he 
 could not leave the house where he was, as he 
 would be certain to fall a victim to the fury of 
 the soldiery; at the same time warning him 
 how he approached the tosvn, for there was an 
 advanced post placed (by whose orders he knew 
 not) at a little distance from it, on the same 
 road by which he was coming. 
 
 Mina, who was determined to do his utmost 
 to secure the obedience of his favourite regiment, 
 pushed forward, followed by his escort. Before 
 him, in the manner of scouts, went two lancers, 
 to whom the centinel of the said advanced post, 
 gave the usual challenge — Quien vivef — " The 
 General,"" was the answer. — " Let the General 
 halt V returned he, to which the two scouts paid 
 no attention, but moved on rapidly upon him. 
 The sentinel, who thought their intentions 
 hostile, fired his musket, and called to arms. 
 Lnmediately his companions rushed out, and a 
 skirmish began. Every man in the General's 
 escort now drew forth his weapon, and galloped
 
 THE FEKEMASON. 343 
 
 forward to hem in their enemy, who, however, 
 retreated in good order, keeping up a lively 
 fire till they reached the town, when some 
 hundreds of their comrades, who were concealed 
 in the houses, rushed out to their support. The 
 contest now was too unequal to last long, the 
 volleys of musketry from the mutineers could 
 not be successfully returned by the few military 
 who composed the General's escort, and who 
 were chiefly armed with lances and swords. 
 Consequently, Mina and all his friends were 
 compelled to retreat, followed by their enemies, 
 v/ho pressed on all sides down upon them, and 
 ultimately remained masters of the field. 
 
 Fortunate in having escaped with life, Mina 
 was obliged to withdraw into the mountains, 
 sensible of the fallacy of that hope which had 
 led him to undertake his country's deliverance, 
 under the impression that he could still exert over 
 the minds of his soldiers that influence which 
 had rendered him invincible during the late Strugs 
 gle with tyranny, and by means of which he had 
 still expected to triumph over the weaker efforts
 
 844 SANDOVAL; OR, 
 
 of despotism. His nephew, the gallant and 
 ill-fated Xavier Mina, who had been one of the 
 principal promoters and agents of this unsuc- 
 cessful enterprise, and who had everywhere 
 kept near his uncle, joined him there, having, 
 immediately after the failure of this attempt, 
 endeavoured to make partisans among the 
 cavalry of the division, who were stationed on 
 the banks of the Ebro ; but he had the grief to 
 find that, with the exception of some of the 
 officers, he could not rely on any of the troops, 
 who laid on Mina, and on the other chiefs, the 
 blame of having their licences delayed. Thus 
 abandoned by their soldiers, the two Generals 
 sought an asylum in France, where it is well 
 known they were immediately arrested by the 
 French government, though soon afterwards 
 liberated. 
 
 The principal victims who fell at Pamplona, 
 a sacrifice to this unsuccessful attempt, were the 
 brave Colonels Gorriz and Zea; the rest were 
 condemned to other punishments, and various 
 kinds of sufferings.
 
 THE FREEMASON. 345 
 
 Our hero, having escaped unhurt in the last 
 mentioned affray as well as his servant, Roque, 
 and having ascertained that Mina's intention now 
 was to cross the Pyrenees, and wait in France 
 for a more favourable opportunity of coming 
 forward to strike a more effective blow at des- 
 potism, took his leave of the General, and with 
 a heavy heart commenced his march home- 
 wards, where he hoped to arrive in time to 
 escape the suspicion of having participated in 
 the late unfortunate attempt. 
 
 END OF VOL. I. 
 
 8HACKELL, ARB iW«MITII AND HODGES, JOUVSON S-COL'ST.
 
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