How Guzman suddenly loses his Mistress’s favour, and is condemned to the galleys.
Nosooner had I found in any part of my life that I might swim in deep water,than I was drowned. Finding that I was now beloved by my mistress, and looked upon by the servants as one whose favour was of consequence, I began to act quite a different character in the family, and set myself up to be absolute lord of all. I bought the most expensive clothes; spent money like a gentleman; and to crown all, took an under steward to look after the business of the house. Madam herself was not a wit more prudent, and consulting her love rather than her reason, approved of every thing I did.
This was by no means the case with her relations, who, as they had an eye to the succession, observed her steps most vigilantly. They had conceived no great liking for me when I first entered the service, being rather suspicious, and not without reason, of the very devout air I assumed; but when they learnt that I carried all before me in the family, they began to reflect seriously upon it. Theyknew who I was, and not thinking that I was married, became very apprehensive lest the too tender widow should eventually take me into the place of the defunct governor, if she had not already done so; especially when they recollected that she had some years before contracted marriage clandestinely with one of my predecessors, who, fortunately for the lady’s heirs, had thought proper to die shortly afterwards. This made them very uneasy, and they had many meetings among themselves to deliberate upon the most efficacious mode of ridding themselves of so formidable a rival in the lady’s favour. All their endeavours, however, would have been ineffectual, had I not ruined myself in my mistress’s opinion by my imprudent conduct.
The tender connexion I had formed with the lovesick lady became daily less lively on my part; for, to say the truth, she was far from possessing qualities calculated long to attach the inclinations ofa gallant man. Unfortunately also for our amours, I had cast my eyes on a young girl in the house, a pretty merry wench of about sixteen or seventeen years of age. A man who had money unlimited at his command, and the entire government of the family, was not a conquest to be despised by a waiting-maid; so that I soon lured her to my purpose, and we concerted measures so well, that we kept our correspondence secret for a considerable time. There were, however, other women in the house, and it was not possible, therefore, that we could remain long undiscovered. Celia, which was the damsel’s name, soon began to dress herself out in the jewels and ornaments I had given her, and to boast of her money. Her companions, in consequence, became jealous of her, and informed their mistress, who ordered them to watch her, and neglect nothing to ascertain the source of all this finery. These directions were punctually obeyed; and it was soon discoveredthat Celia had nocturnal conversations with me for three or four hours in my chamber. This news struck like a dagger to the lady’s heart, for she had hitherto been confident of my fidelity. She could not think me guilty of such perfidy, and determined to be thoroughly convinced herself before she satisfied her vengeance.
I lay in a chamber which communicated with my mistress’s by a closet in which there was a private door covered with tapestry. In addition to this, there was an opening which I knew nothing of, directly against my bed’s-head; so that a person listening might easily hear whatever was said in my chamber, particularly when I was in bed. In this spot the widow placed herself one night, and listening attentively to my conversation with Celia, she overheard us distinctly speaking of herself; and though we had frequently before amused ourselves at her expence, yet, as the devil would have it,we had never before spoken so ill of her. We communicated to each other without reserve the various frailties and natural defects we had observed in her, and, in short, pulled her to pieces from head to foot. You will readily imagine the lady’s rage at hearing herself painted in such glowing colours. She was at first tempted to enter my chamber and vent her fury on us immediately; but after a little reflection, she very wisely thought it more prudent to retire, and meditate her revenge more privately, than to make all the servants in the house laugh at her expense.
No sooner had day arrived than she sent for her nearest relation, to tell him that I was a complete rogue; that I had not been content with robbing her and putting all her affairs into disorder, but had dishonoured her house; in short, that she was determined no longer to overlook my knaveries, and only wished that I might be punished according tomy deserts. She could not possibly have selected a more fit person to promote her wishes in this respect than this relation of her’s, who, hoping one day or other to be her heir, had more interest than any one to remove me from the testatrix. He was, therefore, highly delighted at so favourable an opportunity, and made haste to profit by it, lest the lady should change her mind. He knew her well, and saw plainly that she only acted this part out of some jealous pique; and accordingly exerted himself with such effect that in less than two hours he obtained a warrant against me, so that before I had risen from my bed, an Alguazil entered my chamber, and led me off to prison.
I was at first inclined to consider this as a token of remembrance, either from my relations at Genoa, or my creditors at Madrid; and it, was upwards two hours before I learnt the real cause of my imprisonment. At first I did but laugh at it, flattering myself thatmy mistress loved me too well to leave me to the severity of the laws: and I expected every moment to receive a message that she was no longer irritated against me, and had obtained my pardon. Buoyed up with this hope, I bore without impatience or complaint those fetters which I felt convinced love would shortly break for me; and I considered myself more like a lover punished for infidelity, than a steward imprisoned for robbing his mistress. I was, however, most grievously mistaken, for I was required forthwith to render an account of my administration, which had lasted two years. I now began to grow uneasy, for the manner in which I had dissipated the widow’s money to my own purposes left so large a balance between the receipts and expenditure, that I would have defied any steward in the most noble family to have filled up the gap. It was in vain for me to puzzle my brain; for, to make the best of it, I was four thousand crowns short.To complete my ruin, the honest man whom I had employed as under-steward, while I thought of nothing but my pleasure, no sooner saw me thrown into gaol, than, to save himself from the same fate, which he knew he equally well deserved, he made off with all the ready money he could lay his fingers on. Being answerable for this man’s behaviour, the whole was laid at my door. How then was it possible for me to escape with impunity? I had neither money nor credit; while, on the contrary, my prosecutors were so powerful, that I could entertain no hope of leaving prison, exceptto serve the King upon the seas.
I was so convinced of this, that I made an attempt to escape from prison, in the disguise of a woman, and had already penetrated as far as the outer gate, when a cursed one-eyed door-keeper recognized me. I carried a dagger in my breast, which I drew out to intimidate him; but he roared out for help, which soon arrived,and I was led back to a dark dungeon, which I was not permitted to leave until I was conducted to the galleys, to which I was condemned for the remainder of my life.
Guzman is conveyed to Port St. Mary with other honest folks like himself. His adventures on the way, and on board the galleys.
Thechain composed of twenty-six young galley-slaves, all decorated with the collar peculiar to the order, being ready to march, we set out for Port St. Mary where the galleys then lay. We were divided into four bands, and chained one to another, and our conductor, escorted by twenty guards, led us along bysmall days journies. We lay the first night atCabeças, a village about nine miles from Seville. The next morning, having started again at break of day, we fell in with a lad driving pigs. This unfortunate youth, instead of driving his beasts out of our way, was imprudent enough to allow them to pass between our bands; the consequence of which was, that he lost half of them. In vain did he complain to our conductor, and entreat him to interpose his authority, to oblige us to make restitution; the conductor, who hoped to eat his share, turned a deaf ear to his prayers, and we passed on with our prize, as proud of the exploit, and as joyful as though we had recovered our liberty.
When we arrived at the inn where we stopped to dine, I made a present of my pig to the conductor, who accepted it willingly, and with many thanks. He then asked the people of the house if they could dress it nicely for him; but it waseasily to perceive from their answers that they were but little accustomed to cooking. Upon which I told him, that if he would permit my chains to be taken off for one hour only, I would undertake to cook for him, and doubted not that I should give him satisfaction. He did not hesitate to grant this request, and I provided every thing in such good order for him, that he afterwards used me much more kindly than the other prisoners.
Before we left, I had another opportunity of shewing my skill at the inn, where two merchants happened to come in to dine. Finding themselves in such honest company, they became extremely uneasy for their property. One of them seemed determined not to leave any thing that belonged to him out of his sight, and, accordingly, placed his wallet under the table, keeping his foot upon it. I felt a great itch to be a match for this cunning gentleman, and accordingly slipped very gently under the table, and cuttinghis wallet open with a sharp knife, I drew out two parcels, which I handed over in charge to one of my companions; named Soto, with whom I had become acquainted in prison. When we had left the inn, and had walked about a mile, I requested Soto to give me the parcels, that we might see what our booty consisted of, and divide it. Soto replied that he did not know what I alluded to. I thought at first that he was joking, but that was very far from his thoughts, and he persisted with oaths that he had received nothing of me. When I found he was in earnest, I reproached him with his ingratitude and perfidy; but he only laughed at my reproaches and threats, and kept quiet possession of the parcels. His behaviour quite enraged me, and I resolved to be revenged on him, by explaining the whole affair to the conductor, choosing rather that he should profit by the theft, than such an ungrateful and impudent rascal. This resolution I putinto execution at night when we reached the inn where we were to sleep.
I had no sooner related the story to the conductor, than he called Soto before him, and asked him for the two parcels. The rascal answered that he had got nothing of the sort, and that I must be a great rogue to make such an accusation. “You will not give them up with a good grace then!” replied the conductor. “Very well, my friend, we will treat you then as you deserve.” At the same time he ordered the guards to flog him until he confessed. Soto turned pale with fear at this cruel order; and out of regard to his skin, shortly afterwards confessed that the two parcels were concealed in the belly of the pig he had stolen. Here they were found; and when they were opened, it appeared they were full of beads and bracelets of coral adorned with gold, of excellent workmanship. Our conductor, like a man who understood his calling, thrust them all into his ownpocket without ceremony, promising me a handsome reward, which, however, I have been expecting to this day; which proves clearly that this description of persons profit by the evil actions of rogues, though they do not participate in their punishment. From that day Soto and I swore eternal hatred to each other.
We pursued our route, and on our arrival at Port St. Mary, we found that six galleys were careening to put to sea. We were confined a few days in prison, after which we were divided into six bands. I was so unfortunate as to be condemned to live in the same galley with Soto. We were carried aboard our galley. I was seated over against the main-mast, and Soto on the master’s bench; so that we seemed doomed to be near each other. The King’s coat was then given us, a red waistcoat, two pair of drawers, two shirts, a red cap, and a sea gown. After which a barber performed the operation of shaving our chins and heads. I regrettedthe loss of my hair exceedingly, which was long and beautiful. But it was of little consequence; I was now a complete galley-slave, which I should have been long before if I had had my deserts.
As the Commissary is an officer who possesses great authority over the galley-slaves, and which he usually exercises with brutality, my first endeavour was to gain his friendship. He ate and slept very near my seat, and I was always very officious to serve him whenever an opportunity presented itself. I was always the first to anticipate his wants, and testify my extreme desire to be useful to him. All these attentions did not go long unrewarded. I soon perceived that he regarded me with a more favourable eye than the rest. This was a great consolation to me; and to render myself still more worthy of his favour, I redoubled my endeavours to please him: in which I succeeded so well, that he at length never employed any other to assist him, andmade me leave my seat to provide his meals for him, having been particularly well pleased with some ragouts I had already made for him. I was not a little proud of this honour, which, in fact, exempted me from my duty as galley-slave.
Our galley was ordered to Cadiz, to take aboard some masts, yards, and ship’s tackling. Here a young lord, who was related to our captain, and a Knight of the Order of St. James’s, came with his baggage on board our galley, intending to make his first expedition. He wore, as was customary in those days, a gold chain; but he had not been a week on board before he lost this. In vain was every exertion made to discover the thief; the chain was not to be found. Upon which the captain recommended his kinsman to take one of the slaves into his service, who should have the care of his chamber, and be responsible for every thing, on pain of being handsomely flogged if any thing were lost. The Knightapproved highly of this advice, and the only question now was, which of the slaves should have the honour of serving him. He had heard a good account of my address and capacity, and wished exceedingly to have me. Accordingly, the captain called the commissary before him, and asked him if he was satisfied with my behaviour. The commissary, not knowing the drift of this question, enlarged upon my merit, and spoke so highly in my praise, that the Knight from that moment resolved to select me. I was immediately sent for; he liked my looks, and I was enrolled in his service, to the great regret of the commissary.
Behold me now become a valet-de-chambre to a Knight of St. James. That I might be able to serve him the more commodiously, the first favour he obtained for me was, that I should only be obliged to wear a link on my foot; after which, all his clothes, linen, jewels, and other valuables were told out to me, andgiven in charge to me, with the recommendation that it would be to my own interest to be faithful and vigilant. I put every thing in such order, that I could see the whole at one view. The servants were expressly forbidden to enter the chamber without my permission, when their master was not in it. This regulation saved me a great deal of trouble in watching these sparks, who were as well versed in legerdemain tricks as any of the slaves on board the galley.
I applied myself assiduously to study the humour and disposition of the Knight, and it was not long ere I was beloved by him, and even esteemed, galley-slave as I was. He felt pleasure in conversing with me, and I appeared to him to possess such good sense, that he sometimes consulted me on the most important occasions. One day he entered his chamber with a thoughtful and melancholy countenance. “My friend,” said he, “one of my uncles has written me a letterwhich has put me exceedingly out of humour, in which he urges me, if I wish to be heir to all his property, to marry. He has himself grown idle at the Court, without having dared to take that yoke upon himself, which he wishes me to submit to. I know not what answer to make; for I have no inclination at present for matrimony.” “Sir,” replied I, jesting, “were I in your place, I would write word back, that nothing could please me more than to comply with his wishes, provided it were with one of his daughters.” My master laughed most heartily at this advice, which was only meant by me as a joke, and declared that he would write those very words, which he doubted not would rid him of any further importunity.
Guzman finds himself in the most cruel situation of his life; but it pleases Heaven suddenly to put an end to his troubles, and he recovers his liberty.
I hadevery reason to be content with the life I led in the service of the young Knight, who kept so good a table that I had frequent opportunities of treating my comrades; in which I should not have forgotten Soto, notwithstanding what had passed between us; but this rascal, who had never forgiven me, took great pains to nourish my hatred by constantly speaking ill of me before my master’s servants as well as those of the Captain. These servants, who none of themliked me, listened to him with pleasure, and did not fail to report every thing to their patrons; and, among other slanders, that I was only waiting for an opportunity to make some good hit, and that, sooner or later, the Knight would know me for the rogue I really was.
Although imputations coming from such a source ought not to have been looked upon without suspicion, they did not entirely fail in making some impression on my master’s mind; and I soon perceived, notwithstanding the implicit confidence he pretended to place in me, that he kept a strict watch over all my actions. On my side, without taking notice of his unjust suspicions, I continued to serve him with fidelity, keeping my eyes always open to any snares my enemies might lay for me. In spite of all my vigilance, however, I fell a prey to Soto’s malice, who instigated one of the Knight’s servants to steal a piece of plate out of his master’s cabin and hideit under my bed between two boards. I soon missed it, and told my master of the loss in a manner which ought to have convinced him that I was not the thief. But I was not believed, and it was at last found where it had been concealed. The Captain, thinking that I had stolen it, in spite of all I could allege in my defence, condemned me to receive fifty lashes; but my master begged me off, on condition that if any thing were again lost, I should have no mercy.
Finding, by this adventure, that I had secret enemies, who were determined to ruin me, I humbly prayed the Captain and my master to take another in my place, and permit me to return to my oar, rather than be exposed to such another misfortune. My master misinterpreted my intentions; and, thinking that I was more desirous of returning to the Commissary’s than of continuing in his service, he determined to keep me whether I would or no. Patience, therefore, was my only remedy,and I stood as much on my guard as I could night and day; yet, watchful as I was, I could not escape. My master having returned from the town one night, sent for me to assist in undressing him. I gave him his gown and nightcap; and while I carried his sword and gloves from one cabin to another, some rascal stole the hat-band. I never could find out how this trick had been executed; but when I was brushing the hat the next morning, I discovered that the band was missing. At this sight I turned as pale as death; looked for it every where, but all in vain; there were thieves on board that galley at least my match.
Nothing was left for me to do but to implore the Knight’s mercy; but when I related my new misfortune to him, as well as the malignity of my enemies, to which I attributed it, he laughed in my face. “Mr. Guzman,” said he, with a sneer, “I am well persuaded that you are a person of the greatest integrity, althoughyou have not that reputation on board this galley; and I have been told, more than once, of my boldness in having trusted you. Once more, I think you an honest man, and am, therefore, sorry to tell you, that if you do not forthwith produce my hat-band, you must be delivered over to the Under-commissary, who will, doubtless, treat you according to your deserts. This you may rely upon, notwithstanding your protestations of fidelity.”
This was the Knight’s answer, and the Captain came up at that moment. As soon as he knew what was the matter, and found that I persisted in denying that I had taken the hat-band, he flew in such a passion, and beat me so cruelly, that I fell down half dead. To increase my misery, I was driven from the poop and sent to the last seat on the prow, the most uneasy seat of all, and that in which the slaves work hardest. In addition to this, the Commissary had orders not tospare me, under pain of the Captain’s displeasure. This officer, however, really pitied me, and, notwithstanding the orders he had received to treat me with rigour, allowed me to rest for a full month, seeing that I was quite incapable of hard labour.
I regained my strength by degrees; and no sooner had I re-commenced my duty at the oar than Heaven, satisfied with the hardships I had already undergone, took compassion on me, and released me from my pitiable situation. Soto, who had a devilish design in his head, which he could not execute without my assistance, my seat being near the powder-room, became extremely desirous to be reconciled with me. With this view he availed himself of the mediation of a Turk, who had the liberty of going fore and aft as he pleased in the galley; not doubting that I longed in my heart to be revenged for the crueltreatment I had met with, and that I loved liberty as well as others. He entreated me, through the Turk, to forget the past, and restore him my friendship, which he confessed he had justly forfeited. I pretended to be very desirous to be reconciled to him; upon which the Turk addressed me in these terms:
“Soto has charged me to communicate to you a project which he has formed to deliver us all. It is concerted, that as soon as we reach the coast of Barbary, which we are fast approaching, we are to rise, cut the throats of the officers and soldiers, beginning with the Captain, proclaimLibertyto the rest of the galley-slaves, who will immediately assist us, render ourselves masters of the galley, and seek an asylum amongst the Turks. This enterprise has been in contemplation,” continued he, “upwards of two months. We have a sufficient quantity of arms concealed, all our measures aretaken, and we have resolved to save ourselves, Turks as well as Christians, or perish in the attempt. All that is required of you is to blow up the powder-room at a signal given. This is our plot; and after the cruel treatment you have experienced from the Captain, we have thought that you would not refuse to join us.” I replied to the Turk, that he might depend there was nothing I was not capable of undertaking to be revenged on the Captain, and that he might assure the conspirators that I would do what was expected of me. This, however, was very far from my intention. When the day approached that the plot was to be put in execution, I requested a soldier who came near my seat to tell the Captain that I had a secret of the greatest importance to reveal to him. “But,” added I, “tell him to send for me immediately; his life depends upon his compliance.” The Captainconsidered this as a trick of mine to reconcile myself to him, and regain my post in his kinsman’s service; and though he did condescend to hear what I had to say, he resolved to make me suffer for it, if I was only trifling with him. He sent for me, however, and I discovered all I knew; told him where the arms lay concealed; and named the principal inventors of the plot, at the head of which I did not forget to rank my friend Soto.
The Captain, perceiving now that it was no trifling matter, resolved to proceed with caution, and ordering all the soldiers to their arms, commanded a search to be made, and found a vast quantity of fire-arms and other weapons in the place I had pointed out. He then caused the ringleaders of the conspiracy to be seized, who, being put to the torture, confessed all. Soto and one of his comrades were condemned to be drawnin quarters by four galleys, and the rest were decimated, of whom five were hung, and the others had their noses cut off. Soto, before he died, owned that it was by his contrivance the piece of plate and hat-band had been taken out of the Knight’s cabin, and that I was innocent of it. The Captain commended me highly for my zeal and fidelity, after the unjust usage I had met with; asked my pardon publicly; ordered my irons to be struck off; gave me the liberty of the galley; and he and all the officers signed a letter setting forth the considerable service I had rendered the King in saving the galley and so many lives; which was transmitted to Court to procure an order from his Majesty for my enlargement. It were needless to state with what a grateful heart I returned thanks to Heaven for such a revolution in my prospects, promising to amend, and live better for the future.
Thus, friendly Reader, I have given you an account of the principal adventures of my life. What followed after the King was graciously pleased to grant me my liberty, you may expect to hear, should I live long enough to tell you.
THE END.London: Printed by John Nichols and Son,25, Parliament-street.
Just publishedByLongman,Hurst,Rees,Orme,Brown,andGreen, Paternoster Row.In one vol. 12mo. price 3s.6d.boards.ACRITICAL AND ANALYTICALDISSERTATIONON THENAMES OF PERSONS.
BY JOHN HENRY BRADY.
“In hoc est hoax,Et quiz et joax.With gravity for graver folks.”
“In hoc est hoax,Et quiz et joax.With gravity for graver folks.”
“In hoc est hoax,Et quiz et joax.With gravity for graver folks.”
“This little volume will amply repay the attention of the curious, and we recommend it to general perusal.”—Gentlemen’s Magazine,June, 1, 1822.
“We recommend Mr. Brady’s Dissertation to the notice of our readers. It will serve as a text book, and furnish copious hints for many an amusing chapter of conversational pleasantry.”—General Weekly Register,April, 1822.
“This is an amusing little trifle.”—Gazette of Fashion.
“This is an ingenious and playful little work.”—Literary Chronicle.
Literary Notices of the First Edition ofTHELIFE AND ADVENTURESOFGUZMAN D’ALFARACHE,ORTHE SPANISH ROGUE.
“We congratulate the public upon the addition which Mr. Brady has made to their literary amusements. This is one of the most amusing books we know; and the Translator has preserved the simplicity as well as the spirit of the original.”—European Magazine.
“This translation is executed with considerable spirit and great fidelity.”—Monthly Magazine.
“The Translator has produced a very entertaining version of the adventures of that prototype of adventurers the Chevalier Guzman.”—Literary Gazette.
“This is a very splendid translation of the adventures of an incorrigible rogue and vagabond.”—Literary Chronicle.
“The work before us exposes with exquisite satire the tricks of beggars; and many will read with pleasure the repeated villanies of the roguish adventurer, because they are united with much dry humour and keen remark.”
“Mr. Brady’s translation is animated and good.”—Gentleman’s Magazine.