_Antonio_--The way is far to Madrilati; there are, moreover, wars in the land, and many _chories_ walk about; are you not afraid to journey? _Myself_--I have no fears; every man must accomplish his destiny: what befalls my body or soul was written in a _gabicote_ a thousand years before the foundation of the world. _Antonio_--I have no fears myself, brother: the dark night is the same to me as the fair day, and the wild _carrascal_ as the market-place or the _chardi_; I have got the _bar lachí_ in my bosom, the precious stone to which sticks the needle. _Myself_--You mean the loadstone, I suppose. Do you believe that a lifeless stone can preserve you from the dangers which occasionally threaten your life? _Antonio_--Brother, I am fifty years old, and you see me standing before you in life and strength; how could that be unless the _bar lachí_ had power? I have been soldier and _contrabandista_, and I have likewise slain and robbed the Busné. The bullets of the Gabiné and of the _jara canallis_ have hissed about my ears without injuring me, for I carried the _bar lachí._ I have twenty times done that which by Busné law should have brought me to the _filimicha_, yet my neck has never yet been squeezed by the cold _garrote_. Brother, I trust in the _bar lachí_ like the Caloré of old: were I in the midst of the gulf of Bombardó without a plank to float upon, I should feel no fear; for if I carried the precious stone, it would bring me safe to shore. The _bar lachí_ has power, brother. _Myself_--I shall not dispute the matter with you, more especially as I am about to depart from Badajoz: I must speedily bid you farewell, and we shall see each other no more. _Antonio_--Brother, do you know what brings me hither? _Myself_--I cannot tell, unless it be to wish me a happy journey: I am not gipsy enough to interpret the thoughts of other people.