I mounted the horse and rode from the town, at first proceeding very slowly. I had no sooner, however, reached the moor, than I put the animal to his speedy trot, and proceeded at a tremendous rate for some time, expecting every moment to overtake the gypsy. I, however, saw nothing of him, nor did I meet with a single human being. The road along which I sped was narrow and sandy, winding amidst thickets of broom and brushwood, with which the _despoblado_ was overgrown, and which in some places were as high as a man’s head. Across the moor, in the direction in which I was proceeding, rose a lofty eminence, naked and bare. The moor extended for at least three leagues; I had nearly crossed it, and reached the foot of the ascent. I was becoming very uneasy, conceiving that I might have passed the gypsy amongst the thickets, when I suddenly heard his well-known _Ola_! and his black savage head and staring eyes suddenly appeared from amidst a clump of broom. “You have tarried long, brother,” said he; “I almost thought you had played me false.” He bade me dismount, and then proceeded to lead the horse behind the thicket, where I found the mule picqueted to the ground. I gave him the barley and provisions, and then proceeded to relate to him my adventure with the national. “I would I had him here,” said the gypsy, on hearing the epithets which the former had lavished upon him—“I would I had him here, then should my _chulí_ and his _carlo_ become better acquainted.” “And what are you doing here yourself,” I demanded, “in this wild place, amidst these thickets?” “I am expecting a messenger down yon pass,” said the gypsy; “and till that messenger arrive I can neither go forward nor return. It is on business of Egypt, brother, that I am here.” As he invariably used this last expression when he wished to evade my inquiries, I held my peace, and said no more. The animals were fed, and we proceeded to make a frugal repast on bread and wine. “Why do you not cook the game which I brought?” I demanded; “in this place there is plenty of materials for a fire.” “The smoke might discover us, brother,” said Antonio. “I am desirous of lying _escondido_ in this place until the arrival of the messenger.” It was now considerably past noon. The gypsy lay behind the thicket, raising himself up occasionally and looking anxiously towards the hill which lay over against us; at last, with an exclamation of disappointment and impatience, he flung himself on the ground, where he lay a considerable time, apparently ruminating; at last he lifted up his head and looked me in the face. _Antonio_.—Brother, I cannot imagine what business brought you to this country. _Myself_.—Perhaps the same which brings you to this moor—business of Egypt. _Antonio_.—Not so, brother; you speak the language of Egypt, it is true, but your ways and words are neither those of the _Calés_ nor of the _Busné_.