“A middle-sized man,” replied the innkeeper; “grave and dark. But the most remarkable personage in appearance of them all was the Sawyer: he is a kind of giant, so tall, that when he entered the doorway he invariably struck his head against the lintel. The one I liked least of all was one Palillos, who is a gloomy savage ruffian, whom I knew when he was a postilion. Many is the time that he has been at my house of old; he is now captain of the Manchegan thieves, for, though he calls himself a royalist, he is neither more nor less than a thief. It is a disgrace to the cause that such as he should be permitted to mix with honourable and brave men. I hate that fellow, _Don Jorge_: it is owing to him that I have so few customers. Travellers are, at present, afraid to pass through La Mancha, lest they fall into his hands. I wish he were hanged, _Don Jorge_, and whether by _Cristinos_ or Royalists, I care not.” “You recognized me at once for an Englishman,” said I; “do many of my countrymen visit Cordova?” “_Toma_!” said the landlord, “they are my best customers; I have had Englishmen in this house of all grades, from the son of Belington to a young _medico_, who cured my daughter, the _chica_ here, of the earache. How should I not know an Englishman? There were two with Gomez, serving as volunteers. _Vaya_: _que gente_! {234} what noble horses they rode, and how they scattered their gold about! They brought with them a Portuguese, who was much of a gentleman, but very poor; it was said that he was one of Don Miguel’s people, and that these Englishmen supported him for the love they bore to royalty. He was continually singing— ‘El Rey chegou—El Rey chegou, E en Belem desembarcou!’ {235a} Those were merry days, _Don Jorge_. By-the-by, I forgot to ask your worship of what opinion you are?” The next morning whilst I was dressing, the old Genoese entered my room: “_Signore_,” said he, “I am come to bid you farewell. I am about to return to Seville forthwith with the horses.” “Wherefore in such a hurry?” I replied. “Assuredly you had better tarry till to-morrow; both the animals and yourself require rest. Repose yourselves to-day, and I will defray the expense.” “Thank you, _Signore_, but we will depart forthwith, for there is no tarrying in this house.” “What is the matter with the house?” I inquired.