The host, who was a gouty personage and leaned upon a stick, looked for a moment at the traveller, then at every member of his family, not forgetting the domestic, and, without any farther comment than a slight shrug, led the way to the door of an apartment containing two or three flock beds, and which on my arrival I had objected to as being small, dark, and incommodious; this he flung open, and demanded whether it would serve. “It is rather small,” replied the gentleman; “I think, however, that it will do.” “I am glad of it,” replied the host. “Shall we make any preparations for the supper of your worship and family?” “No, I thank you,” replied the stranger; “my own domestic will prepare the slight refreshment we are in need of.” The key was delivered to the domestic, and the whole family ensconced themselves in their apartment: before, however, this was effected, the escort were dismissed, the principal carabineer being presented with a _peseta_. The man stood surveying the gratuity for about half a minute, as it glittered in the palm of his hand; then with an abrupt _Vamos_! he turned upon his heel, and without a word of salutation to any person, departed with the men under his command. “Who can these strangers be?” said I to the host, as we sat together in a large corridor open on one side, and which occupied the entire front of the house. “I know not,” he replied, “but by their escort I suppose they are people holding some official situation. They are not of this province, however, and I more than suspect them to be Andalusians.” In a few minutes the door of the apartment occupied by the strangers was opened, and the domestic appeared, bearing a cruise in his hand. “Pray, _Señor Patron_,” demanded he, “where can I buy some oil?” “There is oil in the house,” replied the host, “if you want to purchase any; but if, as is probable, you suppose that we shall gain a _cuarto_ by selling it, you will find some over the way. It is as I suspected,” continued the host, when the man had departed on his errand; “they are Andalusians, and are about to make what they call _gazpacho_, on which they will all sup. Oh, the meanness of these Andalusians! they are come here to suck the vitals of Galicia, and yet envy the poor innkeeper the gain of a _cuarto_ in the oil which they require for their _gazpacho_. I tell you one thing, master, when that fellow returns, and demands bread and garlic to mix with the oil, I will tell him there is none in the house: as he has bought the oil abroad, so he may the bread and garlic; ay, and the water too, for that matter.” CHAPTER XXVI. Lugo—The Baths—A Family History—Miguelets—The Three Heads—A Farrier—English Squadron—Sale of Testaments—Corunna—The Recognition—Luigi Piozzi—The Speculation—A Blank Prospect—John Moore.