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 cutting his 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 put into 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 own pocket 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.