The hope they entertained of treating me still worse, or rather of ruining me, enabled them to keep up their patience until after supper. On my side my intentions towards them were not a whit more charitable, which I soon made appear when we set to again. Fortune was at first rather adverse, but with my own skill and the assistance of my faithful squire, I soon obliged her to declare herself for me, and my gentlemen soon lost all their doubloons, which were transferred from their purses into mine. After which, leaving the game to go to their chambers, they told me that if I should be in the humour to give them another game the next day, they should not be afraid of me. I answered that I should like nothing better, and that they would find me always ready to accommodate them. I then retired to my own chamber with my confidant, who immediately prepared to undress me, but I prevented him. “It is no time now to enjoy rest,” said I; “it is too late to enjoy the comfort of reposing between two sheets at this inn. I intend to depart hence without beat of drum as soon as possible.” Sayavedra reminded me that I had first promised the gentlemen to play another game with them. “I have not forgotten,” replied I, “that I made such a promise; but I am not such a fool as to think of keeping it. Imagine to yourself the dangers I should expose myself to, by remaining any longer in this city. If it was in the power of the thieves to get me imprisoned, after having themselves robbed me, what may I not reasonably fear from honest folks who have real cause to accuse me of roguery? We have already won above six hundred crowns. Let us be content, therefore, and betake ourselves to a place of safety as soon as possible. Have you not hired horses?” “Undoubtedly,” answered he, “I have paid their master for their day’s work, and they will be in waiting for us by break of day.” “So much the better,” replied I, “for I shall not consider my purse in safety till I am at least ten good leagues from this place.” My confidant left me to enjoy a few minutes’ rest, well pleased to hear that we were possessed of so considerable a booty, and flattering himself with the sweet hope of having some part of it for his share. He was not, however, without some anxiety on this point when he recalled to mind the history of my trunks, which he feared was too recent a transaction to have so soon escaped my memory.