My guest now grew melancholy: he helped himself to more wine, and gradually fell into an unintelligible grumble. The poor fellow had no quarter; and as it was late, I could not think of turning him out, so applied to the _Patron_ of my _Caza_ for assistance. He was a good man, and offered a bed; so I directed my servant to lead my guest to his repose. Next morning he was gone; but at about nine o’clock, as I was about to breakfast, he returned, came into my room and requested me to look out of the window at a purchase which he had made for twenty dollars. I looked out: it was a miserable donkey which he had that moment bought from a Portuguese. On its back was strapped an old saddle, with a still more veteran valise attached to it, while a pair of boots, balanced by a striped blue handkerchief full of sundry articles of provision, hung across the animal’s neck. With perfect good humour the adventurer philosophized on the poverty of his stud and baggage, giving me several appropriate quotations. We then sat down, and after eating a hearty breakfast of chocolate, eggs, and cold beef, he took his leave of me, mounted the ass, and proceeded slowly on the road to Irun, where the regiment to which he had his introduction was stationed. I heard no more of the Volunteer until the day on which our troops crossed the Bidassoa--about three weeks after his departure from Renteria. It was in the evening, and about a mile from Irun, on the high road. He was walking in custody of the Provost Marshal--had on a red _coatee_, torn and bemudded--his head without its proper covering, and his whole aspect that of a madman. He recognized me in a moment, and my presence seemed to calm the rage which burnt within him,--to the no small delight of the Provost, who evidently had been very much troubled in the management of his charge. A part of the dialogue which passed between us I will try to recollect:-- _Myself._ What have you been doing? _Volunteer._ Doing? I have been doing thankless work. I am disgusted with the service, Sir. A man of mind or genius has no business in it. _Myself._ Bless me! what can all this mean? _Provost._ The gentleman has been playing the very devil in front, Sir, and the General has ordered me to see that he goes to the rear.