Part 10 (2/2)
To see theh repulsive
Coupled two and two--for the precaution is taken, and not unfrequently needed--to keep their leg-chains on; up in mud to the middle of their bodies, and above bespattered with it--such mud too! ht but nice to look at; their eyes now flashi+ng fierce defiance, now bent down and sullen, they seem either at en theht of it, bandy words with the passers-by, jest, laugh, sing, shout, and swear, which to a sensitive mind but makes the spectacle more sad
All this understood, it may well be conceived hat anxiety Florence Kearney listened to that snatch of dialogue between Santander and the gaol-governor outside the cell He did not even then quite comprehend the nature of as intended for them But the sharer of his chain did, who soon after e on to Cris Rock So when, on the next ain presented hientleet ready to take a little exercise,”--they knehat sort of exercise was norant of it--for he was not aware they had overheard his out-door speech with Santander, added ironically:
”It's a special favour I'ive you--at the request of Senor Colonel Santander, who, as I've seen, takes a friendly interest in soive you a turn upon the streets, which I trust you will enjoy and get benefit by”
Don Pedro was a born joker, and felt conceit in his powers as a satirist In the present instance his irony was shaftless, being understood
The das the only one who deigned rejoinder
”Ha, ha, ha!” he yelled in his wild unearthly way ”Turn _upon_ the streets! That's fine for you, Don Pedro A turn _under_ the streets-- that's what you overnor's charge to know the latter's name, and was accustomed to address him thus familiarly The deformed creature was fearless froave him protection
”_Vayate Zorillo_,” returned the Governor, slightly put out and evidently a little nettled, ”you're too fond of jesting--or trying
I'll take that out of you, and I oodhis eyes upon Rivas, he added: ”Senor Don Ruperto, I should be only too happy to let you off from the little excursion your prison coue But hest quarter, and I dare not disobey them”
This was all pure irony, intended but to torment him; at least so the robber see it in a friendly sense, he turned savagely on his tor out:
”I know you daren't disobey theaol like this: you, who turned coat and disgraced the sword you wore at Zacatecas Do your worst, Don Pedro Arias! I defy you”
”_Cascaras_! hoelling big you talk, Senor Captain Rivas! Ah! well
I'll let a little of the wind out of you too, before you bid good-bye to the Acordada Even the Condesa, grand daet you clear ofLa Garrota is the lady likeliest to do that”
After thus spitefully delivering hi in the court outside, and commanded them to come up to him
”Here,” he directed, ”take these two pairs and hand theuez?” The half interrogatory was addressed to a big, hulking fellow, chief of the turnkeys, who looked all Acordada
”_Por cierto, Senor Gobernador_,” he rejoined with a significant look, after giving the prison salute to his superior ”I know all about it”
”See, moreover, that they be kept all day at it; that's my orders”
”Sure will I, Senor,” was the compliant rejoinder
After which thehis coat, turned his back upon the place where he had been so ungraciously received, going off to aoler, stepping up to the door of the cell, ”_Por las zancas_!”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN