s a
swimming in the head, making at the same time six signs of the cross
over his heart, and he will soon be as sound as an apple."

When the old woman heard the charm, she was amazed at the clever trick
played by her granddaughter; and Andrew was still more so when he found
that the whole was an invention of her quick wit. Preciosa left the
madrigal in the hands of the gentleman, not liking to ask for it, lest
she should again distress Andrew; for she knew, without any one teaching
her, what it was to make a lover feel the pangs of jealousy. Before she
took her leave, she said to Don Juan, "Every day of the week, senor, is
lucky for beginning a journey: not one of them is black. Hasten your
departure, therefore, as much as you can; for there lies before you a
free life of ample range and great enjoyment, if you choose to
accommodate yourself to it."

"It strikes me that a soldier's life is not so free as you say,"
replied Andrew, "but one of submission rather than liberty. However, I
will see what I can do."

"You will see more than you think for," said Preciosa; "and may God have
you in his keeping, and lead you to happiness, as your goodly presence
deserves."

These farewell words filled Andrew with delight; the gitanas went away
no less gratified, and shared the doubloon between them, the old woman
as usual taking a part and a half, both by reason of her seniority, as
because she was the compass by which they steered their course on the
wide sea of their dances, pleasantry, and tricks.

At last the appointed day of meeting came, and Andrew arrived in the
morning at the old trysting place, mounted on a hired mule, and without
any attendant. He found Preciosa and her grandmother waiting for him,
and was cordially welcomed by them. He begged they would take him at
once to the rancho,[74] before it was broad day, that he might not be
recognised should he be sought for. The two gitanas, who had taken the
precaution to come alone, immediately wheeled round, and soon arrived
with him at their huts. Andrew entered one of them, which was the
largest in the rancho, where he was forthwith assisted by ten or twelve
gitanos, all handsome strapping young fellows, whom the old woman had
previously informed respecting the new comrade who was about to join
them. She had not thought it necessary, to enjoin them to secrecy; for,
as we have already said, they habitually observed it with unexampled
sagacity and strictness. Their e