nfirmity, but from my own ingenious contrivance,
whereby I get my bread, asking alms for the love of God. In this way,
and with the help of my music, I lead the merriest life in the world,
where others, with less cleverness and good management, would be starved
to death. Of this you will be convinced in the course of our
friendship."

"We shall see," said the negro; "but now let us put this staple back in
its place, so that it may not appear that it has been moved."

"Very good," said Loaysa, and taking out some nails from his wallet, he
soon made the lock seem as secure as ever, to the great satisfaction of
the negro, who, taking him at once to his loft, made him as comfortable
there as he could. Luis lighted a lamp; Loaysa took up his guitar, and
began to strike the chords softly and sweetly, so that the poor negro
was transported with delight. After he had played awhile, he drew forth
a fresh supply of good things for a collation, which they partook of
together, and the pupil applied himself so earnestly to the bottle that
it took away his senses still more than the music had done. Supper over,
Loaysa proposed that Luis should take his first lesson at once; and
though the poor negro was too much fuddled to distinguish one string
from another, Loaysa made him believe that he had already learnt at
least two notes. So persuaded was the poor fellow of this, that he did
nothing all night but jangle and strum away. They had but a short sleep
that night. In the morning, just on the strike of six, Carrizales came
down, opened both entrance doors, and stood waiting for the purveyor,
who came soon afterwards; and after depositing the day's supplies in the
turning-box, called the negro down to receive his ration and oats for
the mule. After the purveyor was gone, old Carrizales went out, locking
both doors after him, without having seen what had been done to the lock
of one of them, whereat both master and pupil rejoiced not a little.

No sooner was the master of the house gone, than the negro laid hold on
the guitar, and began to scrape it in such a manner, that all the
servant maids came to the second door, and asked him, through the
turning-box, "What is this, Luis? How long have you had a guitar? Who
gave it you?"

"Who gave it me? The best musician in the world, and one who is to teach
me in six days more than six thousand tunes!"

"Where is he, this musician?" said the duena.

"He is not far off," replied the negro;