had been, it was
alleged, lodged in his hands by negroes and Indians working at the
mines, the owners of which were often made away with,--at least, few of
those who made large deposits ever lived to claim them. The peasant told
me several stories in illustration of this suspicion; but although
they certainly did make an impression upon me, I attributed much to the
exaggeration so common to every piece of local gossip, and I had seen
enough in the world to know how frequently successful industry meets
disparagement.

As for Don Estaban Olarez, the old man told me that he had once been
extremely rich, but that certain speculations he had entered into having
proved unfortunate, he had lost the greater part of his fortune, and
lived now in a state of comparative retirement about a league from
Guajuaqualla. This piece of news had not the depressing effect upon me
it might be supposed, since I augured that a rich son-in-law would
be less scrupulously interrogated by the broken merchant than by the
millionnaire. I even speculated on the manner I should adopt to dazzle
him by my splendor, and with what cold and cutting irony I would address
the Fra Miguel, and thank him for the considerate kindness with which
he had repaid my services. Haughty and proud, with a dash of
condescension,--"that must be my tone," said I; and so I went on,
like my prototype in the Eastern tale, ruminating upon my power and my
merciful disposition, till I had warmed my blood to a very good tyrant
pitch, from which state I was aroused by the guard at the gate of the
town asking if I had anything with me which should pay custom.

"A poor traveller with his knapsack," said I, "may surely pass freely."

"Vaya con Dios," said he, carelessly, and I entered the city.

Although the little plain in which Guajuaqualla stands is more favorable
as a site than the narrow gorge where Chihuahua is situated, the city
itself is inferior to the latter. Built irregularly, not only as chance
or caprice directed, but sharing in all the vicissitudes of speculation
which the mines afforded, great palaces stand by the side of mean
hovels, and gorgeous churches are flanked by abodes of squalid poverty.
Streets, properly speaking, there were none. Each choosing the spot for
his house at will, and as the city was founded in troubled times, when
lawless violence was unrestrained,--the fortress-like character of
the buildings was often conspicuous. Massive iron bars and stan