suddenly by its beams I
beheld a figure moving before me at a slight distance. I quickened
the pace of the burra, and was soon close at its side. It went on,
neither altering its pace nor looking round for a moment. It was the
figure of a man, the tallest and bulkiest that I had hitherto seen in
Spain, dressed in a manner strange and singular for the country. On
his head was a hat with a low crown and broad brim, very much
resembling that of an English waggoner; about his body was a long
loose tunic or slop, seemingly of coarse ticken, open in front, so as
to allow the interior garments to be occasionally seen; these
appeared to consist of a jerkin and short velveteen pantaloons. I
have said that the brim of the hat was broad, but broad as it was, it
was insufficient to cover an immense bush of coal-black hair, which,
thick and curly, projected on either side; over the left shoulder was
flung a kind of satchel, and in the right hand was held a long staff
or pole.

"There was something peculiarly strange about the figure, but what
struck me the most was the tranquillity with which it moved along,
taking no heed of me, though, of course, aware of my proximity, but
looking straight forward along the road, save when it occasionally
raised a huge face and large eyes towards the moon, which was now
shining forth in the eastern quarter.

"'A cold night,' said I at last. 'Is this the way to Talavera?'

"'It is the way to Talavera, and the night is cold.'

"'I am going to Talavera,' said I, 'as I suppose you are yourself.'

"'I am going thither, so are you, _Bueno_.'

"The tones of the voice which delivered these words were in their way
quite as strange and singular as the figure to which the voice
belonged; they were not exactly the tones of a Spanish voice, and yet
there was something in them that could hardly be foreign; the
pronunciation also was correct, and the language, though singular,
faultless. But I was most struck with the manner in which the last
word, _bueno_, was spoken. I had heard something like it before, but
where or when I could by no means remember. A pause now ensued; the
figure stalking on as before with the most perfect indifference, and
seemingly with no disposition either to seek or avoid conversation.

"'Are you not afraid,' said I at last, 'to t