ravel these roads in the
dark? It is said that there are robbers abroad.'

"'Are you not rather afraid,' replied the figure, 'to travel these
roads in the dark--you who are ignorant of the country, who are a
foreigner, an Englishman!'

"'How is it that you know me to be an Englishman?' demanded I, much
surprised.

"'That is no difficult matter,' replied the figure; 'the sound of
your voice was enough to tell me that.'

"'You speak of voices,' said I; 'suppose the tone of your own voice
were to tell me who you are?'

"'That it will not do,' replied my companion; 'you know nothing about
me--you can know nothing about me.'

"'Be not sure of that, my friend; I am acquainted with many things of
which you have little idea.'

"'Por exemplo,' said the figure.

"'For example,' said I, 'you speak two languages.'

"The figure moved on, seemed to consider a moment, and then said
slowly, '_Bueno_.'

"'You have two names,' I continued; 'one for the house and the other
for the street; both are good, but the one by which you are called at
home is the one which you like best.'

"The man walked on about ten paces, in the same manner as he had
previously done; all of a sudden he turned, and taking the bridle of
the burra gently in his hand, stopped her. I had now a full view of
his face and figure, and those huge features and Herculean form still
occasionally revisit me in my dreams. I see him standing in the
moonshine, staring me in the face with his deep calm eyes. At last
he said--

"'Are you then one of us?'"

An admirable sketch, adroitly conceived and executed beyond doubt, but as
a fragment of dialogue remarkable for its literary skill rather than for
its characterization.

His instinct for the picturesque never fails him. This is one of the
reasons why, despite his astounding garrulousness, the readers of his
books are never wearied.

Whether it be a ride in the forest, a tramp on foot, an interview with
some individual who has interested him, the picturesque side is always
presented, and never is he at better advantage than when depicting some
scene of gypsy life.

Opening _The Bible in Spain_ at random I happen on this description of a
gypsy supper. It is certainly not one of the best or most picturesque,
but as an average sample of his scenic skill it will serve its purpose
well.