d a regular
account of this journey next post, from which those at home, interested
in Bible proceedings in Spain, may gather some idea of this very strange
country and people. I arrived safely at Lugo, but much fatigued, for the
way thither lay through the wildest mountains and wildernesses. The Lord
deigned to favour my humble efforts at Lugo; I brought thither thirty
Testaments, all of which were disposed of in one day, the Bishop of the
place himself purchasing two copies, whilst several priests and friars,
instead of following the example of their brethren at Leon by persecuting
the work, spoke well of it, and recommended its perusal. I was much
grieved that my stock of these holy books was exhausted, for there was a
great demand for them; and had I been able to supply them, quadruple the
quantity might have been sold [during] the four days that I remained at
Lugo.
Midway between Lugo and Corunna I was near falling into the hands of
robbers. Two fellows suddenly confronted me with presented carbines,
which they probably intended to discharge into my body, but they took
fright at the noise of my servant's horse, who was following a little way
behind. This affair occurred at the bridge Castellanos, a spot notorious
for robbery and murder, and well adapted for both, for it stands at the
bottom of a deep dell surrounded by wild desolate hills. Only a quarter
of an hour previous, I had passed three ghastly heads, stuck on poles
standing by the wayside; they were those of a captain of banditti [and
two of his men], who had been seized and executed about two months
before. Their principal haunt was the vicinity of the bridge I have
already spoken of, and it was their practice to cast the bodies of the
murdered into the deep black water which runs rapidly beneath. These
three beads will always live in my remembrance, particularly that of the
captain, which stood on a higher pole than the other two; the long hair
was waving in the wind, and the blackened distorted features were
grinning in the sun. The fellows whom I met were themselves of his band.
I have a depot of five hundred Testaments at Corunna, from which it is my
intention to supply the principal towns of Galicia. I have as usual
published my advertisements, and the work enjoys a tolerable sale--seven
or eight copies per day on the average. Perhaps some will say that these
are small matters and not worthy of being mentioned; but let these
bethink them
|