ely desirous to penetrate further into the
mountains to a place of security, where he might lie concealed until
their safe return to Granada.

Accordingly, scarcely had the first blush of dawn shed a dubious ray
over the still slumbering earth, than with much impatience Don Rodrigo
hastened to try how far he might rely upon the complaisance of the mule.
Peregil followed the example of his master, and having found that the
temper of their beasts had been considerably improved by the abundance
of their repast, they quickly mounted, and endeavouring to make up for
the loss of time by a tolerably brisk pace, they pursued their route
towards the thickest and darkest part of the wilderness.

Two whole days did Don Rodrigo and his attendant continue to wander
without making much progress, which may perhaps be chiefly attributed to
the perverse disposition of the mule and her companion. Indeed the
cavalier and his attendant wandered about much in the same manner that a
knight-errant and his worthy squire might be expected to do, with this
difference only, that the knight-errant would be eagerly seeking for
adventures, whereas Don Rodrigo was equally solicitous to avoid them.
The poor cavalier found himself in a most miserable plight; his revenge
had been satisfied, but more generous sentiments now occupied his bosom.
He reflected, with deep-felt remorse, that for the sake of redressing
the fancied wrongs inflicted on him by an individual, he had deprived
his country of one of its bravest defenders; then again, like most
lovers under similar circumstances, he easily conjectured that the
female who had evinced such an unequivocal aversion to his addresses,
would feel yet more repugnant to accept them, when offered by a man
reeking with the blood of her favored lover.

These and many other reflections of the like nature continued to intrude
upon his mind; for it is really a matter worthy of remark how very
circumspect and thoughtful a man becomes, when by an undue neglect of
those same qualifications he has brought himself into an uncomfortable
and perilous predicament. They had by this time penetrated into those
places which were under the dominion of the rebel Moors. This
circumstance was therefore attended with the greatest danger, and
consequently their anxiety and distrust became proportionably augmented
as they advanced.

However, Don Rodrigo still bore with manly fortitude the unpleasant and
dangerous turn which their a