The Castle of Andalusia Part 8

SCENE I.

_An antique Apartment in the Castle._

_Enter DON CaeSAR, with Precaution._

_Don Caesar._ Thus far I've got into the castle unperceived--I'm certain Sanguino means the old gentleman a mischief, which nature bids me endeavour to prevent. I saw the rascal slip in at the postern below; but where can he have got to! [_A sliding Panel opens in the Wainscot, and SANGUINO comes out._] Yes, yonder he issues, like a rat or a spider.--How now, Sanguino!

_Sang._ Captain Ramirez!

_Don Caesar._ On enterprize without my knowledge! What's your business here?

_Sang._ Revenge! Look--[_Shows a Stilletto._] if I meet Don Scipio--

_Don Caesar._ A stilletto! I command you to quit your purpose.

_Sang._ What, no satisfaction for my wound last night, and lose my booty too!

_Don Caesar._ Your wound was chance--Put up--We shall have n.o.ble booty here, and that's our business--But you seem to know your ground here, Sanguino?

_Sang._ I was formerly master of the horse to Count D'Olivi, the last resident here, so am well acquainted with the galleries, lobbies, windings, turnings, and every secret lurking place in the castle.

_Don Caesar._ I missed Spado at the muster this morning--did he quit the cave with you?

_Spado._ [_Without._] As sure as I'm alive, it's fact, sir.--

_Don Caesar._ Isn't that Spado's voice?

_Sang._ Impossible!

_Don Caesar._ Hush!

[_They retire._

_Enter DON SCIPIO and SPADO._

_Don Scipio._ Yes, I've heard of such places; but you say you have been in the cave where these ruffian banditti live?

_Spado._ Most certainly, sir: for, after having robbed me of five hundred doubloons, the wicked rogues barbarously stripped, and tied me neck and heels, threw me across a mule, like a sack of corn, and led me blindfold to their cursed cavern.

_Don Scipio._ Ah, poor fellow!

_Spado._ There, sir, in this sculking hole the villains live in all manner of debauchery, and dart out upon the innocent traveller, like beasts of prey.

_Don Scipio._ Oh, the tigers! just so they fastened upon me last night, but your sham Fernando, and I, made them run like hares; I gave him my purse for his trouble.

_Spado._ And he took it! what a mean fellow!--you ought not to have ventured out unarmed--I always take a blunderbuss when I go upon the road--the rascal banditti are most infernal cowards.

_Don Scipio._ What a glorious thing to deliver these reprobates into the hands of justice!

_Spado._ Ah, sir, 'twould be a blessed affair--Oh, I'd hang them up like mad dogs!

_Don Scipio._ Well, you say you know the cave?

_Spado._ Yes, yes, I slipped the handkerchief from my eyes and took a peep, made particular observations of the spot; so get a strong guard, and I'll lead you to the very trap-door of their den.

_Don Scipio._ 'Egad, then we'll surprise them, and you'll have the prayers of the whole country, my honest friend.

_Spado._ Heaven knows, sir, I have no motives for this discovery but the public good, so I expect the country will order me a hundred pistoles, as a reward for my honesty.

_Don Caesar._ Here's a pretty dog!

[_Apart._

_Sang._ Ay, ay, he ha'n't long to live.

[_Apart._

_Don Scipio._ An hundred pistoles!

_Spado._ Sir, have an eye upon their captain, as they call him, he's the most abandoned, impudent profligate--[_Suddenly turning sees CaeSAR, who shows a Pistol._] Captain did I say? [_Terrified._] Oh, no; the captain's a very worthy good-natured fellow--I meant a scoundrel, who thinks he ought to be captain, one Sanguino, the most daring, wicked, and b.l.o.o.d.y villain that--[_Turning the other may, perceives SANGUINO with a Pistol._] but indeed, I found Sanguino an honest, good-natured fellow too--

[_With increased terror._

_Don Scipio._ Hey, a b.l.o.o.d.y, wicked, honest, good-natured fellow! what is all this?

_Spado._ Yes; then, sir, I _thought_ I saw these two gentlemen, and at that instant, I _thought_ they looked so terrible, that with the fright I _awoke_.

_Don Scipio._ Awoke! what the devil then, is all this but a dream you have been telling me?

_Spado._ Ay, sir, and the most frightful dream I ever had in my life.

I'm at this instant frightened out of my wits.

_Don Scipio._ You do look frightened indeed--poor man! I thought this cave was--

_Spado._ Don't mention cave, or I faint--heigho!

_Enter_ VASQUEZ.

_Vas._ Dame Isabel wants to speak with you, sir.

_Don Scipio._ I'll wait on her.

_Spado._ Yes, I'll wait on her.

[_Going hastily._

_Don Scipio._ You! she don't want you.