The Smuggler Chief

narrow, dirty, and almost deprived of air, for the houses, as in all American towns, have a tendency to approach each other, and at a certain height form a projection of four, or even six feet over the street. Paving is perfectly unknown; and the consequenc

from the sun. These verandahs contain handsome shops, in which the dealers have collected, at great cost, all that can tempt purchasers. It is a medley of the most discordant shops and booths, grouped side by side. A magnificent jeweller displays behind his window diamond necklaces, silver spurs, w

nd wide, and whose merry songs escaped in gay zambacuecas from all the spirit shops which are so frequent at Valparaíso. I

Leon asked civill

wo hours back," Crevel

Is the green

der the excuse that it is far superior to all the others in the house. Se?or Crevel knew his trade too well not to have adopted this habit common to all his brethren; but he ha

e suspected; and it was in this room that the bold plans of the landlord's mysterious trade,

n's arrival, for he scented, in the simple question asked him, a meeting of smugglers and the settlement of some affairs in which he

wner's trade. It was a cottage built of pebbles and beams, which it had in common with the greater portion of the houses in Valparaíso. Its front looked, as we know, upon the Calle San Agostino, while the opposite side faced the sea, over which it jutted out on piles for some distance. An enormous advantage for the worthy l

here this estimable institution is in vogue, sometimes found it necessary to make an example. Hence, so soon as the squadron of lanceros was signalled in the distance, Se?or Crevel at once warned his guests; so that when the soldiers arrived, and fancied they were about to make a good haul, they found that th

s were narrow and dark. The landlord had always taken advantage of this architectural arrangement by having a room made on the second floor, which was reached by a turning staircase, and a perfect ear of Dionysius, as

captain of the smugglers, who walked behind him. On regarding the interior of the room, nothing indicated the origin of its n

facing it: in a corner was a small table covered with the indispensable toilette articles-combs, brushes, &c. A small looking glass over the table, chairs surrounding a large round table, and, lastly, an alabaster clock, which for the last ten years had invariably marked the same hour between its tw

at and poncho, and threw himself into an e

d you like

pepperpot-in short, whatever you please,

ill you

! and try to find

rig

make haste to brin

tly, c

's dinner. During this time Leon walked up and down the room, and seeme

g some disagreeable remark from the captain, who, for his part, did not appear at all disposed for conve

in," said Crevel, when

me; when I want yo

d drawing the knife which he wore in his boot, vigoro

wants. It might be said that they understand the necessity of renewing or redoubling their strength, in order to resist more

without drinking. It is only when the pastry and sweets have been eaten that they drink a large glass of water for digestion; then comes the wines and liqueurs, always in small quantities, for t

ell that he should know that all Americans do so without scruple, as the use of the napkin is entirely unknown. Another custom worth mentioning is that of employing the fingers in lieu of a fo

an manage it as well as we do when required; but though it is present on every table, both rich and poor regard it as an object of luxury,

o his reflections. All at once he rose and

y," said Leon, poi

emoved all tra

he articles to make

two glasses of Pisco, and then it was only on great occasions, or to please his friend Diego, whom he knew to be very fond of strong liquors, like all the Indians. When a bottle of agu

hear me?" Leon re

r," Crevel re

prises you,

nfess

th a mocking smile, "that i

s not," sa

it, that's all. And what do

g, of c

me what I

directly,

eable way with him, but, on the word of Crevel, I never saw him as he is tonight; it would be dangerous to touch him with a pair of tongs. W

actured a splendid bowl of punch, which he

the bowl on the table; "I think

id, as he looked at what Crevel had

ou are

t you will do me the plea

tain, to deprive myself of the h

the invitation which the captain gave him surprised him beyond all expressi

bring a glass

ion, fetched the glass, and sea

into the bowl and filled the glasses to the b

lord was

convent of the Pu

el opened his eyes to

the nuns of the Purísima Concepción?" he asked

ou contrive to get in t

peared to refle

id; "I will get in

for I want to send you

t to

to him, after describing the accident of which he had been

is more difficult

e that you could ge

g a novice is v

d you to be a clever and resolute fellow; if I am mistaken, I will apply to someone else, and I fee

d the Parisian's eyes sparkled

if that s

acc

. Have my horse saddled f

t in order that I may take my precautions, tel

is lying at your house in danger of death. Pay careful attention to the expressi

derst

went down to make

ther she loves me," Leon excla

rolled a cigarette in his fingers, and we

u in a moment," the banian said on perceiving him

for time is s

shall be at the conven

h a thick coating of mould, bearing witness to the long stay they had made in the sh

that?" Le

sima Concepción," Crevel replied, wi

ing down the Calle San Agostino a few