Lavengro: The Scholar, the Gypsy, the Priest

ing tone-Little basket-High opinion-Plenty of good-Keeping guard-Tilted cart-Rubricals

f the largest of the trees, upon the grass, was a kind of low tent or booth, from the top of which a thin smoke was curling; beside it stood a couple of light carts, whilst two or three lean horses or ponies were cropping the herbage which was growing nigh. Wondering to whom this odd tent could belong, I advanced till I was close before it, when I found that it consisted of two tilts, like those of waggons, placed upon the ground and fronting each other, connected behind by a sail or large piece of canvas which was but partially drawn across the top; upon the ground, in the

s but half concealed by a slight bodice, below which she wore a coarse petticoat, her only other article of dress. The man was somewhat younger, but of a figure equally wild; his frame was long and lathy, but his arms were remarkably short, his neck was rather bent, he squinted slightly, and his mouth was much awry; his complexion was dark, but, unlike that of the woman, was more ruddy than livid; there was a deep scar on his cheek, something like the impression of a halfpenny. The dress was quite

ushing upon me; the man was rather in a

; 'I'll teach ye, you young highwayman,

n the habit of associating. It was quite as strange as his appearance, and yet it nothing resembled the foreign Eng

King's Lane. Why did you put them ther

ey? I'll drown him in the sludge

the man, 'drown h

u! What's all this about? Was it because I saw you wit

e woman; 'what

d I know? Making

lation in the neighbourhood, generally supposed to be fabricated by the prisoners, so that

id the beldame, dashing

e man, interposing; 'you shall now s

urs; my father lies concealed within my tepid breast, and if to me you off

hman's talk-which, I wonder? Your father! Tell the mumping villain that if he comes near my fire I'll serve him out

ing itself from my bosom, where it had lain perdu, it raised its head to

extended, and his cheeks became of a pale yellow, save alone that place which bore the mark which I have already described, and this shone now porten

a faltering tone, 'did you ev

moved to the tent, where he entered into conversation with the beldame in a low voice. Of their discourse, though I could hear the greater part of it, I understood not a single word; and I wondered what it could be, for I knew by the sound that it was not French. At last the man, in a somewhat loud

e's tent; we wish to be civil in our slight way. Don't be angry, and say n

bodies' fire, and eat a sweetmeat. We want to ask yo

that's easy enough; but as for eating a sweetmeat, how ca

give you one, such as you never ate, I da

r than a man's fist, and formed of a delicate kind of matting. It was sewed at the top; but, ripping it open with a knife, she held it to me, and I saw, to my sur

id I; 'where di

nodding her head thrice, with a knowing look, s

d conceived a very high opinion of the abilities of their visitor, which I w

an yourself, or so well? And now, my tiny one, let me

slike to you; though, if y

th you!-what right have we? I should say, it would not be quite safe. I see how

he was alluding to the soldiers,-you had b

least thought about it. Well, I have heard of such things, though I never thought to see one; however, seeing is believing. W

t good coul

ways does, if it will but settle down. Stay with us, you shall have a tilted cart all to yourse

plenty of these things, I should have no objection. But

indly would we treat him. Indeed, without

ld be spared from his regiment. I have heard h

are you talking about?-w

r is an officer-man at the barracks yonder

that sap is no

snake? Why, no! Di

we did. Didn't

ught you would have believed it? It is a

. O

the woman, 'tha

urprise, as if somewhat disconcerted at what they now heard. They then entered into discourse with each other in the same strange tongue which

m there? I don't k

comes very nearly to the same thing; and if you please to list with us, and bear us pleasant company, we shall be glad of you. I'd take my oath upon it, that we might make

n't wonde

tilted cart by yourself, and say prayers to us night and morning-to wifelkin here, and all our family; there'

at random, proceeded to read how a certain man, whilst wandering about a certain solitary island, entered a cave, the mou

e delicate prayers in all my life! Why, they beat the rubricals hollow!-and here comes my son Jasper. I say, Jasper, her

ke the singular being who called himself his father; his complexion was ruddy, but his face was seamed, though it did not bear the peculiar scar which disfigured the countenance of the other; nor, though roguish enough, a certain evil expression which that of the other bore, and which the face of

shake hands with

ying me rather contemptuously. 'I should

ore than that-I tell you he's fly: he carries a sap

ooping down, he leered curiously in my face, kindly, however, and

ad we have met with him, he is going to list with us, an

I; 'I must see what

ut burly fellow, about the middle age; he had a savage determined look, and his face was nearly covered over with carbuncles; he wore a broad slouching hat, and was dressed in a gray coat, cut in a fashion which I afterwards learnt to be the genuine Newmarket cut, the skirts being exceedingly short; his waistcoat was of red plush, and he wore broad corduroy breeches and white top-boots. The steed which carried him was of iron gray, spirited and powerful, but covered with sweat and foam. The fellow glanced fiercely and suspiciously around, and said something to the man of the tent in a harsh and rapid voice. A short and hurried conversation ensued in the strange tongue. I could not take my eyes off this new-comer. Oh, that half-jockey, half-bruiser countenance

in red cloaks and immense black beaver bonnets, came from I know not what direction, and, after exchanging a few words with the others, commenced with fierce and agitated gestures to assist them in their occupation. The rider meanwhile sat upon his horse, but evidently in a state of great impatience; he muttered curses between his teeth, spur

ve it him, mother. There it is; now be off as

mony into the pockets of his coat, and then, without a word of farewell salutation, departed at a tremendous rate, the hoofs of his horse thundering for a long time on the hard soil of the neighbouring road,

earing to muse; then, turning round, he came up to me where I was standing, leered in my face, and then, thrusting o

p-engro, lor!' he gave me a pa

the retreating company. 'A strange set of peo