noses, which gave them an air of much gravity, and made them look highly respectable:  each held in his hand a rosary, the beads of which made a ringing sound.  Behind these men came an old woman wearing a long and ample gown, who, without uttering a word, proceeded at once to the room wherein was the figure of Our Lady.  She then took holy water with the greatest devotion, placed herself on her knees before the Virgin, and after remaining there a considerable time, first kissed the soil thrice, and then rising, lifted her arms and eyes towards heaven, in which attitude she remained a certain time longer.  She then dropped her alms into the little wicker case—­and that done, she issued forth among the company in the patio.

Finally there were assembled in the court as many as fourteen persons of various costumes and different professions.  Among the latest arrivals were two dashing and elegant youths with long moustachios, hats of immense brims, broad collars, stiffly starched, coloured stockings, garters with great bows and fringed ends, swords of a length beyond that permitted by law, and each having a pistol in his belt, with a buckler hanging on his arm.  No sooner had these men entered, than they began to look askance at Rincon and Cortado, whom they were evidently surprised to see there, as persons unknown to themselves.  At length the new-comers accosted the two friends, asking if they were of the brotherhood.  “We are so,” replied Rincon, “and the very humble servants of your worships besides.”

At this moment the Senor Monipodio honoured the respectable assembly with his welcome presence.  He appeared to be about five or six-and-forty years old, tall, and of dark complexion; his eyebrows met on his forehead, his black beard was very thick, and his eyes were deeply sunk in his head.  He had come down in his shirt, through the opening of which was seen a hairy bosom, as rough and thick set as a forest of brushwood.  Over his shoulders was thrown a serge cloak, reaching nearly to his feet, which were cased in old shoes, cut down to make slippers; his legs were covered with a kind of linen gaiters, wide and ample, which fell low upon his ankles.  His hat was that worn by those of the Hampa, bell-formed in the crown, and very wide in the brim.[21] Across his breast was a leather baldric, supporting a broad, short sword of the perrillo fashion.[22] His hands were short and coarse, the fingers thick, and the nails much flattened:  his legs were concealed by the gaiters, but his feet were of immoderate size, and the most clumsy form.  In short, he was the coarsest and most repulsive barbarian ever beheld.  With him came the conductor of the two friends; who, taking Rincon and Cortado each by a hand, presented them to Monipodio, saying, “These are the two good boys of whom I spoke to your worship, Senor Monipodio.  May it please your worship to examine them, and you will see how well they are prepared to enter our brotherhood.”  “That I will do willingly,” replied Monipodio.