“Ride on because of the word of righteousness.”  Notwithstanding the check which we had experienced at Ocana, we were far from being discouraged, and forthwith prepared ourselves for another expedition.  As we returned from Aranjeuz to Madrid, my eyes had frequently glanced towards the mighty wall of mountains dividing the two Castiles, and I said to myself, “Would it not be well to cross those hills, and commence operations on the other side, even in Old Castile?  There I am unknown, and intelligence of my proceedings can scarcely have been transmitted thither.  Peradventure the enemy is asleep, and before he has roused himself, I may have sown much of the precious seed amongst the villages of the Old Castilians.  To Castile, therefore, to Castile la Vieja!” Accordingly, on the day after my arrival, I despatched several cargoes of books to various places which I proposed to visit, and sent forward Lopez and his donkey, well laden, with directions to meet me on a particular day beneath a particular arch of the aqueduct of Segovia.  I likewise gave him orders to engage any persons willing to co-operate with us in the circulation of the Scriptures, and who might be likely to prove of utility in the enterprise.  A more useful assistant than Lopez in an expedition of this kind it was impossible to have.  He was not only well acquainted with the country, but had friends, and even connexions on the other side of the hills, in whose houses he assured me that we should at all times find a hearty welcome.  He departed in high spirits, exclaiming, “Be of good cheer, Don Jorge; before we return we will have disposed of every copy of your evangelic library.  Down with the friars!  Down with superstition!  Viva Ingalaterra, viva el Evangelio!”

In a few days I followed with Antonio.  We ascended the mountains by the pass called Pena Cerrada, which lies about three leagues to the eastward of that of Guadarama.  It is very unfrequented, the high road between the two Castiles passing through Guadarama.  It has, moreover, an evil name, being, according to common report, infested with banditti.  The sun was just setting when we reached the top of the hills, and entered a thick and gloomy pine forest, which entirely covers the mountains on the side of Old Castile.  The descent soon became so rapid and precipitous, that we were fain to dismount from our horses and to drive them before us.  Into the woods we plunged deeper and deeper still; night-birds soon began to hoot and cry, and millions of crickets commenced their shrill chirping above, below, and around us.  Occasionally, amidst the trees at a distance, we could see blazes, as if from immense fires.  “They are those of the charcoal-burners, mon maitre!” said Antonio; “we will not go near them, however, for they are savage people, and half bandits.  Many is the traveller whom they have robbed and murdered in these horrid wildernesses.”