the alcalde of Villallos, at the instigation of the cura, refused to permit the said Lopez to quit the place, either to proceed to Avila or in any other direction.  It had been hinted to Lopez that as the factious were expected, it was intended on their arrival to denounce him to them as a liberal, and to cause him to be sacrificed.  Taking these circumstances into consideration, I deemed it my duty as a Christian and a gentleman, to rescue my unfortunate servant from such lawless hands, and in consequence, defying opposition, I bore him off, though entirely unarmed, through a crowd of at least one hundred peasants.  On leaving the place I shouted, “Viva Isabel Segunda.”

As it is my belief that the cura of Villallos is a person capable of any infamy, I beg leave humbly to intreat your Lordship to cause a copy of the above narration to be forwarded to the Spanish government.—­I have the honour to remain, My Lord, Your Lordship’s most obedient,

George Borrow.

To the Right Honourable
lord William Hervey.

After the rescue of Lopez we proceeded in the work of distribution.  Suddenly, however, the symptoms of an approaching illness came over me, which compelled us to return in all haste to Madrid.  Arrived there, I was attacked by a fever which confined me to my bed for several weeks; occasional fits of delirium came over me, during one of which, I imagined myself in the market-place of Martin Munos, engaged in deadly struggle with the chieftain Balmaseda.

The fever had scarcely departed, when a profound melancholy took possession of me, which entirely disqualified me for active exertion.  Change of scene and air was recommended; I therefore returned to England.

CHAPTER XLV

Return to Spain—­Seville—­A Hoary Persecutor—­Manchegan Prophetess--Antonio’s Dream.

On the 31st of December, 1838, I again visited Spain for the third time.  After staying a day or two at Cadiz I repaired to Seville, from which place I proposed starting for Madrid with the mail post.  Here I tarried about a fortnight, enjoying the delicious climate of this terrestrial Paradise, and the balmy breezes of the Andalusian winter, even as I had done two years previously.  Before leaving Seville, I visited the bookseller, my correspondent, who informed me that seventy-six copies of the hundred Testaments entrusted to his care had been placed in embargo by the government last summer, and that they were at the present time in the possession of the ecclesiastical governor, whereupon I determined to visit this functionary also, with the view of making inquiries concerning the property.