第180章
Suppose I should not find the treasure after all.""Very rationally said; pity, though, that you did not think of that contingency till now.I tell you, my friend, that you have engaged in a most desperate undertaking.It is true that you may find a treasure.The chances are, however, a hundred to one that you do not, and in that event, what will be your situation? You will be looked upon as an impostor, and the consequences may be horrible to you.Remember where you are, and amongst whom you are.The Spaniards are a credulous people, but let them once suspect that they have been imposed upon, and above all laughed at, and their thirst for vengeance knows no limit.Think not that your innocence will avail you.
That you are no impostor I feel convinced; but they would never believe it.It is not too late.Return your fine clothes and magic rattan to those from whom you had them.Put on your old garments, grasp your ragged staff, and come with me to the Sagra, to assist in circulating the illustrious Gospel amongst the rustics on the Tagus' bank."Benedict mused for a moment, then shaking his head, he cried, "No, no, I must accomplish my destiny.The schatz is not yet dug up.So said the voice in the barranco.To-morrow to Compostella.I shall find it - the schatz - it is still there - it MUST be there."He went, and I never saw him more.What I heard, however, was extraordinary enough.It appeared that the government had listened to his tale, and had been so struck with Bennet's exaggerated description of the buried treasure, that they imagined that, by a little trouble and outlay, gold and diamonds might be dug up at Saint James sufficient to enrich themselves and to pay off the national debt of Spain.
The Swiss returned to Compostella "like a duke," to use his own words.The affair, which had at first been kept a profound secret, was speedily divulged.It was, indeed, resolved that the investigation, which involved consequences of so much importance, should take place in a manner the most public and imposing.A solemn festival was drawing nigh, and it was deemed expedient that the search should take place on that day.
The day arrived.All the bells in Compostella pealed.The whole populace thronged from their houses, a thousand troops were drawn up in the square, the expectation of all was wound up to the highest pitch.A procession directed its course to the church of San Roque; at its head was the captain-general and the Swiss, brandishing in his hand the magic rattan, close behind walked the MEIGA, the Gallegan witch-wife, by whom the treasure-seeker had been originally guided in the search;numerous masons brought up the rear, bearing implements to break up the ground.The procession enters the church, they pass through it in solemn march, they find themselves in a vaulted passage.The Swiss looks around."Dig here," said he suddenly."Yes, dig here," said the meiga.The masons labour, the floor is broken up, - a horrible and fetid odour arises..
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Enough; no treasure was found, and my warning to the unfortunate Swiss turned out but too prophetic.He was forthwith seized and flung into the horrid prison of Saint James, amidst the execrations of thousands, who would have gladly torn him limb from limb.
The affair did not terminate here.The political opponents of the government did not allow so favourable an opportunity to escape for launching the shafts of ridicule.
The Moderados were taunted in the cortes for their avarice and credulity, whilst the liberal press wafted on its wings through Spain the story of the treasure-hunt at Saint James.
"After all, it was a TRAMPA of Don Jorge's," said one of my enemies."That fellow is at the bottom of half the picardias which happen in Spain."Eager to learn the fate of the Swiss, I wrote to my old friend Rey Romero, at Compostella.In his answer he states: "Isaw the Swiss in prison, to which place he sent for me, craving my assistance, for the sake of the friendship which I bore to you.But how could I help him? He was speedily after removed from Saint James, I know not whither.It is said that he disappeared on the road."Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction.Where in the whole cycle of romance shall we find anything more wild, grotesque, and sad, than the easily-authenticated history of Benedict Mol, the treasure-digger of Saint James?