< Page:The Writings of Prosper Merimee-Volume 1.djvu
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

CARMEN

75

Gibraltar to get news of her. She must have planned some business. I'd go at once, only I'm too well known at Gibraltar,' El Tuerto said:

"'I'm well known there too. I've played so many tricks on the crayfish[1]—and as I've only one eye, it is not overeasy for me to disguise myself.'

"'Then I suppose I must go,' said I, delighted at the very idea of seeing Carmen again. 'Well, how am I to set about it?'

The others answered:

"'You must either go by sea, or you must get through by San Rocco, whichever you like the best; once you are at Gibraltar, inquire in the port where a chocolate-seller called La Rollona lives. When you've found her, she'll tell you everything that's happening.'

"It was settled that we were all to start for the Sierra, that I was to leave my two companions there, and take my way to Gibraltar, in the character of a fruit-seller. At Ronda one of our men procured me a passport; at Gaucin I was provided with a donkey. I loaded it with oranges and melons, and started forth. When I reached Gibraltar I found that many people

  1. ↑ Name applied by the Spanish populace to the British soldiers, on account of the colour of their uniform.
This article is issued from Wikisource. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.