第130页 / 共1118页

The palace of Don Roderick stood by itself, on the summit of one

of the promontories that skirt the coast; it was three or four

miles distant from the village; at the foot of the promontory

nearest the lake, there was a cluster of decayed cottages

inhabited by peasantry belonging to Don Roderick. This was the

little capital of his little kingdom. As you cast a glance within

their walls, you beheld suspended to them various kinds of arms,

with spades, mattocks, and pouches of powder, blended

promiscuously. The persons within appeared robust and strong,

with a daring and insulting expression of countenance, and

wearing a long lock of hair on the head, which was covered with

net-work. The aged, that had lost their teeth, seemed ready to

show their gums at the slightest call: masculine women, with

sinewy arms, seemed disposed to use them with as much

indifference as their tongues; the very children exhibited the

same daring recklessness as the parent stock.