452 CHEAP ESTATE. sand pounds would not only purchase the feesimple of the whole, but afterwards leave sufficient to establish the purchaser respectably and comfortably, with every prospect of repaying the purchase-money and all outlay in a very few years. The soil, it must be unnecessary to add, is unexceptionable, and, for the produce of it the town of Jujui, even in its impoverished state, presents a fair and convenient market. As my observations on these matters have been made with reference to persons of small means only, it struck me at how moderate a rate three or four might here establish themselves, by purchasing this estate, and dividing it among them. Each, with a capital of one thousand pounds (a sum scarcely sufficient to set up an alehouse in England) might be assured of comfortable independence and lucrative occupation here, probably the most salubrious district in South America, and distinguished at all times for the peaceable disposition of its inhabitants. 3rd. Whilst in the midst of all the occupations of proximate departure, two women, a negress and mulatto (mother and daughter) entered my apartment, and, without any preliminary introduction to conversation, addressed me in these words-" Por Dios, cavallero mio, SINGULAR REQUEST. 453 compra nosotros dos, y llevanos hasta Buenos Ayres con vuestra merced" (For God's sake, dear gentleman, buy us both, and take us with you to Buenos Ayres.)-" Valgame Dios!" (Good heavens!) said I, "what can have induced you to apply to me on such a subject ?"" Oh! good Sir Englishman, do buy us, we wish to leave our present master, and, as the price of us both is only five hundred dollars, you may gain the expenses of your journey by selling us at a profit at Cordova or Buenos Ayres, where slaves are at a much higher price than here."-" I am sorry, my good women, for the severe disappointment which, it appears from your anxiety, my refusal is likely to occasion; but, in the first place, I have no means of conveying you; in the second, you are a sort of merchandize, of which I have no knowledge, and the traffic in which is altogether out of my line." They seemed to pay little attention to my objections, but endeavoured to set forth their respective merits, in order to make it appear that the market, by this sale of themselves, was all in my favour. "I will wash for you," said the mother-" I will iron for you,” said the daughter" I will cook for you,” said the mother" I will do any thing and every thing for you," said the daughter-" And so will I," 454 PURCHASE DECLINED. said the mother." I doubt not, black ladies," said I, "your condescending dispositions, but you are quite too dear for me; and even if you were cheap as shoe-leather, I should decline the purchase; so, Heaven preserve you a thousand years!" DEPARTURE FROM JUJUI. 455 CHAPTER XV. Departure from Jujui.-Terror of travelling in a coach.Adieu la voiture ! adieu la boutique !-Unexpected return to Jujui.- An important " If.”—Friends threaten a separation.-Estate of Monte Rico.-Cross the Rio Passage. -Village of Conchas.-Meeting with a notorious character. His ultimate fate. AUGUST 6th. The birlocho superior being thoroughly put in order by the very best workmen of Jujui, capataz and peones being hired, and every preparation made for our journey, precisely at twelve o'clock on this delightful day, Doctor Don Manuel Martin de la Santa Cruz, dignitary of the cathedral, and Provost of the college of Chuquisaca, in a pair of sky-blue cloth breeches, good enough for the journey, stepped into the birlocho; I followed, and, to my amazement, after me entered a juvenile companion of the Doctor's, his 456 DEPARTURE FROM JUJUI. disciple and secretary, for whom the Doctor said there was "plenty of room.” I muttered something or other in a grumbling tone, about my "never having intended to give two places for three hundred dollars;" but it was too late, and indeed impossible, to oppose the wish of my old friend; besides, the intruder was a civil, good-natured sort of young fellow, just sallying forth under his tutor's auspices to see the world. It would, in fact, have required a heart of stone and a mind all selfishness, to have turned out the unoffending youth, who, suffused with blushes at my sudden and hasty remonstrance, silently took his seat in a corner of the birlocho: therefore, without much ado, we were all shut up quite amicably together, and away we went, followed on horseback by my • unfortunate friends,' who were in greater glee than they had been for many a long day before, and were altogether the happiest unfortunates in the world. But still, by far the happiest individual of the party was myself; partly from that feeling which every one must have experienced, on being himself the cause of happiness to others; partly on account of having passed the most difficult portion of the journey, and all before me appearing down-hill; and partly owing to the satisfaction I felt in the com |