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The Zincali-Part4_George Borrow(1803-1881)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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called a glance which is a strange stare, like nothing else in this

world. His complexion was a beautiful olive; and his teeth were of



a brilliancy uncommon even amongst these people, who have all fine

teeth. He was dressed in a coarse waggoner's slop, which, however,



was unable to concealaltogether the proportions of his noble and

Herculean figure. He might be about twenty-eight. His companion



and his captain, Gypsy Will, was, I think, fifty when he was

hanged, ten years subsequently (for I never afterwards lost sight



of him), in the front of the jail of Bury St. Edmunds. I have

still present before me his bushy black hair, his black face, and



his big black eyes fixed and staring. His dress consisted of a

loose blue jockey coat, jockey boots and breeches; in his hand was



a huge jockey whip, and on his head (it struck me at the time for

its singularity) a broad-brimmed, high-peaked Andalusian hat, or at



least one very much resembling those generally worn in that

province. In stature he was shorter than his more youthful



companion, yet he must have measured six feet at least, and was

stronger built, if possible. What brawn! - what bone! - what legs!



- what thighs! The third Gypsy, who remained on horseback, looked

more like a phantom than any thing human. His complexion was the



colour of pale dust, and of that same colour was all that pertained

to him, hat and clothes. His boots were dusty of course, for it



was midsummer, and his very horse was of a dusty dun. His features

were whimsically ugly, most of his teeth were gone, and as to his



age, he might be thirty or sixty. He was somewhat lame and halt,

but an unequalled rider when once upon his steed, which he was



naturally not very solicitous to quit. I subsequently discovered

that he was considered the wizard of the gang.



I have been already prolix with respect to these Gypsies, but I

will not leave them quite yet. The intended combatants at length



arrived; it was necessary to clear the ring, - always a troublesome

and difficult task. Thurtell went up to the two Gypsies, with whom



he seemed to be acquainted, and with his surly smile, said two or

three words, which I, who was standing by, did not understand. The



Gypsies smiled in return, and giving the reins of their animals to

their mounted companion, immediately set about the task which the



king of the flash-men had, as I conjecture, imposed upon them; this

they soon accomplished. Who could stand against such fellows and



such whips? The fight was soon over - then there was a pause.

Once more Thurtell came up to the Gypsies and said something - the



Gypsies looked at each other and conversed; but their words then

had no meaning for my ears. The tall Gypsy shook his head - 'Very



well,' said the other, in English. 'I will - that's all.'

Then pushing the people aside, he strode to the ropes, over which



he bounded into the ring, flinging his Spanish hat high into the

air.



GYPSY WILL. - 'The best man in England for twenty pounds!'

'THURTELL. - 'I am backer!'



Twenty pounds is a tempting sum, and there men that day upon the

green meadow who would have shed the blood of their own fathers for



the fifth of the price. But the Gypsy was not an unknown man, his

prowess and strength were notorious, and no one cared to encounter



him. Some of the Jews looked eager for a moment; but their sharp

eyes quailed quickly before his savage glances, as he towered in



the ring, his huge form dilating, and his black features convulsed

with excitement. The Westminster bravoes eyed the Gypsy askance;



but the comparison, if they made any, seemed by no means favourable

to themselves. 'Gypsy! rum chap. - Ugly customer, - always in



training.' Such were the exclamations which I heard, some of which

at that period of my life I did not understand.



No man would fight the Gypsy. - Yes! a strong country fellow wished

to win the stakes, and was about to fling up his hat in defiance,



but he was prevented by his friends, with - 'Fool! he'll kill you!'




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