WHATEVER MAY BE THE OPINION OF THE READER, HE CANNOT ASSERT THAT WE ARE
NO CONJURORS--WE SUIT OUR WARES TO OUR CUSTOMERS, AND OUR PROFITS ARE
CONSIDERABLE.
We had been three days in the camp when the gathering was broken up,
each gang taking their own way. What the meeting was about I could not
exactly discover: one occasion of it was to make arrangements relative
to the different counties in which the subdivisions were to sojourn
during the next year, so that they might know where to communicate with
each other, and, at the same time, not interfere by being too near; but
there were many other points discussed, of which, as a stranger, I was
kept in ignorance. Melchior answered all my questions with apparent
candour, but his habitual deceit was such, that whether he told the
truth or not was impossible to be ascertained by his countenance.
When the gathering dispersed we packed up, and located ourselves about
two miles from the common, on the borders of a forest of oak and ash.
Our food was chiefly game, for we had some excellent poachers among us;
and as for fish, it appeared to be at their command; there was not a
pond or a pit but they could tell in a moment if it were tenanted, and
if tenanted, in half an hour every fish would be floating on the top of
the water, by the throwing in of some intoxicating sort of berry; other
articles of food occasionally were found in the caldron; indeed, it was
impossible to fare better than we did, or at less expense.
Our tents were generally pitched not far from a pool of water, and to
avoid any unpleasant search, which sometimes would take place,
everything liable to detection was sunk under the water until it was
required for cooking; once in the pot, it was considered as safe. But
with the foraging, Timothy and I had nothing to do; we participated in
the eating, without asking any questions as to how it was procured.
My time was chiefly spent in company with Melchior, who initiated me
into all the mysteries of cups and balls--juggling of every
description--feats with cards, and made me acquainted with all his
apparatus for prepared tricks. For hours and hours was I employed by
his directions in what is called "making the pass" with a pack of cards,
as almost all tricks on cards depend upon your dexterity in this
manoeuvre. In about a month I was considered as a very fair adept; in
the mean time, Timothy had to undergo his career of gymnastics, and was
to be seen all day tumbling and re-tumbling, until he could tumble on
his feet again. Light and active, he soon became a very dexterous
performer, and could throw a somerset either backwards or forwards, walk
on his hands, eat fire, pull out ribands, and do fifty other tricks to
amuse a gaping audience. Jumbo also was worked hard, to bring down his
fat, and never was allowed his dinner until he had given satisfaction to
Melchior. Even little Fleta had to practise occasionally, as we were
preparing for an expedition. Melchior, who appeared determined to
create an effect, left us for three days, and returned with not only
dresses for Timothy and me, but also new dresses for the rest of the
company and shortly afterwards, bidding farewell to Nattee and the rest
of the gipsies, we all set out--that is, Melchior, I, Timothy, Fleta,
Num, and Jumbo. Late in the evening we arrived at the little town of
--, and took up our quarters at a public-house, with the landlord of
which Melchior had already made arrangements.
"Well, Timothy," said I, as soon as we were in bed, "how do you like our
new life and prospects?"
"I like it better than Mr Cophagus's _rudimans_, and carrying out
physic, at all events. But how does your dignity like turning Merry
Andrew, Japhet?"
"To tell you the truth, I do not dislike it. There is a wildness and a
devil-may-care feeling connected with it which is grateful to me at
present. How long it may last I cannot tell; but for a year or two it
appears to me that we may be very happy. At all events, we shall see
the world, and have more than one profession to fall back upon."
"That is true; but there is one thing that annoys me, Japhet, which is,
we may have difficulty in leaving these people when we wish. Besides,
you forget that you are losing sight of the principal object you had in
view, that is, of finding out your father."
"I certainly never expect to find him among the gipsies," replied I,
"for children are at a premium with them. They steal from others, and
are not very likely therefore to leave them at the Foundling. But I do
not know whether I have not as good a chance in our present employment
as in any other. I have often been thinking that as fortune-tellers we
may get hold of many strange secrets; however, we shall see. Melchior
says, that he intends to appear in that character as soon as he has made
a harvest in his present one."
"What do you think of Melchior, now that you have been so much with
him?"
"I think him an unprincipled man, but still with many good qualities.
He appears to have a pleasure in deceit, and to have waged war with the
world in general. Still he is generous, and, to a certain degree,
confiding; kind in his disposition, and apparently a very good husband.
There is something on his mind which weighs him down occasionally, and
checks him in the height of his mirth. It comes over him like a dark
cloud over a bright summer sun; and he is all gloom for a few minutes.
I do not think that he would _now_ commit any great crime; but I have a
suspicion that he has done something which is a constant cause of
remorse."
"You are a very good judge of character, Japhet. But what a dear little
child is that Fleta! She may exclaim with you--Who is my father?"
"Yes, we are both in much the same predicament, and that it is which I
believe has so much increased my attachment to her. We are brother and
sister in misfortune, and a sister she ever shall be to me, if such is
the will of Heaven. But we must rise early to-morrow, Tim; so good
night."
"Yes, to-morrow it will be juggle and tumble--eat fire--um--and so on,
as Mr Cophagus would have said; so good night, Japhet."
The next morning we arrayed ourselves in our new habiliments; mine were
silk stockings, shoes, and white kerseymere knee'd breeches, a blue silk
waistcoat loaded with tinsel, and a short jacket to correspond of blue
velvet, a sash round my waist, a hat and a plume of feathers. Timothy
declared I looked very handsome, and as the glass said the same as plain
as it could speak, I believed him. Timothy's dress was a pair of wide
Turkish trowsers and red jacket, with spangles. The others were much
the same. Fleta was attired in small white satin Turkish trowsers, blue
muslin and silver embroidered frock, worked sandals, and her hair
braided and plaited in long tails behind, and she looked like a little
sylph. Melchior's dress was precisely the same as mine, and a more
respectable company was seldom seen. Some musicians had been hired, and
handbills were now circulated all over the town, stating that Signor
Eugenio Velotti, with his company, would have the honour of performing
before the nobility and gentry. The bill contained the fare which was
to be provided, and intimated the hour of the performance, and the
prices to be paid for the seats. The performance was to take place in a
very large room attached to the inn, which, previous to the decadence of
the town, had been used as an assembly-room. A platform was erected on
the outside, on which were placed the musicians, and where we all
occasionally made our appearance in our splendid dresses to attract the
wonder of the people. There we strutted up and down, all but poor
little Fleta, who appeared to shrink at the display, from intuitive
modesty. When the music ceased, a smart parley between Melchior and me,
and Philotas and Timothy, as the two fools, would take place; and
Melchior declared, after the performance was over, that we conducted
ourselves to admiration.
"Pray, Mr Philotas, do me the favour to tell me how many people you
think are now present?" said Melchior to Num, in an imperative voice.
"I don't know," said Num, looking up with his idiotical, melancholy
face.
"Ha! ha! ha!" roared the crowd at Num's stupid answer.
"The fellow's a fool!" said Melchior, to the gaping audience.
"Well, then, if he can't tell; perhaps you may, Mr Dionysius," said I,
addressing Tim.
"How many, sir? Do you want to know exactly and directly?"
"Yes, sir, immediately."
"Without counting, sir?"
"Yes, sir, without counting."
"Well then, sir, I will tell, and make no mistake; there's _exactly as
many again as half_."
"Ha! ha! ha!" from the crowd.
"That won't do, sir. How many may be the half?"
"How many may be the half? Do you know yourself, sir?"
"Yes, sir, to be sure I do."
"Then there's no occasion for me to tell you."
"Ha! ha! ha!"
"Well then, sir," continued Melchior to Philotas, "perhaps you'll tell
how many ladies and gentlemen we may expect to honour us with their
company to-night."
"How many, sir?"
"Yes, sir, how many?"
"I'm sure I don't know," said Num, after a pause.
"Positively you are the greatest fool I ever met with," said Melchior.
"Well, he does act the fool as natural as life," observed the crowd.
"What a stupid face he does put on!"
"Perhaps you will be able to answer that question. Mr Dionysius," said
I to Tim.
"Yes, sir, I know exactly."
"Well, sir, let's hear."
"In the first place, all the pretty women will come, and all the ugly
ones stay away; and as for the men, all those who have got any money
will be certain to come; those who hav'n't, poor devils, must stay
outside."
"Suppose, sir, you make a bow to the ladies."
"A very low one, sir?"
"Yes, very low indeed."
Tim bent his body to the ground, and threw a somerset forward. "There,
sir; I bowed so low, that I came up on the other side."
"Ha! ha! capital!" from the crowd.
"I've got a round turn in my back, sir," continued Tim, rubbing himself.
"Hadn't I better take it out again?"
"By all means."
Tim threw a somerset backwards. "There, sir, all's right now. One good
turn deserves another. Now I'll be off."
"Where are you going to, sir?"
"Going sir! Why, I left my lollipop in the tinder-box, and I'm going to
fetch it."
"Ha! ha! ha!"
"Strike up, music!" and Master Jumbo commenced tumbling.
Such was the elegant wit with which we amused and attracted the
audience. Perhaps, had we been more refined, we should not have been so
successful.
That evening we had the room as full as it could hold. Signor Velotti
_alias_ Melchior astonished them. The cards appeared to obey his
commands--rings were discovered in lady's shoes--watches were beat to a
powder and made whole--canary birds flew out of eggs. The audience were
delighted. The entertainment closed with Fleta's performance on the
slack wire; and certainly never was there anything more beautiful and
graceful. Balanced on the wire in a continual, waving motion, her eyes
fixed upon a point to enable her to maintain her position, she performed
several feats, such as the playing with five oranges, balancing swords,
etcetera. Her extreme beauty--her very picturesque and becoming dress--
her mournful expression and downcast eyes--her gentle manner, appeared
to win the hearts of the audience; and when she was assisted off from
her perilous situation by Melchior and me, and made her graceful
courtesy, the plaudits were unanimous.
When the company dispersed I went to her, intending to praise her, but I
found her in tears. "What is the matter, my dear Fleta?"
"O nothing! don't say I have been crying--but I cannot bear it--so many
people looking at me. Don't say a word to Melchior--I won't cry any
more."