Though alone, he yet bravely defended himself some time against so much odds, and had still maintained his ground, if they had not wrested his sword from him in the fight: they followed him for some time along the gutters: but, favoured by the night, he at length got clear of them, and stealing along from one [1]house top to another, he made towards a light which he perceived a great distance off, and which, feeble as it was, yet served him for a lanthorn in that dangerous conjuncture. After more than once running the risk of breaking his neck, he reached the garret whence its rays proceeded, and entered it by a window, as much transported with joy as a pilot is when he finds himself and his ship safe in the harbour after a narrow escape at sea and the terrors of a tempest.
He immediately look'd around him, and much wondered he should meet with nobody in an apartment which seemed so very odd and surprising. He examined it with great attention and saw a copper lamp hanging from the ceiling books and papers in confusion on the table, spheres and compasses on the one side, phials and quadrants on the other; all which made him conclude, that under this roof lived an astrologer, who usually retired hither to make his observations. He reflected on the dangers he had by good fortune escaped, and was considering what course was the most proper for him to take, when he was interrupted by a deep sigh that broke forth very near him. He at first took it for a nocturnal illusion or imaginary phantom, proceeding from the disturbance he was in, and without interruption continued his reflections.
But being interrupted a second time in the same manner, he then took it for something real; and though he saw no soul in the room, could not help crying out, what devil is it that sighs here? It is me, Signior student, answered a voice, which had some-
- ↑ The tops of the houses in Spain are flat.
