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In this second edition of his best-selling book, Data Structures
and Algorithm Analysis in C, Mark Allen Weiss, continues to refine
and enhance his innovative approach to algorithms and data
structures. Using a C implementation, he highlights conceptual
topics, focusing on ADTs and the analysis of algorithms for
efficiency as well as performance and running time. Dr. Weiss
also distinguishes Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis in C
with the extensive use of figures and examples showing the
successive stages of an algorithm, his engaging writing style, and
a logical organization of topics.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap:

Purpose/Goals

This book describes data structures, methods of organizing large amounts of data, and algorithm
analysis, the estimation of the running time of algorithms. As computers become faster and faster,
the need for programs that can handle large amounts of input becomes more acute. Paradoxically,
this requires more careful attention to efficiency, since inefficiencies in programs become most
obvious when input sizes are large. By analyzing an algorithm before it is actually coded, students
can decide if a particular solution will be feasible. For example, in this text students look at specific
problems and see how careful implementations can reduce the time constraint for large amounts of
data from 16 years to less than a second. Therefore, no algorithm or data structure is presented
without an explanation of its running time. In some cases, minute details that affect the running time
of the implementation are explored.

Once a solution method is determined, a program must still be written. As computers have become
more powerful, the problems they must solve have become larger and more complex, requiring
development of more intricate programs. The goal of this text is to teach students good programming
and algorithm analysis skills simultaneously so that they can develop such programs with the
maximum amount of efficiency.

This book is suitable for either an advanced data structures (CS7) course or a first-year graduate
course in algorithm analysis. Students should have some knowledge of intermediate programming,
including such topics as pointers and recursion, and some background in discrete math. Approach

I believe it is important for students to learn how to program for themselves, not how to copy
programs from a book. On the other hand, it is virtually impossible to discuss realistic programming
issues without including sample code. For this reason, the book usually provides about one-half to
three-quarters of an implementation, and the student is encouraged to supply the rest. Chapter 12,
which is new to this edition, discusses additional data structures with an emphasis on
implementation details.

The algorithms in this book are presented in ANSI C, which, despite some flaws, is arguably the
most popular systems programming language. The use of C instead of Pascal allows the use of
dynamically allocated arrays (see, for instance, rehashing in Chapter 5). It also produces simplified
code in several places, usually because the and (&&) operations is short-circuited.

Most criticisms of C center on the fact that it is easy to write code that is barely readable. Some of
the more standard tricks, such as the simultaneous assignment and testing against 0 via

if (x=y)

are generally not used in the text, since the loss of clarity is compensated by only a few keystrokes
and no increased speed. I believe that this books demonstrates that unreadable code can be
avoided by exercising reasonable care.

Overview

Chapter 1 contains review material on discrete math and recursion. I believe the only way to be
comfortable with recursion is to see good uses over and over. Therefore, recursion is prevalent in
this text, with examples in every chapter except Chapter 5.

Chapter 2 deals with algorithm analysis. This chapter explains asymptotic analysis and its major
weaknesses. Many examples are provided, including an in-depth explanation of logarithms running
time. Simple recursive programs are analyzed by intuitively converting them into iterative programs.
More complicated divide-and-conquer programs are introduced, but some of the analysis (solving
recurrence relations) is implicitly delayed until Chapter 7, where it is performed in detail.
Chapter 3 covers lists, stacks, and queues. The emphasis here is on coding these data structures
using ADTs, fast implementation of these data structures, and an exposition of some of their uses.
There are almost no programs (just routines), but the exercises contain plenty of ideas for
programming assignments.

Chapter 4 covers trees, with an emphasis on search trees, including external search trees (B-trees).
The UNIX file system and expression trees are used as examples. AVL trees and splay trees are
introduced but not analyzed. Seventy-five percent of the code is written, leaving similar cases to be
completed by the student. More careful treatment of search tree implementation details is found in
Chapter 12. Additional coverage of trees, such as file compression and game trees, is deferred until
Chapter 10. Data structures for an external medium are considered as the final topic in several
chapters.

Chapter 5 is relatively short chapter concerning hash tables. Some analysis is performed, and
extendible hashing is covered at the end of the chapter.

Chapter 6 is about priority queues. Binary heaps are covered, and there is additional material on
some of the theoretically interesting implementations of priority queues. The Fibonacci heap is
discussed in Chapter 11, and the pairing heap is discussed in Chapter 12.

Chapter 7 covers sorting. It is very specific with respect to coding details and analysis. All the
important general-purpose sorting algorithms are covered and compared. Four algorithms are
analyzed in detail: insertion sort, Shellsort, heapsort, and quicksort. The analysis of the average-
case running time of heapsort is new to this edition. External sorting is covered at the end of the
chapter.

Chapter 8 discusses the disjoint set algorithm with proof of the running time. This is a short and
specific chapter that can be skipped if Kruskal's algorithm is not discussed.

Chapter 9 covers graph algorithms. Algorithms on graphs are interesting, not only because they
frequently occur in practice but also because their running time is so heavily dependent on the
proper use of data structures. Virtually all of the standard algorithms are presented along with
appropriate data structures, pseudocode, and analysis of running time. To place these problems in a
proper context, a short discussion on complexity theory (including NP-completeness and
undecidability) is provided.

Chapter 10 covers algorithm design by examining common problem-solving techniques. This

chapter is heavily fortified with examples. Pseudocode is used in these later chapters so that the
student's appreciation of an example algorithm is not obscured by implementation details.
Chapter 11 deals with amortized analysis. Three data structures from Chapters 4 and 6 and the
Fibonacci heap, introduced in this chapter, are analyzed.

Chapter 12 is new to this edition. It covers search tree algorithms, the k-d tree, and the pairing heap.
This chapter departs from the rest of the text by providing complete and careful implementations for
the search trees and pairing heap. The material is structured so that the instructor can integrate
sections into discussions from other chapters. For example, the top-down red black tree in Chapter
12 can be discussed under AVL trees (in Chapter 4).

Chapters 1-9 provide enough material for most one-semester data structures courses. If time
permits, then Chapter 10 can be covered. A graduate course on algorithm analysis could cover
Chapters 7-11. The advanced data structures analyzed in Chapter 11 can easily be referred to in the
earlier chapters. The discussion of NP-completeness in Chapter 9 is far too brief to be used in such
a course. Garey and Johnson's book on NP-completeness can be used to augment this text.

Exercises

Exercises, provided at the end of each chapter, match the order in which material is presented. The
last exercises may address the chapter as a whole rather than a specific section. Difficult exercises
are marked with an asterisk, and more challenging exercises have two asterisks.

A solutions manual containing solutions to almost all the exercises is available to instructors from the
Addison-Wesley Publishing Company.

References

References are placed at the end of each chapter. Generally the references either are historical,
representing the original source of the material, or they represent extensions and improvements to
the results given in the text. Some references represent solutions to exercises.

Code Availability

The example program code in this book is available via anonymous ftp at aw. It is also accessible
through the World Wide Web; the URL is aw/cseng/authors/weiss/dsaac2/dsaac2e.sup.html (follow
the links from there). The exact location of this material may change.

Acknowledgments

Many, many people have helped me in the preparation of books in this series. Some are listed in
other versions of the book; thanks to all.
For this edition, I would like to thank my editors at Addison-Wesley, Carter Shanklin and Susan
Hartman. Teri Hyde did another wonderful job with the production, and Matthew Harris and his staff
at Publication Services did their usual fine work putting the final pieces together.

M.A.W.
Miami, Florida
July, 1996

0201498405P04062001

About the Author:

Mark Allen Weiss is a Professor in the School of Computer Science at Florida International
University. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Princeton University where he studied
under Robert Sedgewick. Dr.Weiss has received FIU's Excellence in Research Award, as well as the
Teaching Incentive Program Award, which was established by the Florida Legislature to recognize
teaching excellence. Mark Allen Weiss is on the Advanced Placement Computer Science
Development Committee. He is the successful author of Algorithms, Data Structures, and Problem
Solving with C++ and the series Data Structures and Algorithm Ana
Other documents randomly have
different content
shew that what I had done was but to amuse my worthy master. Diverted,
however, as he was by my slights of hand, he would undoubtedly have
dismissed me his service for example’s sake, had he not apprehended that if
he abandoned me I might have been driven to the commission of some
more desperate act which would end in my utter destruction. Thus this good
prelate, compassionating my youth, retained me in his family in spite of all
my faults, that I might not be compelled to commit greater crimes
elsewhere.
 CHAP. XXVII.

Guzman continues playing his tricks at the Cardinal’s, who at length

dismisses him.
The Cardinal was certainly the best master in the world. What infinite pains
he took to make me an honest man! He would neither employ threats with
me, nor order me to be beaten, lest I should be terrified, and run away from
him; the mildness of his character prevented him from resorting to such
means. He endeavoured to inspire me with a love of virtue by gentle
remonstrances, and even by gifts. When I did any thing praise-worthy,
which indeed happened very seldom, he never failed to reward me well for
it. When he was at table, and thought I had a longing for any little tit-bit, he
would give it me, and this condescension was generally accompanied by a
little good-natured bantering. “Guzman,” said he, one day, giving me with
his own hand a piece of tart: “receive this from me as a tribute, which I pay
to preserve peace between us. The fate of Master Nicola makes me quake
for the safety of my sweetmeats.”
It was thus that he condescended to familiarize himself with his servants;
who, delighted with so kind a master, would almost have sacrificed their
lives for his sake. If servants generally dislike those masters who treat them
harshly, on the other hand, those masters, who are kind to their servants, are
always sincerely beloved.
A short time after the barrel adventure, a large chest of sweetmeats,
finely gilded, and curiously arranged in boxes, was sent to his Eminence
from Genoa. His Lordship was more than usually pleased with them, as
they came from a very dear relation, who made him a similar present every
year. The sweetmeats were exquisitely good, but being put into boxes which
were rather damp, it was necessary to place them in the sun, to take off the
moisture which the boxes had communicated to them.
The Cardinal seemed at a loss to know where they should be put to be
safe from my pilfering hands. Each of the servants gave his opinion, but
there was not one amongst them bold enough to take charge of, and to
answer for them. “Well, well,” said his Eminence, seeing me come in, (for I
had been out of the palace while this consultation was going on,) here is
Guzman, who will extricate us from this difficulty; my friend,” continued
he, “we are at a loss for a proper place to dry these sweetmeats in; for I am
excessively afraid of the rats!” “My Lord,” answered I, “nothing in the
world can be easier than to hinder the rats from touching them: you have
only to give them up to me and my companions.” “Very true,” replied the
prelate smiling; “but though this may be a very certain method to keep them
from the rats, I intend to try another, and am resolved to give them into your
keeping. Take care to expose them to the sun every day; and see that you
give a good account of them; you see what state they are in. You must
watch without ceasing for their safety, and return them exactly as they are
delivered to you, under pain of forfeiting my favor.” “Ah, my Lord!” cried I
at these words, “you know not to what trial you expose the frail Guzman; I
can guard well enough against the rats, and against the most cunning of my
companions; but I cannot indeed guard against myself. I am, alas! an
unhappy son of Eve, and if I find myself in a paradise of sweetmeats, ten to
one but some unlucky serpent may tempt me. But yet, if your Excellency
says to me, Guzman, I am content that you should eat my sweetmeats,
provided, on opening the box, that it no where appears that they have been
meddled with;—on this condition, I will take them under my care, and we
shall both be satisfied.” “I consent to it,” answered the Cardinal; “you are
dexterous enough for that, I will forgive you; but be assured, that if the theft
can be perceived, you shall be chastised.” I undertook the commission on
these terms. I opened and spread out the boxes one after another in a gallery
that was exposed to the sun; and the beauty of these sweetmeats made a
suitable impression on such a liquorish young rogue as I was. Nevertheless,
whatever longing I had to taste them, I waited until they were a little drier:
which being the case a few days afterwards, I thought of nothing but how I
should manage to pilfer part of this fine fruit with impunity: and thus Mr.
Enterprise went about it. I first shut up the boxes, which I then turned
gently upside down; and then having drawn out with the point of a knife the
nails which fastened the bottom of them, I took some sweetmeats from four
boxes only. I then carefully filled up with paper the empty spaces, and
restored the boxes to their original state. One evening as the prelate was
taking his afternoon’s repast, for it was a fast day, I told him that I thought
the sweetmeats were dry enough to be put away. “I need not ask,” answered
he with a smile, “if you have eaten a good part of them.” “At least my
Lord,” said I, “it does not appear so, if you look at them.” “We shall see,”
said he, “let some of the boxes be brought here directly.” I took three of my
companions into my room, where they were, and gave each of them one to
carry, taking a fourth myself. These four boxes were those which had
passed through my hands. I presented them to his Excellence, and asked
him if he did not think that they appeared to be well preserved. He
inspected them very narrowly, and seeing nothing to cause any suspicion,
he said to me, “I shall be perfectly satisfied if all the others have been as
well preserved as these: His curiosity was satisfied; he looked at those
boxes which I had not touched, and after a long inspection, he confessed,
“that if I had stolen any of the sweetmeats, it certainly was no where
apparent.” Upon this I ran to my room, and placing the sweetmeats, which I
had stolen, into a dish, I returned to shew them to the prelate, assuring him
at the same time, “that I had not tasted his fruit, whatever longing I had for
them, as he might easily ascertain.” I leave it to you to imagine the surprise
of the Cardinal, and of all his domestics, who looking upon me as little less
than a juggler, were more than ever on their guard against me.
We were made to study four hours a day: we were taught Latin, and even
Greek; and we employed the rest of our time in reading amusing books, and
in the instructions of the music and dancing master. Gaming, however, was
still my favorite amusement; but we served a master whose character
obliged us to be very cautious how we conducted these affairs; if he had had
the least hint of such a thing, he would most likely have made a clear house
of us all.
It was in this manner, that I spent my youth in the service of the Cardinal
where it may be said truly, that I led a very agreeable life. Nevertheless, far
from being happy, I imagined myself in cruel slavery. I was even foolish
enough to regret twenty times having quitted the society of the beggars: I
had also another cause for being tired of my situation as page: the beard on
my chin convinced me that I was no longer a child, and I burned with desire
to wear a sword.
It is time, said I, that I should begin to think of making my fortune; but
far from thinking that I was in the best house possible to forward this
design, and from following a line of conduct suitable to that idea, I devoted
myself so incessantly to the gaming table that I neglected my duty. Not
finding any one at home who would play deep enough for me, I contracted
the habit of going into the city to seek for players, men to my taste, and did
not return during the whole day. At length I carried this eagerness for play
to such lengths, that his lordship hardly ever seeing me, insisted on being
informed the reason of my being always abroad; and my companions were
obliged to communicate it to him. He was truly displeased at it. He spared
nothing to cure me of this pernicious habit; to accomplish which, he
employed remonstrances, promises, and even prayers, but unfortunately all
his pains were bestowed to no purpose.
One day, when he was discoursing about me to the principal officers of
his household, he said to them: “since all the means which I have made use
of to recal him to a sense of his duty have been hitherto useless, I will try
another method that has just occurred to me. The next fault that he commits,
he shall be sent from my palace, in order that we may see if this punishment
will make any more impression on him, than all the lectures I have given
him. I do not mean by that,” continued he, “to abandon him to want: his
usual allowance shall be given him every day, and I will take care that he
shall be informed, that I shall always be ready to take him into my service
again, when he has changed his course of life.” O excellent prelate, whose
extraordinary virtue is worthy of eternal praise!
It was not long before I furnished his excellency with an opportunity to
make trial of the new method he had thought of to correct me. Two or three
days after, I lost at play the whole of my clothes, not excepting my livery
coat, so that I had nothing remaining to cover me, except my breeches and
doublet, for which I could get no one to play. I returned to the palace in this
condition, and shut myself up in my chamber. My master seeing such an
instance of disorderly conduct, executed his design. He ordered the major-
domo to replace the clothes I had lost, and then to dismiss me. The major-
domo obeyed, and sending me away, told me that his Eminence loved me
still in spite of my faults; and that he had given orders that I should have my
meals at the palace as usual, and that he would receive me again among his
domestics, when he was persuaded that I sincerely repented of my past
course of life. Far from feeling grateful for this kindness of the holy prelate,
I was so proud, or rather so foolish, as to spurn at it: and I went out of his
house grumbling as if I had had great cause of complaint, and vowing that I
would never enter his doors again. I thought indeed that he was very wrong
to use me thus; and determined to revenge myself upon him by ruining
myself.
 CHAP. XXVIII.

Guzman enters into the service of the Spanish Ambassador.

My ridiculous pride long prevented me from perceiving the extreme folly of
my behaviour. At first I amused myself by strolling about the streets of
Rome and eating at the houses of my acquaintance, but I found that my civil
reception among them did not last long; scanty fare and gloomy looks
saluted me every where, and I was soon at a loss for a dinner. This verifies
the Spanish proverb: Live a week with your uncle or cousin, a month with
your brother, a year with your friend; but in the house of your father you
may live for life.
I soon perceived that spunging was a villainous trade, and began to
regret that I was self-exiled from the table of the cardinal’s pages; but the
fault was then irreparable, since at that time his Eminence fell sick and died.
He left to all his servants, by his will, money enough to support them
comfortably for the remainder of their lives. This circumstance drove me to
despair, as I could not forgive myself for having, by my deplorable folly,
excluded myself from the provision which would otherwise have been
made for me. I saw no other resource, but to offer my services to the
Spanish Ambassador, who had been one of the most intimate friends of my
deceased master, and knew me very well. He had also in more than one
instance given me tokens of his good will.
I had no sooner expressed my desire of entering into his service, than he
testified the utmost willingness to receive me. He had often condescended
to honor with a smile the jests and stories he had heard from me at the
palace of the cardinal. He considered me as a dexterous young fellow, and
very well adapted for his buffoon and pimp. This last honorable
employment was what he chiefly designed for me, as you will soon
perceive. But first I must depict the character of this minister.
He was chosen to conduct an embassy to Rome, at a very critical period;
this situation required a penetrating genius, and a man of great address. His
excellency perfectly justified the confidence which the king reposed in him.
But he had a foible, a little too common amongst men of rank,—that of
being too much addicted to women. But for this circumstance, he would
have been more esteemed than any other Ambassador at that court. Having,
then, judged me worthy to have the management of his intrigues, he began
to inform me of his virtuous intentions. Then, that I might give him a
specimen of my abilities, he employed me in some trifling messages of
gallantry, in which I had the good fortune to acquit myself to his entire
satisfaction. This coup d’essai was followed by two or three commissions of
the same nature, though of somewhat more difficulty, which were
conducted with equal success. Nothing more was necessary to establish me
perfectly in his good graces, and he conceived such a friendship for me that
I soon became his favorite page. From this moment Signor Guzman was all
in all in his master’s house. I did as I pleased, and every thing that I did was
well done. The other domestics did not see my growing greatness without
envy, especially those of longest standing; some called me my master’s
buffoon, and some his pimp in ordinary. Nevertheless I did not presume
upon the favor of the Ambassador, and was so far from doing these spiteful
gentry any ill offices with his excellency, that I gladly seized every
opportunity of serving them, in consequence of which they forbore to shew
me any particular mark of their ill will, and we lived together on pretty
tolerable terms.
While I was with the Ambassador, I did not disgrace the reputation I had
acquired on account of my frolics at the palace of the Cardinal, and I was
not very sparing of my tricks, as there could not be any place in the world
that could open a wider field for them than the house of my new master.
Parasites often came in at dinner time. My fellow pages and I were not at a
loss to distinguish them from respectable people whom my master was
really happy to see at his table. We took care to be very attentive to the
latter, but as for the spungers who were most of them mere adventurers,
they had but scurvy commons, which diverted the Ambassador exceedingly.
One was suffered to ask in vain for drink during the whole meal; it was of
no use to make signs, we pretended not to understand them. Another had his
glass handed to him half full, and the glass shaped in such a fashion, that
half the liquor would remain in the glass; which only tantalized his thirst.
Another was served with water prepared of a red colour.—If a dainty
morsel was carved for any one of these gentry, we changed his plate so
quickly that the poor devil had scarcely time to taste it. In a word, we did
every thing in our power to drive them all from his Excellency’s table, and
were sometimes lucky enough to succeed.
 Among the adventurers who were drawn together by the savory fumes
which proceeded from our kitchen, there was a foreigner who surpassed all
the others in impudence. He affirmed himself to be a relation of the
Ambassador, though his manners were as opposite as possible to those of a
man of quality. His brazen impudence was his only introduction, and in
spite of the frozen reception he met with from his Excellency, he
assiduously pestered him with his company at dinner. He did nothing but
boast of himself and of his country:—the politeness of his countrymen,—
their civilities to strangers, and their honesty, were topics of which he was
never tired. As for the women, the wives were all Lucretias and the
daughters Vestal Virgins. I should never have done if I were to repeat all the
praises which he heaped upon the people of his own country: at last he
wearied all the company with his foolish discourse, but especially my
master, who being quite out of patience, said to me one day in Castilian,
which this blade did not understand; “You know not, Guzman, how weary I
am of this fellow’s rhodomontade.”
It may be supposed that this hint was not lost upon a page who was
neither deaf nor a fool. I understood well enough that this troublesome
personage must absolutely be got rid of. To accomplish this end, I posted
myself behind his chair at dinner, and whenever he asked for drink, which
happened almost every minute, I took a very large glass which I filled to the
brim with so strong a sort of wine that it could not fail to intoxicate him
speedily; when I saw that this was effected, I tied one of his legs to his own
chair with a piece of silk twist, without any of the guests perceiving what I
did. When dinner was ended, the Ambassador rose, and the company
followed his example, but when my gentleman would have done the same,
he and the chair had such a heavy fall together, that I am much mistaken if
his nose and jaws did not rue the circumstance for a long time afterwards. I
pretended to help him up and gently untied the string. Nevertheless, in spite
of all the wine that he had drank, he perceived that every body laughed at
his expense, and suspecting the cause of his disaster, he went away in a rage
and never came again: which pleased his Excellency beyond measure, that
he had so easily got rid of such a troublesome guest.
Having thus driven this spunger from the field, my companions and I
next undertook the discomfiture of the others, but we found some who were
not to be so easily disposed of. Amongst others, there was a Spanish bully,
who called himself a gentleman of Cordova. He came one day about dinner
time, and saluted his Excellency the Ambassador very ceremoniously,
informing him that he was in pecuniary distress, and that his pressing
necessity obliged him to disclose his situation.
My master, who easily understood the drift of all this harangue, took out
a purse of pistoles, which he gave him unopened, and bowing politely,
turned away from him; but the Cordovan, far from retiring upon this hint,
followed him closely, and began talking of the dangers he had gone
through, and at last had the effrontery to take a seat next to his Excellency
at the table. “I hope,” said he, “your Excellency will not be offended at the
liberty I am taking, but even if I was not a gentleman of family, my having
served in his Majesty’s army, is sufficient to entitle me to the honor of
eating with Princes. Besides,” added he, “the table of a Nobleman of your
reputation, should always be open to Officers whose services have not met
with a merited recompense.”
After this fine speech, he fell to on the dish nearest him, with the greatest
avidity. He ate like a half starved glutton as he was. Then looking at me,
who was nearest to him, he beckoned to me five or six times to bring him
some wine; but unluckily for my gentleman, instead of paying any attention
to his signs, I pretended that I did not observe them.
If he thought at first this neglect arose from carelessness or stupidity, he
was soon undeceived, and perceived my roguish malice plain enough.
“Page,” said he to me, in a loud voice, “have you been ordered to let me die
with thirst?” Upon this, my master, who had no small inclination to laugh at
this scene, nodded to me to serve this adventurer; but I took good care to
give him one of the smallest glasses, and was even spiteful enough to hand
it him half empty.
Just as this happened, and when I was carrying back the salver to the
sideboard, there entered two other parasites whom I knew, by having
frequently seen them at the Ambassador’s table. Not being able to find any
vacant seats, they began to examine the guests, and particularly the
pretended noble of Cordova, and as they seemed to me to regard him with
an air of contempt, my curiosity was excited. I approached the new comers,
and asked them if the gentleman whom they examined so attentively, was
one of their acquaintance.
“Gentleman indeed!” cried one of the two; “surely you are jesting, my
friend; learn that this fellow who is now filling at that table the seat which is
only for respectable men, and whom you think to be of noble blood, is the
son of a man who has often made boots for me, and who keeps a shop near
the cathedral church of Cordova.” “If he comes in my way,” said the other,
“I shall tell him something more than he will like to hear.” Speaking thus,
these braggadocios looked very big, twisted their mustachios, and retreated
together into the court yard to consider what steps they should next take.
When they had been there a short time, I went out and joined them:
“Gentlemen,” said I, “this man whom you despise so much, affirms that you
are a couple of despicable fellows, and says he is surprised at your
impudence in daring to intrude yourselves here. If you will wait till he has
dined, he will come and tell you more himself.” “Let him come; let him
come;” cried they both together: “we will let him know whom he has to
deal with.” Having thus enraged them against the Officer of Cordova, I
returned to the latter, and in a whisper loud enough to be heard by the whole
company, informed him that there were two gentlemen below, who wanted
a moment’s conversation with him. “Let them have patience,” answered he;
“I shall not quit his Excellency while he is at table.” “They affirm,” added I,
“that you have announced yourself falsely as a cavalier of noble birth, and
that you are but the son of a cobbler.” “Heaven and earth,” cried he, with a
furious aspect, “can there be any one so tired of his life as to dare to talk in
this manner of a man like me? where are these scoundrels?” continued he,
rising from table, “where are they? their ears at least shall pay for their
temerity.” “You have but to follow me,” said I, “and I will bring you to
them instantly.” At these words I took him by the arm, and led him out of
the room, though he seemed to have but little desire to quit it.
Immediately the Ambassador and the company hastened to the windows
which looked into the court yard, to see the termination of the quarrel which
I had contrived to stir up between these three bullies. “Gentlemen,” said I to
the two who were walking the court, “here is the person whose father, if
you are to be believed, is a Cordovan shoemaker.” “Let him thank his
stars,” cried they, “that our hands are tied by the respect we owe to this
palace, which we consider as belonging to the King of Spain.” Seeing the
officer in such a panic that he could not utter a single syllable, I took up his
cause. “Gentlemen,” said I, “this cavalier will go out directly if you wish it,
and is ready to terminate his dispute with you in the street.” “No, no,”
answered they, retreating with the utmost precipitation, “we shall take
another opportunity to meet him.” Their retreat brought back the courage of
our gallant, who pretended to treat them as cowards. He himself, therefore,
went out a moment after them, but took care to choose a different road. The
Ambassador and his guests were infinitely diverted with this ridiculous
adventure, and a thousand witty things were said at their return to table, at
the expense of our three adventurers. After dinner every one retired, whilst
his Excellency withdrew to his chamber to enjoy his afternoon’s nap.
 CHAP. XXIX.

Of the Trick that Guzman played upon a Captain and a Lawyer, who came
to dine at the Ambassador’s without having been invited.
Nothing afforded my master more pleasure than seeing his genteel
acquaintance at his table; and he was often willing even to tolerate
parasites, provided their wit compensated for their entertainment; but he
was always much vexed at the appearance of the latter, when it so happened
that he had a select party to dine with him. This being the case, you may
well conceive that it was not without considerable pain that he saw two of
these hangers-on enter his room one day, when he expected the French
Ambassador and other persons of distinction to dine with him. One of these
was a Captain, and the other a Lawyer, neither of whom wanted merit in his
own line, but as they could talk on no other subject but their respective
professions, they had become quite a nuisance in the house.
The Ambassador could not help bowing as he saw them enter, of which,
however, they took not the slightest notice; and so far from taking their
leave after this cold reception, they seemed determined to stay, and joined
the rest of the company accordingly. My master looked at me, and I
understood in an instant that it would not displease him if I could in any
way divert the company at the expense of these gentlemen. Thus then I set
about it.
You must be informed, in the first place, that the Lawyer, who was a
grave, formal man, had a pair of huge whiskers, of which he took such
particular care, that he scarcely dared even to smile for fear of
discomposing them. I observed that he often took a sly peep at them with
great delight, in a little mirror which he drew out of his pocket with his
handkerchief, pretending all the while to be blowing his nose. Having taken
particular notice of this manœuvre of his, I waited patiently until the dessert
was placed on the table, when the conversation becoming lively, I soon had
an opportunity of putting my plan in execution. I then went up to the
Captain and whispered something to him which made him laugh. He
answered me in the same tone, and so I continued laughing and whispering
with him for a considerable time, always taking pains to look at the Lawyer,
to make him think that we were talking of him. At length, when I thought it
was time, I assumed a more serious air, and said aloud, as if still continuing
the conversation, “No, no, Captain, I am your most humble servant, but I
protest I can take no part in this joke, the respect that I owe my master, and
his friend the Lawyer, will not permit me to take such a liberty.”
“What’s the matter, Guzman?” said my master, hearing this. “Truly, sir,”
answered I, “the Captain can tell you better than I. He has been cracking
jokes upon the Lawyer’s whiskers for some time past, and now wishes me
to amuse the company with them.” “Come, come, Guzman,” said the
French Ambassador, “let us know the whole of it.” “Since my master and
you command it,” said I, “it is my duty to tell you. The Captain has been
informing me that Mr. Lawyer keeps a wench to comb and dye his whiskers
every morning, that they may not turn grey, and always sleeps on his back
for fear of rumpling them. In short he has been amusing me on this subject
for this quarter of an hour, trying to persuade me to repeat the jokes as
though they were of my own invention; but it is not for a boy like me to
rally so venerable a personage in this manner.”
The Captain, instead of denying what I asserted, laughed heartily, and all
the company followed his example, without knowing whether I spoke truth
or falsehood. The Lawyer hesitated for some moments how to take the joke;
but not being able any longer to withstand the noble Captain’s immoderate
laughter, “Rascal,” said he, in a rage, “you have good cause, truly, to rally
me upon my age, you who boast of your services under Charles V. whom
you never saw but in a picture! But I degrade myself by putting myself in
comparison with a man of your stamp.” “Very fine, Mr. Lawyer,”
interrupted the Captain, growing warm, “you forget the company we are in.
Were I not more reasonable than you,”——“More reasonable!” cried the
Lawyer in his turn, “why there is not a greater fool on the face of the earth.”
The Captain had now entirely lost all temper, and would doubtless have
answered his friend the Lawyer by throwing one of the plates at his head,
had not the company interfered, and appeased them both. Neither of them,
however, ventured to come to the house again; and thus I freed my master
of two other most troublesome guests.
 CHAP. XXX.

The Ambassador falls in love with a Roman Lady; Guzman undertakes to

assist him in his amour; his success.
I have already informed you, gentle reader, that the only blemish in the
character of the Ambassador was his libertine principles respecting the fair
sex. He had seen, though by what accident I never knew, the wife of a
Roman knight, and speedily became violently enamoured of her. He had
already put an old beldame on the scent, who was trained to the seduction
of young women, but, however dextrous his agent might be, all her pains
and exertions had hitherto proved useless, and my master was driven to
despair. At last he opened his mind to me, and expressed the more surprise
at Fabia’s withstanding his advances, as this lady, in the flower of her
youth, was united to a husband who had all the disagreeable infirmities of
old age. The design of this confidence was to engage me to assist him in
this intrigue; which he had but little difficulty to accomplish. I undertook
this honorable employment which my master conferred upon me, and on
my informing him that I was particularly intimate with the waiting-maid of
that lady, he conceived the most flattering hopes. He could not contain his
joy on learning this circumstance; but embraced me, and said, that having
her attendant and myself in his interest, he did not doubt that with our
assistance he should, sooner or later, obtain the object of his desires. In the
next conversation that I had with Nicoleta (which was the name of the
lady’s maid) I contrived to engage her in my master’s favor. She spared no
pains to ingratiate him with her mistress, by taking every opportunity of
praising him, and of saying something in disparagement of the old husband.
Nevertheless, after losing a great deal of time in attacking Fabia’s virtue by
every sort of discourse the most likely to stagger it, she began to despair of
success, when one morning that lady, putting on of a sudden a smiling air,
said to her, “My dear Nicoleta, I will unfold to you the inmost recesses of
my soul; I can no longer dissemble with you, so wholly devoted as you are
to all my wishes. Learn then that I think the Spanish Ambassador every way
worthy of the love of a woman of quality. I can no longer continue to treat
him so harshly. But you know my character; you know that I am a slave to
reputation. Find out some method to compromise my inclination for him
with my delicacy, and if you can discover one that proves satisfactory, I
shall no longer make any scruple of returning the passion of this amiable
Nobleman. I allow you to divulge every thing to Guzman, and even wish
that he may, if possible, be introduced to me to-night. You can bring him
into the house secretly, and I shall be able to converse with him without
discovery.” Nicoleta, who was transported with joy to see her mistress so
favorably inclined towards my master, embraced her knees, kissed her
hands, and acted a thousand fooleries before her, which testified her rapture.
Then, in the hope of strengthening her resolution, she began to boast of the
good qualities of the Ambassador; and concluded by assuring her that the
intrigue should be conducted in so prudent a manner that no one living
should have the slightest suspicion of it. Satisfied with these assurances,
Fabia told her that she would leave every thing to her zeal and discretion.
Upon this, Nicoleta came to seek for me, and, as if the excess of her joy
had almost deprived her of her senses, she threw her arms round my neck,
crying out, “My dear friend, you will be transported at the agreeable news I
bring you: my mistress resists no longer, but is willing to make your master
the happiest of men.” I was so delighted at hearing these words, which I
little expected, that I took Nicoleta by the hand, and led her like a
triumphant general into my master’s closet, where we began to congratulate
ourselves on the change that we had wrought in Fabia. His Excellency
presented a purse of Spanish pistoles to the waiting-woman, who received
them with a very good grace, after a little ceremonious reluctance, as is
usual upon such occasions.
This officious agent at length retired, after she had carefully instructed
me concerning the place where I was to meet her that night, and the hour of
rendezvous when I was to be introduced to Fabia; and my master and I were
left alone. We passed the whole afternoon in conversation on this intrigue,
he relating to me how he first obtained a sight of the lady, and I
congratulating him on his having made so agreeable an acquaintance.
At the appointed hour I hastened to the rendezvous, at the place fixed
upon by Nicoleta, who came at last to inform me that her mistress could not
see me that night, and this disappointment happened for three or four nights
following. My patron and I did not augur very favorably from this
beginning; nevertheless we did not totally despair; and, at last, one night the
confidante informed me, through a small window on the ground-floor, that
in a few minutes she could introduce me to her mistress.
 You must know that the passage in which I stood was extremely muddy,
and it poured with rain so as to wet me to the skin. I bore all this for two
hours with a patience which nothing but my extreme zeal and attachment
for my master could have inspired. At length I heard Nicoleta call me. I
obeyed her summons instantly, and was led by her through a little door,
which was shut to again as softly as it was opened. “Guzman,” said she, “I
will just run and let Fabia know that you are here, and she will be with you
in an instant.” The voice of my charmer soon made me forget my late
wetting, and I thought of nothing but the happy moment in which I should
behold the lady who had so captivated my master, and the extreme joy with
which I should acquaint him that I had been so happy as to obtain an
interview. It was not long before Fabia really came with her maid.
“Nicoleta,” said she, “while I am conversing with Signor Guzman, do you
watch my husband’s chamber, and should he perchance ask for me, lose no
time in letting me know.”
It is impossible for me to tell you whether Fabia was in reality beautiful
or ugly, for she had thought proper to receive me in the dark, so that I could
not even see her face. In a low voice she began by inquiring anxiously after
my health. I followed her example, and added the finest compliment I could
think of in behalf of my master, whom I represented as dying for love of
her; notwithstanding which, it appeared to me that she paid but little
attention to what I was saying, for she constantly interrupted me in the most
pathetic parts of my speech. At length she said, “Signor Guzman, I trust you
will excuse me if I do not listen to you in the manner you deserve; but I am
extremely alarmed lest some of my husband’s spies should overhear our
conversation. Walk on a little way,” continued she, “and you will enter a
parlour, where I entreat you will wait for me; meantime, I will just see that
all is right in the house, and shall soon be with you again. Be sure you make
no noise.”
I was weak enough to believe what she said, and groped my way
forward, as if I had been playing at blindman’s buff. But instead of reaching
a parlour, I found myself in a back yard, the pavement of which was so dirty
and slippery, that after a few steps I rolled into a heap of mud, and, in rising
again, struck my head with such violence against a wall hard by, that I lay
for some time without sense or motion. Having, however, somewhat
recovered of this shock, I groped very carefully along the wall in search of
the parlour I had been directed to, and at last entered at a little door which I
found open, confident that I must then be right. Again I was mistaken, and
had the consolation to find myself in a narrow passage, which was not six
feet in length, on each side of which were two drains from the house-top,
and as it still continued pouring with rain, they had so inundated this spot,
that I found myself on a sudden up to my knees in water. I ran back
instantly, in the hope of retreating as I had entered, but the door was no
longer open. Either the wind had blown it to, or some one, who had
followed me close behind all the while, which indeed is more probable, had
served me this trick. Be that as it may, I found myself obliged to make up
my mind to pass the night in this swamp, where, as soon as I ran from one
drain which was pouring upon my head, I found myself saluted by the other.
“Out of the frying-pan into the fire,” muttered I to myself. “Oh, night,
almost as dreadful as that in which I was confined under a tub, or tossed by
devils in a blanket!”
Disagreeable, however, as my present reflections were, they were
nothing in comparison with those with which I awaited the morning.
“Wretched Guzman,” said I, “thou art at last then fairly entrapped! Fabia’s
husband will doubtless inquire your business here the first thing in the
morning. And what answer can you make? If you should tell the truth, for
the first time in your life, you will make your master and yourself the
common talk of Rome. What answer can you make then, but that Nicoleta
had invited you, and that you were under a promise to marry her? And even
should they oblige you to keep your word, this misfortune would be
preferable to having all your bones broken to make you confess the truth.
But who knows that they will even ask me a single question? Perhaps
murder and bury me on the spot. Nothing can be too bad to fear from a
jealous Italian husband.”
With these frightful thoughts was I haunted until break of day, when I
fancied, all of a sudden, that I heard the yard-door being softly opened, and
I flattered myself, at first, that it must be either the waiting-woman or her
mistress come out of compassion to deliver me from my confinement; but
nothing was less in their thoughts. The door, however, was certainly open,
though I could see nobody who could possibly have opened it. I soon found
myself again in the yard which I had passed through overnight, and having
pushed open another door which was only on the latch, I reached the spot
where the confidante had conversed with me, and looking up at the window
through which she had spoken to me, I thanked Heaven that I had escaped
so easily. I returned quickly to my master’s house, and threw myself upon
my bed, wrapped up warmly in the bed-clothes, not without serious
apprehensions of a most violent cold.
 CHAP. XXXI.

Guzman’s adventure with a large Hog, and its consequences.

My mind being too much agitated to allow me to sleep, I could not close
my eyes; all my thoughts were engrossed by the adventure which had just
happened to me. I attributed every thing to the vengeance of Fabia, whom I
concluded to be a miracle of chastity, and judged that in order to undeceive
the Ambassador, she had given his envoy this gallant reception. But I knew
that this affair would raise a laugh with every body at my expense, and this
vexed me more than all the rest. I was also at a loss to know in what way I
should inform my master of the story, which sooner or later I was sure must
come to his knowledge.
When the warmth of the bed had again put my half stagnated blood into
circulation, I put on another suit of clothes in the place of that which the
rain had honored with so fine a trimming, and presented myself before the
Ambassador as though nothing had happened. I waited until he should
question me, as he always did after he had finished dinner. He called me
into his closet, when he said to me: “What is the reason Guzman of my not
having seen you this morning? I expected you to give me an account of
what took place last night at Fabia’s house. I am afraid you have but
indifferent news to tell me.” “It is true, my lord,” answered I, “that my news
is not the best in the world. I know not what to think of Fabia. I passed the
whole of the night in the street, without hearing from or seeing either the
lady or the maid. Would to heaven that you had never undertaken this
affair!” “How comes it Guzman,” replied he, “that you are so soon
discouraged? some unseasonable mischance perhaps has prevented Fabia
from seeing you as she designed, and of which the maid might have been
unable to inform you. Do not be disheartened, however, but return to-night
to the same place where you waited for Nicoleta before.” I promised my
master faithfully to obey his commands. A groom met me as I came out of
his Excellency’s closet, and brought me a letter from a lady, he said, who
had desired him to deliver it to me. ’Twas from the waiting maid. She was
very much surprised, she informed me, that I had not seen her yet to
communicate what passed last night between her mistress and myself;
however, that I might make amends for my fault, I had only to repair
towards evening to the lane behind Fabia’s house, where we could enjoy a
private conversation through the well known little window. My hopes were
raised on the perusal of this billet. At six in the evening I took care to be in
the lane, which as I have already remarked was extremely narrow, and filled
every where with mud up to one’s ancles. My dulcinea was waiting for me
at the window, and at first began to reproach me sharply; but her tone was
soon changed on my making an exact recital of what I had suffered, and she
began to condole with me on my accident. The trick her mistress had put
upon me seemed to excite in her the utmost surprise, and in spite of my
prejudice against her, she almost persuaded me that she had no share in it.
During this conversation, in order to shew my politeness and get nearer the
window, I had raised myself up by standing on two stones, which exposed
me to a new misfortune which my kickless fate inflicted upon me, as will
appear in the sequel. While I was engrossed by the conversation, and
thinking of nothing less than of the accident that was about to befal me, a
cursed hog, of monstrous size, and covered with filth, rushed out of his sty,
and ran between my legs, in so furious a manner, that he fairly carried me
off on his back.
You may easily imagine the fine entertainment it afforded the spectators,
who were but too numerous, as that part is generally filled with people, to
see a man of my figure and dress gallop at full speed out of such a filthy
place, mounted on an immense hog, grunting in the most horrid manner
imaginable, covered with mud from head to foot, and clinging most
lovingly to his neck, for fear I should break an arm or a leg against the wall,
my hat and fine plume of feathers the devil knew where, as they had fallen
off into the mud; all this I say, presented the passengers with a scene so
comical, that they laughed, shouted, and made so much noise, that my
accursed Bucephalus became more furious than ever. At last, not relishing
the ardour with which I embraced him, he gave so violent a plunge, that he
quickly got rid of his troublesome rider, for whom he took care to choose a
soft bed after so fatiguing an exercise, as he deposited me in the very
muddiest place possible: just at the entrance of the Square Navonne.
Heavens! what a hue and cry was raised after me; an infinite number of all
sorts of people surrounded me, and insulted my misfortune by a thousand
scurvy witticisms, which I suffered in silence; overcome by shame and
confusion, I thought of nothing but escaping into some house, and at last
took shelter in one which seemed likely to afford me an asylum. I ran in,
and slammed the door in the face of the scoundrels who hunted me so
unmercifully. They did nothing but cry to the people of the house to turn me
out again; and any one, to see their fury in persecuting me, would have
concluded that I had committed some enormous crime which had brought
on me this exemplary punishment. To crown my misfortune, the master of
the house in which I had taken refuge, did not seem much inclined to take
my part against the insolent rabble. As he was a jealous old fellow, and took
every shadow for a gallant, he took it into his wise head to fancy that the
lamentable pickle in which I entered his house was nothing but a trick I had
made use of to cover the delivering of some amorous message. Filled with
this preposterous idea, he attacked me with the most vehement language,
and, seconded by his domestics, who followed his example, he kicked me
out of his house, after their fists had bestowed on me a very sound
drubbing. Behold me then a second time delivered into the power of these
merciless jesters, who running after me as fast as I ran from them, renewed
their jokes and insults. I had invoked every Saint in the Calendar, when
Heaven taking pity upon me, sent to my assistance a young Spaniard, who
kindly offered me his services, and those of three or four Italians who
accompanied him. With their assistance (of which Heaven knows I stood in
need), I escaped from my persecutors, while the Spaniard and his
companions making use of the flat side of their swords, soon put them to
flight. I made all the speed possible towards our Hotel, caring little for the
snarling dogs that snapped at my heels in every street I ran through. At last I
was lucky enough to reach home safe and sound, excepting a few bruises. I
was even so fortunate as to reach my chamber door without meeting with a
soul; but in vain did I search my pockets over and over again,—no key
could I find, and I concluded that as I drew out my handkerchief to wipe my
face, I had let it fall in the house where I had so unluckily taken refuge.
“Ah! miserable wretch,” cried I to myself, “to what purpose have you
extricated yourself from this embarrassment, if you cannot conceal it from
the servants of the Ambassador? if any one should perceive you in your
present pickle, he will inform the others, and you will become the jest of the
house for months to come.” At last, after a long deliberation, I resolved to
implore the assistance of one of my comrades, whose room was next to
mine, and who had professed a great deal of good-will towards me. I went
and rapped at the door of his room. He opened it, but seeing me so finely
decorated, could not refrain from a roar of laughter, which burst from him
in spite of his teeth. I was compelled to bear it all with patience. “My good
friend,” said I, “when you have indulged your mirth sufficiently, I will
request that you will do me the favor to go and fetch a locksmith to open
my chamber door.” “I will go directly,” answered he, “but first do gratify
my curiosity; tell me how this accident happened to you, I promise you
never to reveal it to any living soul.” To get rid of so inquisitive a man, I
invented and told him a story, in which there was not one word of truth: and
as soon as I had finished, begged of him to go for the smith. It was with the
utmost unwillingness that he left me in his chamber, he was so
apprehensive that I should soil his furniture, that tired as I was, he obliged
me to promise, in the most solemn manner, that I would not approach it, but
that I would stand up at a distance until his return. Fortunately for me he
returned in a very short time with a locksmith, who opened my door in a
twinkling, and I made all the haste possible to change my clothes and linen,
and thoroughly wash my face and hands of the filth that covered them.
I had scarcely got rid of my muddy decoration, when I was informed that
the Ambassador wanted to speak to me. He had already heard the
catastrophe of the hog. In the houses of men of rank, there are always
servants who are ready enough to pay court to their masters by betraying
their fellows. But my master had heard a very inaccurate account of this
adventure. So he directly inquired of me how the accident happened, and
whether it might not be attributed to the revenge of the husband of Fabia. I
was delighted at his giving me himself so fine an opportunity for inventing
a lie. I told him that two tall stout lubbers of footmen, having observed me
talking to Nicoleta in the lane, had thought proper to begin joking me on the
subject; that I had answered them; that from words we proceeded to blows,
and that in all probability I should have killed one of them at least, had it
not happened fortunately for him, that a hog rushed furiously out of an
inclosure near the spot, which running against me had thrown me into the
mud; and that when I sprang up again to renew the engagement, my
enemies had taken to their heels in the most cowardly manner. His
Excellency was completely duped by this bragging recital. But though for
that evening he was imposed upon, the very next morning he learnt the
whole truth, and at dinner time I did not fail to hear of it. He bantered me
pretty severely on my encounter with the footmen, and honored me with the
title of “The Knight of the Hog.” I should have been the first to laugh at his
jests if we had been by ourselves, but the other servants were present, and
of course highly delighted to see me so jeered by my master, as they
augured from that circumstance, that I should soon cease to be his favorite.
Another circumstance still more vexatious occurred shortly after; one of the
Ambassador’s friends (who was consequently one of my enemies), waited
upon him, to communicate, as he said, a very important affair. My master
requested him to explain himself, which he did in these words, or at least in
terms of the same import: “The warm interest I take in every thing that
concerns you, compels me to inform you of a report which is circulated in
Rome, very much to your disadvantage. Guzman, whose conduct is really
very bad, passes for the agent of your pleasures. The adventure of the hog is
become the general topic of conversation, and scandal has gone so far as to
assert that Guzman was employed in the execution of some love embassy
when he became the sport of the populace.”
It may be conceived that these words made a very great impression on
the mind of such a man as the Ambassador, who knew so well what became
the dignity of his character and the honor of the Prince whom he
represented. From that moment he resolved to get rid of me; and though at
that time he took no notice of it, and behaved towards me as usual, I knew
him too well, not to perceive that he dissembled, and what turn my affairs
were likely to take in that quarter. The season of Lent, which now
approached, furnished him with a plausible pretext to put in practice the
design he had formed of estranging me more from his person.
He said “that he was resolved to quit his course of dissipation and
libertinism, and live a more regular life. I will even confess to you,” added
he, “that I have abandoned my designs on Fabia. My reason is restored. I
see the great impropriety I committed in attempting the seduction of that
lady; her husband is one of the first men in Rome, and I shall never cease to
reproach myself with having meditated the dishonor of his wife.” He
discoursed with me frequently in this style, and I pretended to believe him. I
did more, I applauded his resolution, and in my turn counterfeited the
repentant sinner; telling him, that I would follow his example. In fact, I
altered my conduct, and made all kinds of hypocritical grimaces, to induce
the servants, and particularly my master, to think that I had abandoned love
intrigues for ever.