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+Project Gutenberg’s The Two Captains, by Friedrich de La Motte-Fouque
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Two Captains
+
+Author: Friedrich de La Motte-Fouque
+
+Posting Date: December 3, 2008 [EBook #2826]
+Release Date: September, 2001
+Last Updated: October 14, 2016
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TWO CAPTAINS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Sandra Laythorpe
+
+
+
+
+
+THE TWO CAPTAINS.
+
+By Friedrich Heinrich Karl, Freiherr de La Motte-Fouque
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+
+A Mild summer evening was resting on the shores of Malaga, awakening the
+guitar of many a merry singer among the ships in the harbor, and in
+the city houses, and in many an ornamental garden villa. Emulating
+the voices of the birds, the melodious tones greeted the refreshing
+coolness, and floated like perfumed exhalations from meadow and water,
+over the enchanting region. Some troops of infantry who were on the
+shore, and who purposed to spend the night there, that they might be
+ready for embarkation early on the following morning, forgot amid the
+charms of the pleasant eventide that they ought to devote these last few
+hours on European soil to ease and slumber; they began to sing military
+songs, to drink to each other with their flasks filled to the brim with
+the rich wine of Xeres, toasting to the long life of the mighty Emperor
+Charles V., who was now besieging the pirate-nest Tunis, and to whose
+assistance they were about to sail. The merry soldiers were not all
+of one race. Only two companies consisted of Spaniards; the third
+was formed of pure Germans, and now and then among the various
+fellow-combatants the difference of manners and language had given
+rise to much bantering. Now, however, the fellowship of the approaching
+sea-voyage and of the glorious perils to be shared, as well as the
+refreshing feeling which the soft southern evening poured over soul and
+sense, united the band of comrades in perfect and undisturbed harmony.
+The Germans tried to speak Castilian, and the Spaniards to speak German,
+without its occurring to any one to make a fuss about the mistakes and
+confusions that happened. They mutually helped each other, thinking of
+nothing else but the good-will of their companions, each drawing near to
+his fellow by means of his own language.
+
+Somewhat apart from the merry tumult, a young German captain, Sir
+Heimbert of Waldhausen, was reclining under a cork-tree, gazing
+earnestly up at the stars, apparently in a very different mood to the
+fresh, merry sociability which his comrades knew and loved in him.
+Presently the Spanish captain, Don Fadrique Mendez, approached him;
+he was a youth like the other, and was equally skilled in martial
+exercises, but he was generally as austere and thoughtful as Heimbert
+was cheerful and gentle. “Pardon, Senor,” began the solemn Spaniard, “if
+I disturb you in your meditations. But as I have had the honor of often
+seeing you as a courageous warrior and faithful brother in amrs in many
+a hot encounter, I would gladly solicit you above all others to do me
+a knightly service, if it does not interfere with your own plans and
+projects for this night.” “Dear sir,” returned Heimbert courteously, “I
+have certainly an affair of importance to attend to before sunrise,
+but till midnight I am perfectly free, and ready to render you any
+assistance as a brother in aims.” “Enough,” said Fadrique, “for at
+midnight the tones must long have ceased with which I shall have taken
+farewell of the dearest being I have ever known in this my native city.
+But that you may be as fully acquainted with the whole affair as behoves
+a noble companion, listen to me attentively for a few moments.
+
+“Some time before I left Malaga to join the army of our great emperor
+and to aid in spreading the glory of his arms through Italy, I was
+devoted, after the fashion of young knights, to the service of a
+beautiful girl in this city, named Lucila. She had at that time scarcely
+reached the period which separates childhood from ripe maidenhood, and
+as I--a boy only just capable of bearing arms--offered my homage with a
+childlike, friendly feeling, it was also received by my young mistress
+in a similar childlike manner. I marched at length to Italy, and as you
+yourself know, for we have been companions since then, I was in many a
+hot fight and in many an enchantingly alluring region in that luxurious
+land. Amid all our changes, I held unalterably within me the image of my
+gentle mistress, never pausing in the honorable service I had vowed to
+her, although I cannot conceal from you that in so doing it was rather
+to fulfil the word I had pledged at my departure than from any impelling
+and immoderately ardent feeling in my heart. When we returned to my
+native city from our foreign wanderings, a few weeks ago, I found my
+mistress married to a rich and noble knight residing here. Fiercer
+far than love had been was the jealousy--that almost almighty child of
+heaven and hell--which now spurred me on to follow Lucila’s steps,
+from her home to the church, from thence to the house of a friend, from
+thence again to her home or to some noble circle of knights and ladies,
+and all this as unweariedly and as closely as was possible. When I had
+at length assured myself that no other young knight attended her, and
+that she devoted herself entirely to the husband chosen for her by her
+parents rather than desired by herself, I felt perfectly satisfied, and
+I should not have troubled you at this moment had not Lucila approached
+me the day before yesterday and whispered in my ear that I must not
+provoke her husband, for he was very passionate and bold; that not the
+slightest danger threatened her in the matter, because he loved and
+honored her above everything, but that his wrath would vent itself
+all the more furiously upon me. You can readily understand, my noble
+comrade, that I could not help proving my contempt of all personal
+danger by following Lucila more closely than ever, and singing nightly
+serenades beneath her flower-decked windows till the morning star began
+to be reflected in the sea. This very night Lucila’s husband sets out
+at midnight for Madrid, and from that hour I will in every way avoid
+the street in which they live; until then, however, as soon as it
+is sufficiently dark to be suitable for a serenade, I will have
+love-romances unceasingly sang before his house. It is true I have
+information that not only he but Lucila’s brothers are really to enter
+upon a quarrel with me, and it is for this reason, Senor, that I have
+requested you to bear me company with your good sword in this short
+expedition.”
+
+Heimbert seized the Spaniard’s hand as a pledge of his readiness, saying
+as he did so, “To show you, dear sir, how gladly I will do what you
+desire of me, I will requite your confidence with confidence, and will
+relate a little incident which occurred to me in this city, and will beg
+you after midnight also to render me a small service. My story is short,
+and will not detain us longer than we must wait before the twilight has
+become deeper and more gloomy.
+
+“On the day after we arrived here I amused myself with walking in the
+beautiful gardens with which the place abounds. I have now been long
+in these southern lands, but I cannot but believe that the dreams which
+transport me nightly back to my German home are the cause for my feeling
+everything here so strange and astonishing. At all events, every morning
+when I wake I wonder anew, as if I were only just arrived. So I was
+walking then, like one infatuated, among the aloe trees, which were
+scattered among the laurels and oleanders. Suddenly a cry sounded near
+me, and a slender girl, dressed in white, fled into my arms, fainting,
+while her companions dispersed past us in every direction. A soldier
+can always tolerably soon gather his senses together, and I speedily
+perceived a furious bull was pursuing the beautiful maiden. I threw
+her quickly over a thickly planted hedge, and followed her myself, upon
+which the beast, blind with rage, passed us by, and I have heard no more
+of it since, except that some young knights in an adjacent courtyard had
+been making a trial with it previous to a bull-fight, and that it was on
+this account that it had broken so furiously through the gardens.
+
+“I was now standing quite alone, with the fainting lady in my arms, and
+she was so wonderfully beautiful to look at that I have never in my life
+felt happier than I then did, and also never sadder. At last I laid
+her down on the turf, and sprinkled her angelic brow, with water from a
+neighboring little fountain. And so she came to herself again, and when
+she opened her bright and lovely eyes I thought I could imagine how the
+glorified spirits must feel in heaven.
+
+“She thanked me with graceful and courteous words, and called me her
+knight; but in my state of enchantment I could not utter a syllable, and
+she must have almost thought me dumb. At length my speech returned, and
+the prayer at once was breathed forth from my heart, that the sweet lady
+would often again allow me to see her in this garden; for that in a few
+weeks the service of the emperor would drive me into the burning land
+of Africa, and that until then she should vouchsafe me the happiness
+of beholding her. She looked at me half smiling, half sadly, and said,
+‘Yes.’ And she has kept her word and has appeared almost daily, without
+our having yet spoken much to each other. For although she has been
+sometimes quite alone, I could never begin any other topic but that of
+the happiness of walking by her side. Often she has sung to me, and I
+have sung to her also. When I told her yesterday that our departure was
+so near, her heavenly eyes seemed to me suffused with tears. I must also
+have looked sorrowful, for she said to me, in a consoling tone, ‘Oh,
+pious, childlike warrior! one may trust you as one trusts an angel.’
+After midnight, before the morning dawn breaks for your departure, I
+give you leave to take farewell of me in this very spot. If you could,
+however, find a true and discreet comrade to watch the entrance from the
+street, it would be well, for many a soldier may be passing at that hour
+through the city on his way from some farewell carouse. Providence has
+now sent me such a comrade, and at one o’clock I shall go joyfully to
+the lovely maiden.”
+
+“I only wish the service on which you require me were more rich in
+danger,” rejoined Fadrique, “so that I might better prove to you that
+I am yours with life and limb. But come, noble brother, the hour for my
+adventure is arrived.”
+
+And wrapped in their mantles, the youths walked hastily toward the city,
+Fadrique carrying his beautiful guitar under his arm.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+
+The night-smelling flowers in Lucila’s window were already beginning to
+emit their refreshing perfume when Fadrique, leaning in the shadow of
+the angle of an old church opposite, began to tune his guitar. Heimbert
+had stationed himself not far from him, behind a pillar, his drawn sword
+under his mantle, and his clear blue eyes, like two watching stars,
+looking calmly and penetrating around. Fadrique sang:
+
+
+                  “Upon a meadow green with spring,
+                   A little flower was blossoming,
+                   With petals red and snowy white;
+                   To me, a youth, my soul’s delight
+                        Within that blossom lay,
+                   And I have loved my song to indite
+                        And flattering homage pay.
+
+                  “Since then a wanderer I have been,
+                   And many a bloody strife have seen;
+                        And now returned, I see
+                   The little floweret stands no more
+                   Upon the meadow as before;
+                   Transplanted by a gardener’s care,
+                   And hedged by golden trellis there,
+                        It is denied to me.
+
+                  “I grudge him not his trelllsed guard,
+                   His bolts of iron, strongly barred;
+                   Yet, wandering in the cool night-air,
+                        I touch my zither’s string,
+                   And as afore her beauties rare,
+                   Her wondrous graces sing,
+                   And e’en the gardener shall not dare
+                        Refuse the praise I bring.”
+
+
+“That depends, Senor,” said a man, stepping close, and as he thought
+unobserved, before Fadrique; but the latter had already been informed
+of his approach by a sign from his watchful friend, and he was therefore
+ready to answer with the greater coolness, “If you wish, Senor, to
+commence a suit with my guitar, she has, at all events, a tongue of
+steel, which has already on many occasions done her excellent service.
+With whom is it your pleasure to speak, with the guitar or the
+advocate?”
+
+While the stranger was silent from embarrassment, two mantled figures
+had approached Heimbert and remained standing a few steps from him,
+as if to cut off Fadrique’s flight in case he intended to escape. “I
+believe, dear sirs,” said Heimbert in a courteous tone, “we are here on
+the same errand--namely, to prevent any intrusion upon the conference of
+yonder knights. At least, as far as I am concerned, you may rely upon it
+that any one who attempts to interfere in their affair will receive my
+dagger in his heart. Be of good cheer, therefore; I think we shall both
+do our duty.” The two gentlemen bowed courteously and were silent.
+
+The quiet self-possession with which the two soldiers carried on the
+whole affair was most embarrassing to their three adversaries, and
+they were at a loss to know how they should begin the dispute. At last
+Fadrique again touched the strings of his guitar, and was preparing
+to begin another song. This mark of contempt and apparent disregard of
+danger and hazard so enraged Lucila’s husband (for it was he who had
+taken his stand by Don Fadrique) that without further delay he drew his
+sword from his sheath, and with a voice of suppressed rage called out,
+“Draw, or I shall stab you!” “Very gladly, Senor,” replied Fadrique
+quietly; “you need not threaten me; you might as well have said so
+calmly.” And so saying he placed his guitar carefully in a niche in the
+church wall, seized his sword, and, bowing gracefully to his opponent,
+the fight, began.
+
+At first the two figures by Heimbert’s side, who were Lucila’s brothers,
+remained quite quiet; but when Fadrique began to get the better of their
+brother-in-law they appeared as if they intended to take part in the
+fight. Heimbert therefore made his mighty sword gleam in the moonlight,
+and said, “Dear sirs, you will not surely oblige me to execute that of
+which I previously assured you? I pray you not to compel me to do so;
+but if it cannot be otherwise, I must honorably keep my word, you may
+rely upon it.” The two young men remained from that time motionless,
+surprised both at the decision and at the true-hearted friendliness that
+lay in Heimbert’s words.
+
+Meanwhile Don Fadrique, although pressing hard upon his adversary,
+had generously avoided wounding him, and when at last by a dexterous
+movement he wrested his sword from him. Lucila’s husband, surprised at
+the unexpected advantage, and in alarm at being thus disarmed, retreated
+a few steps. But Fadrique threw the weapon adroitly into the air, and
+catching it again near the point of the blade, he said, as he gracefully
+presented the hilt to his opponent, “Take it, Senor, and I hope
+our affair of honor is now settled, as you will grant under these
+circumstances that I am only here to show that I fear no sword-thrust in
+the world. The bell of the old cathedral is now ringing twelve o’clock,
+and I give you my word of honor as a knight and a soldier that neither
+is Dona Lucila pleased with my attentions nor am I pleased with paying
+them; from henceforth, and were I to remain a hundred years in Malaga,
+I would not continue to serenade her in this spot. So proceed on your
+journey, and God be with you.” He then once more greeted his conquered
+adversary with serious and solemn courtesy, and withdrew. Heimbert
+followed him, after having cordially shaken hands with the two youths,
+saying, “No, dear young sirs, do not let it ever again enter your heads
+to interfere in any honorable contest. Do you understand me?”
+
+He soon overtook his companion, and walked on by his side so full of
+ardent expectation, and with his heart beating so joyfully and yet so
+painfully, that he could not utter a single word. Don Fadrique Mendez
+was also silent; it was not till Heimbert paused before an ornamented
+garden-gate, and pointed cheerfully to the pomegranate boughs richly
+laden with fruits which overhung it, saying, “This is the place, dear
+comrade,” that the Spaniard appeared as if about to ask a question,
+but turning quickly round he merely said, “I am pledged to guard this
+entrance for you till dawn. You have my word of honor for it.” So saying
+he began walking to and fro before the gate, with drawn sword, like a
+sentinel, and Heimbert, trembling with joy, glided within the gloomy and
+aromatic shrubberies.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+
+
+He was not long in seeking the bright star, which he indeed felt was
+destined henceforth to guide the course of his whole life. The delicate
+form approached him not far from the entrance; weeping softly, it seemed
+to him, in the light of the full moon which was just rising, and yet
+smiling with such infinite grace, that her tears were rather like a
+pearly ornament than a veil of sorrow. In deep and infinite joy and
+sorrow the two lovers wandered silently together through the flowery
+groves; now and then a branch waving in the night-air would touch the
+guitar on the lady’s arm, and it would breathe forth a slight murmur
+which blended with the song of the nightingale, or the delicate fingers
+of the girl would tremble over the strings and awaken a few scattered
+chords, while the shooting stars seemed as if following the tones of the
+instrument as they died away. Oh, truly happy was this night both to
+the youth and the maiden, for no rash wish or impure desire passed even
+fleetingly across their minds. They walked on side by side, happy that
+Providence had allowed them this delight, and so little desiring any
+other blessing that even the transitoriness of that they were now
+enjoying floated away into the background of their thoughts.
+
+In the middle of the beautiful garden there was a large open lawn,
+ornamented with statues and surrounding a beautiful and splashing
+fountain. The two lovers sat down on its brink, now gazing at the waters
+sparkling in the moonlight, and now delighting in the contemplation
+of each other’s beauty. The maiden touched her guitar, and Heimbert,
+impelled by a feeling scarcely intelligible to himself, sang the
+following words to it:
+
+
+                  “There is a sweet life linked with mine,
+                      But I cannot tell its name;
+                   Oh, would it but to me consign
+                   The secret of that life divine,
+                   That so my lips in whispers sweet
+                   And gentle songs might e’en repeat
+                      All that my heart would fain proclaim!”
+
+
+He suddenly paused, and blushed deeply, fearing he had been too bold.
+The lady blushed also, touched her guitar-strings with a half-abstracted
+air, and at last sang as if dreamily:
+
+
+                  “By the spring where moonlight’s gleams
+                      O’er the sparkling waters pass,
+                   Who is sitting by the youth,
+                      Singing on the soft green grass?
+                   Shall the maiden tell her name,
+                      When though all unknown it be,
+                   Her heart is glowing with her shame,
+                      And her cheeks burn anxiously,
+                   First, let the youthful knight be named.
+                     ‘Tis he that on that glorious day
+                      Fought in Castilla’s proud array;
+
+                     ‘Tis he the youth of sixteen years,
+                   At Pavia, who his fortunes tried,
+                   The Frenchman’s fear, the Spaniard’s pride.
+                      Heimbert is the hero’s name,
+                      Victorious in many a fight!
+                      And beside the valiant knight,
+                      Sitting in the soft green grass,
+                   Though her name her lips shall pass,
+                      Dona Clara feels no shame ”
+
+
+“Oh!” said Heimbert, blushing from another cause than before, “oh,
+Dona Clara, that affair at Pavia was nothing but a merry and victorious
+tournament, and even if occasionally since then I have been engaged in
+a tougher contest, how have I ever merited as a reward the overwhelming
+bliss I am now enjoying! Now I know what your name is, and I may
+in future address you by it, my angelic Dona Clara, my blessed and
+beautiful Dona Clara! But tell me now, who has given you such a
+favorable report of my achievements, that I may ever regard him with
+grateful affection?”
+
+“Does the noble Heimbert of Waldhausen suppose,” rejoined Clara, “that
+the noble houses of Spain had none of their sons where he stood in the
+battle? You must have surely seen them fighting by your side, and must I
+not have heard of your glories through the lips of my own people?”
+
+The silvery tones of a little bell sounded just then from a neighboring
+palace, and Clara whispered, “It is time to part. Adieu, my hero!” And
+she smiled on the youth through her gushing tears, and bent toward him,
+and he almost fancied he felt a sweet kiss breathed from her lips. When
+he fully recovered himself Clara had disappeared, the morning clouds
+were beginning to wear the rosy hue of dawn, and Heimbert, with a heaven
+of love’s proud happiness in his heart, returned to his watchful friend
+at the garden gate.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+
+“Halt!” exclaimed Fadrique, as Heimbert appeared from the garden,
+holding his drawn sword toward him ready for attack. “Stop, you are
+mistaken, my good comrade,” said the German, smiling, “it is I whom you
+see before you.” “Do not imagine, Knight Heimbert of Waldhausen,” said
+Fadrique, “that I mistake you. But my promise is discharged, my hour of
+guard has been honorably kept, and now I beg you without further delay
+to prepare yourself, and fight for your life until heart’s blood has
+ceased to flow through these veins.” “Good heavens!” sighed Heimbert,
+“I have often heard that in these southern lands there are witches, who
+deprive people of their senses by magic arts and incantations. But
+I have never experienced anything of the sort until to-day. Compose
+yourself, my dear good comrade, and go with me back to the shore.”
+ Fadrique laughed fiercely, and answered, “Set aside your silly delusion,
+and if you must have everything explained to you, word by word, in order
+to understand it, know then that the lady whom you came to meet in the
+shrubbery of this my garden is Dona Clara Mendez, my only sister. Quick,
+therefore, and without further preamble, draw!” “God forbid!” exclaimed
+the German, not touching his weapon. “You shall be my brother-in-law,
+Fadrique, and not my murderer, and still less will I be yours.” Fadrique
+only shook his head indignantly, and advanced toward his comrade with
+measured steps for an encounter. Heimbert, however, still remained
+immovable, and said, “No, Fadrique, I cannot now or ever do you harm.
+For besides the love I bear your sister, it must certainly have been you
+who has spoken to her so honorably of my military expeditions in
+Italy.” “When I did so,” replied Fadrique in a fury, “I was a fool. But,
+dallying coward, out with your sword, or--”
+
+Before Fadrique had finished speaking, Heimbert, burning with
+indignation, exclaimed, “The devil himself could not bear that!” and
+drawing his sword from the scabbard, the two young captains rushed
+fiercely and resolutely to the attack.
+
+Different indeed was this contest to that previously fought by Fadrique
+with Lucila’s husband. The two young soldiers well understood their
+weapons, and strove with each other with equal boldness, their swords
+flashing like rays of light as now this one now that one hurled a
+lightning thrust at his adversary, which was with similar speed and
+dexterity turned aside. Firmly they pressed the left foot, as if rooted
+in the ground, while the right advanced to the bold onset and then
+again they quickly retired to the safer attitude of defence. From the
+self-possession and the quiet unremitting anger with which both the
+combatants fought, it was evident that one of the two would find his
+grave under the overhanging branches of the orange-tree, which were now
+tinged with the red glow of morning, and this would undoubtedly have
+been the case had not the report of a cannon from the harbor sounded
+through the silence of the twilight.
+
+The combatants paused, as if at some word of command to be obeyed by
+both, and listened, counting to themselves; then, as each uttered the
+number thirty, a second gun was heard. “It is the signal for immediate
+embarkation, Senor,” said Don Fadrique; “we are now in the emperor’s
+service, and all dispute ceases which is not against the foes of Charles
+the Fifth.” “Right,” replied Heimbert, “but when there is an end of
+Tunis and the whole war. I shall demand satisfaction for that ‘dallying
+coward.’” “And I for that in intercourse with my sister,” said Fadrique.
+“Certainly,” rejoined the other; and, so saying, the two captains
+hurried down to the strand and arranged the embarkation of their troops;
+while the sun, rising over the sea, shone upon them both in the same
+vessel.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+
+The voyagers had for some time to battle with contrary winds, and when
+at length they came in sight of the coasts of Barbary the darkness of
+evening had closed so deeply over the sea that no pilot in the little
+squadron ventured to ride at anchor on the shallow shore. They cruised
+about on the calm waters, waiting for the morning; and the soldiers,
+full of laudable ambition for combat, stood impatiently in crowds on the
+deck, straining their longing eyes to see the theatre of their future
+deeds.
+
+Meanwhile the heavy firing of besiegers and besieged thundered
+unceasingly from the fortress of Goletta, and as the night darkened the
+scene with massy clouds, the flames of burning fragments became more
+visible, and the fiery course of the red bullets was perceptible as
+they crossed each other in their path, while their effects in fire and
+devastation were fearful to behold. It was evident that the Mussulmans
+had been attempting a sally, for a sharp fire of musketry burst forth
+suddenly amid the roaring of the cannon. The fight was approaching the
+trenches of the Christians, and on board the vessels none were agreed
+whether the besiegers were in danger or not. At length they saw that
+the Turks were driven back into the fortress; the Christian army
+pursued them, and a shout was heard from the Spanish camp as of one loud
+Victory! and the cry, Goletta was taken!
+
+How the troops on board the vessels--consisting of young and
+courage-tried men--burned with ardor and their hearts beat at the
+glorious spectacle, need not be detailed to those who carry a brave
+heart within their own bosoms, and to all others any description would
+be lost. Heimbert and Fadrique stood close to each other. “I do not
+know,” said the latter, speaking to himself, “but I feel as if to-morrow
+I must plant my standard upon yonder height which is now lighted up with
+the red glow of the bullets and burning flames in Goletta.” “That is
+just what I feel!” said Heimbert. The two angry captains then relapsed
+into silence and turned indignantly away.
+
+The longed-for morning at length dawned, the vessels approached the
+shore, and the landing of the troops began, while an officer was at once
+dispatched to the camp to announce the arrival of the reinforcements to
+the mighty general Alba. The soldiers were hastily ranged on the beach,
+they put themselves and their weapons in order, and were soon standing
+in battle array, ready for their great leader. Clouds of dust rose in
+the gray twilight, the returning officer announced the approach of the
+general, and as Alba signifies “morning” in the Castilian tongue, the
+Spaniards raised a shout of rejoicing at the coincidence, as at some
+favorable omen, for as the knightly train approached the first beams of
+the rising sun became visible.
+
+The grave and haggard form of the general was seen mounted on a tall
+Andalusian charger of the deepest black. Having galloped once up and
+down the lines, he stopped his powerful horse in the middle, and looking
+along the ranks with an air of grave satisfaction, he said, “You pass
+muster well. That is well. I like it to be so. It is plain to see that
+you are tried soldiers, in spite of your youth. We will first hold a
+review, and then I will lead you to something more agreeable.”
+
+So saying, he dismounted, and walking toward the right wing he began to
+inspect one troop after another in the closest manner, with the captain
+of each company at his side, that he might receive from him accurate
+account upon the minutest particulars. Sometimes a cannon-ball from the
+fortress would whizz over the heads of the men; then Alba would stand
+still and cast a keen glance over the soldiers before him. But when he
+saw that not an eyelash moved, a smile of satisfaction passed over his
+severe pale face.
+
+When he had inspected both divisions he again mounted his horse and once
+more galloped into the middle. Then, stroking his long beard, he said,
+“You are in good order, soldiers, and therefore you shall take your
+part in this glorious day, which is just dawning for our whole Christian
+armada. We will attack Barbarossa, soldiers. Do you not already hear the
+drums and fifes in the camp? Do you see him advancing yonder to meet the
+emperor? That side of his position is assigned to you!”
+
+“Vivat Carolus Quintus!” resounded through the ranks. Alba beckoned
+the captains to him, and assigned to each his duty. He usually mingled
+German and Spanish troops together, in order to stimulate the courage of
+the combatants still higher by emulation. So it happened even now that
+Heimbert and Fadrique were commanded to storm the very same height,
+which, now gleaming with the morning light, they at once recognized
+as that which had shone out so fiercely and full of promise the night
+before.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+
+Thrice had Fadrique and Heimbert almost forced their way to a rampart
+in the fortifications, and thrice had they been repulsed with their
+men into the valley below by the fierce opposition of the Turks. The
+Mussulmans shouted after the retreating foe, clashed their weapons with
+the triumph of victory, and with a scornful laugh asked whether they
+would not come up again to give heart and brain to the scimitar and
+their limbs to the falling beams of wood. The two captains, gnashing
+their teeth with fury, arranged their ranks anew; for after three vain
+assaults they had to move closer together to fill the places of the
+slain and the mortally wounded. Meanwhile a murmur ran through the
+Christian army that a witch was fighting among their foes and helping
+them to conquer.
+
+Duke Alba rode to the point of attack, and looked scrutinizingly at the
+breach they had made. “Not yet broken through the enemy here!” said
+he, shaking his head, “I am surprised. From two such youths, and such
+troops, I should have expected it.” “Do you hear that? Do you hear
+that?” exclaimed the two captains, as they paced along their lines
+repeating the general’s words. The soldiers shouted loudly, and demanded
+to be once more led against the enemy; even those who were mortally
+wounded shouted, with a last effort, “Forward, comrades!” The great Alba
+at once sprang like an arrow from his horse, wrested a partisan from
+the stiff hand of one of the slain, and standing in front of the two
+companies he cried, “I will take part in your glory. In the name of God
+and of the blessed Virgin, forward, my children!”
+
+And joyfully they rushed up the hill, every heart beating with
+confidence, while the war-cry was raised triumphantly; some even began
+already to shout “Victory! victory!” and the Mussulmans paused and
+wavered. Suddenly, like the vision of an avenging angel, a maiden,
+dressed in purple garments embroidered with gold appeared in the Turkish
+ranks, and those who were terrified before again shouted “Allah!”
+ calling at the same time, “Zelinda, Zelinda!” The maiden, however, drew
+a small box from under her arm, and opening it she breathed into it
+and hurled it down among the Christian troops. And forth from the fatal
+chest there burst a whole fire of rockets, grenades, and other fearful
+messengers of death. The startled soldiers paused in their assault.
+“Forward!” cried Alba. “Forward!” cried the two captains; but a flaming
+arrow just then fastened on the duke’s plumed hat and hissed and
+crackled round his head, so that the general fell fainting down the
+height. Then the German and Spanish infantry fled uncontrollably from
+the fearful ascent. Again the storm had been repulsed. The Mussulmans
+shouted, and like a fatal star Zelinda’s beauty shone in the midst of
+the flying troops.
+
+When Alba opened his eyes, Heimbert was standing over him, with his
+mantle, arm, and face scorched with the fire, which he had not only just
+extinguished on his general’s head, but by throwing himself over him he
+had saved him from a second body of flame rolled down the height in the
+same direction. The duke was thanking his youthful deliverer when some
+soldiers came up, looking for him, to apprise him that the Saracen power
+was beginning an attack on the opposite wing of the army. Without losing
+a word Alba threw himself on the first horse brought him and galloped
+away to the spot where the most threatening danger summoned him.
+
+Fadrique stood with his glowing eye fixed on the rampart, where the
+brilliant form of Zelinda might be seen, with a two-edged spear, ready
+to be hurled, uplifted by her snow-white arm, and raising her voice,
+now in encouraging tones to the Mussulmans in Arabic, and again speaking
+scornfully to the Christians in Spanish. At last Fadrique exclaimed,
+“Oh, foolish being! she thinks to daunt me, and yet she places herself
+before me, an alluring and irresistible war-prize!”
+
+And as if magic wings had sprung from his shoulders, he began to fly up
+the height with such rapidity that Alba’s violent descent seemed but
+a lazy snail’s pace. Before any one was aware, he was already on the
+height, and wresting spear and shield from the maiden, he had seized
+her in his arms and was attempting to bear her away, while Zelinda in
+anxious despair clung to the palisade with both her hands. Her cry for
+help was unavailing, partly because the Turks imagined that the magic
+power of the maiden was annihilated by the almost equally wondrous deed
+of the youth, and partly also because the faithful Heimbert, quickly
+perceiving his comrade’s daring feat, had led both troops to a renewed
+attack, and now stood by his side on the height, fighting hand to hand
+with the defenders. This time the fury of the Mussulmans, weakened as
+they were by superstition and surprise, could avail nothing against
+the heroic advance of the Christian soldiers. The Spaniards and Germans
+speedily broke through the enemy, assisted by the watchful squadrons of
+their army. The Mohammedans fled with frightful howling, the battle with
+its stream of victory rolled ever on, and the banner of the holy German
+empire and that of the royal house of Castile waved victorious over the
+glorious battle-field before the walls of Tunis.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+
+In the confusion of the conquering and the conquered, Zelinda had
+wrested herself from Fadrique’s arms and had fled from him with such
+swiftness that, however much love and desire might have given wings to
+his pursuit, she was soon out of sight in a spot so well known to her.
+All the more vehement was the fury of the excited Spaniard against the
+infidel foe. Wherever a little host made a fresh stand to oppose
+the Christians, he would hasten forward with the troops, who ranged
+themselves round him, resistless as he was, as round a banner of
+victory, while Heimbert ever remained at his side like a faithful
+shield, guarding off many a danger to which the youth, intoxicated with
+rage and success, exposed himself without consideration. The following
+day they heard of Barbarossa’s flight from the city, and the victorious
+troops advanced without resistance through the gates of Tunis.
+Fadrique’s and Heimbert’s companies were always together.
+
+Thick clouds of smoke began to curl through the streets; the soldiers
+were obliged to shake off the glowing and dusty flakes from their
+mantles and richly plumed helmets, where they often rested smouldering.
+“I trust the enemy in his despair has not set fire to some magazine full
+of powder!” exclaimed the thoughtful Heimbert; and Fadrique, allowing
+by a sign that he agreed with his surmise, hastened on to the spot from
+whence the smoke proceeded, the troops courageously pressing after him.
+
+The sudden turn of a street brought them in view of a magnificent
+palace, from the beautifully ornamented windows of which the flames
+were emerging, looking like torches of death in their fitful glow,
+and lighting up the splendid building in the hour of its ruin in the
+grandest manner, now illuminating this and now that part of the gigantic
+structure, and then again relapsing into a fearful darkness of smoke and
+vapor.
+
+And like some faultless statue, the ornament of the whole edifice, there
+stood Zelinda upon a high and giddy projection, while the tongues of
+flame wreathed around her from below, calling to her companions in the
+faith to help her in saving the wisdom of centuries which was preserved
+in this building. The projection on which she stood began to totter from
+the fervent heat raging beneath it, and a few stones gave way; Fadrique
+called with a voice full of anguish to the endangered lady, and scarcely
+had she withdrawn her foot from the spot, when the stone on which she
+had been standing broke away and came rattling down on the pavement.
+Zelinda disappeared within the burning palace, and Fadrique rushed up
+its marble staircase, Heimbert, his faithful companion, following him.
+
+Their hasty steps carried them through lofty resounding halls; the
+architecture over their heads was a maze of high arches, and one chamber
+led into another almost like a labyrinth. The walls displayed on all
+sides magnificent shelves, in which were to be seen stored rolls of
+parchment, papyrus, and palm-leaf, partly inscribed with the characters
+of long-vanished centuries, and which were now to perish themselves.
+For the flames were already crackling among them and stretching their
+serpent-like and fiery heads from one case of treasures to another;
+while some Spanish soldiers, barbarous in their fury, and hoping for
+plunder, and finding nothing but inscribed rolls within the gorgeous
+building, passed from disappointment to rage, and aided the flames; the
+more so as they regarded the inscriptions as the work of evil magicians.
+Fadrique flew as in a dream through the strange half-consumed halls,
+ever calling Zelinda! thinking and regarding nothing but her enchanting
+beauty. Long did Heimbert remain at his side, until at length they
+both reached a cedar staircase leading to an upper story; here Fadrique
+paused to listen, and exclaiming, “She is speaking up there! she is
+speaking loud! she needs my help!” he dashed up the already burning
+steps. Heimbert hesitated a moment; he saw the staircase already
+tottering, and he thought to give a warning cry to his companion; but
+at the same moment the light ornamental ascent gave way and burst into
+flames. He could just see Fadrique clinging above to a brass grating
+and swinging himself up to it, but all means of following him were
+destroyed. Quickly recollecting himself, Heimbert lost no time in idly
+gazing, but hastened through the adjacent halls in search of another
+flight of steps which would lead him to his vanished friend.
+
+Meanwhile Fadrique, following the enchanting voice, had reached a
+gallery in the midst of which, the floor having fallen in, there was
+a fearful abyss of flames, though the pillars on each side were still
+standing. Opposite to him the youth perceived the longed-for maiden,
+clinging with one hand to a pillar, while with the other she was
+threatening back some Spanish soldiers, who seemed ready at any moment
+to seize her, and her delicate foot was already hovering over the edge
+of the glowing ruins. For Fadrique to go to her was impossible; the
+breadth of the opening rendered even a desperate leap unavailing.
+Trembling lest his call might make the maiden precipitate herself into
+the abyss, either in terror or despairing anger, he only softly raised
+his voice and whispered as with a breath over the flaming gulf, “Oh,
+Zelinda, Zelinda! do not give way to such frightful thoughts! Your
+preserver is here!” The maiden turned her queenly head, and when
+Fadrique saw her calm and composed demeanor, he cried to the soldiers on
+the other side, with all the thunder of his warrior’s voice, “Back, ye
+insolent plunderers! Whoever advances but one step to the lady shall
+feel the vengeance of my arm!” They started and seemed on the point of
+withdrawing, when one of their number said, “The knight cannot touch
+us, the gulf between us is too broad for that. And as for the lady’s
+throwing herself down--it almost looks as if the young knight were
+her lover, and whoever has a lover is not likely to be so hasty about
+throwing herself down.” All laughed at this and again advanced. Zelinda
+tottered at the edge of the abyss. But with the courage of a lion
+Fadrique had torn his target from his arm, and hurling it with his right
+hand he flung it at the soldiers with such a sure aim that the rash
+leader, struck on the head, fell senseless to the ground. The rest again
+stood still. “Away with you!” cried Fadrique authoritatively, “or my
+dagger shall strike the next as surely, and then I swear I will never
+rest till I have found out your whole gang and appeased my rage.” The
+dagger gleamed in the youth’s hand, but yet more fearfully gleamed the
+fury in his eyes, and the soldiers fled. Then Zelinda bowed gratefully
+to her preserver, took up a roll of palm-leaves which lay at her feet,
+and which must have previously slipped from her hand, and then vanished
+hastily through a side-door of the gallery. Henceforth Fadrique sought
+her in vain in the burning palace.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+
+The great Alba held a council with his chief officers in an open place
+in the middle of the conquered city, and, by means of interpreters, sent
+question after question to the Turkish prisoners as to the fate of the
+beautiful woman who had been seen animating them on the ramparts, and
+who was certainly the most exquisite enchantress that had ever visited
+the earth. Nothing very distinct was to be gained from the answers, for
+although the interrogated all knew of the the beautiful Zelinda as a
+noble lady versed in magic lore, and acknowledged by the whole people,
+they were utterly unable to state from whence she had come to Tunis
+and whither she had now fled. When at last they began to threaten the
+prisoners as obstinate, an old Dervish, hitherto unnoticed, pressed
+forward and said, with a gloomy smile, “Whoever has a desire to seek
+the lady may set out when he chooses; I will conceal nothing from him of
+what I know of her direction, and I know something. But I must first of
+all receive the promise that I shall not be compelled to accompany as
+guide. My lips otherwise will remain sealed forever, and you may do with
+me as you will.”
+
+He looked like one who intended to keep his word, and Alba, pleased with
+the firmness of the man, which harmonized well with his own mind, gave
+him the desired assurance, and the Dervish began his relation. He
+was once, he said, wandering in the almost infinite desert of Sahara,
+impelled perhaps by rash curiosity, perhaps by higher motives; he had
+lost his way there, and had at last, wearied to death, reached one of
+those fertile islands of that sea of sand which are called oases.
+Then followed, sparkling with oriental vivacity, a description of the
+wonderful things seen there, now filling the hearts of his hearers
+with sweet longing, and then again making their hair stand on end with
+horror, though from the strange pronunciation of the speaker and the
+flowing rapidity of his words the half was scarcely understood. The end
+of all this at length was that Zelinda dwelt on that oasis, in the midst
+of the pathless sand-plains of the desert, surrounded by magic horrors;
+and also, as the Dervish knew for certain, that she had left about half
+an hour ago on her way thither. The almost contemptuous words with which
+he concluded his narration plainly showed that he desired nothing more
+earnestly than to seduce some Christians to undertake a journey which
+must terminate inevitably in their destruction. At the same time he
+added a solemn oath that everything was truly as he had stated it, and
+he did this in a firm and grave manner, as a man who knows that he
+is speaking the most indubitable truth. Surprised and thoughtful, the
+circle of officers held their council round him.
+
+Then Heimbert stepped forward with an air as if of request; he had
+just received a summons to leave the burning palace, where he had been
+seeking his friend, and had been appointed to the place of council
+because it was necessary to arrange the troops here in readiness for
+any possible rising in the conquered city. “What do you wish, my young
+hero?” said Alba, recognizing him as he appeared. “I know your smiling,
+blooming countenance well. You were but lately sheltering me like a
+protecting angel. I am so sure that you make no request but what is
+honorable and knightly that anything you may possibly desire is granted
+beforehand.” “My great Duke,” replied Heimbert, with cheeks glowing
+with pleasure, “if I may then venture to ask a favor, will you grant
+me permission to follow the beautiful Zelinda at once in the direction
+which this wonderful Dervish has pointed out?” The great general bowed
+in assent, and added, “So noble an adventure could not be consigned to a
+more noble knight!”
+
+“I do not know that!” said an angry voice from the throng. “But well do
+I know that to me above all others this adventure belongs, even were it
+assigned as a reward for the capture of Tunis. For who was the first on
+the height and within the city?” “That was Don Fadrique Mendez,” said
+Heimbert, taking the speaker by the hand and leading him before the
+general. “If I now for his sake must forfeit my promised reward, I must
+patiently submit; for he has rendered better service than I have done to
+the emperor and the army.”
+
+“Neither of you shall forfeit his reward,” said the great Alba. “Each
+has permission from this moment to seek the maiden in whatever way it
+seems to him most advisable.”
+
+And swift as lightning the two young captains quitted the circle of
+officers in opposite directions.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+
+A sea of sand, stretching out in the distant horizon, without one object
+to mark its extensive surface, white and desolate in its vastness--such
+is the scene which proclaims the fearful desert of Sahara to the eye of
+the wanderer who has lost himself in these frightful regions. In this
+also it resembles the sea, that it casts up waves, and often a misty
+vapor bangs over its surface. But there is not the soft play of waves
+which unite all the coasts of the earth; each wave as it rolls in
+bringing a message from the remotest and fairest island kingdoms, and
+again rolling back as it were with an answer, in a sort of love-flowing
+dance. No; there is here only the melancholy sporting of the hot wind
+with the faithless dust which ever falls back again into its joyless
+basin, and never reaches the rest of the solid land with its happy human
+dwellings. There is here none of the sweet cool sea-breeze in which
+kindly fairies seem carrying on their graceful sport, forming blooming
+gardens and pillared palaces--there is only a suffocating vapor,
+rebelliously given back to the glowing sun from the unfruitful sands.
+
+Hither the two youths arrived at the same time, and paused, gazing with
+dismay at the pathless chaos before them. Zelinda’s track, which was not
+easily hidden or lost, had hitherto obliged them almost always to remain
+together, dissatisfied as Fadrique was at the circumstance, and angry as
+were the glances he cast at his unwelcome companion. Each had hoped to
+overtake Zelinda before she had reached the desert, feeling how almost
+impossible it would be to find her once she had entered it. That hope
+was now at an end; and although in answer to the inquiries they made in
+the Barbary villages on the frontier, they heard that a wanderer going
+southward in the desert and guiding his course by the stars would,
+according to tradition, arrive at length at a wonderfully fertile oasis,
+the abode of a divinely beautiful enchantress, yet everything appeared
+highly uncertain and dispiriting, and was rendered still more so by the
+avalanches of dust before the travellers’ view.
+
+The youths looked sadly at the prospect before them, and their horses
+snorted and started back at the horrible plain, as though it were some
+insidious quicksand, and even the riders themselves were seized with
+doubt and dismay. Suddenly they sprung from their saddles, as at some
+word of command, unbridled their horses, loosened their girths, and
+turned them loose on the desert, that they might find their way back
+to some happier dwelling place. Then, taking some provision from their
+saddle-bags, they placed it on their shoulders, and casting aside their
+heavy riding boots they plunged like two courageous swimmers into the
+trackless waste.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+
+
+With no other guide than the sun by day, and by night the host of stars,
+the two captains soon lost sight of each other, and all the sooner, as
+Fadrique avoided intentionally the object of his aversion. Heimbert, on
+the other hand, had no thought but the attainment of his aim; and, full
+of joyful confidence in God’s assistance, he pursued his course in a
+southerly direction.
+
+Many nights and many days had passed, when one evening, as the twilight
+was coming on, Heimbert was standing alone in the endless desert, unable
+to descry a single object all round on which his eye could rest. His
+light flask was empty, and the evening brought with it, instead or
+the hoped-for coolness, a suffocating whirlwind of sand, so that the
+exhausted wanderer was obliged to press his burning face to the burning
+soil in order to escape in some measure the fatal cloud. Now and then he
+heard something passing him, or rustling over him as with the sound of
+a sweeping mantle, and he would raise himself in anxious haste; but he
+only saw what he had already too often seen in the daytime--the wild
+beasts of the wilderness roaming at liberty through the desert
+waste. Sometimes it was an ugly camel, then it was a long-necked and
+disproportioned giraffe, and then again a long-legged ostrich hastening
+away with its wings outspread. They all appeared to scorn him, and he
+had already taken his resolve to open his eyes no more, and to give
+himself up to his fate, without allowing these horrible and strange
+creatures to disturb his mind in the hour of death.
+
+Presently it seemed to him as if he heard the hoofs and neighing of a
+horse, and suddenly something halted close beside him, and he thought he
+caught the sound of a man’s voice. Half unwilling, he could not resist
+raising himself wearily, and he saw before him a rider in an Arab’s
+dress mounted on a slender Arabian horse. Overcome with joy at finding
+himself within reach of human help, he exclaimed, “Welcome, oh, man,
+in this fearful solitude! If thou canst, succor me, thy fellow-man, who
+must otherwise perish with thirst!” Then remembering that the tones
+of his dear German mother tongue were not intelligible in this joyless
+region, he repeated the same words in the mixed dialect, generally
+called the Lingua Romana, universally used by heathens, Mohammedans, and
+Christians in those parts of the world where they have most intercourse
+with each other.
+
+The Arab still remained silent, and looked as if scornfully laughing at
+his strange discovery. At length he replied, in the same dialect, “I was
+also in Barbarossa’s fight; and if, Sir Knight, our overthrow bitterly
+enraged me then, I find no small compensation for it in the fact of
+seeing one of the conquerors lying so pitifully before me.” “Pitifully!”
+ exclaimed Heimbert angrily, and his wounded sense of honor giving him
+back for a moment all his strength, he seized his sword and stood ready
+for an encounter. “Oho!” laughed the Arab, “does the Christian viper
+still hiss so strongly? Then it only behooves me to put spurs to my
+horse and leave thee to perish here, thou lost creeping worm!” “Ride
+to the devil, thou dog of a heathen!” retorted Heimbert; “rather than
+entreat a crumb of thee I will die here, unless the good God sends me
+manna in the wilderness.”
+
+And the Arab spurred forward his swift steed and galloped away a couple
+of hundred paces, laughing with scorn. Then he paused, and looking round
+to Heimbert he trotted back and said, “Thou seemest too good, methinks,
+to perish here of hunger and thirst. Beware! my good sabre shall touch
+thee.”
+
+Heimbert, who had again stretched himself hopelessly on the burning
+sand, was quickly roused to his feet by these words, and seized his
+sword; and sudden as was the spring with which the Arab’s horse flew
+toward him, the stout German warrior stood ready to parry the blow,
+and the thrust which the Arab aimed at him in the Mohammedan manner he
+warded off with certainty and skill.
+
+Again and again the Arab sprung; similarly here and there, vainly hoping
+to give his antagonist a death-blow. At last, overcome by impatience, he
+approached so boldly that Heimbert, warding off the threatening
+weapon, had time to seize the Arab by the girdle and drag him from the
+fast-galloping horse. The violence of the movement threw Heimbert also
+on the ground, but he lay above his opponent, and holding close before
+his eyes a dagger, which he had dexterously drawn from his girdle, he
+exclaimed, “Wilt thou have mercy or death?” The Arab, trembling, cast
+down his eyes before the gleaming and murderous weapon, and said, “Show
+mercy to me, mighty warrior; I surrender to thee.” Heimbert then ordered
+him to throw away the sabre he still held in his right hand. He did so,
+and both combatants rose, and again sunk down upon the sand, for the
+victor was far more weary than the vanquished.
+
+The Arab’s good horse meanwhile had trotted toward them, according to
+the habit of those noble animals, who never forsake their fallen master.
+It now stood behind the two men, stretching out its long slender neck
+affectionately toward them. “Arab,” said Heimbert with exhausted voice,
+“take from thy horse what provision thou hast with thee and place it
+before me.” The vanquished man humbly did as he was commanded, now
+just as much submitting to the will of the conqueror as he had before
+exhibited his animosity in anger and revenge. After a few draughts
+of palm-wine from the skin, Heimbert looked at the youth under a new
+aspect; he then partook of some fruits, drank more of the palm-wine,
+and at length said, “You are going to ride still farther to-night, young
+man?” “Yes, indeed,” replied the Arab sadly; “on a distant oasis there
+dwells my aged father and my blooming bride. Now--even if you set me at
+full liberty--I must perish in the heat of this barren desert, for want
+of sustenance, before I can reach my lovely home.”
+
+“Is it, perhaps,” asked Heimbert, “the oasis on which the mighty
+enchantress, Zelinda, dwells?”
+
+“Allah protect me!” cried the Arab, clasping his hands. “Zelinda’s
+wondrous isle offers no hospitable shelter to any but magicians. It lies
+far away in the scorching south, while our friendly oasis is toward the
+cooler west.”
+
+“I only asked in case we might be travelling companions,” said
+Heimbert courteously. “If that cannot be, we must certainly divide the
+provisions; for I would not have so brave a warrior as you perish, with
+hunger and thirst.”
+
+So saying, the young captain began to arrange the provisions in two
+portions, placing the larger on his left and the smaller at his
+right; he then desired the Arab to take the former, and added, to his
+astonished companion, “See, good sir, I have either not much farther
+to travel or I shall perish in the desert; I feel that it will be so.
+Besides, I cannot carry half so much on foot as you can on horse-back.”
+
+“Knight! victorious knight!” cried the amazed Mussulman, “am I then to
+keep my horse?”
+
+“It were a sin and shame indeed,” said Heimbert, smiling, “to separate
+such a faithful steed from such a skilful rider. Ride on, in God’s name,
+and get safely to your people.”
+
+He then helped him to mount, and the Arab was on the point of uttering a
+few words of gratitude, when he suddenly exclaimed, “The magic maiden!”
+ and, swift as the wind, he flew over the dusty plain. Heimbert, however,
+turning round, saw close beside him in the now bright moonlight a
+shining figure, which he at once perceived to be Zelinda.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+
+The maiden looked fixedly at the young soldier, and seemed considering
+with what words to address him, while he, after his long search and now
+unexpected success, was equally at a loss. At last she said in Spanish,
+“Thou wonderful enigma, I have been witness of all that has passed
+between thee and the Arab; and these affairs confuse my head like a
+whirlwind. Speak, therefore, plainly, that I may know whether thou art a
+madman or an angel?”
+
+“I am neither, dear lady,” replied Heimbert, with his wonted
+friendliness. “I am only a poor wanderer, who has just been putting into
+practice one of the commands of his Master, Jesus Christ.”
+
+“Sit down,” said Zelinda, “and tell me of thy Master; he must be himself
+unprecedented to have such a servant. The night is cool and still, and
+at my side thou hast no cause to fear the dangers of the desert.”
+
+“Lady,” replied Heimbert, smiling, “I am not of a fearful nature, and
+when I am speaking of my dear Saviour my mind is perfectly free from all
+alarm.”
+
+Thus saying, they both sat down on the now cooled sand and began a
+wondrous conversation, while the full moon shone upon them from the
+deep-blue heavens above like a magic lamp.
+
+Heimbert’s words, full of divine love, truth, and simplicity sank like
+soft sunbeams, gently and surely, into Zelinda’s, heart, driving away
+the mysterious magic power which dwelt there, and wrestling for the
+dominion of the noble territory of her soul. When morning began to dawn
+she said, “Thou wouldst not be called an angel last evening, but thou
+art truly one. For what else are angels than messengers of the Most High
+God?” “In that sense,” rejoined Heimbert, “I am well satisfied with the
+name, for I certainly hope that I am the bearer of my Master’s message.
+Yes, if he bestows on me further grace and strength, it may even be
+that you also may become my companion in the pious work.” “It is not
+impossible,” said Zelinda thoughtfully. “Thou must, however, come with
+me to my island, and there thou shalt be regaled as is befitting such
+an ambassador, far better than here on the desolate sand, with the
+miserable palm-wine that thou hast so laboriously obtained.”
+
+“Pardon me,” replied Heimbert; “it is difficult to me to refuse the
+request of a lady, but on this occasion it cannot be otherwise. In
+your island many glorious things have been conjured together by your
+forbidden art, and many lovely forms which the good God has created have
+been transformed. These might dazzle my senses, and at last delude them.
+If you will, therefore, hear the best and purest things which I can
+relate to you, you must rather come out to me on this desert sand. The
+palm-wine and the dates of the Arab will suffice for me for many a day
+to come.” “You would do better to come with me,” said Zelinda, shaking
+her head with somewhat of a scornful smile. “You were certainly neither
+born nor brought up to be a hermit, and there is nothing on my oasis so
+destructive as you imagine. What is there more than shrubs and flowers
+and beasts gathered together from different quarters of the world,
+perhaps a little strangely interwoven; each, that is to say, partaking
+of the nature of the other, in a similar manner to that which you must
+have seen in our Arabian carving! A moving flower, a bird growing on a
+branch, a fountain gleaming with fiery sparks, a singing twig--these are
+truly no hateful things!” “He must avoid temptation who does not wish
+to be overcome by it,” said Heimbert very gravely; “I am for the desert.
+Will it please you to come out to visit me again?” Zelinda looked down
+somewhat displeased. Then suddenly bending her head still lower she
+replied, “Yes; toward evening I shall be here again.” And, turning away,
+she at once disappeared in the rising whirlwind of the desert.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+
+With the evening twilight the lovely lady returned and spent the night
+in converse with the pious youth, leaving him in the morning with her
+mind more humble, pure, and devout; and thus matters went on for many
+days. “Thy palm-wine and thy dates must be coming to an end,” said
+Zelinda one evening as she presented the youth with a flask of rich wine
+and some costly fruits. He, however, gently put aside the gift and said,
+“Noble lady, I would accept your gift gladly, but I fear some of your
+magic arts may perhaps cleave to it. Or could you assure me to the
+contrary by Him whom you are now beginning to know?” Zelinda cast
+down her eyes in silent confusion and took her presents back. On the
+following evening, however, she brought similar gifts, and, smiling
+confidently, gave the desired assurance. Heimbert then partook of them
+without hesitation, and from henceforth the disciple carefully provided
+for the sustenance of her teacher in the wilderness.
+
+And so, as the blessed knowledge of the truth sank more and more deeply
+into Zelinda’s soul, so that she was often sitting till dawn before the
+youth, with cheeks glowing and hair dishevelled, her eyes gleaming with
+delight and her hands folded, unable to withdraw herself from his words,
+he, on his part, endeavored to make her sensible at all times that it
+was only Fadrique’s love for her which had urged him, his friend, into
+this fatal desert, and that it was this same love that had thus become
+the means for the attainment of her highest spiritual good. She still
+well remembered the handsome and terrible captain who had stormed the
+height that he might clasp her in his arms; and she related to her
+friend how the same hero had afterward saved her in the burning library.
+Heimbert too had many pleasant things to tell of Fadrique--of his high
+knightly courage, of his grave and noble manners, and of his love to
+Zelinda, which in the night after the battle of Tunis was no longer
+concealed within his passionate breast, but was betrayed to the young
+German in a thousand unconscious expressions between sleeping and
+waking. Divine truth and the image of her loving hero both at once
+sank deep within Zelinda’s heart, and struck root there with tender
+but indestructible power. Heimbert’s presence and the almost adoring
+admiration with which his pupil regarded him did not disturb these
+feelings, for from the first moment his appearance had something in it
+so pure and heavenly that no thoughts of earthly love intruded. When
+Heimbert was alone he would often smile happily within himself, saying
+in his own beloved German tongue, “It is indeed delightful that I am now
+able consciously to do the same service for Fadrique as he did for me,
+unconsciously, with his angelic sister.” And then he would sing some
+German song of Clara’s grace and beauty, the sound of which rang with
+strange sweetness through the desert, while it happily beguiled his
+solitary hours.
+
+Once when Zelinda came in the evening twilight, gracefully bearing on
+her beautiful head a basket of provisions for Heimbert, he smiled at her
+and shook his head, saying, “It is inconceivable to me, sweet maiden,
+why you ever give yourself the trouble of coming to me out here in the
+desert. You can indeed no longer find pleasure in magic arts, since the
+spirit of truth and love dwells within you. If you would only transform
+the oasis into the natural form in which the good God created it, I
+would go there with you, and we should have far more time for holy
+converse.” “Sir,” replied Zelinda, “you speak truly. I too have thought
+for some days of doing so and the matter would have been already set on
+foot, but a strange visitor fetters my power. The Dervish whom you saw
+in Tunis is with me, and as in former times we have practised many magic
+tricks with each other, he would like again to play the old game. He
+perceives the change in me, and on that account urges me all the more
+vehemently and dangerously.”
+
+“He must either be driven away or converted,” said Heimbert, girding on
+his shoulder-belt more firmly, and taking up his shield from the ground.
+“Have the goodness, dear maiden,” he continued, “to lead me to your
+enchanted isle.”
+
+“You avoided it so before,” said the astonished Zelinda, “and it is
+still unchanged in its fantastic form.”
+
+“Formerly it would have been only inconsiderate curiosity to have
+ventured there,” replied Heimbert. “You came too out here to me, and
+that was better for us both. But now the old enemy might lay snares for
+the ruin of all that the Lord has been working in you, and so it is a
+knightly duty to go. In God’s name, then, to the work!”
+
+And they hastened forward together, through the ever-increasing darkness
+of the plain, on their way to the blooming island.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+
+A charming breeze began to cool the heated brows of the travellers, and
+the twinkling starlight revealed in the distance a grove, waving to and
+fro with the gentle motion of the air. Heimbert cast his eyes to the
+ground and said, “Go before me, sweet maiden, and guide my path to
+the spot where I shall find this threatening Dervish. I do not wish
+unnecessarily to see anything of these ensnaring enchantments.”
+
+Zelinda did as he desired, and the relation of the two was for a
+moment changed; the maiden had become the guide, and Heimbert, full of
+confidence, allowed himself to be led upon the unknown path. Branches
+were even now touching his cheeks, half caressingly and playfully;
+wonderful birds, growing out of bushes, sang joyful songs; over the
+velvet turf, upon which Heimbert ever kept his eyes fixed, there glided
+gleaming serpents of green and gold, with little golden crowns, and
+brilliant stones glittered on the mossy carpet. When the serpents
+touched the jewels, they gave forth a silvery sound. But Heimbert let
+the serpents creep and the gems sparkle, without troubling himself about
+them, intent alone on following the footsteps of his guide.
+
+“We are there!” said she with suppressed voice; and looking up he saw a
+shining grotto of shells, within which he perceived a man asleep clad in
+golden scale-armor of the old Numidian fashion. “Is that also a phantom,
+there yonder in the golden scales?” inquired Heimbert, smiling; but
+Zelinda looked very grave and replied, “Oh, no! that is the Dervish
+himself, and his having put on this coat-of-mail, which has been
+rendered invulnerable by dragon’s blood, is a proof that by his magic
+he has become aware of our intention.” “What does that signify?” said
+Heimbert; “he would have to know it at last.” And he began at once to
+call out, with a cheerful voice, “Wake up, old sir, wake up! Here is an
+acquaintance of yours, who has matters upon which he must speak to you.”
+
+And as the Dervish opened his large rolling eyes, everything in the
+magic grove began to move, the water began to dance, and the branches to
+intertwine in wild emulation, and at the same time the precious stones
+and the shells and corals emitted strange and confusing melodies.
+
+“Roll and turn, thunder and play as you like!” exclaimed Heimbert,
+looking fixedly at the maze around him; “you shall not divert me from
+my own good path, and Almighty God has given me a good far-sounding
+soldier’s voice which can make itself heard above all this tumult.” Then
+turning to the Dervish he said, “It appears, old man, that you already
+know everything which has passed between Zelinda and me. In case,
+however, that it is not so, I will tell you briefly that she is already
+as good as a Christian, and that she is the betrothed of a noble Spanish
+knight. Place nothing in the way of her good intention; I advise you
+for your own sake. But still better for your own sake would it be if you
+would become a Christian yourself. Discuss the matter with me, and first
+bid all this mad devilish show to cease, for our religion, dear sir,
+speaks of far too tender and divine things to be talked of with violence
+or with the loud voice necessary on the field of war.”
+
+But the Dervish, burning with hatred to the Christians, had not waited
+to hear the knight’s last words when he rushed at him with his drawn
+scimitar. Heimbert merely parried his thrust, saying, “Take care of
+yourself, sir! I have heard something of your weapons being charmed, but
+that will avail but little before my sword. It has been consecrated in
+holy places.”
+
+The Dervish sprang wildly back before the sword, but equally wildly did
+he spring to the other side of his adversary, who only with difficulty
+caught the terrible cuts of his weapon upon his shield. Like a
+gold-scaled dragon the Mohammedan swung himself round his antagonist
+with an agility which, with his long flowing white beard, was ghostly
+and horrible to witness. Heimbert was prepared to meet him on all sides,
+ever keeping a watchful eye for some opening in the scales made by the
+violence of his movements. At last it happened as he desired; between
+the arm and breast on the left side the dark garments of the Dervish
+became visible, and quick as lightning the German made a deadly thrust.
+The old man exclaimed aloud, “Allah! Allah!” and fell forward, fearful
+even in his fall, a senseless corpse.
+
+“I pity him!” sighed Heimbert, leaning on his sword and looking down on
+his fallen foe. “He has fought nobly, and even in death he called
+upon his Allah, whom he looked upon as the true God. He must not lack
+honorable burial.” He then dug a grave with the broad scimitar of his
+adversary, laid the corpse within it, covered it over with turf,
+and knelt on the spot in silent heartfelt prayer for the soul of the
+departed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+
+Heimbert rose from his pious duty, and his first glance fell on Zelinda,
+who stood smiling by his side, and his second upon the wholly changed
+scene around. The rocky cavern and grotto had disappeared, the distorted
+forms of trees and beasts, half terrible and half charming as they were,
+had vanished also; a gentle grassy hill sloped down on every side of the
+point where he stood, toward the sandy waste; springs gushed out
+here and there in refreshing beauty; date-trees bent over the little
+paths--everything, indeed, in the now opening day was full of sweet and
+simple peace.
+
+“Thank God!” said Heimbert, turning to his companion, “you can now
+surely feel how infinitely more lovely, grand, and beautiful is
+everything as our dear Father has created it than it can be when
+transformed by the highest human art. The Heavenly Gardener has indeed
+permitted us, his beloved children, in his abundant mercy, to help
+forward his gracious works, that we may thus become happier and better;
+but we must take care that we change nothing to suit our own rash wilful
+fancies; else it is as if we were expelling ourselves a second time from
+Paradise.” “It shall not happen again,” said Zelinda humbly. “But may
+you in this solitary region, where we are not likely to meet with any
+priest of our faith, may you not bestow on me, as one born anew, the
+blessing of Holy Baptism?”
+
+Heimbert, after some consideration, replied, “I hope I may do so. And if
+I am wrong, God will pardon me. It is surely done in the desire to bring
+to him so worthy a soul as soon as possible.”
+
+So they walked together, silently praying and full of smiling happiness,
+down to one of the pleasant springs of the oasis, and just as they
+reached the edge and prepared themselves for the holy work the sun rose
+before them as if to confirm and strengthen their purpose, and the
+two beaming countenances looked at each other with joy and confidence.
+Heimbert had not thought of the Christian name he should bestow on his
+disciple, but as he scooped up the water, and the desert lay around him
+so solemn in the rosy glow of morning, he remembered the pious hermit
+Antony in his Egyptian solitude, and he baptized the lovely convert,
+Antonia.
+
+They spent the day in holy conversation, and Antonia showed her friend
+a little cave, in which she had concealed all sorts of store for her
+sustenance when she first dwelt on the oasis. “For,” said she, “the good
+God is my witness that I came hither only that I might, in solitude,
+become better acquainted with him and his created works, without knowing
+at that time in the least of any magic expedients. Subsequently the
+Dervish came, tempting me, and the horrors of the desert joined in a
+fearful league with his terrible power, and then by degrees followed all
+that alluring spirits showed me either in dreams or awake.”
+
+Heimbert had no scruple to take with him for the journey any of the wine
+and fruits that were still fit for use, and Antonia assured him that by
+the direct way, well known to her, they would reach the fruitful shore
+of this waterless ocean in a few days. So with the approach of evening
+coolness they set out on their journey.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+
+The travellers had almost traversed the pathless plain when one day they
+saw a figure wandering in the distance, for in the desolate Sahara every
+object is visible to the very horizon if the whirlwind of dust does
+not conceal it from view. The wanderer seemed doubtful of his course,
+sometimes taking this, sometimes that direction, and Antonia’s eastern
+falcon eye could discern that it was no Arab, but a man in knightly
+garb.
+
+“Oh, dear sister,” exclaimed Heimbert, full of anxious joy, “then it
+is our poor Fadrique, who is in search of thee. For pity’s sake, let
+as hasten before he loses us, and perhaps at last his own life also,
+in this immeasurable waste.” They strained every effort to reach the
+distant object, but it was now midday and the sun shone burningly upon
+them, Antonia could not long endure this rapid progress; added to which
+the fearful whirlwind soon arose, and the figure that had been scarcely
+visible before faded from their eyes, like some phantom of the mist in
+autumn.
+
+With the rising moon they began anew to hasten forward, calling loudly
+upon the unfortunate wanderer, and fluttering white handkerchiefs tied
+to their walking-staffs, as signal flags, but it was all in vain. The
+object that had disappeared remained lost to view. Only a few giraffes
+sprang shyly past them, and the ostriches quickened their speed.
+
+At length, as morning dawned, Antonia paused and said, “Thou canst
+not leave me, brother, in this solitude, and I cannot go a single step
+farther. God will protect the noble Fadrique. How could a father forsake
+such a model of knightly excellence?” “The disciple shames the teacher,”
+ replied Heimbert, his sad face brightening into a smile. “We have done
+our part, and we may confidently hope that God will come to the aid of
+our failing powers and do what is necessary.” As he spoke he spread his
+mantle on the sand, that Antonia might rest more comfortably. Suddenly
+looking up, he exclaimed, “Oh, God! yonder lies a man, completely buried
+in the sand. Oh, that he may not be already dead!”
+
+He immediately began to sprinkle wine, from the flask he carried, on the
+brow of the fainting traveller, and to chafe his temples with it. The
+man at last slowly opened his eyes and said, “I had hoped the morning
+dew would not again have fallen on me, but that unknown and unlamented I
+might have perished here in the desert, as must be the case in the end.”
+ So saying he closed his eyes again, like one intoxicated with sleep,
+but Heimbert continued his restoratives unwearyingly, and at length the
+refreshed wanderer half raised himself from the sand with an exclamation
+of astonishment.
+
+He looked from Heimbert to his companion, and from her again at
+Heimbert, and suddenly exclaimed, gnashing his teeth, “Ha, was it to be
+thus! I was not even to be allowed to die in the dull happiness of quiet
+solitude! I was to be first doomed to see my rival’s success and my
+sister’s shame!” At the same time he sprang to his feet with a violent
+effort and rushed forward upon Heimbert with drawn sword. But Heimbert
+moved neither sword nor arm, and merely said, in a gentle voice,
+“Wearied out, as you now are, I cannot possibly fight with you; besides,
+I must first place this lady in security.” Antonia, who had at first
+gazed with much emotion at the angry knight, now stepped suddenly
+between the two men and cried out, “Oh, Fadrique, neither misery nor
+anger can utterly disfigure you. But what has my noble brother done to
+you?” “Brother?” said Fadrique, with astonishment. “Or godfather, or
+confessor,” interrupted Heimbert, “as you will. Only do not call her
+Zelinda, for her name is now Antonia; she is a Christian, and waits
+to be your bride.” Fadrique stood fixed with surprise, but Heimbert’s
+true-hearted words and Antonia’s lovely blushes soon revealed the happy
+enigma to him. He sank down before the longed-for form with a sense
+of exquisite delight, and in the midst of the inhospitable desert
+the flowers of love and gratitude and confidence sent their sweetness
+heavenward.
+
+The excitement of this happy surprise at last gave way to bodily
+fatigue. Antonia, like some drooping blossom, stretched her fair form on
+the again burning sand, and slumbered under the protection of her lover
+and her chosen brother. “Sleep also,” said Heimbert softly to Fadrique;
+“you must have wandered about wildly and wearily, for exhaustion is
+pressing down your eyelids with leaden weight. I am quite fresh, and I
+will watch meanwhile.” “Ah, Heimbert,” sighed the noble Castilian,
+“my sister is thine, thou messenger from Heaven; that is an understood
+thing. But now for our affair of honor!” “Certainly,” said Heimbert,
+very gravely, “as soon as we are again in Spain, you must give me
+satisfaction for that over-hasty expression. Till then, however, I beg
+you not to mention it. An unfinished quarrel is no good subject for
+conversation.”
+
+Fadrique laid himself sadly down to rest, overcome by long-resisted
+sleep, and Heimbert knelt down with a glad heart, thanking the good God
+for having given him success, and for blessing, him with a future full
+of joyful assurance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+
+
+The next day the three travellers reached the edge of the desert, and
+refreshed themselves for a week in an adjacent village, which, with
+its shady trees and green pastures, seemed like a little paradise in
+contrast to the joyless Sahara. Fadrique’s condition especially made
+this rest necessary. He had never left the desert during the whole time,
+gaining his subsistence by fighting with wandering Arabs, and often
+almost exhausted by the utter want of all food and drink. At length he
+had become so thoroughly confused that the stars could no longer guide
+him, and he had been driven about, sadly and objectless, like the dust
+clouds of the desert.
+
+Even now, at times, when he would fall asleep after the midday meal, and
+Antonia and Heimbert would watch his slumbers like two smiling angels,
+he would suddenly start up and gaze round him with a terrified air,
+and then it was not till he had refreshed himself by looking at the two
+friendly faces that he would sink back again into quiet repose. When
+questioned on the matter, after he was fully awake, he told them that in
+his wanderings nothing had been more terrible to him than the deluding
+dreams which had transported him, sometimes to his own home, sometimes
+to the merry camp of his comrades, and sometimes into Zelinda’s
+presence, and then leaving him doubly helpless and miserable in the
+horrible solitude as the delusion vanished. It was on this account
+that even now waking was fearful to him, and even in sleep a vague
+consciousness of his past sufferings would often disturb him. “You
+cannot imagine it,” he added. “To be suddenly transported from
+well-known scenes into the boundless desert! And instead of the
+longed-for enchanting face of my beloved, to see an ugly camel’s head
+stretched over me inquisitively with its long neck, starting back as I
+rose with still more ugly timidity!”
+
+This, with all other painful consequences of his past miseries, soon
+wholly vanished, from Fadrique’s mind, and they cheerfully set out on
+their journey to Tunis. The consciousness, indeed, of his injustice to
+Heimbert and its unavoidable results often lay like a cloud upon the
+noble Spaniard’s brow, but it also softened the natural proud severity
+of his nature, and Antonia could cling the more tenderly and closely to
+him with her loving heart.
+
+Tunis, which had been before so amazed at Zelinda’s magic power and
+enthusiastic hostility against the Christians, now witnessed Antonia’s
+solemn baptism in a newly-consecrated edifice, and soon after the three
+companions took ship with a favorable wind for Malaga.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+
+
+Beside the fountain where she had parted from Heimbert, Dona Clara was
+sitting one evening in deep thought. The guitar on her knees gave
+forth a few solitary chords, dreamily drawn from it, as it were, by her
+delicate hands, and at length forming themselves into a melody, while
+the following words dropped softly from her partly opened lips:
+
+
+                  “Far away, ‘fore Tunis ramparts,
+                     Where the Christian army lies,
+                   Paynim host are fiercely fighting
+                     With Spanish troops and Spain’s allies.
+                   Who from bloodstained lilies there,
+                   And death’s roses pale and fair--
+                     Who has borne the conquerer’s prize?
+
+                  “Ask Duke Alba, ask Duke Alba,
+                     Which two knights their fame have proved,
+                   One was my own valiant brother,
+                     The other was my heart’s beloved.
+                     And I thought that I should crown them,
+                   Doubly bright with glory’s prize,
+                     And a widow’s veil is falling
+                   Doubly o’er my weeping eyes,
+                     For the brave knights ne’er again
+                     Will be found mid living men.”
+
+
+The music paused, and soft dew-drops fell from her heavenly eyes.
+Heimbert, who was concealed under the neighboring orange-trees, felt
+sympathetic tears rolling down his cheeks, and Fadrique, who had led
+him and Antonia there, could no longer delay the joy of meeting, but
+stepping forward with his two companions he presented himself before his
+sister, like some angelic messenger.
+
+Such moments of extreme and sudden delight, the heavenly blessings long
+expected and rarely vouchsafed, are better imagined by each after his
+own fashion, and it is doing but an ill service to recount all that
+this one did and that one said. Picture it therefore to yourself, dear
+reader, after your own fancy, as you are certainly far better able to
+do, if the two loving pairs in my story have become dear to you and you
+have grown intimate with them. If that, however, be not the case, what
+is the use of wasting unnecessary words? For the benefit of those who
+with heart-felt pleasure could have lingered over this meeting of the
+sister with her brother and her lover, I will proceed with increased
+confidence. Although Heimbert, casting a significant look at Fadrique,
+was on the point of retiring as soon as Antonia had been placed under
+Dona Clara’s protection, the noble Spaniard would not permit him. He
+detained his companion-in-arms with courteous and brotherly requests
+that he would remain till the evening repast, at which some relatives
+of the Mendez family joined the party, and in their presence Fadrique
+declared the brave Heimbert of Waldhausen to be Dona Clara’s fiance,
+sealing the betrothal with the most solemn words, so that it might
+remain indissoluble, whatever might afterward occur which should seem
+inimical to their union. The witnesses were somewhat astonished at
+these strange precautionary measures, but at Fadrique’s desire they
+unhesitatingly gave their word that all should be carried out as he
+wished, and they did this the more unhesitatingly as the Duke of Alba,
+who had just been in Malaga on some trivial business, had filled the
+whole city with the praises of the two young captains.
+
+As the richest wine was now passing round the table in the tall crystal
+goblets, Fadrique stepped behind Heimbert’s chair and whispered to
+him, “If it please you, Senor--the moon is just risen and is shining as
+bright as day--I am ready to give you satisfaction.” Heimbert nodded
+in assent, and the two youths quitted the hall, followed by the sweet
+salutations of the unsuspecting ladies.
+
+As they passed through the beautiful garden, Fadrique said, with a
+sigh, “We could have wandered here so happily together, but for my
+over-rashness!” “Yes, indeed,” said Heimbert, “but so it is, and it
+cannot be otherwise, if we would continue to look upon each other as a
+soldier and a nobleman.” “True!” replied Fadrique, and they hastened to
+reach a distant part of the garden, where the sound of their clashing
+swords could not reach the gay hall of betrothal they had left.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+
+Secret and inclosed, with blooming shrubs planted around, with not a
+sound to be heard of the merry company, nor of the animated streets of
+the city, with the full moon shining overhead and brightening the solemn
+circle with its clear brilliancy--such was the spot. The two captains
+unsheathed their gleaming swords and stood opposite each other, ready
+for the encounter. But before they began the combat a nobler feeling
+drew them to each other’s arms; they lowered their weapons and embraced
+in the most fraternal manner. They then tore themselves away and the
+fearful contest began.
+
+They were now no longer brothers-in-arms, no longer friends, no longer
+brothers-in-law, who directed their sharp steels against each other.
+With the most resolute boldness, but with the coolest collectedness,
+each fell upon his adversary, guarding his own breast at the same time.
+After a few hot and dangerous passes the combatants were obliged to
+rest, and during the pause they regarded each other with increased love,
+each rejoicing to find his comrade so valiant and so honorable. And then
+the fatal strife began anew.
+
+With his left hand Heimbert dashed aside Fadrique’s sword, which had
+been aimed at him with a thrust in tierce, sideward, but the keen edge
+had penetrated his leathern glove, and the red blood gushed out. “Hold!”
+ cried Fadrique, and they searched for the wound, but soon perceiving
+that it was of no importance, and binding it up, they both began the
+combat with undiminished vigor.
+
+It was not long before Heimbert’s blade pierced Fadrique’s right
+shoulder, and the German, feeling that he had wounded his opponent, now
+on his side called out to halt. At first Fadrique would not acknowledge
+to the injury, but soon the blood began to trickle down, and he was
+obliged to accept his friend’s careful assistance. Still this wound also
+appeared insignificant, the noble Spaniard still felt power to wield his
+sword, and again the deadly contest was renewed with knightly ardor.
+
+Presently the garden-gate clanked, and the sound of a horse’s step was
+heard advancing through the shrubbery. Both combatants paused in their
+stern work and turned toward the unwelcome disturber. The next moment
+through the slender pines a horseman was visible whose dress and bearing
+proclaimed him a warrior and Fadrique, as master of the house, at once
+addressed him. “Senor,” said he, “why you come here, intruding into a
+strange garden, we will inquire at another time. For the present I
+will only request you to leave us free from further interruption by
+immediately retiring, and to favor me with your name.” “Retire I will
+not,” replied the stranger, “but my name I will gladly tell you. I
+am the Duke of Alba.” And as he spoke, by a movement of his charger a
+bright moonbeam fell upon his pale thin face, the dwelling-place of all
+that was grand and worthy and terrible. The two captains bowed low and
+dropped their weapons.
+
+“I ought to know you,” continued Alba, looking at them with his
+sparkling eyes. “Yes, truly, I know you well, you are the two young
+heroes at the battle of Tunis. God be praised that two such brave
+warriors, whom I had given up for lost, are still alive; but tell me,
+what is this affair of honor that has turned your good swords against
+each other? For I hope you will not hesitate to declare to me the cause
+of your knightly contest.”
+
+They complied with the great duke’s behest. Both the noble youths
+related the whole circumstances, from the evening previous to their
+embarkation up to the present moment, while Alba remained between them,
+in silent thought, almost motionless, like some equestrian statue.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+
+
+The Captains had already long finished their story, and the duke still
+remained silent and motionless, in deep reflection. At last he began to
+speak, and addressed them as follows:
+
+“May God and his holy word help me, my young knights, when I say that I
+consider, after my best and most conscientious belief, that this affair
+of yours is now honorably at an end. Twice have you met each other in
+contest on account of those irritating words which escaped the lips of
+Don Fadrique Mendez and if indeed the slight wounds you have hitherto
+received are not sufficient compensation for the angry expression, there
+is still your common fight before Tunis, and the rescue in the desert
+afforded by Sir Heimbert of Waldhausen to Don Fadrique Mendez, after he
+had gained his bride for him. From all this, I consider that the Knight
+of Waldhausen is entitled to pardon any offence of an adversary to whom
+he has shown himself so well inclined. Old Roman history tells us of two
+captains of the great Julius Caesar who settled a dispute and cemented
+a hearty friendship with each other when engaged in the same bold fight,
+delivering each other in the midst of a Gallic army. I affirm, however,
+that you two have done more for each other: and therefore I declare your
+affair of honor to be settled, and at an end. Sheathe your swords, and
+embrace each other in my presence.”
+
+Obedient to the command of their general, the young knights for the
+present sheathed their weapons; but anxious lest the slightest possible
+shadow should fall on their honor they yet delayed the reconciling
+embrace.
+
+The great Alba looked at them with somewhat of an indignant air, and
+said, “Do you then suppose, young knights, that I could wish to save
+the lives of two heroes at the expense of their honor? I would rather at
+once have struck you dead, both of you at once. But I see plainly that
+with such obstinate minds one must have recourse to other measures.”
+
+And, dismounting from his horse, he fastened it to a tree, and then
+stepped forward between the two captains with a drawn sword in his
+right hand, crying out, “Whoever will deny in any wise that the quarrel
+between Sir Heimbert of Waldhausen and Don Fadrique Mendez is honorably
+and gloriously settled must settle the matter at the peril of his life
+with the Duke of Alba; and should the present knights have any objection
+to raise to this, let them declare it. I stand here as champion for my
+own conviction.”
+
+The youths bowed submissively before the great umpire, and fell into
+each other’s arms. The duke, however, embraced them both with hearty
+affection, which appeared all the more charming and refreshing as it
+rarely burst forth from this stern character. Then he led the reconciled
+friends back to their betrothed, and when these, after the first joyful
+surprise was over at the presence of the honored general, started back
+at seeing drops of blood on the garments of the youths, the duke said,
+smiling, “Oh, ye brides elect of soldiers, you must not shrink from such
+jewels of honor. Your lovers could bring you no fairer wedding gift.”
+
+The great Alba was not not be deprived of the pleasure of enacting the
+office of father to the two happy brides, and the festival of their
+union was fixed for the following day. From that time forth they lived
+in undisturbed and joyful concord; and though the Knight Heimbert was
+recalled soon afterward with his lovely consort to the bosom of his
+German Fatherland, he and Fadrique kept up the link between them by
+letters and messages; and even in after times the descendants of the
+lord of Waldhausen boasted of their connection with the noble house of
+Mendez, while the latter have ever sacredly preserved the tradition of
+the brave and magnanimous Heimbert.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg’s The Two Captains, by Friedrich de La Motte-Fouque
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