CHAPTER VIII.
Aguarda hasta que yo pase Si ha de caer una teja.
_Quevedo._
Este misterio aparente Te voy, Senor a explicar.
_Zarate._
We think it almost time to retrace our steps, and revert to a characterwhich played a conspicuous part at the beginning of this history. Thereader, if not particularly deficient in memory, will perhaps remember acertain Don Rodrigo de Cespedes, who bustled not a little in one or twoof the foregoing chapters, though he had the best excuse in the worldfor subsequently keeping out of the way. It is to him we must return;therefore, patient reader, suffer your attention to be diverted for afew moments from the interest of the present events, and resume youracquaintance with that most deserving and ill-used cavalier. And here,by the way, I may perhaps be allowed to indulge my spleen, bymanifesting my extreme dislike to interruptions in general, for there isnothing so vexatious and mortifying as the unpleasant necessity to whichan author is obliged to submit of breaking the thread of a narrationwhen it begins to excite some interest.
It is a subject well worthy of notice, that the generality of readersshould be of so inquisitive a temperament, that they cannot be inducedto take in good part whatever they read, and rely implicitly on the goodfaith of the author for the correctness of what he advances. By thismeans, much time and paper might be saved, explanations would beuseless, and works would be rendered more compact, and consequently lesstedious, which we cannot but consider an infinite advantage to theliterary world at large. However, we must take matters as we find them,and as a circumstantial and satisfactory solution is expected by thereader to every incident enveloped somewhat in mystery, let us hasten tocomply with the established custom: and now to return--
We left Don Rodrigo with his man Peregil, patiently waiting the leisureof their beasts, sighing, and cursing, and complaining by turns, forwant of more suitable recreation. The night was dreary, and thespreading branches of the tree under which our friends had takenshelter, afforded but a meagre accommodation. If their lodgings werecomfortless, the supper which they could expect was still more humbleand hermit-like;--the bill of fare consisted of some green grass, whichthough abundantly supplied, presented a most provoking and unrelishingwant of variety. We would not venture to determine whether therefinement of their palate stood in the way of their appetite, but it isnevertheless a fact that both master and man left the reverend father'smule and the _mesonero's_ ass undisturbed possessors of the repast. Thecomforts of supper and rest being, therefore, denied to our wanderers,they resigned themselves to their unpleasant situation, and with thepatience that necessity imposed upon them, awaited the approach ofmorning. Don Rodrigo in particular, being thoroughly impressed with theidea that his rival Gomez Arias had fallen in the encounter, was full ofinquietude, and excessively desirous to penetrate further into themountains to a place of security, where he might lie concealed untiltheir safe return to Granada.
Accordingly, scarcely had the first blush of dawn shed a dubious rayover the still slumbering earth, than with much impatience Don Rodrigohastened to try how far he might rely upon the complaisance of the mule.Peregil followed the example of his master, and having found that thetemper of their beasts had been considerably improved by the abundanceof their repast, they quickly mounted, and endeavouring to make up forthe loss of time by a tolerably brisk pace, they pursued their routetowards the thickest and darkest part of the wilderness.
Two whole days did Don Rodrigo and his attendant continue to wanderwithout making much progress, which may perhaps be chiefly attributed tothe perverse disposition of the mule and her companion. Indeed thecavalier and his attendant wandered about much in the same manner that aknight-errant and his worthy squire might be expected to do, with thisdifference only, that the knight-errant would be eagerly seeking foradventures, whereas Don Rodrigo was equally solicitous to avoid them.The poor cavalier found himself in a most miserable plight; his revengehad been satisfied, but more generous sentiments now occupied his bosom.He reflected, with deep-felt remorse, that for the sake of redressingthe fancied wrongs inflicted on him by an individual, he had deprivedhis country of one of its bravest defenders; then again, like mostlovers under similar circumstances, he easily conjectured that thefemale who had evinced such an unequivocal aversion to his addresses,would feel yet more repugnant to accept them, when offered by a manreeking with the blood of her favored lover.
These and many other reflections of the like nature continued to intrudeupon his mind; for it is really a matter worthy of remark how verycircumspect and thoughtful a man becomes, when by an undue neglect ofthose same qualifications he has brought himself into an uncomfortableand perilous predicament. They had by this time penetrated into thoseplaces which were under the dominion of the rebel Moors. Thiscircumstance was therefore attended with the greatest danger, andconsequently their anxiety and distrust became proportionably augmentedas they advanced.
However, Don Rodrigo still bore with manly fortitude the unpleasant anddangerous turn which their affairs had taken, whilst the valet, since hecould find no other resource, freely gave vent to his complaints.
"Senor," he cried, turning to his master, "so may the Lord defend us,but we are every instant getting deeper into difficulties. Here are weflying from the clutches of alguazils, to fall into the grasp of therebel Moors; and after all, unwelcome as the appearance of alguazils maybe, I should feel very well contented at this moment to be under theirspecial guardianship, rather than sustain the murderous aspect of theseinfidels. Nay, would to God that I were safely and comfortablyincarcerated within the walls of the most obscure dungeon in Granada."
"Let us then look for our way to Granada, and risk the worst from thefriends of Don Lope," said Don Rodrigo, who, though possessed of muchpersonal courage and resolution, yet was aware these qualities would notavail him against the enemies which he was likely to encounter byproceeding.
"Aye, indeed," replied Peregil, "let us find our way to Granada, and maythe guardian angel conduct us safely thither.--Blessed be the virgin!for a man like myself, endowed with a lively and poetical imagination,I may say, these wild places are exceedingly disagreeable, for theyinduce me to make strange metamorphoses: my fancy is continually uponthe alert to transform every object into any thing save what it reallyis: at day-break I mistook my ass for an officer, and your mule for aMoor. Alas! we are alike, my honored master; for you, Don Rodrigo, whenin a poetic and loving mood, are ever disposed to convert cheeks intoroses, and lips into coral, and to find pearls where others only seeteeth. Now, Senor, by a similar process, when a fit of poetry and fearcomes upon me, I feel marvellously inclined to convert all objects thatcome before my view--let alone my ass and your mule--flocks of sheep,flights of crows, stray cows, and barking dogs, into so many,ruffian-looking and hideous Moors; and, moreover, I am fully persuadedthat my poetry is not a whit more extravagant than yours."
Don Rodrigo, harassed with the combined inconveniences of hunger andfatigue, paid little attention to the absurdities upon which histimorous valet was commenting; but Peregil, emboldened by the passiveforbearance of his master, continued in a higher key:--
"A plague on all lovers, say I; a plague on lovers who for a woman, onesolitary woman, when there is so abundant a choice of such commodity inSpain, can be stimulated to cut the throats of each other, risk allsorts of perils, and undergo all the miseries that can afflict humannature. Fye! fye----"
"Peace, thou wretch!" exclaimed Don Rodrigo; "profane not with thy foulremarks and scurrilous rebukes, that tender sentiment which thine owngross and brutish disposition is neither competent to appreciate norenjoy."
"And most humbly," returned Peregil, "do I thank providence for havinggiven me a heart withal so brutish and so gross, since those refinedpleasures and feelings which are likely to lead a man into mischief, arein direct opposition to my taste. Now tell me, my honored master, isthere any law, either human or
divine, which ordains that, because youmost desperately love Leonor de Aguilar, and Leonor de Aguilar ascordially dislikes you, I, who am by no means a party concerned in thislove or hatred, ought to be exposed to all the united miseries of hungerand thirst, fatigue, dangers, and even death?"
Don Rodrigo, occupied with very different subjects, heard not theflippant observations of his servant, when suddenly, as they wereapproaching the skirts of a wood, his reflections and the valet'simpertinent loquacity were cut short by the unwelcome appearance of aparty of the strolling rebels. They sprung eagerly from theirconcealment, and in a moment stood before Don Rodrigo and his attendant,bearing on their countenances the marks of their revengeful disposition,and the savage pleasure of meeting with a devoted prey.
"Stand!" fiercely cried one of the ruffians.
Don Rodrigo made no reply, but gallantly drew his weapon, and preparedfor a resolute defence.
"What! base Christian! darest thou provoke our anger? Thy life shall payfor the temerity."
"The payment," returned Don Rodrigo, "shall not, at least, be easilyextorted."
At this the Moors rushed upon the unfortunate cavalier, who though awareof the impossibility of making any successful resistance against so manyenemies, defended himself bravely and undauntedly, while Peregil fledwith equal speed and terror. The combat could not be long protracted.Don Rodrigo fell covered with wounds and exhausted from the loss ofblood, uttering a faint murmuring complaint on his unlucky fate anddisastrous love. The ferocious Moors raised his body from the ground,and as it was the custom with those desperate men when a Christianunfortunately fell into their power, they immediately hung it on a tree.There they left him, and shortly after chance led them to the spot wherethe hapless Theodora slept, forsaken by her unprincipled betrayer.
The flight of Roque, and the remarks she had heard from the Moors on thenight she was taken, led that unfortunate girl to believe that it washer lover who had fallen a victim to the cruelty of those barbarians.Thus she bitterly deplored the supposed death of him who was at the verymoment accomplishing the blackest deed of ingratitude.
Meanwhile Roque, instigated by fear, and retreating on the scent ofsafety, shortly overtook his master, who was not a little surprised andalarmed at the discomposure of his plans, when he perceived his valetappear unaccompanied by Theodora.
"Where is Theodora?" demanded he hastily.
"I don't know," sullenly responded Roque; "probably in Heaven by thistime."
"What mean you, villain? didst thou forget my orders?"
"Certainly not, but when I was about to put them in practice, somethousands of most desperate Moors came just in time to prevent mylaudable intentions. At first, bearing in mind the gallant master whom Ihad the honor to serve, it was my determination to fight the unbelievingrascals; but upon second thoughts, I discovered it would be more prudentto yield to necessity, and since it was not in my power to save theyoung lady from falling into their hands, I considered it laudable todisappoint the rebels of one prisoner at least, whom they might perhapsestimate as the most important of the two; and so, instead of making useof my arms, I had recourse to my legs, which members, on more than oneoccasion, I have found to be the most serviceable part of my poor self."
Gomez Arias mused for a moment upon the narration of his attendant, asthough calculating the probable consequences of the event. Even in spiteof the uneasiness which he pretended for the fate of Theodora, he couldhardly disguise from himself a species of latent satisfaction. The eventremoved from his way the only impediment by which his ambitious designscould be thwarted. Theodora, in the power of the Moors, would be evenmore secure than in a convent, and Gomez Arias, without troublinghimself about the probable fate to which his lovely and too confidingvictim was exposed, continued his journey to Granada, drowning therecollection of his misconduct in the glittering prospect that was nowopening before him.
The next day he met with the glorious army of Don Alonso de Aguilar, bywhom he was welcomed with a friendly and parental solicitude. He had thegood fortune to act a conspicuous part in the encounter which El Ferisustained at Gergal, and which ultimately led to the complete overthrowof the Moors at Alhacen, and the destruction of that town. Don Lopeproceeded to Granada with the prisoners, and to offer his services tothe queen upon his arrival. He soon found in the resources of his mindspecious pretexts to cover his long absence from Granada, and hisapparent dilatory conduct, notwithstanding the notification of hissafety sent to him by his future bride. But Leonor de Aguilar, thoughproud and lofty, was still a woman in her affections, and willinglyreceived the most feeble excuses, when urged as they now were by theeloquence of a favored lover.
Thus Gomez Arias, whilst his victim was abandoned to all the horrors ofher fate, whilst her venerable father drank deep the bitter draught ofaffliction--Gomez Arias, the heartless perpetrator of so much misery,now fondly rioted in the anticipated pleasures of his approachingnuptials, and the splendid honors that awaited his union with Leonor deAguilar.