CHAPTER XIII.
Per gli antri, e per le selve ognun traea Allor la vita, ne fra seta, o lane Le sue ruvide membra ravvolgea.
_Metastasio._
At a short distance from Granada there is a place called _El cerro delos Martires_,[42] which traditionary lore had invested with mostappalling histories. This place abounded in deep caverns andsubterranean vaults, in which it was a received tradition that the Moorsused in former times to shut their Christian captives, and make themundergo dreadful torments. By the vicissitudes of fortune, however,these dungeons were now converted into secure retreats by the fallenand dispersed Moors. Several of these lurking places had already beentraced out by the unwearied perseverance of the Spaniards, or betrayedthrough the treachery of mercenary Moors, but there still were someremaining which baffled every research, and whose existence known onlyto some of the principal and most faithful Moors, were in no danger atleast of immediate discovery.
To these subterraneous habitations a considerable portion of theshattered forces of Caneri had repaired, whilst some of the bolder partyof El Feri de Benastepar had fearlessly sought refuge in Granada, where,in despite of the severe decrees promulgated by the queen, and theexamples made of those who had infringed them, the rebels neverthelessfound shelter and protection from their fellow-countrymen. Thus whilethe rebellion seemed quelled to all appearance, it was not entirelyextinguished. A secret fire still slumbered under the ashes, ready toburst forth when a master hand could be found to raise the flame. Butthe want of unity amongst the Moors, and the general dispersion whichhad ensued after the destruction of their last town, seemed to offer aninsurmountable bar to the organization of a second revolt. Besides, thedeath of El Feri had struck the hearts of his followers with dismay, andthere was no Moor of sufficient talent or enterprize to supply hisplace.
Things were in this state, when at the close of a sultry day three menwere seen cautiously traversing the path which led towards _El cerro delos Martires_. The foremost, who appeared to act as guide, from hisrobust and athletic make, and the lowering expression of hiscountenance, might be easily recognized as Bermudo, the renegade; theothers were strangers, and apparently disguised. They proceeded onwards,slowly, and with care, until at length they stopped at a sequesteredspot, overgrown with brambles, and surrounded with high and widelyspreading trees, whose sombre foliage offered an impenetrable barrier tothe light of day. They plunged into the midst of this wilderness, andpresently the renegade blew a soft and hollow blast, when the thicketsuddenly seemed to move, and discovered an aperture which had hithertobeen concealed. The two Moors, for such they were, and their guide, thendescended through the opening into a deep and winding subterraneouspassage. After a descent of a few minutes, they found themselves in aspacious vault hewn out of the solid rock and illumined by a solitarylamp, which afforded only light sufficient to render the darkness moredismal, and to give an indistinct view of forms and countenancesnaturally repulsive, rendered still more so by apparent want andexhaustion. About a dozen men and two or three women were reposing atlength in different parts of the cave, without any other covering thantheir tattered dresses, and bearing on their features an expression ofresolute despair.
At the further extremity of the cavern, which was somewhat elevated, andrendered more tenantable by several pieces of an old carpet, reclined aman of better appearance, whose apparel had evidently not undergonesuch severe service as those of his companions. This personage it mighteasily be supposed was the chief of those who, from their exterior,might, without any great deviation from the rules of inferences, bedenominated a gang of desperate robbers. But it seldom happens thatrobbers in the vicinity of a rich and populous city are to be found in astate of such utter destitution; and if such were really the case, itmight puzzle the beholder to discover what possible inducement theycould have to continue in so unprofitable a profession.
As soon as the renegade and his two companions entered that cheerlessand uncomfortable dwelling, all those woe-begone and lugubriouscountenances suddenly acquired a degree of animation. It was not withoutreason; for the renegade and one of his companions laid down someprovisions, whilst the other stood with his arms folded, a calmspectator of these proceedings, contemplating with deep attention thegroup before him.
"Alagraf! Malique!" cried the seated personage above designated: "Whois that stranger?"
"Fear not, Caneri," whispered the renegade, "this is a friend--nay,perhaps the sincerest adherent and the bravest supporter of the Moors intheir present condition."
"Certainly from his proud bearing in our presence," replied Caneri, withoffended dignity, "one might, indeed, be led to suppose him a person ofconsequence, did not those unseemly habiliments contradict such aconclusion."
The stranger answered not, but contented himself with casting a look ofmingled pity and scorn on the mighty potentate of the cavern. The chief,however, was prevented from inquiring more minutely into the pretensionsof one who appeared little disposed to pay him unqualified deference, bythe shrill and croaking voice of Marien Rufa, who at that moment wasactively engaged in heaping a redundance of abuse on the devoted head ofher husband Aboukar. The squabble, as far as it could be ascertainedamidst the confused din, originated in some provisions which theprovident Aboukar, in his capacity of ex-master of the household,judiciously concluded ought to come by right under his control;accordingly, _secundum artem_, he had entered on his official duties bysecreting a portion of the said provisions for his own private use,before they were either served up to Caneri, or finally distributedamongst his hungry and rapacious band. Marien Rufa had observed the slylarceny, but what in the name of conjugal regard could have induced thecrone to so unkind and unmatrimonial an action as the exposure of herown husband, is not easily to be determined. An upright and indulgentperson might be tempted to believe it was a proper regard and tendernessfor the purity of his character; but others, not quite so considerate,would suspect, and perhaps with a nearer semblance of truth, that theunamiable spouse was instigated by a less honorable motive. It was afact, not to be contradicted, that Marien Rufa and her once belovedAboukar, at present detested as cordially as they had formerly lovedeach other; which curious phenomenon in the condition of matrimony isnot of such rare occurrence as to need any particular investigation intoits nature or origin.
As soon as Caneri observed the disturbance, conjecturing from thecharacter of the belligerents that the commotion was likely to increaseapace, he rose suddenly from his seat, an action which clearly indicatedthe extent of his indignation, and with vehemence exclaimed--
"Silence! What means this disturbance? Slaves, is this your respect foryour chief? Explain; what is the cause of this unwarrantable breach ofdecorum?"
No sooner had Caneri uttered the word "explain," than Marien Rufa,conscious no doubt of her explanatory talents, in a most discordant tonebegan:--
"Please your Mightiness, the cause of----"
"Stop, stop," cried Caneri; "I do not wish _thee_ to explain." Then,turning, he demanded an explanation from Malique, who, in a few words,corroborated the statement of Marien Rufa respecting the ugly trick ofwhich Aboukar stood accused. Upon this, Caneri, after pondering sometime, and gently striking his forehead as if to conjure some luminousidea,--
"Malique," he cried, "bring hither the source of contention."
The provisions were immediately placed before him, and the sapientchief, after putting aside a portion for his own use, wisely proceededto give his judgment.
"Here, Malique," he said, "distribute these amongst you all, except theconvicted culprit and his accuser."
This retributive justice was greatly applauded by the surrounding party,whose looks clearly indicated the high opinion they entertained of theirchief's wise decision; although their ravenous hunger might have,indeed, contributed somewhat to the enhancement of their approbation.The renegade and the new comer stood silent spectators of the scene, butthey could not disguise the expression of their contempt both for thedegrade
d state of their companions, and the foolish importance withwhich the vain-glorious Caneri comported himself.
Peace being thus restored by the chief's sagacious intervention,--
"Now, Alagraf," he said, "what tidings dost thou bring from Granada?Will thy expectations be fulfilled, and my wishes crowned with success?What further inquiries hast thou made relating to Theodora?"
"I have not been idle," sullenly answered the renegade.
"And yet," returned Caneri, "I fear exceedingly that our mutual hopeswill be disappointed."
"Not so, Caneri," retorted Bermudo; "but this is no time to enter uponthat subject, for another of greater importance has a previous claim toour notice."
"By the holy Prophet!" exclaimed Caneri, with displeasure, "I shouldimagine that an affair in which I am interested, is, of itself,sufficient to command immediate attention: Explain, then," he addedimpatiently, "that which concerns me most."
"Moor!" cried the renegade with anger, "thou surely must forget that Iam not thy slave: no, by my sword, I will not speak of these mattersuntil I think the time befitting."
Caneri was thunderstruck at this open act of insubordination; he rolledhis eyes in choler, and looked on his band as if appealing to them tochastise the insolence of the renegade. But though those bold words hadthrown the Moors into some consternation, yet no one dared to move astep, so much were they awed by the composed demeanor with which therenegade gazed upon them.
"Alagraf," said Caneri, disguising his indignation, "are then myinjunctions openly to be disregarded before my people?"
"Caneri," answered the renegade resolutely, "you urge me too far, andyou ought to know me better."
A murmur of discontent prevailed among the band, which was about tobreak forth against the renegade, when, suddenly, their movement waschecked by the stranger Moor, who advanced towards them in a threateningattitude.
"Peace!" he exclaimed; "peace! ye abject, paltry slaves!"
"And who art thou," demanded Caneri, trembling with rage, "that darestthus arrogate to thyself the power of dictating in my presence?"
"I am, Caneri," answered the stranger haughtily, "thy superior in all,except in vice."
"Seize him!" roared out Caneri. "Seize the wretch!"
"Stay!" cried Malique, interposing; "lay not your hands upon thatman.--Most mighty Caneri," he then added, addressing the indignantchief, "Mohabed Alhamdem, our opulent brother at Granada, has intrustedthat Moor to our care, commanding us to lead him hither; he has mostimportant matters to communicate, and, if the word of Mohabed is to becredited, it is from this stranger alone that the Moors may expect theirsalvation."
"Who, then, is this mighty personage?" demanded Caneri, with a scornfulsneer.
"He will himself inform you," replied the renegade. "Caneri, you knowhow firmly I am devoted to the Moorish cause; why then was I insultedwhen it was only to advance the interests of that cause I spoke? But letthat pass; I am no pettish boy to quarrel with my associates for a worduttered intemperately in an unguarded moment."
He held his hand in token of reconciliation, and thencontinued:--"Theodora, if appearances amounting almost to certaintydeceive me not, will be yours, ere long."
"Is it possible?" exclaimed Caneri. "When?"
"To-night or never," replied Bermudo. "Shortly I shall disclose to youall the particulars of my transaction; and now let us examine on whatresources we can depend for a renewal of the insurrection."
"Resources! None," said Caneri, "Our surviving men are dispersed andworn out by repeated misfortunes; most of our chiefs are dead, or havepassed over to Africa, and the only man who had the power of rallyingthe straggling Moors, he who alone succeeded in imparting confidence tohis followers, El Feri de Benastepar, is now no more: fallen by the armof Aguilar, he shared the fate of those brave men who mingled their ownashes with those of Alhacen."
"El Feri de Benastepar is not dead," cried the renegade.
Caneri and his men started from the ground with an instinctive impulseof returning courage, and all, with one accord, sent up an exclamationof joyful surprise.
"But where is the chief, then?" demanded Caneri.
"There!" replied Bermudo, pointing to the stranger.
"Yes," said he, throwing aside his disguise; "yes, Caneri, in thishumble garb, which necessity has compelled me to adopt, do you againbehold El Feri; conquered by Alonso de Aguilar, but miraculously rescuedfrom the grasp of death to redeem the tarnished glories of the Moorishname; to close again in combat with the proud Christian chief, and, withthe assistance of the holy Prophet, to doom him to that untimely deathwhich he vainly imagines he has inflicted on me."
A simultaneous murmur of approbation ran through the surrounding party;even Caneri, jealous as he was of the superior power and glory of ElFeri, hailed with real satisfaction his unexpected appearance amongstthem; for in the imagination of Caneri were revived those hopes ofasserting the station of fancied dignity from which he had been hurledby the late overthrow of the Moors. He again clung to the fond idea thatthe Moslem cause would ultimately triumph, and then he of necessity mustsucceed to a conspicuous share of power, to which he conceived himselfentitled by his distinguished birth.
Thus the Moors, whom, but a moment before, we have seen in the loweststate of dejection, now flew to the opposite extreme: they pictured totheir fancy the wonderful powers of El Feri, and the magic influencewhich his name would possess in calling again his countrymen to arms,while the desperate nature of such an undertaking, and the obstacleswith which it was on every side beset, vanished altogether before theirsanguine expectations.
The renegade beheld this general emotion with more signs of discontentthan satisfaction; he argued little advantage to be derived from men,who could so easily pass from the depths of despondence to the summit ofhope; for to a man like himself, endowed with strong passions, butaccustomed to watch progressively their workings, such suddentransitions betrayed a weakness utterly incompatible with desperateenterprises.
"But how," now inquired Caneri, addressing El Feri, "has thy preciouslife been preserved?"
"When I fell by the arm of Aguilar," returned El Feri, "it was more fromthe excessive fatigue which I had for several days endured, than fromthe nature of the wounds inflicted--they were not mortal; and as I layextended and helpless on the ground, I thought upon my country, and myheart sunk within me when I considered that my life, which might stillhave been preserved to her service, would soon, alas! be lost in a fierygrave. The town was deserted--nought was heard but the crackling of theflames, and the groans of those that were dying around me. Our enemieswere gone, and I, collecting my small remaining strength, with muchdifficulty contrived to drag myself from that place of desolation. Atlength, exhausted, I sunk under a tree, and there, for want of timelyassistance, I might have breathed my last, when, to my joy, I observedtwo or three of our party, who had escaped in the general confusion,advancing towards me, and the hopes which had almost abandoned me againbegan to revive. My preservers removed me immediately to a place ofsecurity, and administered all the remedies that their limited meanscould afford. When I had sufficiently recovered my strength, in variousdisguises we arrived at Granada, and made ourselves known to MohabedAlhamdem: at his dwelling the plan of a second rising has beenconcerted, and I am come here to ask your support to the undertaking."
"Noble and beloved companion," replied Caneri, "next to the pleasure ofseeing thee alive, comes, certainly, that of hearing thy proposal. Irejoice that, notwithstanding our little trivial disagreements, thouhast thought of me in the hour of an important crisis: command mefreely, and command all mine."
As he delivered these words with his habitual affectation of dignity, helooked around upon his reduced followers, who all inclined their headsin token of blind acquiescence.
"And is this all thou canst command, Caneri?" asked El Feri.
"No, not all; for at a moment's notice, I can assemble a considerablenumber, now prudently scattered in little parties, the better to avoidobserv
ation. They lie concealed in some neighbouring caves, and will atthe first summons readily obey my orders. But what are thy designs, mynoble friend? Dost thou contemplate the surprise of some fort? or hastthou in meditation a second expedition to the _Sierra Nevada_?
"Neither;" replied El Feri: "my plans of operation are now widelydifferent; I mean to strike the blow far from the city of Granada: moreI will impart to thee at a future period. Art thou well determined tosecond my exertions?"
"Yes," answered Caneri, bowing his head. "In the name of the holyProphet, I swear to follow thy instructions."
"Well then," returned El Feri, satisfied, "this very night I set out forthe _Sierra Bermeja_, attended only by Mohabed and a servant: thatopulent Moor has enthusiastically joined our cause, and several of hisfriends, slow to contribute with their persons towards the result, haveat least liberally assisted us with their gold. Thou, Caneri, must nottarry here, but with the utmost expedition march to Alhaurin, a townneglected by the Christians, which thou wilt easily surprise; this is toserve as a rallying place for all those who may flock to our standard. Iam assured that the mountain inhabitants of the _Sierra Bermeja_ areprepared to join me,--thus, while the proud Spaniard triumphs insecurity, and rejoices at the supposed death of El Feri, he willsuddenly dissolve the charm, and summon his enemies again to encounterthe effects of his wrath and vengeance. And now, Caneri, remember thatAlagraf and Malique are the only persons through whom we are tocommunicate: so to your post, and there await my further instructions.Farewell! and when we meet again, may victory have rewarded ourexertions!"
He said; and the two chiefs taking friendly leave of each other, ElFeri, without delay, returned to Granada. Caneri, scarcely able tocontain his joy, rose and paced around the cave as if he were alreadydictating from his palace at Alhacen.
"Now, my brave followers!" he cried, suddenly halting, "be prepared tomarch at a moment's notice."
Such an injunction was perfectly useless; for it so happened that hisgallant followers had no other preparation to make than to rise andmarch, having no baggage to encumber their operations beyond the veryslender equipments which they carried on their persons.
"But!" exclaimed Caneri, in the midst of his exultation, "Alagraf, if wedepart immediately, how is thy promise concerning the fair Christian tobe fulfilled?"
"Fear not, Caneri," answered the renegade; "I have promised you thatTheodora will be yours to-night or never."
"Or never!" re-echoed Caneri, dismally shaping his face into mostunwarrantable elongation: "Or never! We have yet some time to remain,and I would gladly wait for such a prize."
"It wants," observed the renegade, "but an hour to midnight,--the timeapproaches,--my heart feels confident Theodora, will soon be in yourpower, and I shall then have the means of accomplishing my revenge."