CHAPTER SIX.
"How fares it with the good ship, Dick?" asked Edward, fearing for onemoment to withdraw his eyes from off his arduous task of steering theboat amid the raging seas.
The answer came not from the British seaman, but from one of thepassengers taken from the ship:--
"Mother of Heaven! they are lost--all lost!"
The words, uttered by the young lady who had been the first receivedinto the boat, were followed by a heart-rending shriek as she sankfainting into the arms of her father. Many of those who had been savedhad relatives, all had friends and acquaintances, on board the ship.Some others cried out and expressed their horror or regret, but thegreater number looked on with stolid indifference, satisfied that theyhad themselves escaped immediate destruction, or absorbed in the selfishcontemplation of their own pending fate. It seemed even now scarcelypossible that the boat, heavily laden as she was, could escape beingswamped. Humanly speaking, her safety depended on the bone and muscleand perseverance of her crew. None but true British seamen could haveheld out as they did. Many hours had elapsed since the ship was firstseen; night was approaching, and the sea still ran so high that it wouldbe next to madness to attempt re-entering the little harbour--a task farmore difficult than getting out of it, as the slightest deviation to theright or left would have caused the instant destruction of the boat andof all on board her. There was nothing, therefore, but to continue atsea. There was no other harbour for many miles either to the north orsouth which they could hope to reach within many days.
"An' we had but provender aboard, Master Raymond, we might give thePortugals the slip, and never let them see our handsome faces again,"observed Dick, after keeping silence for a considerable time.
"True, Dick," answered Edward, and hope rose in his heart at the baremention of escaping; but with a sigh he added, "First, though, we haveno provender, and had we, in duty we are bound to land these poor peopleas soon as we can with safety venture so to do. Already they are almostworn out, and a few hours more of exposure may destroy their lives,which we have undergone this peril to preserve. Then, again, thePortugals allowed us to take the boat on the faith that we were toreturn. Duty is duty, Dick; the temptations to neglect it do not alterits nature, whatever the old tempter Satan may say to the contrary. Letus stick to duty and never mind the consequences."
"That's all true, no doubt, Master Raymond, what you say," repliedLizard. "But it would be hard, if there was a chance of getting away,to go back to prison. Liberty is sweet, especially to seamen."
"Duty is duty, Dick," repeated Raymond. "What is right is the rightthing to do ever since the world began. Maybe the gale will go down,and by dawn we may land these poor people without danger. It will be ahappy thing to us to have saved them; and, to my mind, even our prisonwill be less dreary from having done it."
All hands were soon brought round to their officer's opinion. The sunwas now setting, and darkness in that latitude comes on immediatelyafterwards. Their prospect was therefore dreary and trying in theextreme. It was difficult to keep the boat free from water in the day;still more difficult would it be while night shrouded the ocean with hersombre mantle. Hunger, too, was assailing the insides of the crew; but,still undaunted, they prepared to combat with all their difficulties.Rest they must not expect; their safety depended on their pulling awaywithout ceasing at the oars. Pull they did right manfully. Now onebroke into a song; now another cheered the hearts of his companions witha stave, which he trolled forth at the top of his voice. The examplewas infectious, and in spite of hunger and fatigue, jokes and laughterand songs succeeded each other in rapid succession. The jokes were noneof the most refined, nor were the songs replete with wisdom; but thelaughter, at all events, was loud and hearty; above all things, it hadthe effect of raising the drooping spirits of the poor beings who hadbeen confided to them by Providence.
As they sang, and joked, and rowed, the sea began to go down, and thus,as their strength decreased, the necessity of exerting it became less;still they were compelled to pull on to keep the boat off the land andher head to the sea. At length the singers' voices grew lower andlower, and the jokers ceased their jokes, and the heads of some as theyrowed dropped on their bosoms for an instant, but were speedily raisedagain with a jerk and a shake as they strove to arouse their faculties.Edward had need of all his energies to keep himself to his task, and hetold Dick to warn him should he show any signs of drowsiness.
The hours as the morning approached appeared doubly long. The dawn cameat last, and then the sun in a blaze of glory shot upward through thesky and cast his burning rays across the waters upon the boat, with herliving but almost exhausted freight yet struggling bravely. The windhad fallen. There was a perfect calm, but yet the billows rolled on,moved, it seemed, by some mysterious power unseen to human eye--not, asbefore, broken and foaming, but in long, smooth, glassy rollers. Smoothas they were, they would have proved fatally treacherous to the boat hadRaymond ventured to land. As they approached the beach they gainedstrength and height, and then broke with tremendous fury on the smoothsand or rugged rocks, as if indignant at being stayed in their course.Again and again Edward and his companions gazed wistfully at the coast.That formidable line of breakers still prohibited approach. He and hiscompanions had before been suffering from hunger. As the sun rosehigher and became hotter and hotter, thirst assailed them--thirst moreterrible and more fatal than hunger. The poor passengers suffered most;it seemed as if they had escaped a speedy death on the previous day, tosuffer one more painful and lingering. Raymond had been unable till nowto pay them much attention personally, leaving them to assist each otheras best they could. He was now attracted by the affectionate manner inwhich the young lady who had been at first saved tended her aged father,and at length, when he could with safety leave the helm, on stoopingdown to aid her, he recognised in her features, careworn as they were,those of Donna Isabel d'Almeida. He addressed her by name.
"What! then our gallant deliverer is the Englishman Don Edoardo, thefriend of Don Antonio!" she exclaimed. "Father, father, we are safeamong friends; they will surely take us to the shore when they can. Iperceived the likeness from the first, but, overcome with terror andconfusion, I could not assure myself of the fact. You will forgive me,Don Edoardo."
"Indeed, fair lady, I have nothing to forgive," said Edward. "I rejoiceto have been the means of thus far preserving one for whom I have sohigh an esteem from a dreadful fate. I cannot but believe thatProvidence, which has saved us thus far, will enable us yet to reach theshore in safety."
"Heaven and all the saints grant that we may! and under your guidance Ihave no fear," answered Donna Isabel. "But, Don Edoardo--"
The young lady stopped and hesitated, and then continued in a faintvoice--
"There was another brave officer of your ship I would ask after--DonAntonio. I could never pronounce his family name. How is it that he isnot with you?"
This question very naturally led Edward to describe the battle, and howhe had been taken prisoner and brought to Goa, and thence transferred tothe safe keeping of Don Lobo, and how he and his companions had beentreated, and how they had been enabled to come off to the assistance ofthe ship in consequence of the cowardice of her countrymen, who wereglad to get others to do the work which they were afraid to attempt.
This account was listened to with interest by the rest of thepassengers, who all exclaimed against the cruelty and injustice of DonLobo, and promised, should they be preserved, to use their influence inobtaining the liberty of the brave Englishmen.
"See, Dick, did I not say right when I told thee that we should do ourduty, and leave the consequences to Providence?" Raymond could not helpremarking to Lizard. "We shall now have many friends about us on shore,and some of them will get us set free, depend on that."
"I hope you are right, Master Raymond; but to my mind the Portugal chapshaven't much gratitude in their nature, and out of sight with them isout of mind," was Dick's reply
.
As the day drew on, the anxiety of all in the boat to reach the landincreased; indeed, it was very evident that without water several wouldbe unable to exist through another night. Accordingly, about four hoursafter noon, as was guessed by the height of the sun, Raymond announcedhis intention of making the attempt to run into the harbour. He hadcarefully noted the bearings of the marks at the entrance on coming out,so that he was able to steer a direct course for the spot. The longswells still rolled in, and broke along the coast in sheets of foam, andall he hoped to find were a few yards of green water through which hemight steer his boat. The belief that their toils were to come to anend roused up even the most exhausted of the crew. On glided the boat.Now those on board looked down on the shore full in view before them--now a smooth green wall of water rose up and shut it from their sight.Even the bravest held their breath as they approached the rocks, and theloud roar of the breakers sounded in their ears. Edward and Lizardstood up, grasping the tiller between them. There was no going backnow. Had they allowed the boat to come broadside to one of those wateryheights she would instantly have been rolled over and over, and casthelpless on the rocks. Many a silent prayer was offered up that such afate might be averted. Nearer and nearer the boat approached the rocks."Back water--back water, lads!" cried Raymond, and a huge roller liftedthe boat high above the shore, but failed to carry her forward. Itbroke with a thundering roar into sheets of foam, and then opened beforethem a smooth channel. "Pull--pull for your lives, lads!" cried Edward.The seamen obeyed with a will. The boat shot on, and, amid showers ofspray on either hand ere a breath could be completely drawn, she wasgliding forward, all dangers passed, towards the beach, where hundredsof persons, Portugals and natives, stood ready to receive them. Theboat was hauled up on the beach, and, this task accomplished, evenEdward and Lizard sank down, unable to support themselves. They andtheir companions were carried up to the castle, and, although somewhatbetter chambers were provided for them, they found themselves stillprisoners, and strictly guarded.
"I told you so, Master Raymond--I told you so!" exclaimed Dick."There's no gratitude in these Portugals."
However, after the lapse of a few days their condition was altered verymuch for the better, and provisions and luxuries of various sorts weresent in as presents from those who had heard of their brave exploit.Raymond also received visits from Don Joao d'Almeida, as also fromvarious other persons of influence. He was himself allowed rather moreliberty than before, and was even permitted to ride out in a morningwith an escort, in company with some of the officers of the fort, and toenter into such society as the place afforded. He thus constantly metthe young Donna Isabel, whom he could not help regarding with interest.At the same time, whatever might have been his private opinion regardingthe attractions of that fair lady, even had they been far greater thanhe esteemed them, he would not have allowed himself to be influenced bythem; first because there was one in his far-off home to whom his trothwas plighted, and secondly because he fancied that her affections werefixed on Waymouth, and though he devoutly hoped that his friend wouldnever marry her, yet he considered that as a messmate and a friend hewas not the person to stand between them. These were the very reasonswhich suggested themselves to his mind as an excuse, as it were, for notfollowing the rules of all romances, and falling desperately in lovewith the young lady whom he had been the means of preserving from adreadful death.
It is possible that even had Edward not been influenced by these tworeasons for not falling in love, as the phrase goes, with Donna Isabel,he might have found others--indeed, that she was a Romanist and of adifferent nation would have had great power with him alone--but it isnot necessary to enter into them; the fact remains, he did not in theslightest degree set his affections on her. He, however, believingfirmly that she was in love with Waymouth, and having a true and honestheart himself, placing full confidence in the constancy of woman,undoubtedly paid her great attention--such courteous attention as abrother would pay a sister, or an honest man his friend's wife,certainly thinking no evil, or that evil could arise therefrom.
Now it happened that Don Lobo, the governor of the Castle of San Pedroand its dependencies, was a bachelor, and, although a surly, cruel, andmorose fellow, had a heart susceptible of the tender passion, or ratherof what he fancied was the tender passion, for it would be difficult tosuppose any thing tender connected with him. It had been very longsince he had seen anybody so young and so beautiful as Donna Isabel, andno sooner did he set eyes on her after she had recovered from theeffects of her voyage and exposure in the open boat than he began to beunusually agitated, nor could he rest night or day for thinking of her.His siestas in his hammock at noon, with slaves fanning his face,brought him no rest, nor was it afforded by his couch at night. Heresolved to make Donna Isabel his wife. He did all he could to exhibithis feelings towards her; but, powerful as they might have been, andalthough she might have discovered what they were, she certainly did notreturn them.
Notwithstanding this, matters went on smoothly enough for some time.Don Lobo was not a despairing lover, and he knew enough of the femalesex to be aware that their feelings are not altogether immutable, evenif they change only by slow degrees. Donna Isabel's sentiments mightalter, and he might reach a high point in her favour. Time, however,passed on as it has done ever since the world began, and no such changeas the governor anticipated took place; on the contrary, as the younglady's eyes were more and more opened to the true state of the case, sodid her dislike to the don the more and more increase. Indeed, whenevershe looked at him, or thought about him, or heard him spoken of, it waswith a feeling rather akin to disgust than to devotion. She did not,nevertheless, exhibit these uncomplimentary sentiments as forcibly asunder other circumstances she might have done. She and her father were,in the first place, guests of Don Lobo, and dependent on him. Poor DonJoao had also lost all his property in the ship, and, it having beensupposed that he was lost, another person had been appointed to hisproposed government, and he had to wait till he could receive a freshappointment from home. Don Lobo was also rich, and had pressed money onDon Joao, which he had accepted, and had thus become still more indebtedto him. All these circumstances would have made it very impolitic inDonna Isabel to exhibit her real sentiments, which she was thus in partcompelled to disguise, though she could not do so altogether; nor didshe afford the slightest encouragement to her unattractive admirer. Atfirst the surly don was very indifferent to this state of things.
"She'll yield--she'll yield before long to my powerful persuasions andpersonal attractions," he observed to his confidant and factotum, PedroPacheco, a worthy always ready to do his master's behests, whatever theymight be. "I'll put on my new doublet and hose, and my jewel-hiltedsword, and I'll attack her again this day manfully."
"Certainly, most certainly, Senhor Don Lobo. A man of your excellency'ssuperlative qualities, no female heart, however hard, can possibly longwithstand," observed Pedro.
"I knew that would be your opinion, my faithful Pedro," said thegovernor--the fact being that the faithful Pedro always did agree withhis patron, not troubling himself to decide whether he thought him rightor wrong. In this instance both were wrong.
The governor, to the surprise of the garrison, who had been alwaysaccustomed to see him wearing a greasy old doublet and a rusty-hiltedsword, made his appearance in a richly ornamented suit, which, thoughsomewhat fusty from having been long shut up, had the advantage of beingcostly.
He was received, however, as usual by Donna Isabel, who, though shecould not help remarking that he wore a handsomer dress than usual, saidnothing whatever which might lead him to suppose that she saw in him theleast improvement. He tried to talk, but in vain; not a word of sensecould he produce. Then he tried to look unutterable things, but he onlygrinned and squinted horribly, till he frightened the young lady out ofher senses, and made her suppose that he was thoroughly bent on goinginto a fit. Although he did not suspect the cause, he had the wit todiscov
er that he had not made a favourable impression, and returned tohis quarters disappointed and not a little angry with his ill success.Pedro Pacheco could only advise him to try again. He might have acted amore friendly part if he had said "Give it up." Don Lobo did try again,and with the like ill success.
"Persevere," said Pedro.
The governor did persevere day after day, and at length, in spite of theentire absence of all encouragement, declared his passion. Donna Isabelfrankly told him that she did not love him, and did not believe that sheever should. She might have said she did not think she ever could. Hesaid nothing, but made his bow and exit. He told Pedro Pacheco of hisill fortune.
"Then she loves another!" observed Pedro.
"Who can he be?" exclaimed the governor in a fierce voice.
"Where have your excellency's eyes been of late?" asked the confidantquietly.
"What!" cried Don Lobo, giving a furious pull at his beard, "thatEnglishman?"
"The same," said Pedro Pacheco, nodding his head.
"Then I will take good care he no longer interferes with me," said thedon in a savage tone.
"Of course it would be unwise not to exert your authority when you havehim in your power," said Pedro. "Better put him out of the wayaltogether."
"He has friends--I must have an excuse," said the governor.
"He has been plotting or will be plotting to make his escape," observedPedro. "To effect this he would not scruple to murder all in thecastle. He and his companions have shown what daring rogues they are bygoing out to the rescue of Donna Isabel and the rest when none of ourheroic countrymen would attempt the exploit. Ah, those English areterrible fellows!"
"Proof must be brought to me of their abominable intentions, and then weshall have this officer and his men in our poorer," observed thegovernor savagely.
"Proof, your excellency! there will be no want of that, considering thatour garrison consists of the very scum of the streets of Lisbon,"answered the confidant. "Why, we have men here who for a peco havesworn away the lives of their most intimate acquaintances. Of course,in so admirable a cause they would have no scruple in swearing whateverwe may dictate, even should it not be absolutely correct."
"What you may dictate, honest Pacheco, not we, understand," said thegovernor. "They may bungle when brought into court as witnesses, andthough under ordinary circumstances that would not matter, some of theseshipwrecked persons are likely to be favourable to them, and mightreport unfavourably of me if matters did not go smoothly. As to themeans I am indifferent when so important a result is to be attained."
"Ah, most noble governor, I understand all about your wishes in thematter, and will take care that the affair is carried out in asatisfactory way," answered the honest Pedro, making his master anobsequious bow as he left the room.
Don Lobo clinched his fist, and, grinding his teeth, struck out as if hehad got his prisoner's face directly in front of him. The performanceof this act seemed to afford him infinite satisfaction, for he walked upand down the room with a grin which might in courtesy have been called asmile on his countenance for some time till his legs grew weary of theexercise.
Not long after this, Edward was one evening pacing the terrace facingthe sea, casting many a longing glance over the glass-like water of theocean, on which the rays of the setting sun had spread a sheet of goldenhue, and he was considering by what means he could possibly with hiscompanions make his escape, when rough hands were laid on his shouldersand he found his arms suddenly pinioned from behind. His first impulsewas to endeavour to shake them off, and having by a violent effort doneso, his next was to double his fists and to strike at them right andleft, knocking two of them down at the instant in a true Britishfashion. At that instant, Dick Lizard, coming on the terrace and seeinghis officer assailed, rushed forward to his assistance, and quickly senttwo more Portugals tumbling head over heels right and left of him.
"To the rescue! to the rescue!" he shouted out, and his voice quicklycollected all the English prisoners who were within hearing. Of coursemore Portugals hurried up to the spot, who at once joined in the fray.Swords and daggers were drawn, which the Englishmen quickly wrenchedfrom the hands of their assailants, though not till several of theprisoners had been wounded; and now the clash of steel was heard andfire-arms were discharged, and the skirmish became general. In themidst of it Pedro Pacheco rushed out of his quarters, crying out--
"Treason! treason! the English are rising and murdering every one ofus," and at the same moment he levelled a pistol at Raymond's head. Thebullet would probably have, ended the life of the gallant adventurer hadnot Dick Lizard struck up the Portugal's arm, for he had no time in thefirst instance to do more, but a second blow from his fist sent SenhorPedro sprawling on the ground among several others of his party who hadbeen placed in the same horizontal position by the sturdy Englishmen.
In spite of the superior numbers of the Portugals, the fate of so manyof their party made the rest unwilling to close with the prisoners, who,not knowing what was intended, stood boldly at bay, resolved to selltheir lives dearly, Dick Lizard singing out--
"Come on--come on, ye varlets! we don't fear ye. One Spaniard lick twoPortugee, one Englishman lick all three!"
This state of things could not, however, last long. Trumpets weresounding, drums were beating, and soldiers from all quarters werecollecting, who now with Don Lobo at their head surrounded theEnglishmen. At the command of the governor they were levelling theirmatchlocks (fortunately the matter of discharging them was not a speedyoperation), when Don Joao d'Almeida and his daughter Donna Isabel madetheir appearance on the scene with most of those who had been preservedfrom the wreck.
"Hold, hold, countrymen!" cried Don Joao. "What! are you about toslaughter those who so gallantly risked their lives to save ours? Hold,I say; I am sure that you, Don Edoardo, have done nothing intentionallyto deserve this treatment."
Donna Isabel joined her entreaties with those of her father.
"Certainly I have no wish to break the peace," answered Raymond. "Thearms we hold were taken from those who assailed us, and we are ready tolay them down instantly at the command of the governor, in whose lawfulcustody we consider ourselves."
Thus appealed to, Don Lobo could not, without outraging all law, orderthe destruction of his prisoners. Those who had possessed themselves ofweapons put them down, when they were immediately seized each by notless than six Portugals, and marched off to the cells in which they hadat first been confined.
"I must inquire into the cause of this outbreak, when punishment will beawarded to the guilty," said Don Lobo, as he stalked back to hisquarters.
The unpleasant look which the governor cast on him made Edward feel thatevil was intended. His suspicions were speedily confirmed, for insteadof being taken to the chamber he had lately occupied, he was marched offto the prison in which he and his companions had at first been confined,and was thrust alone into a dark, close, foul dungeon, at a distance, hefeared, from Lizard and his other men. He knew nothing of the jealousfeelings which had sprung up in the bosom of Don Lobo, or hisapprehensions would naturally have been greatly increased. The air ofthe dungeon was noxious and oppressive, and he had not been in it manyhours before he began to feel its ill effects.
"A week or two in such a hole as this will bring my days to a close," hesaid to himself as he surveyed, as far as the obscurity would allow, thenarrow confines of his prison-house. "Alas! alas! my adventure hasturned out ill indeed. My own Beatrice, for thy sake I left my nativeland, and thou wilt have, ere long, to mourn me dead. For thy sake,sweet girl, I pray that I may escape."
In this strain he soliloquised for some time, as people in hiscircumstances are apt to do, and then he set to work to consider how, byhis own exertions, he might be able to get free. He was fain toconfess, that, unaided, he had not the slightest chance of escape. Ofone thing, however, he was certain--that Dick Lizard would not rest dayor night till he had made an attempt to help him. And h
e knew thatDick, with all a sailor's bluntness and thoughtlessness, had aconsiderable amount of ready wit, and of caution too, where it wasnecessary for the accomplishment of an important object. Edward hopedalso that his friends would prove true, and exert themselves in hisfavour.
All this time Don Lobo had resolved on his destruction, and only waitedthe best opportunity of accomplishing it. Knowing the character of thedungeon in which his prisoner was confined, he believed that he shouldhave very little trouble about the matter. Edward's constitution was,however, very sound, and though he certainly suffered in health, he didnot break down altogether, as the governor expected would be the case.Don Lobo, therefore, announced publicly that he intended to bring theprisoners engaged in the late outbreak to a trial. This every one knewwell would result in their being shot. Day after day passed by. Edwardfound his imprisonment more and more irksome, while he had not yetsucceeded in communicating with Lizard, nor could he ascertain evenwhere the honest fellow was shut up. His jailers were only conversablewhen they had any disagreeable news to communicate, and it isextraordinary how loquacious they became when the day of his trial wasfixed, and the opinion as to his fate was formed. They seemed to takeespecial delight in taunting him and in annoying him in every way.
"Ah, senhor, many an honest man has been hung before now, and many arogue, and neither seems to think it a pleasant operation," remarked oneof the fellows, imitating the contortions of countenance of a strangledperson.
"To which class does the noble senhor belong, I wonder?" said another.
"Maybe to the last, if he will pardon me saying so," observed a thirdwith a grin.
"But, ah me! rogue or honest, there will be some fair ladies mourningfor him in more ports than one," cried another, who was considered thewit of the gang. "Permit me, senhor, to convey your last dying messageto some or all of them. Maybe in your own land there is some fair youngdame from whom you would not willingly be parted, eh? I thought that Ishould hit the right nail on the head."
"Peace--peace, men!" exclaimed Edward. "For your own sakes, lest youshould ever be in a like condition, allow me to be alone."
His appeal, made with dignity and calmness, had more effect than heexpected, and the men shrank back, for a time, at least, abashed. Theirlast remarks did not, however, affect his feelings as might have beensupposed, the fact being that his Beatrice was never out of histhoughts, and night and day his prayers had been for blessings on herhead.
The day of the Englishmen's trial approached. Of the result there couldnot be a shadow of doubt. Numerous witnesses were able to prove thatthey had been found in open insurrection with arms in their hands, whilethere was no one to speak in their favour. Any thing, also, likejustice was unknown in the land. Still, Don Lobo, having resolved toget rid of his supposed rival, wished to give as great an air offormality and legality to his proceedings as he possibly could.
Edward, from all he could ascertain, felt convinced that he had not manydays to live. The night before his trial arrived he had thrown himselfon the heap of straw which served as his bed by night and his only seatby day, that he might obtain some repose, the better to go through hisordeal on the morrow, when he heard his prison-door open gently, withoutthe usual creaking noise which announced the appearance of his jailers,and a bright light streamed on his closed eyes. He fancied that he mustbe dreaming, till he unclosed them and discovered that the light washeld by a being habited in a white robe, beautiful in appearance,whether celestial or human he could not at first decide. If the latter,she was young and of the fair sex. He looked again. Yes--Donna Isabeld'Almeida stood before him. She put her finger to her lips to imposesilence, and kneeling down by his side whispered for some time into hisears. She then produced a couple of files and other instruments forforcing off shackles, which she and the prisoner plied so assiduouslythat scarcely half an hour had passed before he stood up free from hischains.
"Take off your shoes and put on these woollen slippers, and follow me,senhor," whispered Donna Isabel. "The guards are asleep, and if nonoise is made we need not fear being stopped."
Edward could scarcely believe his senses, and fancied that he must beasleep, but still he wisely did as he was bid. He, however, feltscarcely able to walk after being shut up for so long in thatpestiferous dungeon. Donna Isabel, shrouding part of the lantern,glided towards the door, which opening noiselessly she passed out, hefollowing. She led the way up a narrow, dark, winding staircase. Ithad not many steps, and Edward, to his surprise, found himself pacing along passage, the end of which he could not distinguish. He had neverbefore been in that part of the fort. Not a sound was heard, nor didhis own nor his guide's footfall make the slightest noise. Heconjectured that the guard had just before made the rounds, and that thewarders had settled themselves into their nooks and corners and gone tosleep. Donna Isabel seemed to have perfect confidence that all wasright, though he could not help expecting every instant to come on oneof these nooks, and to find a warder prepared to dispute their onwardprogress.
He had been aware that his dungeon was at a considerable depth, but,judging from the number of steps he had to ascend, he found that it waseven deeper down than he had supposed. The gallery was low and arched--hewn out of the rock it appeared, or built of rough stones, though, asmay be supposed, he made no very exact observations as he hurried on.Suddenly Donna Isabel stopped, and taking his arm led him round a cornerinto another corridor or gallery. It was a side passage, or, probably,rather a passage which had been commenced but not finished. Covering upher lantern, they were in total darkness. Edward had, however, time toascertain that they were behind a buttress or projecting part of thewall, which would conceal them partially from any one passing along themain gallery they had quitted. Donna Isabel had not sought the place ofconcealment a moment too soon, for scarcely was the light shrouded thanfootsteps were heard and a glare of light appeared. The light proceededfrom a couple of torches held by two men, and directly behind themstalked no less a person than the governor himself, followed closely byPedro Pacheco. The glare penetrated to the recess in which thefugitives stood, and Edward expected every moment to be discovered byDon Lobo. The don was, however, near-sighted, or so occupied in earnestconversation, that he did not turn his eyes in that direction. Edwardcould hear his companion's heart beat. Discovery would have beendestruction to both of them probably--to him certainly. The governor,also--as was his habit--walked along with his eyes on the ground, butthose of the worthy Pedro had the custom of continually casting furtiveglances here and there, as if he expected some one to jump suddenly uponhim and give him a stab in the ribs or a kick in a less noble part, oras if he thought a person was about to creep behind him to listen towhat he was saying. Edward had remarked this peculiarity in thegovernor's confidant, and had very natural apprehensions that it wouldlead to their detection. The eyes went up and down, here and there, asusual--now, by a turn of the head, looking over one shoulder, now overthe other, now into the governor's face to ascertain what effect hisremarks were producing. Donna Isabel crouched down, really nowtrembling with fear, for, as far as her gentle nature would allow, sheloathed Senhor Pedro even more than his master. Edward stood boltupright, with his arms by his side and his eyes fixed, to occupy aslittle space as possible. Round and round went Pedro's lynx-like orbs.By what possibility could they escape falling on the spot where Edwardwas endeavouring to hide?
A small matter often produces an important result. A little stone,which hundreds of feet had passed by without touching, lay on theground. The governor struck his toe against it, on which toe a painfulcallosity existed. Uttering an oath at the pain he was caused, hestumbled forward, and would have proved the hardness of the rock withthe tip of his nose had not Pedro caught him as he fell. So assiduouswere the attentions of the confidant, that, though Don Lobo limped onslowly, they had both passed beyond the spot from which they could seethe fugitives before Pedro's eyes turned again towards the quarter wherethey stood. It might b
e possible that other persons were following, butno one else appeared.
It occurred to Edward that the governor might be on his way to see himin his cell, and if so their flight would speedily be discovered. Atall events, not a moment was to be lost. Donna Isabel must have thoughtthe same, for, taking his hand, she again led him along the chiefgallery in the direction in which they were before going.
"The stumble of the governor might be fortunate for more reasons thanone," thought Edward. "If he is going towards my cell, it may delay himand give us a little longer start."
Distances appear much greater to persons walking in the dark and in anunknown path, and thus Edward believed that they must be close on someoutlet long before one was reached. More steps were ascended and othersdescended, and long passages traversed, when Donna Isabel led the waythrough a narrow one which turned off at right angles to a main gallery,and hurrying along it for some way, they suddenly came to a door. Thecool night air came through an iron grating, showing that it was anoutlet, if not to the fort itself, to that portion where the prison wasplaced. Iron bars secured it, and a strong lock, apparently. The ladybeckoned to Edward to undertake the task which her weaker arms wereunable to perform, throwing the light of the lantern for the purpose onthe door. The bolts having been without much difficulty withdrawn, sheproduced a key, which she handed to Edward. In vain he attempted to fitit in the lock. It was clearly the wrong key, or they had come to thewrong door. There was a latch, but though he pulled at it and shook it,the door would not open.
"Alas! I trust the error is not fatal. We should have turned to theright instead of to the left," whispered Donna Isabel. "It was the onlypoint about which I had any doubt."
Leaving the door with the bolts withdrawn, they retraced their steps forsome distance.
"Here! here!" whispered Donna Isabel. "This is the right way."
Going on, they stood before a door similar to the one they had beforeattempted. The bolts were withdrawn with ease; they had evidentlylately been oiled. Passing through the gateway, Edward and the ladyfound themselves in the open air. Edward expected to be outside thefort, but he soon discovered that they were still within the outerworks. The heavy footsteps of a sentry as he paced the ramparts couldbe distinctly heard, the bark of a dog in the distance, and the steadylash of the restless sea on the beach. A wide open space had to becrossed. The attempt must be made, and yet they might be seen by thesentry. Fortunately the night was dark. Donna Isabel held Edward backtill the man had turned, and then whispering, "Quick, quick!" led theway, running rapidly across the open space. So quickly she ran, thatEdward could scarcely keep up with her. Breathless she reached theparapet of the outer works. At the spot where they stood an anglesheltered them from the sight of the sentry above. Edward looked over,and found that it was directly above the shore, and, as far as he couldjudge in the darkness, the ditch seemed to have been almost filled withsand. Donna Isabel, stooping down, produced a strong rope from under agun-carriage, to which the end was secured.
"I doubt not its strength," she whispered; "but I will lead the way."
And before Edward could prevent her grasping the rope, she had flungherself off the wall, and was descending rapidly. Believing that shehad reached the bottom, he imitated her example. The rope stretched andcracked as his weight was thrown on it. Every moment he expected it tobreak, and he was unable to tell the height he might have to fall, orthe nature of the ground which he should reach. It was withinexpressible satisfaction that his feet touched some hard, ruggedrocks.
"We have yet farther to go," said Donna Isabel. "Then, Don Edoardo, Imust leave you with those better able than a weak girl to render youassistance."
Along the rough sea-beat rocks Donna Isabel, with unfaltering steps,held her way. The softer sand was gained, and now faster even thanbefore she fled along, urging Edward to still greater speed.
"Go before me, brave Englishman," she exclaimed. "Even now we may bepursued, and my failing strength will not bear me on as fast as you canrun. On, on; care not for me; I will follow."
This, however, Edward could not bring himself to do. It was contrary toall his manly feelings, his ideas of chivalry. Half lifting and halfsupporting the young lady, he bore her on towards the harbour. As theywent, the idea occurred to him, "What could be Donna Isabel'sintentions? Did she propose flying with him?" The question wasperplexing. "I'll tell her at once the truth, and return to prisonrather than place her in a wrong position."
While thus hurrying on, however, he found it impossible to express hissentiments.
The beach which formed the inner side of the little harbour was atlength reached, but no boat could Edward discern.
"It is farther out, concealed under the rocks," said Donna Isabel. "Wemust endeavour to reach it by walking along them."
The undertaking appeared very hazardous to Edward, who remembered thatthere were numerous crevices, and smooth, slippery places, down which itwould be difficult to avoid falling. Donna Isabel, however, assured himthat she was acquainted with a secure path which had been cut in therocks.
After searching for a short time the path was found, and cautiously sheled the way along it. It was necessary in the dark to feel every stepin advance, lest a false one might precipitate her into the water. Thedelay was very trying. Neither of them had once looked behind; therewould have been no use in so doing. Even if pursued, they could nothave fled faster than they had done. Suddenly Donna Isabel stopped.
"I cannot find the path," she exclaimed, after searching round for sometime.
In vain Edward tried to discover it.
While stopping in consequence of this, their eyes were directed for thefirst time towards the castle. In front of it appeared several brightlights; they were those of torches and lanterns. After flitting aboutfor some time, the lights began to move towards the harbour. They werepursued. If the boat could not be found, they would inevitably becaptured.
"I will go first and search for the boat, at all hazards," exclaimedEdward.
He walked on. Donna Isabel in her alarm had fancied that they were outof the path, though it was but some roughness of the rock that hadmisled her. They were soon again in it. With renewed spirits Edwardpushed on. He fancied that he saw the boat close under a projectingpart of the rock. He hailed.
"All right, huzza!" answered a voice. He recognised it as that of DickLizard. "We are here, most of us. The Portugals have got three still,but they'll be out soon and come on here."
Dick, being low down, had not seen the lights near the castle. Edwardtold him of the circumstance.
"Then the poor fellows will be caught," cried Dick. "If we had a chancewe'd go back and help them; but we've none. It's the chance of war. Ifthe scoundrel Portugals kill them, we'll avenge them some day. But stepin, sir, and we'll shove off. We are sadly short-handed, that's theworst of it, if we are chased. However, it can't be helped."
Edward had not spoken to Donna Isabel for some seconds, or it might be aminute or two; certainly not since he had heard Lizard's voice. Nowcame the perplexing point, what would she do? Don Joao was not in theboat, nor any of her countrymen. Would she desire to accompany him? Heturned to address her, to express his deep gratitude for her nobleexertions, and the arrangements she had made thus far so successfully toenable him to escape. Great and painful was his astonishment, however,when, on turning, Donna Isabel was nowhere to be seen. Lizard had notperceived her.
"When I first caught sight of you, Master Raymond, you were alone; thatI'll swear, sir," he replied.
Edward sprang back horrified.
"Donna Isabel! Donna Isabel!" he shouted. He felt as grieved andalarmed as he would have done had she been a beloved sister. Thedreadful idea seized him that she must have slipped off the rock andbeen drowned; for calm as was the sea, the swell sent a constant currentinto the harbour, which would instantly have drawn her away from thespot where she had fallen.
"Donna Isabel! Donna
Isabel!" he again shouted.
No answer was given. To delay longer would have been useless. Dick andthe other men had joined in the fruitless search. They now literallyforced him into the boat, and, shoving off, began to pull down theharbour. As they did so, one of the men declared he saw an objectfloating by--an uplifted hand. On they pulled; it was ahead. Again itwas seen. At that moment lights appeared on the beach, and advancingalong the rocks. The fugitives were, however, on the element theyloved. They were free. A few strokes more and they would be out of theharbour, when, alas! the stem of the boat struck against a chain drawntightly across the mouth, and the loud cries and derisive shouts of thePortugals told them that their hopes of escape were vain.
Antony Waymouth; Or, The Gentlemen Adventurers Page 6