`Nay, Jose, let the poor cavalier sleep. He seems wearied. He wakes!' she exclaimed, as the young stranger opened his eyes and looked around. At first he seemed bewildered, but on seeing Anita he recollected all the circumstances that preceeded his going to sleep. He rose, with some difficulty, for he felt the effects of his fatigues and the wounds in his feet, and said with courtesy, while the color deepened his cheek,
`Pardon me, senora. I am a shipwrecked sailor, and coming hither and finding all asleep, overcome with weariness I slept also. My sleep was sweet and my dreams were pleasant for I knew an angel was near me.'
Donna Anita blushed, for she could not but understand the meaning of the handsome, pale young stranger. Without meeting his deep impassioned yet respectful gaze, she said, with modesty,
`Senor you are welcome to our hospitality. The gates of the Casa del Torre were never closed against the unfortunate. I sympathise with you in your misfortune and trust that by our kindness we shall be able in some degree to alleviate that grief which you must experience for the loss of your vessel and companions. Are you the only one saved?'
`I said I was shipwrecked, senora,' answered the stranger with increased admiration of her now that he had heard her rich sweet voice and listened to her warm expressions of sympathy; `my vessel, lady, is not lost, that I am aware of; though how she can have out-lived the hurricane I am unable to see! In the midst of it as we were running before it under bare poles, as I was standing on deck a sea broke over the stern which submerged the vessel and swept every thing from the decks. I was borne far from her, and rising upon the top of a wave saw the vessel flying away like an arrow beyond sound of my cries. I gave myself up to a sailor's death, when something struck against me. I grasped it! I clung to it, and fortunately found attached to it its lashings with which I bound myself to it by one arm. I then endeavored to reach the land which was full a league distant. The sea was as white with foam as a wintry plain over which the wild snow is driven. I was borne onward almost on the wings of the storm often lifted by its force from the waves amid clouds of spray and dashed headlong. How I reached the land I know not. I have no recollection of the remainder of the night. When the sun rose I found myself lying upon a rocky spur of a small island at the entrance of this bay.'
`God be blessed for this miraculous preservation! ' exclaimed Donna Anita devoutly. Jose crossed himself and muttered `Ave Maria purissima.'
`After coming a little to myself I looked round for some signs of human habitation and discovered this Vermilion Tower in the distance. I then set out to reach it; but my progress was attended with great pain and suffering. I had to swim from islet to islet before I could reach the main-land; and thence after a difficult journey I reached here. I found the gate open and entered. I ascended to the azotea, where I beheld you, noble lady, also asleep beneath yonder canopy, I gazed on you and forgot all I had suffered. But sleep overpowered me and I yielded to its influence, only to behold you still present in my dreams. Senora if I have offended by intruding here I hope—
`Offended, senor! You are welcome! Heaven has directed your steps hither! Jose you will at once see that el senor has every thing to render him comfortable, food and clothing. Conduct him to Basilio's chamber and let him choose from Basilio's wardrobe.'
`Senora, your goodness—'
`Not a word, senor Americano,' answered Anita laughing. `You must do as I bid you. Go with Jose who will see to your comfort. After you have reposed awhile and made your toilet I will visit you. Jose is a good medico, and will do something to heal your lacerated feet. Pobsecito! I need not assure you, senor, how much my heart sympathises in your distresses. But Heaven has preserved your life, and for this we are all thankful!' If the young stranger was charmed by her beauty as she slept, he was enchanted by the grace and unaffected simplicity of her manners and the noble traits of character her conversation exhibited. The impression her loveliness of human face and person had first made upon his mind was now deepened by the superior loveliness of her mind and heart. Donna Anita could not fail to read his admiration in his expressive blue eyes, which seemed to to her `— as deep and full of light, As the star-lit skies Of a summer's night.'
He left her guided by Jose who led him to the magnificent camera occupied by Basilio when at the tower.
`Senor is an officer of La armada Americana? ' asked Jose as he ushered him into the chamber.
`Yes,' Senor, answered the young man in pure Spanish.
`You were in the schooner that was in the offing just before sun-down yesterday?'
`Yes. Did you discover us?'
Si, Senor! You were about three leagues or ten miles off! I know she was a schooner of war; and when the tornado came on I feared for her!'
`I have little hopes that she has escaped. She is, however, a good sea-boat and as dry as a teal!'
She may have taken the tornado near its edge and got out of it. But is hardly possible! What schooner was it, Escelentissimo?'
`The Porpoise, U. S. schooner of six guns. We were cruising after pirates. I was her commander. We left Matanzas three weeks ago, and during that time I have taken and burnt one piratical craft and driven two on shore. We were in chase of a heavy lugger sloop carrying a forty eight pounder amidships, and thirty men, when the tornado came upon us. The lugger aided by her sweeps run for the land and I have no doubt got shelter in some inlet before the storm burst! Whose Quinta is this in which I am so hospitably entertained, Senor?'
`It is that of El Senor Don Basilio Marial, and of his sister La Senorita Dona Anita. They are the orphan children of Don Lazaro, the Patriot conspirator who was executed at Havanna some years since! and a nobler breast was never pierced by a bullet! He was my master and friend, Senor!'
`And where is Don Basilio?'
`Like his father he is a patriot. His ambition is to see Cuba free from the yoke of Spain and governed by her own children, and by a free constitution. To this end he devotes his life, influence, energies and wealth. I speak openly to you, Senor Escelentissimo, because I know you too are a friend of liberty. I wish Don Basilio were at home now to receive you. He would be happy to have as his guest un Americano caballero. He loves the Americans, Senor. I love the Americans! Dona Anita loves the Americans!'
At the name of Dona Anita the young American's pale cheek glowed, and his eyes sparkled.
`And Donna Anita! has she lived always here?'
`She has never been away, save once to Havanna, when a child.'
`She—she—that is—is Don Basilio, her brother married?'
`No, senor. He is now gone to Havanna to bring here a bride. We expect him in a week, and trust we shall have your excelleney's company until he arrives. Don Basilio would feel glad to grasp the hand of an American. '
`And Donna Anita, his lovely sister,—has she—that is—does she contemplate marriage?'
`No, senor! the Donna Anita loves no one but her brother. For that matter, secluded here all her life she has seen no one to love worthy her rank. Yet she has a noble great heart, excellentissimo, and would pour a wealth of its rich treasures into any man's bosom whom she could love!'
The young man's countenance beamed with delight. The words of old Jose filled him with a joy he could not conceal. This conversation took place while Jose was carefully binding up his wounded feet, after having bathed them, and robed him in one of Don Basilio's dressing-gowns. He was refreshed by suitable food prepared and sent into him by Donna Anita, and by Jose's direction, he laid down to repose for the night.
Jose returned to Donna Anita who had left him in the azotea, and was seated in the sala, her thoughts running upon the handsome young American officer, whom fortune had thrown upon her hospitality. She recalled his looks, his smile, the tone of his voice, the devoted respect and deep admiration of his manner towards her. As she suffered her thoughts to dwell upon him, his image deepened its impression upon her heart, and tender feelings began to arise in her bosom, such as she never before experienced. They were not such as she h
ad all her life entertained for her brother, but dissimilar, and yet originating like these, in the very depths of her being. Those with which she regarded Basilio wero deep, quiet, peaceful, like the tranquil flow of a summer's stream. Those which the young stranger awakened were like the same stream agitated by rapids and wildly tossed by the winds. Their novelty surprised and yet pleased her, communicating to her soul a secret delight amid all the commotion that they occasioned. Love, new, fresh, pure, had taken possession of her virgin bosom, and to its hallowed influence she yielded up her senses as in a pleasant dream when one is half-waking.
It was in the gentle mood of heretofore unknown bliss that Jose found her, after quitting the young stranger.
`How did you leave our guest, Jose?' she asked, deeply blushing as if she feared he had read her thoughts.
`He sleeps, Senora! He is a pleasant gentlemen— un caballero! I have dressed his wounds; they will be healed in three days. He partook of the wine and orange orgeat, and other refreshments you sent him and bade me thank you!'
`Did he say nothing more, Jose?'
`Oh yes, Senora! He talked a great deal and asked me a great many questions about you!'
Then Jose began in detail, with certain em bellishments of his own, what had transpired and all that had been said by the young Americano. Dona Anita listened well-pleased; and the joy of her heart was deepened at the consciousness of having awakened an interest in the breast of one in whom she felt her happiness was being deeply involved.
The next morning the guest who had given his name to Jose as Walter Nevil, having signified to Jose that he was so far recovered from his fatigue as to be able to walk in the patio, on this being duly reported to Dona Anita she invited him to breakfast with her. Their meeting was not without embarrassment; for in both their breasts love had taken deep root. Walter scarce raised his eyes to hers, as he saluted her, and she timidly dropped her own as she replied. He took a seat opposite to her, and for a few moments both remained silent. He was too fearful of betraying too much if he spoke, and she trembling lest if she looked up or opened her lips the first word or look would betray her passion. Old Jose who stood by gazed from one to the other, gently shrugged his shoulders, and a significant expression of intelligence passed across his features. The old man saw at a glance how matters stood. The discovery gave him no little satisfaction which he betrayed by a bright sparkle in the eye and a smile that played about his mouth. Oppressed by the silence Walter raised his eyes to address his lovely hostess. It so chanced that she raised hers at the same instant! Their glances fully encountered—an interchange of expression passed—an involuntary knowledge of each other's passion, was conveyed like electricity from eye to eye thrilling the deepest toned chords of both their hearts! The glow of pleasure which deepened the cheek and brow of the young man was reflected in lovlier and softer tints from her own, and that moment their happiness was too great for utterance. Dona Anita rose as if to fly for joy and shame, but the happy youth arresting her hand caught it to his lips and reseated her, and yielding to his gentle entreaty resumed the seat she had left. Jose had discreetly left the sala, and the young lover did not fail to take advantage of the favored moment to plead in tones of passion the depth and purity of his first love!
Days passed, and the young lovers were happy in each other's presence. The Vermilion tower had become a paradise. Don Waltero, as old Jose had denominated him, had related all his history, and Donna Anita in return had told him the story of her family.— His sympathies as an American, was with the conspirator and his family, and he panted in his enthusiasm, to behold and clasp hands with Don Basilio, whom he began to esteem for his patriotism as well as love for his near relationship to her whom each day he more and more idolized. In her society he forgot his fatigues, his ship wreck, the fate of his companions and vessel, and even the future, with its calls to duty. Each day he was improving in his health and strength, and at the time when Donna Anita is introduced watching from the tower for the return of her brother—the vessel of Isidoro hove in sight bearing the news of his imprisonment, he had so far recovered as to ride out with her in short excursions along the retired shores of the Bay. At times the thought of rejoining his frigate then at Havana, would pass over his mind, but he would banish it, and gazing in the face of Anita banish all else but her image and his happiness n her presence from his mind.
But as he grew strong and well, and his duty would call more loudly than was welcome to the ear of his conscience, he would plead to himself the necessity of waiting the return of Basilio, who would furnish him in his vessel with a passage to the Havana.
`It is true,' he said, as he sat in his room on the morning on which Jose and Donna Anita discovered the sail, `it is true I am now quite recovered, and my honor calls me at once to report myself alive and ready for duty again. But courtesy renders it expedient I should await Don Basilio's arrival, who is daily looked for. My happiness, dear Anita has placed in his hands! I must obtain his consent before I can claim the lovely girl as my bride.— I will wait. I think I shall perform my part by writing to the ship and informing the Captain of my safety, say that I shall return as soon as I can take passage in a vessel I am expecting into the Bay! This I will do; and when Don Basilio's vessel comes I will ask permission to sail in her. I will write at once!'
With this resolution he sat down and wrote a letter to the captain of the Razee, then supposed to be in Havana, giving him a flrief account of his cruise and of his being washed overboard and of his safety. Having completed it, he took horse, and without communicating with Donna Anita, who with Jose were then engaged in watching the sail they had discovered, he took his way through the sccret foot-path in the forest to the nighest post, two leagues distant in the interior. Here he deposited his letter, and then returned to the Tower, which he reached just as Donna Anita appeared from the beach where Isidoro had landed and communicated to her the news of Don Basilio's imprisonment.
CHAPTER IX.
The love-test.—The embarkation—The arrival of the polacca in Havana—The plan of Nevil—The attempt and result—The separation— Don Bazilio and Anita meeting.
The young officer had discovered Donna Anita's approach to the casa from the shore of the Bay some moments before he reached the arch of the gateway. Her eager step, her rapid walk, her pale and excited face struck him at once with alarm and curiosity. Throwing himself from his horse he advanced to meet her with a countenance of deep and tender anxiety.
`What sad intelligence have you received, senora? what sorrowful event has transpired since my absence this morning to produce such an aspect of grief?'
`My brother, senor de Nevil!' she faltered out.
`What of him—of Don Bazilio? I fear me it is sad from your sadness. Speak Anita, your griefs are mine,' he said taking her hand.
`Come in with me, Walter, and you shall hear!' she said with mingled grief and dignity.
He followed her into the sala and seated himself by her upon a divan. She wept for some moments and then said,
`It is sad sad news, senor! My brother lies at this moment a prisoner in the Moro Castle.'
`Is this true?' he exclaimed starting to his feet in his surprise. `Don Bazilio in prison?'
`It is too true, senor! A vessel has just arrived in the Bay in which came his lieutenant Isodoro and most of his men confirming the fact.'
Donna Anita then composing herself informed him of the circumstances just as Isidoro had communicated them to her. The young American listened with surprise and sorrow. His deep sympathy for Donna Anita was written in his countenance. When she had ended he said warmly,
`Don Bazilio must be rescued, senora. For your sake he must not meet the doom to which his captor has destined him. But how to aid him I cannot advise you. I am powerless. You have only my wishes.'
`Your are far from powerless, senor de Nevil! You are brave—you are generous— you are a patriot.'
She suddenly ceased and looked down with a deepening color gathering in
her cheeks.
`How can I serve you, Anita?'
`You profess to love me, Walter—'
`Profess! Oh, recall that word. I love you Anita, with all my soul and being.'
`Will you prove that love to me?' she said, her dark eyes lighting up with glorious beauty and her whole manner singularly earnest.
`With my life!' he answered firmly.
`Then listen to me, Walter? You have sought my hand. I have referred you to my brother. He lies in prison. I cannot think of love or wedlock while Bazilio is in chains. Rescue my brother—restore him to me free, and my hand, as my heart already is, shall be vours.'
The young American officer paused a moment as if to reflect. She regarded him an instant earnestly and then cried,
`Oh, can you hesitate, Walter? Can you pause to decide where the sufferer is my brother? Can you love Anita and be indifferent to Bazilio's fate?'
`I am not indifferent, Anita. My heart bleeds for you and my eyes weep with yours. I would risk my life to restore your brother to you. To make you happy again would fill me with joy. I paused not to decide whether I should attempt to free Bazilio or not—but how I could do it.'
`Foagive me, Walter. Pardon a sister's impatience. I do not doubt your love. I know you will not let my brother lie in chains while you in ease and quiet remain in safety here sharing half that love which he should share with thee. You need not deliberate upon how you shall aid him. To the brave all things are possible. If I were there instead of Bazilio, ' she said smiling as she lifted her tear-glistening eyes to his face, `would you not rescue me? I know you would, noble Walter. '
`I would save you or perish in the attempt. '
Steel Belt; or, The Three Masted Goleta. A Tale of Boston Bay Page 9