按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Fadrique sought her in vain in the burning palace。
CHAPTER VIII。
The great Alba held a council with his chief officers in an open
place in the middle of the conquered city； and； by means of
interpreters； sent question after question to the Turkish prisoners
as to the fate of the beautiful woman who had been seen animating
them on the ramparts； and who was certainly the most exquisite
enchantress that had ever visited the earth。 Nothing very distinct
was to be gained from the answers； for although the interrogated all
knew of the the beautiful Zelinda as a noble lady versed in magic
lore； and acknowledged by the whole people； they were utterly unable
to state from whence she had come to Tunis and whither she had now
fled。 When at last they began to threaten the prisoners as
obstinate； an old Dervish； hitherto unnoticed； pressed forward and
said； with a gloomy smile； 〃Whoever has a desire to seek the lady may
set out when he chooses； I will conceal nothing from him of what I
know of her direction； and I know something。 But I must first of all
receive the promise that I shall not be compelled to accompany as
guide。 My lips otherwise will remain sealed forever； and you may do
with me as you will。〃
He looked like one who intended to keep his word； and Alba； pleased
with the firmness of the man； which harmonized well with his own
mind； gave him the desired assurance； and the Dervish began his
relation。 He was once； he said； wandering in the almost infinite
desert of Sahara； impelled perhaps by rash curiosity； perhaps by
higher motives； he had lost his way there； and had at last； wearied
to death； reached one of those fertile islands of that sea of sand
which are called oases。 Then followed； sparkling with oriental
vivacity； a description of the wonderful things seen there； now
filling the hearts of his hearers with sweet longing； and then again
making their hair stand on end with horror； though from the strange
pronunciation of the speaker and the flowing rapidity of his words
the half was scarcely understood。 The end of all this at length was
that Zelinda dwelt on that oasis； in the midst of the pathless sand…
plains of the desert； surrounded by magic horrors； and also； as the
Dervish knew for certain； that she had left about half an hour ago on
her way thither。 The almost contemptuous words with which he
concluded his narration plainly showed that he desired nothing more
earnestly than to seduce some Christians to undertake a journey which
must terminate inevitably in their destruction。 At the same time he
added a solemn oath that everything was truly as he had stated it；
and he did this in a firm and grave manner； as a man who knows that
he is speaking the most indubitable truth。 Surprised and thoughtful；
the circle of officers held their council round him。
Then Heimbert stepped forward with an air as if of request； he had
just received a summons to leave the burning palace； where he had
been seeking his friend； and had been appointed to the place of
council because it was necessary to arrange the troops here in
readiness for any possible rising in the conquered city。 〃What do
you wish； my young hero？〃 said Alba； recognizing him as he appeared。
〃I know your smiling； blooming countenance well。 You were but lately
sheltering me like a protecting angel。 I am so sure that you make no
request but what is honorable and knightly that anything you may
possibly desire is granted beforehand。〃 〃My great Duke；〃 replied
Heimbert； with cheeks glowing with pleasure； 〃if I may then venture
to ask a favor； will you grant me permission to follow the beautiful
Zelinda at once in the direction which this wonderful Dervish has
pointed out？〃 The great general bowed in assent； and added； 〃So
noble an adventure could not be consigned to a more noble knight！〃
〃I do not know that！〃 said an angry voice from the throng。 〃But well
do I know that to me above all others this adventure belongs； even
were it assigned as a reward for the capture of Tunis。 For who was
the first on the height and within the city？〃 〃That was Don Fadrique
Mendez；〃 said Heimbert； taking the speaker by the hand and leading
him before the general。 〃If I now for his sake must forfeit my
promised reward； I must patiently submit； for he has rendered better
service than I have done to the emperor and the army。〃
〃Neither of you shall forfeit his reward；〃 said the great Alba。
〃Each has permission from this moment to seek the maiden in whatever
way it seems to him most advisable。〃
And swift as lightning the two young captains quitted the circle of
officers in opposite directions。
CHAPTER IX。
A sea of sand； stretching out in the distant horizon； without one
object to mark its extensive surface； white and desolate in its
vastnesssuch is the scene which proclaims the fearful desert of
Sahara to the eye of the wanderer who has lost himself in these
frightful regions。 In this also it resembles the sea； that it casts
up waves； and often a misty vapor bangs over its surface。 But there
is not the soft play of waves which unite all the coasts of the
earth； each wave as it rolls in bringing a message from the remotest
and fairest island kingdoms； and again rolling back as it were with
an answer； in a sort of love…flowing dance。 No； there is here only
the melancholy sporting of the hot wind with the faithless dust which
ever falls back again into its joyless basin； and never reaches the
rest of the solid land with its happy human dwellings。 There is here
none of the sweet cool sea…breeze in which kindly fairies seem
carrying on their graceful sport； forming blooming gardens and
pillared palacesthere is only a suffocating vapor； rebelliously
given back to the glowing sun from the unfruitful sands。
Hither the two youths arrived at the same time； and paused； gazing
with dismay at the pathless chaos before them。 Zelinda's track；
which was not easily hidden or lost； had hitherto obliged them almost
always to remain together； dissatisfied as Fadrique was at the
circumstance； and angry as were the glances he cast at his unwelcome
companion。 Each had hoped to overtake Zelinda before she had reached
the desert； feeling how almost impossible it would be to find her
once she had entered it。 That hope was now at an end； and although
in answer to the inquiries they made in the Barbary villages on the
frontier； they heard that a wanderer going southward in the desert
and guiding his course by the stars would； according to tradition；
arrive at length at a wonderfully fertile oasis； the abode of a
divinely beautiful enchantress； yet everything appeared highly
uncertain and dispiriting； and was rendered still more so by the
avalanches of dust before the travellers' view。
The youths looked sadly at the prospect before them； and their horses
snorted and started back at the horrible plain； as though it were
some insidious quicksand； and even the riders themselves were seized
with doubt and dismay。 Suddenly they sprung from their saddles； as
at some word of command； unbridled their horses； loosened their
girths； and turned them loose on the desert； tha