the two captains-第11章
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fearful to him； and even in sleep a vague consciousness of his past
sufferings would often disturb him。 〃You cannot imagine it；〃 he
added。 〃To be suddenly transported from well…known scenes into the
boundless desert！ And instead of the longed…for enchanting face of
my beloved； to see an ugly camel's head stretched over me
inquisitively with its long neck； starting back as I rose with still
more ugly timidity！〃
This； with all other painful consequences of his past miseries； soon
wholly vanished； from Fadrique's mind； and they cheerfully set out on
their journey to Tunis。 The consciousness； indeed； of his injustice
to Heimbert and its unavoidable results often lay like a cloud upon
the noble Spaniard's brow； but it also softened the natural proud
severity of his nature； and Antonia could cling the more tenderly and
closely to him with her loving heart。
Tunis； which had been before so amazed at Zelinda's magic power and
enthusiastic hostility against the Christians； now witnessed
Antonia's solemn baptism in a newly…consecrated edifice； and soon
after the three companions took ship with a favorable wind for
Malaga。
CHAPTER XVII。
Beside the fountain where she had parted from Heimbert； Dona Clara
was sitting one evening in deep thought。 The guitar on her knees
gave forth a few solitary chords； dreamily drawn from it； as it were；
by her delicate hands； and at length forming themselves into a
melody； while the following words dropped softly from her partly
opened lips：
〃Far away； 'fore Tunis ramparts；
Where the Christian army lies；
Paynim host are fiercely fighting
With Spanish troops and Spain's allies。
Who from bloodstained lilies there；
And death's roses pale and fair
Who has borne the conquerer's prize？
〃Ask Duke Alba； ask Duke Alba；
Which two knights their fame have proved；
One was my own valiant brother；
The other was my heart's beloved。
And I thought that I should crown them；
Doubly bright with glory's prize；
And a widow's veil is falling
Doubly o'er my weeping eyes；
For the brave knights ne'er again
Will be found mid living men。〃
The music paused； and soft dew…drops fell from her heavenly eyes。
Heimbert； who was concealed under the neighboring orange…trees； felt
sympathetic tears rolling down his cheeks； and Fadrique； who had led
him and Antonia there； could no longer delay the joy of meeting； but
stepping forward with his two companions he presented himself before
his sister； like some angelic messsenger。
Such moments of extreme and sudden delight； the heavenly blessings
long expected and rarely vouchsafed； are better imagined by each
after his own fashion； and it is doing but an ill service to recount
all that this one did and that one said。 Picture it therefore to
yourself； dear reader； after your own fancy； as you are certainly far
better able to do； if the two loving pairs in my story have become
dear to you and you have grown intimite with them。 If that； however；
be not the case； what is the use of wasting unnecessary words？ For
the benefit of those who with heart…felt pleasure could have lingered
over this meeting of the sister with her brother and her lover； I
will proceed with increased confidence。 Although Heimbert； casting
a significant look at Fadrique； was on the point of retiring as soon
as Antonia had been placed under Dona Clara's protection； the noble
Spaniard would not permit him。 He detained his companion…in…arms
with courteous and brotherly requests that he would remain till the
evening repast； at which some relatives of the Mendez family joined
the party； and in their presence Fadrique declared the brave Heimbert
of Waldhausen to be Dona Clara's fiance； sealing the betrothal with
the most solemn words； so that it might remain indissoluble； whatever
might afterward occur which should seem inimical to their union。 The
witnesses were somewhat astonished at these strange precautionary
measures； but at Fadrique's desire they unhesitatingly gave their
word that all should be carried out as he wished； and they did this
the more unhesitatingly as the Duke of Alba； who had just been in
Malaga on some trivial business； had filled the whole city with the
praises of the two young captains。
As the richest wine was now passing round the table in the tall
crystal goblets； Fadrique stepped behind Heimbert's chair and
whispered to him； 〃If it please you； Senorthe moon is just risen
and is shining as bright as dayI am ready to give you
satisfaction。〃 Heimbert nodded in assent； and the two youths quitted
the hall； followed by the sweet salulations of the unsuspecting
ladies。
As they passed through the beautiful garden； Fadrique said； with a
sigh； 〃We could have wandered here so happily together； but for my
over…rashness！〃 〃Yes； indeed；〃 said Heimbert； 〃but so it is； and it
cannot be otherwise； if we would continue to look upon each other as
a soldier and a nobleman。〃 〃True！〃 replied Fadrique； and they
hastened to reach a distant part of the garden； where the sound of
their clashing swords could not reach the gay hall of betrothal they
had left。
CHAPTER XVIII。
Secret and inclosed； with blooming shrubs planted around； with not a
sound to be heard of the merry company； nor of the animated streets
of the city； with the full moon shining overhead and brightening the
solemn circle with its clear brilliancysuch was the spot。 The two
captains unsheathed their gleaming swords and stood opposite each
other； ready for the encounter。 But before they began the combat a
nobler feeling drew them to each other's arms； they lowered their
weapons and embraced in the most fraternal manner。 They then tore
themselves away and the fearful contest began。
They were now no longer brothers…in…arms； no longer friends； no
longer brothers…in…law； who directed their sharp steels against each
other。 With the most resolute boldness； but with the coolest
collectedness； each fell upon his adversary； guarding his own breast
at the same time。 After a few hot and dangerous passes the
combatants were obliged to rest； and during the pause they regarded
each other with increased love； each rejoicing to find his comrade so
valiant and so honorable。 And then the fatal strife began anew。
With his left hand Heimbert dashed aside Fadrique's sword； which had
been aimed at him with a thrust in tierce； sideward； but the keen
edge had penetrated his leathern glove； and the red blood gushed out。
〃Hold！〃 cried Fadrique； and they searched for the wound； but soon
perceiving that it was of no importance； and binding it up； they both
began the combat with undiminished vigor。
It was not long before Heimbert's blade pierced Fadrique's right
shoulder； and the German； feeling that he had wounded his opponent；
now on his side called out to halt。 At first Fadrique would not
acknowledge to the injury； but soon the blood began to trickle down；
and he was obliged to accept his friend's careful assistance。 Still
this wound also appeared insignificant； the noble Spaniard still felt
power to wield his sword； and again the deadly contest was renewed
with knightly ardor。
Presently the garden…gate clanked； and the sound of a horse's step
was heard advancing through the shrubbery。 Both combatants paused in
their stern work and turned toward the unwelcome disturber。 The next
moment through the slender pines a horseman was visible whose dress
and bearing proclaimed him a warrior and Fadrique； as master of the
house； at once addressed him。 〃Senor；〃 said he； 〃why you come here；
intruding into a strange garden； we will inquire at another time。
For the present I will only request you to leave us free from further
interruption by immediately retiring； and to favor me with your
name。〃 〃Retire I will not；〃 replied the stranger； 〃but my name I
will gladly tell you。 I
