the two captains-第4章
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unremitting anger with which both the combatants fought； it was
evident that one of the two would find his grave under the
overhanging branches of the orange…tree； which were now tinged with
the red glow of morning； and this would undoubtedly have been the
case had not the report of a cannon from the harbor sounded through
the silence of the twilight。
The combatants paused； as if at some word of command to be obeyed by
both； and listened； counting to themselves； then； as each uttered the
number thirty； a second gun was heard。 〃It is the signal for
immediate embarkation； Senor；〃 said Don Fadrique； 〃we are now in the
emperor's service； and all dispute ceases which is not against the
foes of Charles the Fifth。〃 〃Right；〃 replied Heimbert； 〃but when
there is an end of Tunis and the whole war。 I shall demand
satisfaction for that 'dallying coward。'〃 〃And I for that in
intercourse with my sister；〃 said Fadrique。 〃Certainly；〃 rejoined
the other； and； so saying； the two captains hurried down to the
strand and arranged the embarkation of their troops； while the sun；
rising over the sea； shone upon them both in the same vessel。
CHAPTER V。
The voyagers had for some time to battle with contrary winds； and
when at length they came in sight of the coasts of Barbary the
darkness of evening had closed so deeply over the sea that no pilot
in the little squadron ventured to ride at anchor on the shallow
shore。 They cruised about on the calm waters； waiting for the
morning； and the soldiers； full of laudable ambition for combat；
stood impatiently in crowds on the deck； straining their longing
eyes to see the theatre of their future deeds。
Meanwhile the heavy firing of besiegers and besieged thundered
unceasingly from the fortress of Goletta； and as the night darkened
the scene with massy clouds； the flames of burning fragments became
more visible； and the fiery course of the red bullets was perceptible
as they crossed each other in their path； while their effects in fire
and devastation were fearful to behold。 It was evident that the
Mussulmans had been attempting a sally； for a sharp fire of musketry
burst forth suddenly amid the roaring of the cannon。 The fight was
approaching the trenches of the Christians； and on board the vessels
none were agreed whether the besiegers were in danger or not。 At
length they saw that the Turks were driven back into the fortress；
the Christian army pursued them； and a shout was heard from the
Spanish camp as of one loud Victory！ and the cry； Goletta was taken！
How the troops on board the vesselsconsisting of young and courage…
tried menburned with ardor and their hearts beat at the glorious
spectacle； need not be detailed to those who carry a brave heart
within their own bosoms； and to all others any description would be
lost。 Heimbert and Fadrique stood close to each other。 〃I do not
know；〃 said the latter； speaking to himself； 〃but I feel as if to…
morrow I must plant my standard upon yonder height which is now
lighted up with the red glow of the bullets and burning flames in
Goletta。〃 〃That is just what I feel！〃 said Heimbert。 The two angry
captains then relapsed into silence and turned indignantly away。
The longed…for morning at length dawned； the vessels approached the
shore； and the landing of the troops began； while an officer was at
once dispatched to the camp to announce the arrival of the
reinforcements to the mighty general Alba。 The soldiers were hastily
ranged on the beach； they put themselves and their weapons in order；
and were soon standing in battle array； ready for their great leader。
Clouds of dust rose in the gray twilight； the returning officer
announced the approach of the general； and as Alba signifies
〃morning〃 in the Castilian tongue； the Spaniards raised a shout of
rejoicing at the coincidence； as at some favorable omen； for as the
knightly train approached the first beams of the rising sun became
visible。
The grave and haggard form of the general was seen mounted on a tall
Andalusian charger of the deepest black。 Having galloped once up and
down the lines； he stopped his powerful horse in the middle； and
looking along the ranks with an air of grave satisfaction； he said；
〃You pass muster well。 That is well。 I like it to be so。 It is
plain to see that you are tried soldiers； in spite of your youth。
We will first hold a review； and then I will lead you to something
more agreeable。〃
So saying； he dismounted； and walking toward the right wing he began
to inspect one troop after another in the closest manner； with the
captain of each company at his side； that he might receive from him
accurate account upon the minutest particulars。 Sometimes a cannon…
ball from the fortress would whizz over the heads of the men； then
Alba would stand still and cast a keen glance over the soldiers
before him。 But when he saw that not an eyelash moved； a smile of
satisfaction passed over his severe pale face。
When he had inspected both divisions he again mounted his horse and
once more galloped into the middle。 Then； stroking his long beard；
he said； 〃You are in good order； soldiers； and therefore you shall
take your part in this glorious day； which is just dawning for our
whole Christian armada。 We will attack Barbarossa； soldiers。 Do you
not already hear the drums and fifes in the camp？ Do you see him
advancing yonder to meet the emperor？ That side of his position is
assigned to you！〃
〃Vivat Carolus Quintus！〃 resounded through the ranks。 Alba beckoned
the captains to him； and assigned to each his duty。 He usually
mingled German and Spanish troops together； in order to stimulate the
courage of the combatants still higher by emulation。 So it happened
even now that Heimbert and Fadrique were commanded to storm the very
same height； which； now gleaming with the morning light； they at once
recognized as that which had shone out so fiercely and full of
promise the night before。
CHAPTER VI。
Thrice had Fadrique and Heimbert almost forced their way to a rampart
in the fortifications； and thrice had they been repulsed with their
men into the valley below by the fierce opposition of the Turks。 The
Mussulmans shouted after the retreating foe； clashed their weapons
with the triumph of victory； and with a scornful laugh asked whether
they would not come up again to give heart and brain to the scimitar
and their limbs to the falling beams of wood。 The two captains；
gnashing their teeth with fury； arranged their ranks anew； for after
three vain assaults they had to move closer together to fill the
places of the slain and the mortally wounded。 Meanwhile a murmur ran
through the Christian army that a witch was fighting among their foes
and helping them to conquer。
Duke Alba rode to the point of attack； and looked scrutinizingly at
the breach they had made。 〃Not yet broken through the enemy here！〃
said he； shaking his head； 〃I am surprised。 From two such youths；
and such troops； I should have expected it。〃 〃Do you hear that？
Do you hear that？〃 exclaimed the two captains； as they paced along
their lines repeating the general's words。 The soldiers shouted
loudly； and demanded to be once more led against the enemy； even
those who were mortally wounded shouted； with a last effort；
〃Forward； comrades！〃 The great Alba at once sprang like an arrow
from his horse； wrested a partisan from the stiff hand of one of the
slain； and standing in front of the two companies he cried； 〃I will
take part in your glory。 In the name of God and of the blessed
Virgin； forward； my children！〃
And joyfully they rushed up the hill； every heart beating with
confidence； while the war…cry was raised triumphantly； some even
began already to shout 〃Victory！ victory！〃 and the Mussulmans paused
and wavered。 Suddenly； like the vision of an avenging angel； a
maiden； dressed in purple garments embroidered with gold appeared in
the Turkish ranks； and those who were terrified before again shouted
〃Allah！〃 calling at the same time； 〃Zelinda； Zelinda！〃 The maiden；
however； drew a small box from under her arm； and opening it she
breathed into it and hurled it down
