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 vessels--consisting of young and
courage-tried men--burned 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.