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.