"Still to abide 'mid failing hearts high-hearted."
The two Infantes occupied a tent in the centre of the Portuguese camp,
and when their messengers returned they came out to the front of it,
and, surrounded by their chief officers, prepared to receive the Moorish
delegates who had come to offer them terms of surrender. The wounded
had been cared for as well as circumstances admitted, and an attempt had
been made to draw up the poor remnant of the troops in good order, so as
not to produce an impression of utter defeat. But nothing could alter
the dejected countenances and downcast air of the beaten army; the very
banners hung listless in the still air of evening, and many a wistful
look was cast at the blue sea, so near yet so unapproachable, beyond
which lay Portugal and home.
Life had never held so bitter a moment for Enrique of Portugal as when
he stood there to receive and not to dictate terms of surrender; and
from an enemy whom he regarded with a mixture of contempt and hatred.
He was, however, perfectly calm and impassive, not losing the advantage
that his splendid presence gave him, and prepared to accede to the
demand for a heavy ransom before he and his army were allowed to depart.
Fernando stood beside him; disappointment and self-reproach put aside
for the present, he showed himself an equally worthy representative of
the honour of Portugal.
The Moorish envoys were exceedingly courteous, and began their interview
with many compliments on the valour of their illustrious foes.
Enrique replied, very briefly, that the fortune of war being against
them, they must leave it to the King of Fez to name their ransom.
And then, still wrapped in courteous phrases, came the ultimatum. The
town of Ceuta must be restored to its former owners, and to insure this
one of the Infantes, with a certain number of nobles, must remain as a
hostage in the hands of the King of Fez.
"The King of Portugal," said Enrique, "will be prepared for the payment
of any money ransom the King of Fez may demand."
"The town of Ceuta," said the chief officer of the Moors, "is the price
of your liberty. Otherwise your troops must be put to the sword, and
you and your chief nobles retained as prisoners at the king's pleasure."
"The King of Fez," said Fernando, "has a right to impose conditions. I
offer myself as the hostage he demands."
"Fernando--no!" cried Enrique, suddenly losing his self-contained
manner, and laying his hand on Fernando.
"The noble Infante," said the Moorish envoy, "need have no fears. He
and his companions will be treated as the guests of the king, and will
be released immediately that Ceuta is in the hands of my master."
Fernando smiled. "I have no fears," he said, quietly.
"And doubtless," said the Moor, "the King of Portugal will see that it
is consistent with his honour to release his noble brother without
delay."
"The King of Portugal," said Fernando, "will act as becomes an
honourable and a Christian king."
"I do not consent--I do not consent!" said Enrique, in such agitation
that Fernando said--
"We will crave leave to withdraw, and to discuss this matter first with
each other and then with our nobles."
So saying, he moved back into the tent, followed by Enrique, who threw
himself into a seat, covering his face.
"I--it must be I," he said. "I will not leave you. How can I look
Duarte in the face?"
"But I could not undertake the command of the troops alone," said
Fernando; "and besides, we will not give them _more_ than they ask."
Enrique still seemed unconvinced; Fernando sat down beside him and spoke
earnestly.
"Look you, Enrique. My self-willed longing to give my life to the cause
of Christendom him brought this on us. `Behold! to obey is better than
to sacrifice;' but I heeded neither Duarte's wish nor the Pope's will,
nor our other brothers' opinion. It is fitting therefore that I should
bear the brunt of failure."
"To demand Ceuta," cried Enrique; "Ceuta, our one conquest from the
realms of darkness! A law, alas! that we--that _I_ should have lost
Ceuta to Christendom!"
"That," said Fernando, very low and tenderly, "will not be for _your_
decision."
Enrique started, and looked up in his face. Fernando took him by both
hands and smiled with wonderful sweetness, while he said--
"When we _took_ Ceuta, my Enrique, and all my joy was gone at the fear
of your death, you bade me remember that we would both have given our
lives for it in the battle. _I_ bid you think of that now."
Enrique bent his head down on his brother's hands and groaned aloud.
"How can I face Duarte--what can I say to him?" he repeated.
"Tell him," said Fernando, "to remember that both he and I are Christian
princes, soldiers of the Cross of Christ. And give him my--my love."
Here he faltered for a moment; then, recovering himself, said, firmly--
"We delay too long. Let us consult with the officers. I cannot, I
suppose, remain here alone." Enrique seemed quite unable to recover
himself, and Fernando was forced to take the lead in the discussion that
followed. There was no lack of volunteers to share in his
self-devotion, nor indeed was there any particular reason to shrink from
a temporary detention in an enemy's country. Several nobles of
sufficient station to satisfy the requirements of the Moors were
selected, and Father Jose resolved on accompanying his beloved prince;
and this fact a little comforted Enrique, and enabled him once more to
meet the Moorish envoys, and to announce to them that he had resolved on
accepting the terms proposed, and that his brother, with twelve
companions, would remain behind as hostages for the restitution of the
town of Ceuta, he himself and the rest of the army being allowed to
depart unharmed.
Moussa-Ben-Hadad, the Moorish envoy, was courtesy itself. El Senor Dom
Fernando, Infante of Portugal and Grand-Master of Avis, would be the
guest of his king, who would be honoured by his presence, and would do
his best to make his stay agreeable, short as it would be. He would be
allowed free communication by letter with Portugal. A document was
prepared and signed by Moussa-Ben-Hadad and by the two Infantes, to the
effect that Fernando was to remain a prisoner until such time as Ceuta
should be given up.
Alvarez and Harry Hartsed both entreated to remain with him; but he
refused steadily, saying that their rank was not sufficient for
hostages, and that no unnecessary force should be wasted. Sir Walter
Northberry was among the wounded.
All was prepared for the start during the night, and with the first dawn
of day this defeated Christians began their retreat, in good order and
with banners flying. They had no need to eat their hearts out with
mortification and wounded pride, as they noticed the innumerable ranks
of the foes between whom their own small force took its way to the
beach. Self-reproach and shame was for the leaders, who had so
misjudged and mismanaged; and Enrique felt as if the weight bowed him to
the earth.
The time for parting came, and the two brothers were alone. It might
seem but a formal parting for a short time, but upon them both lay the
weight of a conviction which each was too tender to the other to put
into words. But the sympathy between them was too deep and keen for any
doubt as to the other's opinion. Fernando laid his hands on Enrique's
shoulders and looked full into his face.
"You are my other self, and you know my heart by your own," he said.
"Courage! for we shall not part for ever."
Enrique dared not give way. He took Fernando's hand, and together they
went out to the front of the tent--the last one remaining of the little
camp--where Enrique's suite were ready mounted on the one side, and the
escort of Moors awaited Fernando on the other.
The brothers embraced each other in silence; Fernando mounted his horse
and bowed to the knights and nobles standing round. In the light of the
summer morning, with the new sun shining on the red cross on his breast
and on his steadfast, smiling eyes, Enrique beheld him; then, mounting
his horse, he rode away, and left this well-beloved brother behind.