Notwithstanding the danger of his situation, Roderick was delighted at
the sight of the allied army. "Now we shall fight," cried he, "and not
be thrown down like dogs from the walls to perish. I could not bear to
see my brave soldiers so sacrificed. But now that we shall meet fairly
upon the open field, and struggle hand to hand, and man to man, we
cannot fail to conquer!"
"Heaven grant us victory!" said Edric, sighing.
"Why, and so it will, man!" repeated Roderick gaily. "Come, come!
rouse, and cheer thy spirits, for the moment of glory ought not surely
to be that of gloom!"
The force of the enemy had, in the mean time, rapidly advanced, and
the two armies were now opposite to each other; the river curving round
that of Roderick like a silver band. The situation of the Irish hero
was, indeed, now become hazardous in the extreme; and, if defeated, he
could neither retreat nor advance without being exposed to imminent
peril, as the river lay before him, and his rear was open to attacks
from the town. But neither Roderick nor his soldiers ever contemplated
the possibility of defeat; they breathed nothing but victory; and,
as the confidence of success often ensures it, they had hitherto
found themselves invincible, principally from the firm belief they
entertained that they really were so. Roderick divided his army into
three parts, and, determining to lead the van himself, he gave the
command of one of the other divisions to Lord Arthur O'Neil, son of
the Earl of Tyrone; and confided the other, which consisted entirely
of Spaniards, to the conduct of the Spanish general, Don Alvarez
Ripparda, upon whose prudence he knew he might confidently rely: whilst
he retained Edric, the doctor, and Alexis, the Greek page of Zoe,
immediately about his own person.
The battle soon raged with terrific grandeur; the shouts and cries
of the combatants, mingling horribly with the roar of the cannon,
which echoed from the walls of the town, seemed to leap from hill
to hill, and reverberate in the distance like peals of rolling
thunder. Roderick, in the mean time, performed prodigies of valour.
Not satisfied with directing the movements of his troops, he fought
bravely, sword in hand, like a common soldier, with all that prodigious
energy and unexampled good fortune, which had previously induced the
belief amongst the lower classes of Spaniards, of his being assisted by
supernatural agency. A square was attacked and seemed upon the point of
giving way; but when Roderick saw its danger and threw himself into the
centre, the soldiers were inspired with unwonted courage, and, fighting
like lions about to be despoiled of their prey, repulsed the enemy
with tremendous slaughter. In fact, nothing could resist the valour of
Roderick's arm; like Homer's Achilles, he seemed ready to triumph even
over Fate herself.
An unexpected occurrence, however, notwithstanding his prowess, was
very near turning the tide of the battle against him. Lord Arthur
O'Neil, whom he had placed at the head of one of the divisions, though
brave as an individual, was nothing as a chief; and, unequal to the
responsibility of the task he had undertaken, stood hesitating and
uncertain what to do, whilst the moment for action passed away. His
division had been sent round to attack the enemy in the rear; and
Roderick having advanced farther than he would have done, had he not
depended upon their assistance, their inaction seemed likely to produce
the most fatal consequences. Edric saw Lord Arthur's uncertainty; and,
comprehending in an instant both the cause and its effects, he put
himself at the head of a few men and galloped to his relief. Arthur,
bewildered and overwhelmed, willingly resigned his command; and Edric,
leading his division to the charge, changed instantly the fortune of
the day. The victory that followed was decisive. Those combating in
front against Roderick, astonished at hearing the din of battle in
their rear, wavered and became irresolute; whilst disorder being once
thrown amongst such a mass of men, horses, and ammunition-wagons,
its consequences were irreparable. The rout soon became general. The
French and Spaniards fell over each other in dismay; whilst, in some
instances, their confusion was so excessive, that they turned their
arms upon their own troops, mistaking them for those of their opponents.
The pursuit of the flying foe being confided to the Spanish division of
Roderick's army, that victorious monarch returned himself in triumph
to his camp before the city. Gloom hung over the walls of Seville, as
that proud city expected to become instantly the prey of the conqueror.
Roderick, however, finding the garrison were still determined to
resist, and that his own soldiers were exhausted by the fatigue they
had undergone, resolved to defer the attack till the next day. Then
retiring to his tent, he ordered his officers and nobles to be summoned
to hold a council of war as to their future proceedings. A crowd had,
in consequence of this summons, already collected round the Monarch
when Edric appeared amongst them. Roderick saw him, and hastily rushing
forward, clasped him in his arms. "My dearest friend!" cried he;
"yesterday you saved my life, but to-day you have preserved my honour.
I do not attempt to thank you, for I feel the utter incompetency of
words to express my feelings. Do not, however, look miserable, Arthur,"
continued he, addressing the unfortunate general; "for I do not blame
you. It was my fault for putting you in a situation you were not
competent to fill. For the future, you and Edric shall change places;
and then I trust, whilst I have still the pleasure of employing my
friends, the interests of the state will not suffer."
A page now appeared, bearing a ribband, attached to which, were
fastened some glittering crosses. "It is well," said Roderick, taking
the ribband in his hand. "Edric," continued he, "I hope you will oblige
your friend by accepting these splendid baubles from his hand. They can
confer no additional honour upon you in his sight, but they may aid in
establishing your authority amongst the soldiers you in future will
command, who regard these trinkets with respect."
Edric gracefully bowed assent, and kneeling before the Monarch,
received his new honours with as much grace as Roderick bestowed them;
the assembled officers and nobles pressing round, and offering their
congratulations. Whatever they might say, however, no one present
really felt a tenth part of the delight experienced by Dr. Entwerfen
upon the occasion. His transport, indeed, quite defies description;
for he danced, sang, jumped, nay, absolutely screamed with rapture;
till at last, quite unable otherwise to give vent to the violence of
his emotions, he sprang to the pillar of the tent, and clinging round
it, embraced it with all his strength. All these antics had been
slyly watched and enjoyed by Roderick, even through the circle that
surrounded him: he lost sight of the doctor, however, when he darted
away; and it was not till the officers and nobles dispersed, that the
King discovered his learned friend, to his infinite amusement, still
hugging the post.
It has been already observed, that an unconquerable love of mischief
mingled with the thousand good qualities that formed the composition
of Roderick, and that he was continually getting into scrapes, and
playing tricks upon all the unhappy personages who happened to fall in
his way; though his invincible good-humour, and a certain indescribable
degree of the _bon enfant_ peculiar to his character, rendered it quite
impossible for any one seriously to resent his pranks.
It was not, indeed, in nature, for any human creature to be long angry
with Roderick; and thus being certain of not giving lasting offence,
whenever he was not positively engaged in war, the restless activity of
his disposition made him frolic about, like a spoiled and petted child,
who, even at the very moment of his sins being forgiven, is entirely
occupied in plotting some new exploit.
Under these circumstances, it may be easily imagined what an infinite
fund of amusement the confiding simplicity of Dr. Entwerfen had
proved to Roderick, and innumerable had been the tricks he had played
off upon him during their long and tedious sojourn in the Isle of
Leon. The important events that had since occurred had, however,
entirely occupied the monarch's attention, and the poor doctor had
been suffered to enjoy a long respite, till this sudden view of his
unabated enthusiasm presented an opportunity too tempting for the
laughter-loving Monarch to resist.
Accordingly that evening, one of Roderick's pages, affecting an air
of profound secrecy, presented the doctor with a mysterious bag,
containing several small balls of dough, and a billet from the King,
in which he informed the doctor, that these balls when boiled would be
converted into a gunpowder of such amazing strength and efficacy, that
ten grains of it would be sufficient to blow up a whole city; and that
having become possessed by accident of the invaluable secret of their
composition, he wished to use them for the destruction of Seville; and
not having in his whole camp so skilful an experimental philosopher as
the doctor, he had determined to confide their preparation exclusively
to his care.
It is impossible for words to do justice to the importance that
swelled in the breast of the doctor as he perused this epistle. He
strutted, puffed himself out, and did his very utmost to look big--a
feat he doubtless might have contrived to accomplish, had not Nature
perversely determined to counteract his endeavours, and confined his
stature to about four feet eleven. As it was, however, he certainly
did make the most of himself, and being firmly resolved not to lose a
single instant in putting the designs of the King into execution, he
hastened to a vacant place between the camp and the city, where some
cauldrons had been hastily erected for cooking the soldiers' food, and
there commenced his operations.
In the mean time, Roderick, who had no idea the doctor would be so
expeditious in his movements, was busily engaged in superintending the
removal of the wounded, and in giving orders of the assault which was
to take place upon the following day. He had indeed much to do; for
awfully heavy is the responsibility of a general who is not entirely
divested of feeling for his men; and the heart of Roderick, though
a mistaken thirst for glory had made him a conqueror, was kind and
generous, nay even tender in the extreme.
Urged by his compassion, he thus could not rest satisfied, after the
more arduous labours of the day were over, without visiting himself
the hospitals of the sick. He saw their wounds dressed, and tried to
soften their pains, whilst he spoke kindly to them, and praised their
valour. Thus employed, as he passed from tent to tent, the eyes of his
soldiers beamed with rapture at his approach; and even in the agonies
of death, they raised their feeble voices to call down blessings upon
his head. Alexis followed his master in this excursion, and his fine
eyes sparkled with pleasure as they followed the god-like form of
Roderick through the crowd. The Monarch, indeed, himself, started with
amazement as, turning suddenly, he accidentally met their gaze. "This
page," said he to Edric, who happened to be near, "possesses a glance
of fire--I really never saw more expressive features."
"It is often the case," returned Edric calmly, as he assisted one
of the surgeons to bind the arm of a wounded soldier. "The dumb
frequently employ gestures to make themselves understood, and their
features insensibly become more expressive from the muscles being more
frequently brought into play."
"You fought like a hero, my brave fellow!" said Roderick to the poor
man Edric had been assisting. "I hope your hurt is not serious!"
"And if it were through my heart," said the man, "it's no more than I'd
be proud to bear for your Majesty, any day of my life."
"Oh, these Irish!" sighed an old Andalusian soldier, who lay near, and
happened to understand them. "They are brave as lions in the field, but
gentle as doves when they are in a chamber."
"Have your wants also been attended to?" asked Roderick.
"Yes, God bless your Majesty!" returned the soldier. "If the devil does
help you when you are fighting, I am sure it is God's own spirit makes
you so good to your soldiers afterwards."
"If the devil helped me to-day," said Roderick, laughing, "I am sure I
am very much obliged to his Satanic Majesty, for I never was in greater
peril. Do not look so grave, Edric, you know I am only joking; and that
whatever my tongue may say, my heart only feels gratitude where it is
really due:" and as he spoke, he devoutly crossed himself.
"I know," said Edric gravely, "that your heart is infinitely better
than your head."
"The fault of my countrymen," cried Roderick, again smiling, "or
rather the fault of nature, for they, poor souls, can't help it. Our
imaginations are so vivid that, like a restive horse, they are apt to
take the bit in their teeth and gallop away at full speed, in spite of
all that the sage Dame Reason, who still keeps uselessly pulling the
rein, can do to prevent them."
As soon as the more important duties of his station were fulfilled,
Roderick intended paying a visit to Doctor Entwerfen, to discover what
effect had been produced upon the doctor's mind by his treacherous
letter; but Edric proposing that they should see the fair Swiss, as
common politeness required they should inquire after her arm, the poor
doctor was driven entirely from his thoughts.
A separate tent had been pitched for the reception of M. de Mallet
and his daughter; and when our friends entered it, they found that
worthy gentleman quite recovered, and his lovely daughter reclining
upon a kind of couch, and looking more beautiful than ever. Her angelic
features had, it is true, lost the animation they before expressed, but
their present languor made them infinitely more interesting than their
former energy. Softness was indeed the characteristic of Pauline's
beauty. Her figure, though slight and sylphic, was yet round and full
enough to please a voluptuary. Her complexion was exquisitely fair,
but a beautiful rosy tint glowed on her cheeks, whilst her clear blue
eyes and golden hair gave her the look of a seraph; and when she raised
those bright blue eyes in gratitude to Edric, her look sank deep into
his soul, and he thought he had never before seen beauty.
Such was Pauline; and when she spoke, Edric, as he listened in
rapture to the soft melting tones of her melodious voice, felt he
could no longer resist, but yielded up his heart a willing captive to
her charms. Yes; the calm, the reasoning, the philosophic Edric was
actually in love. He, who had so despised and ridiculed the passion,
and who had affected to doubt its very existence, was now become one of
its most devoted victims.
Roderick was almost as much charmed as Edric with the beauty of
Pauline, and as the circumstance that had at first introduced her to
their notice formed so striking a contrast to the softness and delicacy
of her present appearance, that it was scarcely possible to suppose
her the same person, a feeling of curiosity mingled with the interest
she excited. When our friends entered the room, M. de Mallet rose to
receive them: "I know not how to thank you," said he; his voice almost
stifled with emotion: "my own life was of little value; but for that of
this dear child--" he could not proceed.
Roderick took his offered hand. "My dear Sir," cried he, "talk not of
thanks; Edric and myself are but too well repaid in seeing you thus
recovered; and I am sure we shall ever esteem the day when we were so
fortunate as to be of service to you, as the happiest of our lives!"
"You are too good," exclaimed M. de Mallet--"too good!" and he could
no longer restrain his tears.
Roderick was deeply affected; he could not bear to see an old man weep;
and he again took M. de Mallet's hand, pressing it respectfully to his
lips: "My dear Sir," exclaimed he, "what I have as yet been able to do
for you is nothing; but if you will return with me to Ireland, I may be
able--"
"Hush! my good friend," replied M. de Mallet; "I do not doubt your
kindness nor your power; but I have had too much of professions!"
"My father," said Pauline, interposing her soft sweet voice, "has
suffered much; forgive him if he seem ungrateful for your kindness; but
repeated disappointments sour the spirit. We have seen much trouble!"
and her voice trembled as she spoke.
"Alas! if _you_ have not been exempt from trouble, who shall dare
complain?" exclaimed Edric, in a voice as soft and tremulous as her own.
Pauline turned her beautiful eyes upon him: "Pardon me, Sir," said she,
"that I have not before thanked you! be assured it has not been for
want of feeling your kindness; but sometimes the heart is too full for
utterance."
"Thanks from your lips, madam," returned Roderick, "would be a reward
for any service."
Pauline blushed: "You too, Sir, were kindness itself," rejoined she:
"think not I am insensible to your favours; but I am a bankrupt even in
thanks. Alas! fate destines us to incur continually obligations which
we can never repay."
"A grateful heart is more than words," said her father; "and in that,
my child, I know, you will never be deficient; but to whom are we
indebted for such kindness?"
"I am the King of Ireland," said Roderick, smiling; "surnamed the
devil's favourite here in Spain."
"Is it possible?" cried M. de Mallet; "do I, indeed, see the
illustrious Roderick?"
"And this," continued Roderick, without noticing his exclamation,
"is my friend, Mr. Montagu, an Englishman; who, like many of his
countrymen, not contented with enjoying every luxury at home, rambles
into foreign climes, to grumble and find fault with every thing he may
chance to meet."
"Do not believe him, madam," cried Edric; "my countrymen are fond of
travelling, it is true; and may find fault occasionally with what they
think deficient in a strange land; but I assure you, we travel from
a desire of improving ourselves and acquiring knowledge, whilst we
only find fault in the charitable hope that our censures may produce
amendment."
"That is, supposing your censures are just," replied Roderic; "but that
we sometimes take the liberty to doubt."
"I think nothing more unreasonable than to censure customs merely
because we are not used to them," said M. de Mallet; "for my part,
when I travel, I make up my mind to be satisfied with every thing, as
I think I have no right to quarrel with inconveniences I have sought
myself."
"It would be well," rejoined Roderick, "if all were of your opinion,
and if those who cannot be contented abroad would try to rest contented
at home. But you speak as though you had travelled, and I think your
daughter mentioned yesterday that you were strangers in Spain."
"We are Swiss," replied M. de Mallet; "my name is de Mallet, a name
which you may have heard as belonging to a champion of liberty.
Powerless as my efforts have been, I was that champion, and the reward
of my labours is poverty and disgrace in a foreign land."
"But surely," said Roderick, "the Spaniards as a nation of freemen
would receive a martyr for liberty with open arms, and would treat him
as a brother."
"Yes, yes," replied M. de Mallet bitterly; "I have had a tolerable
specimen of their fraternal affection: they received me with
protestations, fed me with delusive promises, and then left me to
perish miserably."
"Not designedly, my dear father," said Pauline; "I cannot suppose they
left us to perish designedly."
"Oh, no!" cried Roderick; "that must have been impossible: tigers must
have been moved to pity by that voice. They never could have intended
to leave _you_ to perish."
"Sire," replied M. de Mallet gravely, "you forget my daughter and
I are but plain simple Swiss; we are unused to flattery and to the
language of Courts; do not then address expressions to us above our
comprehension, which may lead us to forget the distance fortune has
placed between us."
"Speak not of the difference of rank," interrupted Roderick
impatiently; "beauty and merit, like that of your daughter, place her
upon a level with a throne."
"Pardon me, Sire," replied Pauline, blushing, and casting her eyes upon
the ground; "I am perfectly aware of the humility of my station. I am
aware that I was not born to be a companion of kings and princes, nor
have I any wish to exalt myself above the situation in which nature has
placed me. My duty to my father led me to follow him to the Spanish
Court. It was the first that I had seen; and, forgive me, Sire, if I
say I sincerely hope it may be the last."
"But you must not judge of us by the Spaniards."
"I know it well, Sire; report has always spoken of the Irish hero as
noble, generous, and kind: even his enemies have done justice to his
merits, and the fame of Roderick has spread to every corner of the
globe. I know that he is incapable of treating my father as he has been
treated by the directors of Spain; but I know also, that he is so far
superior to myself as to make his notice a condescension which I dare
not flatter myself will continue, and of which I know myself perfectly
undeserving."
Edric's eyes expressed his admiration, and Pauline's glowing cheeks
proved she saw and understood their meaning. Roderick, however, was not
quite so well pleased; he felt himself rebuked, and Roderick did not
like to feel himself in the wrong.
"You are too modest," said he; then turning to Edric, "Edric,"
continued he, "have you any idea what is become of Dr.
Entwerfen?"--then again addressing himself to Pauline, he added,
"Apropos--you will be very much amused with the learned doctor,
Mademoiselle de Mallet; but I give you fair notice before you see
him, that you must not laugh at him before his face, for Edric is as
tenacious of the feelings of his tutor as of his own."
Pauline's eyes expressed her approbation of Edric's delicacy upon
this point; and, as they met his, they conveyed more pleasure to his
heart than language could express. From this moment, Pauline and Edric
seemed to understand each other, for they felt there was a community of
feeling between them. The mute intelligence of the eyes sometimes says
more than whole years of common-place intercourse; and thus Pauline and
Edric felt like old friends, though they had scarcely exchanged half a
dozen sentences.
"Was not that the gentleman that relieved me from my swoon?" asked M.
de Mallet.
Before Roderick had time to answer, an officer rushed into the room,
looking the very image of despair, and, approaching Roderick, bent his
knee before him.
"What is the matter?" cried the Monarch sternly. "Speak! If you have
committed a fault, you have less to fear from my justice than my mercy,
for misplaced lenity only encourages crime."
"Pardon, Sire!" exclaimed the officer, still kneeling; "but--but--"
"Speak!--no evasion."
"Your Majesty commanded that we should watch that no harm happened to
Dr. Entwerfen, and--and he has been taken by the enemy."
"Fool! dolt, blockhead!" cried Roderick; and, taking leave of M. de
Mallet and his daughter, he and Edric hastily quitted the tent.
The balls the Irish King had given the doctor were simply formed of
dough, the same as that used in the making of bread, with only the
addition of a little bit of quicksilver rolled up in the centre of
each. This, the merry Monarch knew, as soon as it was exposed to the
action of heat, would make the dumplings dance about, as though they
were bewitched; and he anticipated great amusement from seeing the
doctor's exertions to keep them in the pot, and his despair at not
being able to do so. To prevent the possibility of mischief, however,
he had desired a select guard to keep watch over the unfortunate
philosopher, and never to lose sight of him, taking care to prevent,
if possible, his being exposed to any danger. These fellows, however,
did not perform their duty, and it was to their negligence that the
unhappy fate of the doctor was owing.
The moment the doctor had received the fatal balls, he hastened to the
cauldron, and, hastily kindling a fire, began to try the experiment.
The balls more than answered Roderick's expectations, for, as soon as
they were affected by the heat, they began to jump out of the pot, one
after the other, with the most determined perseverance. The doctor was
in a violent heat from being exposed to the steam of the cauldron;
and he threw off his coat to cool himself; his wig also slipped off,
in his exertions to recover the provoking balls, he being obliged to
skip after them with the utmost agility as they rolled bounding along;
and no sooner had he caught one and put it back into the pot, than
another would jump out and begin a new set of vagaries. The doctor,
though tired and provoked, did not however relax his labours even for
an instant, and he was running, panting and out of breath, after one of
these mercurial harlequins, when he was stopped by a rough arm, whilst
a man in a gruff voice demanded what he was doing there?
The doctor looked up, and finding with horror that he was surrounded by
eight or ten armed Spaniards, answered, in trembling accents, "that he
was making gunpowder."
"Gunpowder!" exclaimed one of the men. "But what were you doing with
those balls?"
"I was boiling them," replied the doctor, with great awe.
"You seemed to be playing with them, I think," resumed the man. "Were
you running after them to make gunpowder?"
"Yes, they wouldn't stay in the pot; and I was obliged to run after
them, to catch them."
The soldiers burst into a horse laugh at this naïve reply, and their
merriment offered a ridiculous contrast to the doctor's woeful visage.
They now prepared to retire, dragging the doctor with them, totally
heedless of his supplications for pardon and declarations of innocence.
They declared him to be a spy, and swore that they would hang him as
such as soon as they should get within the town. The soldiers who were
appointed to guard the doctor, and who, by indulging in a comfortable
game at piquet, had neglected their charge, now came up, and, dismayed
at seeing the doctor in custody of a force too considerable for them to
engage with, fled to inform their Sovereign, trembling, however, all
the time at the consequences of their disobedience.
When Roderick and Edric reached the plain, the group of soldiers, with
the poor doctor in the midst of them, were just entering one of the
gates of the town through which they had made their sally. The rays
of the setting sun fell full upon the poor doctor's bald head and
shining face; and these, and his white shirt sleeves, as he raised his
hands in a supplicating manner towards Heaven, made him a conspicuous
object even at a distance, till he was hidden from the sight of his
friends by the heavy gates closing upon him. Roderick and Edric were
in despair at the loss of their favourite; and to see him dragged away
so barbarously, without having the power to assist him, was enough to
try the philosophy of a stoic. It was no wonder, therefore, that it
was too much for the patience of the Irish hero, who had rarely known
disappointment or control: he raved, stamped, and, unable to contain
his rage, ordered an instant attack of the place.
The enemy, imagining the Irish too much fatigued with the battle
they had just fought, to assault the town that night, were far from
expecting an attack; but, encouraged by the successful opposition they
had before made, they received the assault with firmness, and repulsed
it with vigour. The cannon roared with tremendous fury on both sides,
and whole columns of men were swept away as grass falls before the
scythe. The impatience of Roderick increased every moment, and the
discharge from a petard having set fire to the wooden bulwarks of the
town, he threw himself upon the blazing breach, sword in hand, heedless
of the crackling timbers and fast spreading flames, whilst Edric and
some of his most devoted soldiers followed him, and they were all soon
warmly engaged with the Spaniards who opposed their entrance upon the
walls. A loud shout from below, however, soon engaged their attention;
the besieged had made a sortie by means of the covered way; and Edric
and his royal friend, finding their retreat would be cut off if they
stayed, were reluctantly compelled to retire with their followers.
Roderick, indeed, was struck down by a Spanish soldier, whilst in the
act of leaping from the walls. The soldier, seeing the effect he had
produced, was about to repeat his blow, and the Irish hero must have
perished before he could have recovered himself, if Edric had not
interposed, and received the gash instead of his friend; then instantly
turning round, he cut down the soldier. In the mean time, Roderick had
revived, and he and Edric fought their way back to the rest of the
army. It was now getting quite dark, and the besieged falling back
within the town, the army of the Irish Monarch returned once more to
their camp.
"How provoking!" cried Roderick, the moment they entered his tent,
taking off his helmet, and giving it to Alexis the Greek page: "I
shall never be happy again, if they hurt the doctor. Take my sword
also, Alexis: but what is the matter with the boy? methinks he
looks wondrous pale. Does he not, Edric?" Then turning to Edric, he
was excessively shocked at the change in _his_ appearance. It has
been before stated, that Edric received the blow the Spanish soldier
intended for Roderick. The wound had bled profusely, but the blood
having congealed, the flow had stopped, and Edric, aided by his own
courage, presence of mind, and firmness, had been enabled to sustain
himself till he had reached the tent. Now, however, that the necessity
for exertion had ceased, his pallid looks and ghastly countenance
bespoke what he had suffered. He had received one horrid gash upon the
temple, and the coagulated blood upon his face and hair contrasted
frightfully with the whiteness of the rest of his face. In fact, he
looked like the ghost of some poor murdered wretch appearing to implore
vengeance upon his destroyer.
He had seated himself at a table, resting his arms upon it, and
supporting his head with his hands. He attempted to smile in answer
to Roderick's inquiries; but the effort was too much for his already
exhausted strength, and his head fell heavily upon the table. Roderick
flew to support him, and despatched Alexis for a surgeon. "My dear!
dear Edric!" cried he, "speak to me! for God's sake, speak to me! Do
not let me think that I have destroyed my friend. Oh, Edric! 'tis
Roderick calls. Speak! speak, for God's sake, speak!"
Edric was, however, incapable of speaking; and the torture of the
Irish King, when he found his friend could not answer him, was beyond
description.
"My beloved Edric!" exclaimed he, wringing his hands in an agony of
grief, "I implore you to answer me. Alas! he cannot: he is no more.
Curses on my folly! I might have been blest and happy: but, in pursuit
of the phantom Glory, I have sacrificed all I ever loved on earth. Oh!
would to God that I had never visited Spain!"
A heavy groan behind him startled Roderick as he finished speaking; and
turning round he beheld Alexis, who had now returned with the surgeon.
The boy's appearance was singular; his complexion was usually a clear
dark brown, with a rich glow of colour, and remarkably full rosy lips;
now the deep colour on his cheeks remained unfaded; but his lips had
assumed a ghastly livid hue, his limbs trembled with agitation, and a
dark mysterious expression seemed to sit upon his features. Roderick
looked at him with amazement and almost horror, as strange suspicions
arose in his mind respecting him.
Before the Irish army had left Cadiz, it had been whispered that the
Duke of Medina Celina's claim to the throne was at least equal to
that of the Prince whom Roderick was fighting to establish. The duke,
indeed, had many partizans, but his age and blindness enfeebled their
efforts. An express from Cadiz had just brought intelligence that the
duke was dead; and as Zoe was his sole heiress, this extraordinary
agitation in her page looked at least suspicious.
"I must beware of him," thought Roderick, regarding him attentively;
"for as Zoe knows that, notwithstanding my obligations to her, I shall
never permit any monarch to reign in Spain but Don Pedro whilst I live,
my life will be the first sacrifice required in her cause."
Thus mused Roderick, though it was but for an instant, that even the
dread of personal danger could divert his thoughts from his friend.
The surgeon, when he probed Edric's wounds, however, declared to the
great joy of the King that they were not dangerous, and that he had
only fainted from loss of blood. He was now placed upon a couch in the
same tent with that of the King; and Roderick, soon after stretching
his fur mantle under him, threw himself upon his bed; if not to sleep,
at least to muse upon the eventful occurrences of the day.
In the mean time, Dr. Entwerfen was forcibly dragged by the Spanish
soldiers towards a kind of town-hall, in one of the principal squares
of Seville, where, on a platform or dais, raised a little above the
floor, sate the sapient magistrates of the town. When the prisoner was
brought before them, they all put on their spectacles and surveyed him
attentively, examining his bald head with the most scrupulous exactness.
"Here is the lump of a spy," said one.
"And here that of a rogue," rejoined another.
"Yes, the organs of observation and self-appropriation," resumed the
first, "are strongly developed. That head is enough to hang an angel!"
"Alas! alas!" cried the poor doctor; "would to Heaven that I had not
lost my wig!"
"It would have been of no avail, if you had retained it," said one of
the judges gravely, "as it would have been forcibly removed; and even
if you had worn your own hair, you must have had your head shaved; for,
knowing the general corruption and inaccuracy of witnesses, the judges
of this enlightened court reject verbal testimony altogether, and form
their correct and infallible judgments upon the sure and undeviating
basis of that most profound and useful of all sciences--craniology."
"And happy are the prisoners judged by so wise a rule," said another.
"Yes," rejoined a third; "for, though the minds of men are weak, and
their judgments liable to err, the broad and general principles of
science must ever remain unchangeably the same."
In this manner they went on, whilst the poor doctor, looking ruefully
from one to another, as they severally pronounced their opinions, stood
the very image of despair.
"Let us question him," resumed the first magistrate: "what were you
doing when you were taken?"
"I was making gunpowder," sighed Dr. Entwerfen.
"The wretch!" exclaimed all his judges together; "he acknowledges he
was manufacturing weapons for our destruction."
"And how were you making this gunpowder," resumed the judge.
"I was boiling it," moaned the doctor.
"Boiling it!" exclaimed the judges; "what a villain!" and they all
shook their wise heads in concert. The poor doctor could not bear this;
and throwing himself upon his knees begged stoutly for mercy.
"In my opinion," said one, "we should be guilty of a crime in letting
him escape."
"I think so too," cried another.
"I would not have such a sin upon my conscience for the world,"
exclaimed a third.
Whilst the unfortunate doctor, reading his condemnation in their
countenances, groaned aloud in the agony of his spirit.
At this moment, the deep awful roar of a cannon was heard, and Dr.
Entwerfen leaped from his knees. "Thank God! thank God!" cried he,
strutting up and down, and wiping his forehead with his pocket
handkerchief, as the continued roar of the cannon rolled awfully along,
rebounding from house to house, and shaking the very court in which
they stood. The magistrates looked aghast, whilst their pallid lips and
trembling limbs told that, however great they might be in the council,
their courage was not particularly conspicuous in the field.
The doctor, in the mean time, kept ejaculating, "I'm safe! I'm safe!
See what a thing it is to have a friend for a sovereign: no, no! what
did I say? a sovereign for a friend, I mean. Ay, ay! that's it! that's
it!"
Thus did the doctor exult, whilst the citizens crowded round their
chiefs, begging for directions, and not knowing whither to fly for
safety. In this dilemma, the exclamations of the doctor attracted
their attention; and, enraged to see him rejoice at their misery, the
magistrates ordered him to prison, whilst they consulted as to what
steps it was most advisable to take.
The poor doctor's joy was thus quickly changed to grief; and he
lamented loudly his foolish transports of delight, without which,
he might perhaps have passed unnoticed in the crowd. It was too
late, however, for repentance; the command had gone forth, and the
unfortunate doctor was dragged away to a loathsome dungeon. The assault
was, as we have seen, repulsed, and it being too late, when it was
over, to think of hanging Dr. Entwerfen that night, the magistrates
retired to their beds, determined to have him executed the first thing
in the morning.
All was now still; the plain between the camp and the city, which had
so lately echoed with the heavy tramp of horses and human beings, now
slept tranquilly in the moonlight; undisturbed, save by the groans
of some expiring wretch, or by the busy labours of those employed to
remove the dead and relieve the wounded. Roderick had thrown himself
upon his couch, and dozed, but in a disturbed slumber; whilst Alexis,
placed at a table, was writing dispatches from the dictation of Don
Alvarez de Ripparda, who had returned from the pursuit, and sate
opposite to him; whilst Lord Arthur O'Neil nodded at his side, and
Edric lay reclined on another couch, at a little distance, near the
opening of the tent.
All was silent, save the whispered voice of the Spanish general, the
heavy breathing of Lord Arthur, and the measured steps of the sentinel,
as he paced his weary round. Edric listened till he grew tired of the
same sounds falling uninterruptedly upon his ear, and turning on his
couch, tried to divert his attention by gazing upon the objects before
him. The strong light from the lamp placed upon the table, fell upon
the fine features of Alexis, as he looked up to the Spaniard; and
Edric thought, as he gazed upon them, that he had certainly seen those
features before, though where he could not remember; and fatigued
with the effort of trying to recollect, he turned to survey the noble
Roderick, as he lay gracefully stretched upon his couch. One arm was
raised above his pillow, and the other fell carelessly by his side,
whilst the fine contour of his head and neck was fully displayed, the
rich, thick, glossy curls that generally hid his forehead being thrown
back. His coral lips were half open, and his long black eyelashes
fringed his closed eyelids; whilst his dark whiskers and mustachios,
with the rich brown tint that glowed upon his cheek, contrasted finely
with the whiteness of his throat. "God bless him!" thought Edric, "and
send him all the happiness he deserves!" And then seeming fearful to
disturb him, he looked again towards the town. The curtain of the tent
was partly looped up, and Edric watched, with interest, the lights of
those still employed in their several duties of burying the dead, and
relieving the wounded. The figures of the persons engaged in these
painful duties were frequently imperceptible; and the lights gliding to
and fro, apparently without any human means, looked like ignes fatui,
or an assemblage of ghosts at their infernal revels.
Edric sighed as he surveyed them, and: his thoughts flew back, he knew
not by what connection of ideas, to his native land. He thought of his
father, his brother--of the good old Duke of Cornwall--of Rosabella and
Elvira, till, one by one, the lights appeared to die away; the images
that floated before his fancy became gradually fainter and fainter;
his thoughts more confused: the scene before him faded rapidly from
his sight, and, in short, he was fast sinking into repose, when he was
roused by a slight sound, and looking up, saw the Spanish general and
the Greek page standing by his bed-side.
Edric roused himself immediately, though he still pretended to slumber.
The recollection of all he had heard respecting the Duke of Medina,
Pedro, and the Princess Zoe, mingled with the suspicions that had
been breathed of the mysterious page, flashed across his mind, and
effectually destroyed all inclination to sleeping: indeed, a cold
shudder ran through his frame, as he remembered, with horror, that
if any thing were designed against Roderick, the first step of the
conspirators would be to destroy him, from his known devotion to the
Irish monarch, and that, in his present enfeebled state, he was quite
incapable of resistance. His blood seemed to run more feebly through
his veins, and he panted for breath, whilst he listened attentively,
and heard the Spanish general whisper, "He sleeps, but not soundly
enough for our purpose."
An icy thrill seemed to chill Edric's heart, and involuntarily he
heaved a deep sigh. The supposed conspirators started, and retired.
Edric, now completely roused from his slumber, gazed after them,
as, with creeping, stealthy steps, they glided across the plain.
Astonished at what he had seen and heard, Edric lay lost in bewildering
speculations; but soon a new object caught his attention. Thick, black,
pointed columns of smoke arose from the town through which, first a red
glow, and afterwards sparks, appeared at intervals. At first, Edric
could not imagine what it was; he rubbed his eyes, and almost fancied
it was a display of fireworks; but, presently, long spiral columns of
flame burst through the smoke, and, uniting in one immense body of
fire, rose up to heaven, and seemed to swallow up the devoted city.
The moment the flames broke forth, Alexis and the Spanish general
hurried back to the tent, and Roderick sprang from his couch, when he
heard their hurried footsteps. "What is the matter?" cried he, rubbing
his eyes, and half blinded by the sudden glare of light.
"The city is on fire!" exclaimed a thousand voices at once, and
Roderick rushed forth upon the plain. The air felt hot and scorching:
"Save them! save the inhabitants!" cried Roderick; "promise them
quarter--peace! any thing to save them! Let all the soldiers fetch
water from the river! I will have no plunder. He dies who touches an
article belonging to the town, or injures a single creature escaping
from it. Let us fight like men! It is beneath us to take advantage of
misfortune!"
The orders of Roderick were as promptly obeyed as given; the monarch
himself leading the way to the town, and assisting in endeavouring to
quench the flames. The gates were thrown open, and men, women, and
children rushed forth half naked, and were received and supplied with
food and shelter by the army of the Irish hero. The Irish adored their
sovereign; his valour, his rashness, and his romantic generosity, won
their hearts; and even his most discontented soldiers loved whilst
they blamed him: thus his will was law--nay, there was something so
noble in his orders, that his soldiers were proud of implicitly obeying
them, and not the meanest slave of the camp would have presumed to
violate them in the slightest instance. The flames had now caught
some cotton-mills on the river, which had been spared in the previous
conflagration, and they burst forth in fresh volumes of fire, as the
light materials they contained added fuel to the flames. The buildings
in the town were mostly old, many of them wood, and some were large
warehouses filled with the most combustible substances, which burnt
with added fury as the long pointed flames lapped them into their
devouring vortex; curling round them, and wrapping them in columns of
fire as they, one by one, fell victims to their rage. The town was
now half destroyed, and the flames were fast approaching the citadel;
the governors of the city had been roused from their beds, and had
taken refuge, half naked, in the camp of Roderick; but the prisoners
yet remained in the citadel, shut up, however, in dungeons below the
surface of the earth. Roderick had anxiously inquired of every one for
Dr. Entwerfen, and at last, to his infinite horror, he learnt he was
in this fated citadel; he rushed forward in agony to save him, for he
knew that the powder was kept there. He was aware too, that the flames
had already seized the fortress: long ere he could reach it, indeed,
a tremendous explosion took place--a vast burst of fire rushed forth,
scattering red flaming furniture, bricks, pillars, and every kind of
rubbish in all directions, and then all sank to comparative darkness.
The fire seemed to have spent its fury in that last effort, and, though
it still feebly crept along in a half-smothered flame, its violence was
passed. Dreadful, however, was the scene that now presented itself,
for Seville was levelled with the dust. Black disfigured smoky ruins
supplied the place of what had once been lofty towers and sumptuous
palaces; the splendid cathedral, that had withstood the rage of
centuries, was now no more; and human bodies lay in the streets, thrown
in fearful heaps, some half burnt, and others blackened and dried by
the scorching fury of the flames.
Roderick, however, stayed not to examine the effects of the fire;
he rushed over heaps of yet hot ashes, and threw himself amongst
the still smoking ruins of the citadel. A Spanish soldier, whom he
had saved from destruction a few minutes before, was his guide, and,
under his directions, Roderick hastened to the dungeons: he hurried
from one to the other, releasing the unhappy wretches confined there,
searching everywhere for the doctor, but in vain: at last he heard his
well-known voice--the dungeon door was thick, but it could not resist
the impatience of Roderick--he could not wait for the soldier to assist
him to open it--he burst the fastenings asunder, and in an instant the
poor doctor, sobbing with joy, was locked in the monarch's arms. Some
of the soldiers of Roderick had followed him to the citadel, and he
left it to them and the Spaniard to release the other prisoners, whilst
he returned with his dear doctor in triumph back to the camp.
END OF VOL. II.