_In which the Spaniard continues his Story._
Daylight was long in appearing, even to the eyes of those accustomed to
the gloomy region, because the smoke and ashes of the fire, which still
continued burning, impeded the sun's rays from shining on the earth.
The elder Spaniard ordered his son to go forth, as he was accustomed to
do, and learn what was doing in the island.
The others had passed the night in disturbed dreams; Auristella
could not sleep from grief for the loss of her nurse Clelia, and her
wakefulness kept Periander also on the watch. They both went forth
into the open space before the cave, and saw how Nature had made and
fashioned it, as if Art and Industry had been at work to create it. It
was a circular space, surrounded by high and rugged rocks, and, as well
as they could judge, it appeared that for the distance of a league in
length, the place was full of trees, which bore fruit, though sour, yet
eatable. Grass grew luxuriantly, for the water that issued from the
rocks kept up a perpetual verdure. They were admiring this with some
wonder, when the Spaniard, their host, approached and said, "Come,
my guests, and let us bury the dead body--then we will continue the
history which I left unfinished." They followed him, and the remains of
poor Clelia were laid in a hollow of the rock, and covered over with
earth and large stones. Auristella begged that a cross might be put
to mark the spot, as a sign that the person there buried had been a
Christian. The Spaniard said that he had a large cross in his dwelling,
which should be put above the grave. The last farewell was given, and
Auristella's grief burst out afresh, whose tears instantly caused
answering drops in Periander's eyes. To wait the young barbarian's
return, they all hastened to shut themselves up in the cavern where
they had slept, to escape the cold, which threatened to be severe; and
seated upon the soft skins, the Spaniard claimed their attention, and
pursued his narrative as follows:--
"When I lost the boat which brought me to the sands, by the returning
waves which carried it away, as I before said, with its departure fled
my hopes of escape; nevertheless I did not lose courage; I came to this
spot, and it seemed to me as if Nature had made and fashioned it for
a theatre, where might be represented the tragedy of my misfortunes.
I wondered that I saw no people, but only some mountain goats and
small animals of various kinds. I surveyed the whole place, and found
this cave in the rocks, which I pitched upon at once as my dwelling.
Finally, having surveyed it all, I returned to the entrance by which I
had come, to try if I could hear any human sounds, or find some person
who might tell me where I was. My good fortune, and pitying Heaven,
which had not quite forgotten me, sent a girl, a native of the island,
not more than fifteen years of age, who was searching for shells and
other marine treasures, among the rocks and stones of the sea-shore. At
sight of me she stopped, her feet seemed as if nailed to the spot, the
collection of shells and sea-weeds fell to the ground. Taking her in
my arms, without saying a word to her, or she to me, I carried her to
my cave, and set her down in the place where we now are. I kissed her
hands, put my cheek to hers, and by every means I could imagine, tried
to show that I only meant kindness to her. She, after her first alarm
was over, looked at me attentively with wondering eyes, then touched
me with her hands, and felt me all over. By degrees she lost all fear,
laughed and embraced me, and taking out of her bosom a bit of bread,
not made of wheat, but after her own country fashion, she put it in my
mouth, and said something in her own language: I knew afterwards that
she was asking me to eat, and I did so, for in truth I was in great
need of some food. She then took me by the hand, and led me to the
stream, which runs not far off, making signs that I should drink. I was
never weary of looking at her. To me she seemed an angel from heaven,
rather than a savage islander. We returned to the entrance of the
cavern, and there I tried by signs and words (which she understood not)
to persuade her to return to me again. I embraced her tenderly, and she
in an innocent manner kissed me on the forehead, telling me by signs
she would come and visit me soon again. I went back to this place and
employed myself in finding out whether the fruit, with which the trees
were loaded, was good for food. I found walnuts, filberts, and some
wild pears, for which I returned thanks to God.
"I spent the night in the same place, and longed for the day, hoping
again to see the beautiful islander, although I was not without some
fear that she would relate what she had seen, and perhaps give me up to
the barbarians, with whom I imagined the island was inhabited; but this
fear left me, when I saw her at the opening of the cave the following
morning, beautiful as the sun, gentle as a lamb, not accompanied by
savages to seize me and take my life, but laden with food to support
it."
The Spaniard had reached this part of his story, when the youth who
had been sent out to gain intelligence, arrived, and brought word that
the island was almost entirely destroyed by the fire, and nearly the
whole of the inhabitants dead, some by fire, and some by the knife.
That if any survived they had put out to sea in their rafts, to escape
the flames on land; that they might safely leave their concealment, and
go through the island, where they were not prevented by the fire, and
that each one must consider what steps would be best to take in order
to escape from this accursed land; for all around were other islands,
inhabited by savages, but of less cruel and barbarous natures; and,
possibly, in a change of place, they might change also their fortune.
"Be composed, my son, and stay quiet for a few minutes, for I am
relating the story of my adventures; and I am nearly come to the end of
these, though not, I fear, to the end of my misfortunes."
"Do not weary yourself, my dear husband," said the elder of the women,
"by giving all the minute details which very possibly may fatigue
the hearers as well as the narrator; leave it to me to tell all that
remains to be told up to the present moment."
"I am content to let it be so," replied the Spaniard, "for I shall
have great pleasure in hearing how you will relate the story."
"Well then," said she, "the end of all these visits that I made to this
place was this, I agreed to call this man my husband and to become his
wife, according to the fashion amongst Christians, which he promised
he would observe, and in this cave were born the son and daughter whom
you have seen. He taught me his language, and I in return taught him
mine; he also instructed me in the holy Catholic faith, and he baptized
me in the rivulet, although he told me he could not do it with all the
customary ceremonies of his native land. He explained to me as well
as he could his own religion, and I received all he said in my inmost
heart, and gave it my full and entire belief. I believe in the Holy
Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, three
distinct persons, and yet one God. He also taught me how the Holy Roman
Catholic Church is ruled by the Holy Spirit, and governed by the Pope,
who is priest, vicar, and viceroy of God on earth, and the legitimate
successor of St. Peter, the first Pastor of the Church, after Jesus
Christ. Great things he told me about the blessed Virgin Mary, the
Queen of Heaven, and the shelter and refuge of all sinners. Many other
things besides he taught me; but I think I have told you enough, to
show that I am a true Catholic Christian. I, simply, in pity gave to
him a soul rude and unpolished; he has informed and Christianized it.
I gave myself to him, thinking that in so doing I committed no wrong,
and the result of our union has been the two children you see here, who
will increase the number of true believers. In return for all he has
done for me, I gave him a quantity of the gold with which this island
abounds, and some pearls which I keep by me, in the hope that the day
would come when we may be delivered from this prison, and go where we
can dwell in safety and freedom.... Now it seems to me I have told you
all that my husband Antonio, who is also called, The Spanish barbarian,
wished you to know."
"That is true, my Ricla," he replied, for such was her name; and all
the company then expressed their great interest in the eventful history
they had heard, bestowing upon them a thousand compliments and good
wishes for the future, especially Auristella, who had contracted a warm
affection for the mother and daughter.
The boy (who as well as his father was called Antonio) now observed
that it would not do for them to remain idly here, without taking into
consideration how they might escape from their present hiding-place;
for if the fire which still continued burning, should extend over the
hills, or if the wind was to bring some sparks into their retreat, all
would speedily be consumed.
"That is true, my son," said the father; and Ricla advised them to wait
two days, for that there was one island so near you could distinctly
see it when the sun shone and the sea was calm, and its inhabitants
come occasionally to sell and barter what they have and make bargains
with the islanders. "I will go forth," said she, "for none will hear
or impede me, since the dead cannot do either of these things. I will
contrive to buy a boat at whatever price they ask, telling them that I
need it in order to escape with my husband and children who are shut up
in a cave, to shelter from the fire; but you must know that these boats
are made of the trunks of trees, covered with the hides of animals, to
prevent the water entering by the sides, and according to what I have
observed they can only be used in calm weather, and they carry none
of those bits of linen cloth that I have seen in the boats which come
sometimes to our coasts, bringing men and maidens for sale, to feed the
superstitious follies that have long been the practice in this island.
Now, I believe, such boats as I have described are not fit to trust
to in the open sea, and encounter the storms and tempests that are so
frequent."
Periander enquired "whether the Señor Antonio had never tried this
experiment during all the years he had been shut up here?"
"No;" answered Ricla, "because too many eyes were upon me, and it would
have been quite impossible for me to find an opportunity for agreeing
with the owners of the boats, and making a purchase or finding an
excuse for so doing."
"That was the cause truly," said Antonio, "and not the insecurity of
the boats; but now that Heaven has sent me this counsel I mean to
follow it, and my good Ricla will be on the watch for the merchants of
the other isle, and without haggling as to the price, will purchase a
boat, with all the requisite sea stores, saying that she wants it for
the purpose she has mentioned."
By degrees all came to be of the same opinion, and when they left
the cave and emerged into the country, they were amazed to see what
slaughter had been done by the flames and by the fight; they saw death
in a thousand different shapes, of which senseless fury and angry
passions had been the inventors. They also observed that the barbarians
who had survived the slaughter, collected in their boats, were at a
distance, looking on at the conflagration of their homes; and some
they thought had passed over to the island which served as a prison
for their captives. Auristella was desirous of going there also to see
if perchance any wretched creatures remained in the dark dungeon, but
this was rendered unnecessary by the arrival of a raft containing about
twenty persons, whose garb and appearance plainly showed that they
were the unfortunate prisoners who had been in the dungeon. When they
reached the shore they kissed the ground, and even appeared inclined to
worship the fire, because they understood from the barbarian who had
set them free from their horrible place of confinement, that the island
was all in flames, and they had no longer anything to fear from the
inhabitants. They were kindly welcomed by the little company, so lately
themselves rescued, and consoled in the best manner they were able.
Some told the story of their misfortunes; others were silent, unable to
find words to express what they felt.
Ricla was somewhat surprised that there should have been a barbarian
compassionate enough to have released them, and that none of them who
had taken to the raft had (as they supposed) gone over to the prison
island. One of the captives said that the person who came to release
them spoke in the Italian tongue, and that he told them all the
miserable history of the burning island, advising them to come over and
to make themselves some compensation for their sufferings, by taking
possession of the gold and pearls they would find in abundance; that he
himself would follow them on another raft which was left there to keep
them company, and devise a plan for getting free.
The various stories told by the captives were so different, some so
remarkable and extraordinary, and some so melancholy, that they drew
alternate tears and laughter from the hearers.
Six boats were now seen approaching the island,--they were those of
which Ricla had spoken. They came to the shore, but did not produce
any merchandise, because none of the islanders appeared to buy it.
Ricla went to bargain with these merchants for their boats, as she had
arranged she would. They would only part with four, keeping two for
themselves to return home in. Ricla was liberal, and paid the price
they demanded, at once, in pieces of uncoined gold.
Two boats were given to the prisoners just freed from the dungeon, and
in the other two the party embarked. All the provisions they could
collect were put in one, and four of the newly-released captives. In
the other went Auristella, Periander, Antonio and his son, with the
fair Ricla, the wise Transila, and the graceful Constance, daughter of
Antonio and Ricla.
Auristella, however, before she quitted the island, wished to take a
last farewell of the grave, where her beloved Clelia was buried. She
was accompanied thither by all her friends, and shed many tears over
the tomb. Then, returning to the shore, amid tears of mingled joy and
sorrow, they embarked, having first knelt down on the sands and offered
up sincere and fervent prayers to Heaven for a prosperous voyage, and
to be guided where to go.
Periander took the command of his boat, the others followed; but just
as the oars touched the water, for sails they had none, a light and
active figure, in appearance one of the barbarian islanders, cried
aloud in the Tuscan tongue, and said, "If any of ye in these boats are
Christians, I implore ye for the love of the true God, to take a fellow
Christian along with you." One of the men in the other boat then said,
"This is the person, gentlemen, who delivered us from our horrible
captivity, and if you are as good as you appear to be, (he directed his
speech to the party in the first boat,) it would be well to repay him
for the kindness he showed to us, by receiving him into our company."
On hearing this, Periander ordered the boat which held the provisions
to return and take in the supplicant; this done, they raised their
voices in joyful chorus, took up their oars, and with glad hearts, they
began their voyage.
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