_They embark and quit the barbarous Isle, and discover another Island._
Four miles, or thereabouts, the four boats had gone, when they
discovered a large ship, which going before the wind, with all her
sails set, seemed coming on to attack them. Periander on seeing her
said, "Without a doubt this must be Arnoldo's ship returning to know
what has happened to me, and now what is there I would not give to
avoid seeing him!" Periander had told Auristella the whole of what had
passed between him and Arnoldo, and what had been agreed upon by them
to do.
Auristella was alarmed, for she did not wish to fall into the power of
Arnoldo. We have already related, though briefly, all that had happened
in the year during which she had been in his hands. The lovers did
not desire that he should see them together, as, supposing even that
he should be satisfied with the story of their feigned relationship
as brother and sister, there was still always a fear that the true
history of their parentage might be discovered; and more than this, how
could she be certain that Periander would not be jealous with such
strong excitement before his eyes? For what prudence will avail, what
confidence has the lover, when, by mischance, jealous suspicions find a
place in his breast?
However, all this was settled at once by the wind suddenly changing,
which gave the sails of the advancing vessel a contrary direction, so
that, in one short moment, they were lowered and again set in another,
even to the topsails, and the ship began to run before the wind, in
exactly the opposite course to that she had just come, quickly leaving
the boats far behind. Auristella breathed again, Periander recovered
his spirits, but the other passengers in the boats would have rejoiced
to change their situation, and to have been taken on board the ship
whose size promised them greater security and a better voyage. In less
than two hours she was out of sight; they might follow if they could,
but it was impossible. All they were able to do was to make for another
island, whose high snow-covered mountains, gave it the appearance of
being near, but in reality it was more than six leagues distant.
Night closed in very darkly; the wind rose and was in their favour,
which was a great relief to the rowers, who made all possible haste to
reach the island. According to Antonio's calculation it was midnight
when they arrived. In order to bring their boats in, the surf not being
high, they ran them ashore, and pushed them in with their arms. The
night was so cold it forced them to seek a shelter from the frost, but
they found none. Periander gave orders that all the women should get
into the largest boat, and keep close together, to preserve themselves
as much as possible from the cold. They did so, and the men made a
bodyguard round the boat, walking up and down, waiting for the day
to dawn, that they might discover where they were, for at present
they could not tell whether the island was inhabited or not. As it is
natural that anxiety should banish sleep, not one of all this company
could close their eyes, which Antonio perceiving, he told the Italian
barbarian that, in order to pass away the time and beguile the long
hours of this weary night, it would be as well if he was to amuse them
by relating the events of his life, as, in all likelihood, they must be
wonderful and varied, since they had placed him in the situation and
circumstances where they had found him.
"I will do this willingly," replied the Italian, "although I fear
that none will give their belief to them, so many, so new, and so
extraordinary are they."
"Our own adventures and the strange things we have seen, have taught
and disposed us to believe anything we may be told, even if it should
lean more to the improbable than the probable," answered Periander.
"Let us then," said the Italian, "come here alongside of the boat where
the ladies are; perhaps the sound of my voice may lull some of them to
sleep, and perchance some one from whose eyelids sleep is banished, may
show compassion. It is a consolation to feel in relating a history of
misfortunes, that others can weep with one."
"At least for my part," cried Ricla from the boat, "in spite of sleep,
I have tears to offer, and sympathy to give, to your hard fate and the
long period of your sorrows."
Auristella said the same; so all the party assembled round the boat,
and lent an attentive ear to what the seeming barbarian was about to
say. He commenced his narrative in the following words.
[Illustration]