_They reach another Island, and are hospitably received._
In haste Periander flew to help him, and found that he was indeed quite
dead; at which all present were greatly astonished, as well as shocked,
by so strange and unforeseen an event. "This dream," said Auristella,
"has excused the gentleman from relating to us the adventures of the
latter part of his life, the events which led to so disastrous a
termination, and to the prison of the barbarians, which must doubtless
have been most curious and extraordinary."
To this Antonio rejoined, "Seldom do misfortunes come single, sorrows
keep one another company, but however great they may be, they cease
with the life of him who suffers." They then gave directions to have
him buried in the best manner they could; his own garments served him
for a shroud. The snow, instead of earth, was his covering, and for a
cross they found one in his bosom, with a scapulary, which proved that
he was a knight of the order of Christ. But this mark of honour was
hardly necessary to prove his nobility, since it was clearly shown in
his manners and language. Tears were not wanting at his funeral, for
compassion did its work, and drew them from every eye.
Morning now began to dawn. The boats were again launched, the sea
appearing calm and tranquil, and half sorrowful, half joyful, between
hope and fear, they went on their way, uncertain whither they were
going.
These seas were nearly covered with islands, for the greater part
uninhabited. Of those that were peopled, the inhabitants were a rude,
half savage race, rough in manners, and of insolent and harsh nature;
yet, in spite of this, they would gladly have found some human beings
to receive them, for they thought it impossible that they could be as
cruel as snow-covered mountains, or so inhospitable as the hard and
rugged rocks of the other islands.
Ten days more they voyaged on, without finding any port, or beach, or
shelter, whatever, leaving right and left little isles which gave no
promise of being peopled. They turned their eyes to a high mountain
that appeared in view, rowing with all their strength, for their boats
began to leak terribly, and their provisions were well nigh exhausted.
At last, more thanks to Providence than to their own exertions, they
reached the wished-for land, and saw two persons, standing on the
shore, to whom Transila cried out with a loud voice, and asked, "What
land is this? Who governs it? And are ye Catholic Christians?" They
replied, in their own language, which she well understood, that the
island was called Golandia, and that they were Catholics, but that it
was uninhabited; so few persons lived there that they only occupied
one house, which served for an inn to people who put into the harbour,
which was behind a great rocky mountain, to which they pointed. And
if, said they, you, whoever you are, wish to repair any damage, keep
us in sight, and we will direct you to the port. They, in the boats,
thanked God for this, and followed on the water those who guided them
on land. On turning round the corner of the rock, that had been pointed
out, they saw a little bay, that might be termed a harbour, in which
lay ten or a dozen vessels, some large, some middle-sized, and some
small. Great was their joy in seeing these, since it gave them hopes of
obtaining a change of boats to pursue their voyage in safety to other
lands.
They landed; some persons came to meet them out of the vessel, some
from the house. The beautiful Auristella arrayed in the same garments
with which Arnoldo had adorned Periander, when he sold him to the
barbarians, was carried on shore by Periander and the two Antonios,
father and son; with her came the graceful Transila, the beautiful
Constance, with Ricla her mother; and all the rest of the persons
in the boats that accompanied this gallant party. So great was the
admiration, amazement, and fear of the beholders, both those from
the vessels and those on land, at sight of this burst of loveliness,
that they all prostrated themselves before them on the ground, and
made signs, as if they would worship Auristella. They gazed upon her
silently, and with such reverence, that they thought not of uttering
a word, or doing anything but look at her. The fair Transila who, as
I have already said, understood the language of the country, was the
first to break silence, saying to them, "To claim your hospitality,
our until now adverse fortune has conducted us; by our dress, and by
our mild demeanour, you may perceive we come for peace, not war;
since neither women nor afflicted men seek to fight. Afford us then
hospitality, and grant us boats in which we may pursue our voyage,
for these in which we have come hither are so worn and useless, that
it will be impossible to trust ourselves in them again to brave the
perils of the ocean. If you will give us the necessaries we require, in
exchange for gold and silver, we are able to recompense you abundantly,
and still receive the precious supplies we stand in need of as if they
were a gift."
Wondrous to tell, a man, who seemed to be a seaman, answered in
Spanish, "He who could doubt the truth of what you say, O beauteous
lady, must be an idiot; for even though fraud may deceive, and guilt
mask herself in the guise of truth and virtue, it could not be
harboured in a form so lovely as that you wear. The master of this inn
is courteous, the people who belong to these ships are not less so.
Therefore, take your choice whether you will go to them or to the inn,
where you will be received and treated as your appearance deserves."
The elder Antonio seeing, or rather I should say, hearing, his own
language spoken, said, "Since it has pleased Heaven to bring us to a
place where the sweet accents of my native land once more sound in my
ears, I feel already that my misfortunes are ended. Let us go to yonder
hostelry, and, after we have taken some repose, we can arrange how
best to return to our own countries, with more security than we have
hitherto hoped for."
At this moment a younker, who was in the main tops of one of the
vessels, called out in English, "A ship is in sight in full sail,
making straight for this harbour."
They all crowded together in one spot, without moving a step, anxiously
watching for the ship announced as being so near at hand, and when
she came nearer they perceived that on her swelling sails was a red
cross, and they also saw that there was a flag on the yard arm of her
main mast, which bore the arms of England. She discharged, as she came
in, two heavy rounds of artillery, and immediately after that, about
twenty arquebuses or light guns. They were answered from shore by
joyful shouts, as a sign of peace, which was all they could do, since
artillery they had none wherewith to return the salute.
[Illustration]