_Wherein is given an account of what two Soldiers did, and how
Periander and Auristella were separated._
To which cries, replied the prince Arnoldo, "How is this, O learned
Maurice? where are these waters which overwhelm us? where the waves
that assail us?" The answer was given by a sailor, who rushed on deck
with gestures of terror, water running from his mouth and eyes, and
in affrighted and scarcely articulate accents, exclaimed, "The ship's
sides are opening everywhere; the sea is rushing in fast--you will
soon see it cover the deck! let every man see to his safety, and look
best how to save his life. Get the skiff out, or the barge, O Prince
Arnoldo, and take the things you value most with you, before these
cruel waves swallow up all!"
The ship was now motionless from the weight of water in her. The pilot
set all the sails with skill. Every one in fear and terror hurried to
seek for some remedy, some means of escape. The prince and Periander
got out the smaller boat, and launched it into the sea; they placed
Auristella, Transila, Ricla, and Constance in this. Finding that
nobody thought of her, Rosamund joined herself to the party, and after
her, Arnoldo made Maurice follow.
Now there were two soldiers lowering the barge which was hung on the
ship's side, and one of them seeing that his comrade wished to be the
first to get into her, drew a knife from his belt, and plunged it into
the other's heart, crying, "Since our crime has been committed to so
little purpose, let this serve for thy punishment and my expiation
at least during the short time I have to live." So saying, without
attempting to avail himself of the means of escape the boat offered, he
desperately flung himself into the sea; but before he sank, he uttered
these half-articulate words:--
"Hear, O Prince Arnoldo, the truth from a traitor; at such a moment
he may well be believed. I and he whom you have just beheld slain by
my hand, made holes and openings all through this vessel, with the
intention of letting it sink, and ourselves making our escape in the
skiff with Auristella and Transila, whose beauty we had no power to
resist, and we determined at all hazards to carry them off; but having
seen our plans defeated, contrary to our expectation, I have taken away
the life of my companion, and now resign myself to death:" and with
this last word he let himself sink into the depths of the sea, which
soon stopped his breath, and buried him in eternal silence. Although
all were in confusion and haste, each seeking safety in the general
danger, yet Arnoldo heard clearly the words of the dying ruffian; and
he and Periander had recourse to the barge, having before they entered
it, directed that Antonio, the younger, should go in the skiff, without
remembering to put in any provisions whatever.
The prince, Ladislaus, the elder Antonio, Periander and Clodio got
into the barge, intending to join the skiff, which had already left
the vessel, over which the waves had now entirely closed, and nothing
remained above the waters but the mainmast, as a mark to show that she
was there entombed.
Night came on before they could reach the skiff; from which the voice
of Auristella could be distinctly heard calling for her brother,
Periander, who answered by repeatedly uttering her beloved name.
Transila and Ladislaus did the same, so that the air resounded with
the mingled sounds of, "Dearest! my beloved! lover! brother! bride!
and sister!", whose hopes were all frustrated, and whose prospects
were changed from the impossibility of joining one another, owing to
the increasing darkness of the night, and the wind beginning to rise,
and blow from a different quarter; so that the barge and skiff were
separated, and the former being lighter, and less heavily laden, flew
over the waves, as the wind impelled it. The latter, from the weight of
its cargo, seemed as if determined not to move; and when night shut in
darker than ever, they felt their fears revive afresh--in an unknown
sea, exposed to the inclemency of the weather, and in want of every
necessary of life; without oars, and without provisions, though at
present their anxiety prevented them from feeling hunger.
Maurice who had gone with the party, in the capacity of captain of the
skiff, knew not how or whither to guide its course; and from the tears,
and groans, and lamentations of his fair companions, it was to be
feared they would themselves cause it to upset. He watched eagerly for
the stars, and although they were scarcely visible, yet from time to
time they showed themselves through the darkness, and gave hopes of the
night becoming clearer, but still they did not show in what parts they
were now voyaging.
The anguish they were in was too great to allow of the relief of
sleep; so they passed the night in watching. Day came at last; not,
however, bringing with it any comfort, but only more sorrow, because
it presented to their view the prospect of sea as far as the eye could
discern on every side; and though they gazed anxiously, hoping to
catch a sight of the barge, which bore with it their very hearts away;
or even some other ship or boat, to give them succour in their sore
distress, yet nothing could they discover but an island on the left
hand, the sight of which gave them both joy and fear--joy to see land
so near, fear lest they should be unable to reach it unless the wind
drove them ashore.
Maurice felt more confident on the subject of their safety than
anybody; because, as I before told you, he knew by his astrological
science that this misfortune did not portend death, but only very great
inconvenience to those who had to undergo it.
And so it happened, that at length, by the favouring winds, and the
mercy of Heaven, the little boat reached the island, and they came
ashore in a spacious bay. Not a human being appeared, nothing but snow
which covered the face of everything. Miserable and fearful indeed are
the perils of the ocean, since they who had experienced them could
rejoice to change them for the worst the land could offer. The snows of
this desert coast to them seemed a pleasant prospect; and even its very
solitude was welcome.
They disembarked. The boy, Antonio, carried the ladies safe to land;
Maurice followed; and the party collected together under the shelter
of a large rock that was not far from the bay, in which they landed,
having first carefully drawn their boat on shore, since in it, under
God, lay their hope of escape.
Antonio, aware that hunger must be at work among them, and that unless
food could be obtained, they must perish; prepared his bow which was
always slung upon his shoulder, and said that he would go and see if
any living creature existed in the island; or anything wherewith to
relieve their necessities. With a light and active step the youth set
out on his expedition; but nothing did he see, nothing but snow, frozen
hard, so that he felt as if he was walking on the sharpest flints.
Fearing that if he prosecuted his search further, he might lose his
way; at last, with a heavy heart, he returned to his companions.
Maurice said that they must needs venture out to sea again, since
nothing was to be hoped for in this inhospitable and lonely isle.
[Illustration]