Per gli antri, e per le selve ognun traea
Allor la vita, ne fra seta, o lane
Le sue ruvide membra ravvolgea.
_Metastasio._
At a short distance from Granada there is a place called _El cerro de
los Martires_,[42] which traditionary lore had invested with most
appalling histories. This place abounded in deep caverns and
subterranean vaults, in which it was a received tradition that the Moors
used in former times to shut their Christian captives, and make them
undergo dreadful torments. By the vicissitudes of fortune, however,
these dungeons were now converted into secure retreats by the fallen
and dispersed Moors. Several of these lurking places had already been
traced out by the unwearied perseverance of the Spaniards, or betrayed
through the treachery of mercenary Moors, but there still were some
remaining which baffled every research, and whose existence known only
to some of the principal and most faithful Moors, were in no danger at
least of immediate discovery.
To these subterraneous habitations a considerable portion of the
shattered forces of Caneri had repaired, whilst some of the bolder party
of El Feri de Benastepar had fearlessly sought refuge in Granada, where,
in despite of the severe decrees promulgated by the queen, and the
examples made of those who had infringed them, the rebels nevertheless
found shelter and protection from their fellow-countrymen. Thus while
the rebellion seemed quelled to all appearance, it was not entirely
extinguished. A secret fire still slumbered under the ashes, ready to
burst forth when a master hand could be found to raise the flame. But
the want of unity amongst the Moors, and the general dispersion which
had ensued after the destruction of their last town, seemed to offer an
insurmountable bar to the organization of a second revolt. Besides, the
death of El Feri had struck the hearts of his followers with dismay, and
there was no Moor of sufficient talent or enterprize to supply his
place.
Things were in this state, when at the close of a sultry day three men
were seen cautiously traversing the path which led towards _El cerro de
los Martires_. The foremost, who appeared to act as guide, from his
robust and athletic make, and the lowering expression of his
countenance, might be easily recognized as Bermudo, the renegade; the
others were strangers, and apparently disguised. They proceeded onwards,
slowly, and with care, until at length they stopped at a sequestered
spot, overgrown with brambles, and surrounded with high and widely
spreading trees, whose sombre foliage offered an impenetrable barrier to
the light of day. They plunged into the midst of this wilderness, and
presently the renegade blew a soft and hollow blast, when the thicket
suddenly seemed to move, and discovered an aperture which had hitherto
been concealed. The two Moors, for such they were, and their guide, then
descended through the opening into a deep and winding subterraneous
passage. After a descent of a few minutes, they found themselves in a
spacious vault hewn out of the solid rock and illumined by a solitary
lamp, which afforded only light sufficient to render the darkness more
dismal, and to give an indistinct view of forms and countenances
naturally repulsive, rendered still more so by apparent want and
exhaustion. About a dozen men and two or three women were reposing at
length in different parts of the cave, without any other covering than
their tattered dresses, and bearing on their features an expression of
resolute despair.
At the further extremity of the cavern, which was somewhat elevated, and
rendered more tenantable by several pieces of an old carpet, reclined a
man of better appearance, whose apparel had evidently not undergone
such severe service as those of his companions. This personage it might
easily be supposed was the chief of those who, from their exterior,
might, without any great deviation from the rules of inferences, be
denominated a gang of desperate robbers. But it seldom happens that
robbers in the vicinity of a rich and populous city are to be found in a
state of such utter destitution; and if such were really the case, it
might puzzle the beholder to discover what possible inducement they
could have to continue in so unprofitable a profession.
As soon as the renegade and his two companions entered that cheerless
and uncomfortable dwelling, all those woe-begone and lugubrious
countenances suddenly acquired a degree of animation. It was not without
reason; for the renegade and one of his companions laid down some
provisions, whilst the other stood with his arms folded, a calm
spectator of these proceedings, contemplating with deep attention the
group before him.
"Alagraf! Malique!" cried the seated personage above designated: "Who
is that stranger?"
"Fear not, Caneri," whispered the renegade, "this is a friend--nay,
perhaps the sincerest adherent and the bravest supporter of the Moors in
their present condition."
"Certainly from his proud bearing in our presence," replied Caneri, with
offended dignity, "one might, indeed, be led to suppose him a person of
consequence, did not those unseemly habiliments contradict such a
conclusion."
The stranger answered not, but contented himself with casting a look of
mingled pity and scorn on the mighty potentate of the cavern. The chief,
however, was prevented from inquiring more minutely into the pretensions
of one who appeared little disposed to pay him unqualified deference, by
the shrill and croaking voice of Marien Rufa, who at that moment was
actively engaged in heaping a redundance of abuse on the devoted head of
her husband Aboukar. The squabble, as far as it could be ascertained
amidst the confused din, originated in some provisions which the
provident Aboukar, in his capacity of ex-master of the household,
judiciously concluded ought to come by right under his control;
accordingly, _secundum artem_, he had entered on his official duties by
secreting a portion of the said provisions for his own private use,
before they were either served up to Caneri, or finally distributed
amongst his hungry and rapacious band. Marien Rufa had observed the sly
larceny, but what in the name of conjugal regard could have induced the
crone to so unkind and unmatrimonial an action as the exposure of her
own husband, is not easily to be determined. An upright and indulgent
person might be tempted to believe it was a proper regard and tenderness
for the purity of his character; but others, not quite so considerate,
would suspect, and perhaps with a nearer semblance of truth, that the
unamiable spouse was instigated by a less honorable motive. It was a
fact, not to be contradicted, that Marien Rufa and her once beloved
Aboukar, at present detested as cordially as they had formerly loved
each other; which curious phenomenon in the condition of matrimony is
not of such rare occurrence as to need any particular investigation into
its nature or origin.
As soon as Caneri observed the disturbance, conjecturing from the
character of the belligerents that the commotion was likely to increase
apace, he rose suddenly from his seat, an action which clearly indicated
the extent of his indignation, and with vehemence exclaimed--
"Silence! What means this disturbance? Slaves, is this your respect for
your chief? Explain; what is the cause of this unwarrantable breach of
decorum?"
No sooner had Caneri uttered the word "explain," than Marien Rufa,
conscious no doubt of her explanatory talents, in a most discordant tone
began:--
"Please your Mightiness, the cause of----"
"Stop, stop," cried Caneri; "I do not wish _thee_ to explain." Then,
turning, he demanded an explanation from Malique, who, in a few words,
corroborated the statement of Marien Rufa respecting the ugly trick of
which Aboukar stood accused. Upon this, Caneri, after pondering some
time, and gently striking his forehead as if to conjure some luminous
idea,--
"Malique," he cried, "bring hither the source of contention."
The provisions were immediately placed before him, and the sapient
chief, after putting aside a portion for his own use, wisely proceeded
to give his judgment.
"Here, Malique," he said, "distribute these amongst you all, except the
convicted culprit and his accuser."
This retributive justice was greatly applauded by the surrounding party,
whose looks clearly indicated the high opinion they entertained of their
chief's wise decision; although their ravenous hunger might have,
indeed, contributed somewhat to the enhancement of their approbation.
The renegade and the new comer stood silent spectators of the scene, but
they could not disguise the expression of their contempt both for the
degraded state of their companions, and the foolish importance with
which the vain-glorious Caneri comported himself.
Peace being thus restored by the chief's sagacious intervention,--
"Now, Alagraf," he said, "what tidings dost thou bring from Granada?
Will thy expectations be fulfilled, and my wishes crowned with success?
What further inquiries hast thou made relating to Theodora?"
"I have not been idle," sullenly answered the renegade.
"And yet," returned Caneri, "I fear exceedingly that our mutual hopes
will be disappointed."
"Not so, Caneri," retorted Bermudo; "but this is no time to enter upon
that subject, for another of greater importance has a previous claim to
our notice."
"By the holy Prophet!" exclaimed Caneri, with displeasure, "I should
imagine that an affair in which I am interested, is, of itself,
sufficient to command immediate attention: Explain, then," he added
impatiently, "that which concerns me most."
"Moor!" cried the renegade with anger, "thou surely must forget that I
am not thy slave: no, by my sword, I will not speak of these matters
until I think the time befitting."
Caneri was thunderstruck at this open act of insubordination; he rolled
his eyes in choler, and looked on his band as if appealing to them to
chastise the insolence of the renegade. But though those bold words had
thrown the Moors into some consternation, yet no one dared to move a
step, so much were they awed by the composed demeanor with which the
renegade gazed upon them.
"Alagraf," said Caneri, disguising his indignation, "are then my
injunctions openly to be disregarded before my people?"
"Caneri," answered the renegade resolutely, "you urge me too far, and
you ought to know me better."
A murmur of discontent prevailed among the band, which was about to
break forth against the renegade, when, suddenly, their movement was
checked by the stranger Moor, who advanced towards them in a threatening
attitude.
"Peace!" he exclaimed; "peace! ye abject, paltry slaves!"
"And who art thou," demanded Caneri, trembling with rage, "that darest
thus arrogate to thyself the power of dictating in my presence?"
"I am, Caneri," answered the stranger haughtily, "thy superior in all,
except in vice."
"Seize him!" roared out Caneri. "Seize the wretch!"
"Stay!" cried Malique, interposing; "lay not your hands upon that
man.--Most mighty Caneri," he then added, addressing the indignant
chief, "Mohabed Alhamdem, our opulent brother at Granada, has intrusted
that Moor to our care, commanding us to lead him hither; he has most
important matters to communicate, and, if the word of Mohabed is to be
credited, it is from this stranger alone that the Moors may expect their
salvation."
"Who, then, is this mighty personage?" demanded Caneri, with a scornful
sneer.
"He will himself inform you," replied the renegade. "Caneri, you know
how firmly I am devoted to the Moorish cause; why then was I insulted
when it was only to advance the interests of that cause I spoke? But let
that pass; I am no pettish boy to quarrel with my associates for a word
uttered intemperately in an unguarded moment."
He held his hand in token of reconciliation, and then
continued:--"Theodora, if appearances amounting almost to certainty
deceive me not, will be yours, ere long."
"Is it possible?" exclaimed Caneri. "When?"
"To-night or never," replied Bermudo. "Shortly I shall disclose to you
all the particulars of my transaction; and now let us examine on what
resources we can depend for a renewal of the insurrection."
"Resources! None," said Caneri, "Our surviving men are dispersed and
worn out by repeated misfortunes; most of our chiefs are dead, or have
passed over to Africa, and the only man who had the power of rallying
the straggling Moors, he who alone succeeded in imparting confidence to
his followers, El Feri de Benastepar, is now no more: fallen by the arm
of Aguilar, he shared the fate of those brave men who mingled their own
ashes with those of Alhacen."
"El Feri de Benastepar is not dead," cried the renegade.
Caneri and his men started from the ground with an instinctive impulse
of returning courage, and all, with one accord, sent up an exclamation
of joyful surprise.
"But where is the chief, then?" demanded Caneri.
"There!" replied Bermudo, pointing to the stranger.
"Yes," said he, throwing aside his disguise; "yes, Caneri, in this
humble garb, which necessity has compelled me to adopt, do you again
behold El Feri; conquered by Alonso de Aguilar, but miraculously rescued
from the grasp of death to redeem the tarnished glories of the Moorish
name; to close again in combat with the proud Christian chief, and, with
the assistance of the holy Prophet, to doom him to that untimely death
which he vainly imagines he has inflicted on me."
A simultaneous murmur of approbation ran through the surrounding party;
even Caneri, jealous as he was of the superior power and glory of El
Feri, hailed with real satisfaction his unexpected appearance amongst
them; for in the imagination of Caneri were revived those hopes of
asserting the station of fancied dignity from which he had been hurled
by the late overthrow of the Moors. He again clung to the fond idea that
the Moslem cause would ultimately triumph, and then he of necessity must
succeed to a conspicuous share of power, to which he conceived himself
entitled by his distinguished birth.
Thus the Moors, whom, but a moment before, we have seen in the lowest
state of dejection, now flew to the opposite extreme: they pictured to
their fancy the wonderful powers of El Feri, and the magic influence
which his name would possess in calling again his countrymen to arms,
while the desperate nature of such an undertaking, and the obstacles
with which it was on every side beset, vanished altogether before their
sanguine expectations.
The renegade beheld this general emotion with more signs of discontent
than satisfaction; he argued little advantage to be derived from men,
who could so easily pass from the depths of despondence to the summit of
hope; for to a man like himself, endowed with strong passions, but
accustomed to watch progressively their workings, such sudden
transitions betrayed a weakness utterly incompatible with desperate
enterprises.
"But how," now inquired Caneri, addressing El Feri, "has thy precious
life been preserved?"
"When I fell by the arm of Aguilar," returned El Feri, "it was more from
the excessive fatigue which I had for several days endured, than from
the nature of the wounds inflicted--they were not mortal; and as I lay
extended and helpless on the ground, I thought upon my country, and my
heart sunk within me when I considered that my life, which might still
have been preserved to her service, would soon, alas! be lost in a fiery
grave. The town was deserted--nought was heard but the crackling of the
flames, and the groans of those that were dying around me. Our enemies
were gone, and I, collecting my small remaining strength, with much
difficulty contrived to drag myself from that place of desolation. At
length, exhausted, I sunk under a tree, and there, for want of timely
assistance, I might have breathed my last, when, to my joy, I observed
two or three of our party, who had escaped in the general confusion,
advancing towards me, and the hopes which had almost abandoned me again
began to revive. My preservers removed me immediately to a place of
security, and administered all the remedies that their limited means
could afford. When I had sufficiently recovered my strength, in various
disguises we arrived at Granada, and made ourselves known to Mohabed
Alhamdem: at his dwelling the plan of a second rising has been
concerted, and I am come here to ask your support to the undertaking."
"Noble and beloved companion," replied Caneri, "next to the pleasure of
seeing thee alive, comes, certainly, that of hearing thy proposal. I
rejoice that, notwithstanding our little trivial disagreements, thou
hast thought of me in the hour of an important crisis: command me
freely, and command all mine."
As he delivered these words with his habitual affectation of dignity, he
looked around upon his reduced followers, who all inclined their heads
in token of blind acquiescence.
"And is this all thou canst command, Caneri?" asked El Feri.
"No, not all; for at a moment's notice, I can assemble a considerable
number, now prudently scattered in little parties, the better to avoid
observation. They lie concealed in some neighbouring caves, and will at
the first summons readily obey my orders. But what are thy designs, my
noble friend? Dost thou contemplate the surprise of some fort? or hast
thou in meditation a second expedition to the _Sierra Nevada_?
"Neither;" replied El Feri: "my plans of operation are now widely
different; I mean to strike the blow far from the city of Granada: more
I will impart to thee at a future period. Art thou well determined to
second my exertions?"
"Yes," answered Caneri, bowing his head. "In the name of the holy
Prophet, I swear to follow thy instructions."
"Well then," returned El Feri, satisfied, "this very night I set out for
the _Sierra Bermeja_, attended only by Mohabed and a servant: that
opulent Moor has enthusiastically joined our cause, and several of his
friends, slow to contribute with their persons towards the result, have
at least liberally assisted us with their gold. Thou, Caneri, must not
tarry here, but with the utmost expedition march to Alhaurin, a town
neglected by the Christians, which thou wilt easily surprise; this is to
serve as a rallying place for all those who may flock to our standard. I
am assured that the mountain inhabitants of the _Sierra Bermeja_ are
prepared to join me,--thus, while the proud Spaniard triumphs in
security, and rejoices at the supposed death of El Feri, he will
suddenly dissolve the charm, and summon his enemies again to encounter
the effects of his wrath and vengeance. And now, Caneri, remember that
Alagraf and Malique are the only persons through whom we are to
communicate: so to your post, and there await my further instructions.
Farewell! and when we meet again, may victory have rewarded our
exertions!"
He said; and the two chiefs taking friendly leave of each other, El
Feri, without delay, returned to Granada. Caneri, scarcely able to
contain his joy, rose and paced around the cave as if he were already
dictating from his palace at Alhacen.
"Now, my brave followers!" he cried, suddenly halting, "be prepared to
march at a moment's notice."
Such an injunction was perfectly useless; for it so happened that his
gallant followers had no other preparation to make than to rise and
march, having no baggage to encumber their operations beyond the very
slender equipments which they carried on their persons.
"But!" exclaimed Caneri, in the midst of his exultation, "Alagraf, if we
depart immediately, how is thy promise concerning the fair Christian to
be fulfilled?"
"Fear not, Caneri," answered the renegade; "I have promised you that
Theodora will be yours to-night or never."
"Or never!" re-echoed Caneri, dismally shaping his face into most
unwarrantable elongation: "Or never! We have yet some time to remain,
and I would gladly wait for such a prize."
"It wants," observed the renegade, "but an hour to midnight,--the time
approaches,--my heart feels confident Theodora, will soon be in your
power, and I shall then have the means of accomplishing my revenge."