_Guzman, after having robbed his relations, and re-embarked for
Spain, is in imminent danger of perishing at sea, and has the
misfortune to lose Sayavedra._
We had already doubled Cape Noli, when the captain informed me that if
the wind did not change for three days, we should have a most agreeable
voyage. We watered at Monaco, and the next morning, having put to sea
again with a favourable breeze, we reached the Isles of Hieres, where we
passed the night. The third day we anchored at Chateau d’If, in sight of
Marseilles, and the day following at Roses.
I was congratulating myself on so fortunate a voyage, when my joy was
interrupted by word being brought me that Sayavedra had the
sea-sickness, and felt extremely ill. I ran to see him immediately, and
found that he had a very violent fever upon him. I was much afflicted at
it, but consoled myself with the idea that we should soon reach
Barcelona, where he should have every attention paid to him. The morning
of the fifth day dawned very differently to the preceding ones; the
clouds seemed lowering, and there was scarcely a breath of air stirring.
We still hoped, however, by dint of hard rowing, to sleep that night at
Barcelona. But we found our mistake two hours after. So furious a storm
arose, that our destruction appeared inevitable. In vain did we attempt
to make to land; the oar became quite useless, and we were obliged to
keep out to sea the whole of that night. What a night of horror was it
for us! Sometimes the sea raised its waves to the clouds, and at others,
opening its bosom, presented to our eyes the awful abyss by which we
were surrounded.
Who in the midst of such a scene can attempt to paint the consternation
so evidently depicted on every countenance on board, and the various
indications of fear created by the dread of approaching death? Some
invoked the Saints most honoured in their own country; others offered
vows; some on their knees were addressing the most fervent prayers to
heaven in private, whilst others confessed their sins aloud, and
implored pardon of the Deity. Some few, though death was apparently
before their eyes, were still inquiring of the pilot whether all hopes
were at an end. He answered, that there was nothing to fear, and they
seemed as willing to trust this liar, as a father, who, seeing his only
son dying, eagerly gives credit to the quack who assures him of his
speedy recovery. For my part, like another Jonas, I was buried in a
profound reverie all this while, and believing myself the cause of this
dreadful storm, said within myself: Wretch, now wilt thou meet with the
punishment due to thee for having robbed thy relations. Of what service
will their gold be to thee? The sea will in a short time swallow up both
thyself and thy ill-gotten riches. For thyself, thou hast well deserved
it, and those only are to be pitied, who have been so unfortunate as to
embark in the company of a scoundrel who has incurred the vengeance of
heaven.
With this impression, I awaited death with resignation. It was not so
near at hand, however, as we all imagined. The weather suddenly
changed, hope succeeded despair, and joy desolation. That night proved
fatal only to the unfortunate Sayavedra. This faithful follower, whose
brain was already turned by his fever, the violence of which was
increasing every moment, lost his reason entirely when he heard the
cries and lamentations which the fear of shipwreck excited in the
galley. My footman watched him that night, but dropping asleep from
fatigue, Sayavedra got up in one of his fits, which gave him new
strength, and threw himself from the side of the poop into the sea. The
soldier who was on guard heard something fall into the sea, and informed
the pilot of it. This made a great noise on board, and every one was
anxious to ascertain what it could be; and after half an hour’s search,
Sayavedra was found to be missing. No possible grief could be greater
than mine when I first learned this distressing news. No one has ever
wept more bitterly for a brother than I did for my dear Sayavedra. I was
inconsolable at his loss, and truly I had good reason to regret him. The
joy of all on board the next morning at finding the sea as calm as it
had been boisterous the preceding day, had but little effect on my
spirits, now that death had deprived me of my faithful servant and
companion.
We entered the port of Barcelona towards noon. I had already prepared
Favello not to expect I should make a long stay in that city, having
told him after the storm, that I had made a vow to visit our Lady of
Montserrat the moment I landed, and that from thence I intended to
proceed to my mother’s at Andalusia. He could not oppose so pious an
intention; and besides, not being able to leave his galley that day, he
told me sadly, as I was taking leave of him, that in all probability we
should never see each other again, unless I intended to stay the whole
of the next day in Barcelona. He then inquired where I should take up my
lodging; I named an inn which I knew, fully resolved, however, never to
go near it. Sensible of the great proofs of friendship I had received at
his hands, I embraced him tenderly at parting, and presenting him with a
ring worth a hundred pistoles, requested he would wear it for my sake.
He accepted it with tears in his eyes, fearing it was the last farewell,
and on my side, feeling myself too much affected, I hastened away, to
spare him the pain of reading in my looks the cause of our separation.
My first care when I arrived at the inn where I caused my trunks to be
carried, was to have three good mules bought for my use. You may be sure
I paid dear for them; but this signified but little in my present
situation. In addition to the twenty-five thousand franks which I now
possessed, four thousand more had fallen to me by the death of my
companion in fortune. I hired also a muleteer who was well acquainted
with the roads, and we left the city the following morning as soon as
the gates were open. My impatience to leave Barcelona as soon as
possible may easily be conceived; a felucca might have arrived there,
with orders from my relations to arrest me. It was incumbent on me
therefore to be active. To so prudent a fear I added the precaution of
avoiding all the high roads, telling my followers, that as my sole
object in travelling was my own pleasure, it was my wish to reach the
Ebro as fast as possible; that, as I rode along its banks, I might be
gratified with a view of the charming landscapes on both sides of it.