Don Hernan poured forth, with all the vehemence of a Spaniard, his
expressions of gratitude and joy.
"Happily, there exists no impediment to our immediate union," he added.
"I have, as you know, a priest of my own faith on board, and he tells me
that there exists on your island a chapel built by some of the seamen of
the holy Armada under the direction of my ancestor, and that, although
decaying, it is still in a sufficient state of preservation to allow the
ceremonies of our religion to be performed in it. Under his directions
some of my crew shall be employed, with your permission, in restoring it
sufficiently to enable our nuptials to take place there, and your own
minister shall afterwards perform the marriage ceremony according to the
rites of your church. We will deposit the documents with trustworthy
persons, so that no one may afterwards cast discredit on my honour, or
utter a word against your fair fame."
"You have been thoughtfully careful of my interests and happiness, Don
Hernan," answered Hilda. "I feel that both are safe in your hands."
It did not occur to her that Don Hernan must have felt tolerably sure of
success, to have made all the arrangements of which he spoke.
Calm and collected as the two lovers believed themselves, many eyes on
board had been watching their proceedings. Their conversation was
interrupted by Rolf Morton coming aft to the captain and inquiring in
what direction he would prefer standing.
It was late in the day before the corvette, on her return, approached
the Sound. The wind had got round so much to the northward, that Morton
determined on taking the corvette into the Sound by the same narrow
passage through which she had passed in the morning. Don Hernan
consented to his proposal; but when Pedro Alvarez saw the course that
was being steered, he showed every disposition to mutiny.
"Because our captain wishes to suit the convenience of a fair lady, and
his own pleasure, he will run the risk of casting away our gallant ship.
Why not run for Brassy Sound, which is open before us, with a safe
entrance?"
These remarks were made to some of his messmates, who were generally
ready to assent to his proposals. However, guided by Morton, the
corvette stood on, though even Hilda, who had the most perfect
confidence in the pilot, as she saw the fierce, foaming waves dashing
high up with a loud roar over the rocks to the very summit of the
cliffs, could scarcely persuade herself that the ship was not rushing on
destruction. The captain stood by the helmsman's side to repeat the
pilot's orders. Now nothing but a wall of rocks and foam appeared
before them.
"Steady!" cried Morton, "starboard a little. Steady!" he again cried.
The captain echoed his cry; the passage opened before them; in an
instant the ship flew past the rocks; even the oldest sailor breathed
more freely when she glided on inside the Sound.
The sails were furled, the anchor was dropped, as she reached the spot
from which she had weighed in the morning. The captain insisted on
escorting Hilda and her companions on shore.
"In three days, then, at midnight, all will be ready," he whispered, as
he parted from her at the castle landing-place.