The Two Captains | Page 6

of me in this very spot.
If you could, however, find a true and discreet comrade to watch the
entrance from the street, it would be well, for many a soldier may be
passing at that hour through the city on his way from some farewell
carouse. Providence has now sent me such a comrade, and at one
o'clock I shall go joyfully to the lovely maiden."
"I only wish the service on which you require me were more rich in
danger," rejoined Fadrique, "so that I might better prove to you that I
am yours with life and limb. But come, noble brother, the hour for my
adventure is arrived."
And wrapped in their mantles, the youths walked hastily toward the
city, Fadrique carrying his beautiful guitar under his arm.
CHAPTER II.

The night-smelling flowers in Lucila's window were already beginning
to emit their refreshing perfume when Fadrique, leaning in the shadow
of the angle of an old church opposite, began to tune his guitar.
Heimbert had stationed himself not far from him, behind a pillar, his
drawn sword under his mantle, and his clear blue eyes, like two
watching stars, looking calmly and penetrating around. Fadrique sang:
"Upon a meadow green with spring, A little flower was blossoming,
With petals red and snowy white; To me, a youth, my soul's delight
Within that blossom lay, And I have loved my song to indite And
flattering homage pay.
"Since then a wanderer I have been, And many a bloody strife have

seen; And now returned, I see The little floweret stands no more Upon
the meadow as before; Transplanted by a gardener's care, And hedged
by golden trellis there, It is denied to me.
"I grudge him not his trelllsed guard, His bolts of iron, strongly barred;
Yet, wandering in the cool night-air, I touch my zither's string, And as
afore her beauties rare, Her wondrous graces sing, And e'en the
gardener shall not dare Refuse the praise I bring."
"That depends, Senor," said a man, stepping close, and as he thought
unobserved, before Fadrique; but the latter had already been informed
of his approach by a sign from his watchful friend, and he was
therefore ready to answer with the greater coolness, "If you wish, Senor,
to commence a suit with my guitar, she has, at all events, a tongue of
steel, which has already on many occasions done her excellent service.
With whom is it your pleasure to speak, with the guitar or the
advocate?"
While the stranger was silent from embarrassment, two mantled figures
had approached Heimbert and remained standing a few steps from him,
as if to cut off Fadrique's flight in case he intended to escape. "I believe,
dear sirs," said Heimbert in a courteous tone, "we are here on the same
errand--namely, to prevent any intrusion upon the conference of yonder
knights. At least, as far as I am concerned, you may rely upon it that
any one who attempts to interfere in their affair will receive my dagger
in his heart. Be of good cheer, therefore; I think we shall both do our
duty." The two gentlemen bowed courteously and were silent.
The quiet self-possession with which the two soldiers carried on the
whole affair was most embarrassing to their three adversaries, and they
were at a loss to know how they should begin the dispute. At last
Fadrique again touched the strings of his guitar, and was preparing to
begin another song. This mark of contempt and apparent disregard of
danger and hazard so enraged Lucila's husband (for it was he who had
taken his stand by Don Fadrique) that without further delay he drew his
sword from his sheath, and with a voice of suppressed rage called out,
"Draw, or I shall stab you!" "Very gladly, Senor," replied Fadrique
quietly; "you need not threaten me; you might as well have said so

calmly." And so saying he placed his guitar carefully in a niche in the
church wall, seized bis sword, and, bowing gracefully to his opponent,
the fight, began.
At first the two figures by Heimbert's side, who were Lucila's brothers,
remained quite quiet; but when Fadrique began to get the better of their
brother-in-law they appeared as if they intended to take part in the fight.
Heimbert therefore made his mighty sword gleam in the moonlight, and
said, "Dear sirs, you will not surely oblige me to execute that of which I
previously assured you? I pray you not to compel me to do so; but if it
cannot be otherwise, I must honorably keep my word, you may rely
upon it." The two young men remained from that time motionless,
surprised both at the decision and at the true-hearted friendliness that
lay in Heimbert's words.
Meanwhile Don Fadrique,