The Two Captains | Page 9

a cannon from the harbor
sounded through the silence of the twilight.
The combatants paused, as if at some word of command to be obeyed
by both, and listened, counting to themselves; then, as each uttered the
number thirty, a second gun was heard. "It is the signal for immediate
embarkation, Senor," said Don Fadrique; "we are now in the emperor's
service, and all dispute ceases which is not against the foes of Charles
the Fifth." "Right," replied Heimbert, "but when there is an end of
Tunis and the whole war. I shall demand satisfaction for that 'dallying
coward.'" "And I for that in intercourse with my sister," said Fadrique.
"Certainly," rejoined the other; and, so saying, the two captains hurried

down to the strand and arranged the embarkation of their troops; while
the sun, rising over the sea, shone upon them both in the same vessel.
CHAPTER V.

The voyagers had for some time to battle with contrary winds, and
when at length they came in sight of the coasts of Barbary the darkness
of evening had closed so deeply over the sea that no pilot in the little
squadron ventured to ride at anchor on the shallow shore. They cruised
about on the calm waters, waiting for the morning; and the soldiers, full
of laudable ambition for combat, stood impatiently in crowds on the
deck, straining their longing eyes to see the theatre of their future
deeds.
Meanwhile the heavy firing of besiegers and besieged thundered
unceasingly from the fortress of Goletta, and as the night darkened the
scene with massy clouds, the flames of burning fragments became more
visible, and the fiery course of the red bullets was perceptible as they
crossed each other in their path, while their effects in fire and
devastation were fearful to behold. It was evident that the Mussulmans
had been attempting a sally, for a sharp fire of musketry burst forth
suddenly amid the roaring of the cannon. The fight was approaching
the trenches of the Christians, and on board the vessels none were
agreed whether the besiegers were in danger or not. At length they saw
that the Turks were driven back into the fortress; the Christian army
pursued them, and a shout was heard from the Spanish camp as of one
loud Victory! and the cry, Goletta was taken!
How the troops on board the vessels--consisting of young and courage-
tried men--burned with ardor and their hearts beat at the glorious
spectacle, need not be detailed to those who carry a brave heart within
their own bosoms, and to all others any description would be lost.
Heimbert and Fadrique stood close to each other. "I do not know," said
the latter, speaking to himself, "but I feel as if to- morrow I must plant
my standard upon yonder height which is now lighted up with the red
glow of the bullets and burning flames in Goletta." "That is just what I

feel!" said Heimbert. The two angry captains then relapsed into silence
and turned indignantly away.
The longed-for morning at length dawned, the vessels approached the
shore, and the landing of the troops began, while an officer was at once
dispatched to the camp to announce the arrival of the reinforcements to
the mighty general Alba. The soldiers were hastily ranged on the beach,
they put themselves and their weapons in order, and were soon standing
in battle array, ready for their great leader. Clouds of dust rose in the
gray twilight, the returning officer announced the approach of the
general, and as Alba signifies "morning" in the Castilian tongue, the
Spaniards raised a shout of rejoicing at the coincidence, as at some
favorable omen, for as the knightly train approached the first beams of
the rising sun became visible.
The grave and haggard form of the general was seen mounted on a tall
Andalusian charger of the deepest black. Having galloped once up and
down the lines, he stopped his powerful horse in the middle, and
looking along the ranks with an air of grave satisfaction, he said, "You
pass muster well. That is well. I like it to be so. It is plain to see that
you are tried soldiers, in spite of your youth. We will first hold a review,
and then I will lead you to something more agreeable."
So saying, he dismounted, and walking toward the right wing he began
to inspect one troop after another in the closest manner, with the
captain of each company at his side, that he might receive from him
accurate account upon the minutest particulars. Sometimes a cannon-
ball from the fortress would whizz over the heads of the men; then Alba
would stand still and cast a keen glance over the soldiers before him.
But when he saw