The Two Captains...............................................................................................................................................1

Friedrich Heinrich Karl Freiherr de La MotteFouque...........................................................................1

CHAPTER I. ............................................................................................................................................1

CHAPTER II. ...........................................................................................................................................3

CHAPTER III..........................................................................................................................................5

CHAPTER IV..........................................................................................................................................6

CHAPTER V...........................................................................................................................................7

CHAPTER VI..........................................................................................................................................8

CHAPTER VII. ......................................................................................................................................10

CHAPTER VIII.....................................................................................................................................11

CHAPTER IX........................................................................................................................................12

CHAPTER X.........................................................................................................................................13

CHAPTER XI........................................................................................................................................15

CHAPTER XII. ......................................................................................................................................16

CHAPTER XIII.....................................................................................................................................17

CHAPTER XIV.....................................................................................................................................18

CHAPTER XV......................................................................................................................................19

CHAPTER XVI.....................................................................................................................................20

CHAPTER XVII. ...................................................................................................................................21

CHAPTER XVIII. ..................................................................................................................................22

CHAPTER XIX.....................................................................................................................................23

A Mild summer evening was resting on the shores of Malaga, awakening the guitar of many a merry singer

among the ships in the harbor, and in the city houses, and in many an ornamental garden villa. Emulating the

voices of the birds, the melodious tones greeted the refreshing coolness, and floated like perfumed

exhalations from meadow and water, over the enchanting region. Some troops of infantry who were on the

shore, and who purposed to spend the night there, that they might be ready for embarkation early on the

following morning, forgot amid the charms of the pleasant eventide that they ought to devote these last few

hours on European soil to ease and slumber; they began to sing military songs, to drink to each other with

their flasks filled to the brim with the rich wine of Xeres, toasting to the long life of the mighty Emperor

Charles V., who was now besieging the piratenest Tunis, and to whose assistance they were about to sail.

The merry soldiers were not all of one race. Only two companies consisted of Spaniards; the third was

formed of pure Germans, and now and then among the various fellow combatants the difference of manners

and language had given rise to much bantering. Now, however, the fellowship of the approaching sea

voyage and of the glorious perils to be shared, as well as the refreshing feeling which the soft southern

evening poured over soul and sense, united the band of comrades in perfect and undisturbed harmony. The

Germans tried to speak Castilian, and the Spaniards to speak German, without its occurring to any one to

make a fuss about the mistakes and confusions that happened. They mutually helped each other, thinking of

nothing else but the goodwill of their companions, each drawing near to his fellow by means of his own

Somewhat apart from the merry tumult, a young German captain, Sir Heimbert of Waldhausen, was reclining

under a corktree, gazing earnestly up at the stars, apparently in a very different mood to the fresh, merry

sociability which his comrades knew and loved in him. Presently the Spanish captain, Don Fadrique Mendez,

approached him; he was a youth like the other, and was equally skilled in martial exercises, but he was

generally as austere and thoughtful as Heimbert was cheerful and gentle. "Pardon, Senor," began the solemn

Spaniard, "if I disturb you in your meditations. But as I have had the honor of often seeing you as a

courageous warrior and faithful brother in amrs in many a hot encounter, I would gladly solicit you above all

others to do me a knightly service, if it does not interfere with your own plans and projects for this night."

"Dear sir," returned Heimbert courteously, "I have certainly an affair of importance to attend to before

sunrise, but till midnight I am perfectly free, and ready to render you any assistance as a brother in aims."

"Enough," said Fadrique, "for at midnight the tones must long have ceased with which I shall have taken

farewell of the dearest being I have ever known in this my native city. But that you may be as fully

acquainted with the whole affair as behoves a noble companion, listen to me attentively for a few moments.

"Some time before I left Malaga to join the army of our great emperor and to aid in spreading the glory of his

arms through Italy, I was devoted, after the fashion of young knights, to the service of a beautiful girl in this

city, named Lucila. She had at that time scarcely reached the period which separates childhood from ripe

maidenhood, and as Ia boy only just capable of bearing arms offered my homage with a childlike,

friendly feeling, it was also received by my young mistress in a similar childlike manner. I marched at length

to Italy, and as you yourself know, for we have been companions since then, I was in many a hot fight and in

many an enchantingly alluring region in that luxurious land. Amid all our changes, I held unalterably within

me the image of my gentle mistress, never pausing in the honorable service I had vowed to her, although I

cannot conceal from you that in so doing it was rather to fulfil the word I had pledged at my departure than

from any impelling and immoderately ardent feeling in my heart. When we returned to my native city from

our foreign wanderings, a few weeks ago, I found my mistress married to a rich and noble knight residing

here. Fiercer far than love had been was the jealousythat almost almighty child of heaven and hellwhich

now spurred me on to follow Lucila's steps, from her home to the church, from thence to the house of a

friend, from thence again to her home or to some noble circle of knights and ladies, and all this as

unweariedly and as closely as was possible. When I had at length assured myself that no other young knight

attended her, and that she devoted herself entirely to the husband chosen for her by her parents rather than

desired by herself, I felt perfectly satisfied, and I should not have troubled you at this moment had not Lucila

approached me the day before yesterday and whispered in my ear that I must not provoke her husband, for he

was very passionate and bold; that not the slightest danger threatened her in the matter, because he loved and

honored her above everything, but that his wrath would vent itself all the more furiously upon me. You can

readily understand, my noble comrade, that I could not help proving my contempt of all personal danger by

following Lucila more closely than ever, and singing nightly serenades beneath her flower decked windows

till the morning star began to be reflected in the sea. This very night Lucila's husband sets out at midnight for

Madrid, and from that hour I will in every way avoid the street in which they live; until then, however, as

soon as it is sufficiently dark to be suitable for a serenade, I will have loveromances unceasingly sang

before his house. It is true I have information that not only he but Lucila's brothers are really to enter upon a

quarrel with me, and it is for this reason, Senor, that I have requested you to bear me company with your

Heimbert seized the Spaniard's hand as a pledge of his readiness, saying as he did so, "To show you, dear sir,

how gladly I will do what you desire of me, I will requite your confidence with confidence, and will relate a

little incident which occurred to me in this city, and will beg you after midnight also to render me a small

service. My story is short, and will not detain us longer than we must wait before the twilight has become

"On the day after we arrived here I amused myself with walking in the beautiful gardens with which the place

abounds. I have now been long in these southern lands, but I cannot but believe that the dreams which

transport me nightly back to my German home are the cause for my feeling everything here so strange and

astonishing. At all events, every morning when I wake I wonder anew, as if I were only just arrived. So I was

walking then, like one infatuated, among the aloe trees, which were scattered among the laurels and

oleanders. Suddenly a cry sounded near me, and a slender girl, dressed in white, fled into my arms, fainting,

while her companions dispersed past us in every direction. A soldier can always tolerably soon gather his

senses together, and I speedily perceived a furious bull was pursuing the beautiful maiden. I threw her

quickly over a thickly planted hedge, and followed her myself, upon which the beast, blind with rage, passed

us by, and I have heard no more of it since, except that some young knights in an adjacent courtyard had been

making a trial with it previous to a bullfight, and that it was on this account that it had broken so furiously

"I was now standing quite alone, with the fainting lady in my arms, and she was so wonderfully beautiful to

look at that I have never in my life felt happier than I then did, and also never sadder. At last I laid her down

on the turf, and sprinkled her angelic brow, with water from a neighboring little fountain. And so she came to

herself again, and when she opened her bright and lovely eyes I thought I could imagine how the glorified

"She thanked me with graceful and courteous words, and called me her knight; but in my state of

enchantment I could not utter a syllable, and she must have almost thought me dumb. At length my speech

returned, and the prayer at once was breathed forth from my heart, that the sweet lady would often again

allow me to see her in this garden; for that in a few weeks the service of the emperor would drive me into the

burning land of Africa, and that until then she should vouchsafe me the happiness of beholding her. She

looked at me half smiling, half sadly, and said, 'Yes.' And she has kept her word and has appeared almost

daily, without our having yet spoken much to each other. For although she has been sometimes quite alone, I

could never begin any other topic but that of the happiness of walking by her side. Often she has sung to me,

and I have sung to her also. When I told her yesterday that our departure was so near, her heavenly eyes

seemed to me suffused with tears. I must also have looked sorrowful, for she said to me, in a consoling tone,

'Oh, pious, childlike warrior! one may trust you as one trusts an angel.' After midnight, before the morning

dawn breaks for your departure, I give you leave to take farewell 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

And wrapped in their mantles, the youths walked hastily toward the city, Fadrique carrying his beautiful

The nightsmelling 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:

"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

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 errandnamely, 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 selfpossession 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 brotherinlaw 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 truehearted friendliness that

Meanwhile Don Fadrique, although pressing hard upon his adversary, had generously avoided wounding him,

and when at last by a dexterous movement he wrested his sword from him. Lucila's husband, surprised at the

unexpected advantage, and in alarm at being thus disarmed, retreated a few steps. But Fadrique threw the

weapon adroitly into the air, and catching it again near the point of the blade, he said, as he gracefully

presented the hilt to his opponent, "Take it, Senor, and I hope our affair of honor is now settled, as you will

grant under these circumstances that I am only here to show that I fear no swordthrust in the world. The bell

of the old cathedral is now ringing twelve o'clock, and I give you my word of honor as a knight and a soldier

that neither is Dona Lucila pleased with my attentions nor am I pleased with paying them; from henceforth,

and were I to remain a hundred years in Malaga, I would not continue to serenade her in this spot. So proceed

on your journey, and God be with you." He then once more greeted his conquered adversary with serious and

solemn courtesy, and withdrew. Heimbert followed him, after having cordially shaken hands with the two

youths, saying, "No, dear young sirs, do not let it ever again enter your heads to interfere in any honorable

He soon overtook his companion, and walked on by his side so full of ardent expectation, and with his heart

beating so joyfully and yet so painfully, that he could not utter a single word. Don Fadrique Mendez was also

silent; it was not till Heimbert paused before an ornamented gardengate, and pointed cheerfully to the

pomegranate boughs richly laden with fruits which overhung it, saying, "This is the place, dear comrade,"

that the Spaniard appeared as if about to ask a question, but turning quickly round he merely said, "I am

pledged to guard this entrance for you till dawn. You have my word of honor for it." So saying he began

walking to and fro before the gate, with drawn sword, like a sentinel, and Heimbert, trembling with joy,

He was not long in seeking the bright star, which he indeed felt was destined henceforth to guide the course

of his whole life. The delicate form approached him not far from the entrance; weeping softly, it seemed to

him, in the light of the full moon which was just rising, and yet smiling with such infinite grace, that her tears

were rather like a pearly ornament than a veil of sorrow. In deep and infinite joy and sorrow the two lovers

wandered silently together through the flowery groves; now and then a branch waving in the nightair would

touch the guitar on the lady's arm, and it would breathe forth a slight murmur which blended with the song of

the nightingale, or the delicate fingers of the girl would tremble over the strings and awaken a few scattered

chords, while the shooting stars seemed as if following the tones of the instrument as they died away. Oh,

truly happy was this night both to the youth and the maiden, for no rash wish or impure desire passed even

fleetingly across their minds. They walked on side by side, happy that Providence had allowed them this

delight, and so little desiring any other blessing that even the transitoriness of that they were now enjoying

In the middle ot the beautiful garden there was a large open lawn, ornamented with statues and surrounding a

beautiful and splashing fountain. The two lovers sat down on its brink, now gazing at the waters sparkling in

the moonlight, and now delighting in the contemplation of each other's beauty. The maiden touched her

guitar, and Heimbert, impelled by a feeling scarcely intelligible to himself, sang the following words to it:

He suddenly paused, and blushed deeply, fearing he had been too bold. The lady blushed also, touched her

"Oh!" said Heimbert, blushing from another cause than before, "oh, Dona Clara, that affair at Pavia was

nothing but a merry and victorious tournament, and even if occasionally since then I have been engaged in a

tougher contest, how have I ever merited as a reward the overwhelming bliss I am now enjoying! Now I

know what your name is, and I may in future address you by it, my angelic Dona Clara, my blessed and

beautiful Dona Clara! But tell me now, who has given you such a favorable report of my achievements, that I

"Does the noble Heimbert of Waldhausen suppose," rejoined Clara, "that the noble houses of Spain had none

of their sons where he stood in the battle? You must have surely seen them fighting by your side, and must I

The silvery tones of a little bell sounded just then from a neighboring palace, and Clara whispered, "It is time

to part. Adieu, my hero!" And she smiled on the youth through her gushing tears, and bent toward him, and

he almost fancied he felt a sweet kiss breathed from her lips. When he fully recovered himself Clara had

disappeared, the morning clouds were beginning to wear the rosy hue of dawn, and Heimbert, with a heaven

of love's proud happiness in his heart, returned to his watchful friend at the garden gate.

"Halt!" exclaimed Fadrique, as Heimbert appeared from the garden, holding his drawn sword toward him

ready for attack. "Stop, you are mistaken, my good comrade," said the German, smiling, "it is I whom you

see before you." "Do not imagine, Knight Heimbert of Waldhausen," said Fadrique, "that I mistake you. But

my promise is discharged, my hour of guard has been honorably kept, and now I beg you without further

delay to prepare yourself, and fight for your life until heart's blood has ceased to flow through these veins."

"Good heavens!" sighed Heimbert, "I have often heard that in these southern lands there are witches, who

deprive people of their senses by magic arts and incantations. But I have never experienced anything of the

sort until today. Compose yourself, my dear good comrade, and go with me back to the shore." Fadrique

laughed fiercely, and answered, "Set aside your silly delusion, and if you must have everything explained to

you, word by word, in order to understand it, know then that the lady whom you came to meet in the

shrubbery of this my garden is Dona Clara Mendez, my only sister. Quick, therefore, and without further

preamble, draw!" "God forbid!" exclaimed the German, not touching his weapon. "You shall be my

brotherinlaw, Fadrique, and not my murderer, and still less will I be yours." Fadrique only shook his head

indignantly, and advanced toward his comrade with measured steps for an encounter. Heimbert, however,

still remained immovable, and said, "No, Fadrique, I cannot now or ever do you harm. For besides the love I

bear your sister, it must certainly have been you who has spoken to her so honorably of my military

expeditions in Italy." "When I did so," replied Fadiique in a fury, "I was a fool. But, dallying coward, out

Before Fadrique had finished speaking, Heimbert, burning with indignation, exclaimed, "The devil himself

could not bear that!" and drawing his sword from the scabbard, the two young captains rushed fiercely and

Different indeed was this contest to that previously fought by Fadrique with Lucila's husband. The two young

soldiers well understood their weapons, and strove with each other with equal boldness, their swords flashing

like rays of light as now this one now that one hurled a lightning thrust at his adversary, which was with

similar speed and dexterity turned aside. Firmly they pressed the left foot, as if rooted in the ground, while

the right advanced to the bold onset and then again they quickly retired to the safer attitude of defence. From

the selfpossession and the quiet unremitting anger with which both the combatants fought, it was evident

that one of the two would find his grave under the overhanging branches of the orangetree, which were now

tinged with the red glow of morning, and this would undoubtedly have been the case had not the report of a

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

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,

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

How the troops on board the vesselsconsisting of young and courage tried menburned 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

The longedfor 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

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 that not an eyelash moved, a smile of satisfaction passed over his severe pale face.

When he had inspected both divisions he again mounted his horse and once more galloped into the middle.

Then, stroking his long beard, he said, "You are in good order, soldiers, and therefore you shall take your part

in this glorious day, which is just dawning for our whole Christian armada. We will attack Barbarossa,

soldiers. Do you not already hear the drums and fifes in the camp? Do you see him advancing yonder to meet

"Vivat Carolus Quintus!" resounded through the ranks. Alba beckoned the captains to him, and assigned to

each his duty. He usually mingled German and Spanish troops together, in order to stimulate the courage of

the combatants still higher by emulation. So it happened even now that Heimbert and Fadrique were

commanded to storm the very same height, which, now gleaming with the morning light, they at once

recognized as that which had shone out so fiercely and full of promise the night before.

Thrice had Fadrique and Heimbert almost forced their way to a rampart in the fortifications, and thrice had

they been repulsed with their men into the valley below by the fierce opposition of the Turks. The

Mussulmans shouted after the retreating foe, clashed their weapons with the triumph of victory, and with a

scornful laugh asked whether they would not come up again to give heart and brain to the scimitar and their

limbs to the falling beams of wood. The two captains, gnashing their teeth with fury, arranged their ranks

anew; for after three vain assaults they had to move closer together to fill the places of the slain and the

mortally wounded. Meanwhile a murmur ran through the Christian army that a witch was fighting among

Duke Alba rode to the point of attack, and looked scrutinizingly at the breach they had made. "Not yet broken

through the enemy here!" said he, shaking his head, "I am surprised. From two such youths, and such troops,

I should have expected it." "Do you hear that? Do you hear that?" exclaimed the two captains, as they paced

along their lines repeating the general's words. The soldiers shouted loudly, and demanded to be once more

led against the enemy; even those who were mortally wounded shouted, with a last effort, "Forward,

comrades!" The great Alba at once sprang like an arrow from his horse, wrested a partisan from the stiff hand

of one of the slain, and standing in front of the two companies he cried, "I will take part in your glory. In the

And joyfully they rushed up the hill, every heart beating with confidence, while the warcry was raised

triumphantly; some even began already to shout "Victory! victory!" and the Mussulmans paused and

wavered. Suddenly, like the vision of an avenging angel, a maiden, dressed in purple garments embroidered

with gold appeared in the Turkish ranks, and those who were terrified before again shouted "Allah!" calling

at the same time, "Zelinda, Zelinda!" The maiden, however, drew a small box from under her arm, and

opening it she breathed into it and hurled it down among the Christian troops. And forth from the fatal chest

there burst a whole fire of rockets, grenades, and other fearful messengers of death. The startled soldiers

paused in their assault. "Forward!" cried Alba. "Forward!" cried the two captains; but a flaming arrow just

then fastened on the duke's plumed hat and hissed and crackled round his head, so that the general fell

fainting down the height. Then the German and Spanish infantry fled uncontrollably from the fearful ascent.

Again the storm had been repulsed. The Mussulmans shouted, and like a fatal star Zelinda's beauty shone in

When Alba opened his eyes, Heimbert was standing over him, with his mantle, arm, and face scorched with

the fire, which he had not only just extinguished on his general's head, but by throwing himself over him he

had saved him from a second body of flame rolled down the height in the same direction. The duke was

thanking his youthful deliverer when some soldiers came up, looking for him, to apprise him that the Saracen

power was beginning an attack on the opposite wing of the army. Without losing a word Alba threw himself

on the first horse brought him and galloped away to the spot where the most threatening danger summoned

Fadrique stood with his glowing eye fixed on the rampart, where the brilliant form of Zelinda might be seen,

with a twoedged spear, ready to be hurled, uplifted by her snowwhite arm, and raising her voice, now in

encouraging tones to the Mussulmans in Arabic, and again speaking scornfully to the Christians in Spanish.

At last Fadrique exclaimed, "Oh, foolish being! she thinks to daunt me, and yet she places herself before me,

And as if magic wings had sprung from his shoulders, he began to fly up the height with such rapidity that

Alba's violent descent seemed but a lazy snail's pace. Before any one was aware, he was already on the

height, and wresting spear and shield from the maiden, he had seized her in his arms and was attempting to

bear her away, while Zelinda in anxious despair clung to the palisade with both her hands. Her cry for help

was unavailing, partly because the Turks imagined that the magic power of the maiden was annihilated by the

almost equally wondrous deed of the youth, and partly also because the faithful Heimbert, quickly perceiving

his comrade's daring feat, had led both troops to a renewed attack, and now stood by his side on the height,

fighting hand to hand with the defenders. This time the fury of the Mussulmans, weakened as they were by

superstition and surprise, could avail nothing against the heroic advance of the Christian soldiers. The

Spaniards and Germans speedily broke through the enemy, assisted by the watchful squadrons of their army.

The Mohammedans fled with frightful howling, the battle with its stream of victory rolled ever on, and the

banner of the holy German empire and that of the royal house of Castile waved victorious over the glorious

In the confusion of the conquering and the conquered, Zelinda had wrested herself from Fadrique's arms and

had fled from him with such swiftness that, however much love and desire might have given wings to his

pursuit, she was soon out of sight in a spot so well known to her. All the more vehement was the fury of the

excited Spaniard against the infidel foe. Wherever a little host made a fresh stand to oppose the Christians, he

would hasten forward with the troops, who ranged themselves round him, resistless as he was, as round a

banner of victory, while Heimbert ever remained at his side like a faithful shield, guarding off many a danger

to which the youth, intoxicated with rage and success, exposed himself without consideration. The following

day they heard of Barbarossa's flight from the city, and the victorious troops advanced without resistance

through the gates of Tunis. Fadrique's and Heimbert's companies were always together.

Thick clouds of smoke began to curl through the streets; the soldiers were obliged to shake off the glowing

and dusty flakes from their mantles and richly plumed helmets, where they often rested smouldering. "I trust

the enemy in his despair has not set fire to some magazine full of powder!" exclaimed the thoughtful

Heimbert; and Fadrique, allowing by a sign that he agreed with his surmise, hastened on to the spot from

The sudden turn of a street brought them in view of a magnificent palace, from the beautifully ornamented

windows of which the flames were emerging, looking like torches of death in their fitful glow, and lighting

up the splendid building in the hour of its ruin in the grandest manner, now illuminating this and now that

part of the gigantic structure, and then again relapsing into a fearful darkness of smoke and vapor.

And like some faultless statue, the ornament of the whole edifice, there stood Zelinda upon a high and giddy

projection, while the tongues of flame wreathed around her from below, calling to her companions in the faith

to help her in saving the wisdom of centuries which was preserved in this building. The projection on which

she stood began to totter from the fervent heat raging beneath it, and a few stones gave way; Fadrique called

with a voice full of anguish to the endangered lady, and scarcely had she withdrawn her foot from the spot,

when the stone on which she had been standing broke away and came rattling down on the pavement. Zelinda

disappeared within the burning palace, and Fadrique rushed up its marble staircase, Heimbert, his faithful

Their hasty steps carried them through lofty resounding halls; the architecture over their heads was a maze of

high arches, and one chamber led into another almost like a labyrinth. The walls displayed on all sides

magnificent shelves, in which were to be seen stored rolls of parchment, papyrus, and palmleaf, partly

inscribed with the characters of longvanished centuries, and which were now to perish themselves. For the

flames were already crackling among them and stretching their serpentlike and fiery heads from one case of

treasures to another; while some Spanish soldiers, barbarous in their fury, and hoping for plunder, and finding

nothing but inscribed rolls within the gorgeous building, passed from disappointment to rage, and aided the

flames; the more so as they regarded the inscriptions as the work of evil magicians. Fadrique flew as in a

dream through the strange halfconsumed halls, ever calling Zelinda! thinking and regarding nothing but her

enchanting beauty. Long did Heimbert remain at his side, until at length they both reached a cedar staircase

leading to an upper story; here Fadrique paused to listen, and exclaiming, "She is speaking up there! she is

speaking loud! she needs my help!" he dashed up the already burning steps. Heimbert hesitated a moment; he

saw the staircase already tottering, and he thought to give a warning cry to his companion; but at the same

moment the light ornamental ascent gave way and burst into flames. He could just see Fadrique clinging

above to a brass grating and swinging himself up to it, but all means of following him were destroyed.

Quickly recollecting himself, Heimbert lost no time in idly gazing, but hastened through the adjacent halls in

Meanwhile Fadrique, following the enchanting voice, had reached a gallery in the midst of which, the floor

having fallen in, there was a fearful abyss of flames, though the pillars on each side were still standing.

Opposite to him the youth perceived the longedfor maiden, clinging with one hand to a pillar, while with the

other she was threatening back some Spanish soldiers, who seemed ready at any moment to seize her, and her

delicate foot was already hovering over the edge of the glowing ruins. For Fadrique to go to her was

impossible; the breadth of the opening rendered even a desperate leap unavailing. Trembling lest his call

might make the maiden precipitate herself into the abyss, either in terror or despairing anger, he only softly

raised his voice and whispered as with a breath over the flaming gulf, "Oh, Zelinda, Zelinda! do not give way

to such frightful thoughts! Your preserver is here!" The maiden turned her queenly head, and when Fadrique

saw her calm and composed demeanor, he cried to the soldiers on the other side, with all the thunder of his

warrior's voice, "Back, ye insolent plunderers! Whoever advances but one step to the lady shall feel the

vengeance of my arm!" They started and seemed on the point of withdrawing, when one of their number said,

"The knight cannot touch us, the gulf between us is too broad for that. And as for the lady's throwing herself

downit almost looks as if the young knight were her lover, and whoever has a lover is not likely to be so

hasty about throwing herself down." All laughed at this and again advanced. Zelinda tottered at the edge of

the abyss. But with the courage of a lion Fadrique had torn his target from his arm, and hurling it with his

right hand he flung it at the soldiers with such a sure aim that the rash leader, struck on the head, fell

senseless to the ground. The rest again stood still. "Away with you!" cried Fadrique authoritatively, "or my

dagger shall strike the next as surely, and then I swear I will never rest till I have found out your whole gang

and appeased my rage." The dagger gleamed in the youth's hand, but yet more fearfully gleamed the fury in

his eyes, and the soldiers fled. Then Zelinda bowed gratefully to her preserver, took up a roll of palmleaves

which lay at her feet, and which must have previously slipped from her hand, and then vanished hastily

through a sidedoor of the gallery. Henceforth Fadrique sought her in vain in the burning palace.

The great Alba held a council with his chief officers in an open place in the middle of the conquered city,

and, by means of interpreters, sent question after question to the Turkish prisoners as to the fate of the

beautiful woman who had been seen animating them on the ramparts, and who was certainly the most

exquisite enchantress that had ever visited the earth. Nothing very distinct was to be gained from the answers,

for although the interrogated all knew of the the beautiful Zelinda as a noble lady versed in magic lore, and

acknowledged by the whole people, they were utterly unable to state from whence she had come to Tunis and

whither she had now fled. When at last they began to threaten the prisoners as obstinate, an old Dervish,

hitherto unnoticed, pressed forward and said, with a gloomy smile, "Whoever has a desire to seek the lady

may set out when he chooses; I will conceal nothing from him of what I know of her direction, and I know

something. But I must first of all receive the promise that I shall not be compelled to accompany as guide.

My lips otherwise will remain sealed forever, and you may do with me as you will."

He looked like one who intended to keep his word, and Alba, pleased with the firmness of the man, which

harmonized well with his own mind, gave him the desired assurance, and the Dervish began his relation. He

was once, he said, wandering in the almost infinite desert of Sahara, impelled perhaps by rash curiosity,

perhaps by higher motives; he had lost his way there, and had at last, wearied to death, reached one of those

fertile islands of that sea of sand which are called oases. Then followed, sparkling with oriental vivacity, a

description of the wonderful things seen there, now filling the hearts of his hearers with sweet longing, and

then again making their hair stand on end with horror, though from the strange pronunciation of the speaker

and the flowing rapidity of his words the half was scarcely understood. The end of all this at length was that

Zelinda dwelt on that oasis, in the midst of the pathless sand plains of the desert, surrounded by magic

horrors; and also, as the Dervish knew for certain, that she had left about half an hour ago on her way thither.

The almost contemptuous words with which he concluded his narration plainly showed that he desired

nothing more earnestly than to seduce some Christians to undertake a journey which must terminate

inevitably in their destruction. At the same time he added a solemn oath that everything was truly as he had

stated it, and he did this in a firm and grave manner, as a man who knows that he is speaking the most

indubitable truth. Surprised and thoughtful, the circle of officers held their council round him.

Then Heimbert stepped forward with an air as if of request; he had just received a summons to leave the

burning palace, where he had been seeking his friend, and had been appointed to the place of council because

it was necessary to arrange the troops here in readiness for any possible rising in the conquered city. "What

do you wish, my young hero?" said Alba, recognizing him as he appeared. "I know your smiling, blooming

countenance well. You were but lately sheltering me like a protecting angel. I am so sure that you make no

request but what is honorable and knightly that anything you may possibly desire is granted beforehand."

"My great Duke," replied Heimbert, with cheeks glowing with pleasure, "if I may then venture to ask a favor,

will you grant me permission to follow the beautiful Zelinda at once in the direction which this wonderful

Dervish has pointed out?" The great general bowed in assent, and added, "So noble an adventure could not be

"I do not know that!" said an angry voice from the throng. "But well do I know that to me above all others

this adventure belongs, even were it assigned as a reward for the capture of Tunis. For who was the first on

the height and within the city?" "That was Don Fadrique Mendez," said Heimbert, taking the speaker by the

hand and leading him before the general. "If I now for his sake must forfeit my promised reward, I must

patiently submit; for he has rendered better service than I have done to the emperor and the army."

"Neither of you shall forfeit his reward," said the great Alba. "Each has permission from this moment to seek

And swift as lightning the two young captains quitted the circle of officers in opposite directions.

A sea of sand, stretching out in the distant horizon, without one object to mark its extensive surface, white

and desolate in its vastnesssuch is the scene which proclaims the fearful desert of Sahara to the eye of the

wanderer who has lost himself in these frightful regions. In this also it resembles the sea, that it casts up

waves, and often a misty vapor bangs over its surface. But there is not the soft play of waves which unite all

the coasts of the earth; each wave as it rolls in bringing a message from the remotest and fairest island

kingdoms, and again rolling back as it were with an answer, in a sort of loveflowing dance. No; there is here

only the melancholy sporting of the hot wind with the faithless dust which ever falls back again into its

joyless basin, and never reaches the rest of the solid land with its happy human dwellings. There is here none

of the sweet cool seabreeze in which kindly fairies seem carrying on their graceful sport, forming blooming

gardens and pillared palacesthere is only a suffocating vapor, rebelliously given back to the glowing sun

Hither the two youths arrived at the same time, and paused, gazing with dismay at the pathless chaos before

them. Zelinda's track, which was not easily hidden or lost, had hitherto obliged them almost always to remain

together, dissatisfied as Fadrique was at the circumstance, and angry as were the glances he cast at his

unwelcome companion. Each had hoped to overtake Zelinda before she had reached the desert, feeling how

almost impossible it would be to find her once she had entered it. That hope was now at an end; and although

in answer to the inquiries they made in the Barbary villages on the frontier, they heard that a wanderer going

southward in the desert and guiding his course by the stars would, according to tradition, arrive at length at a

wonderfully fertile oasis, the abode of a divinely beautiful enchantress, yet everything appeared highly

uncertain and dispiriting, and was rendered still more so by the avalanches of dust before the travellers' view.

The youths looked sadly at the prospect before them, and their horses snorted and started back at the horrible

plain, as though it were some insidious quicksand, and even the riders themselves were seized with doubt and

dismay. Suddenly they sprung from their saddles, as at some word of command, unbridled their horses,

loosened their girths, and turned them loose on the desert, that they might find their way back to some

happier dwelling place. Then, taking some provision from their saddlebags, they placed it on their

shoulders, and casting aside their heavy riding boots they plunged like two courageous swimmers into the

With no other guide than the sun by day, and by night the host of stars, the two captains soon lost sight of

each other, and all the sooner, as Fadrique avoided intentionally the object of his aversion. Heimbert, on the

other hand, had no thought but the attainment of his aim; and, full of joyful confidence in God's assistance, he

Many nights and many days had passed, when one evening, as the twilight was coming on, Heimbert was

standing alone in the endless desert, unable to descry a single object all round on which his eye could rest.

His light flask was empty, and the evening brought with it, instead or the hopedfor coolness, a suffocating

whirlwind of sand, so that the exhausted wanderer was obliged to press his burning face to the burning soil in

order to escape in some measure the fatal cloud. Now and then he heard something passing him, or rustling

over him as with the sound of a sweeping mantle, and he would raise himself in anxious haste; but he only

saw what he had already too often seen in the daylimethe wild beasts of the wilderness roaming at liberty

through the desert waste. Sometimes it was an ugly camel, then it was a longnecked and disproportioned

giraffe, and then again a longlegged ostrich hastening away with its wings outspread. They all appeared to

scorn him, and he had already taken his resolve to open his eyes no more, and to give himself up to his fate,

without allowing these horrible and strange creatures to disturb his mind in the hour of death.

Presently it seemed to him as if he heard the hoofs and neighing of a horse, and suddenly something halted

close beside him, and he thought he caught the sound of a man's voice. Half unwilling, he could not resist

raising himself wearily, and he saw before him a rider in an Arab's dress mounted on a slender Arabian horse.

Overcome with joy at finding himself within reach of human help, he exclaimed, "Welcome, oh, man, in this

fearful solitude! If thou canst, succor me, thy fellowman, who must otherwise perish with thirst!" Then

remembering that the tones of his dear German mother tongue were not intelligible in this joyless region, he

repeated the same words in the mixed dialect, generally called the Lingua Romana, universally used by

heathens, Mohammedans, and Christians in those parts of the world where they have most intercourse with

The Arab still remained silent, and looked as if scornfully laughing at his strange discovery. At length he

replied, in the same dialect, "I was also in Barbarossa's fight; and if, Sir Knight, our overthrow bitterly

enraged me then, I find no small compensation for it in the fact of seeing one of the conquerors lying so

pitifully before me." "Pitifully!" exclaimed Heimbert angrily, and his wounded sense of honor giving him

back for a moment all his strength, he seized his sword and stood ready for an encounter. "Oho!" laughed the

Arab, "does the Christian viper still hiss so strongly? Then it only behooves me to put spurs to my horse and

leave thee to perish here, thou lost creeping worm!" "Ride to the devil, thou dog of a heathen!" retorted

Heimbert; "rather than entreat a crumb of thee I will die here, unless the good God sends me manna in the

And the Arab spurred forward his swift steed and galloped away a couple of hundred paces, laughing with

scorn. Then he paused, and looking round to Heimbert he trotted back and said, "Thou seemest too good,

methinks, to perish here of hunger and thirst. Beware! my good sabre shall touch thee."

Heimbert, who had again stretched himself hopelessly on the burning sand, was quickly roused to his feet by

these words, and seized his sword; and sudden as was the spring with which the Arab's horse flew toward

him, the stout German warrior stood ready to parry the blow, and the thrust which the Arab aimed at him in

Again and again the Arab sprung; similarly here and there, vainly hoping to give his antagonist a deathblow.

At last, overcome by impatience, he approached so boldly that Heimbert, warding off the threatening weapon,

had time to seize the Arab by the girdle and drag him from the fastgalloping horse. The violence of the

movement threw Heimbert also on the ground, but he lay above his opponent, and holding close before his

eyes a dagger, which he had dexterously drawn from his girdle, he exclaimed, "Wilt thou have mercy or

death?" The Arab, trembling, cast down his eyes before the gleaming and murderous weapon, and said,

"Show mercy to me, mighty warrior; I surrender to thee." Heimbert then ordered him to throw away the sabre

he still held in his right hand. He did so, and both combatants rose, and again sunk down upon the sand, for

The Arab's good horse meanwhile had trotted toward them, according to the habit of those noble animals,

who never forsake their fallen master. It now stood behind the two men, stretching out its long slender neck

affectionately toward them. "Arab," said Heimbert with exhausted voice, "take from thy horse what provision

thou hast with thee and place it before me." The vanquished man humbly did as he was commanded, now just

as much submitting to the will of the conqueror as he had before exhibited his animosity in anger and

revenge. After a few draughts of palmwine from the skin, Heimbert looked at the youth under a new aspect;

he then partook of some fruits, drank more of the palmwine, and at length said, "You are going to ride still

farther tonight, young man?" "Yes, indeed," replied the Arab sadly; "on a distant oasis there dwells my aged

father and my blooming bride. Noweven if you set me at full libertyI must perish in the heat of this

"Is it, perhaps," asked Heimbert, "the oasis on which the mighty enchantress, Zelinda, dwells?"

"Allah protect me!" cried the Arab, clasping his hands. "Zelinda's wondrous isle offers no hospitable shelter

to any but magicians. It lies far away in the scorching south, while our friendly oasis is toward the cooler

"I only asked in case we might be travelling companions," said Heimbert courteously. "If that cannot be, we

must certainly divide the provisions; for I would not have so brave a warrior as you perish, with hunger and

So saying, the young captain began to arrange the provisions in two portions, placing the larger on his left

and the smaller at his right; he then desired the Arab to take the former, and added, to his astonished

companion, "See, good sir, I have either not much farther to travel or I shall perish in the desert; I feel that it

will be so. Besides, I cannot carry half so much on foot as you can on horse back."

"Knight! victorious knight!" cried the amazed Mussulman, "am I then to keep my horse?"

"It were a sin and shame indeed," said Heimbert, smiling, "to separate such a faithful steed from such a

He then helped him to mount, and the Arab was on the point of uttering a few words of gratitude, when he

suddenly exclaimed, "The magic maiden!" and, swift as the wind, he flew over the dusty plain. Heimbert,

however, turning round, saw close beside him in the now bright moonlight a shining figure, which he at once

The maiden looked fixedly at the young soldier, and seemed considering with what words to address him,

while he, after his long search and now unexpected success, was equally at a loss. At last she said in Spanish,

"Thou wonderful enigma, I have been witness of all that has passed between thee and the Arab; and these

affairs confuse my head like a whirlwind. Speak, therefore, plainly, that I may know whether thou art a

"I am neither, dear lady," replied Heimbert, with his wonted friendliness. "I am only a poor wanderer, who

has just been putting into practice one of the commands of his Master, Jesus Christ."

"Sit down," said Zelinda, "and tell me of thy Master; he must be himself unprecedented to have such a

servant. The night is cool and still, and at my side thou hast no cause to fear the dangers of the desert."

"Lady," replied Heimbert, smiling, "I am not of a fearful nature, and when I am speaking of my dear Saviour

Thus saying, they both sat down on the now cooled sand and began a wondrous conversation, while the full

Heimbert's words, full of divine love, truth, and simplicity sank like soft sunbeams, gently and surely, into

Zelinda's, heart, driving away the mysterious magic power which dwelt there, and wrestling for the dominion

of the noble territory of her soul. When morning began to dawn she said, "Thou wouldst not be called an

angel last evening, but thou art truly one. For what else are angels than messengers of the Most High God?"

"In that sense," rejoined Heimbert, "I am well satisfied with the name, for I certainly hope that I am the bearer

of my Master's message. Yes, if he bestows on me further grace and strength, it may even be that you also

may become my companion in the pious work." "It is not impossible," said Zelinda thoughtfully. "Thou must,

however, come with me to my island, and there thou shalt be regaled as is befitting such an ambassador, far

better than here on the desolate sand, with the miserable palmwine that thou hast so laboriously obtained."

"Pardon me," replied Heimbert; "it is difficult to me to refuse the request of a lady, but on this occasion it

cannot be otherwise. In your island many glorious things have been conjured together by your forbidden art,

and many lovely forms which the good God has created have been transformed. These might dazzle my

senses, and at last delude them. If you will, therefore, hear the best and purest things which I can relate to

you, you must rather come out to me on this desert sand. The palmwine and the dates of the Arab will

suffice for me for many a day to come." "You would do better to come with me," said Zelinda, shaking her

head with somewhat of a scornful smile. "You were certainly neither born nor brought up to be a hermit, and

there is nothing on my oasis so destructive as you imagine. What is there more than shrubs and flowers and

beasts gathered together from different quarters of the world, perhaps a little strangely interwoven; each, that

is to say, partaking of the nature of the other, in a similar manner to that which you must have seen in our

Arabian carving! A moving flower, a bird growing on a branch, a fountain gleaming with fiery sparks, a

singing twigthese are truly no hateful things!" "He must avoid temptation who does not wish to be

overcome by it," said Heimbert very gravely; "I am for the desert. Will it please you to come out to visit me

again?" Zelinda looked down somewhat displeased. Then suddenly bending her head still lower she replied,

"Yes; toward evening I shall be here again." And, turning away, she at once disappeared in the rising

With the evening twilight the lovely lady returned and spent the night in converse with the pious youth,

leaving him in the morning with her mind more humble, pure, and devout; and thus matters went on for many

days. "Thy palmwine and thy dates must be coming to an end," said Zelinda one evening as she presented

the youth with a flask of rich wine and some costly fruits. He, however, gently put aside the gift and said,

"Noble lady, I would accept your gift gladly, but I fear some of your magic arts may perhaps cleave to it. Or

could you assure me to the contrary by Him whom you are now beginning to know?" Zelinda cast down her

eyes in silent confusion and took her presents back. On the following evening, however, she brought similar

gifts, and, smiling confidently, gave the desired assurance. Heimbert then partook of them without hesitation,

and from henceforth the disciple carefully provided for the sustenance of her teacher in the wilderness.

And so, as the blessed knowledge of the truth sank more and more deeply into Zelinda's soul, so that she was

often sitting till dawn before the youth, with cheeks glowing and hair dishevelled, her eyes gleaming with

delight and her hands folded, unable to withdraw herself from his words, he, on his part, endeavored to make

her sensible at all times that it was only Fadrique's love for her which had urged him, his friend, into this fatal

desert, and that it was this same love that had thus become the means for the attainment of her highest

spiritual good. She still well remembered the handsome and terrible captain who had stormed the height that

he might clasp her in his arms; and she related to her friend how the same hero had afterward saved her in the

burning library. Heimbert too had many pleasant things to tell of Fadriqueof his high knightly courage, of

his grave and noble manners, and of his love to Zelinda, which in the night after the battle of Tunis was no

longer concealed within his passionate breast, but was betrayed to the young German in a thousand

unconscious expressions between sleeping and waking. Divine truth and the image of her loving hero both at

once sank deep within Zelinda's heart, and struck root there with tender but indestructible power. Heimbert's

presence and the almost adoring admiration with which his pupil regarded him did not disturb these feelings,

for from the first moment his appearance had something in it so pure and heavenly that no thoughts of earthly

love intruded. When Heimbert was alone he would often smile happily within himself, saying in his own

beloved German tongue, "It is indeed delightful that I am now able consciously to do the same service for

Fadrique as he did for me, unconsciously, with his angelic sister." And then he would sing some German

song of Clara's grace and beauty, the sound of which rang with strange sweetness through the desert, while it

Once when Zelinda came in the evening twilight, gracefully bearing on her beautiful head a basket of

provisions for Heimbert, he smiled at her and shook his head, saying, "It is inconceivable to me, sweet

maiden, why you ever give yourself the trouble of coming to me out here in the desert. You can indeed no

longer find pleasure in magic arts, since the spirit of truth and love dwells within you. If you would only

transform the oasis into the natural form in which the good God created it, I would go there with you, and we

should have far more time for holy converse." "Sir," replied Zelinda, "you speak truly. I too have thought for

some days of doing so and the matter would have been already set on foot, but a strange visitor fetters my

power. The Dervish whom you saw in Tunis is with me, and as in former times we have practised many

magic tricks with each other, he would like again to play the old game. He perceives the change in me, and

"He must either be driven away or converted," said Heimbert, girding on his shoulderbelt more firmly, and

taking up his shield from the ground. "Have the goodness, dear maiden," he continued, "to lead me to your

"You avoided it so before," said the astonished Zeiinda," and it is still unchanged in its fantastic form."

"Formerly it would have been only inconsiderate curiosity to have ventured there," replied Heimbert. "You

came too out here to me, and that was better for us both. But now the old enemy might lay snares for the ruin

of all that the Lord has been working in you, and so it is a knightly duty to go. In God's name, then, to the

And they hastened forward together, through the everincreasing darkness of the plain, on their way to the

A charming breeze began to cool the heated brows of the travellers, and the twinkling starlight revealed in the

distance a grove, waving to and fro with the gentle motion of the air. Heimbert cast his eyes to the ground and

said, "Go before me, sweet maiden, and guide my path to the spot where I shall find this threatening Dervish.

Zelinda did as he desired, and the relation of the two was for a moment changed; the maiden had become the

guide, and Heimbert, full of confidence, allowed himself to be led upon the unknown path. Branches were

even now touching his cheeks, half caressingly and playfully; wonderful birds, growing out of bushes, sang

joyful songs; over the velvet turf, upon which Heimbert ever kept his eyes fixed, there glided gleaming

serpents of green and gold, with little golden crowns, and brilliant stones glittered on the mossy carpet. When

the serpents touched the jewels, they gave forth a silvery sound. But Heimbert let the serpents creep and the

gems sparkle, without troubling himself about them, intent alone on following the footsteps of his guide.

"We are there!" said she with suppressed voice; and looking up he saw a shining grotto of shells, within

which he perceived a man asleep clad in golden scalearmor of the old Numidian fashion. "Is that also a

phantom, there yonder in the golden scales?" inquired Heimbert, smiling; but Zelinda looked very grave and

replied, "Oh, no! that is the Dervish himself, and his having put on this coatof mail, which has been

rendered invulnerable by dragon's blood, is a proof that by his magic he has become aware of our intention."

"What does that signify?" said Heimbert; "he would have to know it at last." And he began at once to call out,

with a cheerful voice, "Wake up, old sir, wake up! Here is an acquaintance of yours, who has matters upon

And as the Dervish opened his large rolling eyes, everything in the magic grove began to move, the water

began to dance, and the branches to intertwine in wild emulation, and at the same time the precious stones

"Roll and turn, thunder and play as you like!" exclaimed Heimbert, looking fixedly at the maze around him;

"you shall not divert me from my own good path, and Almighty God has given me a good farsounding

soldier's voice which can make itself heard above all this tumult." Then turning to the Dervish he said, "It

appears, old man, that you already know everything which has passed between Zelinda and me. In case,

however, that it is not so, I will tell you briefly that she is already as good as a Christian, and that she is the

betrothed of a noble Spanish knight. Place nothing in the way of her good intention; I advise you for your

own sake. But still better for your own sake would it be if you would become a Christian yourself. Discuss

the matter with me, and first bid all this mad devilish show to cease, for our religion, dear sir, speaks of far

too tender and divine things to be talked of with violence or with the loud voice necessary on the field of

But the Dervish, burning with hatred to the Christians, had not waited to hear the knight's last words when he

rushed at him with his drawn scimitar. Heimbert merely parried his thrust, saying, "Take care of yourself, sir!

I have heard something of your weapons being charmed, but that will avail but little before my sword. It has

The Dervish sprang wildly back before the sword, but equally wildly did he spring to the other side of his

adversary, who only with difficulty caught the terrible cuts of his weapon upon his shield. Like a goldscaled

dragon the Mohammedan swung himself round his antagonist with an agility which, with his long flowing

white beard, was ghostly and horrible to witness. Heimbert was prepared to meet him on all sides, ever

keeping a watchful eye for some opening in the scales made by the violence of his movements. At last it

happened as he desired; between the arm and breast on the left side the dark garments of the Dervish became

visible, and quick as lightning the German made a deadly thrust. The old man exclaimed aloud, "Allah!

"I pity him!" sighed Heimbert, leaning on his sword and looking down on his fallen foe." He has fought

nobly, and even in death he called upon his Allah, whom he looked upon as the true God. He must not lack

honorable burial." He then dug a grave with the broad scimitar of his adversary, laid the corpse within it,

covered it over with turf, and knelt on the spot in silent heartfelt prayer for the soul of the departed.

Heimbert rose from his pious duty, and his first glance fell on Zelinda, who stood smiling by his side, and his

second upon the wholly changed scene around. The rocky cavern and grotto had disappeared, the distorted

forms of trees and beasts, half terrible and half charming as they were, had vanished also; a gentle grassy hill

sloped down on every side of the point where he stood, toward the sandy waste; springs gushed out here and

there in refreshing beauty; datetrees bent over the little pathseverything, indeed, in the now opening day

"Thank God!" said Heimbert, turning to his companion, "you can now surely feel how infinitely more lovely,

grand, and beautiful is everything as our dear Father has created it than it can be when transformed by the

highest human art. The Heavenly Gardener has indeed permitted us, his beloved children, in his abundant

mercy, to help forward his gracious works, that we may thus become happier and better; but we must take

care that we change nothing to suit our own rash wilful fancies; else it is as if we were expelling ourselves a

second time from Paradise." "It shall not happen again," said Zelinda humbly. "But may you in this solitary

region, where we are not likely to meet with any priest of our faith, may you not bestow on me, as one born

Heimbert, after some consideration, replied, "I hope I may do so. And if I am wrong, God will pardon me. It

is surely done in the desire to bring to him so worthy a soul as soon as possible."

So they walked together, silently praying and full of smiling happiness, down to one of the pleasant springs

of the oasis, and just as they reached the edge and prepared themselves for the holy work the sun rose before

them as if to confirm and strengthen their purpose, and the two beaming countenances looked at each other

with joy and confidence. Heimbert had not thought of the Christian name he should bestow on his disciple,

but as he scooped up the water, and the desert lay around him so solemn in the rosy glow of morning, he

remembered the pious hermit Antony in his Egyptian solitude, and he baptized the lovely convert, Antonia.

They spent the day in holy conversation, and Antonia showed her friend a little cave, in which she had

concealed all sorts of store for her sustenance when she first dwelt on the oasis. "For," said she, "the good

God is my witness that I came hither only that I might, in solitude, become better acquainted with him and his

created works, without knowing at that time in the least of any magic expedients. Subsequently the Dervish

came, tempting me, and the horrors of the desert joined in a fearful league with his terrible power, and then

by degrees followed all that alluring spirits showed me either in dreams or awake."

Heimbert had no scruple to take with him for the journey any of the wine and fruits that were still fit for use,

and Antonia assured him that by the direct way, well known to her, they would reach the fruitful shore of this

waterless ocean in a few days. So with the approach of evening coolness they set out on their journey.

The travellers had almost traversed the pathless plain when one day they saw a figure wandering in the

distance, for in the desolate Sahara every object is visible to the very horizon if the whirlwind of dust does

not conceal it from view. The wanderer seemed doubtful of his course, sometimes taking this, sometimes that

direction, and Antonia's eastern falcon eye could discern that it was no Arab, but a man in knightly garb.

"Oh, dear sister," exclaimed Heimbert, full of anxious joy, "then it is our poor Fadrique, who is in search of

thee. For pity's sake, let as hasten before he loses us, and perhaps at last his own life also, in this

immeasurable waste." They strained every effort to reach the distant object, but it was now midday and the

sun shone burningly upon them, Antonia could not long endure this rapid progress; added to which the fearful

whirlwind soon arose, and the figure that had been scarcely visible before faded from their eyes, like some

With the rising moon they began anew to hasten forward, calling loudly upon the unfortunate wanderer, and

fluttering white handkerchiefs tied to their walkingstaffs, as signal flags, hut it was all in vain. The object

that had disappeared remained lost to view. Only a few giraffes sprang shyly past them, and the ostriches

At length, as morning dawned, Antonia paused and said, "Thou canst not leave me, brother, in this solitude,

and I cannot go a single step farther. God will protect the noble Fadrique. How could a father forsake such a

model of knightly excellence?" "The disciple shames the teacher," replied Heimbert, his sad face brightening

into a smile. "We have done our part, and we may confidently hope that God will come to the aid of our

failing powers and do what is necessary." As he spoke he spread his mantle on the sand, that Antonia might

rest more comfortably. Suddenly looking up, he exclaimed, "Oh, God! yonder lies a man, completely buried

He immediately began to sprinkle wine, from the flask he carried, on the brow of the fainting traveller, and to

chafe his temples with it. The man at last slowly opened his eyes and said, "I had hoped the morning dew

would not again have fallen on me, but that unknown and unlamented I might have perished here in the

desert, as must be the case in the end." So saying he closed his eyes again, like one intoxicated with sleep, but

Heimbert continued his restoratives unwearyingly, and at length the refreshed wanderer half raised himself

He looked from Heimbert to his companion, and from her again at Heimbert, and suddenly exclaimed,

gnashing his teeth, "Ha, was it to he thus! I was not even to be allowed to die in the dull happiness of quiet

solitude! I was to be first doomed to see my rival's success and my sister's shame!" At the same time he

sprang to his feet with a violent effort and rushed forward upon Heimbert with drawn sword. But Heimbert

moved neither sword nor arm, and merely said, in a gentle voice, "Wearied out, as you now are, I cannot

possibly fight with you; besides, I must first place this lady in security." Antonia, who had at first gazed with

much emotion at the angry knight, now stepped suddenly between the two men and cried out, "Oh, Fadrique,

neither misery nor anger can utterly disfigure you. But what has my noble brother done to you?" "Brother?"

said Fadrique, with astonishment. "Or godfather, or confessor," interrupted Heimbert, "as you will. Only do

not call her Zelinda, for her name is now Antonia; she is a Christian, and waits to be your bride." Fadrique

stood fixed with surprise, but Heimbert's true hearted words and Antonia's lovely blushes soon revealed the

happy enigma to him. He sank down before the longedfor form with a sense of exquisite delight, and in the

midst of the inhospitable desert the flowers of love and gratitude and confidence sent their sweetness

The excitement of this happy surprise at last gave way to bodily fatigue. Antonia, like some drooping

blossom, stretched her fair form on the again burning sand, and slumbered under the protection of her lover

and her chosen brother. "Sleep also," said Heimbert softly to Fadrique; "you must have wandered about

wildly and wearily, for exhaustion is pressing down your eyelids with leaden weight. I am quite fresh, and I

will watch meanwhile." "Ah, Heimbert," sighed the noble Castilian, "my sister is thine, thou messenger from

Heaven; that is an understood thing. But now for our affair of honor!" "Certainly," said Heimbert, very

gravely, "as soon as we are again in Spain, you must give me satisfaction for that overhasty expression. Till

then, however, I beg you not to mention it. An unfinished quarrel is no good subject for conversation."

Fadrique laid himself sadly down to rest, overcome by longresisted sleep, and Heimbert knelt down with a

glad heart, thanking the good God for having given him success, and for blessing, him with a future full of

The next day the three travellers reached the edge of the desert, and refreshed themselves for a week in an

adjacent village, which, with its shady trees and green pastures, seemed like a little paradise in contrast to the

joyless Sahara. Fadrique's condition especially made this rest necessary. He had never left the desert during

the whole time, gaining his subsistence by fighting with wandering Arabs, and often almost exhausted by the

utter want of all food and drink. At length he had become so thoroughly confused that the stars could no

longer guide him, and he had been driven about, sadly and objectless, like the dust clouds of the desert.

Even now, at times, when he would fall asleep after the midday meal, and Antonia and Heimbert would

watch his slumbers like two smiling angels, he would suddenly start up and gaze round him with a terrified

air, and then it was not till he had refreshed himself by looking at the two friendly faces that he would sink

back again into quiet repose. When questioned on the matter, after he was fully awake, he told them that in

his wanderings nothing had been more terrible to him than the deluding dreams which had transported him,

sometimes to his own home, sometimes to the merry camp of his comrades, and sometimes into Zelinda's

presence, and then leaving him doubly helpless and miserable in the horrible solitude as the delusion

vanished. It was on this account that even now waking was fearful to him, and even in sleep a vague

consciousness of his past sufferings would often disturb him. "You cannot imagine it," he added. "To be

suddenly transported from wellknown scenes into the boundless desert! And instead of the longedfor

enchanting face of my beloved, to see an ugly camel's head stretched over me inquisitively with its long neck,

This, with all other painful consequences of his past miseries, soon wholly vanished, from Fadrique's mind,

and they cheerfully set out on their journey to Tunis. The consciousness, indeed, of his injustice to Heimbert

and its unavoidable results often lay like a cloud upon the noble Spaniard's brow, but it also softened the

natural proud severity of his nature, and Antonia could cling the more tenderly and closely to him with her

Tunis, which had been before so amazed at Zelinda's magic power and enthusiastic hostility against the

Christians, now witnessed Antonia's solemn baptism in a newlyconsecrated edifice, and soon after the three

Beside the fountain where she had parted from Heimbert, Dona Clara was sitting one evening in deep

thought. The guitar on her knees gave forth a few solitary chords, dreamily drawn from it, as it were, by her

delicate hands, and at length forming themselves into a melody, while the following words dropped softly

The music paused, and soft dewdrops fell from her heavenly eyes. Heimbert, who was concealed under the

neighboring orangetrees, felt sympathetic tears rolling down his cheeks, and Fadrique, who had led him and

Antonia there, could no longer delay the joy of meeting, but stepping forward with his two companions he

Such moments of extreme and sudden delight, the heavenly blessings long expected and rarely vouchsafed,

are better imagined by each after his own fashion, and it is doing but an ill service to recount all that this one

did and that one said. Picture it therefore to yourself, dear reader, after your own fancy, as you are certainly

far better able to do, if the two loving pairs in my story have become dear to you and you have grown intimite

with them. If that, however, be not the case, what is the use of wasting unnecessary words? For the benefit of

those who with heartfelt pleasure could have lingered over this meeting of the sister with her brother and her

lover, I will proceed with increased confidence. Although Heimbert, casting a significant look at Fadrique,

was on the point of retiring as soon as Antonia had been placed under Dona Clara's protection, the noble

Spaniard would not permit him. He detained his companioninarms with courteous and brotherly requests

that he would remain till the evening repast, at which some relatives of the Mendez family joined the party,

and in their presence Fadrique declared the brave Heimbert of Waldhausen to be Dona Clara's fiance, sealing

the betrothal with the most solemn words, so that it might remain indissoluble, whatever might afterward

occur which should seem inimical to their union. The witnesses were somewhat astonished at these strange

precautionary measures, but at Fadrique's desire they unhesitatingly gave their word that all should be carried

out as he wished, and they did this the more unhesitatingly as the Duke of Alba, who had just been in Malaga

on some trivial business, had filled the whole city with the praises of the two young captains.

As the richest wine was now passing round the table in the tall crystal goblets, Fadrique stepped behind

Heimbert's chair and whispered to him, "If it please you, Senorthe moon is just risen and is shining as

bright as dayI am ready to give you satisfaction." Heimbert nodded in assent, and the two youths quitted

As they passed through the beautiful garden, Fadrique said, with a sigh, "We could have wandered here so

happily together, but for my overrashness!" "Yes, indeed," said Heimbert, "but so it is, and it cannot be

otherwise, if we would continue to look upon each other as a soldier and a nobleman." "True!" replied

Fadrique, and they hastened to reach a distant part of the garden, where the sound of their clashing swords

Secret and inclosed, with blooming shrubs planted around, with not a sound to be heard of the merry

company, nor of the animated streets of the city, with the full moon shining overhead and brightening the

solemn circle with its clear brilliancysuch was the spot. The two captains unsheathed their gleaming

swords and stood opposite each other, ready for the encounter. But before they began the combat a nobler

feeling drew them to each other's arms; they lowered their weapons and embraced in the most fraternal

They were now no longer brothersinarms, no longer friends, no longer brothersinlaw, who directed their

sharp steels against each other. With the most resolute boldness, but with the coolest collectedness, each fell

upon his adversary, guarding his own breast at the same time. After a few hot and dangerous passes the

combatants were obliged to rest, and during the pause they regarded each other with increased love, each

rejoicing to find his comrade so valiant and so honorable. And then the fatal strife began anew.

With his left hand Heimbert dashed aside Fadrique's sword, which had been aimed at him with a thrust in

tierce, sideward, but the keen edge had penetrated his leathern glove, and the red blood gushed out. "Hold!"

cried Fadrique, and they searched for the wound, but soon perceiving that it was of no importance, and

It was not long before Heimbert's blade pierced Fadrique's right shoulder, and the German, feeling that he had

wounded his opponent, now on his side called out to halt. At first Fadrique would not acknowledge to the

injury, but soon the blood began to trickle down, and he was obliged to accept his friend's careful assistance.

Still this wound also appeared insignificant, the noble Spaniard still felt power to wield his sword, and again

Presently the gardengate clanked, and the sound of a horse's step was heard advancing through the

shrubbery. Both combatants paused in their stern work and turned toward the unwelcome disturber. The next

moment through the slender pines a horseman was visible whose dress and bearing proclaimed him a warrior

and Fadrique, as master of the house, at once addressed him. "Senor," said he, "why you come here, intruding

into a strange garden, we will inquire at another time. For the present I will only request you to leave us free

from further interruption by immediately retiring, and to favor me with your name." "Retire I will not,"

replied the stranger, "but my name I will gladly tell you. I am the Duke of Alba." And as he spoke, by a

movement of his charger a bright moonbeam fell upon his pale thin face, the dwellingplace of all that was

grand and worthy and terrible. The two captains bowed low and dropped their weapons.

"I ought to know you," continued Alba, looking at them with his sparkling eyes. "Yes, truly, I know you well,

you are the two young heroes at the battle of Tunis. God be praised that two such brave warriors, whom I had

given up for lost, are still alive; but tell me, what is this affair of honor that has turned your good swords

against each other? For I hope you will not hesitate to declare to me the cause of your knightly contest."

They complied with the great duke's behest. Both the noble youths related the whole circumstances, from the

evening previous to their embarkation up to the present moment, while Alba remained between them, in

The Captains had already long finished their story, and the duke still remained silent and motionless, in deep

"May God and his holy word help me, my young knights, when I say that I consider, after my best and most

conscientious belief, that this affair of yours is now honorably at an end. Twice have you met each other in

contest on account of those irritating words which escaped the lips of Don Fadrique Mendez and if indeed the

slight wounds you have hitherto received are not sufficient compensation for the angry expression, there is

still your common fight before Tunis, and the rescue in the desert afforded by Sir Heimbert of Waldhausen to

Don Fadrique Mendez, after he had gained his bride for him. From all this, I consider that the Knight of

Waldhausen is entitled to pardon any offence of an adversary to whom he has shown himself so well inclined.

Old Roman history tells us of two captains of the great Julius Caesar who settled a dispute and cemented a

hearty friendship with each other when engaged in the same bold fight, delivering each other in the midst of a

Gallic army. I affirm, however, that you two have done more for each other: and therefore I declare your

affair of honor to be settled, and at an end. Sheathe your swords, and embrace each other in my presence."

Obedient to the command of their general, the young knights for the present sheathed their weapons; but

anxious lest the slightest possible shadow should fall on their honor they yet delayed the reconciling embrace.

The great Alba looked at them with somewhat of an indignant air, and said, "Do you then suppose, young

knights, that I could wish to save the lives of two heroes at the expense of their honor? I would rather at once

have struck you dead, both of you at once. But I see plainly that with such obstinate minds one must have

And, dismounting from his horse, he fastened it to a tree, and then stepped forward between the two captains

with a drawn sword in his right hand, crying out, "Whoever will deny in any wise that the quarrel between Sir

Heimbert of Waldhausen and Don Fadrique Mendez is honorably and gloriously settled must settle the matter

at the peril of his life with the Duke of Alba; and should the present knights have any objection to raise to

The youths bowed submissively before the great umpire, and fell into each other's arms. The duke, however,

embraced them both with hearty affection, which appeared all the more charming and refreshing as it rarely

burst forth from this stern character. Then he led the reconciled friends back to their betrothed, and when

these, after the first joyful surprise was over at the presence of the honored general, started back at seeing

drops of blood on the garments of the youths, the duke said, smiling, "Oh, ye brides elect of soldiers, you

must not shrink from such jewels of honor. Your lovers could bring you no fairer wedding gift."

The great Alba was not not be deprived of the pleasure of enacting the office of father to the two happy

brides, and the festival of their union was fixed for the following day. From that time forth they lived in

undisturbed and joyful concord; and though the Knight Heimbert was recalled soon afterward with his lovely

consort to the bosom of his German Fatherland, he and Fadrique kept up the link between them by letters and

messages; and even in after times the descendants of the lord of Waldhausen boasted of their connection with

the noble house of Mendez, while the latter have ever sacredly preserved the tradition of the brave and