The Constant Prince

by Mrs. Molesworth

that, morning's approach! What was it moving infront of them, through the purple darkness of the southern night--long,dim, white lines, between them and the sea?

  Alas for the disregard of the king's counsel! They were the whitecloaks of the Moorish troops, and the little Christian army wassurrounded on all sides.

  "Betrayed! betrayed! Caught like mice in a trap!" cried Enrique, losinghis self-control. "Where is the false traitor to whom this is owing?"

  "Hush!" said Fernando, laying his hand on Enrique's arm. "Let none seeyour amazement. The hand of God is against us. We were unworthy of thecause we undertook in self-willed opposition."

  He spoke in a tone of calm, sad conviction, and then, seeing Enrique'sdistress, added gently--

  "The blame lies on me. I know well that you acted for my sake."

  Enrique shook his head; then, after a moment's silence, started intoenergy again.

  "Now we must sell our lives hard. There is no choice remaining. Wemarch on the town with the first dawn of light. And now to prayer. MayGod have mercy on us! we are in evil case. Where is Father Martin?"

  "My lord, my lord!" cried young Alvarez, rushing up, "here is a sentinelwho declares that in the dusk he beheld Father Martin pass him by, andafterwards a figure steal to the enemy's lines."

  "Where is the holy father!" said Enrique, calmly disregarding thisassertion.

  But Father Martin was nowhere to be found, and instead of the proposedsolemn services, the whole camp was engaged in a passionate discussionas to whether he had been the traitor or not. Young Hartsed hotlydefended him, and he and Alvarez disputed till words almost came toblows.

  With the first ray of light the rail to arms was sounded, and severalhours were spent in desperate efforts to break through the enemy'sranks. It was all in vain; and as the shadows of evening fell therecall was sounded, and in humiliation and sorrow of heart the defeatedprinces sent to offer terms of capitulation, and to ask for what ransomthey and their troops would be allowed to depart.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

  THE STEADFAST PRINCE.

  "Still to abide 'mid failing hearts high-hearted."

  The two Infantes occupied a tent in the centre of the Portuguese camp,and when their messengers returned they came out to the front of it,and, surrounded by their chief officers, prepared to receive the Moorishdelegates who had come to offer them terms of surrender. The woundedhad been cared for as well as circumstances admitted, and an attempt hadbeen made to draw up the poor remnant of the troops in good order, so asnot to produce an impression of utter defeat. But nothing could alterthe dejected countenances and downcast air of the beaten army; the verybanners hung listless in the still air of evening, and many a wistfullook was cast at the blue sea, so near yet so unapproachable, beyondwhich lay Portugal and home.

  Life had never held so bitter a moment for Enrique of Portugal as whenhe stood there to receive and not to dictate terms of surrender; andfrom an enemy whom he regarded with a mixture of contempt and hatred.He was, however, perfectly calm and impassive, not losing the advantagethat his splendid presence gave him, and prepared to accede to thedemand for a heavy ransom before he and his army were allowed to depart.

  Fernando stood beside him; disappointment and self-reproach put asidefor the present, he showed himself an equally worthy representative ofthe honour of Portugal.

  The Moorish envoys were exceedingly courteous, and began their interviewwith many compliments on the valour of their illustrious foes.

  Enrique replied, very briefly, that the fortune of war being againstthem, they must leave it to the King of Fez to name their ransom.

  And then, still wrapped in courteous phrases, came the ultimatum. Thetown of Ceuta must be restored to its former owners, and to insure thisone of the Infantes, with a certain number of nobles, must remain as ahostage in the hands of the King of Fez.

  "The King of Portugal," said Enrique, "will be prepared for the paymentof any money ransom the King of Fez may demand."

  "The town of Ceuta," said the chief officer of the Moors, "is the priceof your liberty. Otherwise your troops must be put to the sword, andyou and your chief nobles retained as prisoners at the king's pleasure."

  "The King of Fez," said Fernando, "has a right to impose conditions. Ioffer myself as the hostage he demands."

  "Fernando--no!" cried Enrique, suddenly losing his self-containedmanner, and laying his hand on Fernando.

  "The noble Infante," said the Moorish envoy, "need have no fears. Heand his companions will be treated as the guests of the king, and willbe released immediately that Ceuta is in the hands of my master."

  Fernando smiled. "I have no fears," he said, quietly.

  "And doubtless," said the Moor, "the King of Portugal will see that itis consistent with his honour to release his noble brother withoutdelay."

  "The King of Portugal," said Fernando, "will act as becomes anhonourable and a Christian king."

  "I do not consent--I do not consent!" said Enrique, in such agitationthat Fernando said--

  "We will crave leave to withdraw, and to discuss this matter first witheach other and then with our nobles."

  So saying, he moved back into the tent, followed by Enrique, who threwhimself into a seat, covering his face.

  "I--it must be I," he said. "I will not leave you. How can I lookDuarte in the face?"

  "But I could not undertake the command of the troops alone," saidFernando; "and besides, we will not give them _more_ than they ask."

  Enrique still seemed unconvinced; Fernando sat down beside him and spokeearnestly.

  "Look you, Enrique. My self-willed longing to give my life to the causeof Christendom him brought this on us. `Behold! to obey is better thanto sacrifice;' but I heeded neither Duarte's wish nor the Pope's will,nor our other brothers' opinion. It is fitting therefore that I shouldbear the brunt of failure."

  "To demand Ceuta," cried Enrique; "Ceuta, our one conquest from therealms of darkness! A law, alas! that we--that _I_ should have lostCeuta to Christendom!"

  "That," said Fernando, very low and tenderly, "will not be for _your_decision."

  Enrique started, and looked up in his face. Fernando took him by bothhands and smiled with wonderful sweetness, while he said--

  "When we _took_ Ceuta, my Enrique, and all my joy was gone at the fearof your death, you bade me remember that we would both have given ourlives for it in the battle. _I_ bid you think of that now."

  Enrique bent his head down on his brother's hands and groaned aloud.

  "How can I face Duarte--what can I say to him?" he repeated.

  "Tell him," said Fernando, "to remember that both he and I are Christianprinces, soldiers of the Cross of Christ. And give him my--my love."Here he faltered for a moment; then, recovering himself, said, firmly--

  "We delay too long. Let us consult with the officers. I cannot, Isuppose, remain here alone." Enrique seemed quite unable to recoverhimself, and Fernando was forced to take the lead in the discussion thatfollowed. There was no lack of volunteers to share in hisself-devotion, nor indeed was there any particular reason to shrink froma temporary detention in an enemy's country. Several nobles ofsufficient station to satisfy the requirements of the Moors wereselected, and Father Jose resolved on accompanying his beloved prince;and this fact a little comforted Enrique, and enabled him once more tomeet the Moorish envoys, and to announce to them that he had resolved onaccepting the terms proposed, and that his brother, with twelvecompanions, would remain behind as hostages for the restitution of thetown of Ceuta, he himself and the rest of the army being allowed todepart unharmed.

  Moussa-Ben-Hadad, the Moorish envoy, was courtesy itself. El Senor DomFernando, Infante of Portugal and Grand-Master of Avis, would be theguest of his king, who would be honoured by his presence, and would dohis best to make his stay agreeable, short as it would be. He would beallowed free communication by letter with Portugal. A document wasprepared and signed by Moussa-Ben-Hadad and by the two Infantes, to the
effect that Fernando was to remain a prisoner until such time as Ceutashould be given up.

  Alvarez and Harry Hartsed both entreated to remain with him; but herefused steadily, saying that their rank was not sufficient forhostages, and that no unnecessary force should be wasted. Sir WalterNorthberry was among the wounded.

  All was prepared for the start during the night, and with the first dawnof day this defeated Christians began their retreat, in good order andwith banners flying. They had no need to eat their hearts out withmortification and wounded pride, as they noticed the innumerable ranksof the foes between whom their own small force took its way to thebeach. Self-reproach and shame was for the leaders, who had somisjudged and mismanaged; and