`All is ready,' she said to him after a few moments conversation, with unusual animation. `The Governor General is here. In five minutes he shall be in your power. I will go for him to walk in the garden, and I will lead him round by the gate so that you can seize him without giving alarm to the guests within!'
She left him. He felt the moment of his triumph and vengeance had come. He hastened to the gate, from which he had been gone about half an hour, to place his party so as to seize his prisoner if he offered any resistance. He found the carriage and men there, scarcely visible in the darkness. Though he could hardly see them, he gave them his orders how to proceed, and then leaving the gate hardly open he stood within it, the men silently drawn up by its side. After waiting impatiently a quarter of an hour, he saw two figures approaching. They passed a lamp suspended from a tree, and he recognized the Governor General and Dona Elena. They came near when a third person who seemed to have leaped over the wall, he appeared so suddenly, stood before them. Raising his cap he said,
`All is safe, your Excellency! Proceed without danger!'
Don Basilio heard these words, though spoken in an under tone, but they understood them not. The man disappeared as abruptly as he had made his appearance, and the two advanced seemingly in absorbing conversation towards the gate. At the moment that they seemed to be passing it in their walk. Don Basilio stepped out and presenting his sword at the breast of the Governor, commanded him to surrender himself as his prisoner. `It is in vain for your Excellency to resist, as I am supported by eight men!'
`Treachery, ah!' cried the Governor, half drawing his sword. He then sheathed it, adding, `If you say truly, and from those dark figures you seem to speak truth, then am I your prisoner! But to whom do I surrender myself?'
`That you shall know Senor, in good time. Pass through this gate. My carriage awaits you!'
`Whither do you conduct me?'
`That you shall know also, soon. May it please your excellency to enter!'
`And the lady!'
`She will accompany you. To her I am indebted for this happy fortune!'
`Ah, Dona Elena! Is it thee! am I betrayed by you! the daughter of one of my counsellors! '
The lady made no reply; and assisted by Don Basilio followed the Governor General into the carriage.
`Now my men to your stations,' cried Don Basilio. `The two who were with me in the coach, must ride back as postilions!' The carriage started, and the horses flew rapidly. They had rode about eight minutes when Don Basilio looked out of the window, being struck by the strange appearance of the house.
`Are we retiring the same way we came?' he called to the box.
There was no reply. The next instant while he was yet looking out of the window of the carriage and about to give an order to take the Pasco road, he was astonished to see the carriage turn short from the street and roll thundering beneath an arch, both sides of which were lined with mounted dragoons. As the coach passed under the mansion gateway he saw an iron port-cullis fall behind it while the vehicle stopped suddenly. Lights were carried about in hurrying hands, voices of command were heard and glancing round, Don Basileo saw himself in the interior of a miliiary fortress!
`What means this?' he cried confounded and bewildered, shouting to his men upon the box. To his surprise he saw by the torches that they were not his own men, but soldiers dressed in the costume worn by his own party. He looked behind the carriage and soldiers were there! The postilions were soldiers also. He could discover no face that he knew. He at once suspected that he had become the victim of treachery, and was himself a prisoner to his prisoner!
The door of the carriage was opened by an officer in a gorgeous uniform, when Don Basilio drawing his sword, cried,
`Am I betrayed? Dona Alena how is this?'
`That I am the traitor, Don Basilio,' she said firmly. Iloved you till I knew you were a traitor and the son of a conspirator. Then I ceased to love, you then became my enemy. I have encouraged your confidence and entered into this conspiracy for the purpose of defeating it. I am too good a friend to my country to wed one who conspires against it, or plot with him in a conspiracy to overthrow it. I trust now, Don Basilio that you will do my patriotism justice, though it is not such patriotism as your own!'
`The arch traitress!' cried Dona Alena with a glowing cheek.' `My poor, noble brother! Well?'
His Excellency then said,
`To this brave and loyal maiden, sir, do I owe my liberty, and perhaps my life. She has communicated to me all the steps of your conspiracy. I gave myself to her plan to get you and your vessel into my hands. It has, you see, been succcessful. Armed boats have been sent to capture your schooner which was seen in the offing from the Moro long before night set in. You were taken by a stratagem; for Dona Elena knowing all your plans had provided a second carriage precisely like the first with men attired like yours to lie in wait a short distance from the gate. After you had entered a messenger as from you was sent to tell your party that a mistake had been made and that the carriage must drive round the gardens to a postern on the farther side. They obeyed, and on reaching the postern the carriage was surrounded by a detachment of soldiers, and every one of your party taken into custody. In the meanwhile the other carriage with its party had taken the place of yours at the gate. Of this I was informed before I reached by one of my messengers! '
`I see—I see how I have been ensnared!' cried Don Basilio bitterly. He was too proud of spirit to reply to, or reproach the traitress. For a moment he looked as if he would have sprung from the carriage and cut his way through the dragoons; but a moments reflection showed him that this would be fatal to him. He therefore quietly surrendered his arms to the officer who had opened the carriage door and delivered himself up as a prisoner! '
`Poor Basilio! My unfortunate brother! My life will be the forfeit of thy crime,' cried his sister ringing her hands in despair.
`Nay, lady, we hope to rescue him,' said Isidoro boldly. `Never! You said the Moro held him prisoner. Whoever enters there, sees no more the sun's light!' Yet you have seen him and discoursed with him, Isidoro! or else you had not learned all this you have related to me, for my brother only could have told you.'
`I have seen him, Senora!'
`Where and how?'
`I was left in charge of the goleta after he disembarked. I stood off and on waiting for the return of the carriage. At the end of two hours, as agreed upon I sent a boat for him. I took the command of her leaving the schooner half a mile from land. On landing I saw a carriage about fifty yards from the water and approached it. I was instantly seized and bound and thrown into it by half a dozen soldiers. It was all done in an instant! My men at the boat had not time to understand what had happened and come to my rescue before the carriage was driven off at full speed. I learned from an officer within the carriage that Don Basilio had been betrayed and was then in prison. In half an hour I was thrown into the same prison with him. Here he told me all that had occurred. He was calm and firm. He was only grieved that one whom he loved should have proved a serpent in his bosom! Yet he spoke no word of bitterness against her. He lamented the result of his conspiracy and spoke with confidence of being yet able to succeed if he could effect his escape. I remained with him only till morning when he was removed as I was told, to the Moro Castle. His last words were for me, if I escaped to see you, or send you word; to bid you not despair and send to his agent in Havana all the money you could command. If the governor sent troops to occupy the Quinta, to resist them with all the force you can command!'
`Noble Basilio. I will be worthy of you and regard your slightest wish! Oh, that you had made me a confidant in your plans and I might have saved you from this treachery. As it is I will not rest till you are free! I will to Havana at once! But, you came not in Basilio's vessel! You lost yours! How happened this! And how have you escaped?'
`Our vessel was taken by treachery. Before my men, finding me a prisoner, could decide what step to take, a party of soldiers were
upon them. They escaped in their boat leaving several of their assailants dead on the sands. Before the boat reached the goleta those in ber saw these barges pulling towards her also. They were also seen from her deck. But suspecting no treachery there was no suspicion raised until the goleta's boat come along side, when the men at once gave the alarm. The barges come up at a rapid rate, with at least twenty soldiers in each, armed with muskets and carbines.
Carlos, whom I left in charge, saw at once that there was no escaping this superior force, as there was a dead calm. The only way was to desert the goleta and leave her to the enemy. With great presence of mind he ordered the boat round to the side opposite to that on which the barges were advancing, and also lowered the quarter-boat into the water upon the same side. He then commanded all the men to jump into them armed and as the barges came up on one side pull away on the other!'
`Could he not have fought them!'
`Not so near the walls of the Moro. It was calm, and if he had beaten off these boats he would have been overpowered by others. Carlos did well, though the vessel was lost to us. He had no time to scuttle her. He was the last to leave her decks and as he did so, he applied a torch to the rigging. The barges came on and the soldiers boarded her, no doubt, surprised at finding her deserted. There being no wind to spread the flames, they were soon extinguished. In the meanwhile the boats containing our men pulled seaward as rapidly as they could force the boats through the water. After getting a league beyond the goleta, which the captors had began to tow towards the harbor, Carlos, after consulting with his men resolved to capture the first vessel that they should fall in with. They kept on about three leagues from the land until after sun-rise, when not seeing any thing they resolved to stand in towards the port as most likely to meet one. About nine o'clock in the morning they descried a polacca schooner coming out and standing westward along the shore. But I must now tell you of my escape!
After Don Basilio had been removed from me, the governor sent for me to question me about the conspiracy, and to learn its extent. Under the pretence that I had something of importance to communicate I requested to be left alone with him. After searching my person for arms he consented to my request. I immediately locked the door and sprung past him through a window which opened upon a balcony. I placed my hand upon this and leaped to the ground. I found myself in a garden. Behind me I heard the alarm. I flew with the speed of a greyhound along the walks. I reached a high wall. The bell of the palace tour was ringing as I climbed its sides, and an alarm gun was fired from the battlements as I sprung into the street on the opposite side. A man drew a knife to dispute my way. I snatched it from him, and thus armed cleared my way. I reached the harbor. I cast myself into the water among the fleet of fishermen's boats and diving beneath them rose between two some distance from the shore. I heard shouts of pursuit. I dove again and rose near a vessel. I dove again and come up under the bows of a polacca-schooner which was under weigh. Her gib fortunately overhung her bows so low that by pulling it a little it concealed me completely while it afforded me support. I remained thus until the polacca was well out of the harbor when I made my appearance over the bows. I pretended to have been upset in a boat outside and they let me remain, promising to land me at some convenient spot. I had not been fifteen minutes on board when I discovered, for I was scarching for them, two boats filled with men at a great distance off. I knew they must be our men; for the governor told me that they had escaped in the dark and were probably landed somewhere; and as he had despatched soldiers to scour the coast he hoped to entrap them. But I knew that Carlos was too wise to land. At my suggestion the Captain stood for the boats, as I told him they were doubtless in distress. As we come near them, and he saw they were armed and pulling for him, the captain became alarmed and would have put about. But drawing my knife I with a blow cut the tiller rope and severed the halyards of the main-sail. The polacca come up into the wind and lay perfectly unmanageable. The captain and his crew of five men assailed me, but I defended myself and kept them at bay until the boats come along side and the polacca fell into their possession. The surprise of Carlos and the men at seeing me on board I need not describe to you. That lady is the polacca!' he said as he ended his narrative, pointing to the vessel as she lay at anchor off the beach.
CHAPTER VII.
The Story of the Licutenant of Don Basilio— The Tarnado in the Indian Seas—The Siesta, and the appearance of a stranger at the Vermillion Tower—A scene upon the Azotea.
Isidore, the young lieutenant of Don Basilio, having ended his narration, remained watching the face of Dona Anita. During his recital of the events which had led to Don Basilio's imprisonment he had been walking by her side up and down the silvery sands, the rocky cliff towering darkly above and flinging its shadow far beyond them. The bay outstretched before them just rippled by the breeze; and abreast upon its surface rode the polacca. The bold wooded arms of the Bay curving and connected by the chain of islets at its mouth, formed a noble frame to the beautiful and romantic scene. The boat from which Isidoro had landed was grounded upon the beach, the men grouped around it in picturesque attitudes. Old Jose, leaning upon his staff at the entrance of the defile, watched anxiously the faces both of his mistress and of Don Isidoro, that he might catch from their expression such portions of his tale as his cars were not able, as they moved away from him in their pacing to and fro, to catch with distinctness.
As Isidoro's story ended, Dona Anita stopped short and gazed full into his countenance as if she sought therein to read it reflected and re-confirmed. Her lovely eyes were full of tears yet the fire of determined purpose burned in them. Her cheeks were pale during the recital, but now were flushed with deep emotion, the stirring feelings to which a knowledge of her brother's fate had given rise. Her graceful person was drawn to its full height, and a calm dignity, approaching sternness sat upon her fine brow. The deep fountains of her sisterly affection were stirred within her, and bold and daring plans for his release flashed rapidly across her mind. With her sculptured lip compressed, her eye intently fixed in meditation, she stood silent and seemingly unconscious that they rested upon Isidoro. At length, after the lapse of several minutes, she spoke:
`Isidoro this is sad news you bring me! I have been trying to realize my brother's danger. Our father perished by the hand of the dreadful man into whose power Basilio has so unhappily fallen. I can foresee, unless we can effect his escape, only his father's fate! The Governor-General is a man of a stern and unfeeling nature. He regards no man's life, when its continuance would menace his own safety or the peace of his government. My brother, alas, has menaced both. He is in his power, and will die!'
`Never while Isidoro has a life to give for his!'
`You are Don Basilio's friend, Isidoro. I thank you. Forgive my harsh language a while ago. I know you and all these would die for my brother. But his fate is clear! But he will not die in the Moro! He will not be privately slain in his cell. God forbid! he will be brought to trial. He will be taken from the Moro to the Court of the Governor's Palace, as my father was, and then tried.— Sentence will be death! Before he dies we must save him, Isidoro, or die with him!'
`I swear to free him or perish!'
`So say we all! Basilio's freedom, or death!' cried the young men at the boat, hearing Isidoro's words.
`Basilio or death!' shouted the crew from the polacco, catching up the generous shout. `Freedom to our noble captain or death!'
`You hear that, Dona Anita?' said Isidoro with a sparkling eye.
`I hear it,' answered the maiden with emotion. And waving her snowy hand towards them she added, turning to him; `with devotion such as this I do not despair of again embracing my brother!'
`What means, Senora, would you propose? We are ready to do your bidding. Our lives are yours and Don Basilio's!'
`Thanks, good and noble youth! I will think what course to take. I am now too much agitated by the fresh intelligence you have communicated to form any plan at once. Yet the time
admits of no delay. Each moment is precious to him who is my life! I wish you to have the polacca ready to sail within an hour if need be!'
`She is ready, Senora, to depart now!'
`I shall now proceed to the tower! Come to me by noon when I shall have decided on some course of action. Adios, Don Isidoro!'
Thus saying this beautiful Spanish girl, folding her mantilla about her head, half-concealing her exquisite features, moved with a graceful tread, but with an air singularly determined and earnest. She walked like one who is influenced by strong feelings and an elevated purpose. Her brother's danger was her own. From childhood her heart had been bound up in him; and so secluded had she lived that to the age of nineteen she had not knowledge of any other love or any other attachment than a sisterly one. She did not know that there was any other love or any other emotion, than that which her affection for Basilio elicited, which could find existence in her heart. `Love' to her, was to love her brother. If she experienced any thing like tenderness of which Basilio was not the object it was for Old Jose; who in his sixtieth year and venerable beard, was not likely to take the place of a very dangerous rival to Basilio in her breast. Isidoro, though young, handsome and grave had not drawn a single glance of regard from her; although it could not be concealed that when she met him or discussed with him, which was but seldom, she did it with a heightened glow upon her cheek and without meeting his large black eyes, as she was accustomed to those of Basilio and old Jose. But this was not love; only the instinct whereby it manifests its indwelling; only the fragrance which is shed from the folded bud of the Carlinda. Isidoro was not the sun to whose warmth the bud was destined to unfold its leaves; the light to which it was open shone from other eyes than the young lieutenant; who, albeit, was the sun of a fair flower, in the shape of a brown maiden who dwelt in the cot adjoining his father's in his native island, and whose young heart followed him over the sea.
Steel Belt; or, The Three Masted Goleta. A Tale of Boston Bay Page 7
