"Pardon me," replied Heimbert; "it is difficult to me to refuse therequest of a lady, but on this occasion it cannot be otherwise. Inyour island many glorious things have been conjured together by yourforbidden art, and many lovely forms which the good God has created havebeen transformed. These might dazzle my senses, and at last delude them.If you will, therefore, hear the best and purest things which I canrelate to you, you must rather come out to me on this desert sand. Thepalm-wine and the dates of the Arab will suffice for me for many a dayto come." "You would do better to come with me," said Zelinda, shakingher head with somewhat of a scornful smile. "You were certainly neitherborn nor brought up to be a hermit, and there is nothing on my oasis sodestructive as you imagine. What is there more than shrubs and flowersand beasts gathered together from different quarters of the world,perhaps a little strangely interwoven; each, that is to say, partakingof the nature of the other, in a similar manner to that which you musthave seen in our Arabian carving! A moving flower, a bird growing on abranch, a fountain gleaming with fiery sparks, a singing twig--these aretruly no hateful things!" "He must avoid temptation who does not wishto 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 downsomewhat displeased. Then suddenly bending her head still lower shereplied, "Yes; toward evening I shall be here again." And, turning away,she at once disappeared in the rising whirlwind of the desert.
CHAPTER XII.
With the evening twilight the lovely lady returned and spent the nightin converse with the pious youth, leaving him in the morning with hermind more humble, pure, and devout; and thus matters went on for manydays. "Thy palm-wine and thy dates must be coming to an end," saidZelinda one evening as she presented the youth with a flask of rich wineand 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 yourmagic arts may perhaps cleave to it. Or could you assure me to thecontrary by Him whom you are now beginning to know?" Zelinda castdown her eyes in silent confusion and took her presents back. On thefollowing evening, however, she brought similar gifts, and, smilingconfidently, gave the desired assurance. Heimbert then partook of themwithout hesitation, and from henceforth the disciple carefully providedfor the sustenance of her teacher in the wilderness.
And so, as the blessed knowledge of the truth sank more and more deeplyinto Zelinda's soul, so that she was often sitting till dawn before theyouth, with cheeks glowing and hair dishevelled, her eyes gleaming withdelight and her hands folded, unable to withdraw herself from his words,he, on his part, endeavored to make her sensible at all times that itwas only Fadrique's love for her which had urged him, his friend, intothis fatal desert, and that it was this same love that had thus becomethe means for the attainment of her highest spiritual good. She stillwell remembered the handsome and terrible captain who had stormed theheight that he might clasp her in his arms; and she related to herfriend how the same hero had afterward saved her in the burning library.Heimbert too had many pleasant things to tell of Fadrique--of his highknightly courage, of his grave and noble manners, and of his love toZelinda, which in the night after the battle of Tunis was no longerconcealed within his passionate breast, but was betrayed to the youngGerman in a thousand unconscious expressions between sleeping andwaking. Divine truth and the image of her loving hero both at oncesank deep within Zelinda's heart, and struck root there with tenderbut indestructible power. Heimbert's presence and the almost adoringadmiration with which his pupil regarded him did not disturb thesefeelings, for from the first moment his appearance had something in itso pure and heavenly that no thoughts of earthly love intruded. WhenHeimbert was alone he would often smile happily within himself, sayingin his own beloved German tongue, "It is indeed delightful that I am nowable consciously to do the same service for Fadrique as he did for me,unconsciously, with his angelic sister." And then he would sing someGerman song of Clara's grace and beauty, the sound of which rang withstrange sweetness through the desert, while it happily beguiled hissolitary hours.
Once when Zelinda came in the evening twilight, gracefully bearing onher beautiful head a basket of provisions for Heimbert, he smiled at herand 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 thedesert. You can indeed no longer find pleasure in magic arts, since thespirit of truth and love dwells within you. If you would only transformthe oasis into the natural form in which the good God created it, Iwould go there with you, and we should have far more time for holyconverse." "Sir," replied Zelinda, "you speak truly. I too have thoughtfor some days of doing so and the matter would have been already set onfoot, but a strange visitor fetters my power. The Dervish whom you sawin Tunis is with me, and as in former times we have practised many magictricks with each other, he would like again to play the old game. Heperceives the change in me, and on that account urges me all the morevehemently and dangerously."
"He must either be driven away or converted," said Heimbert, girding onhis shoulder-belt more firmly, and taking up his shield from the ground."Have the goodness, dear maiden," he continued, "to lead me to yourenchanted isle."
"You avoided it so before," said the astonished Zelinda, "and it isstill unchanged in its fantastic form."
"Formerly it would have been only inconsiderate curiosity to haveventured there," replied Heimbert. "You came too out here to me, andthat was better for us both. But now the old enemy might lay snares forthe ruin of all that the Lord has been working in you, and so it is aknightly duty to go. In God's name, then, to the work!"
And they hastened forward together, through the ever-increasing darknessof the plain, on their way to the blooming island.
CHAPTER XIII.
A charming breeze began to cool the heated brows of the travellers, andthe twinkling starlight revealed in the distance a grove, waving to andfro with the gentle motion of the air. Heimbert cast his eyes to theground and said, "Go before me, sweet maiden, and guide my path tothe spot where I shall find this threatening Dervish. I do not wishunnecessarily to see anything of these ensnaring enchantments."
Zelinda did as he desired, and the relation of the two was for amoment changed; the maiden had become the guide, and Heimbert, full ofconfidence, allowed himself to be led upon the unknown path. Brancheswere even now touching his cheeks, half caressingly and playfully;wonderful birds, growing out of bushes, sang joyful songs; over thevelvet turf, upon which Heimbert ever kept his eyes fixed, there glidedgleaming serpents of green and gold, with little golden crowns, andbrilliant stones glittered on the mossy carpet. When the serpentstouched the jewels, they gave forth a silvery sound. But Heimbert letthe serpents creep and the gems sparkle, without troubling himself aboutthem, intent alone on following the footsteps of his guide.
"We are there!" said she with suppressed voice; and looking up he saw ashining grotto of shells, within which he perceived a man asleep clad ingolden scale-armor of the old Numidian fashion. "Is that also a phantom,there yonder in the golden scales?" inquired Heimbert, smiling; butZelinda looked very grave and replied, "Oh, no! that is the Dervishhimself, and his having put on this coat-of-mail, which has beenrendered invulnerable by dragon's blood, is a proof that by his magiche has become aware of our intention." "What does that signify?" saidHeimbert; "he would have to know it at last." And he began at once tocall out, with a cheerful voice, "Wake up, old sir, wake up! Here is anacquaintance of yours, who has matters upon which he must speak to you."
And as the Dervish opened his large rolling eyes, everything in themagic grove began to move, the water began to dance, and the branches tointertwine in wild emulation, and at the same time the precious stonesand the shells and corals emitted strange and confusing melodies.
"Roll and turn, thunder and play as you like!" exclaimed Heimbert,looking fixedly at the maze around him; "you shall not divert me frommy own good path, and Almighty God has given me a good far-soundingsoldier's voice whic
h can make itself heard above all this tumult." Thenturning to the Dervish he said, "It appears, old man, that you alreadyknow everything which has passed between Zelinda and me. In case,however, that it is not so, I will tell you briefly that she is alreadyas good as a Christian, and that she is the betrothed of a noble Spanishknight. Place nothing in the way of her good intention; I advise youfor your own sake. But still better for your own sake would it be if youwould become a Christian yourself. Discuss the matter with me, and firstbid 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 violenceor with the loud voice necessary on the field of war."
But the Dervish, burning with hatred to the Christians, had not waitedto hear the knight's last words when he rushed at him with his drawnscimitar. Heimbert merely parried his thrust, saying, "Take care ofyourself, sir! I have heard something of your weapons being charmed, butthat will avail but little before my sword. It has been consecrated inholy places."
The Dervish sprang wildly back before the sword, but equally wildly didhe spring to the other side of his adversary, who only with difficultycaught the terrible cuts of his weapon upon his shield. Like agold-scaled dragon the Mohammedan swung himself round his antagonistwith an agility which, with his long flowing white beard, was ghostlyand 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 theviolence of his movements. At last it happened as he desired; betweenthe arm and breast on the left side the dark garments of the Dervishbecame visible, and quick as lightning the German made a deadly thrust.The old man exclaimed aloud, "Allah! Allah!" and fell forward, fearfuleven in his fall, a senseless corpse.
"I pity him!" sighed Heimbert, leaning on his sword and looking down onhis fallen foe. "He has fought nobly, and even in death he calledupon his Allah, whom he looked upon as the true God. He must not lackhonorable burial." He then dug a grave with the broad scimitar of hisadversary, laid the corpse within it, covered it over with turf,and knelt on the spot in silent heartfelt prayer for the soul of thedeparted.
CHAPTER XIV.
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 changedscene around. The rocky cavern and grotto had disappeared, the distortedforms 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 thepoint where he stood, toward the sandy waste; springs gushed outhere and there in refreshing beauty; date-trees bent over the littlepaths--everything, indeed, in the now opening day was full of sweet andsimple peace.
"Thank God!" said Heimbert, turning to his companion, "you can nowsurely feel how infinitely more lovely, grand, and beautiful iseverything as our dear Father has created it than it can be whentransformed by the highest human art. The Heavenly Gardener has indeedpermitted us, his beloved children, in his abundant mercy, to helpforward 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 wilfulfancies; else it is as if we were expelling ourselves a second time fromParadise." "It shall not happen again," said Zelinda humbly. "But mayyou in this solitary region, where we are not likely to meet with anypriest of our faith, may you not bestow on me, as one born anew, theblessing of Holy Baptism?"
Heimbert, after some consideration, replied, "I hope I may do so. And ifI am wrong, God will pardon me. It is surely done in the desire to bringto 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 theyreached the edge and prepared themselves for the holy work the sun rosebefore them as if to confirm and strengthen their purpose, and thetwo beaming countenances looked at each other with joy and confidence.Heimbert had not thought of the Christian name he should bestow on hisdisciple, but as he scooped up the water, and the desert lay around himso solemn in the rosy glow of morning, he remembered the pious hermitAntony in his Egyptian solitude, and he baptized the lovely convert,Antonia.
They spent the day in holy conversation, and Antonia showed her frienda little cave, in which she had concealed all sorts of store for hersustenance when she first dwelt on the oasis. "For," said she, "the goodGod is my witness that I came hither only that I might, in solitude,become better acquainted with him and his created works, without knowingat that time in the least of any magic expedients. Subsequently theDervish came, tempting me, and the horrors of the desert joined in afearful league with his terrible power, and then by degrees followed allthat alluring spirits showed me either in dreams or awake."
Heimbert had no scruple to take with him for the journey any of the wineand fruits that were still fit for use, and Antonia assured him that bythe direct way, well known to her, they would reach the fruitful shoreof this waterless ocean in a few days. So with the approach of eveningcoolness they set out on their journey.
CHAPTER XV.
The travellers had almost traversed the pathless plain when one day theysaw a figure wandering in the distance, for in the desolate Sahara everyobject is visible to the very horizon if the whirlwind of dust doesnot conceal it from view. The wanderer seemed doubtful of his course,sometimes taking this, sometimes that direction, and Antonia's easternfalcon eye could discern that it was no Arab, but a man in knightlygarb.
"Oh, dear sister," exclaimed Heimbert, full of anxious joy, "then itis our poor Fadrique, who is in search of thee. For pity's sake, letas hasten before he loses us, and perhaps at last his own life also,in this immeasurable waste." They strained every effort to reach thedistant object, but it was now midday and the sun shone burningly uponthem, Antonia could not long endure this rapid progress; added to whichthe fearful whirlwind soon arose, and the figure that had been scarcelyvisible before faded from their eyes, like some phantom of the mist inautumn.
With the rising moon they began anew to hasten forward, calling loudlyupon the unfortunate wanderer, and fluttering white handkerchiefs tiedto their walking-staffs, as signal flags, but it was all in vain. Theobject that had disappeared remained lost to view. Only a few giraffessprang shyly past them, and the ostriches quickened their speed.
At length, as morning dawned, Antonia paused and said, "Thou canstnot leave me, brother, in this solitude, and I cannot go a single stepfarther. God will protect the noble Fadrique. How could a father forsakesuch a model of knightly excellence?" "The disciple shames the teacher,"replied Heimbert, his sad face brightening into a smile. "We have doneour part, and we may confidently hope that God will come to the aid ofour failing powers and do what is necessary." As he spoke he spread hismantle on the sand, that Antonia might rest more comfortably. Suddenlylooking up, he exclaimed, "Oh, God! yonder lies a man, completely buriedin the sand. Oh, that he may not be already dead!"
He immediately began to sprinkle wine, from the flask he carried, on thebrow of the fainting traveller, and to chafe his temples with it. Theman at last slowly opened his eyes and said, "I had hoped the morningdew would not again have fallen on me, but that unknown and unlamented Imight 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 therefreshed wanderer half raised himself from the sand with an exclamationof astonishment.
He looked from Heimbert to his companion, and from her again atHeimbert, and suddenly exclaimed, gnashing his teeth, "Ha, was it to bethus! I was not even to be allowed to die in the dull happiness of quietsolitude! I was to be first doomed to see my rival's success and mysister's shame!" At the same time he sprang to his feet with a violenteffort and rushed forward upon Heimbert with drawn sword. But Heimbertmoved 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 firstgazed with much
emotion at the angry knight, now stepped suddenlybetween the two men and cried out, "Oh, Fadrique, neither misery noranger can utterly disfigure you. But what has my noble brother done toyou?" "Brother?" said Fadrique, with astonishment. "Or godfather, orconfessor," interrupted Heimbert, "as you will. Only do not call herZelinda, for her name is now Antonia; she is a Christian, and waitsto be your bride." Fadrique stood fixed with surprise, but Heimbert'strue-hearted words and Antonia's lovely blushes soon revealed the happyenigma to him. He sank down before the longed-for form with a senseof exquisite delight, and in the midst of the inhospitable desertthe flowers of love and gratitude and confidence sent their sweetnessheavenward.
The excitement of this happy surprise at last gave way to bodilyfatigue. Antonia, like some drooping blossom, stretched her fair form onthe again burning sand, and slumbered under the protection of her loverand her chosen brother. "Sleep also," said Heimbert softly to Fadrique;"you must have wandered about wildly and wearily, for exhaustion ispressing down your eyelids with leaden weight. I am quite fresh, and Iwill watch meanwhile." "Ah, Heimbert," sighed the noble Castilian,"my sister is thine, thou messenger from Heaven; that is an understoodthing. But now for our affair of honor!" "Certainly," said Heimbert,very gravely, "as soon as we are again in Spain, you must give mesatisfaction for that over-hasty expression. Till then, however, I begyou not to mention it. An unfinished quarrel is no good subject forconversation."