THE TWO CAPTAINS.
Page: 12

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 self-possession 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 orange-tree, which were now tinged with
the red glow of morning, and this would undoubtedly have been the
case had not the report of a cannon from the harbor sounded through
the silence of the twilight.

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




CHAPTER V.



The voyagers had for some time to battle with contrary winds, and
when at length they came in sight of the coasts of Barbary the
darkness of evening had closed so deeply over the sea that no pilot
in the little squadron ventured to ride at anchor on the shallow
shore. They cruised about on the calm waters, waiting for the
morning; and the soldiers, full of laudable ambition for combat,
stood impatiently in crowds on the deck, straining their longing
eyes to see the theatre of their future deeds.