THE TWO CAPTAINS.
Page: 42

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 dwelling-place 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 silent thought, almost motionless, like some equestrian
statue.




CHAPTER XIX.



The Captains had already long finished their story, and the duke
still remained silent and motionless, in deep reflection. At last he
began to speak, and addressed them as follows:

"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