This man of probity was no other than himself, who, notwithstanding that he hoped to obtain a good benefice for nothing, rejoiced at the opportunity of depriving the goldsmith of this little profit. I failed not to assure this good cousin that he would much oblige me by getting it done for me. “Not that I am in great distress for money,” said I, “as you may see. At the same time I drew from my pocket two large purses full of pistoles, which I showed to him. It is merely by way of precaution that I wish to put my chain in pledge; for as we shall play very high at the wedding of my friend the colonel, I do not like to be at all short of money.” My cousin assured me, “that in two hours at furthest, the six hundred crowns should be at my service.” Then taking the casket out of Sayavedra’s hand, I opened it for an instant, just that my cousin might see that the chain was in it, and after having shut it again, delivered it to his servant, who returned in about an hour with the six hundred crowns.
Unfortunately for my worthy cousin, my major-domo, in bringing the casket back from the goldsmith’s under his cloak, had dexterously drawn out the gold chain, and substituted a brass one in its stead.
Favello came to sup with me at night. He told me it was time for me to strike my blow, for that I must sleep on board the next night, as the galleys were to sail before day-break the following morning. “’Tis well,” answered I; “my business shall be settled in less than four and twenty hours’ time, and I will not fail to be on board by to-morrow evening. If you will assist me by sending some of your people about midnight for my boxes, my departure will be more secret.” The captain promised this, and took his leave of me shortly after. We passed almost the whole of the next day in getting every thing in readiness for our departure. We packed up our best effects in our two largest boxes, and filled with rags the counterparts of those which my honoured uncle kept in his closet for me with such pious care. A quarter of an hour before midnight, four of captain Favello’s men conveyed our two largest boxes on board, leaving our two others to satisfy my landlord, whom I desired Sayavedra to tell not to be anxious on my account, for that I was going to sup at a friend’s, where I might very likely pass the whole night at play. We at length got safe on board our captain’s galley. He had been rather uneasy at my being so late, and asked me the first thing, how my affair of honour had terminated. “My revenge is satisfied to my heart’s content,” replied I. “I rejoice at it extremely,” said he; “for I must acknowledge that I was beginning to be a little anxious for your safety, the result of such an enterprise being always uncertain.”
Favello had caused a little chamber to be fitted up for me, into which he conducted me, and where I found my two boxes, and a table covered with delicate meats. We sat down, and after partaking of a good supper, lay down to take some repose. But our several cares kept us both awake. For my part I was all night terribly alarmed lest some cursed contrary wind should detain us in port, and afford my relations sufficient time to gain information of my flight, and to obtain an order from the senate to have me arrested. My fears, however, were groundless. At day-break I heard a noise which announced to me that the galleys were on the point of departure. I looked through a hole in my chamber, and perceived with joy that the whole crew had begun to ply their oars. We were soon out of port; then taking advantage of the wind which was directly in our favour, we spread our sails and were soon out of sight.
CHAP. XLV.
Guzman, after having robbed his relations, and re-embarked for Spain, is in imminent danger of perishing at sea, and has the misfortune to lose Sayavedra.
We had already doubled Cape Noli, when the captain informed me that if the wind did not change for three days, we should have a most agreeable voyage. We watered at Monaco, and the next morning, having put to sea again with a favourable breeze, we reached the Isles of Hieres, where we passed the night. The third day we anchored at Chateau d’If, in sight of Marseilles, and the day following at Roses.
I was congratulating myself on so fortunate a voyage, when my joy was interrupted by word being brought me that Sayavedra had the sea-sickness, and felt extremely ill. I ran to see him immediately, and found that he had a very violent fever upon him. I was much afflicted at it, but consoled myself with the idea that we should soon reach Barcelona, where he should have every attention paid to him. The morning of the fifth day dawned very differently to the preceding ones; the clouds seemed lowering, and there was scarcely a breath of air stirring. We still hoped, however, by dint of hard rowing, to sleep that night at Barcelona. But we found our mistake two hours after. So furious a storm arose, that our destruction appeared inevitable. In vain did we attempt to make to land; the oar became quite useless, and we were obliged to keep out to sea the whole of that night. What a night of horror was it for us! Sometimes the sea raised its waves to the clouds, and at others, opening its bosom, presented to our eyes the awful abyss by which we were surrounded.
Who in the midst of such a scene can attempt to paint the consternation so evidently depicted on every countenance on board, and the various indications of fear created by the dread of approaching death? Some invoked the Saints most honoured in their own country; others offered vows; some on their knees were addressing the most fervent prayers to heaven in private, whilst others confessed their sins aloud, and implored pardon of the Deity. Some few, though death was apparently before their eyes, were still inquiring of the pilot whether all hopes were at an end. He answered, that there was nothing to fear, and they seemed as willing to trust this liar, as a father, who, seeing his only son dying, eagerly gives credit to the quack who assures him of his speedy recovery. For my part, like another Jonas, I was buried in a profound reverie all this while, and believing myself the cause of this dreadful storm, said within myself: Wretch, now wilt thou meet with the punishment due to thee for having robbed thy relations. Of what service will their gold be to thee? The sea will in a short time swallow up both thyself and thy ill-gotten riches. For thyself, thou hast well deserved it, and those only are to be pitied, who have been so unfortunate as to embark in the company of a scoundrel who has incurred the vengeance of heaven.