“As you like best; you will find a half mile up the beach out of cannon range,” indifferently rejoined the French knight, and spurred closer to the water’s edge, followed by his countrymen, many of whom, in passing, saluted the Portuguese ironically, while others, out of earshot of the conversation, wondered at the blanched visage of the captain, and his taking himself and company to the skirt of the wood a mile or more back.
“Duvict,” said De Chaste, presently, to that cavalier, whom he had called to his side, “you will ride over to-night to Angra, and tell the viceroy we all count it strange, that, with the enemy threatening the coast, he is no where to be seen; perhaps, if he is bent on shutting up himself, he will take this captain off our hands; the fewer such cowards in our ranks, the better chance will we have of successful defense. At all events, I insist on the withdrawal of this Gaza, even if his troop goes with him. Moreover, I demand in the queen’s name, an immediate supply of rations for our men here and elsewhere. Lose no time on your journey.”
“I am so well pleased with the errand, that I will set out this instant, monseigneur, if you consent. Why wait until our return to Porta Praya?” cried Duvict, cheerfully.
“Go, then,” answered the commander, nodding approval; “and if he is not to be met with at Angra, search the country till you find him.”
The viceroy was not at Angra, that city being too exposed to bombardment to suit his present fancy; but the Frenchman found him at his country-house among the hills, keeping a sharp look-out over the roads leading coastward.
“Tell the honorable commander,” replied Torrevedros, dissembling his annoyance at the ambassador’s blunt message, “I will surely join him as soon as I make certain levies, calculated to do him more service than five troop of horse. But I take it ill, he shows so little faith in my concern for his safety at the present extremity.”
“As for his safety,” answered Duvict, who was not much of a courtier, “our commandant can very well take care of that and ours. It is for your own honor, and the putting your people in good heart, which, by the three kings, they want mightily! Monseigneur troubles himself with your absence, M. le Viceroi. Meanwhile, it would not be amiss to give our soldiers something withal to fill their mouths, especially as we may be obliged to do most of the fighting before the new levies arrive.”
“You will soon have abundance for all,” the count made answer, smoothly. “Hasten down, and inform your commandant I will delay here not an hour beyond what is necessary, on the honor of a knight. You said truly, sir, we must have no cowards in our ranks, either French or Portuguese.”
“M. le Viceroi, your acquaintance with your own countrymen is indisputable,” Duvict here said superciliously, “but we French are taught in a different school.”
“Let it pass,” rejoined Torrevedros, biting his lip. “If I designed to wound your self-love, it would not be in my own house. I will show my willingness at least to oblige M. de Chaste, by cashiering my captain at Porta Praya in favor of one more reliable.”