The Constant Prince Read online

spirits,while the more sober doubted and held back.

  Queen Leonora laughed at her husband for the strange reluctance that heshowed to part with Fernando.

  "All the--others," she said, "were constantly absent from him on longand dangerous errands; surely he could let Fernando go for a fewmonths."

  "That is the very thing," said Duarte sadly; "I have never been partedfrom him, and this war fills me with anxiety and dread."

  "Why, you grow slow of heart," said Leonora, laughing. "You did notthink so when Ceuta was before you."

  Spite of this rallying, the parting was a cruel one. Although there wasa keener sympathy of character and opinion between Enrique and Fernando,Duarte had been to the latter a constant companion and support; and toact against his judgment, and to cause him pain and anxiety, was thefirst sacrifice in which his project involved him.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

  BEFORE TANGIER.

  "Who is there that wishes for more men from England!"

  On the 22nd of August the fleet of the Infantes set sail from Lisbon,fourteen thousand men having been decided on as the number necessary forthe expedition, and in due course arrived at Ceuta, where Dom Enrique,who had hitherto exercised but little personal superintendence,proceeded to review them, and to examine into their efficiency, Fernandoassisting him. The sight of Ceuta recalled to them both that firstcampaign--so brilliant, so prosperous, so well-planned and executed. Itwas something to receive the blessing of the Bishop of the city thattheir father had made Christian, and to see it happy and prosperousunder its new rule.

  As the day went on, Fernando grew very weary of riding about in the hotsun, and began sadly to discover how unequal his strength was to thefatigues of a campaign. Enrique, perceiving this, sent him back to hislodging, whither he presently followed him in much perturbation.

  "Fernando," he said, "things are against us. My mind misgave me when welanded as to our numbers; and now I find that, instead of the fourteenthousand ordered to embark, we have but eight! Many fell back onhearing the Pope's decision; many more from respect to Joao's views.There has been some strange want of common sense in the officers whosuperintended the embarkation. They say their orders were not precise,and the king's commands uncertain. Anyhow, we are here with but halfour troops?"

  "Well, dear Enrique, we who are here must fight the harder!" saidFernando, smiling.

  "The commanders wish to send back the fleet for more troops," saidEnrique.

  "No! How should we keep up the spirits of those waiting here? Whatwould the king think? And the enemy would get wind of our intentions!We must push on at once, and trust in the force of our onslaught?"

  "That is my own view," said Enrique, "but my mind misgives me!"

  "That is the most fatal thing of all. It is too late for misgivings,"said Fernando, resolutely.

  "And you--how can you bear the march over these hot sands? You areover-wearied already."

  Fernando winced somewhat, but answered, "You might go by land with themain body of the troops, while I with the rest go to Tangier by sea. Icould well do that."

  This plan, after a good deal of discussion, was finally adopted; forFernando was far from well, and could not have attempted the land march.He was the most cheerful and sanguine of the party; but there was somuch difference of opinion, and so much depression at the insufficiencyof the forces, that the joyful, resolute spirit of crusaders, seemed farfrom the rest of the army, and time and energy were wasted in disputesand lamentations. The men had lost confidence in their leaders, everyone was of a different opinion as to waiting for fresh troops or pushingon as they were, and instead of prayer, praise, or hopeful anticipation,there was perpetual wrangling.

  It was now found that Father Jose's teaching had far more effect insoftening, these differences than Father Martin's; for the former ledthem to dwell on the blessing of a high and earnest purpose, which wouldconsecrate success, and could not be destroyed by failure; while thelatter fell in with the popular feeling, by finding fault with thelukewarmness and want of zeal shown by the other Infantes, who had thusrisked the success of the expedition. As he belonged to Dom Enrique'shousehold, he accompanied the land march; while Father Jose went by sea,in company with all the members of Fernando's suite.

  Harry Hartsed was one of the malcontents. There was something provokingto his common sense in the ill-management of the start; and though hehad no expectation of failure, it afforded him great satisfaction togrumble at the princes, and even at the king, by way perhaps of showingthat he was not a Portuguese subject. Young Alvarez was more scrupulousand more serious-minded, but he had misgivings as to disregarding thewishes of the Pope; and these two lads represented widespread phases ofpublic opinion.

  Fernando heard but little of this. Remembering how easily Ceuta hadbeen won, and feeling the utmost confidence in Enrique's skill, he didnot much fear failure, and bore no grudge against his other brothers forthinking differently from himself. He recovered his strength during thesea-voyage, and as they neared Tangier, and he stood on the deck in fullarmour with the cross of his order on his breast, the look of hope andjoy on his face communicated itself to his followers; and whatever elsethey differed about, they were all ready to live or die for him.

  Under his orders the landing of the troops and the meeting with DomEnrique's contingent was safely accomplished, and, in better spiritsthan they had yet enjoyed, the little army prepared for the attack.They found that their old enemy, Zala-ben-Zala, was in command atTangier, and soon became aware that the King of Fez was bringing largenumbers into the field against them. Before they left Lisbon the kinghad strenuously advised them not to leave the beach unguarded so thatthe enemy could cut off their chance of retreat; and he felt thenecessity of this so strongly, that he sent an autograph letter toEnrique at Ceuta, entreating him to observe this precaution. Enrique,however, either disregarded it, or found that with his small number itwas impossible to spare any from the attack; for there began such astruggle as tried the courage of veterans, and showed the young recruitsthe face of war in good earnest.

  The Portuguese forces marched to the attack in two divisions, commandedby the two princes. Each division fought under the flag of Portugal,and also under that of the order to which its leader belonged, the redcross of Avis, the green cross of the Order of Christ; and on Enrique'sbanner was inscribed the motto he had so well earned the right to carry,"_Talent de bien faire_;" on that of Fernando the humbler legend, "_Lebien me plait_."

  They fought on through the hot September day, with fresh battalionsconstantly coming up to the defence, till they became conscious thatthey were contending against a superiority of numbers such as they hadnever contemplated. Troop after troop of turbaned soldiers came pouringdown upon them; nevertheless, they fought with such ardour, thatEnrique's division pressed right up to the walls of the town and raisedtheir scaling-ladders against them; Fernando's side having meanwhilebeen so fiercely attacked, that it was all that he could do to hold hisground. Alas! the scaling-ladders which they had brought were too shortto reach the top of the ramparts, and after frightful loss of life, andlong hours of vain effort, Dom Enrique was forced to sound a retreat,before the darkness overtook them, at the enemy's very gates. Hereached the camp just as Fernando came up to join him, and the twobrothers embraced eagerly, thankful at least to find each other safe.

  "You are unhurt?" said Enrique. "Then all is not lost."

  "Oh, yes, I am unhurt," said Fernando, "and ready for another attemptto-morrow. The odds are great, but our men showed no flinching. I fearme our losses are terrible."

  "So great," said Enrique with reluctance, "and the odds are so muchagainst us, that there is but one thing left to do, and that is toretreat. We must go back to Ceuta, and wait there for fresh troops andlonger ladders."

  Fernando recoiled almost as from a blow.

  "What!--have we failed?" he said.

  "Well, say we have not yet succeeded. There is no help for it,Fernando; it must be do
ne."

  Enrique was bitterly mortified, and disappointed, and spoke less gentlythan usual; and perhaps Fernando had never struggled so hard; withhimself as before he answered--

  "You can judge best, my brother; be it so."

  There was no time to be lost in making the arrangements. The army wasto re-embark while sheltered by the darkness, and Fernando went to seehow best to transport the wounded; while Enrique held council with theofficers, who all agreed with him as to the necessity.

  There were loud murmurs, however, among the younger noblemen, and therewas a good deal of delay after the first decision before the final startwas made. At last all was ready, and Enrique prepared to give the orderfor the march in the silent night, without banner, shout, or trumpet.How different from