Everywhere they saw marks of the pirate’s barbarity.
The weeping inhabitants then knew all the extent of their losses. Each family had learned which one of its members had perished or had been taken captive.
During the battle, they thought only of defending themselves and repulsing4 the enemy; then, too, night had veiled the disasters which day revealed in all their horror. On one side, walls blackened by the conflagration5 barely supported the tottering6 carpentry.
Farther on was the town hall, of which only the walls remained. Its windows were broken, its balcony demolished7, its doors burned to ashes, its foundations charred8, and showers of balls everywhere proved that the citizens had defended themselves with vigorous earnestness.
The large square of La Ciotat, the theatre of the most murderous conflict of that fatal night, was covered with dead bodies.
Nothing could be more heartrending than to see the afflicted9 inhabitants seeking a father, a brother, a son, or a friend among these dead.
When they recognised one whom they sought, the others, petrified10 with grief, would look on in silence; again, some would utter impotent cries for vengeance11; and some in their wild lamentation12 would rush to the port, as if they would there find the galleys13 of the lawless brigands14.
The commander and Father Elzear walked through this scene of desolation, speaking words of consolation15 to the unfortunate sufferers, and asking information of Raimond V.
They learned that he had made a most valuable and courageous16 defence, by attacking the pirates at the head of the company from Maison-Forte, but no one could tell them if the baron17 was wounded or not.
The two brothers, in their anxiety, hastened to Maison-Forte, followed by a few subordinate officers of the galley, and by Luquin Trinquetaille, who had also anchored his polacre in the port.
They arrived at the Castle des Anbiez. The bridge was lowered, and the great court deserted18, although it was the hour for work.
They mounted the stairs in haste, and reached the immense hall in which the pious19 Christmas ceremonies had taken place the evening before.
All the inmates20 of Maison-Forte, men, women, old people, and children, were kneeling in this vast hall, where reigned21 the most profound silence.
So absorbed was this crowd in its devotions, and so anxiously did they watch the half-open door of the baron’s chamber22, that not one perceived the entrance of the commander and Father Elzear.
At the bottom of the hall, under the dais, was the cradle, the masterpiece of Dame23 Dulceline and the good chaplain. A few candles still burned in the copper24 chandeliers. The colossal25 Christmas log was smoking in the depth of the vast chimney, still ornamented26 with green branches and fruits and flowers and ribbons.
Nothing seemed more startling than this scene lighted by the first pale rays of a winter day; nothing more painful than the contrast between the feast of the night and the sorrow of the morning.
After having contemplated27 this quiet and imposing28 scene, the commander gently called aside some of the baron’s vassals29 to open a way to the door of the baron’s chamber.
“Monseigneur, the commander, and good Father Elzear!” were the words which circulated among the anxious crowd, as they waited for news of the baron’s condition, whether or not his wounds permitted them to indulge a hope for his recovery.
Pierre des Anbiez and his brother, with a soft and cautious tread, entered the chamber of Raimond V.
The old gentleman, still dressed in his holiday attire30, even to his long boots, was lying on his bed. His venerable face was livid, and his flowing white locks were stained with blood.
Abbé Mascarolus was dressing31 the wounds in his head, assisted in this pious duty by Honorat de Berrol. Dame Dulceline, whose tears never ceased to flow, was cutting cloth bands, while the majordomo Laramée, standing32 at the foot of the bed, apparently33 unconscious of all around him, was sobbing34 aloud.
So absorbed were the actors in this sad scene, that Father Elzear and Pierre des Anbiez entered unperceived.
“My brother!” cried the commander and the priest at the same time, falling on their knees at the bedside of the baron, and kissing his cold hands affectionately.
“Are the wounds serious, abbé?” said the commander, while Father Elzear remained on his knees.
“Alas! is it you, M. Commander?” said the chaplain, clasping his hands in surprise; “if only you had arrived yesterday all these misfortunes would not have happened, and monseigneur would not be in danger of death.”
“Great God!” cried Pierre des Anbiez, “we must send at once for Brother Anselm, the surgeon on board my galley. He will assist you; he understands wounds made by weapons of war.”
Seeing Luquin Trinquetaille at the door, the commander said to him: “Go immediately for Brother Anselm, and bring him here.”
Luquin disappeared to execute the commander’s orders. The abbé was anxiously listening to the laboured breathing of the baron. Finally, the wounded man made a light movement, turned his head from the chaplain without opening his eyes, and uttered a long sigh. The commander and the priest gazed inquiringly into the chaplain’s face, who made a sign of approval, and took advantage of the baron’s position to dress another part of the wounds.
Father Elzear, disappointed at not seeing Reine at her father’s bedside at such a time, said, in a low voice to Honorat: “And where is Reine? The poor child no doubt cannot endure this painful sight!”
“Great God!” cried Honorat, in astonishment37, “and do you not know, Father Elzear, all the misfortunes which have befallen this house? Reine has been carried off by the pirates!”
Father Elzear and the commander looked at each other, bewildered.
“My God! my God! spare his old age this last blow!” said the priest, clasping his hands in supplication38, and looking up to heaven. “Grant us the power to take this unfortunate child from their hands!”
“And does no one know to what point these pirates have fled?” said the commander, his wrath39 beyond all bounds. “Inquire of the boats that arrive; the night was clear, and they must be able to give us some information.” “Alas!” said Honorat, “I have just arrived at Maison-Forte, which I and the baron’s guests left that night in peace. I was ignorant of all these disasters. When the baron was brought home unconscious, the good abbé sent for me in haste, and I came, finding him in this desperate state, and his vassals informed me of the abduction of Mlle, des Anbiez.”
Raimond V. still lay unconscious. From time to time he uttered a feeble sigh, and then relapsed into a lethargic40 torpor41.
The commander anxiously awaited the coming of the surgeon from his galley, as he thought his medical attainments42 superior to those of the chaplain.
Finally he arrived, followed by Luquin Trinquetaille, who, notwithstanding the profound silence guarded by the watchers around the wounded man, cried out to the commander, as he entered the door: “Monseigneur, the pirates must be anchored on the coast, twenty-five or thirty leagues from here at the most.”
Pierre des Anbiez, making a sign to the worthy43 captain to be silent, walked up to him rapidly, and conducted him into the gallery, which the vassals had just left at the chaplain’s request.
“What do you say?” said he to Trinquetaille. “Who told you that?”
“Monseigneur, the coxswain Nicard told me. That night he passed very near to two galleys and a chebec, which hugged the shore, and he easily recognised the Red Galleon44. These vessels45 were moving very, very slowly, as if they had been so badly damaged as to be compelled to halt every few minutes in some deserted harbour on the coast.”
“That must be so,” said the commander, thoughtfully, “they must have been seriously crippled to stay near the shore, instead of flying south with their captives and their booty.”
“There is no doubt, monseigneur, that the culverin of Maison-Forte did them great damage, for Pierron, the fisherman, told me that he saw them fire that artillery47 the whole time the galleys of those demons48 were doubling the point of the island Verte, and that pass is a fine aim for the culverin; Master Laramée has told me so a thousand times.”
“The vengeance of the Lord will overtake these robbers, glutted49 with blood and pillage,” said the commander, in a hollow voice. “Perhaps I shall be able to snatch my brother’s unfortunate daughter from their hands.”
“And also her attendant, Stephanette, if you please, monseigneur,” said Luquin. “These brigands, no doubt, have carried her off with the aid of a cursed Bohemian, that the good God will send some day, perhaps, within reach of my arm.”
“There is not a moment to lose,” said the commander, after a few moments’ reflection. Then addressing Luquin, he said: “Run to the port, and issue my order to the king of the chevaliers to prepare my galley for immediate35 departure. Do you follow with your polacre. Where did the coxswain Nicard meet the Red Galleon?”
“Near the island of St. Fereol, monseigneur.”
“Then we only need to watch the coast this side of the island of St. Fereol As soon as you put to sea, set all your sails so as to examine every point on the coast which may serve as a retreat for the pirates. If you see anything suspicious, give me warning. I will keep in sight of your vessel46.”
“May Heaven bless your undertaking50, monseigneur, and grant that I may be able to aid you.”
Luquin Trinquetaille, inspired by the hope of recovering Stephanette, and eager to wreak51 his vengeance upon the Bohemian, ran to the port in all possible haste.
Pierre des Anbiez returned to the baron’s chamber. The surgeon from the galley already saw signs of hope in the improved respiration52 and more quiet sleep of the wounded man. The commander gazed sadly and thoughtfully at his brother. Presentiments53 he could not conquer told him that this day would prove a fatal one to him. It grieved him much to leave the baron without being recognised by him, but time pressed, and he approached the bed, leaned over the patient, and, kissing his cold cheeks, said, in a low and broken voice: “Farewell, my poor brother, farewell.”
When he rose, his hard and austere54 countenance55 betrayed his emotion, and a tear flowed down his cheek.
“Embrace me, my brother,” said he to Elzear, “I am going into battle, and into a bloody56 battle, for the Red Galleon is intrepid57. I hope to meet these pirates in some harbour on the coast.”
“M. Commander, I shall follow you,” cried Honorat de Berrol, “although it pains me to leave Raimond V. at such a time. I ask you to accept me as a volunteer.”
Pierre des Anbiez seemed agitated58 by an inward struggle. He recognised the courage of Honorat, but he also realised the danger of the enterprise he was about to undertake, and foresaw that it would result in one of the most desperate encounters in which they had ever taken part.
“I understand your interest,” said he to Honorat. “We will meet the pirates, and succeed, perhaps, in rescuing Reine des Anbiez, but if I do not return, and if his daughter should not return, who will console him?” and he pointed36 to the baron. “Does he not love you as a second son?”
“And if you do not return, and if his daughter does not return,” eried Honorat, “who will console me for not having followed you, and for not having shared your dangers?”
“Come, then,” said the commander, “I cannot combat your noble resolution any longer. Let us go. Farewell, again, my brother, pray for us,” added the soldier, tenderly embracing his brother Elzear.
“Alas! may the Lord bless your undertaking. God grant you may bring our dear child back to us, and our brother, waking from the painful sleep, may find his daughter kneeling at his bedside!”
“May Heaven hear you, brother!” said the commander. For the last time he pressed the cold hand of Raimond V., and hurried out of the chamber toward the port There he found his galley ready to depart, and set sail at once, followed by the polacre of the brave Trinquetaille.
Thus it was that the black galley found itself in sight of the Bay of Lérins, where the two galleys of the pirates were anchored, when Hadji came out of the road with his chebec to execute the orders of Pog, and lead in pursuit of him the galley of religion.
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1
cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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galley
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| n.（飞机或船上的）厨房单层甲板大帆船；军舰舰长用的大划艇； | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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4
repulsing
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| v.击退( repulse的现在分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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5
conflagration
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| n.建筑物或森林大火 | |
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6
tottering
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| adj.蹒跚的，动摇的v.走得或动得不稳( totter的现在分词 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
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7
demolished
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| v.摧毁( demolish的过去式和过去分词 )；推翻；拆毁（尤指大建筑物）；吃光 | |
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8
charred
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| v.把…烧成炭( char的过去式)；烧焦 | |
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afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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10
petrified
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| adj.惊呆的；目瞪口呆的v.使吓呆，使惊呆；变僵硬；使石化(petrify的过去式和过去分词) | |
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11
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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12
lamentation
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| n.悲叹，哀悼 | |
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13
galleys
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| n.平底大船，战舰( galley的名词复数 )；（船上或航空器上的）厨房 | |
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14
brigands
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| n.土匪，强盗( brigand的名词复数 ) | |
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15
consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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16
courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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17
baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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18
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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19
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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20
inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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21
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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22
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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23
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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24
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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25
colossal
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| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
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26
ornamented
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| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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27
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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28
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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29
vassals
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| n.奴仆( vassal的名词复数 )；（封建时代）诸侯；从属者；下属 | |
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30
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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31
dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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32
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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33
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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35
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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36
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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37
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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38
supplication
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| n.恳求，祈愿，哀求 | |
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39
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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40
lethargic
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| adj.昏睡的，懒洋洋的 | |
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41
torpor
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| n.迟钝；麻木；（动物的）冬眠 | |
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42
attainments
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| 成就，造诣； 获得( attainment的名词复数 )； 达到； 造诣； 成就 | |
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43
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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44
galleon
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| n.大帆船 | |
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45
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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46
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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47
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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48
demons
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| n.恶人( demon的名词复数 )；恶魔；精力过人的人；邪念 | |
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49
glutted
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| v.吃得过多( glut的过去式和过去分词 )；（对胃口、欲望等）纵情满足；使厌腻；塞满 | |
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50
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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51
wreak
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| v.发泄；报复 | |
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52
respiration
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| n.呼吸作用；一次呼吸；植物光合作用 | |
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53
presentiments
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| n.（对不祥事物的）预感( presentiment的名词复数 ) | |
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54
austere
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| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
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55
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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56
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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57
intrepid
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| adj.无畏的，刚毅的 | |
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58
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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