"The smoke eddies, the flame roars, and one sitteth blindfold under the eaves, with the flakes and cinders falling about him, which he sees not." "If thou meanest, that I shall rest, in that stupid state, under such peril, thy devil Sadabath is a liar, and I defy him!" "And he that takes thee by the hand," cried Botello, without regarding the interruptions,--"is he thy friend?" "Ay, answer me that question," said the governor; "for if I am to be led out of the fire by a foeman, I will straightway forswear my friends, and give my heart to the magnanimous." "Thou doest him obeisance!" cried the magician, with extraordinary emphasis-- "Villain!" exclaimed the general. "Thou placest thy neck upon the earth, and he tramples it!" "Liar and traitor!" roared the Biscayan, spurning the magician with his foot, and, in his fury, snatching up a weapon to despatch him. "Why shouldst thou stain thy hand with the blood of the dotard?" cried Duero, interposing for a second time between the intemperate commander and the object of his anger. "He is a madman, incapable of understanding what he says; and were he even sane, and speaking the truth, your commands to have him entertain you with his mummeries, should have ensured him against your anger." "Very true," said Narvaez, with a scowl; "I was a fool to strike him.--Trample on my neck! Thou grizzly and cheating villain!--Go! begone!--Thy devil, though he cannot tell thee what awaits thee in the morning, may show thee what thou deservest." "I deserved not to be spurned," said Botello tranquilly, after having gathered up his enchanted crystal, and raised himself to his feet; "and the dishonour will fall not on the side that was bruised, but on the limb that was raised against it.--Once already, to-day, have I cursed the man that struck me in my captivity; and he lies a corse on his couch." "It is true," said a young cavalier, shuddering. "I inquired after Caboban, when I came from the prison with Botello--he was dead!" "I will curse no more to-day," said the magician, sorrowfully; "for it is a sin upon the soul to kill with maledictions; and, moreover, thou, that hast done me this wrong, wilt suffer enough, without a new retribution!" The general waved his hand angrily and impatiently, and Botello was led away, followed by most of the cavaliers. CHAPTER XII. When Don Amador found himself alone in the prison with Fabueno; with no other prospect before him than that of remaining therein till it might please the stars to throw open the doors, the rage that was too philosophic to quarrel with stone walls, gradually subsided into a tranquil indignation. Nay, so much command of himself did he regain, that hearing his companion bewailing his fate in a manner somewhat immoderate, as if regarding his incarceration as the prelude to a more dismal destiny, he opened his lips to give him comfort.