"I should not have forsaken thee, Lorenzo," said the cavalier, giving over, with a sigh, all hope of escape. "There is nothing more to be done.--The foul fiend seize the knave that struck thee, and the dastard that commanded the shot! I would to heaven I had beaten him soundly.--How feelest thou now? If thou canst sleep, it will be well." "I have no more pain," said the secretary, "but feel a sort of exhaustion, which will doubtless be relieved by rest." "Sleep then," said Amador, "and have a care that thy wounded member be not oppressed by the weight of thy body. I will myself presently follow thy example. If aught should occur to disturb thee, even though it should be but the pain of thy hurt, scruple not to arouse me." The neophyte watched till persuaded the secretary was asleep; then devoutly repeating a prayer, he stretched himself on his hard mat with as much tranquillity as if reposing on a goodly bed in his own mountain-castle, and was soon lost to his troubles. CHAPTER XIII. The cavalier was roused from his slumbers by a cause at first incomprehensible. The moonlight had vanished from the prison, and deep obscurity had succeeded; but in the little light remaining, he saw, as he started up, the figures of several men, one of whom had been tugging at his shoulder, and now whispered to him, as he instinctively grasped at his dagger, "Peace, cavalier! I am a friend, and I give you liberty." "I will thank thee for the gift, when I am sure I enjoy it," said the neophyte, already on his feet; "I remember thy voice--thou art one of the followers of the knave Narvaez?" "I am one who laments, without extenuating, the folly of the general," said the voice of Duero. "But tarry not to question. Hasten,--thy horse is ready." "Where is the youth Fabueno? It is not in my power to desert the secretary." "Here, senor!" whispered Lorenzo. "I am ready." "Ah, friend Fabueno! I am glad to hear thee speak so cheerily;--it assures me thy wound does not afflict thee.--And my varlets, senor?" "They wait for thee, Don Amador. Delay not: the door is open. The magician will guide thee to thy kinsman.--Commend me to Cortes; and if thou art at any time found fighting on the pyramid of Zempoala, remember that Duero is not thine enemy." "By heaven, I should think I dream!" said Amador. "Stay, senor! I would thank thee for thy honourable and most noble benevolence; and, in addition, would tax thy charity in favour of a certain Moor----" "_Tetragrammaton!_ thou pratest as if thou wert among thy friends in Christendom! and of infidels too, as if there were no Christians to be thought of!" said a voice, in which Amador instantly recognised the tones of the enchanter. "I said, the captive should be freed; but never a jot that he should not be reduced to bonds again by his own folly!--Be silent, and follow me."