Confessions Of Con Cregan Part 62

"It is therefore open war between us?"

"I never said so," replied he, with a most cutting irony of manner; "but whatever secret malice can do,--and you shall soon know what it means,--I pledge myself you will not find yourself forgotten."

"Agreed, then; now leave me, sir."

"I am your guest, sir," said he, with a most hypocritical air of deference and courtesy. "It is surely scant politeness to drive me hence when I am not in a position to find another shelter; we are upon the high seas; I cannot walk forth and take my leave. Believe me, sir, the character you would fain perform before the world would not act so."

Notwithstanding the insult conveyed in the last words, I determined that I would respect "him who had eaten my salt;" and with a gesture of a.s.sent, for I could not speak, I moved away.

No sooner was I alone than I repented me of the rash folly into which, for the indulgence of a mere petty vengeance, I had been betrayed. I saw that by this absurd piece of malice I had made an enemy of a man whose whole career vouched for the danger of his malevolence.

How could he injure me? What species of attack could he make upon me?

Whether was it more likely that he would avoid me as one dangerous to himself, or pursue me wherever I went by his vengeance? These were hard questions to solve, and they filled my mind so completely that I neither heeded the bustle which heralded the arrival on board of the pilot, or the still busier movement which told that we were approaching the harbor. At last I went on deck and approached the bulwark, over which a number of the crew were leaning, watching the course of a boat that, with all her canvas spread, was making for land. "The pilot-boat," said the captain, in reply to my glance of inquiry; "she is lying straight in, as the consul is anxious to land at once."

"Is he on board of her?" said I, with an anxiety I could not conceal.

"Yes, Senhor Conde, and your Excellency's secretary too."

Was it my fear suggested the notion, or was it the simple fact, but I thought that the words "Count" and "Excellency" were articulated with something like a sneer? I had no opportunity to put the matter to the test, for the captain had already quitted the spot, and was busy with the multifarious cares the near approach to land enforces. My next thought was, Why had my secretary gone ash.o.r.e without my orders?

Was this a piece of zeal on his part to make preparations for our disembarking, or might it be something worse? and, if so, what? Every moment increased the trouble of my thoughts. Certainly, misfortunes do cast their shadows before them, for I felt that strange and overwhelming sense of depression that never is causeless. I ran over every species of casualty that I could imagine, but except highway robbery, actual "brigandage," I could not fancy any real positive danger to be antic.i.p.ated from the Chevalier.

How different was my mood from what I expected it would have been on nearing sh.o.r.e! Where were all my visions of pomp and splendor? Where the proud circ.u.mstances of my more than princely state? Alas! I would have given a full fourth of my wealth to be landed unostentatiously and quietly, and to have my mind relieved from all dread of the cursed Chevalier.

That I did not overrate the peril before me, events soon proved.

CHAPTER XXIX. THE CARCEL MORENA AT MALAGA

As we sailed proudly into the harbor of

Malaga, my attention--at first directed to the striking features of the sh.o.r.e, where lay a city actually embowered amid orange-groves--was soon drawn off by the appearance of a boat, rowed by twelve men, which approached the ship. The national flag of Spain floated from a standard in her stern, and I could mark the glitter of arms and uniforms on board of her.

"The officers of health, I suppose?" said I, carelessly, to the captain.

"No, Senhor, these are soldiers of the garrison."

"Ah, I understand," said I, "they are on the alert as to whom they land in these troublous times; for it was the period of the great Carlist struggle.

"Possibly," was his dry remark, and he moved away.

A hoa.r.s.e challenge from the boat was answered by something from the ship; and the "accommodation-ladder" was immediately lowered, and an officer ascended to the deck, followed by two of his men, with their side-arms.

Some of the ordinary greetings being interchanged between the captain and the officer, the latter said, "My business here is with the person styling himself the Conde de Cregano. Where is he?"

"That is my name, Senhor," said I, with a studious admixture of civility and condescension.

"Please to walk this way, sir," said the officer, leading towards the p.o.o.p cabin, and preceding me with a degree of a.s.surance that boded ill for his impression of my dignity.

As we entered the cabin, I could hear the two soldiers taking up their places as sentries at the door.

"I wish to see your pa.s.sport, Senhor," said he, as he seated himself at the table.

"My pa.s.sport shall be produced at the fitting time," said I, "when I arrive on sh.o.r.e. Here I have no need of any."

"You are wrong, sir; once within that circle of buoys, at the mouth of the port, you are within the limits of the sh.o.r.e authorities; but were it even otherwise, these are not the times for scruples, and I, for one, would not hesitate to arrest you on the information I have received."

"Information you have received, sir!" exclaimed I, in terror and amazement.

"Yes, sir; I may as well tell you that Malaga is not in the possession of your friends,--you will not find a Carlist garrison ready to give you a salute of honor at your landing. Far less formal, but not less peremptory attentions await you. But produce your papers, for I have no time to lose."

I saw at a glance that my position was most perilous, and as rapidly resolved to make an effort for safety. "Senhor Capitana," said I, placing an open pocket-book stuffed with bank-notes before him, "please to accept my pa.s.sport, and to keep it in your own safe possession. I shall put to sea again, and order the captain to land me at some port in Italy."

"It is too late," said he, with a sigh, as he pushed the pocket-book away; "the informations against you are already transmitted to Madrid."

"Great heavens! and for whom do they take me?" cried I.

"I cannot tell; I never heard. I only know that I have the order for your arrest as the person a.s.suming to be 'the Conde Cregano.'"

"What crime is laid to my charge? Have I defrauded any one? What is alleged against me?"

"Show me your pa.s.sport," said he again.

"There it is," said I, producing the doc.u.ment which by Don Estaban's intervention I had obtained from the authorities of Guajuaqualla, and wherein I was called a native of Grenada and a n.o.ble of Spain.

"And all this is true as set forth?" said the officer.

"It is a principle of law in my native land that no prisoner is called upon to criminate himself," said I.

"In that case you are no Spaniard," said the officer, Shrewdly, "nor, indeed, does your accent so bespeak you. You are now under arrest."

He opened the door as he said this, and, pointing me out to the two sentries, whispered something too low for me to overhear. This done, he left the cabin and went upon deck.

I looked up from the chair where I sat, into the faces of my two guardians, and a more ill-favored pair of gentlemen I never beheld.

Ill-fed but dissipated-looking rascals, they seemed more like highwaymen than soldiers. Still, even a chance was not to be thrown away, and so I whispered in a soft voice: "My worthy friends, in that writing-case yonder there are bank-notes to a very large amount. In a few moments they will be taken away from me, never to be restored. I may as well have the satisfaction of knowing that two brave but poor men are benefited by them. Bring me the desk, and I'll give them to you." They looked at each other and they looked at me; they then looked towards the door and the skylight, and although without speaking, it was plain enough to see what was pa.s.sing in their minds.

"Remember," said I, "I ask nothing in return from you. I shall not attempt to escape, nor, were I to do so, could you aid me in any way. I merely wish to a.s.sist two worthy fellows who certainly do not look like the 'spoiled children of fortune.'"

They hesitated and seemed afraid, and at last they whispered for a few seconds together; and then one of them went over, and, taking up the desk, laid it down before me. "You can make a fair division at another time," said I; "it is better not to waste precious moments now, but at once conceal the money about your persons. Here are some eight or ten thousand piastres,--and here, fully as much more for you. These are Mexican notes for a large sum, and these are bills on Amsterdam and Hamburgh for great amounts. That's right, my lads, make short work of it,--in your boots, in your shakos; anywhere for the present, only be quiet!"

Truly they merited all my encomiums! To "stow away" plunder, I 'd back them against any pair who ever stopped a diligence on the high road; nor was it without some little difficulty I could persuade them to leave any money in the desk, as a precaution to prevent the suspicion of what had actually occurred. As I aided them in the work of concealment, I artfully contrived to possess myself of one paper,--the Havannah banker's receipt for the large deposits I had left in his hands; and this I managed to slip within the lining of my travelling-cap. It was a last anchor of hope, if ever I were to weather the storm around me!

Our work had scarcely been completed, and the desk replaced in its former situation, when the officer returned. He briefly informed me that seals had been placed on all my effects, that my household was placed under an arrest similar to my own, and that when I had pointed out the various articles of my property in the cabin, there was nothing more for me to do but to accompany him on sh.o.r.e.

As I was not suffered to take any portion of my baggage with me, even of my clothes, I was soon in the boat and pulling rapidly for the land. The quays and the jetty were crowded with people whose curiosity I at once perceived had no other object than myself; and although some did not scruple to exhibit towards me signs of dislike and dissatisfaction, I could remark that others regarded me with a compa.s.sionate, and even a kindly look. All were, however, scrupulously silent and respectful, and touched their hats in salutation as I ascended the stairs of the landing-place.

This feeling, to my considerable astonishment, I perceived extended even to the soldiery, one or two of whom saluted as I pa.s.sed. In any case, thought I, it is for no insignificant offender I am taken; and even that is some comfort, provided my crime be not high treason.

I was conducted straight to the "Carcel Morena," a large, sombre-looking building which was at once fortress, prison, and residence of the Governor, exhibiting a curious mixture of these incongruous functions in all its details.