12. XII.
The gloomy Cave of Wamba received the conspirators.
A hundred armed and brave knights were present.
Melchior came also, and the valiant Hebrew, Abimelech.
There also came the venerable Adoniakim, who
was too much devoted to the cause of his people to heed
the fatigue of such a journey. The enthusiasm of his
heart gave strength to his limbs, and made them light to
bear the toil, so unusual at such an age as his, which he
now put upon them. When they were all assembled,
there was but one voice in the assembly, and that was
addressed to Pelayo in a tone of thunder.
“Where is the Prince Egiza?—where is thy brother?”
Pelayo looked sternly around upon the assembly in
silence, for a few moments, as if disdaining their inquiry.
Then he spoke—
“My lords and gentlemen,—noble knights and men
of Spain,—if Egiza toils, as he should, in the good cause,
which is thine and his alike, it may be well looked for
that he is sometimes absent and afar. I had thought to
find my brother here with the Lord Oppas. That he is
not, and this business so much his, should prove him
more profitably labouring elsewhere.”
“This was thy speech to us before, Pelayo,” replied
Count Aylor. “We know that thou hast been busy, ay,
without sleeping, prince, and so have others of our band;
yet thou canst come, and they can come, when our
pledges so demand it, fearless to meet with those pledged
along with us, and doubting, as they well may, the
brother who forbears to come. Thy brother must have
wrought nobly, indeed, to excuse him for this slight upon
us.”
“No slight, Count Aylor—no slight, gentlemen, as I
trust and know. The soul of Egiza goes with you,”
responded Pelayo. But his voice, though firm, had in
it a something of self-reproach and sorrow, which did not
escape the senses of the conspirators. Much did he
misgive that his brother had forgotten or been heedless
of his duties.
“How know we that he will bind himself to secure
us in the privileges thou hast promised us, Pelayo?”
was the farther demand.
“He shall speak for himself, my friends. I pledge
myself—I, Pelayo—that Egiza meets with you three
nights hence, and ratifies the bond which I have made
you, or yields you release from all your pledges.”
“How!—think you that he will forego the enterprise
—that he will turn traitor to his people, and leave them
to the tyranny of Roderick? We claim no release from
our pledges, Pelayo—we are resolved to die, all, sooner
than bear the iron sway of this Gothic usurper.”
Thus exclaimed one and all of that fierce assembly.
The spirit of Pelayo glowed with unquenchable delight
as he listened to this language.
“Noble gentlemen, and brave knights of Spain,” he
cried to them, in a voice of pride, “yours is the true
spirit, which is to secure you conquest. Think not,
though Egiza prove recreant, that Pelayo falters in the
enterprise. His soul is in it; and, if Egiza prove false
or feeble, Pelayo is yours,—he will lead you to the
usurper's palace,—he will be the first to strike for your
freedom and his own.”
Loud cheers rang through the vaulted chamber, and
it was long before their clamours suffered him to proceed.
When the applause was over, he thus continued—
“But I hope for better things from Egiza. He is
not, he cannot be, forgetful of his trust. He will lift the
sword—he will lead you on—and, as your crowned
king, will give you the privileges and the liberty which I
have promised, and which your valour so well deserves.
You shall hear this from his lips: you shall see him at
our next assembling; when, God with us, we shall lift
the banner of Spain, and do battle with the usurper.
Living or dead, if Pelayo lives, ye shall behold Egiza
then. I swear it on the blessed sign.”
And fervently, as he spoke, he kissed the cross-handled
weapon at his side.
