The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-31
LITERATURE.

piuoiDtNs put Niut sdytSt tHOu uOWt DafeSJ tnOu
think the handful OF men that follow the grand
master can cope with the serried ranks and numer-
Gus sIuadrons CASTLE is bringing to bear against
them?'
"By my troth can hardly tell thee what
think; It's very dehatable question, and one I've
put 10 myself more than once OF late. Your forces
are the larger, more than four times ours-l have
II from good source; but the best captains are on
our slde. " your three chief captains two are
Portuguese; Dom Joao Alfonso Telo, Count of Bar
ceilos, can spilt lance as fairly as most good
knights; but methinks he can lay no higher claims
as q commander. Dom Pedralyarcs Pereia, grand
master OF Calatraya Judging by his merits, might
without disparagenent serve as squire to the con
stable his brother. Touching the Castillian, Nunes
de Guzman, grand master of Alcantara, he is not
much better as q leader Now we have Nunalya-
res, the constable; and where's his match to be
found! Then there is Vasconcellos and Antao Vas
vucs, both"
"And myself Garcia, by no means the least OF
them, said Ataide, breaking in upon his friends
speech.
"Nay, thou would'st rate me too highly but let
this pass; and have we not besides Dom Joao, him.
self, and what's your Juan beside hm?''
"Not much III respect of prowess, though he be
my liege lord. Nevertheless, he who wants large
odds on his side has iair promise of victory
There's the point; Ills this that makes the issue
doubtful
81 might tell thee that which, peradventure,
would make it less doubtful to thy mind, Garcia, y
said Ataide in an impressive tone.
IF thou hast wherewith to sharpen my under
St3ndinE IL were the part OF friend to the
task at once, Joao Goncalyes."
"'Tis sure the grand master means to impede us
on our way south? Ills no feint on his party'
asked Ataide.
1T were madness in him to let you reach Lis
| bon," replied Cabrera.
Consequently battle is inevitable, for we
shall not retrace our steps"
1T is precisely what we all expect"
NOW. ihinkest thou not, Garcia. that this bat
tie will prove decisve?'
"Most undoubtedly; the winner will have lease
OF the crown OF Portugal during his life. II beat
en-, Juan of CASTLE could not bring such another
army in the field for many u year."
And Joao of Avis is now on his last venture"
added GoIcalyes.
ut is even as thou sayest"
$50 far we have agreed in most things" said
Ataidc, NOW let consider this, and see il the se-
quel partakes Of like harmony. If Avis gain the
day, he will have little to give to those who fought
for him, for such lands as were liable to conisca
ton have been forfeited, and most all of them
disposed Of. But victory would bring in
rich harvest to Castile many goodly estates would
be seized, proving plentiful source whence the
king would enrich his friends without mpoverishing
himself. Might not the promise Of an ample share
at least give the cue regarding the side on which
hazard lies the heaviest, especially supp0sng
one whose all is so beset with creditors, in truth
to make it his but in name?''
''llast thou warrant for putting these hypo-
theses, or is this merely idle talk, Joao Conceal
ves?"
'Well, suppose had full warrantV
"Tis the superstition OF o superstition! well, let
it pass-l will follow thy example and suppose al
so. Surprising, then, were such as thou
here represent, ! should say mere promise were
not worth giving ear to-"
And granting it were more than q promise-a
pledge or surety as undoubted and tangible as
could be oiieredg"
"That might alter the case, and make it worth
the while for some to listen to it,"
"And would'st thou hearken to like proposal?"
Evan war | M IN hparkau I u,ucf hoar II. ~
all our senses, saving smell, that of hearing is the
least subject to yolition, was Cabreira's answer.
" Then need not bid thee listen, I'll speak out.
Among the estates to be confscate6 are those of
the constable; the king means to reserve small
portion of them for restitution to their former pos
SCISSORS; but thou hast only word to say and the
rest shall all be thine"
a pause of few minutes ensued. This brilliant
offer surpassed Cabreira's highest expectations;
for the constable's possessions were, even then,
very extensive. The Lord Of Valverde was ruled
by an Unsuitable cupidity; yet was not avarice;
he loved not money tor moneys sake; he loved il
because he could not do without IT. he had constant
need OF vast sums to satisfy his master passion,
and to meet his extravagant expenses nj court.
His heart glowed with delight at The prospect thus
unexpectedly offered him, an eager feverish, We
hement desire seized upon his soul, urging him to
grasp at the bait. But this was confined TO the
secret recesses Of the inner man; he still kept a
tight rein over the expression Of his feelings.
And what word is it, should have to say?"
asked he ut length, in quiet tone OF voice.
'Pledge myself to CASTLES cause"
"And the surety!'
ment scroll, with heavy waxen seal dangling
from it. lit is an alvara, bearing the royal seal
and signature, whereby Don Juan, Us King of Por-
tugal, c0niiscates about two-thirds of the consa-
bles lands, each separate property mentioned by
name, and makes them over to thee and thy heirs
forever"
Now, what does the king expect me do, should
l. peradyenture, accept OF his prolcrcd bounty!'
Han. lt3sn tim.
thy high reputation is not unknown to him, the
proof whereof stands in this parchment He does
not will thee to join him for the present; for he
could not vest in thee the power and high com
nland he would wish, and tby known merits war
rant, account OF the jcaiousies which would
ensue, and might prove fatal to this his present
undertaking; but he has assigned to thee duty OF
no less Importance, and it may well be OF some
risk and difficulty. The plan devised, and which
am commissioned to make known To thee, is this:
that thou do pretend loyalty to the grand master
tail the day the battle take place and then, watch
ing favorable opportunity, pass over with thy
men to our side. This would so dishearten the
grand masters remaining force as to ensure an
easy and perhaps bloodicss victory"
"Hence it follows that not even numbers make
you as confident OF success as you would wish to
SEEM" observed Cabrera.
Sin truth, Garcia there is too much of fool
hardy confidence in tie mass Of the army; they
imagine the foe can be swept away like chaff be-
fore gust Of wind--nn assurance which, If not
checked, would breed Il raslneSS and contempt
iIaught with danger This, together with the
pickering aud jealoCsies between the Portuguese
and Castlian iidalgos, has greatly alarmed several
OF the old counseiiors who surround the king.
Pedro Lopez lie Ayala has counseiled him
to avoid an engagement for the present, an a iyce
which has not obtained. But these fears of the
gray headed ones are natural, though exaggerated
and ili-tinied. When the hour comes for action
these slight difficulties will disappear and move
on thy part would secure the victory to us and to
thee a iorlune.n Ataidc feared not to disclose
these facts To his friend, being already confident of
the success OF his mission.
THE plan is promising replied Cabrera,
after few moments reflection; 'there is, how
ever, slight, but not insulmountabe obsta-
Gle. Most Of those under my command eyince
great stcadness in their loyalty-it is Of the
knights fspeak--thc foot soldiers would go whittier
soe,er led them; but twenty OF these are not
worth one good lance. could not therefore, ven
lure to breach the subject TO them but ! eau in
yoise them in sEch way as to take them over in
their despite. !. hen my moves shall have placed
them i'll sach jeopardy they must either be cut
to pieces or rally TO my sadaes war cry Of Cdstel!u
Santiago! they will take this course-at the
worst, they would all fall prisoners, which would
have Just as good an elect, and prove less dis
astrous to Dom Joao's cause
Bravo. this will do admirably" cried Ataide,
joyfuily. Here! witt thou take the a1cara, or