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which we could more safely accomplish our voyage。 As we pursued our
course Zoraida kept her head between my hands so as not to see her
father； and I felt that she was praying to Lela Marien to help us。
We might have made about thirty miles when daybreak found us some
three musket…shots off the land； which seemed to us deserted； and
without anyone to see us。 For all that； however； by hard rowing we put
out a little to sea； for it was now somewhat calmer； and having gained
about two leagues the word was given to row by batches； while we ate
something； for the vessel was well provided； but the rowers said it
was not a time to take any rest； let food be served out to those who
were not rowing； but they would not leave their oars on any account。
This was done； but now a stiff breeze began to blow； which obliged
us to leave off rowing and make sail at once and steer for Oran； as it
was impossible to make any other course。 All this was done very
promptly； and under sail we ran more than eight miles an hour
without any fear； except that of coming across some vessel out on a
roving expedition。 We gave the Moorish rowers some food； and the
renegade comforted them by telling them that they were not held as
captives； as we should set them free on the first opportunity。
The same was said to Zoraida's father； who replied； 〃Anything
else； Christian； I might hope for or think likely from your generosity
and good behaviour； but do not think me so simple as to imagine you
will give me my liberty； for you would have never exposed yourselves
to the danger of depriving me of it only to restore it to me so
generously； especially as you know who I am and the sum you may expect
to receive on restoring it； and if you will only name that； I here
offer you all you require for myself and for my unhappy daughter
there； or else for her alone； for she is the greatest and most
precious part of my soul。〃
As he said this he began to weep so bitterly that he filled us all
with compassion and forced Zoraida to look at him； and when she saw
him weeping she was so moved that she rose from my feet and ran to
throw her arms round him； and pressing her face to his； they both gave
way to such an outburst of tears that several of us were constrained
to keep them company。
But when her father saw her in full dress and with all her jewels
about her； he said to her in his own language； 〃What means this； my
daughter？ Last night； before this terrible misfortune in which we
are plunged befell us； I saw thee in thy everyday and indoor garments；
and now； without having had time to attire thyself； and without my
bringing thee any joyful tidings to furnish an occasion for adorning
and bedecking thyself； I see thee arrayed in the finest attire it
would be in my power to give thee when fortune was most kind to us。
Answer me this； for it causes me greater anxiety and surprise than
even this misfortune itself。〃
The renegade interpreted to us what the Moor said to his daughter；
she； however； returned him no answer。 But when he observed in one
corner of the vessel the little trunk in which she used to keep her
jewels； which he well knew he had left in Algiers and had not
brought to the garden； he was still more amazed； and asked her how
that trunk had come into our hands； and what there was in it。 To which
the renegade； without waiting for Zoraida to reply； made answer； 〃Do
not trouble thyself by asking thy daughter Zoraida so many
questions； senor； for the one answer I will give thee will serve for
all； I would have thee know that she is a Christian； and that it is
she who has been the file for our chains and our deliverer from
captivity。 She is here of her own free will； as glad； I imagine； to
find herself in this position as he who escapes from darkness into the
light； from death to life； and from suffering to glory。〃
〃Daughter； is this true； what he says？〃 cried the Moor。
〃It is；〃 replied Zoraida。
〃That thou art in truth a Christian；〃 said the old man； 〃and that
thou hast given thy father into the power of his enemies？〃
To which Zoraida made answer； 〃A Christian I am； but it is not I who
have placed thee in this position； for it never was my wish to leave
thee or do thee harm； but only to do good to myself。〃
〃And what good hast thou done thyself； daughter？〃 said he。
〃Ask thou that；〃 said she； 〃of Lela Marien； for she can tell thee
better than I。〃
The Moor had hardly heard these words when with marvellous quickness
he flung himself headforemost into the sea； where no doubt he would
have been drowned had not the long and full dress he wore held him
up for a little on the surface of the water。 Zoraida cried aloud to us
to save him； and we all hastened to help； and seizing him by his
robe we drew him in half drowned and insensible； at which Zoraida
was in such distress that she wept over him as piteously and
bitterly as though he were already dead。 We turned him upon his face
and he voided a great quantity of water； and at the end of two hours
came to himself。 Meanwhile； the wind having changed we were
compelled to head for the land； and ply our oars to avoid being driven
on shore； but it was our good fortune to reach a creek that lies on
one side of a small promontory or cape； called by the Moors that of
the 〃Cava rumia；〃 which in our language means 〃the wicked Christian
woman；〃 for it is a tradition among them that La Cava； through whom
Spain was lost； lies buried at that spot； 〃cava〃 in their language
meaning 〃wicked woman；〃 and 〃rumia〃 〃Christian；〃 moreover； they
count it unlucky to anchor there when necessity compels them； and they
never do so otherwise。 For us； however； it was not the resting…place
of the wicked woman but a haven of safety for our relief； so much
had the sea now got up。 We posted a look…out on shore； and never let
the oars out of our hands； and ate of the stores the renegade had laid
in； imploring God and Our Lady with all our hearts to help and protect
us； that we might give a happy ending to a beginning so prosperous。 At
the entreaty of Zoraida orders were given to set on shore her father
and the other Moors who were still bound； for she could not endure；
nor could her tender heart bear to see her father in bonds and her
fellow…countrymen prisoners before her eyes。 We promised her to do
this at the moment of departure； for as it was uninhabited we ran no
risk in releasing them at that place。
Our prayers were not so far in vain as to be unheard by Heaven；
for after a while the wind changed in our favour； and made the sea
calm； inviting us once more to resume our voyage with a good heart。
Seeing this we unbound the Moors； and one by one put them on shore； at
which they were filled with amazement； but when we came to land
Zoraida's father； who had now completely recovered his senses； he
said：
〃Why is it； think ye； Christians； that this wicked woman is rejoiced
at your giving me my liberty？ Think ye it is because of the
affection she bears me？ Nay verily； it is only because of the
hindrance my presence offers to the execution of her base designs。 And
think not that it is her belief that yours is better than ours that
has led her to