pointed to one of the handsomest and most gallant-looking youths that could be imagined. He did not seem to be twenty years of age.
“Tell me, dog,” said the general, “what led thee to kill my soldiers, when thou sawest it was impossible for thee to escape? Is that the way to behave to chief galleys? Knowest thou not that rashness is not valour? Faint prospects of success should make men bold, but not rash.”
The rais was about to reply, but the general could not at that moment listen to him, as he had to hasten to receive the viceroy, who was now coming on board the galley, and with him certain of his attendants and some of the people.
“You have had a good chase, señor general,” said the viceroy.
“Your excellency shall soon see how good, by the game strung up to this yard,” replied the general.
“How so?” returned the viceroy.
“Because,” said the general, “against all law, reason, and usages of war they have killed on my hands two of the best soldiers on board these galleys, and I have sworn to hang every man that I have taken, but above all this youth who is the rais of the brigantine,” and he pointed to him as he stood with his hands already bound and the rope round his neck, ready for death.
The viceroy looked at him, and seeing him so well-favoured, so graceful, and so submissive, he felt a desire to spare his life, the comeliness of the youth furnishing him at once with a letter of recommendation. He therefore questioned him, saying, “Tell me, rais , art thou Turk, Moor, or renegade?”
To which the youth replied, also in Spanish, “I am neither Turk, nor Moor, nor renegade.”