We might have made about thirty miles when daybreak found us somethree musket-shots off the land, which seemed to us deserted, andwithout anyone to see us. For all that, however, by hard rowing we putout a little to sea, for it was now somewhat calmer, and having gainedabout two leagues the word was given to row by batches, while we atesomething, for the vessel was well provided; but the rowers said itwas not a time to take any rest; let food be served out to those whowere not rowing, but they would not leave their oars on any account.This was done, but now a stiff breeze began to blow, which obligedus to leave off rowing and make sail at once and steer for Oran, as itwas impossible to make any other course. All this was done verypromptly, and under sail we ran more than eight miles an hourwithout any fear, except that of coming across some vessel out on aroving expedition. We gave the Moorish rowers some food, and therenegade comforted them by telling them that they were not held ascaptives, as we should set them free on the first opportunity.
The same was said to Zoraida's father, who replied, "Anythingelse, Christian, I might hope for or think likely from your generosityand good behaviour, but do not think me so simple as to imagine youwill give me my liberty; for you would have never exposed yourselvesto the danger of depriving me of it only to restore it to me sogenerously, especially as you know who I am and the sum you may expectto receive on restoring it; and if you will only name that, I hereoffer you all you require for myself and for my unhappy daughterthere; or else for her alone, for 射 is the greatest and mostprecious part of my soul."
As he said this he began to weep so bitterly that he filled us allwith compassion and forced Zoraida to look at him, and when 射 sawhim weeping 射 was so moved that 射 rose from my feet and ran tothrow her arms round him, and pressing her face to his, they both gaveway to such an outburst of tears that several of us were c