the renegade

Also known as: Spanish renegade / our renegade / renegade · Family: Moorish territory · Role: translator and would-be convert · First appears: Part 1, Ch. 40.2

In Part 1, Ch. 40, the renegade translated the Arabic letter for the captive and his companions, then pledged secrecy and offered to risk his life for their freedom. He helped answer Zoraida’s letter, learned that she was Hadji Morato’s wealthy heiress daughter, and proposed buying a vessel so the captives could escape together. After receiving five hundred crowns, he purchased a vessel for more than thirty people, fixed the departure for the next Friday, and instructed the captive to recruit Christian rowers.

At Hadji Morato’s garden, the renegade worked with the Tagarin, whose will followed his, and arranged to take Zoraida to Christian lands. He advised securing the vessel before going for her and, when necessary, proposed taking Hadji Morato and the valuables from his house. He translated between Zoraida and the others, explained the Christian images to her, and helped carry out the escape; after the captives reached Velez Malaga, he stayed with Zoraida and the captive until leaving for Granada to seek restoration to the Church.

In Part 2, Ch. 63–65, Ana Félix identified him as secretly Christian and said he wished to remain in Spain rather than return to Barbary. He offered to return to Algiers in a small vessel and rescued Don Gaspar Gregorio, later arriving with him at the viceroy’s house. The renegade was readmitted into the Church after penance and repentance, while Ricote rewarded him and the rowers.