University of Virginia Library

15. CHAPTER XV.
How the Count de Cabra sallied forth from his castle, in
quest of King Boabdil.

Don Diego de Cordova, count of Cabra, was in
the castle of Vaena, which, with the town of the
same name, is situated on a lofty sun-burnt hill on
the frontier of the kingdom of Cordova, and but a
few leagues from Lucena. The range of mountains
of Horquera lie between them. The castle of Vaena
was strong, and well furnished with arms, and the
count had a numerous band of vassals and retainers;
for it behoved the noblemen of the frontiers, in those
times, to be well prepared with man and horse, with
lance and buckler, to resist the sudden incursions of
the Moors. The count of Cabra was a hardy and
experienced warrior, shrewd in council, prompt in
action, rapid and fearless in the field. He was one
of the bravest cavaliers for an inroad, and had been
quickened and sharpened, in thought and action, by
living on the borders.

On the night of the 20th of April, 1483, the count
was about to retire to rest, when the watchman from
the turret brought him word that there were alarm-fires
on the mountains of Horquera, and that they
were made on the signal-tower overhanging the defile
through which the road passes to Cabra and Lucena.

The count ascended the battlement, and beheld

five lights blazing on the tower,—a sign that there
was a Moorish army attacking some place on the
frontier. The count instantly ordered the alarm-bells
to be sounded, and dispatched couriers to rouse the
commanders of the neighboring towns. He ordered
all his retainers to prepare for action, and sent a
trumpet through the town, summoning the men to
assemble at the castle-gate at daybreak, armed and
equipped for the field.

Throughout the remainder of the night, the castle
resounded with the din of preparation. Every house
in the town was in equal bustle; for in these frontier
towns, every house had its warrior, and the lance
and buckler were ever hanging against the wall,
ready to be snatched down for instant service. Nothing
was heard but the din of armorers, the shoeing
of studs, and furbishing up of weapons; and, all
night long, the alarm-fires kept blazing on the mountains.

When the morning dawned, the count of Cabra
sallied forth, at the head of two hundred and fifty
cavaliers, of the best families of Vaena, all well appointed,
exercised in arms, and experienced in the
warfare of the borders. There were, besides, twelve
hundred foot-soldiers, all brave and well seasoned
men of the same town. The count ordered them to
hasten forward, whoever could make most speed,
taking the road to Cabra, which was three leagues
distant. That they might not loiter on the road, he
allowed none of them to break their fast until they
arrived at that place. The provident count dispatched

couriers in advance, and the little army, on reaching
Cabra, found tables spread with food and refreshments,
at the gates of the town. Here they were
joined by Don Alonzo de Cordova, Senior of Zuheros.

Having made a hearty repast, they were on the
point of resuming their march, when the count discovered,
that, in the hurry of his departure from
home, he had forgotten to bring the standard of
Vaena, which for upwards of eighty years had always
been borne to battle by his family. It was now noon,
and there was not time to return: he took, therefore,
the standard of Cabra, the device of which is a goat,
and which had not been seen in the wars for the
last half century. When about to depart, a courier
came galloping at full speed, bringing missives to the
count from his nephew, Don Diego Hernandez de
Cordova, Senior of Lucena and alcayde de los Donzeles,
entreating him to hasten to his aid, as his town
was beset by the Moorish king Boabdil el Chico,
with a powerful army, who were actually setting fire
to the gates.

The count put his little army instantly in movement
for Lucena, which is only one league from
Cabra; he was fired with the idea of having the
Moorish king in person to contend with. By the
time he reached Lucena, the Moors had desisted
from the attack, and were ravaging the surrounding
country. He entered the town with a few of his
cavaliers, and was received with joy by his nephew,
whose whole force consisted but of eighty horse and

three hundred foot. Don Diego Hernandez de Cordova
was a young man, yet he was a prudent, careful,
and capable officer. Having learnt, the evening
before, that the Moors had passed the frontiers, he
had gathered within his walls all the women and
children from the environs; had armed the men, sent
couriers in all directions for succor, and had lighted
alarm-fires on the mountains.

Boabdil had arrived with his army at daybreak,
and had sent in a message threatening to put the garrison
to the sword, if the place were not instantly
surrendered. The messenger was a Moor of Granada,
named Hamet, whom Don Diego had formerly
known: he contrived to amuse him with negotiation,
to gain time for succor to arrive. The fierce old
Ali Atar, losing all patience, had made an assault
upon the town, and stormed like a fury at the gate;
but had been repulsed. Another and more serious
attack was expected, in the course of the night.

When the count de Cabra had heard this account
of the situation of affairs, he turned to his nephew
with his usual alacrity of manner, and proposed that
they should immediately sally forth in quest of the
enemy. The prudent Don Diego remonstrated at
the rashness of attacking so great a force with a mere
handful of men. “Nephew,” said the count, “I
came from Vaena with a determination to fight this
Moorish king, and I will not be disappointed.”

“At any rate,” replied Don Diego, “let us wait
but two hours, and we shall have reinforcements
which have been promised me from Rambla, Santaella,

Montilla, and other places in the neighborhood.
“If we await these,” said the hardy count, “the
Moors will be off, and all our trouble will have been
in vain. You may await them, if you please; I am
resolved on fighting.”

The count paused for no reply; but, in his prompt
and rapid manner, sallied forth to his men. The
young alcayde de los Donzeles, though more prudent
than his ardent uncle, was equally brave; he determined
to stand by him in his rash enterprise, and,
summoning his little force, marched forth to join the
count, who was already on the move. They then
proceeded together in quest of the enemy.

The Moorish army had ceased ravaging the country,
and were not to be seen,—the neighborhood
being hilly, and broken with deep ravines. The
count dispatched six scouts on horseback to reconnoitre,
ordering them to return with all speed when
they should have discovered the enemy, and by no
means to engage in skirmishing with stragglers. The
scouts, ascending a high hill, beheld the Moorish
army in a valley behind it, the cavalry ranged in five
battalions keeping guard, while the foot-soldiers were
seated on the grass making a repast. They returned
immediately, with the intelligence.

The count now ordered the troops to march in the
direction of the enemy. He and his nephew ascended
the hill, and saw that the five battalions of
Moorish cavalry had been formed into two, one of
about nine hundred lances, the other of about six
hundred. The whole force seemed prepared to

march for the frontier. The foot-soldiers were already
under way, with many prisoners, and a great
train of mules and beasts of burden, laden with booty.
At a distance was Boabdil el Chico: they could not
distinguish his person, but they knew him by his superb
white charger, magnificently caparisoned, and
by his being surrounded by a numerous guard, sumptuously
armed and attired. Old Ali Atar was careering
about the valley with his usual impatience, hurrying
the march of the loitering troops.

The eyes of the count de Cabra glistened with
eager joy, as he beheld the royal prize within his
reach. The immense disparity of their forces never
entered into his mind. “By Santiago!” said he to
his nephew, as they hastened down the hill, “had
we waited for more forces, the Moorish king and his
army would have escaped us!”

The count now harangued his men, to inspirit them
to this hazardous encounter. He told them not to
be dismayed at the number of the Moors, for God
often permitted the few to conquer the many; and
he had great confidence, that, through the divine aid,
they were that day to achieve a signal victory, which
should win them both riches and renown. He commanded
that no man should hurl his lance at the
enemy, but should keep it in his hands, and strike as
many blows with it as he could. He warned them,
also, never to shout except when the Moors did;
for, when both armies shouted together, there was
no perceiving which made the most noise and was
the strongest. He desired his uncle Lope de Mendoza,

and Diego Cabrera, alcayde of Menica, to
alight and enter on foot in the battalion of infantry,
to animate them to the combat. He appointed also
the alcayde of Vaena and Diego de Clavijo, a cavalier
of his household, to remain in the rear, and not
to permit any one to lag behind, either to despoil
the dead, or for any other purpose.

Such were the orders given by this most adroit,
active, and intrepid cavalier, to his little army, supplying,
by admirable sagacity and subtle management,
the want of a more numerous force. His orders
being given, and all arrangements made, he threw
aside his lance, drew his sword, and commanded his
standard to be advanced against the enemy.