29. CHAPTER XXIX.
Exploit of Hernando Perez del Pulgar and other
Cavaliers.
The siege of Baza, while it displayed the skill
and science of the christian commanders, gave but
little scope for the adventurous spirit and fiery valor
of the young Spanish cavaliers. They repined at the
tedious monotony and dull security of their fortified
camp, and longed for some soul-stirring exploit of
difficulty and danger. Two of the most spirited of
these youthful cavaliers were Francisco de Bazan
and Antonio de Cueva, the latter of whom was son
to the duke of Albuquerque. As they were one day
seated on the ramparts of the camp, and venting
their impatience at this life of inaction, they were
overheard by a veteran adalid, one of those scouts or
guides who are acquainted with all parts of the
country. “Señors,” said he, “if you wish for a service
of peril and profit, if you are willing to pluck
the fiery old Moor by the beard, I can lead you to
where you may put your mettle to the proof. Hard
by the city of Guadix, are certain hamlets rich in
booty. I can conduct you by a way in which you
may come upon them by surprise; and if you are as
cool in the head, as you are hot in the spur, you
may bear off your spoils from under the very eyes
of old El Zagal.”
The idea of thus making booty at the very gates
of Guadix, pleased the hot-spirited youths. These
predatory excursions were frequent about this time;
and the Moors of Padul, Alhenden, and other towns
of the Alpuxarras, had recently harassed the christian
territories by expeditions of the kind. Francisco
de Bazan and Antonio de Cueva soon found other
young cavaliers of their age, eager to join in the adventure;
and in a little while, they had nearly three
hundred horse and two hundred foot, ready equipped
and eager for the foray.
Keeping their destination secret, they sallied out
of the camp on the edge of an evening, and, guided
by the adalid, made their way by star-light through
the most secret roads of the mountains. In this way
they pressed on rapidly day and night, until early
one morning, before cock-crowing, they fell suddenly
upon the hamlets, made prisoners of the inhabitants,
sacked the houses, ravaged the fields, and, sweeping
through the meadows, gathered together all the
flocks and herds. Without giving themselves time
to rest, they set out upon their return, making with
all speed for the mountains, before the alarm should
be given and the country roused.
Several of the herdsmen, however, had fled to
Guadix, and carried tidings of the ravage to El Zagal.
The beard of old Muley trembled with rage;
he immediately sent out six hundred of his choicest
horse and foot, with orders to recover the booty,
and to bring those insolent maurauders captive to
Guadix.
The christian cavaliers were urging their cavalgada
of cattle and sheep up a mountain, as fast as
their own weariness would permit, when, looking
back, they beheld a great cloud of dust, and presently
descried the turbaned host hot upon their
traces.
They saw that the Moors were superior in number;
they were fresh also, both man and steed,
whereas both they and their horses were fatigued by
two days and two nights of hard marching. Several
of the horsemen therefore gathered round the commanders,
and proposed that they should relinquish
their spoil, and save themselves by flight. The captains,
Francisco de Bazan and Antonio de Cueva,
spurned at such craven counsel. “What!” cried
they, “abandon our prey without striking a blow?
Leave our foot-soldiers too in the lurch, to be overwhelmed
by the enemy? If any one gives such counsel
through fear, he mistakes the course of safety;
for there is less danger in presenting a bold front to
the foe, than in turning a dastard back; and fewer
men are killed in a brave advance, than in a cowardly
retreat.”
Some of the cavaliers were touched by these
words, and declared that they would stand by the
foot-soldiers like true companions in arms: the great
mass of the party, however, were volunteers, brought
together by chance, who received no pay, nor had
any common tie to keep them together in time of
danger. The pleasure of the expedition being over,
each thought but of his own safety, regardless of his
companions. As the enemy approached, the tumult
of opinions increased, and every thing was in confusion.
The captains, to put an end to the dispute,
ordered the standard-bearer to advance against the
Moors, well knowing that no true cavalier would
hesitate to follow and defend his banner. The standard-bearer
hesitated—the troops were on the point
of taking to flight.
Upon this, a cavalier of the royal guards, named
Hernando Perez del Pulgar, alcayde of the fortress
of Salar, rode to the front. He took off a handkerchief
which he wore round his head, after the Andalusian
fashion, and, tying it to the end of his lance,
elevated it in the air. “Cavaliers,” cried he, “why
do ye take weapons in your hands, if you depend
upon your feet for safety? This day will determine
who is the brave man, and who the coward. He
who is disposed to fight, shall not want a standard:
let him follow this handkerchief.” So saying, he
waved his banner, and spurred bravely against the
Moors. His example shamed some, and filled others
with generous emulation: all turned with one accord,
and, following the valiant Pulgar, rushed with
shouts upon the enemy. The Moors scarcely waited
to receive the shock of their encounter. Seized with
a sudden panic, they took to flight, and were pursued
for a considerable distance, with great slaughter.
Three hundred of their dead strewed the road, and
were stripped and despoiled by the conquerors;
many were taken prisoners, and the christian cavaliers
returned in triumph to the camp, with a long
cavalgada of sheep and cattle, and mules laden with
booty, and bearing before them the singular standard
which had conducted them to victory.
When king Ferdinand was informed of the gallant
action of Hernando Perez del Pulgar, he immediately
conferred on him the honor of knighthood, and ordered,
that in memory of his achievement, he should
bear for arms a lance with a handkerchief at the end
of it, together with a castle and twelve lions. This
is but one of many hardy and heroic deeds done by
this brave cavalier, in the wars against the Moors;
by which he gained great renown, and the distinguished
appellation of “El de las hazañas,” or “He
of the exploits.”[1]
