University of Virginia Library

1. CHAPTER I.

The overthrow of King Roderick and his
army on the banks of the Guadalete, threw open
all southern Spain to the inroads of the moslems.
The whole country fled before them; villages and
hamlets were hastily abandoned; the inhabitants
placed their aged and infirm, their wives and
children, and their most precious effects, on

mules and other beasts of burden, and, driving
before them their flocks and herds, made for distant
parts of the land; for the fastnesses of the
mountains, and for such of the cities as yet possessed
walls and bulwarks. Many gave out,
faint and weary, by the way, and fell into the
hands of the enemy; others, at the distant sight
of a turban or a moslem standard, or on hearing
the clangour of a trumpet, abandoned their flocks
and herds and hastened their flight with their families.
If their pursuers gained upon them, they
threw by their household goods and whatever
was of burthen, and thought themselves fortunate
to escape, naked and destitute, to a place of refuge.
Thus the roads were covered with scattered
flocks and herds, and with spoil of all kind.

The Arabs, however, were not guilty of wanton
cruelty or ravage; on the contrary, they conducted
themselves with a moderation but seldom
witnessed in more civilized conquerors. Taric
el Tuerto, though a thorough man of the sword,
and one whose whole thoughts were warlike, yet
evinced wonderful judgment and discretion. He
checked the predatory habits of his troops with
a rigorous hand. They were forbidden, under
pain of severe punishment, to molest any peaceable
and unfortified towns, or any unarmed and
unresisting people, who remained quiet in their
homes. No spoil was permitted to be made excepting

in fields of battle, in camps of routed
foes, or in cities taken by the sword.

Taric had little need to exercise his severity;
his orders were obeyed through love, rather than
fear, for he was the idol of his soldiery. They
admired his restless and daring spirit, which nothing
could dismay. His gaunt and sinewy form,
his fiery eye, his visage seamed with scars,
were suited to the hardihood of his deeds; and
when mounted on his foaming steed, careering
the field of battle with quivering lance or flashing
scimitar, his Arabs would greet him with shouts
of enthusiasm. But what endeared him to them
more than all was his soldier-like contempt of
gain. Conquest was his only passion; glory the
only reward he coveted. As to the spoil of the
conquered, he shared it freely among his followers,
and squandered his own portion with open-handed
generosity.

While Taric was pushing his triumphant course
through Andalusia, tidings of his stupendous victory
on the banks of the Guadalete were carried
to Muza ben Nozier. Messengers after messengers
arrived, vieing who should most extol the
achievements of the conqueror and the grandeur
of the conquest. “Taric,” said they, “has over-thrown
the whole force of the unbelievers in one
mighty battle. Their king is slain; thousands
and tens of thousands of their warriors are destroyed;

the whole land lies at our mercy; and
city after city is surrendering to the victorious
arms of Taric.”

The heart of Muza ben Nozier sickened at
these tidings, and, instead of rejoicing at the success
of the cause of Islam, he trembled with jealous
fear lest the triumphs of Taric in Spain
should eclipse his own victories in Africa. He
despatched missives to the Caliph Waled Almanzor,
informing him of these new conquests, but
taking the whole glory to himself, and making no
mention of the services of Taric; or at least, only
mentioning him incidentally as a subordinate
commander. “The battles,” said he, “have
been terrible as the day of judgment; but by the
aid of Allah we have gained the victory.”

He then prepared in all haste to cross over
into Spain and assume the command of the conquering
army; and he wrote a letter in advance
to interrupt Taric in the midst of his carrer.
“Wherever this letter may find thee,” said he,
“I charge thee halt with thy army and await my
coming. Thy force is inadequate to the subjugation
of the land, and by rashly venturing, thou
mayst lose every thing. I will be with thee
speedily, with a reinforcement of troops competent
to so great an enterprise.”

The letter overtook the veteran Taric while
in the full glow of triumphant success; having

overrun some of the richest part of Andalusia,
and just received the surrender of the city of
Ecija. As he read the letter the blood mantled
in his sunburnt cheek and fire kindled in his eye,
for he penetrated the motives of Muza. He suppressed
his wrath, however, and turning with a
bitter expression of forced composure to his captains,
“Unsaddle your steeds,” said he, “and
plant your lances in the earth; set up your tents
and take your repose: for we must await the
coming of the Wali with a mighty force to assist
us in our conquest.”

The Arab warriors broke forth with loud murmurs
at these words: “What need have we of
aid,” cried they, “when the whole country is
flying before us; and what better commander
can we have than Taric to lead us on to victory?”

Count Julian, also, who was present, now hastened
to give his traitorous counsel.

“Why pause,” cried he, “at this precious moment?
The great army of the Goths is vanquished,
and their nobles are slaughtered or dispersed.
Follow up your blow before the land
can recover from its panic. Overrun the provinces,
seize upon the cities, make yourself master
of the capital, and your conquest is complete.”
[2]

The advice of Julian was applauded by all
the Arab chieftains, who were impatient of any
interruption in their career of conquest. Taric
was easily persuaded to what was the wish of
his heart. Disregarding the letter of Muza, therefore,
he prepared to pursue his victories. For
this purpose he ordered a review of his troops
on the plain of Ecija. Some were mounted on
steeds which they had brought from Africa; the
rest he supplied with horses taken from the
christians. He repeated his general orders, that
they should inflict no wanton injury, nor plunder
any place that offered no resistance. They were
forbidden, also, to encumber themselves with
booty, or even with provisions; but were to scour
the country with all speed, and seize upon all its
fortresses and strong holds.

He then divided his host into three several
armies. One he placed under the command of
the Greek renegado, Magued el Rumi, a man of
desperate courage; and sent it against the ancient
city of Cordova. Another was sent against the
city of Malaga, and was led by Zayd ben Kesadi,
aided by the Bishop Oppas. The third was led
by Taric himself, and with this he determined to
make a wide sweep through the kingdom.[3]