University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER LXXIV.

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 valour
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 to the 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. "Señores,"
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
ready to join them 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 starlight 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 marauders 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 a 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 you
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 great 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 honour of knighthood; and ordered,
that, in memory of his achievements, he
should bear for arms a lance with a
handkerchief, together with a castle, and
twelve lions. This is but one of many
hardy and heroic deeds, done by that
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."[100]