University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER XV.

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 sunburnt hill, on the frontier
of the kingdom of Cordova, and but
a few leagues from Lucena. The range
of mountains of Horquera lies 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 battlements,
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 despatched
couriers, to rouse the commanders of
the neighbouring 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 noise of armourers, the
shoeing of steeds, and furbishing of weapons;
and all night long the alarm-fires
kept blazing on the mountain.

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 despatched
couriers in advance; and the
little army, on reaching Cabra, found
tables spread with food and refreshments
at the gates of the town. There they
were joined by Don Alonso 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 had 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 learned,
the evening before, that the Moors had
passed the frontiers, he had gathered
within the walls all the women and children
from the environs; had armed the
men, sent couriers in all directions for
succour, and had lighted alarm-fires on
the mountains.

Boabdil had arrived with his army at
daybreak, and had sent 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
succour 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 neighbourhood."
"If we wait 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 not for a 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 alert.
They then proceeded together in quest of
the enemy.

The Moorish army had ceased ravaging
the country, and were not to be seen,
the neighbourhood being hilly, and broken
with deep ravines. The count despatched
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 Moorisa
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 in two; one of
about nine hundred lances, and the other
of about six hundred. The whole force
seemed prepared to march for the frontier.
The foot-soldiers were already in
motion, 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.