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CHAPTER V.

THE war which at that remote epoch was sustained by the valiant mountaineers of Asturias and Leon against the Moors, who were masters of the greater part of Spain, was reduced essentially to cavalcades or incursions, and to surprises of villages and castles. The roughness of the country afforded great facilities for this, as also did the character of the inhabitants, to whom this kind of warfare was better suited than that of battles in the open field.

Moreover, the strength and resources of a kingdom so limited did not warrant the frequent undertaking of great military enterprises. Thus it was that the defence of the country was in a great measure intrusted to the personal valour of the nobles and knights, who took the field with their vassals, and harassed small portions of the enemy's frontier; for in those days every noble was a warrior, and even the grandees of the nation served in the ranks as soldiers. Hence originated the great number of brilliant exploits and feats of chivalry which are related in the history of the wars against the Moors; and by

this means the spirited and vigorous young men aspired to glory; to which class belonged those who under the conduct of García sallied out, few in number, to make an inroad upon the enemy.

Leaving behind the lofty mountains which surround the capital, García took his route with his little band between Burgos and Bribiesca, and traversing the mountainous region of Orbion, arrived finally at the banks of the Ebro.

Finding himself on the frontier of the enemy, he was traversing it in search of some castle or tower which he might take by surprise, and which on necessity might serve him as a refuge and protection. In order to this, and owing to the smallness of the force he led, he was obliged to proceed with the utmost caution, shunning the populous places, and marching often by night.

It was on a serene and tranquil night, the moon shining brightly in the firmament, at times hiding for a moment behind some passing cloud, and then appearing again in all its splendour, when this valiant band had mounted in order to reconnoitre a Moorish castle which was not far distant, and whose alcaide they had reason to believe was absent. They had gone but a little way, when, at a turn in the road, one who was in advance of the party discovered a horseman coming towards them, and who, apparently, was carrying another person on the croup. On hearing this, García instantly commanded his

companions to place themselves in ambush on both sides of the road, and at his first word to sally out, surround, and take him prisoner. This order was quickly obeyed, and the horseman, pursuing his way, approached them until by the rays of the moon they could see distinctly his person and trappings.

It was a Moor of elegant bearing and in the flower of his age. He was gayly dressed after the manner of his nation, and lightly armed with only a lance and a scimitar. He was mounted on a mettlesome courser, covered with the skin of a buffalo; and he carried on a pillion a most beautiful Moorish lady, on whose person shone gold and precious stones.

When he had arrived at the place where they were waiting for him, García gave the signal, his comrades rushed out and surrounded the Moor, telling him to yield himself a prisoner. But he, without replying a word, laid his lance in rest, and charged upon those who were before him, in order to open a passage and save himself by flight, which he would have effected, had not the lady, unfortunately for him, chanced to fall from the horse, owing to the violence of his motion. The Moor, seeing that the prize was lost which he valued more than life, and that his lady remained in the power of his enemies, returned upon them, and wounding some and trampling on others, he fought with so much intrepidity that he filled the

Christians with admiration and astonishment. At last, his lance being broken, his horse wounded, and himself with no other arms than his sword, he thought it best to listen to the words and entreaties of García, who was much taken with his valour, and who called out to him to surrender, with the assurance that he and his beautiful lady should be treated with all honour and courtesy.

Thus being both captives, García endeavoured to console them with soothing words and hopes of liberty. But the valiant Moor, far from receiving the consolations which were offered to him, did nothing but sigh and groan, and turn his eyes sadly upon the interesting companion of his misfortunes. "Oh Zayda, Zayda," said he, "my happiness! my life! who would have thought that a few short moments would have deprived me of the fruit of so much anxiety and so much love! Who would have thought that I should so soon pass from the summit of felicity to the extreme of misery! Oh hostile fortune! Oh disappointed hopes!" and saying this, he heaved a deep sigh, and turned away his face, and covered it with his hands to hide the effects of his grief.

The eyes of the Moor filled with tears, and he endeavoured to hide this weakness from those who were looking at him; but it did not escape the observation of García, who was astonished that in the same breast there should exist such

weakness and such great valour, and he thus addressed his sorrowful prisoner: "How is this, valiant and incomprehensible Moor, that you let yourself be carried away with excess of grief? How, when you are so intrepid in the combat, are you so pusillanimous in misfortune? It is but a moment since, in bravery you seemed more than man, and now in weakness you are less than woman."

"What would you, noble Christian ?" said the Moor; "you, perhaps, have never experienced the delights of love; and not knowing what it is to love and to be loved, you understand not how great is the loss of a precious blessing, acquired with a thousand toils and anxieties. Would that I could offer you a competent ransom for this lady's liberty; but what reward, what treasure would suffice to redeem this inestimable jewel which the fortune of war has made yours? not then wonder at the pain I feel, nor at the lamentations I utter."

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Courage, valiant Moor!" said García, "and do not lose hope, for you may yet have a remedy in your misfortune; but tell me who you are, and where you were going."

"My name is Abindarraez,” replied the Moor; " and I am alcaide of the castle of Carpio, which is hardly distant hence an hour's journey, and the defence and keeping of which my lord and master, Marsilio, the King of Saragoza, intrusted