CHAPTER XXII

Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada

by Washington Irving

CHAPTER XXII, CHRONICLE OF THE CONQUEST OF GRANADA by Washington Irving

FORAY OF THE MOORISH ALCAYDES, AND BATTLE OF LOPERA.


Though Muley Abul Hassan had regained undivided sway over the city
of Granada, and the alfaquis, by his command, had denounced his son
Boabdil as an apostate doomed by Heaven to misfortune, still the
latter had many adherents among the common people. Whenever,
therefore, any act of the old monarch was displeasing to the
turbulent multitude, they were prone to give him a hint of the
slippery nature of his standing by shouting out the name of Boabdil
el Chico. Long experience had instructed Muley Abul Hassan in the
character of the inconstant people over whom he ruled. "A successful
inroad into the country of the unbelievers," said he, "will make
more converts to my cause than a thousand texts of the Koran
expounded by ten thousand alfaquis."

At this time King Ferdinand was absent from Andalusia on a distant
expedition with many of his troops. The moment was favorable for a
foray, and Muley Abul Hassan cast about his thoughts for a leader to
conduct it. Ali Atar, the terror of the border, the scourge of
Andalusia, was dead, but there was another veteran general, scarce
inferior to him for predatory warfare. This was old Bexir, the gray
and crafty alcayde of Malaga, and the people under his command were
ripe for an expedition of the kind. The signal defeat and slaughter
of the Spanish knights in the neighboring mountains had filled the
people of Malaga with vanity and self-conceit. They had attributed
to their own valor the defeat caused by the nature of the country.
Many of them wore the armor and paraded in public with the horses
of the unfortunate cavaliers slain on that occasion, vauntingly
displaying them as trophies of their boasted victory. They had
talked themselves into a contempt for the chivalry of Andalusia, and
were impatient for an opportunity to overrun a country defended by
such troops. This Muley Abul Hassan considered a favorable state
of mind for a daring inroad, and sent orders to old Bexir to gather
together the choicest warriors of the borders and carry fire and
sword into the very heart of Andalusia. Bexir immediately despatched
his emissaries among the alcaydes of the border towns, calling upon
them to assemble with their troops at the city of Ronda.

Ronda was the most virulent nest of Moorish depredators in the whole
border country. It was situated in the midst of the wild Serrania,
or chain of mountains of the same name, which are uncommonly lofty,
broken, and precipitous. It stood on an almost isolated rock, nearly
encircled by a deep valley, or rather chasm, through which ran the
beautiful river called Rio Verde. The Moors of this city were the
most active, robust, and warlike of all the mountaineers, and their
very children discharged the crossbow with unerring aim. They
were incessantly harassing the rich plains of Andalusia; their city
abounded with Christian captives, who might sigh in vain for
deliverance from this impregnable fortress. Such was Ronda in the
time of the Moors, and it has ever retained something of the same
character, even to the present day. Its inhabitants continue to be
among the boldest, fiercest, and most adventurous of the Andalusian
mountaineers, and the Serrania de Ronda is famous as the most
dangerous resort of the bandit and the contrabandista.

Hamet Zeli, surnamed El Zegri, was the commander of this belligerent
city and its fierce inhabitants. He was of the tribe of the Zegries,
and one of the most proud and daring of that warlike race. Besides
the inhabitants of Ronda and some of his own tribe, he had a legion
of African Moors in his immediate service. They were of the tribe of
the Gomeres, so called from their native mountains--mercenary troops
whose hot African blood had not yet been tempered by the softer
living of Spain, and whose whole business was to fight. These he
kept always well armed and well appointed. The rich pasturage of
the valley of Ronda produced a breed of horses famous for strength
and speed; no cavalry, therefore, was better mounted than the band
of Gomeres. Rapid on the march, fierce in the attack, it would
sweep down upon the Andalusian plains like a sudden blast from
the mountains, and pass away as suddenly before there was time
for pursuit.

There was nothing that stirred up the spirit of the Moors of the
frontiers more thoroughly than the idea of a foray. The summons of
Bexir was gladly obeyed by the alcaydes of the border towns, and in
a little while there was a force of fifteen hundred horse and four
thousand foot, the very pith and marrow of the surrounding country,
assembled within the walls of Ronda. The people of the place
anticipated with eagerness the rich spoils of Andalusia soon to
crowd their gates; throughout the day the city resounded with the
noise of kettle-drum and trumpet; the high-mettled steeds stamped
and neighed in their stalls as if they shared the impatience for
the foray; while the Christian captives sighed as the varied din
of preparation reached their rocky dungeons, denoting a fresh
expedition against their countrymen.

The infidel host sallied forth full of spirits, anticipating an easy
ravage and abundant booty. They encouraged each other in a contempt
for the prowess of the foe. Many of the warriors of Malaga and of
some of the mountain-towns had insultingly arrayed themselves in the
splendid armor of the Christian knights slain or taken prisoners in
the famous massacre, and some of them rode the Andalusian steeds
captured on that occasion.

The wary Bexir concerted his plans so secretly and expeditiously
that the Christian towns of Andalusia had not the least suspicion
of the storm gathering beyond the mountains. The vast rocky range
of the Serrania de Ronda extended like a screen, covering all their
movements from observation.

The army made its way as rapidly as the rugged nature of the
mountains would permit, guided by Hamet el Zegri, the bold alcayde
of Ronda, who knew every pass and defile: not a drum nor the clash
of a cymbal nor the blast of a trumpet was permitted to be heard.
The mass of war rolled quietly on as the gathering cloud to the brow
of the mountains, intending to burst down like the thunderbolt upon
the plain.

Never let the most wary commander fancy himself secure from
discovery, for rocks have eyes, and trees have ears, and the birds
of the air have tongues, to betray the most secret enterprise. There
chanced at this time to be six Christian scouts prowling about the
savage heights of the Serrania de Ronda. They were of that kind of
lawless ruffians who infest the borders of belligerent countries,
ready at any time to fight for pay or prowl for plunder. The wild
mountain-passes of Spain have ever abounded with loose rambling
vagabonds of the kind--soldiers in war, robbers in peace, guides,

guards, smugglers, or cutthroats according to the circumstances of
the case.

These six marauders (says Fray Antonio Agapida) were on this
occasion chosen instruments, sanctified by the righteousness of
their cause. They were lurking among the mountains to entrap Moorish
cattle or Moorish prisoners, both of which were equally salable in
the Christian market. They had ascended one of the loftiest cliffs,
and were looking out like birds of prey, ready to pounce upon
anything that might offer in the valley, when they descried the
Moorish army emerging from a mountain-glen. They watched it as
it wound below them, remarking the standards of the various towns
and the pennons of the commanders. They hovered about it on its
march, skulking from cliff to cliff, until they saw the route by which it
intended to enter the Christian country. They then dispersed, each
making his way by the secret passes of the mountains to some
different alcayde, that they might spread the alarm far and wide,
and each get a separate reward.

One hastened to Luis Fernandez Puerto Carrero, the same valiant
alcayde who had repulsed Muley Abul Hassan from the walls of Alhama,
and who now commanded at Ecija in the absence of the master of
Santiago. Others roused the town of Utrera and the places of that
neighborhood, putting them all on the alert.*

*Pulgar, p. 3, c. 24; Cura de los Palacios, cap. 67.


Puerto Carrero was a cavalier of consummate vigor and activity.
He immediately sent couriers to the alcaydes of the neighboring
fortresses, to Herman Carrello, captain of a body of the Holy
Brotherhood, and to certain knights of the order of Alcantara.
Puerto Carrero was the first to take the field. Knowing the hard and
hungry service of these border scampers, he made every man take a
hearty repast and see that his horse was well shod and perfectly
appointed. Then, all being refreshed and in valiant heart, he
sallied forth to seek the Moors. He had but a handful of men, the
retainers of his household and troops of his captaincy, but they were
well armed and mounted, and accustomed to the sudden rouses of
the border--men whom the cry of "Arm and out! to horse and to the
field!" was sufficient at any time to put in a fever of animation.

While the northern part of Andalusia was thus on the alert, one of
the scouts had hastened southward to the city of Xeres, and given
the alarm to the valiant marques of Cadiz. When the marques heard
that the Moor was over the border and that the standard of Malaga
was in the advance, his heart bounded with a momentary joy, for he
remembered the massacre in the mountains, where his valiant brothers
had been mangled before his eyes. The very authors of his calamity
were now at hand, and he flattered himself that the day of vengeance
had arrived. He made a hasty levy of his retainers and of the
fighting men of Xeres, and hurried off with three hundred horse
and two hundred foot, all resolute men and panting for revenge.

In the mean time, the veteran Bexir had accomplished his march, as
he imagined, undiscovered. From the openings of the craggy defiles
he pointed out the fertile plains of Andalusia, and regaled the eyes
of his soldiery with the rich country they were about to ravage. The
fierce Gomeres of Ronda were flushed with joy at the sight, and even
their steeds seemed to prick up their ears and snuff the breeze as
they beheld the scenes of their frequent forays.

When they came to where the mountain-defile opened into the low
land, Bexir divided his force into three parts: one, composed of
foot-soldiers and such as were weakly mounted, he left to guard the
pass, being too experienced a veteran not to know the importance of
securing a retreat; a second body he placed in ambush among the
groves and thickets on the banks of the river Lopera; the third,
consisting of light cavalry, he sent forth to ravage the Campina (or
great plain) of Utrera. Most of this latter force was composed of
the Gomeres of Ronda, mounted on the fleet steeds bred among the
mountains. It was led by Hamet el Zegri, ever eager to be foremost
in the forage. Little suspecting that the country on both sides was
on the alarm, and rushing from all directions to close upon them in
the rear, this fiery troop dashed forward until they came within two
leagues of Utrera. Here they scattered themselves about the plain,
careering round the great herds of cattle and flocks of sheep, and
sweeping them into droves to be hurried to the mountains.

While thus dispersed a troop of horse and body of foot from Utrera
came suddenly upon them. The Moors rallied together in small parties
and endeavored to defend themselves; but they were without a leader,
for Hamet el Zegri was at a distance, having, like a hawk, made a
wide circuit in pursuit of prey. The marauders soon gave way and
fled toward the ambush on the banks of the Lopera, being hotly
pursued by the men of Utrera.

When they reached the Lopera the Moors in ambush rushed forth
with furious cries, and the fugitives, recovering courage from this
reinforcement, rallied and turned upon their pursuers. The
Christians stood their ground, though greatly inferior in number.
Their lances were soon broken, and they came to sharp work with
sword and scimetar. The Christians fought valiantly, but were in
danger of being overwhelmed. The bold Hamet collected a handful of
his scattered Gomeres, left his prey, and galloped toward the scene
of action. His little troop of horsemen had reached the crest of a
rising ground at no great distance when trumpets were heard in
another direction, and Luis Fernandez Puerto Carrero and his
followers came galloping into the field, and charged upon the
infidels in flank.

The Moors were astounded at finding war thus breaking upon them from
various quarters of what they had expected to find an unguarded
country. They fought for a short time with desperation, and resisted
a vehement assault from the knights of Alcantara and the men-at-arms
of the Holy Brotherhood. At length the veteran Bexir was struck from
his horse by Puerto Carrero and taken prisoner, and the whole force
gave way and fled. In their flight they separated and took two roads
to the mountains, thinking by dividing their forces to distract the
enemy. The Christians were too few to separate. Puerto Carrero kept
them together, pursuing one division of the enemy with great
slaughter. This battle took place at the fountain of the fig tree,
near to the Lopera. Six hundred Moorish cavaliers were slain and
many taken prisoners. Much spoil was collected on the field, with
which the Christians returned in triumph to their homes.

The larger body of the enemy had retreated along a road leading
more to the south, by the banks of the Guadalete. When they reached
that river the sound of pursuit had died away, and they rallied to
breathe and refresh themselves on the margin of the stream. Their
force was reduced to about a thousand horse and a confused multitude
of foot. While they were scattered and partly dismounted on the
banks of the Guadalete a fresh storm of war burst upon them from
an opposite direction. It was the[4]marques of Cadiz, leading on his
household troops and the fighting men of Xeres. When the Christian
warriors came in sight of the Moors, they were roused to fury at
beholding many of them arrayed in the armor of the cavaliers who had
been slain among the mountains of Malaga. Nay, some who had been in
that defeat beheld their own armor, which they had cast away in their
flight to enable themselves to climb the mountains. Exasperated at
the sight they rushed upon the foe with the ferocity of tigers rather
than the temperate courage of cavaliers. Each man felt as if he were
avenging the death of a relative or wiping out his own disgrace. The
good marques himself beheld a powerful Moor bestriding the horse of
his brother Beltran: giving a cry of rage and anguish at the sight,
he rushed through the thickest of the enemy, attacked the Moor with
resistless fury, and after a short combat hurled him breathless to
the earth.

The Moors, already vanquished in spirit, could not withstand the
assault of men thus madly excited. They soon gave way, and fled
for the defile of the Serrania de Ronda, where the body of troops
had been stationed to secure a retreat. These, seeing them come
galloping wildly up the defile, with Christian banners in pursuit
and the flash of weapons at their deadly work, thought all Andalusia
was upon them, and fled without awaiting an attack. The pursuit
continued among glens and defiles, for the Christian warriors, eager
for revenge, had no compassion on the foe.

When the pursuit was over the marques of Cadiz and his followers
reposed themselves upon the banks of the Guadalete, where they
divided the spoil. Among this were found many rich corselets,
helmets, and weapons, the Moorish trophies of the defeat in the
mountains of Malaga. Several were claimed by their owners; others
were known to have belonged to noble cavaliers who had been slain or
taken prisoners. There were several horses also, richly caparisoned,
which had pranced proudly with the unfortunate warriors as they
sallied out of Antiquera upon that fatal expedition. Thus the
exultation of the victors was dashed with melancholy, and many a
knight was seen lamenting over the helmet or corselet of some loved
companion-in-arms.


NOTE.--"En el despojo de la Batalla se vieron muchas ricas corazas
e capacetes, e barberas de las que se habian perdido en el Axarquia,
e otras muchas armas, e algunes fueron conocidas de sus duenos que
las habian dejado por fuir, e otras fueron conocidas, que eran mui
senaladas de hombres principales que habian quedado muertos e
cautivos, i fueron tornados muchos de los mismos Caballos con sus
ricas sillas, de los que quedaron en la Axerquia, e fueron concidos
cuios eran."--"Cura de los Palacios," cap. 67.