CHAPTER LXXIV

Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada

by Washington Irving

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

EXPLOIT OF HERNANDO PEREZ DEL PULGAR AND OTHER
CAVALIERS.


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 valor 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 of these 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 were acquainted with all parts of the country. "Seniors,"
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 eager to join 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 the 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 everything 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 rode to the front. It was
Hernan Perez del Pulgar, alcayde of the fortress of Salar, the same
dauntless ambassador who once bore to the turbulent people of Malaga
the king's summons to surrender. Taking off a handkerchief which he
wore round his head after the Andalusian fashion, he tied it to the
end of a lance and elevated it in the air. "Cavaliers," cried he, "why
do ye 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 Pulgar, rushed with shouts upon the enemy. The Moors
scarcely waited to receive the shock of their encounter. Seized with
a panic, they took to flight, and were pursued for a considerable
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.

King Ferdinand was so pleased with the gallant action of Hernan
Perez del Pulgar that he immediately conferred on him the honor of
knighthood, using in the ceremony the sword of Diego de Aguero, the
captain of the royal guards; the duke of Esculona girded one of his
own gilt spurs upon his heel, and the grand master of Santiago, the
count de Cabra, and Gonsalvo of Cordova officiated as witnesses.
Furthermore, to perpetuate in his family the memory of his
achievement, the sovereigns authorized him to emblazon on his
escutcheon a golden lion in an azure field, bearing a lance with a
handkerchief at the end of it. Round the border of the escutcheon
were depicted the eleven alcaydes vanquished in the battle.* The
foregoing is but one of many hardy and heroic deeds done by this
brave cavalier in the wars against the Moors, by which he gained
great renown and the distinguished appellation of "El de las
hazanas," or "He of the exploits."**

*Alcantara, Hist. de Granada, tomo iv. cap. 18; Pulgar, Cron.,
part iii.

**Hernan or Hernando del Pulgar, the historian, secretary to Queen
Isabella, is confounded with this cavalier by some writers. He was
also present at the siege of Baza, and has recounted this
transaction in his Chronicle of the Catholic sovereigns, Ferdinand
and Isabella.