Journeys Through Bookland, Volume 4 | Page 9

a right brave man, and a strong, and a good horseman, and of
great heart. And when the Cid saw him thus beset he called to his
people to move on and help him. Then placed they their shields before
their hearts, and lowered their lances with the streamers thereon, and
bending forward, rode on. Three hundred lances were they, each with
its pendant, and every man at the first charge slew his Moor. "Smite
them, knights, for the love of charity," cried the Campeador. "I am
Ruydiez, the Cid of Bivar!"
Many a shield was pierced that day, and many a false corselet was
broken, and many a white streamer dyed with blood, and many a horse
left without a rider. The Misbelievers called on Mahomet, and the
Christians on Santiago, and the noise of the tambours and of the
trumpets was so great that none could hear his neighbour. And my Cid
and his company succoured Pero Bermudez, and they rode through the
host of the Moors, slaying as they went, and they rode back again in
like manner; thirteen hundred did they kill in this guise. Wherever my
Cid went, the Moors made a path before him, for he smote them down
without mercy. And while the battle still continued, the Moors killed
the horse of Alvar Fañez, and his lance was broken, and he fought
bravely with his sword afoot. And my Cid, seeing him, came up to an
Alguazil who rode upon a good horse, and smote him with his sword
under the right arm, so that he cut him through and through, and he
gave the horse to Alvar Fañez saying, "Mount, Minaya, for you are my
right hand."
When Alvar Fañez was thus remounted, they fell upon the Moors again,
and by this time the Moors were greatly disheartened, having suffered
so great loss, and they began to give way. And my Cid, seeing King
Fariz, made towards him, smiting down all who were in his way; and
he came up to him, and made three blows at him; two of them failed,
but the third was a good one, and went through his cuirass, so that the
blood ran down his legs. And with that blow was the army of the
Moors vanquished, for King Fariz, feeling himself so sorely wounded,
turned his reins and fled out of the field, even to Teruel. And Martin
Antolinez, the good Burgalese, came up to King Galve, and gave him a
stroke on the head, which scattered all the carbuncles out of his helmet,

and cut through it even to the skin; and the king did not wait for
another such, and he fled also. A good day was that for Christendom,
for the Moors fled on all sides. King Fariz got into Teruel, and King
Galve fled after him, but they would not receive him within the gates,
and he went on to Calatayud. And the Christians pursued them even to
Calatayud. And Alvar Fañez had a good horse; four and thirty did he
slay in that pursuit with the edge of his keen sword, and his arm was all
red, and the blood dropt from his elbow. And as he was returning from
the spoil he said, "Now am I well pleased, for good tidings will go to
Castille, how my Cid has won a battle in the field." My Cid also turned
back; his coif was wrinkled, and you might see his full beard; the hood
of his mail hung down upon his shoulders, and the sword was still in
his hand. He saw his people returning from the pursuit, and that of all
his company fifteen only of the lower sort were slain, and he gave
thanks to God for this victory. Then they fell to the spoil, and they
found arms in abundance, and great store of wealth; and five hundred
and ten horses. And he divided the spoil, giving to each man his fair
portion, and the Moors whom they had put out of Alcocer before the
battle, they now received again into the castle, and gave to them also a
part of the booty, so that all were well content. And my Cid had great
joy with his vassals.
Then the Cid called unto Alvar Fañez and said, "Cousin, you are my
right hand, and I hold it good that you should take of my fifth as much
as you will, for all would be well bestowed upon you;" but Minaya
thanked him, and said, that he would take nothing more than his share.
And the Cid said unto him, "I will send King Don Alfonso a present
from my part of the spoils. You shall go into Castille, and take with you
thirty horses, the best which were