[figure description] Page 103.[end figure description]

The hopes of Andalusia revived as this mighty
host stretched in lengthening lines along its fertile
plains; from morn until night it continued
to pour along, with sound of drum and trumpet;
it was led on by the proudest nobles and bravest
cavaliers of the land, and, had it possessed arms
and discipline, might have undertaken the conquest
of the world.

After a few days march, Don Roderick arrived
in sight of the moslem army, encamped on the
banks of the Guadalete,[19] where that beautiful
stream winds through the fertile land of Xeres.
The infidel host was far inferior in number to the
christians, but then it was composed of hardy
and dexterous troops, seasoned to war, and admirably
armed. The camp shone gloriously in

[figure description] Page 104.[end figure description]

the setting sun, and resounded with the clash of
cymbal, the note of the trumpet, and the neighing
of fiery Arabian steeds. There were swarthy
troops from every nation of the African coast,
together with legions from Syria and Egypt,
while the light Bedouins were careering about
the adjacent plain. What grieved and incensed
the spirits of the christian warriors, however, was
to behold, a little apart from the moslem host, an
encampment of Spanish cavaliers, with the banner
of Count Julian waving above their tents.
They were ten thousand in number, valiant and
hardy men, the most experienced of Spanish
soldiery, most of them having served in the
African wars; they were well armed and appointed
also, with the weapons of which the
count had beguiled his sovereign; and it was a
grievous sight to behold such good soldiers arrayed
against their country and their faith.

The christians pitched their tents about the
hour of vespers, at a short league distant from
the enemy, and remained gazing with anxiety
and awe upon this barbaric host that had caused
such terror and desolation in the land: for the
first sight of a hostile encampment in a country
disused to war, is terrible to the newly enlisted
soldier. A marvellous occurrence is recorded
by the Arabian chroniclers as having taken place
in the christian camp, but discreet Spanish

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writers relate it with much modification, and consider
it a stratagem of the wily Bishop Oppas,
to sound the loyalty of the christian cavaliers.

As several leaders of the army were seated with
the bishop in his tent, conversing on the dubious
fortunes of the approaching contest, an ancient
pilgrim appeared at the entrance. He was bowed
down with years, his snowy beard descended to
his girdle, and he supported his tottering steps
with a palmer's staff. The cavaliers rose and
received him with great reverence as he advanced
within the tent. Holding up his withered
hand, “woe, woe to Spain!” exclaimed he, “for
the vial of the wrath of heaven is about to be
poured out. Listen warriors and take warning.
Four months since, having performed my pilgrimage
to the sepulchre of our Lord in Palestine,
I was on my return towards my native land.
Wearied and way-worn, I lay down one night to
sleep beneath a palm tree, by the side of a fountain,
when I was awakened by a voice saying
unto me, in soft accents, `Son of sorrow, why
sleepest thou?' I opened my eyes and beheld one
of a fair and beauteous countenance, in shining
apparel and with glorious wings, standing by the
fountain; and I said `who art thou, who callest
upon me in this deep hour of the night?”'

“`Fear not,' replied the stranger, `I am an
angel from heaven, sent to reveal unto thee the

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fate of thy country. Behold the sins of Roderick
have come up before God, and his anger is kindled
against him, and he has given him up to be
invaded and destroyed. Hasten then to Spain,
and seek the camp of thy countrymen. Warn
them that such only shall be saved as shall abandon
Roderick; but those who adhere to him shall
share his punishment, and shall fall under the
sword of the invader.”'

The pilgrim ceased, and passed forth from the
tent; certain of the cavaliers followed him to
detain him, that they might converse further with
him about these matters, but he was no where to
be found. The sentinel before the tent said, “I
saw no one come forth, but it was as if a blast
of wind passed by me, and there was a rustling
as of dry leaves.”

The cavaliers remained looking upon each
other with astonishment. The Bishop Oppas sat
with his eyes fixed upon the ground, and shadowed
by his overhanging brow. At length,
breaking silence, in a low and faltering voice,
“Doubtless,” said he, “this message is from God;
and since he has taken compassion upon us, and
given us notice of his impending judgment, it
behoves us to hold grave council, and determine
how best we may accomplish his will and avert
his displeasure.”

The chiefs still remained silent as men

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confounded. Among them was a veteran noble
named Pelistes. He had distinguished himself
in the African wars, fighting side by side with
Count Julian, but the latter had never dared to
tamper with his faith, for he knew his stern integrity.
Pelistes had brought with him to the
camp his only son, who had never drawn a sword
except in tourney. When the young man saw
that the veterans held their peace, the blood
mantled in his cheek, and, overcoming his modesty,
he broke forth with a generous warmth:
“I know not, cavaliers,” said he, “what is passing
in your minds, but I believe this pilgrim to
be an envoy from the devil; for none else could
have given such dastard and perfidious counsel.
For my own part, I stand ready to defend my
king, my country and my faith; I know no
higher duty than this, and if God thinks fit to
strike me dead in the performance of it, his sovereign
will be done!”

When the young man had risen to speak, his
father had fixed his eyes upon him with a grave
and stern demeanour, leaning upon a two handed
sword. As soon as the youth had finished, Pelistes
embraced him with a father's fondness.
“Thou hast spoken well, my son,” said he; “If
I held my peace at the counsel of this losel pilgrim,
it was but to hear thy opinion, and to learn
whether thou wert worthy of thy lineage and of

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the training I had given thee. Hadst thou counselled
otherwise than thou hast done, hadst thou
shown thyself craven and disloyal; so help me
God, I would have struck off thy head with this
weapon which I hold in my hand. But thou hast
counselled like a loyal and a christian knight,
and I thank God for having given me a son worthy
to perpetuate the honours of my line. As to
this pilgrim, be he saint or be he devil, I care not;
this much I promise, that if I am to die in defence
of my country and my king, my life shall be a
costly purchase to the foe. Let each man make
the same resolve, and I trust we shall yet prove
the pilgrim a lying prophet.” The words of Pelistes
roused the spirits of many of the cavaliers;
others, however, remained full of anxious foreboding,
and when this fearful prophecy was rumoured
about the camp, as it presently was by
the emissaries of the bishop, it spread awe and
dismay among the soldiery.

eaf221v3.n19

[19] This name was given to it subsequently by the Arabs. It
signifies the River of Death. Vide Pedruza, Hist. Granad.
p. 3. c. 1.