[figure description] Page 218.[end figure description]

The dissensions, which for a time had distracted
the conquering army, being appeased,
and the Arabian generals being apparently
once more reconciled, Muza, as commander-in-chief,
proceeded to complete the enterprise by
subjugating the northern parts of Spain. The
same expeditious mode of conquest that had
been sagaciously adopted by Taric, was still
pursued. The troops were lightly armed, and
freed from every superfluous incumbrance.
Each horseman, beside his arms, carried a
small sack of provisions; a copper vessel in
which to cook them, and a skin which served
him for surcoat and for bed. The infantry
carried nothing but their arms. To each regiment
or squadron was allowed a limited number
of sumpter mules and attendants; barely
enough to carry their necessary baggage and
supplies; nothing was permitted that could

[figure description] Page 219.[end figure description]

needlessly diminish the number of fighting men
delay their rapid movements, or consume their
provisions. Strict orders were again issued,
prohibiting, on pain of death, all plunder excepting
the camp of an enemy, or cities given
up to pillage.[42]

The armies now took their several lines of
march. That under Taric departed towards
the northeast; beating up the country towards
the source of the Tagus; traversing the chain of
Iberian or Arragonian mountains, and pouring
down into the plains and valleys watered by
the Ebro. It was wonderful to see, in so brief
a space of time, such a vast and difficult country
penetrated and subdued; and the invading
army, like an inundating flood, pouring its
streams into the most remote recesses.

While Taric was thus sweeping the country
to the northeast, Muza departed in an opposite
direction; yet purposing to meet him,
and to join their forces in the north. Bending
his course westwardly, he made a circuit
behind the mountains, and then, advancing into
the open country, displayed his banners before
Salamanca, which surrendered without resistance.
From hence he continued on towards Astorga,
receiving the terrified submission of the

[figure description] Page 220.[end figure description]

land; then turning up the valley of the Douro,
he ascended the course of that famous river towards
the east; crossed the Sierra de Moncayo,
and, arrriving on the banks of the Ebro, marched
down along its stream, until he approached
the strong city of Saragossa, the citadel of all
that part of Spain. In this place had taken
refuge many of the most valiant of the gothic
warriors; the remnants of armies, and fugitives
from conquered cities. It was one of the last
rallying points of the land. When Muza arrived,
Taric had already been for some time
before the place, laying close siege; the inhabitants
were pressed by famine, and had suffered
great losses in repeated combats; but there was
a spirit and obstinacy in their resistance surpassing
any thing that had yet been witnessed
by the invaders.

Muza now took command of the siege, and
ordered a general assault upon the walls. The
moslems planted their scaling ladders, and
mounted with their accustomed intrepidity, but
were vigorously resisted; nor could all their
efforts obtain them a footing upon the battlements.
While they were thus assailing the
walls, Count Julian ordered a heap of combustibles
to be placed against one of the gates, and
set on fire. The inhabitants attempted in vain
from the barbican to extinguish the flames.

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They burnt so fiercely, that in a little while the
gate fell from the hinges. Count Julian galloped
into the city mounted upon a powerful
charger, himself and his steed all covered with
mail. He was followed by three hundred of
his partisans, and supported by Magued, the
renegado, with a troop of horse.

The inhabitants disputed every street and
public square; they made barriers of dead bodies,
fighting behind these ramparts of their
slaughtered countrymen. Every window and
roof was filled with combatants; the very women
and children joined in the desperate fight,
throwing down stones and missiles of all kinds,
and scalding water upon the enemy.

The battle raged until the hour of vespers,
when the principal inhabitants held a parley,
and capitulated for a surrender. Muza had
been incensed at their obstinate resistance,
which had cost the lives of so many of his
soldiers; he knew, also, that in the city were
collected the riches of many of the towns of
eastern Spain. He demanded, therefore, beside
the usual terms, a heavy sum to be paid
down by the citizens, called the contribution of
blood; as by this they redeemed themselves
from the edge of the sword. The people were
obliged to comply. They collected all the jewels
of their richest families, and all the orna

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ments of their temples, and laid them at the
feet of Muza; and placed in his power many
of their noblest youths as hostages. A strong
garrison was then appointed, and thus the fierce
city of Saragossa was subdued to the yoke of
the conqueror.

The Arab generals pursued their conquests
even to the foot of the Pyrenees; Taric then
descended along the course of the Ebro, and
continued along the Mediterranean coast; subduing
the famous city of Valencia, with its rich
and beautiful domains, and carrying the success
of his arms even to Denia.

Muza undertook with his host a wider range
of conquest. He overcame the cities of Barcelona,
Gerona, and others that lay on the skirts
of the eastern mountains; then crossing into
the land of the Franks, he captured the city of
Narbonne; in a temple of which he found seven
equestrian images of silver, which he brought
off as trophies of his victory.[43] Returning into
Spain, he scoured its northern regions along
Gallicia and the Asturias; passed triumphantly
through Lusitania, and arrived once more in
Andalusia, covered with laurels and enriched
with immense spoils.

Thus was completed the subjugation of

[figure description] Page 223.[end figure description]

unhappy Spain. All its cities and fortresses, and
strong holds, were in the hands of the Saracens,
excepting some of the wild mountain
tracts that bordered the Atlantic, and extended
towards the north. Here, then, the story
of the conquest might conclude, but that the
indefatigable chronicler, Fray Antonio Agapida,
goes on to record the fate of those persons
who were most renowned in the enterprise.
We shall follow his steps, and avail ourselves
of his information, laboriously collected from
various sources; and, truly, the story of each
of the actors in this great historical drama,
bears with it its striking moral, and is full of
admonition and instruction.

eaf221v3.n42

[42] Conde, P. 1. c. 15

eaf221v3.n43

[43] Conde. P. 1. c. 16.

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