Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. I.djvu/305

WAR OF THE SUCCESSION. ]61 two armies, although in favor of the Portuguese, chapter was nearly equal, amounting probably in each to '. — less than ten thousand men, about one third being cavalry. Ferdinand took his station in the centre, opposite his rival, having the admiral and the duke of Alba on his left ; while his right wing, distribut- ed into six battles or divisions, under their several commanders, was supported by a detachment of men-at-arms from the provinces of Leon and Ga- licia. The action commenced in this quarter. The Castilians, raising the war-cry of " St. James and St. Lazarus," advanced on the enemy's left under Prince John, but were saluted with such a brisk and well-directed fire from his arquebusiers, that their ranks were disconcerted. The Portuguese men-at- arms, charging them at the same time, augmented their confusion, and compelled them to fall back precipitately on the narrow pass in their rear, where, being supported by some fresh detachments from the reserve, they were with difficulty rallied by their officers, and again brought into the field. In the mean while, Ferdinand closed with the enemy's centre, and the action soon became general along the whole line. The battle raged with redoubled fierceness in the quarter where the presence of the two monarchs infused new ardor into their soldiers, who fought as if conscious that this struggle was to decide the fate of their masters. The lances were shivered at the first encounter, and, as the ranks of the two armies mingled with each other, the men VOL. I. 21