Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. I.djvu/511

ROUT IN THE AXARQUIA. S66 In this extremity no other alternative seemed to chapter remain, than to attempt to regain the route from — — — which they had departed. As all other considera- tions were now subordinate to those of personal safety, it was agreed to abandon the spoil acquired at so much hazard, which greatly retarded their movements. As they painfully retraced their steps, the darkness of the night was partially dispelled by numerous fires, which blazed along the hill-tops, and which showed the figures of their enemies flit- ting to and fro like so many spectres. It seemed, says Bernaldez, as if ten thousand torches were glancing along the mountains. At length, the whole body, faint with fatigue and hunger, reached the borders of a little stream, which flowed through a valley, whose avenues, as well as the rugged heights by which it was commanded, were already occupied by the enemy, who poured down mingled volleys of shot, stones, and arrows on the heads of the Christians. The compact mass presented by the latter afforded a sure mark to the artillery of the Moors ; while they, from their scattered position, as well as from the defences afforded by the nature of the ground, were exposed to little annoyance in return. In addition to lighter mis- siles, the Moors occasionally dislodged large frag- ments of rock, which, rolling with tremendous violence down the declivities of the hills, spread frightful desolation through the Christian ranks. ^^ '■^Bernaldez, Reyes Cat61icos, Hist. d'Afrique et d'Espagne, torn. MS., cap. 60. — Pulgar, Reyes iii. pp. 264-267. Catolicos, ubi supra. — Cardonne,