Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. I.djvu/523

MILITARY POLICY OF THE SOVEREIGNS. 377 The enemy, disheartened by this loss, soon be- chapter gan to give ground. But, though hard pressed by ^ — the Spaniards, they retreated in some order, until they reached the borders of the Xenil, which were thronged with the infantry, vainly attempting a pas- sage across the stream, swollen by excessive rains to a height much above its ordinary level. The confusion now became universal, horse and foot mingling together ; each one, heedful only of life, no longer thought of his booty. Many, attempting to swim the stream, were borne down, steed and rider, promiscuously in its waters. Many more, scarcely making show of resistance, were cut down on the banks by the pitiless Spaniards. The young <^^ij^"[^«^ «*' king Abdallah, who had been conspicuous during that day in the hottest of the fight, mounted on a milk-white charger richly caparisoned, saw fifty of his loyal guard fall around him. Finding his steed too much jaded to stem the current of the river, he quietly dismounted and sought a shelter among the reedy thickets that fringed its margin, until the storm of battle should have passed over. In this lurking place, however, he was discovered by a common soldier named Martin Hurtado, who, with- out recognising his person, instantly attacked him. The prince defended himself with his scimitar, until Hurtado, being joined by two of his countrymen, succeeded in making him prisoner. The men, over- joyed at their prize (for Abdallah had revealed his rank, in order to secure his person from violence), aiio 1483. — Bernaldez, Reyes Cronica, cap. 20. — Marmol, Re- Catolicos, MS., cap. 61. — Pulgar, belion de Moriscos, lib. l,cap. 12. VOL. I. 48