the eyes of the Moors, appeared in the same
quarter, so suddenly and unexpectedly, that none knew whence he had
emerged; the sacred standard in his left hand--his sabre, bared and
dripping gore, in his right--his face exposed, and its powerful features
working with an excitement that seemed inspired; his abrupt presence
breathed a new soul into the Moors.

"They come! they come!" he shrieked aloud. "The God of the East hath
delivered the Goth into your hands!" From rank to rank--from line to
line--sped the santon; and, as the mystic banner gleamed before
the soldiery, each closed his eyes and muttered an "amen" to his
adjurations. And now, to the cry of "Spain and St. Iago," came trampling
down the relentless charge of the Christian war. At the same instant,
from the fortress lately taken by Ponce de Leon, the artillery opened
upon the Moors, and did deadly havoc. The Moslems wavered a moment when
before them gleamed the white banner of Almamen; and they beheld him
rushing, alone and on foot, amidst the foe. Taught to believe the war
itself depended on the preservation of the enchanted banner, the Paynims
could not see it thus rashly adventured without anxiety and shame: they
rallied, advanced firmly, and Boabdil himself, with waving cimiter and
fierce exclamations, dashed impetuously at the head of his guards and
Ethiopians into the affray. The battle became obstinate and bloody.
Thrice the white banner disappeared amidst the closing ranks; and
thrice, like a moon from the clouds, it shone forth again--the light and
guide of the Pagan power.

The day ripened; and the hills already cast lengthening shadows over the
blazing groves and the still Darro, whose waters, in every creek where
the tide was arrested, ran red with blood, when Ferdinand, collecting
his whole reserve, descended from the eminence on which hitherto he had
posted himself. With him moved three thousand foot and a thousand horse,
fresh in their vigour, and panting for a share in that glorious day.
The king himself, who, though constitutionally fearless, from motives
of policy rarely perilled his person, save on imminent occasions, was
resolved not to be outdone by Boabdil; and armed cap-a-pied in mail, so
wrought with gold that it seemed nearly all of that costly metal, with
his snow-white plumage waving above a small diadem that surmounted his
lofty helm, he seemed a fit leader to that armament of heroes. Behind
him flaunted the great gonfanon of Spai