e Christians, and
delaying the battle by various skirmishes.

It was at this time that the headlong valour of Hernando del Pulgar, who
had arrived with Ponce de Leon, distinguished itself in feats which yet
live in the songs of Spain. Mounted upon an immense steed, and himself
of colossal strength, he was seen charging alone upon the assailants,
and scattering numbers to the ground with the sweep of his enormous
two-handed falchion. With a loud voice, he called on Muza to oppose him;
but the Moor, fatigued with slaughter, and scarcely recovered from the
shock of his encounter with De Suzon, reserved so formidable a foe for a
future contest.

It was at this juncture, while the field was covered with straggling
skirmishers, that a small party of Spaniards, in cutting their way to
the main body of their countrymen through one of the numerous copses
held by the enemy, fell in at the outskirt with an equal number of
Moors, and engaged them in a desperate conflict, hand to hand. Amidst
the infidels was one man who took no part in the affray: at a little
distance, he gazed for a few moments upon the fierce and relentless
slaughter of Moor and Christian with a smile of stern and complacent
delight; and then taking advantage of the general confusion, rode
gently, and, as he hoped, unobserved, away from the scene. But he was
not destined so quietly to escape. A Spaniard perceived him, and, from
something strange and unusual in his garb, judged him one of the Moorish
leaders; and presently Almamen, for it was he, beheld before him the
uplifted falchion of a foe neither disposed to give quarter nor to
hear parley. Brave though the Israelite was, many reasons concurred to
prevent his taking a personal part against the soldier of Spain; and
seeing he should have no chance of explanation, he fairly puts spurs to
his horse, and galloped across the plain. The Spaniard followed, gained
upon him, and Almamen at length turned, in despair and the wrath of his
haughty nature.

"Have thy will, fool!" said he, between his grinded teeth, as he griped
his dagger and prepared for the conflict. It was long and obstinate, for
the Spaniard was skilful; and the Hebrew wearing no mail, and without
any weapon more formidable than a sharp and well-tempered dagger, was
forced to act cautiously on the defensive. At length the combatants
grappled, and, by a dexterous thrust, the short blade of Almamen pierced
the throat of his antagonist, who fell prost