fight. Strike boldly, then, and conquer. Those of thy followers who
survive the battle will have this land for an inheritance; for those who
fall, a mansion in paradise is prepared, and immortal houris await their
coming.' He spake and vanished; I heard a strain of celestial melody, and
my tent was filled with the odors of Arabia the Happy.' 'Such,' says the
Spanish chroniclers, 'was another of the arts by which this arch son of
Ishmael sought to animate the hearts of his followers;' and the pretended
vision had been recorded by the Arabian writers as a veritable occurrence.
Marvellous, indeed, was the effect produced by it upon the infidel
soldiery, who now cried out with eagerness to be led against the foe.

The gray summits of the rock of Calpe brightened with the first rays of
morning, as the Christian army issued forth from its encampment. The
Prince Ataulpho rode from squadron to squadron, animating his soldiers for
the battle. 'Never should we sheath our swords,' said he, 'while these
infidels have a footing in the land. They are pent up within yon rocky
mountain, we must assail them in their rugged hole. We have a long day
before us: let not the setting sun shine upon one of their host, who is
not a fugitive, a captive, or a corpse.'

The words of the prince were received with shouts, and the army moved
toward the promontory. As they advanced, they heard the clash of cymbals
and the bray of trumpets, and the rocky bosom of the mountain glittered
with helms and spears and scimetars; for the Arabs, inspired with fresh
confidence by the words of Taric, were sallying forth, with flaunting
banners, to the combat.

The gaunt Arab chieftain stood upon a rock as his troops marched by; his
buckler was at his back, and he brandished in his hand a double-pointed
spear. Calling upon the several leaders by their names, he exhorted them
to direct their attacks against the Christian captains, and especially
against Ataulpho; 'for the chiefs being slain,' said he, 'their followers
will vanish from before us like the morning mist.'

The Gothic nobles were easily to be distinguished by the splendor of their
arms; but the Prince Ataulpho was conspicuous above all the rest for the
youthful grace and majesty of his appearance, and the bravery of his
array. He was mounted on a superb Andalusian charger, richly caparisoned
with crimson velvet, embroidered with gold. His surcoat was of like color
and adornment, and the plumes that w