generous to admit at that
moment of political considerations: he turned, therefore, and pursued
his victorious course against those who were still able to offer
resistance.

Meantime Don Antonio de Leyva had succeeded in driving Caneri out of the
town. Before this chief the houseless Moors fled in confusion and
dismay. By the gloomy reflection that reddened the sky, a caravan was
now seen moving in irregular groups towards the thickest recesses of the
mountains. As the fugitives who composed it looked behind, they saw
their late dwellings fast reducing to ashes; but alas! they deplored not
the sight of their flaming homes, for they who had adopted the
wilderness for their country, cared but little on what spot their
habitations were fixed. They left behind pledges far more endearing, in
whom their loss was irremediable, for amongst the flying throng, there
was not one who had not to lament a father, a husband or a son, whose
remains were soon to mingle their ashes with those of their dwellings.

Don Alonso de Aguilar soon put to flight the few that still remained,
and he pursued his march through streets obstructed at every step with
broken armour, masses of the falling houses, or the more distressing
impediments of mangled and bleeding bodies. The fire lighted his steps
through that scene of horror, and often his unguided tread was answered
by a smothered groan from a dying man, who was still sensible of the
rude pressure. He saw many a Moor, grim in the last writhings of death,
still betraying symptoms of unconquered hatred; and then he stumbled on
the bodies of his valiant comrades, some of whom he recognized,--the
bravest of his band! For many were the victims about to perish in the
flames, and mingle their ashes in that vast ruin, where Moors and
Christians, separated by mutual hate in life, would be finally united
in the embrace of death.

Some of the unfortunate wounded mournfully supplicated their comrades
that passed over them to terminate their sufferings; and others, who
were already deprived of the powers of speech, sent an imploring look of
sorrowful import. Aguilar saw the helpless victims he could not assist,
and his compassion was strongly excited, as he pressed forward in the
pursuit of the flying enemy. Thus he traversed the deserted and
perishing town, when he was suddenly arrested by the piercing shrieks of
a female in distress.

He paused, and surveying the place, he perceived that they proceede