ature--the
longer he delayed the attack the greater the number of enemies he should
have to encounter, and if the spark of revolt were not immediately
extinguished, the whole province would soon blaze out in open rebellion.
Most alarming symptoms of the refractory spirit of the inhabitants had
already been manifested during the progress of the army from Granada,
and Aguilar well knew that the difficulties he had now to surmount,
would increase tenfold each day that he suffered to pass without risking
a battle.

Thus, although aware of the desperate character of his undertaking, he
nevertheless resolved to engage the Moors in defiance of their superior
advantages, relying with the most unlimited confidence on the
enthusiastic valour of his veteran troops, whose hatred to the Moors was
proverbial, and whose bravery and military conduct he had tried on many
a well-fought field.

Under this impression, Don Alonso had summoned Count Urena, and other
principal chiefs, to communicate to them his determination.

"Perhaps you will think," he said, "that the resolution I have formed is
desperate, but there is no middle course to choose; we must either
return inglorious to our homes, or attack the rebels in their strong
hold. An assault must be immediately attempted. Our soldiers burn with
impatience to meet those rebellious and ungrateful Moors. It is on the
confidence of their love to their country, and hatred to their foes,
that I found my expectations. However, we will wait until night has
closed; darkness will be more favorable to us in the passive warfare
which for some time we shall be obliged to carry on. The shafts of our
enemies cannot thus be aimed with such fatal certainty. And now, my
brave companions, to your posts, and I hope that when next we meet it
will be amidst the shouts of victory."

Aguilar divided his army into three parts, the right wing of which he
entrusted to the command of Count de Urena, the left to Don de Antonio
Leyva, whilst he, with his gallant son Don Pedro, determined to lead on
the centre to the charge by the more direct ascent, where the chief
force of the Moors was judiciously placed.

These three bodies were again sub-divided, as a large mass would afford
a conspicuous object against which the efforts of the enemy might be
more successfully directed. Thus the different commanders having
received their instructions, and the signal being given, various
columns advanced towards the mounta