ong the object of their dread.

CHAPTER VI.

Inter their bodies as becomes their births:

_Shakespeare._

Few, few shall part where many meet,

* * * *

And every turf beneath their feet
Shall be a soldier's sepulchre.

_T. Campbell._

The victory of the Moors was complete; and as they had been long
accustomed to reverses, so unusual a success elated them beyond all
bounds of moderation. They considered their independence as now firmly
established, and could scarcely be restrained from rushing, like a
disorderly horde of conquering barbarians, on their enemies below, and
ravaging the country round. But fortunately El Feri joined to great
courage and activity the rare endowments of a prudent and sagacious
chief. He foresaw that the present success, if not followed up
judiciously, would prove more prejudicial than favorable to their cause.
It was not by a confused depredatory system that this first victory
should be followed up; for their cause could only be ultimately
benefited by improving their present advantages. Besides, the fierce
courage of his followers, arising rather from a sense of injuries and
revenge, than real military bravery, was ill calculated to sustain the
superior numbers and better disciplined bands of the Christians. Nor
could El Feri be so far dazzled by one solitary success as to attribute
solely to their conduct and courage that result which was chiefly to be
ascribed to the advantages of their position, combined with a series of
fortunate circumstances that had assisted them against the Christians.
He knew that the intelligence of this victory would excite those of his
countrymen who were as yet lukewarm in the cause, to take up arms and
repair to that mountain which was now the cradle in which their infant
liberty was to be rocked. He wished to preserve and improve this
situation without risking the danger of another action, until he
possessed ample means of insuring success. A precipitate movement now
might involve the Moors in difficulties capable not only of retarding
their triumph, but even of rendering fruitless the effects of a first
victory: Gomez Arias was likewise marching with a powerful army, and it
would be madness to abandon the strong hold of the Sierra for the sake
of hazarding an encounter, when as yet they were in all respects
inferior to their enemies.

El Feri, therefore, st