and then, taking
advantage of the confusion excited by a repulse, suddenly to charge
their enemies with the united advantages of discipline and courage. His
wishes succeeded to their utmost extent. The Moors rushed on to the
charge in a blind and disorderly manner, totally heedless of the
consequences of their want of organization. The Spaniards suffered the
attack with the greatest coolness and intrepidity; when their fiery
courage, acquiring additional stimulus from having been compressed, now
spurred them on, and, with their entire force, they fell on the
confused and crowded masses of the enemy with an overwhelming shock.

A dreadful carnage ensued. Terror had succeeded the first ebullition of
courage, and the Moors perceived their own rout and confusion only when
it was too late. Mohabed exerted all his powers to rally his
panic-stricken followers, but it was in vain. Disorder and dismay every
where prevailed, and the Christians obtained a victory as easy as it was
complete. The greater part of the Moors were slain in the field; a few
only escaped to carry the disheartening tale to their companions. The
rest, with their chief, Mohabed, fell into the hands of the enemy.

The news of this disaster caused the wildest consternation amongst the
rebels at Alhaurin and the Sierra Bermeja. El Feri de Benastepar,
grieved but not surprised at the unfortunate results of Mohabed's
rashness, was active in repairing the loss, but his numbers being so
much reduced, he was now more fully confirmed in his design of confining
their warfare against the Christians to the Sierra Bermeja. With the
vigour of a superior character, he did not feel dejected by this
overthrow, as he had not been wildly elated by his previous success. Not
so with Caneri: the total rout of Mohabed, described in the darkest
colours by those who had succeeded in effecting their escape, began to
awaken apprehensions for his own safety. His fear was considerably
aggravated by the arrival of the Alcayde de los Donceles, who, by forced
marches, had suddenly made his appearance before Alhaurin, to which he
immediately laid siege. The disorder and discontent of the Moors hourly
increased, and the absence of the renegade was severely felt.

At this moment the Alcayde de los Donceles sent a herald to summon the
rebels to surrender, promising a full pardon should they be willing to
lay down their arms and deliver up their chiefs. But in case they
neglected to adopt in