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ections for succor； and had lighted alarm…fires on the mountains。
Boabdil had arrived with his army at daybreak； and had sent in a message threatening to put the garrison to the sword if the place were not instantly surrendered。 The messenger was a Moor of Granada； named Hamet； whom Don Diego had formerly known： he contrived to amuse him with negotiation to gain time for succor to arrive。 The fierce old Ali Atar； losing all patience； had made an assault upon the town and stormed like a fury at the gate； but had been repulsed。 Another and more serious attack was expected in the course of the night。
When the count de Cabra had heard this account of the situation of affairs； he turned to his nephew with his usual alacrity of manner； and proposed that they should immediately sally forth in quest of the enemy。 The prudent Don Diego remonstrated at the rashness of attacking so great a force with a mere handful of men。 〃Nephew；〃 said the count； 〃I came from Vaena with a determination to fight this Moorish king； and I will not be disappointed。〃
〃At any rate；〃 replied Don Diego； 〃let us wait but two hours； and we shall have reinforcements which have been promised me from Rambla； Santaella； Montilla； and other places in the neighborhood。〃 〃If we await these；〃 said the hardy count； 〃the Moors will be off； and all our trouble will have been in vain。 You may await them if you please； I am resolved on fighting。〃
The count paused for no reply； but in his prompt and rapid manner sallied forth to his men。 The young alcayde de los Donceles； though more prudent than his ardent uncle； was equally brave； he determined to stand by him in his rash enterprise； and； summoning his little force； marched forth to join the count； who was already on the move。 They then proceeded together in quest of the enemy。
The Moorish army had ceased ravaging the country； and was not to be seen； the neighborhood being hilly and broken with deep ravines。 The count despatched six scouts on horseback to reconnoitre； ordering them to return with all speed on discovering the enemy； and by no means to engage in skirmishing with stragglers。 The scouts； ascending a high hill； beheld the Moorish army in a valley behind it； the cavalry ranged in five battalions keeping guard； while the foot…soldiers were seated on the grass making a repast。 They returned immediately with the intelligence。
The count now ordered the troops to march in the direction of the enemy。 He and his nephew ascended the hill； and saw that the five battalions of Moorish cavalry had been formed into two； one of about nine hundred lances； the other of about six hundred。 The whole force seemed prepared to march for the frontier。 The foot…soldiers were already under way with many prisoners and a great train of mules and beasts of burden laden with booty。 At a distance was Boabdil el Chico： they could not distinguish his person； but they knew him by his superb black and white charger； magnificently caparisoned； and by his being surrounded by a numerous guard sumptuously armed and attired。 Old Ali Atar was careering about the valley with his usual impatience； hurrying the march of the loitering troops。
The eyes of the count de Cabra glistened with eager joy as he beheld the royal prize within his reach。 The immense disparity of their forces never entered into his mind。 〃By Santiago！〃 said he to his nephew as they hastened down the hill； 〃had we waited for more forces the Moorish king and his army would have escaped us。〃
The count now harangued his men to inspirit them to this hazardous encounter。 He told them not to be dismayed at the number of the Moors； for God often permitted the few to conquer the many； and he had great confidence that through the divine aid they were that day to achieve a signal victory which should win them both riches and renown。 He commanded that no man should hurl his lance at the enemy； but should keep it in his hands and strike as many blows with it as he could。 He warned them also never to shout except when the Moors did； for when both armies shouted together there was no perceiving which made the most noise and was the strongest。 He desired his uncle Lope de Mendoza； and Diego de Cabrera； alcayde of Dona Mencia； to alight and enter on foot in the battalion of infantry to animate them to the combat。 He appointed also the alcayde of Vaena and Diego de Clavijo； a cavalier of his household； to remain in the rear； and not to permit any one to lag behind； either to despoil the dead or for any other purpose。
Such were the orders given by this most adroit； active； and intrepid cavalier to his little army； supplying by admirable sagacity and subtle management the want of a more numerous force。 His orders being given and all arrangements made； he threw aside his lance； drew his sword； and commanded his standard to be advanced against the enemy。
CHAPTER XVI。
THE BATTLE OF LUCENA。
The Moorish king had descried the Spanish forces at a distance； although a slight fog prevented his seeing them distinctly and ascertaining their numbers。 His old father…in…law； Ali Atar； was by his side； who； being a veteran marauder； was well acquainted with all the standards and armorial bearings of the frontiers。 When the king beheld the ancient and long…disused banner of Cabra emerging from the mist； he turned to Ali Atar and demanded whose ensign it was。 The old borderer was for once at a loss； for the banner had not been displayed in battle in his time。 〃In truth；〃 replied he； after a pause； 〃I have been considering that standard for some time； but I confess I do not know it。 It cannot be the ensign of any single commander or community； for none would venture single…handed to attack you。 It appears to be a dog； which device is borne by the towns of Baeza and Ubeda。 If it be so； all Andalusia is in movement against you； and I would advise you to retire。〃
The count de Cabra； in winding down the hill toward the Moors； found himself on much lower ground than the enemy： he ordered in all haste that his standard should be taken back； so as to gain the vantage… ground。 The Moors； mistaking this for a retreat； rushed impetuously toward the Christians。 The latter； having gained the height proposed； charged upon them at the same moment with the battle…cry of 〃Santiago！〃 and； dealing the first blows； laid many of the Moorish cavaliers in the dust。
The Moors； thus checked in their tumultuous assault； were thrown into confusion； and began to give way； the Christians following hard upon them。 Boabdil el Chico endeavored to rally them。 〃Hold！ hold！ for shame！〃 cried he； 〃let us not fly； at least until we know our enemy。〃 The Moorish chivalry were stung by this reproof； and turned to make front with the valor of men who feel that they are fighting under their monarch's eye。
At this moment； Lorenzo de Porres； alcayde of Luque； arrived with fifty horse and one hundred foot； sounding an Italian trumpet from among a copse of oak trees which concealed his force。 The quick ear of old Ali Atar caught the note。 〃That is an Italian trumpet；〃 said he to the king； 〃the whole world seems in arms against Your Highness！〃
The trumpet of Lorenzo de Porres was ans