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28 hastened thus to their assistance, flew with redoubled ardour to the attack. Now a dreadful carnage ensued; the Moors were slaughtered on all sides, yet they continued the contest with a vigour which was heightened by despair.

At this moment the perturbed Spaniard, who was rushing impetuously among the infidels, dealing slaughter around him, on beholding Alvar with the glittering cross suspended on his bosom heaping destruction on every side, started at the sight of this badge, while his uplifted arm hung in the air, and spared the daunted foe. But speedily recovering himself, he no longer paused from his victorious career; and Alphonso following with his chosen band, a complete route ensued.

Immediately after their final success, the Spaniard, whose attention during the battle had been so powerfully arrested by the sight of Alvar under his Moorish disguise, and particularly by the sparkling cross which shone upon his bosom, sprung to him, and catching him in his arms, with strong emotion and eager tone, exclaimed, “Oh! my son—my son! that precious emblem, which adorns thy bosom, proclaims thee mine! long hast thou been lost, but I now behold thee, even under that disguise, and survey a hero!" He then, after many endearments, related to the astonished Alvar all that he had learned at the cottage; to which he added, "That cross which is now before thee I gave thy mother!" Alvar, happy in beholding his sire, dropped upon his knee, and grasping the hand of a parent, hitherto known to him only as a sincere friend, kissed it with filial reverence and transport; while the Spaniard, whose reason seemed to have recovered its perfect state on the restoration of his child, hung over him, and with tears of joy tenderly embraced him.