Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/43

19 CONQUEST OF MALAGA. 19 A similar fate attended the assault on the sierra, chapter XIII which was conducted by the troops of the royal '. — . household. They were driven back on the van- centre. guard, which had halted in the valley under com- mand of the grand master of St. James, prepared to support the attack on either side. Being rein- forced, the Spaniards returned to the charge with the most determined resolution. They were en- countered by the enemy with equal spirit. The lat- ter, throwing away their lances, precipitated them- selves on the ranks of the assailants, making use only of their daggers, grappling closely man to man, till both rolled promiscuously together down the steep sides of the ravine. No mercy was ask- ed, or shown. None thought of sparing or of spoil- ing, for hatred, says the chronicler, was stronger than avarice. The main body of the army, in the mean while, pent up in the valley, were compelled to witness the mortal conflict, and listen to the ex- ulting cries of the enemy, which, after the Moorish custom, rose high and shrill above the din of battle, without being able to advance a step in support of their companions, who were again forced to give way before their impetuous adversaries, and fall back on the vanguard under the grand master of St. James. Here, however, they speedily rallied ; and, being reinforced, advanced to the charge a third time, with such inflexible courage as bore down all opposition, and compelled the enemy, exhausted, or rather overpowered by superior numbers, to aban- of the family to a much older date Chronicle. Quincuagenas, MS., than the period assigned in the bat. 1, quinc. 3, dial. 43.