Now Alvar Fanez Minaya had set the host in order, and while the Bishop Don Hieronymo and Gil Diaz led away the body of the Cid, and Dona Ximena, and the baggage, he fell upon the Moors.  First he attacked the tents of that Moorish queen the negress, who lay nearest to the city; and this onset was so sudden, that they killed full a hundred and fifty Moors before they had time to take arms or go to horse.  But that Moorish negress was so skilful in drawing the Turkish bow, that it was held for a marvel; and it is said that they called her in Arabic Nugueymat Turya, which is to say, the Star of the Archers.  And she was the first that got on horseback, and with some fifty that were with her, did some hurt to the company of the Cid; but in fine they slew her, and her people fled to the camp.  And so great was the uproar and confusion, that few there were who took arms, but instead thereof they turned their backs and fled toward the sea.  And when King Bucar and his kings saw this, they were astonished.  And it seemed to them that there came against them on the part of the Christians full seventy thousand knights, all as white as snow:  and before them a knight of great stature upon a white horse with a bloody cross, who bore in one hand a white banner, and in the other a sword which seemed to be of fire, and he made a great mortality among the Moors who were flying.  And King Bucar and the other kings were so greatly dismayed that they never checked the reins till they had ridden into the sea; and the company of the Cid rode after them, smiting and slaying and giving them no respite; and they smote down so many that it was marvelous, for the Moors did not turn their heads to defend themselves.  And when they came to the sea, so great was the press among them to get to the ships, that more than ten thousand died in the water.  And of the six and thirty kings, twenty and two were slain.  And King Bucar and they who escaped with him hoisted sails and went their way, and never more turned their heads.

Alvar Fanez and his people, when they had discomfited the Moors, spoiled the field, and the spoil thereof was so great that they could not carry it away.  And they loaded camels and horses with the noblest things which they found, and went after the Bishop Don Hieronymo and Gil Diaz, who, with the body of the Cid, and Dona Ximena, and the baggage, had gone on till they were clear of the host, and then waited for those who were gone against the Moors.  And so great was the spoil of that day, that there was no end to it:  and they took up gold, and silver, and other precious things as they rode through the camp, so that the poorest man among the Christians, horseman or on foot, became rich with what he won that day.

HERO OF SWITZERLAND

WILLIAM TELL

ADAPTED BY H.E.  MARSHALL

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