all that day the people of the Cid were busied in making ready their arms, and in loading beasts with all that they had.  When it was midnight they took the body of the Cid fastened to the saddle as it was, and placed it upon his horse Bavieca, and fastened the saddle well:  and the body sate so upright and well that it seemed as if he was alive.  And it had on painted hose of black and white, so cunningly painted that no man who saw them would have thought but that they were grieves, unless he had laid his hand upon them; and they put on it a surcoat of green sendal, having his arms blazoned thereon, and a helmet of parchment, which was cunningly painted that every one might have believed it to be iron; and his shield was hung around his neck, and they placed the sword Tizona in his hand, and they raised his arm, and fastened it up so subtly that it was a marvel to see how upright he held the sword.  And the Bishop Don Hieronymo went on one side of him, and the trusty Gil Diaz on the other, and he led the horse Bavieca, as the Cid had commanded him.  And when all this had been made ready, they went out from Valencia at midnight, through the gate of Roseros, which is towards Castille.  Pero Bermudez went first with the banner of the Cid, and with him five hundred knights who guarded it, all well appointed.  Then came the body of the Cid with an hundred knights, all chosen men, and behind them Dona Ximena with all her company, and six hundred knights in the rear.  All these went out so silently, and with such a measured pace, that it seemed as if there were only a score.  And by the time that they had all gone out it was broad day.

Now, while the Bishop Don Hieronymo and Gil Diaz led away the body of the Cid, and Dona Ximena, and the baggage, Alvar Fanez Minaya 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, so skilful in drawing the Turkish bow, that they called her the Star of the Archers, 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.  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 when the Moors 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 King Bucar and they who escaped with him hoisted sails and went their way, and never more turned their heads.