Chapter XXIII

He couched there in the ambush till the breaking of the day. This Minaya Alvar Fañez had counselled and had planned:

"Ha, Cid, in happy hour thou girdedst on the brand. Thou with an hundred henchmen shalt abide to hold the rear. Till we have drawn forth Castejón unto the bushment here. But give me now two hundred men on a harrying raid to ride. We shall win much if thy fortune and our God be on our side.

"Well didst thou speak, Minaya," the Campeador he said, "Do thou with the two hundred ride on a harrying raid. With Alvar Salvadórez, Alvar Alvarez shall advance, likewise Galínd Garcíaz, who is a gallant lance. Let them ride beside Minaya, each valiant cavalier. Let them ride unfearing forward and turn from naught for fear. Out unto Guadalajára, from Hita far and wide, To Alcalá the city forth let the harriers ride. That they bring all the booty let them be very sure, Let them leave naught behind them for terror of the Moor. Here with an hundred lances in the rear will I remain, And capture Castejón good store of provender to gain. If thou come in any danger as thou ridest on the raid, Send swiftly hither, and all Spain shall say how I gave aid." Now all the men were chosen who on the raid should ride, And those who in the rearguard with the lord Cid should abide.

And now the dawn was breaking and morning coming on, And the sun rising. Very God! how beautifully it shone! All men arose in Castejón, and wide they threw the gates; And forth they went to oversee their farmlands and estates. All were gone forth, and the gates stand open as they were thrown, And but a little remnant were left in Castejón. Round the city were the people scattered the whole country o'er. Then forth out of the ambush issued the Campeador. And without fail round Castejón he rushed along his way. The Moors, both men and women, he took them for a prey, And of their flocks as many as thereabouts there strayed. My lord Cid don Rodrigo straight for the gateway made, And they that held it, when they saw that swift attack begin, Fled in great fear, and through the gates Roy Diaz entered in With the sword naked in his hand; and fifteen Moors he slew Whom he ran down. In Castejón much gold, and silver too, He captured. Then unto him his knights the booty brought. To my lord Cid they bore it. The spoil they valued naught.

Lo! the two hundred men and three to plunder that rode out, Sped fearlessly, and ravaged the country roundabout. For the banner of Minaya unto Alcalá did gleam. Then they bore home the booty up the Henáres stream Past Guadalajára. Booty exceeding great they bore Of sheep and kine and vesture and of other wealth good store. Straightway returned Minaya. None dared the rear attack. With the treasure they had taken his company turned back. Lo, they wore come to Castejón, where the Campeador abode. He left the hold well guarded. Out from the place he rode. With all his men about him to meet them did he come, And with arms wide asunder welcomed Minaya home:

"Thou art come, Alvar Fañez, good lance thou art indeed. Whereso I send thee, in such wise I well may hope to speed. Put straightway all together the spoil both shine and mine; The fifth part of all, Minaya, an thou so desire, is thine."