m the pavilion. The
champions wore fine Spanish shirts of mail, with a polished breast-plate
inlaid with gold, and their pliant barbs of raven black, seemed to have
been chosen to contrast with those of the challengers. The helmets of
the knights were almost hidden in a shadowing plumage of white and red
feathers. The chief of this gallant band declined giving his name,
though he was known to his four companions, who pledged themselves for
him. However, from the superior courage and address which the strange
knight afterwards displayed, it was generally believed that he could be
no other than the renowned Gonzalo de Cordova, who, from a pique in a
momentary fit of passion, had withdrawn from court, and lost the
friendship of the queen. The other four knights were easily
distinguished by their devices and colours. Amongst them, the most
conspicuous, appeared the young Don Pedro, son of Don Alonso de Aguilar.
He carried himself with a bearing far superior to his years, and
inspired a general interest, both on his own account and for that of his
illustrious sire. On his shield he bore a golden eagle, emblematical of
his name, flying towards heaven, and carrying in his claws a bleeding
Moor. Underneath was the motto--

"Le subire hasta el cielo,
Porque de mayor caida."[7]

This shield belonged to Alonso de Aguilar himself, who was no less
pleased than surprised that his son should have chosen such a device for
the occasion. But every one applauded the young Don Pedro for that
unconquerable hatred towards the enemies of his country, which he had
inherited from his ancestors, and which engrossed their thoughts even in
pastimes and games. By the side of Don Pedro, rode Garcilaso de la Vega,
who was proud to bear the brazen shield which he had inherited from his
father, and upon which was displayed the bleeding head of a Moor,
hanging on a black charger's tail, and round which were the words--"_Ave
Maria_"--a device which the Garcilasos wore in commemoration of the
famous single combat which one of their house had sustained against the
fierce Moor Audala, who, with impious insolence, had interwoven the
sacred salutation to the virgin, in token of derision, in his horse's
tail. The two other champions were the Count de Urena and young
Sayavedra, both equally renowned in that age of chivalry, brave and
gallant knights.

They now proceeded to the castle, and after the ceremony of striking
twice the gong which was place