ntributed to encourage them by his
instigations.

Early, therefore, on the fourth day, every thing was prepared for their
departure. Theodora habited herself in robes of deep mourning, and
departed from Guadix with her father and her former companions in
flight. The presence of Roque was indispensable, and Marien Rufa went
with the pious intention of being reconciled as soon as possible to the
church, by the Archbishop of Granada.

Whilst our travellers are journeying towards that city, let me entreat
you, kind or unkind reader, to suffer them to go in peace, and accompany
me in another direction. We must now revert to the Moors, whom we left
in high excitement at Alhaurin, though the rage of Caneri at the flight
of his captive had considerably damped the joy produced by their
victory.

The disappointed Moor roamed about like a discontented mastiff, growling
and casting around his revengeful glances; whilst his dependants, awed
by his ferocity, cared not to encounter the ebullition of his wrath, but
timidly skulked away: strange phenomenon of human nature! Amongst those
Moors there was not one who did not inwardly despise the petty despot;
not one that was not endowed with a greater share of personal courage,
and yet they all trembled before the man they contemned, and shrank
from an object invested with no other terrors than those which they had
voluntarily conferred upon it. Where lies the spell of a tyrant that
enables him _alone_, hated and contemned, to tyrannize over his fellow
creatures! However, the Moors had now a respite from their fears, for
the approach of the Christians compelled Caneri to forsake the
gratification of his petty malice, and direct his thoughts to the public
danger. The town of Alhaurin, which he commanded, was well garrisoned,
and had a plentiful store of provisions; and yet the mind of the chief
sadly misgave him. Every moment straggling Moors arrived, who depicted,
in the most lively colours, the terrible appearance of the Christians.
These reports, and the names of the gallant chiefs who headed the enemy,
failed not to depress the hearts of those who a week before had looked
upon their triumph as certain, imagining that the lustre of their glory
was beyond the possibility of a blemish.

In the mean time Mohabed, contrary to the advice of El Feri, had
descended the Sierra Bermeja with the Moors under his command. El Feri
had expostulated with his brother chief, but could not persuade h