were coming, and that they were now at Lorca, and the son in law of the
Miramamolin at their head, for he himself could not come, by reason
that he ailed. They of Valencia took courage at these tidings, and
waxed insolent, and began to devise how they should take vengeance upon
Abeniaf, and upon all those who had oppressed them. And Abeniaf was in
great trouble at this which was said openly concerning him, and he sent
privily to the Cid, telling him to come as soon as might be. The Cid
was then before Albarrazin, doing all the evil that he could, and he
brake up his camp and came with his host to Juballa; and Abeniaf and
the Alcaydes of Xativa and Carchayra came unto him, and they renewed
their covenant to stand by each other, and be of one voice. And they
took counsel and made a letter for the leader of the army of the
Almoravides, wherein they told him that the Cid had made a treaty with
the King of Aragon, whereby the King bound himself to help him against
them; and they bade him beware how he came towards Valencia, unless he
chose to do battle with eight thousand Christian horsemen, covered with
iron, and the best warriors in the world. This did they thinking that
he would be dismayed and turn back: but the Moor did not cease to
advance, notwithstanding this letter.

XII. There was a garden nigh unto Valencia which had belonged to
Abenalhazis, and the Cid asked Abeniaf to give it him, that he might
take his pleasure there when he was disposed to solace himself. This he
did cunningly, that when the Almoravides heard how this garden had been
given him which was so nigh unto the city, they should ween that the
men of Valencia had given it, and that they were better pleased with
his company than with theirs, Abeniaf granted it. And the Cid was wary,
and would not enter it till a gateway had been opened into the garden,
for the entrance was through narrow streets, and the Cid would not
trust himself in those strait places: so Abeniaf ordered the gate to be