farther trouble upon him; but would send to break off his covenant with the
Cid, and send to bid him look out for others to collect his payments,
for he would have the charge no longer. This he said in his cunning,
thinking that he should pacify them; but they understood his heart, and
they cried aloud against him that they would not stand to his covenant,
nor by his counsel, but that the sons of Aboegib should counsel them,
and whatsoever they should think good, that would they do. And they
gave order to fasten the gates of the town, and to keep watch upon the
towers and walls. When Abeniaf saw this he ceased to do as he had been
wont for fear of the people and of the sons of Aboegib, and took unto
himself a greater company to be his guard. And the war was renewed
between the Cid and the people of Valencia.

XIV. Now came true tidings that the host of the Almoravides was nigh
unto Xativa; and the people of Valencia were glad and rejoiced, for
they thought that they were now delivered from their great misery, and
from the oppression of the Cid. And when he heard these tidings he left
the garden and went to the place where his host was encamped, which was
called Xarosa, and remained there in his tents, and he was at a stand
what he should do, whether to abide the coming of the Almoravides, or
to depart; howbeit he resolved to abide and see what would befall. And
he gave order to break down the bridges and opea the sluices, that the
plain might be flooded, so that they could only come by one way, which
was a narrow pass. Tidings now came that the host of the Almoravides
was at Algezira de Xucar, and the joy of the people of Valencia
increased, and they went upon the walls and upon the towers to see them
come. And when night came they remained still upon the walls, for it
was dark, and they saw the great fires of the camp of the Almoravides,
which they had pitched near unto a place called Bacer; and they began
to pray unto God, beseeching him to give them good speed against the