him; and he thought to defend himself with the few that were with him,
but the most part fled, and he with four others were taken; and they
led them with great shame to the house of Abeniaf, who sent him to
prison, and gave orders to smite off the heads of the others. And
Abeniaf sent to lay hands on all whom he suspected, and took from them
all that they had. And he sent messengers to the King of Zaragoza, to
tell him what had chanced, and they took with them Abenmoxiz prisoner,
and they were charged to remain at Zaragoza, and send him true tidings
from thence.

XXVII. Now there was no food to be bought in the city, and the people
were in the waves of death: and men were seen to drop and die in the
streets, and the Place of the Alcazar round about the walls thereof was
full of graves, and there was no grave which had fewer than ten bodies
in it. As many as could fled out of the town, and delivered themselves
up to the Christians to be made prisoners. The Cid thought that they
who were the Chiefs within the walls, thrust out the poor and feeble,
that they might be able to hold out longer; and it troubled him, for he
thought to take the town by starving it, and he feared the coming of
the Almoravides. Sometimes it troubled him, and at other times he
seemed pleased that the Moors should come out and give themselves
prisoners to his people. Now it befel that once, at such time as it
seemed to please him, some of the chief men of the town came out in
this manner, and counselled him that be should attack it, for they said
the men at arms were few, and weak for hunger, and that he might
presently win it: and the Cid took thought upon this matter, and
resolved to do as they said; and he gathered together his host and
advanced against the gate which is called Belfanhanes, that is to say,
the Gate of the Snake, and they drew nigh unto the wall. And all the
people of the town assembled, even all the force which was therein, and