They had not proceeded far when they heard the noise of drums and
trumpets from the battlements of the Alhambra.
"Our flight is discovered!" said the renegado.
"We have fleet steeds, the night is dark, and we may distance all
pursuit," replied the cavaliers.
They put spurs to their horses, and scoured across the Vega. They
attained the foot of the mountain of Elvira, which stretches like a
promontory into the plain. The renegado paused and listened. "As yet,"
said he, "there is no one on our traces, we shall make good our escape
to the mountains." While he spoke, a light blaze sprang up on the
top of the watchtower of the Alhambra.
"Confusion!" cried the renegado, "that bale fire will put all the
guards of the passes on the alert. Away! away! Spur like mad- there is
no time to be lost."
Away they dashed- the clattering of their horses' hoofs echoed
from rock to rock, as they swept along the road that skirts the
rocky mountain of Elvira. As they galloped on, the bale fire of the
Alhambra was answered in every direction; light after light blazed
on the atalayas, or watchtowers of the mountains.
"Forward! forward!" cried the renegado, with many an oath, "to the
bridge- to the bridge, before the alarm has reached there!"
They doubled the promontory of the mountains, and arrived in sight
of the famous Bridge of Pinos, that crosses a rushing stream often
dyed with Christian and Moslem blood.
Pages:
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332