SECRET VISIT OF COUNT JULIAN TO THE ARAB CAMP.—FIRST EXPEDITION OF TARIC
EL TUERTO.
When Count Julian had placed his family in security in Ceuta, surrounded
by soldiery devoted to his fortunes, he took with him a few confidential
followers, and departed in secret for the camp of the Arabian Emir, Muza
ben Nosier. The camp was spread out in one of those pastoral valleys
which lie at the feet of the Barbary hills, with the great range of
the Atlas mountains towering in the distance. In the motley army here
assembled were warriors of every tribe and nation, that had been united
by pact or conquest in the cause of Islam. There were those who had
followed Muza from the fertile regions of Egypt, across the deserts of
Barca, and those who had joined his standard from among the sunburnt
tribes of Mauritania. There were Saracen and Tartar, Syrian and Copt,
and swarthy Moor; sumptuous warriors from the civilised cities of the
east, and the gaunt and predatory rovers of the desert. The greater
part of the army, however, was composed of Arabs; but differing greatly
from the first rude hordes that enlisted under the banner of Mahomet.
Almost a century of continual wars with the cultivated nations of the
east had rendered them accomplished warriors; and the occasional sojourn
in luxurious countries and populous cities, had acquainted them with
the arts and habits of civilised life. Still the roving, restless, and
predatory habits of the genuine son of Ishmael prevailed, in defiance of
every change of clime or situation.
Count Julian found the Arab conqueror Muza surrounded by somewhat of
oriental state and splendour. He was advanced in life, but of a noble
presence, and concealed his age by tinging his hair and beard with
henna. The count assumed an air of soldier-like frankness and decision
when he came into his presence. “Hitherto,” said he, “we have been
enemies; but I come to thee in peace, and it rests with thee to make
me the most devoted of thy friends. I have no longer country or king.
Roderick the Goth is an usurper, and my deadly foe; he has wounded my
honour in the tenderest point, and my country affords me no redress. Aid
me in my vengeance, and I will deliver all Spain into thy hands: a land
far exceeding in fertility and wealth all the vaunted regions thou hast
conquered in Tingitania.”
The heart of Muza leaped with joy at these words, for he was a bold
and ambitious conqueror, and, having overrun all western Africa, had
often cast a wistful eye to the mountains of Spain, as he beheld them
brightening beyond the waters of the strait. Still he possessed the
caution of a veteran, and feared to engage in an enterprise of such
moment, and to carry his arms into another division of the globe, without
the approbation of his sovereign. Having drawn from Count Julian the
particulars of his plan, and of the means he possessed to carry it into
effect, he laid them before his confidential counsellors and officers,
and demanded their opinion. “These words of Count Julian,” said he,
“may be false and deceitful; or he may not possess the power to fulfil
his promises. The whole may be a pretended treason to draw us on to our
destruction. It is more natural that he should be treacherous to us than
to his country.”
Among the generals of Muza was a gaunt swarthy veteran, scarred with
wounds; a very Arab, whose great delight was roving and desperate
enterprise; and who cared for nothing beyond his steed, his lance, and
his scimitar. He was a native of Damascus; his name was Taric ben Zeyad;
but, from having lost an eye, he was known among the Spaniards by the
appellation of Taric el Tuerto, or Taric the one-eyed.
The hot blood of this veteran Ishmaelite was in a ferment when he heard
of a new country to invade, and vast regions to subdue; and he dreaded
lest the cautious hesitation of Muza would permit the glorious prize
to escape them. “You speak doubtingly,” said he, “of the words of this
Christian cavalier, but their truth is easily to be ascertained. Give
me four galleys and a handful of men, and I will depart with this Count
Julian, skirt the Christian coast, and bring thee back tidings of the
land, and of his means to put it in our power.”
The words of the veteran pleased Muza ben Nosier, and he gave his
consent; and Taric departed with four galleys and five hundred men,
guided by the traitor Julian.[16] This first expedition of the Arabs
against Spain took place, according to certain historians, in the year of
our Lord seven hundred and twelve; though others differ on this point, as
indeed they do upon almost every point in this early period of Spanish
history. The date to which the judicious chroniclers incline is that of
seven hundred and ten, in the month of July. It would appear from some
authorities, also, that the galleys of Taric cruised along the coasts of
Andalusia and Lusitania, under the feigned character of merchant barks:
nor is this at all improbable, while they were seeking merely to observe
the land, and get a knowledge of the harbours. Wherever they touched,
Count Julian despatched emissaries, to assemble his friends and adherents
at an appointed place. They gathered together secretly at Gezira Alhadra,
that is to say, the Green Island; where they held a conference with Count
Julian in presence of Taric ben Zeyad.[17] Here they again avowed their
readiness to flock to his standard whenever it should be openly raised,
and made known their various preparations for a rebellion. Taric was
convinced, by all that he had seen and heard, that Count Julian had not
deceived them; either as to his disposition or his means to betray his
country. Indulging his Arab inclinations, he made an inroad into the
land, collected great spoil and many captives, and bore off his plunder
in triumph to Muza, as a specimen of the riches to be gained by the
conquest of the Christian land.[18]