On an appointed day the several commanders assembled at Marchena with their troops and retainers.

None but the leaders knew the object or destination of the enterprise, but it was enough to rouse the Andalusian spirit to know that a foray was intended into the country of their old enemies, the Moors.

Secrecy and celerity were necessary for success.

They set out promptly with three thousand genetes or light cavalry and four thousand infantry.

They chose a route but little travelled, by the way of Antiquera, passing with great labor through rugged and solitary defiles of the sierra or chain of mountains of Arrecife, and left all their baggage on the banks of the river Yeguas, to be brought after them.