Don Ramiro therefore selected as his champion Martin Gonzalez, while Ferdinand intrusted his cause to the Cid.

The duel took place; and when the two champions found themselves face to face, Martin Gonzalez began to taunt Rodrigo, telling him that he would never again be able to mount his favorite steed Babieca, or see his wife, as he was doomed to die.
"'Sore, Rodrigo, must thou tremble Now to meet me in the fight, Since thy head will soon be sever'd For a trophy of my might.
"'Never more to thine own castle Wilt thou turn Babieca's rein; Never will thy lov'd Ximena See thee at her side again.'" _Ancient Spanish Ballads_ (Lockhart's tr.).
This boasting did not in the least dismay the Cid, who fought so bravely that he defeated Martin Gonzalez, and won such plaudits that the jealousy of the Castilian knights was further excited.

In their envy they even plotted with the Moors to slay Rodrigo by treachery.

This plan did not succeed, however, because the Moorish kings whom he had captured and released gave him a timely warning of the threatening danger.
The king, angry at this treachery, banished the jealous courtiers, and, aided by Rodrigo, defeated the hostile Moors in Estremadura.

There the Christian army besieged Coimbra in vain for seven whole months, and were about to give up in despair of securing the city, when St.James appeared to a pilgrim, promising his help on the morrow.
[Sidenote: Battle cry of the Spaniards.] When the battle began, the Christian knights were fired by the example of a radiant warrior, mounted on a snow-white steed, who led them into the thickest of the fray and helped them win a signal victory.