--- title: Chapter IX. — Legends of the conquest of Spain · full text with trees description: Chapter IX., «Legends of the conquest of Spain» by Washington Irving: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: SECRET VISIT OF COUNT JULIAN TO THE ARAB CAMP.—FIRST EXPEDITION OF TARIC EL TUERTO. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/10/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Legends of the conquest of Spain](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/) / Chapter IX. # Chapter IX. Chapter IX. of «Legends of the conquest of Spain» by Washington Irving: the whole text, 37 sentences and 1038 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. SECRET VISIT OF COUNT JULIAN TO THE ARAB CAMP.—FIRST EXPEDITION OF TARIC EL TUERTO.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") 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.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") 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.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") 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.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") 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.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") 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.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") 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.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") 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.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") Still the roving, restless, and predatory habits of the genuine son of Ishmael prevailed, in defiance of every change of clime or situation.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") Count Julian found the Arab conqueror Muza surrounded by somewhat of oriental state and splendour.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") He was advanced in life, but of a noble presence, and concealed his age by tinging his hair and beard with henna.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") The count assumed an air of soldier-like frankness and decision when he came into his presence.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") “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.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") I have no longer country or king.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") 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.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") 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.”[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") 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.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") 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.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") 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.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") “These words of Count Julian,” said he, “may be false and deceitful; or he may not possess the power to fulfil his promises.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") The whole may be a pretended treason to draw us on to our destruction.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") It is more natural that he should be treacherous to us than to his country.”[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") 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.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") 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.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") 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.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") “You speak doubtingly,” said he, “of the words of this Christian cavalier, but their truth is easily to be ascertained.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") 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.”[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") 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.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") \[16\] 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.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") The date to which the judicious chroniclers incline is that of seven hundred and ten, in the month of July.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") 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.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") Wherever they touched, Count Julian despatched emissaries, to assemble his friends and adherents at an appointed place.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") 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.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") \[17\] 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.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") 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.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") 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.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") \[18\][37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [Chapter VIII.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/9/) - next →: [Letter of Muza to the Caliph.—second Expedition of Taric El Tuerto.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/11/) - ↑ back to [Legends of the conquest of Spain](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77685/)