that, when the Moors again threatened Valencia, they offered to go
forth and defend the Cid. This show of courage simply delighted the
old hero, who sallied forth accompanied by both sons-in-law and by the
bishop, who was a mighty fighter. Although most of the warriors
present did wonders on this occasion, the Infantes of Carrion were
careful not to run any risk, although one of them purchased a horse
which a soldier had won from the Moors, and shamelessly passed it off
as his own trophy. Pleased to think this son-in-law had so
distinguished himself, the Cid complimented him after the battle,
where he himself had slain so many Moors and won so much booty that he
was able to send another princely present to Alfonso. Perceiving they
were still objects of mockery among the followers of the Cid, the
Infantes now begged permission to take their wives home, although
their real intention was to make these helpless girls pay for the
insults they had received. Although the Cid little suspected this
fact, he regretfully allowed his daughters to depart, and tried to
please his sons-in-law by bestowing upon them the choice swords,
Tizona and Colada, won in the course of his battles against the Moors.

Two days' journey from Valencia the Infantes prepared to carry out the
revenge they had planned, but while conferring in regard to its
details were overheard by a Moor, who, vowing he would have nothing to
do with such cowards, left them unceremoniously. Sending on their main
troops with a cousin of the girls, Felez Munoz, who served as their
escort, the Infantes led their wives into a neighboring forest, where,
after stripping them, they beat them cruelly, kicked them with their
spurs, and abandoned them grievously wounded and trembling for their
lives. When the Infantes rejoined their suite minus their wives, Felez
Munoz, suspecting something was wrong, rode back hastily, and found
his cousins in such a pitiful plight that they were too weak to speak.