The van-guard and rear-guard were above half a league asunder, with the cavalgada between them, and a long and close forest hid them from each other.

De Vargas saw that they could render but little assistance to each other in case of a sudden attack, and might be easily thrown into confusion.

He chose fifty of his bravest horsemen, and, making a circuit, took his post secretly in a narrow glen opening into a defile between two rocky heights through which the Moors had to pass.

It was his intention to suffer the van-guard and the cavalgada to pass, and to fall upon the rear.
While thus lying perdu six Moorish scouts, well mounted and well armed, entered the glen, examining every place that might conceal an enemy.
Some of the Christians advised that they should slay these six men and retreat to Gibraltar.

"No," said De Vargas; "I have come out for higher game than these; and I hope, by the aid of God and Santiago, to do good work this day.