1. Paredes was on the march with his people towards the enemy, and Aguirre with his against the royalists, on the day he left the Aracin valley, the former entering the lower part of the valley of the Damas, the latter descending from the upper. Their track lay through thick forests, most difficult to march through, and by such a narrow path that one traveller had to follow behind another, and horsemen scarcely had room to turn their horses. On such a road both parties were coming in opposite directions, without having an idea of each other's position, when suddenly they came in sight. They were so astounded at thus seeing each other, that the only determination they came to was mutually to retreat. Those who came with the maestro del campo (as they were mounted, the road very narrow, and their confusion considerable), whilst turning their horses, had some of their Morisco lances, and some of their Burgundian helmets, knocked off by the branches of the trees; and, as it appeared to them that there was no time to collect their fallen lances and helmets, they were left by the retreating soldiers. No less were the difficulties of the Marañones; they did not march armed, neither were the matches of their arquebuses lighted; they, however, lighted them at once, and commenced their march in the best way they could, suffering much from the obstacles of the road, until nightfall, when they encamped near a rivulet.