[118] This weapon can have been no other than the typical Iberian lance. Nevertheless, the warriors of Granada carried several weapons which were not of Christian origin. The tribe of the Beni-Merines brought across from Africa a kind of sword called often in the Christian chronicles the _espada gineta_, used principally, as we gather from its name, by those addicted to the Moorish mode of horsemanship, or riding with short stirrups. The use of it extended later to the Christian Spaniards, and it is said to have contributed in later times to the victory of the Spanish army at Pavia. Other swords in use among the Granadinos were the _alfange_, the _chifarra_, the _chifarote_, and the _nammexi_. The last of these is described in an old dictionary of the Valencian and Castilian languages as a kind of scimitar, although Quatremère and Fleischer believe it to have been a dagger. [Illustration: XLVI DAGGER OF BOABDIL EL CHICO (_Museum of Artillery, Madrid_)] Another author who describes the arms and armour of the Granadinos is Al-Jattib, who says in his _Splendour of the New Moon_; "There are in Granada two kinds of soldiery--those of Al-Andalus and those of Africa. Their leader is a prince of royal blood, or some exalted personage at court. Formerly they used the Christian arms; that is, ample coats of mail, heavy shields, thick iron helmets, lances with broad points, and insecure saddles.... Now they have discarded that equipment, and are beginning to use short cuirasses, light helmets, Arab saddles, leather shields, and thin lances." Of the African troops the same historian adds; "Their weapons for attacking are spears, either short or long, which they propel by pressing with the finger. These arms they call _marasas_; but for daily exercise they use the European bow."