Cronicle of the Conquest of Granada

8/12/2019 Cronicle of the Conquest of Granada

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H I S T O R Y

C O N Q U E S T OF G R A N A D A .

FB.OM THE MSS. OF FRAY ANTONIO AGAPID A.

BY

W A S H I N G T O N I R V I N G .

L O N D O N :

• G E O E G - E E O U T L E D G E A N D C O. , S O H O S Q U A E E .

1 8 5 0 .



LONDON : B E Ï N I L L AHB WEIGHT, LITTLE PULTEKCT STBEET, ПАТЫАВКЕТ.



HISTORY OF

T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G R A N A D A .

C H A P T E R I .

O F T H E K I N G D O M O F G B A N A D A , A N D T H E T R I B U T E W H I C H I TPA ID TO T H E CASTIMAST CROW N.

T H E h i s t o r y o f t hos e des pe r a t e and b loody w ar s , obs e r vesE ra y A nto n io Ag apida , which, h a r e filled th e wo r ld w i t hr u m ou r an d a s ton i s hm en t , a nd hav e de t e r m ined t h e f a t e o f

m ig h t y em pi r e s , ha s eve r be en cons ide r ed a s a t h em e w or th yof th e pe n of th e ph i loso phe r an d th e s tu dy of th e sage ."What th e n m us t be th e h i s to ry of a ho ly wa r , o r r a th er , ap ious c rusad e , wa ge d b y th e m os t Ca tho l ic o f sovere igns , fo rth e res to ra t io n of th e l ig h t o f th e t ru e fa i th to one of th em os t beau t i fu l b u t ben igh ted reg ions of th e g lobe ? L i s te n ,the n , w hi le f rom th e so l i tude of m y ce l l I na r ra te th e ev en t so f t h e conq ues t o f G r ana da , w he r e C h r i s t ian kn igh t and t u r -ba ne d in fidel d i sp u te d ha n d t o h an d ev ery inch of th e f a i r

l an d o f An da lus i a , un t i l t h e c r e s cen t , t h a t s ymbo l o f he a then i sh abomina t ion , was cas t in to the dus t , and the b les sedcross , the t r ee o f our r edempt ion , e rec ted in i t s s t ead .

U pw ar d s o f e i gh t h un dr ed ye a r s w er e pas t an d gone s incethe Ar ab i an i nvade r s s ea l ed t he pe r d i t i on o f Spa in , by t heJ e fea t o f D on R o de r i ck , t h e l a s t o f h e r Go th i c k ing s . F r o mthe per iod of tha t d i sas t rous even t , k ingdom af te r k ingdomh ad bee n g r ad ua l l y r ecove r ed b y t he C hr i s ti an p r i nces , un t i lth e s ing le , b u t power fu l , t e r r i to ry of G ran ad a a lone rem ained ,u n d e r t h e d o m i n a t i o n o f t h e M o o r s .

T h i s r enowned k ingdom was s i t ua t e i n t he s ou the r n pa r t o fSp a in , bo r de r in g on t h e M ed i t e r r an ea n Sea , and de f ended onthe l and s i de by l o f t y and r ugged moun ta in s , l ock ing upwi th in t he i r embr aces , deep , r i ch , and ve r dan t va l l eys , whe r e

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2 H I S T O E T O F

t h e s t e r i li t y o f t h e s u r r o un d in g he ig h t s w er e r e pa id by p r o digal fer t i l i ty .

T he c i t y o f Gr anada l ay i n t he cen t r e o f t he k ingdom, s he l t e red as i t were in the l ap of the S ie r ra Nevada , o r cha in of

snow y m ou nt a in s . I t cpvered tw o lo fty h i l l s , an d a deepva l l ey t ha t d iv ides t hem, t h r ough wh ich f l ows t he r i ve r Dar r o .One of these h i l l s was c rowned by the roya l pa lace and for t r es s o f th e A lha m bra , capab le o f con ta in ing for ty tho us an dm en w i th in i t s wa l ls and tow er s . T h e r e i s a M oor i s h t r ad i t ion , tha t the k ing who bu i l t th i s mighty p i l e was sk i l l ed inthe occu l t s c iences , and furn i shed h imse l f wi th go ld and s i lverfo r t h e pu r po s e by m ean s o f a l ch ym y .* C e r t a in ly nev e r wasthere an ed i f i ce accompl i shed in a more super io r s ty le o f bar

ba r i c m agn i f i cence : and t h e s t r ange r wh o , even a t t he p r e s en tday , wande r s among i t s s i l en t and des e r t ed cou r t s and r u inedh a l l s , gazes wi th as ton i shment a t i t s g i lded and f re t t ed domesan d lu xu r ious deco ra t ions , s ti l l r e ta in in g the i r b r i l l i ancy an dbe au ty , in def iance of the r av ag es o f t im e .

Op pos i t e t o t h e h i l l on wh ich s t ood t he A lha m br a was i t sr iva l h i l l , on th e su m m it of w hic h w as a spacious pla in , cove r ed w i th hous es , an d c r owd ed w i th i nha b i t an t s . I t w as

com m and ed b y a fo r t r es s ca l l ed th e A lcazab a . Th e dec l iv i t iesan d sk i r t s o f the se h i l l s were covered w i th hou ses to th en u m b e r o f s e v e n t y t h o u s a n d , s e p a r a t e d b y n a r r o w s t r e e t s a n dsmal l squares , accord ing to the cus tom of Moor i sh c i t i es .T he hous es ha d i n t e r i o r cou r t s and ga r de ns , r e f r e s hed b yf oun t a in s and r unn ing s t r eams , and s e t ou t w i th o r anges ,c i t rons , and p om eg ra n a t es ; so tha t , as th e ed if ices o f th e c i tyrvse above each o th er on the sides o f th e h i l l , th ey pr es en te da mingled appearance of c i ty and grove , de l igh t fu l to the eye .

T h e who le wa s s u r r ou nd ed b y h igh w a l ls , t h r e e leagues i n c i r cu i t , wi th twelve ga tes , and for t i f i ed by a thousand and th i r tytow ers . T h e e leva t ion of th e c i ty , an d th e ne ighb ou rho od oft h e S i e r r a N e v a d a , c r o w n e d w i t h p e r p e t u a l s n ow s , t e m p e r e dthe fe rv id rays o f summer ; and thus , whi le o ther c i t i es werepa nt in g w i th th e su l t ry an d s ti fl ing h e a t o f th e dog-da ys , th em os t s a lub r ious b r eezes p l ay ed t h r o ug h t h e m ar b l e ha l l s ofG r a n a d a .

T h e g lory of th e c i ty , h ow ever , w as i t s v ega , o r p la in ,

which spread ou t to a ch ' cumference of th i r ty - seven l eagues ,s u r r o un de d b y l o ft y m ou n ta in s . I t was a vas t ga r den o fde l igh t , re f reshed b y nu m ero us fo i in ta ins , a nd b y th e s i lverwind ings o f t h e X en i l . T h e labo ur an d i ngen u i ty of t h eM oor s had d ive r t ed t he wa t e r s o f t h i s r i ve r i n to t hous ands o fr i l l s and s t reams, and di f fused them over the whole surface of

* Zurita, lib. xx, c. 42.



THE CONQUEST O F GBANADA. 3

t l ie p la in . In d e e d th e y ha d -wrought u p th i s ha pp y reg io n toa deg ree of w onde r fu l p ro spe r i ty , an d too k a p r i de in decora t in g i t , a s if i t h a d b een a favour i t e m is t res s . T h e h i l l sw er e c lo thed w i th o r cha r d s and v iney a r ds , t h e va l l eys em

b r o ide r ed wi th ga r dens , and t he wide p l a in s cove r ed wi thwav ing g r a in . H e r e w er e s een i n p r o fus ion t h e o r ange , t h ec i tron , the f ig an d po m eg ran a te , wi th l a rge p la n ta t ion s o fm ulb er ry t r ee s , f rom w hich w as prod uc ed th e finest o f s ilk .The v ine c lambered f rom t ree to t r ee , the g rapes hung in r i chc lus te r s ab ou t th e pe asa n t ' s co t t age , a nd th e g rove s were-re jo iced b y th e pe rpe tua l song of th e n ig h t ing a le . I n a word , ,so bea ut i ful was th e ea r th , so p u re th e a i r , an d so sere ne t h esky of th i s de l ic ious r eg ion , th a t th e M oo rs imagin ed t h e

para d i se o f the i r p ro ph e t to b e s i tua te in th a t p ar t o f t h eh e a v e n w h i c h o v e r h u n g t h e k i n g d o m o f G r a n a d a . *Th is r i ch an d popu lous t e r r i t o r y h a d bee n l ef t in qu ie t pos

sess ion of the inf idels , on condi t ion of an annual t r ibute to thesovere ign of Cas t i l e and Leon of two thousand doblas o r p i s to les o f go ld , an d s ix teen hu n d re d Chr i s t i an c ap t ives , o r , indefec t o f cap t ives , an equa l number o f Moors to be sur rend er ed as s la v es ; a l l to be del iv ered in . th e c i ty of C ord ov a. f

A t t he e r a a t wh ich t h i s ch r oni c le comm ences , F e r d i n an dan d I s abe l l a , o f g lo r ious and hap py m em or y , r e i gn ed ove r t h eun i t ed k ing dom o f C as ti le , L eon , and Ar r a go n , and M u le yAben Has s an s a t on t he t h r one o f Gr anada .

T h i s M i i ley B en H as s an h a d s ucceeded t o h is f a the r I s m ae li n 1 46 5 , w h i l e H e n r y I V , b r o t h e r a n d i m m e d i a t e p r e d e c e s s o rof Q ue en I sabe l l a , was k in g of Cas t i l e a nd Le on . H e w as o ft h e i l lu s t r ious l i neage of M o ha m m ed A be n Alam ar , t he f ir s tM oo r i s h k ing o f G r ana da , and w as t he m os t po t en t o f h i s l i ne .

H e ha d , in fac t, au gm en ted in pow er in consequen ce of th ef a l l o f o the r M oor i s h k ingdoms , wh ich had been conque r edb y th e Chr i s t i ans . M a n y c i ti es an d s t ro ng p laces o f th e k in gdoms wh ich l ay con t i guous t o Gr anada had r e f us ed t o s ubmi tt o C hr i s t i an vas s a lage , and h ad s he l t e r ed t hems e lves un de r t h ep r o t ec t i on o f M ul ey A ben H as s an . H i s t e r r i t o r i e s ha d t h u sincreased in wea l th , ex ten t , and popula t ion , beyond a l l fo rmerex am pl e ; and conta ine d four teen c i ti es an d n ine ty- sev en for t ified tow ns , bes ides num ero us un w al led tow ns an d v i l l ages ,

defended b y formidable cas t les . T h e sp i r i t o f M ul ey Ab en .

T he t r i bu t e of m oney and cap t ives ha d been r eg u l a r l y pa idb y h i s fa the r I s m ae l , and M r dey A be n H as s a n ha d , on one -occas ion , a t t end ed pe r s ona l l y i n C or dova a t t he pay m en t . H e ;

* Juan Botero Benes, Relaciones Universales del Mundo."|" Garibay, Compend. lib, iv, c. 25.

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4 H I S T O R Y O F

had wi tnes s ed t he t aun t s and s nee r s o f t he haugh ty C as t i l i ans ,an d so in d ig na nt w as th e p r ou d son of Af r ie a t w h at he cons idered a degrada t ion of h i s r ace , tha t h i s b lood bo i led ,wheneve r he r eco l l ec t ed t he humi l i a t i ng s cene .

W h e n he came t o t he t h r on e he ceas ed a l l pa ym en t o f t het r ibu te , and i t was suf f i c ien t to pu t h im in a t r anspor t o f r ageon ly to m en t io n i t . " H e w as a fierce an d w ar l ik e inf idel ,"s ays t h e ca tho li c F r a y A n ton io A gap ida ; " h i s b i t t e r ne s saga ins t the ho ly Chr i s t i an fa i th had been s igna l i zed in ba t t l ed ur in g th e l i fe t ime of h is fa the r , a nd th e sam e diabo l icalsp i r i t o f hos t i l i ty was apparen t in h i s ceas ing to pay th i s mos tr i g h t e o u s t r i b u t e . "

C H A P T E E H .

H O W T H E C A T H O L IC S O V E R E I G N S S E N T TO D E M A N D A R R E A R S O FT R I B U T E FR O M T H E M O OR , A N D H O W T H E M OO R R E P L I E D .

I N th e ye ar 1478 , a Sp anish cava l i e r of pow er fu l f r ame a ndh a u g h t y d e m e a n o u r a r r iv e d a t t h e g a t e s o f G r a n a d a a s a m bas s ad o r f rom th e C a tho l i c m ona r chs , t o de m an d t he a r r e a ro f t r i b u t e . H i s na m e was D o n J u a n de V er a , a zea lous an ddevout knight , fu l l of ardour for the fa i th and loyal ty for thec r own . H e was ga l l an t l y m ou n ted , a r m ed a t a ll po in t s , andf o l l owed by a mode r a t e bu t we l l - appo in t ed r e t i nue .

T he M oo r i sh in ha b i ta n t s look ed j ea lou s ly a t th i s smal l b u tp r o ud a r r ay o f Span i s h ch iva l r y , a s i t pa r ad ed , w i th t h a ts ta te l iness possessed on ly b y Sp anish cava l ie r s , th ro ug h th e

r eno w ned ga t e of E lv i r a . T he y we r e s t r uck w i th t he s t e r nan d l of ty dem eano ur o f D on J u a n de V er a , and h i s s i newyf rame, w hich show ed h i m formed for h ar d y deed s of a rm s ;an d th ey suppo sed he h a d come in searc h of d i s t inc t ion , b ydefy ing th e Mo or i s h kn igh t s in ope n tou rne y , o r in th e f amoust i l t w i th r eeds fo r w h ich t h ey wer e s o r enow ned . F o r i t wass t il l th e cus to m of th e kn ig h t s o f e i the r na t ion to m ingle inthe se c our teou s an d ch iva l rous con tes t s , du r in g th e in te rv a l so f wa r . W h e n t h ey l ea r ned , howeve r , t h a t he was come to

de m an d th e t r ib u t e so ab ho r ren t to th e e ar s o f th e fie rym on arch , th ey observed , th a t i t r eq u i re d a w ar r io r of h i sappa r en t ne r ve t o execu t e s uch an embas s y .

M ul ey A be n H as sa n rece ived t h e cava li e r in s t a te , s ea te don a magnif icent d ivan, and surrounded by the of f icers of h iscour t , in the ha l l o f ambassadors , one of the mos t sumptuousa p a r t m e n t s o f t h e A l h a m b r a . W h e n D e V e r a h a d d e l iv e r e dhis m essage , a ha ug ht y an d b i t t e r smi le cur led th e l ip o f th e



THE CONQUEST O F GEA NADA. 5

fierce m onarch. . " Te l l y o u r sov ere ign s ," sa id h e , " th a t th ek in gs o f G r an ad a , w ho us e d t o pay t r i b u t e i n m oney t o t h eCas t i l i an c rown , a re de ad . O u r m in t a t p re sen t co ins no th in gbut b lades o f c imeter s and heads of l ances . "*

T he defiance c ouch ed in th i s p ro ud rep ly w as he ard wi ths t e r n and l o f t y cou r t e s y by Don J uan de V e ra ; for h e w asa bold soldier , and a devout hater of the inf idels , and he sawi r on w ar i n t h e w or ds o f t h e M oor i s h m ona r ch . H e r e t i r edf r om the aud i ence chamber wi th s t a t e ly and ce r emon iousgrav i ty , be ing m as te r o f a l l po in t s o f e t iq ue t t e . A s h e passe dthrough the cour t o f l ions , and paused to r egard i t s ce lebra tedfountain , he fe l l in to a d iscourse wi th the Moor ish cour t iers once r t a in mys t e r i e s o f t h e C h r i s t ian f a i th . T h e a r g um en t s ad

van ced by t hes e in fi de ls , s ays P r a y An ton io Ag ap ida , aw ake nedthe p ious ind igna t ion of th i s mos t Chr i s t i an kn igh t and d i sc ree tambassador , bu t s t i l l he r es t r a ined h imse l f wi th in the l imi t s o flo f ty g ra v i ty , lean ing o n th e pom m el of h i s sword , a nd lookingdown wi th inef fab le scorn upon the weak casu i s t s a round h im.T h e qu i ck an d s ub t l e A r ab i an wi t l ings r edou b l ed t he i r l i gh ta t t a c k s u p o n t h a t s t a t e l y S p a n i a r d , a n d t h o u g h t t h e y h a dcom ple t e ly f o iled h im in t h e co n t e s t ; b u t t h e s t e r n J u a n deV e r a ha d an a r g um en t i n re s e r ve , f or wh ich t he y w er e b u tl i t t le p r e p a r ed ; fo r on one o f t hem , o f t h e r ace o f t h e Ab en -ce r r ages , da r i ng t o ques t i on , w i th a s nee r , t he immacu la t econce pt ion of th e b les sed V i rg in , th e C atho l ic kn ig h t cou ldno long er r es t r a in h i s i r e . E le va t in g h i s vo ice o f a sud den ,he to ld t h e in fidel h e li ed , a n d ra i s in g h i s a rm a t th e sam et i m e , he s mo te h im on t he head wi th h i s s hea thed s wor d .

I n a n in s ta nt th e co ur t of Hons gl is te ne d w i th th e flash ofa r m s , and i t s f oun t a in s wou ld have been dyed wi th b lood had

n o t M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n o v e r h e a r d t h e t u m u l t , a n d f o r b a d e a l lappea l to fo rce , p ronounc ing the per son of the ambassadors ac r ed wh i l e w i th in h i s t e r r i t o r i e s . T he A ben ce r r age t r ea s u r ed up t he r emembr ance o f t he i n s u l t un t i l an hou r o f ven geance s hou ld a r r i ve , and t he ambas s ado r p r ayed ou r b l e s s edL ady t o g r an t h im an oppor tun i t y o f p r ov ing he r immacu la t econcept ion on the head of th i s tu rbaned in f ide l . f

N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h i s o c c u r re n c e , D o n J u a n d e V e r a w a st r e a t e d w i t h g r e a t d i st in c ti o n b y M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n ; b u tno th in g cou ld m ake h im un be nd f rom h i s s t e r n and s t a t e ly

* Garibay, Com pend. lib. x l, c. 2 9. Con de, H ist, de los Ar abes, p. iv,c . 34 .

•(* The curate of Los Palacios also records tliis anecdote, but mentions itas happening on a subsequent occasion, when D on Juan de Vera was sen tto neg otiate for certain Christian cap tives. The re appears every reason,however, to consider Pray Antonio Agapida correct in the period to whichhe refers it.



<5 HIS T OR Y OF

r e s e r v e . B e f o re M s dep a r tu r e , a c ime te r w as s en t t o M m by- the k i n g ; th e b la de of th e finest Da m as k s tee l , th e h i l t o fag a t e , en r iche d w i th p rec ious s tone s , an d th e gu ard of go ld .D e V er a d r ew i t, and s mi led g r im ly a s he no t i ced t h e admi

r ab l e t em pe r o f t h e b l ad e . " H i s m a je s ty ha s g iven m e at r e n c h a n t w e a p o n , " s ai d h e : " I t r u s t a t i m e w i ll c o m e w h e nI m ay show h i m th a t I kno w ho w to u s e h i s r oya l p r e s en t . "T h e re p ly w as co ns idered as a com pl ime nt o f course ; th e"bys tanders l i t t l e kne w th e b i t t e r ho s t i l i ty th a t l ay cou chedb e n e a t h .

D o n J u a n de V e r a an d h i s comp an ions , du r ing h i s b r i e fso jo urn a t G ran ad a , s ca nne d the fo rce and s i tua t ion of th eM oo r w i th t h e eyes o f p r ac t i s ed w ar r i o r s . T he y s aw th a t he

w as w el l p r ep are d for hos t i l i t ies . H is wal l s an d tow ers w er eo f vas t s t r en g th , i n comple t e r epa i r , and m ou n te d w i th l om-ba r ds and o the r he avy o r dna nce . H i s m agaz ines w er e we l ls t o r ed wi th a l l t he mun i t i ons o f war : he had a migh ty hos t o ffoo t so ld ie r s , tog e th er w i th squa dro ns of cava l ry , r e ad y to sc ourth e cou nt ry , and to ca r ry on e i th er defens ive or p re da to rywa r f a r e . T he C hr i s t i an w ar r i o r s no t e d t hes e t h ing s w i tho u td i s m a y ; t h e i r h e a r t s r a t h e r gl o w e d w i t h e m u l a t io n a t t h etho ug h t s o f enco un t e r i ng s o w or t hy a foe. A s t h ey s l owly

p r an ced t h r ou gh t he s t r ee t s o f G r ana da , o n t he i r dep a r tu r e ,t h ey l ooked r ou nd w i th eage r nes s on i t s s t a t e ly pa l aces an ds umptuous mos ques ; on i t s a l cayce r i a o r bazaa r , c r owdedwi th s i lks and c lo th o f s i lver and go ld , wi th j ewels and pre c ious s tones , and o ther r i ch merchandise , the luxur ies o f everyc l ime ; an d th e y lon ged for th e t ime w he n a l l th i s w ea l thshould be the spo i l o f the so ld ie r s o f the Fa i th , and when eacht ramp of the i r s t eeds might be f e t lock deep in the b lood andcarnage of the inf idels .

D o n J u a n d e V e r a a n d h i s l i tt l e b a n d p u r s u e d t h e i r w a ys lowly tM'Ough th e cou nt r y to th e Ch r i s t i an f ron t ie r . E v e ryto w n w as s t r ong ly f or ti fi ed . T he veg a wa s s t ud de d w i thtow er s o f r e fuge f or t h e p ea s a n t r y ; eve r y pas s of t h e m oun ta in h ad i t s cas t l e o f defence , eve ry lo fty he igh t i t s w atc h-tow er . A s th e Ch r i s t i an cava l i e r s pas sed u n d er th e wal l s o ft h e for t resses , lanc es an d c im eters flashed f rom th e i r b at t le m en t s , a nd t h e t u r ba ne d s en t ine l s s eeme d t o da r t f rom the i r

d ar k eyes g lances o f h a t r e d an d defiance . I t was ev ide n t t h a ta w ar w i th t h i s k ing dom m us t be one o f do ugh ty pe r i l andva l ian t en te rpr ise ,-—a w ar of pos t s , w he re every s tep m u s t b ega ined by t o i l and b loods hed , and ma in t a ined wi th t he u tmos tdi ff icul ty . T h e w arr ior spi r i t of th e caval iers k in dle d w i t h th ethough t s , and t hey wer e . impa t i en t f o r hos t i l i t i e s ; " no t , " s aysA n ton io A gap ida , " f rom an y t h i r s t f or r a p ine and r even ge ,bu t f rom tha t pure and ho ly ind igna t ion which every Spanish .



T H E C O N Q U E S T OF G E A N A D A . 7

C H A P T E K I I I .

H O W THE MO OE D E T E E M I N E D TO S T E I K E THE M E S T B L O WIN T H E W A E .

T H E def iance , thus hur led at the Cas t i l i an sovere igns by the

f ie r y M oo r i s h k ing , wo u ld at once have been ans wer ed by

t h e t h u n d e r of t he i r a r t i l l e r y , but t h e y w e r e e m b r o i l e d at

t h a t t u n e in a war w i t h P o r t u g a l , and in con tes t s wi th the i rown fac t ious nobles . The t r uce , the r e f o r e , w h ich had exis tedf o r m a n y y e a r s b e t w e e n the n a t i o n s , was suffered to c o n t i n u e ;t h e w a r y F e r d i n a n d r e s e r v i n g the r e fusa l to pay t r i b u t e as a

f a i r g round for war, w h e n e v e r the f avour ab l e momen t to

w a g e it s hou ld a r r i ve . .I n the cou r s e of t h r e e y e a r s the war w i t h P o r t u g a l was

t e r m i n a t e d , and the fact ions of the Spa n i s h nob l e s w er e for

t he mos t pa r t que l l ed . The Cas t i l i an sovere igns now t u r n e dt h e i r t h o u g h t s to what , f rom the t i m e of the u n i o n of t h e i rc r o w n s , had b e e n the g rea t ob jec t of t he i r am b i t i on , the conq u e s t of G r a n a d a , and the comple t e ex t i r pa t i on of the M o o r i sh pow er f rom Spa in . F er d i na n d , whose p ious zea l was

q u i c k e n e d by m o t iv e s of t empor a l po l i cy , l ooked wi th a c rav

in g eye at the r ic h t e r r i t o r y of the M o o r , s t u d d e d w i t h i n n u m e r a b l e t o w n s and c i t ies . He d e t e r m i n e d to c a r r y on the

war wi th cau t i ous and pe r s ev e r ing pa t i ence , t ak in g t ow naf te r town, and fortre ss af ter for tre ss , and g r adua l l y p luck inga w a y all the suppor t s , before he a t t e m p t e d the M o o r i s hcap i ta l . " I wi l l p ick out the seeds one by one of t h i s pomeg r a n a t e , " s a i d the w a r y F e r d i n a n d . *

M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n was a w a r e of the hos t i l e in ten t ions of

t h e C a tho l ic m ona r ch , but fel t confident in his m e a n s of

r e s i s t i n g t h e m . He had a m a s s e d g r e a t w e a l t h d u r i n g a t r a n q u i l r e i g n ; he had s tr e n g t h e n e d the defences of his k i n g d o m ,a n d had d r awn l a r ge bod i e s of aux i l i a r y t r oops f rom B ar b a r y ,b e s i d e s m a k i n g a r r a n g e m e n t s w i t h the Af r ican pr ince s to

ass is t him w i th suppl ies in case of e m e r g e n c y . • His sub jec t swere fierce of sp i r i t , s tou t of h e a r t , and va l i an t of h a n d .

* Granada is the Spanish term for pomegranate.

Tonight enter ta ined at be ho ld ing th i s beau t i fu l domin ion of his

ances tors def i led by the foots teps of i n f i d e l u s u r p e r s . " — " I t

was impos s ib l e , " he a d d s , " t o con templa te th i s de l i c iousc o u n t r y and not l ong to see it r e s t o r e d to the dom in ion of the

t r u e F a i t h and the s w a y of the C h r i s t i a n m o n a r c h s . "



8 H I S T O B Y O F

I n u r e d to th e exercise of w ar , th e y could fight ski l fully onfoo t, bu t , above a l l, w ere dex te rou s ho rsem en, w he the rheav i l y a r m ed and f u ll y appo in t ed , o r l i gh t l y m ou n ted , a lageneta, w i th s im p ly l ance and t a r g e t . T h ey w er e pa t i en t o f

fa t igue , hunger , th i r s t , and nakedness ; p rompt fo r war a t thefirst su m m on s of th ei r k i ng , an d tena ciou s in defence of the n-towns and possess ions .

T h u s a m p l y p r o v id e d f or w a r , M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n d e t e r mined t o be be f o r ehand wi th t he po l i t i c Fe r d inand , and t o bet h e first to s t r ike a b low . I n th e t ru ce w hich ex i s ted b e tw ee nth e m the r e was a s i ngu l a r c l aus e , pe r m i t t i ng e i t he r p a r t y t omake s udden i n r oads and a s s au l t s upon t owns and f o r t r e s s e s ,p r ov ided t hey wer e done f u r t i ve ly and by s t r a t agem, wi thou t

d i s p l ay o f ba nn e r s , o r s ound o f t r u m pe t , o r r eg u l a r enc am pm en t , an d t h a t t he y d id no t l a s t above t h r e e day s .* T h i sgave r i se t o f r equen t en t e r p r i s e s o f a h a r d y and a dv en tu r o uscha rac te r , in w hich cas t les an d s t rong-h olds w ere t a ke n b ysurpr i se , and car r i ed sword in hand . A long t ime had e lapsed ,how eve r , w i tho u t an y ou t r ag e o f t h e k in d on t h e p a r t o f t h eM oo rs , an d th e C hr i s t i an tow ns on th e fron t ie r h ad a l l , inconse quen ce , f a ll en in t o a s t a te o f th e m os t neg l igen t secu r i t y .

M uley Aben Has s an ca s t h i s eyes r ound t o s e l ec t h i á ob j ec to f a t t ack , when i n f o r ma t ion was b r ough t h im tha t t he f o r t r e s sof Z ah ar a w as b u t f eeb ly gar r i so ned an d scan t i ly supp l ied ,a n d t h a t i t s a lcay de w as care les s o f h i s ch arg e . Th is im po r t a n t p o s t w a s o n t h e fr o nt ie r , b e t w e e n E o n d a a n d M e d i n aS idoma , and was bu i l t on t he c r e s t o f a r ocky moun ta in , w i tha s t r on g cas t le pe rch ed a bov e i t , up on a c liff so h ig h th a t i t•was said to b e ab ov e th e fl ight of b ird s or dr if t of clo ud s.T h e s t r ee t s , an d m a n y of th e ho uses , w ere m er e excava tions,•wrought ou t o f th e l iv ing rock . T h e to w n h a d b u t one ga teop enin g to th e w es t , an d d efende d b y tow ers an d bu lw arks . .T h e on ly ascen t to th i s c ra gg y for t r es s w as b y roa ds cu t inthe r ock , and s o r ugged a s i n many p l aces t o r e s emble b r okens t a i r s . Su ch wa s th e s i tua t io n of th e m ou nta in fo r t r es s o fZahara , which seemed to se t a l l a t t ack a t def iance , insomuchtha t i t had become s o p r ove r b i a l t h r oughou t Spa in , t ha t aw om an of fo rb idd ing an d inaccess ib le v i r tue w as ca l l ed aZ ah a r eñ a . B u t t he s t r onge s t f o r tr e s s and s t e r ne s t v i r t ueha ve t he i r wea k po in t s , an d r eq u i r e un r em i t t i ng v ig il ance t og u a r d t h e m ; l e t w a r r i o r a n d d a m e t a k e w a r n i n g f r o m t h efa te o f Zahara .

* Zurita, Anales de Arragon, 1. x x , c. 41 . Mariana, H ist, de España,.1. X X Y , C. 1.



T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G E A N A D A . 9

C H A P T E R I V .

E X P E D I T I O N O F M U L E Y A B E N H A S S A N A G A I N S T T H E F O B T E E S S

OF ZAHAEA.

I T was i n t h e ye a r o f ou r L o r d one t h ou s an d f ou r hun dr ed ,and e ighty -one , an d b u t a n i g h t or tw o af ter th e fes t ival oft h e m o s t b l e s s e d N a t i v i t y , t h a t M u l e y A b a n H a s s a n m a d e h i sf amous a t t ack up on Z a ha r a . T he i nh ab i t an t s o f t h e p l acewer e s un k i n p r o f ound s l eep ; t h e ve r y s en t i ne l ha d des e r t edh i s pos t , and sought she l t e r f rom a t empes t , which had ragedfor th ree n igh t s in success ion ; fo r i t appeared bu t l i t t l e p rob

ab l e t h a t an enem y wo u ld be ab r oa d du r ing s uch an u p r o a rof th e e le m ents . B u t ev i l sp i r i ts w ork be s t du r in g a s to rm ,o b s e rv e s t h e w o r t h y A n t o n i o A g a p i d a ; a n d M u l e y A b e nH as sa n found such a season m os t su i t ab le for h i s d iabo l ica lpu r pos es . I n t h e m ids t o f t h e n ig h t an up r oa r a r os e w i th inthe wa l l s o f Z aha r a , mor e awf u l t han t he r ag ing o f t he s t o r m.A fe arfu l a l a r m - c r y , " T h e M o o r t h e M o o r " r e s o u n d e dth r o ug h t h e s t r ee t s , m ing l ed w i th t he c l a sh o f a r m s , t h e s h r i eko f angu i s h , an d t h e s hou t of v i c to r y . M ul ey A be n H as s an ,

a t th e h ea d of a power fu l fo rce , ha d h u r r i e d f rom G ran ad a ,and pas s ed unobs e r ved t h r ough t he moun ta in s i n t he obs cu r i t yo f t h e t em pe s t . W h e n t he s t o r m pe l t ed t he s en t i ne l f rom h i sp o s t , a n d h o w l e d r o u n d t o w e r a n d b a t t l e m e n t , t h e M o o r s h a dp l an t ed t he i r s ca l i ng l adde r s , and moun ted s ecu r e ly i n to bo thtow n an d cas t l e . T h e gar r i son w as unsu sp ic ious o f da ng erun t i l b a t t l e and m as s ac r e bu r s t f o r th , w i th in i t s ve r y w a l l s .I t seemed to the af f r ighted inhabi tants , as i f the f iends of theah ' h a d come up on th e wing s of th e win d , a nd possessed th em

se lves o f tow er a nd tu r r e t . T h e w ar c ry reso un ded on eve rys ide , s hou t ans wer ing s hou t , above , be low, on t he ba t t l emen t sof the cas t l e , in th e s t r ee t s o f th e t o w n ; t h e foe w as in a l lp a r t s , wrapped in obscur i ty , bu t ac t ing in concer t by the a idof p rec on cer te d s igna l s . S t a r t in g from s leep , th e so ld ie r swer e i n t e r cep t ed and cu t down a s t hey r u s hed f r om the i rqua r t e r s , o r i f t hey e s caped , t hey knew no t whe r e t o a s s embleor w he re to s t r ike . W he re ve r l igh t s app eared , th e flash ingc ime te r w as a t i t s dead ly wo r k , and a l l w ho a t t e m p te d r e s i s t ance fe l l beneath i t s edge.

I n a l i t t l e wh i le th e s t rugg le w as a t a n end . Th ose w howere not s la in took refuge in the secret p laces of thei r houses ,or ga ve the m selv es u p as cap t ives . T h e c lash of arm s ceased,,and the s to rm cont inued i t s howl ing , mingled wi th the occas iona l sho ut o f th e M oo r i sh so ld ie ry , roa m ing in search ofp lun de r . W h i l e t h e i nha b i t an t s we r e t r em bl in g fo r t he i r fate*



1 0 H I S T O R Y O F

a t r u m p e t r e s o u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e s t r e e t s , s u m m o n i n g t h e ma l l t o a s s emble , una r m ed , i n t h e pub l i c s qu a r e . H e r e t h eywer e s u r r ounded by s o ld i e r y , and s t r i c t l y gua r ded un t i l day b r e ak . W h e n t h e day dawn ed , i t w as p i t eous t o beh o ld t h i s onceprosperous communi ty , which had l a in down to r es t in peacefu ls ecu r i t y , now c r ow ded t oge the r , w i tho u t d i s t i nc t ion of age ,o r r ank , o r s ex , and a lmos t w i thou t r a imen t du r ing t hes eve r i t y o f a w in t r y s t o r m . T he fie rce M u le y A be n H as s a ntu r n ed a dea f ea r t o a l l t he i r p r a ye r s an d r em ons t r ance s , an do r d e r ed t h em to be cond uc t ed cap t i ves t o G r an ad a . L e av in ga s t r on g ga r r i s on i n bo th t ow n an d cas t le , w i th o r de r s t o pu tthem in a comple te s t a te o f defence , he r e tu rned f lushed wi thv ic tory to h i s cap i t a l , en te r in g i t a t th e he ad of h i s t roo ps ,

l aden wi th s po i l , and bea r ing i n t r i umph the banne r s andp e n n o n s t a k e n a t Z a h a r a .W hi l e p r epa r a t i ons wer e mak ing f o r j ous t s and o the r f e s t i

v i t i es in ho no ur o f th i s v ic to ry over t h e Chr i s t i ans , th e cap t iveso f Z ah a r a a r r i v ed ; a w r e t ch ed t r a in o f m en , w om en , andch i l d r en , wor n ou t w i th f a t i gue and hagga r d wi th des pa i r , anddr iven l ike ca t t l e in to the c i ty ga tes by a de tachment o fM oor i s h s o ld i e r y .

D e e p w er e t h e g r ie f an d i nd ign a t i on o f t h e peop l e 0 1

G r an ad a a t t h i s c r ue l s cene . O ld men , w ho ha d expe r i encedth e ca l ami ti e s o f war f a r e , an t i c i pa t ed coming t r oub l e s . M o th e r sc lasped the i r in fan t s to then ' b reas t s , as they behe ld the hap les sfemales o f Z ah ar a , w i th th e i r ch i ld re n exp i r ing in th e i r a r m s .O n eve ry s ide th e accen t s o f p i ty fo r th e suffe re r s were m ing ledw i th exec r a t i ons o f t h e ba r ba r i t y o f t h e k ing . T he p r ep a r a t i on sfor fes t iv ity w ere neg lec ted , a nd th e v ia nd s , w hic h w ere toha ve f ea s ted t h e conque r o r s , w e r e d i s t r i bu t ed am ong t h ecapt ives .

T he nob l e s and a l f aqu i s , howeve r , r epa i r ed t o t he Alhambr ato congr a tu l a t e t he k ing : f o r wha t eve r s t o r m may r age i n t helow er reg ion s of socie ty , rar e l y do an y c loud s , b u t c loud s ofincense , r i s e to th e awfu l eminenc e of th e th r on e . I n th i sins ta nc e , how ever , a vo ice rose f rom th e m ids t o f th e obseq uiousc r o w d , t h a t b u r s t l i k e t h u n d e r u p o n t h e e a r s o f A b e n H a s s a n ." W o w o w o t o G r a n a d a " e x c la im e d t h e v o ic e , " i ts h o u rof deso la t ion ap pr oa ch es T h e ru ins o f Z ah a ra wi l l f al l upon,

ou r he ad s : m y sp i r i t t e l l s m e , th a t th e en d of ou r em pi re i sa t ha n d " A l l sh ru nk back agh as t , an d l ef t th e den ou nce r o fwo s tan d in g a lone in th e cen t re o f th e ha l l . H e wa s ananc i en t and ho a r y m an , i n t h e r u de a t t i r e o f a de r v i s e . A gehad wi thered h i s fo rm wi thout quenching the f i r e o f h i s sp i r i t ,w hic h g la red in ba le fu l lus t r e f rom h i s eyes . H e w as , s aythe Ar ab i an h i s t o r i ans , one o f t hos e ho ly men t e r med s an tons ,who pass the i r l ives in hermi tages , in f as t ing , medi ta t ion , and



T H E C O N Q U E S T O F GBANADA. 1 1

pra ye r , un t i l t h e y a t t a in t o th e p ur i ty of sa in t s and . th e fo re s i g h t of p r o p h e t s . " H e w a s , " sa y s t h e i n d i g n a n t F r a y A n t o n i oA ga pid a, " a son of Be l ia l , one of tho se fan at ic inf idels po ssesse do f t he dev i l , who a r e s ome t imes pe r mi t t ed t o p r ed i c t t he t r u th

to the i r fo l low ers ; b u t w i th th e p rov i so , th a t the i r p re d ic t io nsshall be of no avail ."The vo ice o f the san ton resounded th rough the lo f ty ha l l o f

t he A lham br a , an d s t r uck si lence and awe i n to t h e c r ow d o fc o u rt ly sy c o p h a n t s . M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n a l on e w a s u n m o v e d .H e eyed t h e ho a r y anc hor e t w i th s co r n a s he s t ood d aun t l e s sbefore h im , a nd t r e a t ed h i s p red ic t ions as th e r av in g of ama n iac . T h e s an ton r u s h ed f rom th e r oy a l p r e s enc e , a nddes cend ing i n to t h e c i ty , hu r r i e d t h r o ug h i t s s t r e e t s an d

squ ares w i th f r an t i c ges t i cu la t ions . H is vo ice w as h ea rd ineve ry p ar t in awfu l den unc ia t ion . " T he peac e i s b ro ke n , th ee x t e r m i n a t in g w a r is c o m m e n c e d . W o w o w o t o G r a n a d ai ts fa ll i s a t h a n d deso la t ion s hal l d w el l in i t s palac es , i t ss t ro ng m e n sha l l f al l be ne a t h th e sword , i t s ch i ld ren an dm aidens s ha l l be l ed i n to cap t i v i t y Z ah a r a i s b u t a t y pe o fG r a n a d a "

T e r r o r s e i zed upon t he popu l ace ; f o r t hey cons ide r ed t hes e

r av ings a s t h e i n s p i r a t ions o f p r op hec y . T he y h id t hem s e lvesin the i r dw el l ings , as in a t im e of ge ne ra l m o u rn in g : o r , i ft h e y w en t ab r oad , i t w as t o ga the r t og e the r i n kn o t s i n t h es t ree t s and squares , to a la rm each o ther wi th d i smal fo rebodi n g s , and t o cu r s e t he r a s hnes s and c r ue l t y o f t he f i e r ce AbenH a s s a n .

T h e M o o r i s h m o n a r c h h e e d e d n o t t h e i r m u r m u r s . K n o w ing t ha t h i s exp lo i t mus t d r aw upon h im the vengeance o f t heC h r i s t i ans , h e now th r e w off a l l r e s e r ve , an d m ad e a t t em p t s

to s u r p r i s e C as t e l l a r and Olve r a , t h o ug h w i tho u t s ucces s. H es en t a lf aqu is a ls o t o t h e B a r b a r y pow er s , i n f o r ming t hem , t h a tt h e s wor d w as d r aw n , an d inv i t i ng t h em to a id i n m a in t a in ingth e k ingd om o f Gr a nad a , and t h e r e l ig ion o f M ah om et , aga in s tthe v io lence of unbe l iever s .

C H A P T E E V .E X P E D I T I O N O F T H E H A E Q T J I S O F C A D I Z A G A I N S T A L H A l f A .

GBEAT w a s t h e i n d i g n a t i o n o f K i n g F e r d i n a n d w h e n h eh ea rd of th e s to rm ing of Z ah ara , m ore espec ia lly as i t an t i c ipa ted his in te nt io n of g iving th e f irs t b low in th is eve ntfu lw a r . H e v a l u e d h i m s e lf u p o n h i s d e e p a n d p r u d e n t p o l i c y ;and there i s no th ing which po l i t i c monarchs can l es s fo rg ive ,



1 2 E I S T O E T O F

t h a n t h u s b e i n g f o re s ta l le d b y a n a d v e r s a r y . H e i m m e d i a t e l yi s sued order s to a l l th e ad e lan tado s an d a leayde s o f th e f ron t i e r s t o m a in t a in t h e u tm os t v ig il ance a t t he i r s eve r a l pos t s ,and to p repare to ca r ry f i r e and sword in to the t e r r i to r i es o fthe Moors , whi le he despa tched f r i a r s o f d i f f e ren t o rder s , tos t i r u p th e ch iv a l ry o f Ch r i s t en do m to t a ke p a r t in th i s ho lycrusade aga ins t the in f ide l s .

A m on g the m an y va l i an t cava li e rs w ho r a l li ed r oun d t h eth r one o f Fe r d inand and I s abe l l a , one o f t he mos t eminen t i nr ank and r enowned i n a r ms was Don R ode r igo Ponce de L eon ,M ar qu i s o f C ad i z . A s he was t h e d i s t ingu i s hed champion o fth i s ho ly war , and commanded in mos t o f i t s en te rpr i ses andba t t l es , i t i s mee t tha t some par t i cu la r account should be g iven

of h im . H e was bo rn in 1443 , o f th e va l i a n t l ineage of t h ePonces , and f r om h i s ea r l i e s t you th had r ende r ed h ims e l fi l lus t r i ou s in th e fie ld . H e was of m idd le s ta t ur e , w i th am usc ula r an d pow er fu l f r ame, capab le o f g re a t exe r t ion an dfa t igue . H is h a i r an d be ard w ere red an d cur led , h i s countenance w as open an d m agn anim ou s , o f a ru d d y com plex ion ,an d s l igh t l y m ar k ed w i th t he s ma l l- pox . H e was t e m pe r a t e ,chas te , va lorous , v i g i l a n t ; a ju s t an d gene rous m as te r to h i sva s s a l s ; f r ank an d nob l e i n h i s dep o r tm en t t ow ar ds h i s eq u a l s ;

loving and fa i thful to h is f r iends ; f ierce and ter r ib le , and yetm agn an im ous , t o h i s enemies . H e was cons ide r ed t h e m i r r o ro f ch iva l r y o f h i s t imes , and compar ed by con t empor a r y h i s to r ians to the immor ta l C id .

The Marquis o f Cadiz had vas t possess ions in the mos t f e r t i l e pa r t s o f A nda lus i a , i nc lud ing m an y t own s an d ca s t l e s ;and could lead for th an army into the f ie ld f rom his own vassa ls an d de pe nd an ts . O n rece iv ing th e o rd er s o f th e k ing ,h e bu r n ed t o si gnal is e h ims e l f b y s ome s udd en i ncu r s ion i n to

th e k in gd om of G rana da , th a t should g ive a b r i l l i an t com m en ce m en t t o t h e war , an d cons o le t h e s ove r e igns fo r t h ein s u l t t he y ha d r ece ived on t h e ca p tu r e o f Z a ha r a . A s h i ses ta te s l ay ne ar th e M oo r i sh f ron t ie r s , and w ere sub je c t to .sudden in roads , he had a lways in h i s pay numbers o f ada l ides ,o r s cou ts and gu ides , m an y o f t he m conve r t ed M oo r s . T h es eh e sen t ou t in a l l d i r ec t ions , to w atc h th e m ov em en ts o f t h eene m y, an d t o p roc ure a l l k in ds o f in format ion imp or tan t toth e secu r i ty o f th e f ron t ie r . O ne of the se sp ies cam e to h im.one day in h i s t ow n of M ar ch en a , and i n fo r med h im , t h a t t h eM oor i s h t own o f A lban i a was s l i gh t l y ga r r i s oned and neg l i ge n t l y gua r ded , an d m igh t be t ak en b y s u r p r i s e . T h i s was ala rg e , w ea l th y , an d po pulou s p lace , wi th in a few leagu es o fG r an ad a . I t was s i t ua t e on a r ock y he ig h t , ne a r l y s u r r ou nd edb y a r ive r an d defended b y a fo r t r es s , to w hich th er e wa s noaccess b u t b y a s t eep an d c rag ged ascen t . T h e s t r e ng th of



1 4 H I S T O E T O P

t h i s f o r ced i na r ch du r ing a l ong da r k even ing t owar ds t he endo f F e b r u a r y .

T he M ar qu i s o f C ad i z now exp l a ined t o t he t r oops t heobje c t o f th e expe di t ion . H e to ld the m , i t wa s fo r th e g lory

of th e m os t ho ly fa ith , a nd to aveng e th e wro ng s of th e i rc o u n t r y m e n o f Z a h a r a ; a n d t h a t t h e r i c h t o w n o f A l h a m a ,fu l l o f w ea l thy spo il , w as th e p lace to b e a t t ac ke d . T h e t roo pswer e r ous ed t o new a r dour by t hes e wor ds , and des i r ed t o bel ed f o r t hwi th t o t he a s s au l t . T he y a r r i ved c lo se t o A lha m aa b o u t t w o h o u r s b e fo r e d a y b r e a k . H e r e t h e a r m y r e m a i n e di n a m b u s h , w h i l e t h r e e h u n d r e d m e n w e r e d e s p a t c h e d t osca le th e wa l l s an d t a ke possess ion of th e cas t l e . T he y we rep ic k ed m en , m a ny of th e m a lcayd es an d officers, m en w ho

pr e f e r r ed de a th t o d i s honou r . T h i s ga l l an t ba nd was gu id edby t he e s ca l ado r , Or t ega de P r ado , a t t he head o f t h i r t y menw i th s ca li ng l add e r s . T he y c l am ber ed t h e a s cen t t o t he ca s t lein s i lence , an d a r r ive d t in de r th e da rk shad ow of i t s tow ersw i th ou t be ing d i scovered . W ot a l igh t w as to be seen , no t as ound t o be hea r d ; t he who le p l ace was wr apped i n p r o f oundr epos e .

F ix ing t hen ' l adde r s , t hey a s cended cau t i ous ly and wi thnoise les s s t eps . O r te ga w as th e first th a t m ou nte d up on th eba t t l em en t s , fo ll owed b y one M ar t i n G a l i ndo , a you th f u lsq ui re , fu ll of spi r i t an d ea ge r for d is t inc t ion. M ov in gs tea l th i ly a long the parape t to the por ta l o f the c i t ade l , theycam e up on t he s en t i ne l b y s u r p r i s e . O r t eg a se ized h i m b ythe t h r oa t , b r and i s hed a dagge r be f o r e h i s eyes , and o r de r edhi m to po in t th e w ay to th e gua rd- roo m . T he in fidel obeye d ,and was i n s t an t l y des pa t ched , t o p r even t h i s g iv ing any a l a r m.T he gua r d - r oom was a s cene r a the r o f mas s ac r e t han comba t .Some of the so ld ie ry were k i l l ed whi le s l eep ing , o ther s werecu t dow n a lmos t w i thou t r e s i s t ance , bew i lde r ed b y s o une x pe c t ed an a s s a u l t : a l l w e r e des pa t ched , fo r t he s ca l ing p a r tyw as too sm al l to m ak e pr i son ers o r to spare . T he a la rm sprea dt h r o u g h o u t t h e c a s t l e ; b u t b y t h i s t i m e t h e t h r e e h u n d r e dp i c k e d m e n h a d m o u n t e d t h e b a t t l e m e n t s . T h e g a r ri s o n ,s ta r t l e d f rom s leep , found th e ene m y a l rea dy m as te r s o f th eto w er s . Som e of th e M oo rs w ere cu t dow n a t once, o the r sfoug ht desp era te ly f rom room to room , an d th e wh ole cas t l e

resounded wi th the c lash of a rms , the c r i es o f the combatan t s ,an d th e g roans of th e w oun ded . T h e a rm y in am bush , findingby t he up r oa r t ha t t he ca s t l e was s u r p r i s ed , now r us hed f r omthe i r concea lmen t , and app r oached t he wa l l s w i th l oud s hou t sand s ound o f ke t t l ed r ums and t r umpe t s , t o i nc r eas e t he con fus ion a nd dism ay of th e ga rr iso n. A violen t confl ic t too kplac e in th e co ur t o f th e cas t le , w he re severa l o f th e sca l ing



T H E CO NQ UE ST OF GORAN AD A. 1 5

p a r ty s o ugh t t o t h r o w open t h e ga t e s t o ad m i t t he i r coun t r y -m en . H e r e f el l tw o va l i an t a loaydes , N ich o l a s de E o j a an dSanc ho d e Av i la , bu t t h e y fel l ho no ura b ly , up on a hea p ofs la in . A t l en g th O r t e ga de P r a d o s ucceeded i n t h r o w ing open

a pos t em , t h r o ug h w h ich t h e M ar qu i s o f C ad i z , t h e a de l an t adoof And a lus ia , and D o n D iego de M er l o en t e r ed w i th a ho s tof fol lowers , and the c i tadel remained in ful l possess ion of theChr is t ians .

As the Spanish cava l i e r s were r ang ing f rom room to room,the M ar qu i s o f C ad i z , en t e r i ng an apa r tmen t o f s upe r io rr ichness to th e res t , be he ld , b y th e l ig ht of a s i lver la m p, abeaut i ful Moor ish female , the wife of the a lcayde of thecas t l e , whos e hus band was abs en t , a t t end ing a wedd ing f ea s t

a t V elez M ala ga . Sh e w ould hav e fled a t th e s igh t o f aC hr i s t i an war r i o r i n he r apa r tmen t , bu t , en t ang l ed i n t hecover ing of the bed, she fe l l a t the feet of the marquis , imp lo r ing m erc y . T h e Ch r i s t i an cava li e r, w ho ha d a sou l ful lo f ho nou r an d cou r t e s y t ow ar ds t h e s ex , r a i s ed h e r f rom th eea r th , and endeavour ed t o a l l ay he r f ea r s ; bu t t hey wer einc r eas ed a t t he s i gh t o f he r f ema le a t t endan t s , pu r s ued i n tothe r oom by t he Sp an i s h s o ld ie r y . T h e m ar qu i s r ep r o ach edh i s s o ld i e rs w i th t he i r un m an ly conduc t , an d r em inde d t he m ,th a t t h ey m ad e w ar upo n m en , no t on de fencel es s w om en .H a v in g soo the d th e t e r ro r s o f th e f emales b y th e p rom ise ofhonour ab l e p r o t ec t i on , he appo in t ed a t r u s ty gua r d t o wa t chove r t he s ecu r i t y o f t he i r apa r tmen t .

.T he ca s tl e was n ow t ak en , b u t t he t ow n be low i t was i na r m s . I t was b r o ad day , and t h e peop l e , r ecove r ed f romthe i r pan ic , were enab led to see and es t imate the fo rce o f theenem y . T h e i nha b i t an t s w er e ch ie fly m er c ha n t s an d t r ad es

peop le ; b u t th e M oo rs a l l possessed a k now ledge of th e us eof w eapo ns , an d w ere of b r av e an d wa r l ike sp i r i t . T h ey confided in th e s t r e ng th of the i r w al l s , an d th e ce r ta in ty o fspee dy re l i e f f rom G ran ad a , w hich was a bo ut e igh t l eagues ,d i s t an t . M an n i ng t he ba t t l em en t s and t owe r s , t he y d is cha r ged s hower s of s t ones a nd a r r ows , w hen eve r t h e pa r t / o ft he C hr i s t i an a r m y w i thou t t h e wa l l s a t t e m p te d t o app r oach .T h ey ba r r i ca doe d t h e en t r ances of t he i r s t r ee t s a ls o , / vh i chopened towards the cas t l e , s t a t ion ing men exper t a t the c ross

bo w an d a rq ue bu se . Th ese ke p t u p a con s tan t fire ,,opon t h ega te o f th e cas t l e , so th a t n o on e cou ld sa l ly fo r th w i th ou tbe ing in s ta n t ly w ou nd ed or k i l l ed . Tw o va l i an t cava l i e r s,w ho a t t e m pt ed to l ead for th a p a r t y in defiance of th i s f a ta lt empes t , we r e s ho t dead a t t he ve r y po r t a l .

The Chr i s t i ans now found themse lves in a s i tua t ion of g rea tpe r i l . R e in f o r cem en t s m us t soon a r r i ve t o t h e enem y f romG r an ad a . U n le s s , t he r e f o r e , t h ey ga ined pos s es sion o f t h e



•16 H I S T O R Y O F

t ow n in t i e cou r s e o f t h e day , t he y w er e l i ke ly t o he s u r r ounded and be l eague r ed , and wi th s ca r ce ly any p r ov i s i ons i nth e cas t l e . Som e observed , th a t , even if th ey took th e tow n,th e y shou ld n o t b e ab le to ke ep possess ion of i t . T h e y pro

pos ed , t he r e f o r e , t o make boo ty o f eve r y th ing va luab l e , t o•sack th e cas t le , se t i t on fire , and. m ak e good th ei r re t r e a t toSevi l l e .

T h e M ar qu is o f Cadiz w as of d if fe rent counc i l . " G od hasg iven t he c i t ade l i n to C hr i s t i an hands , " s a id he ; " he wi l l nod o u b t s t r e n g t h e n t h e m t o m a i n t a i n it . W e h a v e g a i n e d t h ep lace wi th d i f f i cu l ty and b loodshed; i t would be a s t a in upon•our ho nou r t o aband on i t t h r o ug h f ea r of ima g ina r y da ng e r s . "T h e ade l an t ado an d D o n Die go de M er lo j o ine d i n h i s op in ion ;

b u t , w i t h o u t t h e i r e a r n e s t a n d u n i t e d r e m o n s t r a n c e s , t h ep l a c e w o u l d h a v e b e e n a b a n d o n e d ; s o e x h a u s t e d w e r e t h et roops by forced marches and hard f ight ing, and so apprehens ive o f t he app r oach o f t he M oor s o f Gr anada .

T he s t r eng th and s p i r i t s o f t he pa r ty wi th in t he ca s t l e wer ein some degree res to red by the p rov i s ions which they found .T he C hr i s t i an a r my benea th t he t own , be ing a l s o r e f r e s hed bya m orn ing repa s t , adv anc ed v igorous ly to the a t t a ck of thew a l l s . T he y p l a n t e d t he i r s ca li ng l adde r s , and , s w ar m ing u p ,fought f i e rce ly wi th the Moor i sh so ld ie ry upon the rampar t s .

I n t h e m ean t ime , t h e M ar q u i s o f C ad iz , s ee ing t h a t t h ega te o f the cas t l e which opened toward the c i ty was comple te lycom m ande d by t h e a r t i l l e r y of t h e enem y , o r d e r ed a l a r geb r each t o be made i n t he wa l l , t h r ough wh ich he migh t l eadh i s t r oops t o t he a t t ack ; an ima t ing t hem in t h i s pe r i l ousmomen t , by a s s u r ing t hem tha t t he p l ace s hou ld be g iven upto p lunde r , and i t s i nhab i t an t s made cap t i ves .

T he b r each be ing made , t he mar qu i s pu t h ims e l f a t t heh ea d of h i s t roop s , an d en te red sword in ha nd . A s im ul t an eo us a t t ac k was m ad e b y t h e C hr i s t ians i n eve r y pa r t , b ythe r ampar t s , by t he ga t e , by t he r oo f s and wa l l s wh ich con nec t ed t h e ca s t le w i th t h e t ow n . T he M oo r s f ough t v a l i an t l yin the i r s t r ee t s , f rom the i r windows , and f rom the tops o f the i rhous es . T h ey w er e no t equ a l t o t h e C hr i s t i ans i n bod i l ys t r e n g th ; f or t h ey w er e fo r t he m os t p a r t peace f ul m en , o fi ndu s t r i ous ca ll ings , an d ene r v a t ed by t h e f r eque n t u s e of t h e

w a r m b a t h ; b u t t h e y w e r e s u p e r i o r i n n u m b e r , a n d u n c o n qu e r ab l e i n s p i r i t ; o ld and youu g , s t r ong an d weak , f ough tw i th t h e s ame des pe r a t i on . T h e M oo r s f ough t f or p r o pe r ty ,for l ib er t y , for l ife . T h ey foug ht a t th ei r thr es ho lds an dth e i r he ar th s , w i th th e shr ieks of th e i r wives au d ch i ld renr in g in g in the i r ea r s , an d th ey foug ht in th e ho pe th a t eachm o m e n t w o u l d b r i n g a i d f ro m G r a n a d a . T h e y r e g a r d e dn e i t h e r t h e n 1 own wounds nor the dea ths o f then" companions ,



THE CONQUEST O P GRANAD A. 1 7

b u t con t inued f igh t ing u n t i l th ey fe l l ; an d seem ed as if, when .

t h r e s ho lds o f t he i r be loved homes wi th t he i r mang led bod i e s .The Chr is t ians fought for g lory , for revenge, for the holy

fai th , an d for th e spoi l of th es e w ea l th y inf idels . Succ esswo uld p lace a r i ch tow n a t th e i r m ercy , f a i lu re w ou ld de l ivert hem in to t he hands o f t he t y r an t o f Gr anada .

T he con t e s t r aged f r om mor n ing un t i l n igh t , when t heM oor s be gan t o y i e ld . E e t r ea t i n g t o a l a r ge m os q ue ne a r t h ewal ls , they kept up so gal l ing a f i re f rom i t wi th lances ,c ross -bows , and a rquebuses , tha t fo r some t ime the Chr i s t i ansda red no t app roach . Cov er ing them se lves a t l eng th , w i thbuck l e r s and m an te l e t s , * t o p r o t ec t t he m fr om th e dead ly

shower , th ey m ad e the i r w ay to t h e m osqu e , an d se t f ir e tothe doo r s . W h e n t h e s mo ke and f lames r o l led i n upo n t hem ,the M oors gave a l l u p as los t . M a n y rus he d for th d espera te lyupon t he enemy , b u t w er e im m ed ia t e ly s l a i n ; t he r e s t s u r r ende r ed .

T he s t r ugg l e was now a t an en d ; t he t ow n r em a ine d a t t h emer cy o f t he C hr i s t i ans ; and t he i nhab i t an t s , bo th ma le andfemale , bec am e s laves o f tho se w ho m ad e th em pr i so ners .Some f ew es caped by a mine o r s ub t e r r anean way wh ich l edto th e r iver , an d concea led them se lves , th e i r wives and ch i ldre n, in caves an d secre t p laces ; b u t in th re e or four day swer e compe l l ed t o s u r r ende r t hems e lves t h r ough hunge r .

T he t own was g iven up t o p lunde r , and t he boo ty wasim m en se . T he re w ere found prod ig ious qu ant i t i es o f go ld ,and s i lver , and jewels , and r ich s i lks , and cos t ly s tuf fs of a l lk inds , t oge the r w i th ho r s e s and beeves , and abundance o fgra in , an d o il, an d ho ney , an d a l l o th er p rod uc t ion s o f th i s

f ru i t fu l k ingdom; for in Alhama was co l l ec ted the roya l r en t san d t r i bu t e s of t h e s u r r ou nd in g co un t r y : i t was t he r i ches tt ow n in t h e M oor i s h t e r r i t o r y , an d fr om i t s g r e a t s t r e ng thand i t s pecu l ia r s i tua t ion was ca l l ed the key to Granada .

G r e a t wa s t e an d de vas t a t i on wer e com mi t t ed b y t h e Span i s hsoldiery ; for , th inking i t would be imposs ible to keep possess ion of the p lace , they began to demol i sh what they cou ld no tta k e aw ay . Im m en se j a r s o f o il w ere des t roye d , cos t ly fu rn i tu re sha t t e red to p ieces , and magaz ines o f g ram broken open ,

and t he i r con t en t s s ca t t e r ed t o t he winds . M an y C h r i s t i ancap t ives , wh o had bee n t ak en a t Z ah a r a , w e r e f ound bu r i ed i na M oor i s h dung eon , and we r e t r i um ph an t ly r e s to r ed t o l i gh tan d l ibe r ty , an d a r eneg ad o Spa nia rd , w ho h a d of ten se rved

* Mantelet is a movable parapet, made of thick planks, to protect

troops when advancing to sap or assault a walled place.

would b lock up t he

c




as gu ide to th e M oo rs in t he i r incurs ions in to th e Chr is t ian ,t e r r i t o r i e s , w as han ge d on t h e h igh es t pa r t o f t h e ba t t l e ments , fo r the ed i f i ca t ion of the a rmy.

H O W T H E P E O P L E O F G R A NA D A W E E E A F F E C T ED O N H E A R I N GOF T H E C A P TU R E O F A L H A M A , A N D H O W T H E M O O R I S HK I N G S A L L I E D F O R T H T O R E G A I N I T .

A MOORISH ho r s em an h ad s pu r r ed ac r oss t h e V eg a , no r d idhe r e in h i s pan t i ng s t eed un t i l he a l i gh t ed a t t he ga t e o f t heA l h a m b r a . H e b r o u g h t t id i n g s t o M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n o f t h ea t t ac k up on A lban ia . " Th e Ch r i s t i a ns , " sa id he , " a re in th el and . T h ey came upo n us , we kno w no t wh ence o r h o w ; andsca led th e wal l s o f th e cas t l e in th e n ig h t . T he re ha s be endread fu l fighting an d c arna ge on i t s tow ers an d c o u r t s ; an dwhen I spur red my s teed f rom the ga te o f Alban ia , the cas t l e

was in possess ion of the unbe l iever s . "M uley Aben Has s an f e l t f o r a momen t a s i f s wi f t r e t r i bu t ion ha d come u po n h i m for th e woes h e h a d in fl ic ted up onZ a h a ra . St i l l h e f lattered himself, t h a t t h i s ha d on ly be ens ome t r an s i en t i n r o ad o f a p a r t y o f m ar au de r s , i n t en t up onp lu n d e r ; and t h a t a l i t tl e s uccour t h r o w n in to t h e t o w nw ou ld be suff ic ient to expel th e m f rom th e cas t le , a nd dr iv e

of his chose n c ava l ry , an d se nt t h e m in a l l spee d to t h e as

s i s tance of A lban ia . T h ey a r r iv ed before i t s wa l l s th e m or ning a f t e r i t s cap ture . T he Ch r i s t i an s t and ard s f loa ted u po nthe towers , and a body of cava l ry poured for th f rom i t s ga tes ,and came whee l i ng down in to t he p l a in t o r ece ive t hem.

T he M o or i s h ho r s e m en t u r n ed t h e r e in s o f t he i r s t eeds ,an d ga l loped back for G ra na da . T h ey en te re d i t s ga te s intum ul tu ou s conf us ion , s p r ead ing t e r r o r a nd l am en ta t i on b yt h e n - t i d ing s . " A lham a is f a l l en A lha m a i s f a l l en " ex c l a imed t h e y ; " t h e C hr i s t i ans ga r r i s on i t s w a l l s ; t h e k ey o f

Gr anada i s i n t he hands o f t he enemy "W h e n t h e p e o p le h e a r d t h e s e w o r d s , t h e y r e m e m b e r e d

th e denun c i a t i on o f t h e s a n to n : h i s p r ed i c t i on s eem edst i ll to res ou nd in eve ry ear , a nd i t s fu l fi lmen t to be a th a n d . N o t h i n g w a s h e a r d t h r o u g h o u t t h e c i ty b u t s ig h s a n dw a i t in g s . " W o i s m e , A l h a m a " w a s i n e v e r y m o u t h , a n dth is e jacula t ion of deep sorrow an d doleful foreb odin g cam e

C H A P T E R V I .

ordered ou t , there fore , a thousand



T H E C O N Q U E S T O E GEANADA. 1 9

t o b e t h e b u r d e n . o f a p la in t ive ba l l ad , which , r em ains to t h ep r e s en t day .*

M a n y a g e d m e n , w h o h a d t a k e n r e fu g e i n G r a n a d a f ro mother Moor i sh domin ions which had fa l l en in to the power o f

t h e C hr i s t ians , now g r oan ed i n des pa i r a t t h e t ho ug h t , t ha tw ar was to follow th e m in to th i s l as t r e t r e a t , t o l ay w as teth i s p l ea s an t l and , and t o b r i ng t r oub l e and s o r r ow uponthe i r dec l in ing yea r s . T h e w om en w er e m or e l oud a nd ve hemen t i n t he i r grief, fo r t he y behe ld t h e ev i l s im pen d ingover then 1 ch i ld ren , and what can res t r a in the agony of am o t h e r ' s h e a r t ? M a n y o f t h e m m a d e t h e i r w a y t h r o u g h t h eha l l s o f t he Alhambr a i n to t he p r e s ence o f t he k ing , weep ingand wa i l ing , , and t ea r i ng t he i r ha i r . " A cc u r s e d be t h e da y , "

c r ied they , when the f l ame of war was k ind led by thee in ourl a n d M a y t h e h o l y p r o p h e t b e a r w i t n e ss b e fo r e A l l a h , t h a twe and ou r ch i l d r en a r e i nnoc en t o f t h i s a c t U po n t h yhead , and upon the heads o f thy pos te r i ty , to the end of thewor ld , r e s t t he s i n o f t he des o l a t i on o f Z aha r a " t

M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n r e m a i n e d u n m o v e d a m i d s t a l l t h i ss t o r m : h i s h e a r t w a s h a r d e n e d , o b s e rv e s F r a y A n t o n i oAg ap ida , l ike t h a t o f Ph a r a oh , t o t h e end , t h a t t h r o ug h h i s

b hn d v io lence and r ag e h e m igh t p r o duc e t h e de l ive r ance ofth e l and f rom i t s he a th en bo nd ag e . I n f act , h e w as a bo ldan d fearless w ar r io r , a nd t ru s te d soon to m ak e th i s b lowr eco il upo n t h e he ad o f t h e enem y . H e h a d a s ce r ta ined ,t h a t t h e cap to r s o f A lham a wer e b u t a ha nd f u l ; t h ey we r e i nthe cent re of h is dominions , wi thin a shor t d is tance of h iscap i ta l . T he y w ere def ic ien t in m un i t ions o f w ar , an d pro v i s ions for sus ta in ing a s iege . B y a r ap id m ov em en t h em igh t sur rou nd th em w i th a pow er fu l a rm y, cu t off a l l a id

f rom the i r cou n t r ym en , and en t r ap t h em in t h e f o r tr e s s t he yhad t aken .T o t h i n k w a s t o a c t w i t h M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n ; b u t h e w a s

p r on e t o ac t w i th t oo m uc h p r ec ip i t a t i on . H e im m ed ia t e lyse t fo r th in per son , wi th , th re e tho us an d horse an d fifty tho usan d foot, and , in h is eag erne ss to ar r ive a t th e scene ofac t ion , w ould no t w ai t to p ro v ide a r t i l l e ry an d th e var iou sengines r eq u i r ed in a s i ege . " T h e m ul t i tu de of m y force s , "said h e , conf ident ly , " w i l l b e suf lic ient to ov erw helm th e

e n e m y . "The Marquis o f Cadiz , who thus he ld possess ion of Alhama,

ha d a chosen f ri end and fa ith fu l com panion in a rm s am on gthe m os t d i s t ingu i she d of th e Ch r i s t i an ch iva l ry . Th i s w as

* Th e mournful little Spanish romance of ' A y do mi, Alh am a ' is sup -• posed to be of Moorish origin, and to imbody th e grief of th e peop le of

Granada on this occasion,t Garibay, lib. xl, c. 29.

c 2



2 0 H I S T O E Y O F

D o n Alonzo de Cordova , s en ior an d lo rd o f th e h ouse ofA gu i la r , an d b ro th er of Gronsalvo of Cordo va, af terw ard sr en ow ne d a s t he g r a nd c ap t a in of Spa in . A s ye t A lonzode A gu i la r w as th e g lory of h i s na m e an d ra c e ; fo r h i s

b r o t he r was bu t yo un g i n a r m s . H e w as one of t h e m os t ha r d y ,va l i an t , and en te rpr i s ing Spanish kn igh t s , and foremos t in a l ls e r v i ce o f a pe r i lous and adve n tu r o us na tu r e . H e had n o tbe en a t h an d t o accom pany h i s f ri end Po nc e de L eo n , M ar qu i s o f C ad i z , i n h i s i n r oad i n to t h e M oor i s h t e r r i t o r y ; b u th e ha s t i ly as sem bled a n u m b er o f r e ta in er s , h or se an d foo t,a n d p r e s s ed f o r war d t o j o in t h e en t e r p r i s e . A r r i v ing a t t h er iver Feguas , he found the baggage of the a rmy s t i l l upon i t sba nk s , a nd took charge of i t to ca r ry i t to Alb an ia . T h e

Marquis o f Cadiz heard of the approach of h i s f r i end , whosema rch , w as s low, in consequen ce of be ing enc um bere d b y th eba gg ag e . H e was wi th in b u t a few l eagues o f A lban i a , w he ns cou t s came hu r r y in g i n to t h e p l ace w i th in t e ll igence , t h a t t h eM oo r i s h k in g was a t ha nd w i th a power fu l a r m y . T he M ar qu is of Cadiz wa s f il led wi th a larm , les t D e A gu i lar sho ulds hou ld f all i n to t h e ha nd s of t he enem y . Fo r g e t t i ng h i s owndanger , and th ink ing on ly of tha t o f h i s f r i end , he despa tcheda we l l m ou nt ed m esseng er to r ide fu ll speed an d w ar n h im

not to approach .T he first de te rm ina t io n of Alonzo de A gui la r , w he n h e

h ea r d t ha t t h e M oor i s h k in g was a t han d , was t o t ake a s t r on gpos i t ion in the mounta ins , and awai t h i s coming . The madnessof an a t t empt wi th h i s handfu l o f men to oppose an immensea rm y wa s rep rese n te d to h im w i th such force , as to ind uc eh i m t o a b a n d o n t h e i d e a . H e t h e n t h o u g h t of t h r o w i n g h im sel f in to A lha m a, to sh are t h e for tu ne s of h is f r iend. B u t i t

w as no w too l a te . T he M oo r w ould in fa ll ib ly in te rce p t h im ,and he should on ly g ive the marquis the add i t iona l d i s t r es s o fbeho ld ing h im cap tu r ed be ne a th h i s wa l l s. I t was even u r g edup o n h im , t h a t he h a d no t im e for de lay , i f h e w ould c onsu l tL i s own safe ty , which cou ld on ly be ensured by an immedia te -r e t r e a t i n to t h e C hr i s t i an t e r r i t o r y . T h i s l a s t op in ion w asconf i r med by t he r e tu r n o f s cou t s , who b r ough t i n f o r ma t ion ,t h a t M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n h a d r e c e i v ed n o t i ce o f h i s m o v e m en t s , and was r ap id ly advan c ing i n ques t o f h im . I t w a s

w i th i n fi n it e r e luc t ance t h a t Do n Alonzo de A gu i l a r y i e lde dto t hes e un i t ed an d powerf u l r ea s ons . P r o ud ly an d s u l len lyh e drew off h i s fo rces , l ad en w i th th e bag gag e of th e a rm y,a n d m a d e a n u n w i l l in g r e t r e a t t o w a r d s A n t e q u e r a . M u l e yA b e n H a s s a n p u r s u e d h i m fo r s o m e d is ta n c e t h r o u g h t h emoun ta in s , bu t s oon gave up t he chas e , and t u r ned wi th h i s 'f o r ces upon Alhama .

A s th e a rm y app roach ed th e tow n, th ey be he ld th e fie lds



T H E C O N Q U E S T OJF G B A N A D A . 2 1

s t r e w n w i t h the dead bod i e s of t h e i r c o u n t r y m e n , who had

fallen in defence of the p l ace , and had be en cas t fo r th and lef tu n b u r i e d by the C h r i s t ia n s . T h e r e t h e y lay, m a n g le d and

expos ed to eve r y i nd ign i t y , wh i l e d r oves of hal f - famished

d o g s w e r e p r e y i n g u p o n t h e m , and

fighting and

ho w l ing overt h e i r h i d e ou s r e p a s t * F u r i o u s at the s igh t , the M o o r s , in

the f i r s t t ranspor ts of t he i r r age , a t t ac ked t hes e r av en ou san ima l s , and t h e i r n e x t m e a s u r e was to ven t t he i r f u r y uponthe C hr i s t i ans . T he y r u s he d l i ke m ad m en to the w a l l s, ap

pl ied sca l ing l adders in all p a r t s , w i t h o u t w a i t i n g for the

neces s a r y man te l e t s and o the r p r o t ec t i ons , t h ink ing , by at

t a c k i n g s u d d e n l y and at var ious po in t s , to d i s t r ac t the e n e m y ,a n d o v e r c o m e t h e m by the force of n u m b e r s .

T h e M a r q u i s of C ad i z wi th his con f ede ra t e com m and er sd i s t r i bu t ed t hems e lves a long the wal l s , to d i r ec t and a n i m a t et h e i r men in the defence. The M o o r s , in the i r b l ind fury ,of ten assai led the most difficult and dang e r ous p l aces . D a r t s ,s tones , and all k i n d s of mi s s i l e s wer e hu r l ed down ' upon t he i ru n p r o t e c t e d h e a d s . As fast as t h e y m o u n t e d t h e y w e r e cut

d o w n , or dashed f rom the ba t t l em en t s , t he i r l adde r s ove r t u r n e d , and all who w e r e on t h e m p r e c i p i ta t e d h e a d l o n gbelow.

M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n s t o r m e d w i t h p a s si o n at the s i g h t ; hes en t de t a chm en t a ft er de t a chm en t to scale the w a l l s ; but in

va in ; t hey wer e l i ke waves r u s h ing upon a rock on ly to das ht h e m s e l v e s to p ieces . The M o o r s lay in h e a p s b e n e a t h the

wal l , and a m o n g t h e m m a n y of the b ra ve s t cava l ie r s of G r a n a d a . The Chr is t ians , a lso , sa l l ied f requent ly f rom the ga t e s ,and made g r ea t havoc in the ir r e g u l a r m u l t i t u d e of as sa i l an t s .O n one of these occas ions the p a r t y was c o m m a n d e d by Don

J u a n de V e r a , the same p ious and h i g h - h a n d e d k n i g h t who

h a d b o r n e the embas s y to M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n d e m a n d i n gt r i b u t e . As th is do ug ht y caval ier , af ter a ca r ee r of carnage ,was s l owly r e t r ea t i ng to the ga t e , he h e a r d a voice cal l ing.after him in fur ious accents . " T u r n b a c k t u r n b a c k "cr ied the v o i c e : " t h o u , who cans t insu l t in ha l l , p r ove t ha tt h o u c a n s t c o m b a t in the field." Don J u a n de V e r a t u r n e d ,a n d b e h e l d the s a m e A b e n c e r r a g e w h o m he had s t r uck w i thh i s sword in the A l h a m b r a , for scoffing at the i m m a c u l a t econcep t i on of the b l e s s ed Vi r g in . All his ho ly zea l and p iou si n d i g n a t io n r e k i n d l e d at the s i g h t : he put l ance in r e s t , and

s p u r r e d his s t eed , to f in ish th is doct r inal d ispute . Don J u a nw a s a p o t e n t and i r r es i s t ib le a rguer wi th his w e a p o n ; and

Tie was a ided , s ays F r a y An ton io Ag ap ida , by the pecu l i a rv i r t u e of his cause . At the ve ry firs t enc ou nte r , his l ance

* Pulgar, Cronica.



2 2 H I S T O E X O F

e n t e r e d t h e m o u t h o f t h e M o o r , a n d h u r l e d h i m t o t h e e a r t h ,n e v e r m o r e t o u t t e r w o r d o r b r e a t h . T h u s , c o n ti n u e s t h ew o r t h y f r iar , d id th is scoffing inf idel rece ive a w el l -m er i te dp u n i s h m e n t t h r o u g h t h e v e r y o r g a n w i t h w h i c h h e h a d

o ff ended , an d t hu s w as t h e imm acu la t e concep t ion m i r acu lous ly vindicated f rom his foul aspers ions .T he v igorous an d success fu l defence of th e Ch r i s t i ans now

made M uley Aben Has s an s ens ib l e o f h i s e r r o r , i n hu r r y ingf r om G r an ad a wi th ou t t h e p r o pe r eng ines fo r a s iege . D es t i tu te o f a l l m ea ns to b a t t e r th e fo rt if ica t ions , th e tow n re m a in ed un in ju r ed , de f y ing t h e m igh ty a r m y w h ich r aged i nva in before i t . In ce ns ed a t be ing th us fo il ed , M u le yA b e n H a s s a n g a v e o r d e r s t o u n d e r m i n e t h e w a l l s. T h e

M o o r s a d v a n c e d w i t h s h o u t s t o t h e a t t e m p t . T h e y w e r erece ived wi th a dead ly f i r e f rom the rampar t s , whichd r o v e t h e m f ro m t h e i r w o r k s . R e p e a t e d l y w e r e t h e y r e p u l s e d , a n d r e p e a t e d l y d i d t h e y r e t u r n t o t h e c h a r g e . T h eC hr i s t i ans no t mer e ly ga l l ed t hem f r om the ba t t l emen t s ,bu t i s s ued f o r t h an d cu t t h em down in t h e excava t i ons t h e yw er e a t t e m p t in g t o f o rm. T he con t e s t l a s t ed a wh o le day ,and by even ing two t hous and M oor s wer e e i t he r k i l l ed o rw p u n d e d .

M td ey A be n H as s a n now aban don ed a l l hop e o f ca r ry ing ,t h e p l ace b y a s s a u l t ; an d a t t e m p te d t o d i s t r e ss i t i n to t e r m s ,b y t u r n in g t h e ch anne l o f t h e r i ve r w h ich r un s b y i t s w a l ls .O n t h i s s t r ea m the m ha b i t a n t s depe nde d fo r t he i r s upp ly o fwa te r , t he p l ace be ing des t i t u t e o f f oun t a in s and c i s t e r ns ,f rom which c i rcums tance i t i s ca l l ed Alhama la seca, o r " thed r y . "

A despera te conf l i c t ensued on the banks of the r iver : the

M oo rs end eav ou r ing to p l an t pa l i sadoes in i t s bed , to d ive r tt h e s t r eam, and t h e C hr i s t i ans s t r i v ing t o p r e ve n t t he m . T h eSpan i s h commander s expos ed t hems e lves t o t he u tmos t dan ge r t o an im a te t he i r m en , w ho we r e r epe a t ed ly d r i ven bac kin to t h e t ow n . T he M ar qu i s o f C ad i z was o f ten up t o h i skn ee s rn th e s t r eam , fighting h an d to ha n d w i th th e M oo rs .T he wa t e r r an r ed wi th b lood , and was encumber ed wi th deadb o d i e s . A t l e n g t h t h e o v e r w h e l m i n g n u m b e r s o f t h e M o o r sgave t hem the advan t age , and t hey s ucceeded i n d ive r t i ng t he

g r e a t e r p a r t o f t h e wa t e r . T he C hr i s t i ans ha d t o s t r ugg l esevere ly to supp ly them se lves f rom th e feeb le r i ll w hich re m a ine d . T h ey s a ll ied t o t h e r i ve r by a s ub t e r r aneo us pas s age ; b u t t he M oor i s h c r os s- bowm en s t a t ioned t hems e lves onth e oppo s i t e ba nk , ke ep ing u p a h ea vy fire i ipon the Chr i s t i a n s , w he ne ve r th e y a t t em pt ed to fill th e i r vesse ls f rom th es can ty an d t u r b id s t r eam . O ne pa r ty o f t h e C h r i s ti ans h adthere fore to fight, whi le an o th er d rew w ater . A t a l l ho urs o f



T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G B A N A D A . 2 3

day and n igh t th i s dead ly s t r i f e was main ta ined , un t i l i ts eemed as i f every drop of wate r were purchased wi th a d ropof blood.

I n th e m ea n t im e th e suffer ings in t he tow n becam e in ten se . N o n e b u t the so ld ie ry anc l the i r ho rses were a l lowed

the prec ious beverage so dear ly earned , and even tha t inquan t i t ie s t h a t on ly t an t a l i zed t he i r w an t s . T h e w oun ded ,wh o could no t sa l ly to p ro cu re i t , w ere a lmos t d e s t i t u te ;wh i l e t h e u nh ap py p r is one r s , s hu t up i n t h e m os ques , w e r er educ ed t o f ri gh tf u l ex t r emi t i e s . M a n y pe r i s he d r av ing m ad ,f ancy ing t hem s e lves s w imm ing i n bound l e s s s ea s , y e t un ab l eto as suage th e i r th i r s t . M a n y of th e so ld ie rs l ay pa rch edand pa n t i n g a long t h e ba t t l em en t s , no l onge r ab l e t o d r aw abows t r ing or hur l a s tone , whi le above f ive thousand Moors ,

s t a t ioned up on a r ocky he ig h t wh ich ove r looked p a r t o f t h etown, kept up a gal l ing f i re in to i t wi th s l ings and cross-bows:s o t h a t t h e M ar q u i s o f C ad i z was ob l iged t o he ig h t e n t heba t t l e m en ts b y us ing the doors f rom th e pr iv a te dw el l ings .

The Chr i s t i an cava l i e r s , exposed to th i s ex t reme per i l , andin im m ine nt dan ger o f f a ll ing in to th e ha nd s of th e enem y,des pa tc he d f lee t m essen gers to Sev i l le an d Cordova , en t rea t ing th e ch iva l ry o f A nd alu s ia to has t en to th e i r a id . T he y

sen t l ikew ise to imp lore as s i s tance f rom th e k i ng an d qu ee n ,wh o a t t h a t t ime he ld t he i r cou r t i n M ed ina de l C am po . I nthe mids t o f the i r d i s t r es s , a t ank , o r c i s t e rn o f wate r , wasf o r tuna t e ly d i scove red i n t h e c i ty , w h ich gave t em po r a r yrelief to then- sufferings.

C H A P T E R V I I .H O W T H E D U K E O F M E D I N A S I D O N I A A N D T H E C H I V A L B X O F

A N D A L U S I A H A S T E N E D TO T H E B E L I E F O F A L H A M A .

T H E per i lous s i tua t ion of th e Ch r i s t i an cava l i e rs , pe n t u p an dbe l eague r ed wi th in t he wa l l s o f A lban i a , s p r ead t e r r o r amongthe i r f ri ends , and anx i e ty t h r o ug ho u t a l l A nda lus i a . N o th ing ,however , cou ld equa l the anguish of the March ioness o f Cadiz ,t h e wif e o f t h e ga l l an t R o de r igo Po nc e de L eo n . I n he r deepdis t r es s she looked ro un d for som e power fu l noble , w ho h a dthe means of rous ing the count ry to the as s i s t ance of her hus ba nd . N o one appe a r ed m or e com pe ten t fo r t h e pu r po s e t h anD o n J u a n d e G u z m a n , t h e D u k e o f M e d i n a S id o n ia . H e w a sone of the mos t wea l thy and pu i s san t g randees o f Spa in ; h i spossess ions ex ten de d over some of th e m os t fer t i le p ar ts ofAnda lus i a , embr ac ing t owns and s ea - po r t s , and numer ous




vi l lages . H e re li e r e ign ed in f euda l s t a te l ike a pe t ty sovere ign ,and could a t any t ime br ing in to the f ie ld an immense force ofvas sa l s an d r e t a in e r s . T h e D u ke o f M ed ina S idon ia , and t h eMarquis o f Cadiz , however , were a t th i s t ime dead ly foes .A n h e r e d i t a r y f eud ex i s ted be tw een t hem , t h a t had o f ten a r i s en

to b loo dshe d an d w a r ; fo r as y e t th e fie rce con tes t s be tw ee nth e p r o ud and pu i s s an t Span i s h nob l e s ha d no t been co mp le t e lyque l led b y th e pow er o f the c rown , an d in th i s ' r esp ec t th e yexer ted a r igh t o f sovere ign ty , in l ead ing the i r vassa l s aga ins teach other in open f ie ld .

T h e D u k e o f M e d i n a S i do n ia w o u l d h a v e a p p e a r e d t o m a n yth e ve ry las t pe rson to w ho m to apply for aidT of th e M a rq u iso f C ad i z ; b u t t he mar ch iones s j u dg ed of h im by t h e s t anda r do f h e r ow n h ig h and gene r ous m ind . She k new h im to be aga l l an t and cou r t eous kn igh t , and had a l r eady expe r i enced t hemagnan imi ty o f h i s s p i r i t , hav ing been r e l i eved by h im whenbes ieged by the Moors in her husband ' s fo r t r es s o f Arcos .To the duke , there fore , she app l ied in th i s moment o f suddenca lam i ty , imp lor ing h im to fu rn ish succo ur to h er hu sb an d .T h e even t s howed how we l l nob l e s p i ri ts un de r s t a nd eacho t h e r . No sooner d id th e du ke rece ive th i s app ea l f rom th ewife of h is enemy, than he generous ly forgot a l l feel ing of ani

m os i ty , an d de te rm ined to go in per son to h i s succour . H eimmedia te ly despa tched a cour teous l e t t e r to the march ioness ;as su r ing h er , th a t , in cons idera t ion of th e r e qu es t o f so ho no ur able and es t imable a lady, and to rescue f rom per i l so val ianta caval ier as her husband, whose loss would be great , not onlyto Spa in , b u t to a l l Ch r i s t endom , he w ould forego th e reco l lec t ion of a l l pas t gr ievances , and has ten to his rehef wi th a l l theforces he could raise.

The duke wro te a t the same t ime to the a lcaydes o f h i s

tow ns an d for tr es ses, o rde r ing the m to jo i n h im for thw i th a tSevi l le , w i t h a l l th e force th e y could spa re f rom the i r ga r r iso ns .H e ca l l ed on a l l th e ch iva l ry o f And alus ia to m ak e a com mo ncause in th e rescue of tho se Ch r is t ian ca val iers, an d he of feredl a r ge pay t o a l l vo lun t ee r s who wou ld r e s o r t t o h im wi thhors es , a rm ou r , an d prov i s ions . Th us a ll wh o could be inc i t e dby honour , r e l ig ion , pa t r io t i sm, o r th i r s t o f ga in , were inducedto ha s te n to h i s s t a n d ar d ; an d he took th e fie ld wi t h an a r m yof five th ou sa nd ho rse and fifty thou sa nd foo t .* M a n y cava

l i e r s o f d i s t ingu i sh ed nam e accom panied h i m in th i s gen erou sen t e r p r i s e . A m on g thes e wa s t h e r edo ub t ab l e A lonzo deA j^ i l a r , th e chosen f r iend of th e M ar qu is o f Cadiz , an d wi thh im. h i s yo un ge r b r o the r , G ons a lvo F e r n an de z de C or dova ,a f t e rw ards r en ow ned as th e g ra nd cap ta in ; D o n K od r igo G-ivon ,

* Cronica de los Duques de Medina Sidonia, por Pedro de Medina. M S .



THE CONQUEST O E GEA NADA. 2 5

also, m as t e r o f t h e o r de r o f C a l a t r ava , t og e the r w i th M ar t i nA l on z o d e M o n t e m a y o r , a n d t h e M a r q u i s d e V i l l e n a , e s t e e m e dth e be s t l ance in Spa in . I t w as a g a l l an t an d sp lend id a rm y,compr i s ing the power o f Spanish ch iva l ry , and poured for th in

br i l l i an t a r ra y f rom th e ga tes o f Sev i ll e , be ar i ng t he g r ea t s t anda rd of th a t anc ien t and reno w ned c i ty .F e r d i n a n d a n d I s a b e l la w e r e a t M e d i n a d e l C a m p o w h e n

t id ings cam e of th e cap ture o f Alb an ia . T he k in g wa s a tmas s when he r ece ived t he news , and o r de r ed T e Deum to bech ante d for th i s s igna l t r iu m ph of th e ho ly fa i th . W h e n th e f i r s tflush of t r iu m p h ha d subs ided , and th e k in g l ea rn ed th e imm inen t per i l o f the va lorous Ponce de Leon and h i s companions ,and t he g r e a t dan ge r t he r e wa s t h a t th i s s t r ongho ld m igh t aga in

be w res te d f rom the i r g rasp , h e r eso lved to h u r r y in per so n tothe scene of ac t ion . So pres s in g app eare d to h i m th e em er gency , tha t he bare ly gave h imse l f t ime to t ake a has ty r epas twhi le horses were p rov id ing , and then depar ted a t fu r iousspeed for Andalus ia , leaving a reques t for the queen to fol lowh i m . * H e w a s a t t e n d e d b y D o n B e l t r a n d e l a C u e v a, D u k eo f A l b u q u e r q u e ; D o n I n i g o L o p e z d e M e n d o z a , C o u n t ofT e n d i l l a ; a n d D o n P e d r o M a n r i q u e z , C o u n t o f T r e v i n o , w i t ha few m ore cava l ie r s o f p row ess an d d i s tinc t ion . H e t r ave l l edby f o r ced j ou r neys , f r equen t l y chang ing h i s j aded ho r s e s ,be ing eage r t o a r i ve i n t ime t o t ake command o f t he Anda lu -s ian ch iva l ry . W h e n he came w i th in five l eagues o f Cordova ,t h e D u k e of A l b u q u e r q u e r e m o n s t r a t e d w i t h h i m u p o n e n t e r i n gw i th such incau t ious ha s te in to th e enem ies ' co un t ry . H er ep r e s e n t e d t o h im , t h a t t h e r e w er e t r oops enou gh a s s em bledto succou r Alb an ia , and th a t i t was no t for h im to ad ve ntu reh i s roy a l pe r son in do in g w ha t cou ld be do ne by h i s sub jec t s ,espec ia l ly as he had such va l i an t and exper ienced cap ta ins toac t fo r l inn . " Bes ides , s i r e , " ad de d th e du ke , " y o u r m ajes tyshould be th ink you , tha t the t roops about to t ake the f i e ld a remer e men o f Anda lus i a ; whe r eas you r i l l u s t r i ous p r edeces s o r sneve r made an i n r oad i n to t he t e r r i t o r y o f t he M oor s , w i thou tbe ing accompanied by a power fu l fo rce o f the s t anch and i ronwar r io r s o f Old Cas t i l e . "

" D u k e , " r e p l ie d t h e k i n g , " y o u r c o u nc il m i g h t h a v e b e e ngood had I no t depa r t ed f r om M ed ina wi th t he avowed de t e r

m ina t ion of succou r ing the se cava l ie r s in per so n . I a m no wne a r t h e end o f m y jou r n ey , and i t w ou ld be bene a th m ydig n i ty to chan ge m y in ten t ion , before even I h ad m et w i th•an im pe dim en t . I sha l l t ak e th e t roop s of th i s co un t ry wh o

* Illescas, Hist. Pontifical.



2 6 H I S T O R Y OF

a r e a s s embled , w i thou t wa i t i ng for t h o s e of Cas t i le , and, with,t h e aid of God, sha l l p rosecu te my j o u r n e y . " *

A s K i n g P e r d i n a n c f a p p r o a c h e d C o r d o v a , the p r i n c i p a l in

h a b i t a n t s c a m e f o r t h to r ece ive him. L e a r n i n g , h o w e v e r , t h a tt h e D u k e of M e d i n a S i d o n i a was a l r e a d y on the m a r c h , and

pr es s ing f o r war d i n to the t e r r i t o r y of the M o o r s , the k i n gw a s all on fire to o v e r t a k e him, and to l e a d in p e r s o n the succ o u r to A l h a m a . W i t h o u t e n t e r in g C o r d ov a , t h e re f o re , he

e x c h a n g e d his w e a r y h o r s e s for t h o s e of the i n h a b i t a n t s who

had come f o r th to m e e t him, and p r e s s ed f o r war d for the

a r m y . He de sp atc he d f leet cou r iers in a d v a n c e , r e q u e s t i n gt h e D u k e of M e d i n a S i d o ni a to a w a i t his coming , t ha t he

m i g h t t a k e c o m m a n d of the forces.

N e i t h e r the d u k e nor his com pan ions in a rm s , how ever , f e lti nc l i ned to p a u s e in t he i r gene r ous exped i t i on , and grat i fy the

inc l ina t ion of the k in g . T he y s en t bac k mi s sives , r ep r e s en t i ngt h a t t h e y w e r e far w i t h i n the enemies ' f ron t i e r s , and it was

dange r ous e i t he r to p a u s e or to t u r n b a c k . T h e y had l ikewiserece ived pres s ing en t rea t i es f rom the b e s i e g e d to h a s t e n t h e i rspeed , s e t t in g for th the i r g r ea t suf fe r ings , and t h e i r h o u r l yp e r i l of b e i n g o v e r w h e l m e d by the e n e m y .

T h e k i n g was at P o n t o n del M a e s t r e w h e n he r ece ived

these miss ives . So inf lam ed was he wi th zea l for the successo f t h i s en t e r p r i s e , t ha t he w o u l d h a v e p e n e t r a t e d i n t o the

k i n g d o m of G r a n a d a w i t h t h e h a n d f u l of cava l i e r s who accomp a n i e d him; but t h e y r e p r e s e n t e d the r a s h n e s s of s u c h a

j o u r n e y , t h r o u g h the mounta inous def i l es of a hos t i l e coun t r yth i ck ly bes e t w i th t owns and cas t le s . W i t h som e di ff iculty ,t he r e f o r e , he was d i s suaded f rom his inc l ina t ion , and p reva i l edu p o n to awai t t id ings f rom the a r m y , in the f ront ier c i ty of

A n t e q u e r a .

C H A P T E R V I I I .

S E Q U E L OE THE E V E N T S AT A L H A M A .

W H I L E all A n d a l u s i a was t h u s in a r m s , and p o u r i n g its

c h i v a l r y t h r o u g h the m o u n t a i n p a s s es of the M oo r i sh f ron t ie r,t he ga r r i s on of A l h a m a was r e d u c e d to g r e a t e x t r e m i t y , and

i n d a n g e r of s i n k i n g u n d e r its suffer ings before the p r omis edsuccour cou ld a r r ive . The i n to l e r ab l e t h i r s t t h a t p r eva i l edi n c o n s e q u e n c e of the s ca r c i t y of w a t e r , the i n c e s s a n t w a t c ht h a t had to be m a i n t a i n e d o v e r the vas t force of enemiesw i t h o u t , and the g r e a t n u m b e r of p r i s one r s w i th in , and the

* Pulgar,. Cronica, p. iii, c. 3.



THE CONQUEST OF GKRENADA. 2 7

•wounds which a lmos t every so ld ie r had rece ived in the inces san t sk i rmishes and as sau l t s , had worn grev ious ly bo th f l eshand sp i r i t . T h e nob le Po nc e de Le on , M ar qu is o f Cadiz , s t i l lan im a ted t h e s o ld ie r y , howeve r , b y w or d and example , s ha r ing

eve r y ha r ds h ip , an d be in g f o remos t i n eve r y da n ge r ; exem pl i fy ing , tha t a good commander i s the v i t a l sp i r i t o f ana r my .

W h e n M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n h e a r d of t h e v a s t fo rc e t h a tw a s a p p r o a c h i n g u n d e r t h e c o m m a n d o f t h e D u k e o f M e d i n aS idon i a , and t ha t Fe r d inand was coming i n pe r s on wi th add i t iona l t roo ps , he pe rce ived th a t no t im e wa s to b e lo s t :A lha m a m us t be ca r r i ed by one pow er f u l a t t ack , o r aban don edent i r e ly to the Chr i s t i ans .

A number o f M oor i s h cava l i e r s , s ome o f t he b r aves t you thof Granada , knowing the wishes o f the k ing , p roposed toun de r ta ke a desp era te en te rpr i se , w hich , if successfu l, m u s t

scarce ly the g rey of the dawn, about the t ime of changing thew atch , the se cava l i e rs ap proa che d th e tow n, a t a p lace con s idered inaccess ible , f rom the s teepness of the rocks on whichthe wa l l was f ou nd ed ; w h ich i t was s uppos ed e l eva t ed t h eba t t l e m en t s be yo nd t h e r each o f t h e l onges t s ca l ing l ad de r s .T h e M oo r i s h kn igh t s , a i ded b y a nu m be r of t h e s t r onge s tand mos t ac t ive esca ladors , mounted these rocks , and appl iedt h e l a d d e r s w i t h o u t b e i n g d i s c o v e r e d ; f o r , t o d i v e r t a t t e n t i o nf r om them, M uley Aben Has s an made a f a l s e a t t ack upon t hetown in ano the r qua r t e r .

T h e sca l ing p a r t y m ou nte d w i th d if ficu lty , an d in sm al ln u m b e r s ; t h e s en t i ne l was k i l led a t h i s pos t , and s even ty o fthe M oo rs m ad e t he i r w ay in to , the s t r ee t s before an a la rm

was g iven . T he g ua r ds r u s h ed t o t he w a l ls , t o s t op t h ehos t i l e th ro n g th a t was s t il l po ur i ng in . A sharp confl ic t,hand t o hand , and man t o man , t ook p l ace on t he ba t t l emen t s ,and m an y on bo th s i des fe ll. T h e M oor s , w he the r w oun dedor s l a in , were th rown head long wi thout the wal l s , the sca l ingl adde r s wer e ove r tu r ned , and t hos e who wer e moun t ing wer edas h ed upon t h e r ocks , an d f rom thenc e t um ble d upon t h ep l a in . T hu s i n a li t t l e wh i l e t h e r am pa r t s we r e c l ea r ed b yC hr i s t i an p r owes s , l ed on by t ha t va l i an t kn igh t Don Alonzo

P o n c e t h e u n c l e , a n d t h a t b r a v e e s q u i re P e d r o P i n e d o , n e p h e wof the Marquis o f Cadiz .

T h e wal l s be ing c leared , the se tw o k in dre d cava l i e r s no whas tened wi th the i r fo rces in pursu i t o f the seven ty Moors ,w ho ha d ga ined an en t r ance i n to t he t ow n . T h e m a in p a r t ofth e gar r i so n be in g enga ged a t a d i s t ance , r es i s t ing th e f e ignedat t ac k of th e M oo r ish kin g, th is f ierce b a n d of infidels h a dr an ge d t h e s t r ee t s a lmos t w i thou t oppos it ion , and w er e m ak ing

mor n ing , when i t was



28 H I S T O R Y O F

* Zurita, lib. xx cap. 43.f Pedro Pine da received the honour of knightho od from the hand of

King Ferdinand for his valour on this occasion. (A lon zo Po nc e wa s.already a knight.) Se e Zuniga, A nna ls of S ev ille, l ib. xii , an . 1482 .

t he i r w ay t o t h e ga t e s , t o t h r o w th e m open t o t h ea r m y . *

T he y w er e chos en m en fr om am ong t heM oo r i s h f or ces, s eve ra lof them ga l l an t kn igh t s o f the p roudes t f ami l i es o f Granada .T he i r f oo t s t eps t h r ough t he c i t y wer e i n a manne r p r i n t ed i nHood , and t hey wer e t r acked by t he bod i e s o f t hos e t hey hadk i l l ed and w oun ded . T he y ha d a t t a i ned t h e g a t e ; m os t o ft h e gu a r d ha d f all en ben ea th t he i r c im e te r s : a m om en t m or e- and Alban i a wou ld have been t h r own open t o t he enemy .

J u s t a t t h i s j u n c t u r e , D o n A l o n z o P o n c e a n d P e d r o d eP i n e d a r e a c h e d t h e s p o t w i t h t h e n - fo rces . T he M oo rs h a dthe enemy in f r on t and r ea r : t hey p l aced t hems e lves back t oback , w i th t he i r ba nn e r i n t h e cen t r e . I n th i s w ay t he y

f ough t w i th des pe r a t e and dead ly de t e r mina t i on , ma ldng ar a m pa r t a r ou nd t he m w i th t h e sl a in . M or e C h r i s ti an t roop sa r r i ved , and he m m ed th em in , b u t s t il l t h ey f ough t, w i tho u ta s k ing fo r qu a r t e r . A s t he i r nu m be r s dec r eas ed , t h ey s e r r i edth ei r c i rc le s t i l l c loser , defen ding th e i r b a n n er f rom ass au l t ,an d th e l as t M oo r d ied a t h i s pos t , g rasp ing th e s t a nd ard oft h e P r op he t . T h i s s t an da r d was d is p l ayed f rom the wa l l s ,a n d t h e t u r b a n e d h e a d s o f t h e M o o r s w e r e t h r o w n d o w n t othe bes ieger s . f

M uley Aben Has s an t o r e h i s bea r d wi th r age a t t he f a i l u r eof th i s a t t e m pt , an d a t th e de a th o f so m an y of h i s chosencav a l ie r s . H e saw th a t a l l fu r the r e f fort w as in va in . H is. scou t s b rought word , tha t they had seen f rom the he igh t s thelong co lumns an d f l aun ti ng ban ne r s o f t h e C hr i s t i an a r m yapp r oac h ing t h r ou gh t h e m ou n ta in s . T o l i nge r wo u ld be t op l ace h ims e l f be tw een two bod i e s o f t h e enem y . B r ea k i ngu p h i s cam p, there fore , in a l l has te , he gave u p th e s i ege ofAlhama , and has t ened back t o Gr anada , and t he l a s t c l a s h o f

h i s cymbals scarce d ied upon the ear f rom the d i s tan t h i l l s ,be f o r e t h e s t an da r d of t he D u k e o f M ed ina S idon i a was s eenem erg ing in an o t h er d i rec t ion f rom th e defi les o f th e m ou nt a ins .

W h e n t h e C h r i s t i a n s i n A l h a m a b e h e l d t h e i r e n e m i e sre t rea t ing on one s ide , and the i r f r i ends advanc ing on theo t h e r , t h e y u t t e r e d s h o u t s o f j o y a n d h y m n s of t h a n k s g i v i n g ;for i t w as as a sudd en re li e f f rom pr ese n t dea th . H ar as se d

b y sev era l w ee ks of inc ess an t vig i l a nd f ighting, suffer ing fromscarc i ty o f p rov i s ions and a lmos t con t inua l th i r s t , they re s em bled ske l e tons r a th e r t ha n l i v ing m en . I t was a nob l e



THE CONQUES T OF GBANADA. 2 9 .

and grac ious s igh t to behold the meet ing of those two anc ien tfoes, t he Duke o f M ed ina S idon i a , and t he M ar qu i s o f C ad i z .W h e n t h e m a r q u i s b e h e l d h is m a g n a n i m o u s d e li v e re r a p p r o a c h ing , h e m el te d in to t e a r s : a l l pa s t an im os i t ies on ly gave th e

g r ea t e r po ign ancy t o p r e s en t f ee li ngs o f g r a t i t ud e an d adm i ra t ion : the y c lasped each o th er in th e i r a rm s , and , f rom th a tt ime forward , were t rue and cord ia l f r i ends .

W hi l e t h i s gene r ous s cene t ook p l ace be tween t he comm an de rs , a sord id con tes t a rose am on g the i r t roop s . T h esoldiers, w ho had - come to t h e res cu e, c la im ed a po r t io n ofthe spo i ls o f A lh a m a ; an d so v io len t was th e d i sp u te , th a tbo th pa r t i e s s e ized t he i r a r m s . T he D u k e o f M ed ina S idon i ain te r fe red , and se t t l ed the ques t ion wi th h i s charac te r i s t i c

m agn an im i ty . H e dec l a r ed t h a t t he s po il be longed t o t hos e 'wh o ha d cap tu r ed t h e c i t y . " W e have t ak en t h e f ie ld , " s a idh e , "only for honour , for re l ig ion, and for the rescue of ourco un t rym en and fe l low -Ch r i s t i ans ; an d th e success o f ouren terp r ise i s a suff ic ient an d glor ious re w ar d. I f w e des i rebo oty , th e re ar e suff ic ient M oo r ish c i t ies ye t to b e ta k e n toenr ich us a l l . " T he so ld ie rs w ere convinced b y th e f r ank an dchiva l rous r easoning of the duke ; they rep l i ed to h i s speechby acc lamat ions , and the t r ans ien t b ro i l was happi ly appeased .

T h e M arch ione ss o f Cadiz , w i th th e fo re tho ugh t o f a lov in gwife, ha d des pa t ched he r m a jo r- domo w i th t h e a r m y , w i th ala rge supp ly of p rov i s ions . Tab les w ere im m edia te ly spre adb e n e a t h t h e t e n t s , w h e r e t h e m a r q u i s g a v e a b a n q u e t t o t h eduke and the cava l i e r s who had accompanied h im, andno th in g b u t h i l a r i ty p reva i l ed in th i s l a te scene of suffe ringand dea th .

A garr ison of f resh t roops was lef t in Alhama, and the

ve t e r an s , w ho had s o va l i an t l y cap tu r ed a nd m a in t a ined i t ,r e t u r ne d t o t he i r hom es bu r d en ed w i th p r ec ious boo ty . T h em arq uis an d du ke , w i th the i r confedera te cava l i e r s, r epa i red ,t o An t ique r a , whe r e t hey wer e r ece ived wi th g r ea t d i s t i nc t i onby the k ing , who honoured the Marquis o f Cadiz wi th s igna l -m ar ks o f f avour . T h e du ke th en accom panied h i s l a te en em y,but now mos t zea lous and gra te fu l f r i end , the Marquis o fC ad i z , t o h i s t own o f M ar chena , whe r e he r ece ived t he r ewar dof Ins ge nero us con duc t in th e th a n k s a nd bless ing s of the-

m ar ch ione s s . T h e m ar qu i s gave a s um ptuou s en t e r t a in m en tin h on ou r o f h i s g u e s t ; fo r a da y an d n ig h t h i s pa lace w asth ro w n open , an d w as th e scene of con t inua l r eve l an d fes t i v i t y . W h e n t h e du ke dep a r t ed f or h i s e s t a t e s a t S t L u ca r ,t h e m ar qu i s a t t end ed h im fo r s ome d i s tance on h i s j ou r n ey ,and when they separa ted , i t was as the par t ing scene ofb r o th e r s . Suc h was t he nob l e s pec tac l e exh ib i t ed t o t h ech iva l ry o f Sp a in b y thes e tw o i l lus t rious r iva l s . E a c h re ap ed



3 0 H I S T O B Y O F

u n i v e r s a l r e n o w n f r o m t h e p a r t h e h a d p e r f o r m e d i n t h e c a m pa ign ; t h e m ar q u i s , f r om ha v in g s u r p r i s ed an d cap tu r e d oneo f t h e m os t im po r t an t an d f o r midab le f o r tr e s se s o f t h e k ing dom o f G r ana da , and t h e du ke f r om hav ing s u bdu ed h i s

dead l ies t foe by a g rea t ac t o f magnanimi ty .

C H A P T E R I X .

E V E N T S A T G K AN A D A, A N D E I S E O F T H E M O O B I S H K I N GB 0 A B D I 1 E L C H I C O .

T H E M oor i s h k in g A be n H as s a n r e tu r ne d , baffled an d d i s ap po in ted , f rom before th e w al l s o f A lham a, an d w as rece ivedwi th g r oans and s mo the r ed exec r a t i ons by t he peop l e o f Gr a na da . T h e p r ed i c t i on o f t h e s an ton was i n eve r y mo u th ,an d a pp ear ed to be rap id ly fu l f il l ing ; for th e en em y wa sa l rea dy s t rong ly fo rt if ied in A lha m a, in th e ve ry he a r t oft h e k ing dom . T h e d i sa ff ec tion , w h ich b r ok e ou t i n m ur m ur sam ong t h e comm on peop l e , f e r men ted m or e sec r e t ly an d dan g e r o u s l y a m o n g t h e n o b l e s . M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n w a s o f a

n e r c e a n d c r u e l n a t u r e : h i s r e i g n h a d b e e n m a r k e d w i t htyranny and b loodshed , and many ch ie f s o f the f ami ly o f theA ben ce r r ages , t h e nob l e s t li neage am ong t h e M oo r s , ha d f a ll env ic t ims to h i s po l i cy or venge anc e . A deep p lo t w as no wform ed to p u t an en d to his oppre ss ions , a nd dispossess hi m ofth e t h r o ne . T he s i tua t i on of t h e r oya l hou s eho ld f avour edthe cons p i r acy .

M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n , t h r o u g h c r u e l, w a s u x o r i o u s ; t h a t ist o s ay , he had many wives , and was p r one t o be managed byth em by t u r n s . H e ha d two queens , i n pa r t i cu l a r , w hom heh a d chosen f rom affec tion . O ne , na m ed A yx a , w as a M oo r i shf ema le ; s he was l i kewi s e t e r med i n Ar ab i c L a Hor r a , o r" t h e chas t e , " f rom the s po tl e ss pu r i t y o f he r cha r ac t e r .W h i l e ye t i n t h e p r im e of h e r beau ty , s he bo r e a s on t o Ab enH as s a n , t h e expec t ed he i r t o h i s t h r o ne . T he na m e o f t h i sp r ince w as M a ho m et Ab da l l a , o r a s h e has m or e gen e r a l l yt e e n t e r m e d a m o n g h is t o ri a n s , B o a b d i l . A t h i s b i r t h t h e

as t ro logers , acc ord ing to cus tom , cas t h i s ho ro sc op e : th e yw er e s ei zed w i th fea r and t r em bl ing w hen t h ey behe ld t h efa ta l po r ten t s r evea led to th e i r s c ience . " A l ia ac h ba r G odi s g r ea t " exc l aimed t h e y : " h e a lone con t r o l s t h e f a te ofem p i re s : i t i s w r i t t en , in th e hea ven s th a t th i s p r ince sha l l s i tup on t h e t h r o ne o f G r ana da , b u t t h a t t h e downf a ll o f t h ek ingd om s ha l l be accompl i s hed du r ing h i s r e ig n . " E r o m th i st ime t he p r i nce was eve r r ega r ded wi th ave r s ion by h i s f a the r ;



THE CONQUEST O E G BAN ADA. 3 1

and the se r ies o f per secu t ions which he suf fe red , and the darkpred ic t ion w hich h u n g over h im from h i s in fancy , p r oc ur edh im th e s u r n am e of E l Z ogoyh i , o r " t h e m i f o r tuna t e . " H eis m ore com m only kno w n by th e appe l la t ion of E l Chico ,

" t h e you ng e r , " t o d i s t i ngu i s h h im f rom an us u r p in g unc l e .T h e o th e r f avour it e queen o f A ben H as s a n was na m edFa t im a , t o wh ich t h e M oo r s ad de d t h e appe l la t ion o f L aZoro ya , o r " t h e l ig h t o f th e da w n," from he r e ffu lgen tbea u ty . Sh e was a C h r i s t ian b y b i r t h , t he da ug h t e r o f t h ecommander Sancho Ximenes de So l i s , and had been t akencap t ive in her t ender youth .*

The k ing , who was wel l s t r i cken in year s a t the t ime , became enam our ed o f t h e b loom ing C h r i s t ian ma id . H e m ad e

he r h i s s u l t a na ; and , l i ke m os t o ld men , w ho m ar r y i n t he i rdo t age , r e s igned h ims e l f t o he r m ana gem en t . Z o r oy a becam ethe m o th e r o f two p r in ce s ; an d h e r anx i e ty fo r t he i r ad vance ment seemed to ex t inguish every o ther na tura l f ee l ing in herbrea s t . She w as as am bi t ious as she was beau t i fu l , an d h erru l ing des i re became to see one of her sons sea ted upon theth r one o f Gr anada .

F o r th i s pu rpo se she m ad e use o f a l l he r a r t s , and of th e

comple te ascendency she had over the mind of her c rue l hus band, to undermine his o ther chi ldren in his af fect ions , and toi il l h im w i th j ea lous ies o f the i r des igns . M u le y A be n H a ss anwas s o w r ou gh t up on b y he r ma ch ina t i ons , t h a t he pub l i c lyp u t sev eral of h is sons to de at h a t th e cele bra ted fou ntain ofl ions, in th e co ur t o f th e A lh a m b ra ; a p lace s igna l ized inMoor i sh h i s to ry as the scene of many sanguinary deeds .

The nex t measure o f Zoroya was aga ins t her r iva l su l t ana ,th e v i r tuo i i s A yx a . She w as pa s t th e b loom of h er be au ty ,

and h a d ceased to be a t t r ac t ive in th e eyes o f he r hu sb an d .He was eas i ly per suaded to r epudia te her , and to conf ine herand h er son in th e tow er o f Com ares , one of th e p r inc ipa lt ower s of t h e A lham br a . A s B oabd i l i nc r eas ed i n yea r s ,Zoroya behe ld in h im a fo rmidable obs tac le to the p re tens ionsof her sons ; fo r he was un iver sa l ly cons idered he i r apparen tto th e th r on e . T he j ea lous ies , susp ic ions , and a la rm s of h i st i ge r - he a r t ed f a the r wer e aga in exc i t ed ; he w as r eminded , t oo ,of the p red ic t ion , tha t f ixed the ru in o f the k ingdom dur ing

th e r e ig n o f t h i s p r i nce . M ule y A be n H as s an imp ious ly s e tth e s tars a t def iance. " T he sw ord of th e ex ecu t ion er ," sa idh e , " shal l pro ve th e fa lsehood of the se ly in g horosco pes , an dsha l l s i l ence the ambi t ion of Boabdi l as i t has the p resumpt iono f h i s b r o the r s . "

T he Su l t ana Ayxa was s ec r e t l y app r i s ed o f t he c r ue l de s ign

* Cronica del Gran Cardenal, c. lxxi.




of th e old . m on arc h . Sh e w as a w om an of t a le n t s an d coura ge ,an d h y m eans o f he r f ema le a t t e nd an t s conce r t ed a p l an f o rth e escape of he r son. A fa i thful ser va nt w as in s t r uc te d tow a i t be low t h e A lham br a , i n t he dead o f t he n ig h t , on t h e

ba nk s of th e river D ar ro , w i th a f lee t A rab ian cou rser . T h es id tan a, w-hen th e cas t le w as in a s ta te of de ep rep ose , t i edto ge th er the shawls an d scar fs o f her se l f an d he r f emale a t t en da n t s , and lowered the youthfu l p r ince f rom the tower o f Co-m ar e s .* H e ma de h i s w ay i n s a fe ty down th e s t eep r ock y billt o t he banks o f t he Dar r o , and , t h r owing h ims e l f on t heArab ian courser , was thus sp i r i t ed of f to the c i ty o f Guadix inth e A lpu xa r res . H e re he l ay for some t im e concea led , un t i l ,ga in ing ad he ren t s , he for ti fi ed h im se l f in the p lace , an d se t t h e

m ach ina t io ns o f Ms ty ra n t f a the r a t def iance . Su ch w as th es ta te of a ffa irs in th e roy a l hou seho ld of G ra na da w he n M u le yAben Has s an r e tu r ned f o i l ed f r om h i s exped i t i on aga ins tA lham a . T he f ac ti on , w h ich ha d been s ec r e t l y f o r med am ongth e nob l e s , de t e r m ined t o depose t h e o ld k in g A be n H as s an ,an d t o e l eva t e h i s s on B oa bd i l t o t h e t h r o ne . T he y con ce r t edthe i r m eas u r e s w i th t he l a t t e r , and an opp or tun i t y s oon p r e s e n t e d t o p u t t h e m i n p r a c ti c e . M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n h a d aroy a l co un t ry pa lace , ca l l ed A lexares , in th e v ic in i ty o f G ra

na da , to w hich he res or te d occas iona lly to r ec rea te h i s m in ddu r ing t h i s t ime o f pe r p l ex i t y . H e ha d been pas s ing one da yamong i t s bowers , when , on re tu rn ing to the cap i ta l , he foundthe ga t e s c lo s ed aga ins t h im , and h i s s on M ohammed Abda l l a ,o t h e rw i s e c a ll ed B o a b d il , p r o c la i m e d k i n g . " A l l a a c h b a r G o di s g r e a t " exc l aimed o ld M ule y A be n H a s s a n ; " i t is i n va in t oco nten d aga in s t w h at i s w r i t t en in the book of f a te . I t w asp r ed es t i ned t h a t m y s on s hou ld s it up on t h e t h r o ne . A l i af br ef end t he r e s t o f t h e p r e d i c t i on " T he o ld m on a r c h kne w

the in f lammable na ture o f the Moors , and tha t i t was use les sto a t t em pt to check any sudd en b laz e of po pu la r pass ion ." A l i t t le whi le ," sa id he , " and th is rash f lame wi l l burn i t se l fo u t ; an d th e people , w he n cool , wi l l l i s t en to r eas on ." So hetu rn e d h i s s t eed from th e ga te , and repa i re d to th e c i ty o fB aza , whe r e he was r ece ived wi th g r ea t demons t r a t i ons o fl oya l t y . H e was no t a m an t o g ive up h i s t h r o ne w i tho u ta s t rugg le . A la rge pa r t of th e k in gd om s t i ll r em ain ed fa i th fu lt o h im; he t r u s t ed t ha t t he cons p i r acy i n t he cap i t a l was bu t

t r ans i en t and pa r t i a l , and t ha t by s udden ly mak ing h i s appea r ance in i t s s t r ee t s , a t the head of a modera te fo rce , he shouldaw e the people a ga in in to a l l eg iance . H e took h i s me asures -w i th t h a t com bina t ion of d ex t e r i t y an d da r ing w h ich f o r med .M s cha r ac t e r , an d a r r i ved one n ig h t un de r t h e wa l l s o f G r a -

* Salazar, Cronica del Gran Cardenal, c. lxxi .



T H E C O N Q U E S T O T G R A N A D A . 3 3

n a d a wi th , f ive h u n d re d ch osen fol lowers . Scal ing th e w al lso f t h e A lham br a , he t h r ew h ims e l f w i th s angu ina r y f u r y i n toi t s s i l en t co ur t s . T he s leep ing inm ates w ere rou sed f rom th e i rrep ose on ly to fa ll by th e ex te rm ina t ing c ime ter . T he rag e

o f Aben Has s an s pa r ed ne i t he r age no r r ank no r s ex ; t heha l l s r esounded wi th shr ieks and ye l l s , and the founta ins r anre d w i th b lood . T h e a lcayde , A be n Com ixer , r e t r e a te d to a•st rong tow er w i th a f ew of th e gar r i son an d inh ab i tan t s . T h ef u rious A ben H as s an d id no t l os e time i n pu r s u ing h im ; hewas anx ious to secure the c i ty , and to wreak h i s vengeance oni t s r ebe l l km s i nha b i t an t s . De s cend ing w i th h i s b loody b an diu to th e s t r ee t s , h e cu t dow n t h e defence les s inh ab i tan t s , as ,s t a r t l ed f rom the i r s l eep , they rushed for th to l ea rn the causeo f t h e a l a r m . T h e c i t y was s oon comple te ly r o us ed ; t h epeop le flew to a rm s ; l igh t s b laze d in every s t r ee t , r eve a l ingth e s can ty nu m be r s of th i s ba nd t h a t ha d be en dea l ing suchf a t a l vengea nce i n t he da r k . M ide y A be n H as s an ha d bee nm is ta k en in h i s con jec tures . T he gre a t m ass of th e peop le ,ince nsed b y h i s t y ra nn y , w ere zea lous in f avour o f h i s son .A vio lent b u t t ra ns ie nt confl ic t to ok place in th e s t ree ts an dsq ua res ; m an y of th e fo llowers o f A be n H a ss an w ere s la in ,t h e r e s t d r i ven ou t of t h e c i t y ; and t he o ld m ona r c h , w i th t h er emnan t o f h i s band , r e t r ea t ed t o h i s l oya l c i t y o f M a laga .

Su ch was t h e com men cem en t o f t hos e g r ea t i n t e r n a l f eudsa n d d iv is ions w hich ha s te ne d th e downfa l l o f G ran ad a . T h eM oor s became s epa r a t ed i n to two hos t i l e f ac t i ons , headed byth e fa the r a nd th e son , an d sev era l b lood y enc oun te r s tookp l ace be tween t hem; ye t t hey neve r f a i l ed t o ac t w i th a l lthe i r s epara te fo rce aga ins t the Chr i s t i ans as a common enemy,wheneve r an oppor tun i t y occu r r ed .

C H A P T E R X .

R O T A I i E X P E D I T I O N A G A I N S T L O X A .

K I N G EERDINAND held a counci l of war a t Cordova, where i twas de l i be r a t ed w ha t was t o be done w i th A lham a . M os t o f

the counc i l adv i sed tha t i t should be demol i shed , inasmuch as ,be ing in the cen t re o f the Moor i sh k ingdom, i t would be a t a l lt im es li ab le to a t t ac k , and could on ly be m ain ta ine d b y apow er fu l gar r i son , an d a t va s t expen se . Q ue en I sab e l l a a r r iv eda t Cordova in the mids t o f these de l ibera t ions , and l i s t ened tot h e m w i t h su r p r is e a n d i m p a t i e n c e . " W h a t " s a id s h e ," sha l l we de s t ro y th e f i rs t f ru i t s of ou r v ic tor ies ? shal l weab an do n th e first p lace we have w res te d f rom th e M oo rs ?

c



3 4 H I S T O S T O P

N e v e r le t u s suffer such, an ide a to occup y ou r m in ds . I twould g ive new courage to the enemy, a rgu ing fear o r f eeb le ne ss in our counc il s . Y o u ta l k of th e to i l an d expense ofm a i n t a i n i n g A l b a m a . D i d w e d o u b t , o n u n d e r t a k i n g t h i s

war , that i t was to be a war of inf in i te cos t , labour , and bloods h e d ? an d sha l l we sh r ink f rom th e cos t th e mo m en t a v ic to ryi s ob ta in ed , and th e que s t ion i s m ere ly to gu ar d or aba nd oni t s g lo ri ous t r op hy ? L e t u s he a r no m or e a bou t t h e des t r u c t io n of A lh a m a ; l e t us m ain ta in i t s wal l s s acred , as a s t ron gho ld g r an t ed u s by Heaven i n t he cen t r e o f t h i s hos t i l e l and ;an d l e t our on ly cons idera t ion be ho w to ex te nd our co nqu es t , an d cap tu r e t he s u r r oun d ing c i ti e s . " T he l an gu ageof th e qu ee n infused a m or e lof ty an d chival rou s spi r i t in toth e r oy a l counc il . P r e pa r a t i ons w er e imm ed ia t e ly m ad e tom a in t a in A lham a a t a l l r i s k an d e xp en s e ; an d E i ng F e r d i na n d appo in t ed , a s a l cayde , L u i s F e r n an de z P ue r to C a r r e r o ,sen ior o f th e ho use of Pa lm a, sup po r ted b y D ieg o Lo pez de•Ayola , P e ro B uiz de Alarco n , an d A lonzo O r t i s , cap ta ins o ff ou r h u nd r e d l ances an d a bo dy o f one t ho us an d f oot, s up p l i ed w i th p rov i s ions f o r t h r ee m on ths . F e r d i na nd r e s o lveda l so to l ay s i ege to Loxa , a c i ty o f g rea t s t r eng th , a t no grea td i s tanc e f rom Alham a. F o r th i s pu rpo se he ca l led up on a l lt h e c i ti es and t own s of A nda lus i a an d E s t r e m ad ur a , an d t h edomains o f the o rder s o f San t iago , Ca la t rava , and Alcan ta ra ,a n d of th e p r i o ry of S t Ju a n , and. th e k ing do m of Toledo , an dbe yo nd , to th e c i t ies of Sa lam anc a, To ro, and. V al lad ol id , tofurn i sh , accord ing to the i r r epar t imien tos o r a l lo tments , acer ta in qua nt i ty o f b rea d , w ine , an d ca t t l e , to b e de l ivered a t•the roy a l cam p before L o x a ; one ha l f a t th e en d of J u n e ,a n d one ha l f i n J u ly . T he s e l ands a ls o , t og e the r w i th B i s cay

and Guipuscoa , were o rdered to send re in forcements o f horsean d foo t, each tow n furn i sh ing i t s q u o ta ; an d gr ea t d i l igencewas u s ed i n p r ov id ing l ombar ds , powder , and o the r war l i kem u n i t i o n s .

T he M oor s wer e no l e ss ac t ive i n t he i r p r ep a r a t i o ns ; an dsen t mis s ives in to Af r ica , en t rea t ing suppl ies , and ca l l ing uponth e B ar ba ry pr in ces to a id th em in th i s w ar o f th e f a i th . T oin te rce p t a l l succour , th e Cas t i l i an sovere igns s t a t ioned a narmada of sh ips and ga l l eys in the s t r a i t s o f Gibra l t a r , underth e com m and o f M ar t i n D iaz de M en a an d C a r lo s de V a l e r a ,w i th o rd er s to scour' th e B ar b ar y coas t , and sweep ev eryM oo r i sh sa i l f rom th e sea .

W h i l e t h e s e p r e p a r a t i o n s w e r e m a k i n g , F e r d i n a n d m a d e a nincu r s ion , a t t he head o f h i s a r my , i n to t he k ingdom o f Gr a n a d a , a n d l a i d w a s t e t h e v e g a ; d e s t r o y i n g i t s h a m l e t s a n dvi l lages , rav ag ing i t s fie lds of gra in , a n d dr iv ing a w ay t h eca t t l e .



T H E C O N Q U E S T 0 E G B A N A D A . 3 5

I t w a s a b o u t t h e e n d o f J u n e , t h a t K i n g F e r d i n a n d d e p a r t e dfrom Cordo va, to s i t dow n before th e wa l ls of Lo xa . So con-f ident was he of success , that he lef t a great par t of the armyat Ec i j a , an d ad van ced w i th b u t five th ou sa nd cava l ry a n d

e igh t th ou sa nd in fan t ry . Th e M ar qu is o f Cadiz , a w ar r io r aswise as he was va l i an t , r emons t ra ted aga ins t employing sosmal l a fo rce ; and , indeed , was opposed to the measure a l to ge the r , as be ing un de r ta ke n prec ip i t a te ly , an d w i th ou t suf fic ien tp r ep a r a t i on . K in g Fe r d in an d , how eve r , was i n fl uenced b yth e counse l o f D o n D iego de M er lo , an d w as eage r to s t r ike abr i lh an t an d dec ide d b low. A va ing lor ious confidence p re va i l ed abo u t th i s t im e am on g t h e Span i s h cav a l i e r s : t h eyo v e r r a t e d t h e i r o w n p r o w e s s ; o r r a t h e r , t h e y u n d e r v a l u e d

an d des p i s ed t he i r enem y . M a n y of t he m be l ieved t h a t t h eM oor s wou ld s ca r ce ly r ema in i n t hen - c i t y when t hey s aw theCh r i s t i an t roop s adv anc ing to as sa i l i t . T h e Sp anish ch iva l rymarched , there fore , ga l l an t ly , and fear les s ly , and a lmos t ca re les s ly , over th e bo rder , s can t i ly suppl ied w i th th e th i ng sneedfu l fo r a bes ieg in g a rm y in th e h ea r t o f an en em y ' scou n t r y . I n t h e s ame ne gh ge n t and con fiden t s p i r i t t h eytoo k up t he i r s t a t i on be fo r e L ox a . T h e c oun t r y a r ou nd wasbr ok en an d hi l ly , so th a t i t w as ex t rem ely chfficult to form a

com bined cam p . T h e ri ve r X en i l , w h ich r u ns by t h e t ow n ,w as com pressed b e tw ee n h ig h ban ks , and so deep as to b efordab le wi th ex t reme d i f f i cu l ty , and theMoors had possess ionof th e b r id ge . Th e k in g p i t ch ed h i s t en t s in a p la n ta t ion ofo l i ves , on t he banks o f t he r i ve r ; t he t r oops wer e d i s t r i bu t edin d i ffe ren t enc am pm ents on th e he igh t s , b u t s ep ara te d fromeac h o ther b y dee p rock y rav ine s , so as to be incapa ble o fy i e ld ing each o the r p r ompt a s s i s t ance , and t he r e was no r oom

in jud ic ious ly p lace d as to be a lm os t en t i r e ly use les s . Alon zoof Ar r agon , Duke o f Y i l l ahe r mos a , and i l l eg i t ima t e b r o the r o fth e k in g , was p re se n t a t th e s iege , an d d i sappro ved of th ewh o le a r r an gem en t . H e was one o f t he m os t ab l e gen e r a l sof h is t ime, and especia l ly renowned for h is ski l l in bat ter ingfort if ied p laces . H e reco m m end ed th a t th e w hole d i spos i t ionof the cam p shou ld be changed , and th a t s evera l b r idges shou ldb e th ro w n across th e r iver . H is adv ice was ado pted , b u t

s l owly aud neg l i gen t l y f o l l owed ; s o t h a t i t was r en de r ed o fno ava i l . Among o the r ove r s igh t s , i n t h i s ha s ty and neg l i gen texped i t i on , t h e a r m y had no s upp ly o f ba ke d b r ead , an d i nth e h u r r y o f encam pm en t , t he r e was no t ime t o e r ec t f u r naces .Calces w ere there fore h as t i ly m ad e , an d b ak ed on th e c oa l s ;an d for tw o day s th e t roop s we re supp l ied in th i s i r r e gu la rw a y .

K in g Fe r d in an d f el t t oo l a t e t h e i n s ecu r i t y o f h i s pos i t i on ,

T h e ar t i l le ry , a lso , w as so

c 2



3 6 H I S T 0 E Y O F

a n d e n d e a v o u r e d t o p r o v i d e a t e m p o r a r y r e m e d y . T h e r e w a 9a he igh t near the c i ty , ca l l ed by the Moors San to Albohacen ,•which w as in f ront of th e br id ge . H e or de re d seve ral of h ism os t va l i an t cava l i e rs to t a k e possess ion of th i s h e ig h t , a n d

to ho ld i t , a s a check-upon the enemy and a p ro tec t ion to thec a m p . T h e cava l i e rs chosen for th i s d i s t ingu i shed an d pe r i lous po s t w ere th e M ar qu is o f Cadiz , th e M ar qu is of Vi l i ena ,D o n l t o d e r i g o T e l le z G i r o n , m a s t e r o f C a l a tr a v a , h i s b r o t h e rth e C oun t o f U r en a , and D on Alonzo de A gu i l a r . T h es eva l i an t w ar r io r s , an d t r i e d com panions in a rm s , l ed th e i rt r oop s w i th a l ac r i t y t o t h e he igh t , w h ich s oon g l i t t e r ed w i thth e a r r ay of a rm s , an d w as grace d b y severa l o f th e mo s tr edoub t ab l e pennons o f war l i ke Spa in .

L o xa was com m anded a t t h i s t ime by an o ld M oor i s h a l -cay de , w hose da ug ht e r w as t h e f avour i t e wi fe o f Bo abd i l e lC h i c o . T h e n a m e o f t h i s m o o r w a s I b r a h i m A l i A t a r ; b u th e wa s gene r a l l y kn ow n am ong t h e Spa n i a r ds a s A la t a r . H eha d g r ow n g r ey i n bo r de r wa r f a r e , was an imp lacab l e en em yof th e Ch r i s t i ans , an d h i s na m e ha d lo ng bee n th e t e r ro r o fth e f ron t ie r . H e w as in th e n ine t i e th ye ar o f h i s age , y e tindomi tab le in sp i r i t , f i e ry in h i s pass ions , s inewy and power

fu l in f r ame, deep ly ver sed in war l ike s t r a tagem, and accountedt h e b e s t l a n c e i n a ll M a u r i t a n i a . H e h a d t h r e e t h o u s a n dh o r s e m e n u n d e r h i s c o m m a n d , v e t e r a n t r o o p s w i t h w h o m h ehad of ten scoured the border s , and he da i ly expec ted the o ldM oo r i s h k in g w i th r e in f o r cem en t s .

O ld A l i A ta r ha d w a t ched , f rom h i s f o r t re s s , eve r y m ove m en t o f t h e C hr i s t i an a r m y , an d ha d exu l t ed i n a l l t h eer ro r s o f i t s co m m and ers . W h e n he be he ld th e flower o fSpan i s h ch iva l r y g l i t t e r i ng abo u t t h e he ig h t o f A lbo hacen ,

his ey e flushed wi th ex ul ta t ion . " B y th e a id of A l la h ," sa idh e , " I w i ll g ive the se p ran kl in g cava l i e r s a rou se . "A l i A ta r p r iva te ly , an d b y n ig h t , s en t fo r th a l a rg e bo dy of

h i s chosen t roops , to he in am bu sh ne ar one of the s k i r t 3 ofA lboh ace n . O n th e four th da y of th e s i ege , h e sa l li ed acrossth e b r i dge , an d m ade a f e igned a t t ac k upo n t he he igh t . T h ecava l i e r s r u s hed impe tuous ly f o r t h t o mee t h im , l eav ing t he i renc am pm en t s a lmo s t un p r o t ec t e d . A l i A ta r w hee l ed an d fled,and was ha s t i l y pu r s ue d . W h e n t h e C h r i s t i an cava li e rs h a d

been d r awn a cons ide r ab l e d i s t ance f r om the i r encampmen t s ,t he y h ea r d a vas t s hou t be h in d t he m , and , l ook ing r ou nd ,behe ld t he i r encampmen t a s s a i l ed by t he M oor i s h f o r ce , wh ichhad been p laced in ambush , and had ascended a d i f fe ren t s ideof the hi l l .

The cava l i e r s des i s t ed f rom the i r pursu i t , and has tened top r e ven t t h e p lun de r o f t he i r t en t s . A l i A ta r i n h i s t u r nw h e e l e d a n d p u r s u e d t h e m ; a n d t h e y w e r e a t t a c k e d i n fr o n t



T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G E A N A D A . 3 7

an d re ar on th e sum m i t o f th e h i l l . T he con te s t l as te d for a nh o u r ; t h e h e i g h t of A l b o h a e e n w a s r e d w i t h b l o o d ; m a n ybra ve cava li e r s f el l, exp i r ing am on g hea ps of th e ene m y. T h ef ie rce A l i A ta r foug ht w i th th e fu ry of a d e m o n ; U n t i l t h e

ar r iva l o f more Chr i s t i an fo rces compel led h im to r e t r ea t in toth e c i ty . T he severes t los s to th e Ch r i s t i ans in th i s sk i rm ishw as t h a t o f B o de r igo T e l lez G i r on , m as t e r o f C a l a t r av a : a she was ra i s ing h i s a rm to make a b low, an a r row p ie rced h im,ju s t be ne a th t he s hou lde r , a t t h e open pa r t o f t h e co rs l et . H efe ll ins tan t ly f rom h i s horse , b u t w as cau gh t by . P ed ro G asca ,a caval ier of Avi la , who conveyed him to his tent , where hed i ed . T he k ing and queen an d t h e who le k ingd om m ou r ne dhis d e a th ; fo r h e was in th e f reshness o f h i s yo ut h , be ing

but twenty- four year s o f age , and had proved h imse l f a ga l l an tan d h igh -m inde d cava li e r. A m elanc holy gro up co l l ec tedab ou t h i s co r s e , on t h e b loody he ig h t o f A lbo ha ee n : t h ek n i g h t s o f C a l a t ra v a m o u r n e d h i m a s a c o m m a n d e r ; t h ecava l i e r s , who wer e encamped on t he he igh t , l amen ted h im ast h e n - com pan ion in arm s in a service of pe r i l s , w hi le th eCount of TJrena gr ieved over h im wi th the tender af fect ion ofa b r o the r .

K ing Fe r d inand now pe r ce ived t he wi s dom o f t he op in ion

of the Marquis o f Cadiz , and tha t h i s fo rce was qu i te insuff ic ient for th e en terp r ise . T o con t inue his cam p in i t s pr es en tun foi ' tun ate pos i t ion w ould cos t h im th e l ives of h is br av es tcaval iers , i f not a to ta l defeat , in case of re inforcements toth e ene m y. H e ca l led a counc i l o f w ar l a te in th e e ven in go f S a t u r d a y ; a n d i t w a s d e t e r m i n e d t o w i t h d r a w t h e a r m y ,ea r ly t h e nex t m or n ing , t o B io F r io , a s ho r t d i s tance fr om t h ec i ty , an d th ere w ai t for add i t iona l t roops f rom Cordov a . T h enext morn ing ear ly , the cava l i e r s on the he igh t o f Albohaeen

be gan t o s t r i ke t he i r t en t s . N o s oone r d id A h A ta r beh o ldt h i s , t h an h e s a ll ied f o r t h t o a t t ack t hem . M a n y o f t h eC h r i s t i an t r oops , w ho had n o t hea r d of t h e i n t en t i on t o c ha ng eth e camp , s ee ing t he t en t s s t r uck , and t h e M o or s s a l ly ingfor th , supp osed th a t the ene m y ha d be en re in forced in the-n igh t , and t h a t t h e a r m y was on t h e po in t of r e t r ea t i n g .W i thou t s t opp ing t o a s ce r t a in t he t r u th , o r t o r ece ive o r de r s ,

they f l ed in d i smay, spread ing confus ion th rough the camp jn o r d id t h ey ha l t un t i l t h ey ha d r eache d t h e B o ck o f t h eL ove r s , abou t s even l eagues f r om L oxa .*

T h e k ing and h i s com m ander s s aw th e m im inen t pe r i l o ft h e mo m en t , and m ade face t o t h e M oor s , e ach com m and ergua r d ing h i s qua r t e r , and r epe l l i ng a l l a s s au l t s , wh i l e t het en t s wer e s t r uck , and t he a r t i l l e r y and ammuni t i on conveyed

* Pulgar, Cronica.



3 8 H I S T 0 E Y O F

away. The king, with a handful of cavaliers, galloped to arising ground, exposed to the fire of the enemy, calling uponthe flying troops, and endeavouring in vain to rally them.Setting upon the Moors, he and his cavaliers charged them

so vigorously, that they put a squadron to flight, slaying manywith their swords and lances, and driving others into theriver, where they were drowned. The Moors, however, were

was in danger of being surrounded: the Moors assailed himfuriously; and twice he owed his safety to the valour of D onJuan de Bibera, senior of Montemayor.

The Marquis of Cadiz beheld from a distance the peril ofhis sovereign. Summoning about seventy horsemen to follow

him, he galloped to the spot, threw himself between the kingand the enemy, and, hui'ling Ms lance, transpierced one of themost daring of the Moors. For some time he remained withno other weapon than his sword; his horse was wounded byan arrow, and many of his followers were slain; but he succeeded in beating off the Moors, and rescuing the king fromimminent jeopardy, whom he then prevailed upon to retireto less dangerous ground.

The marquis continued throughout the day to expose himself to the repeated assaults of the enemy. H e was everfound in the place of greatest danger, and through his braverya great part of the army and the camp was preserved fromdestruction.* It was a perilous day for the commanders; for,in a retreat of the kind, it is the noblest eavaliers who mostexpose themselves, to save their people. The Duke of MedinaCeli was struck to the ground, but rescued by his troops. TheCount of Tendilla, whose tents were nearest to the city, re

ceived several wounds; and various other cavaliers of themost distinguished note were exposed to fearful hazard. Thewhole day was passed in Moody slrirmishings, in which thehidalgos and cavaliers of the royal household distinguishedthemselves by their bravery. A t length, the encampmentsbeing all broken up, and most of the artillery and baggageremoved,'the bloody height of Albohacen was abandoned, andthe neighbourhood of Loxa evacuated. Several tents, a quantity of provisions, and a few pieces of artillery, where left

upon the spot, from the want of horses or mules to carrythem off.Ali Atar hung upon the rear of the retiring army, and har-

rassed it until it reached Rio Frio. From thence Ferdinandreturned to :Cordova, deeply mortified, though greatly benefited, by the severe lesson he had received, which served to

* Cura de los Palacios, c. 58.



THE CONQUES T OF GEANADA. 3 9

r ender h im more cau t ious in h i s campaigns , and more d i f f iden tof fo r tune . H e sen t l e t t e r s to a l l pa r t s excu s ing h i s r e t r e a t ,imput ing i t to the smal l number o f h i s fo rces , and the c i r cums tance , tha t many of them were quotas sen t f rom var ious

ci t ies , and no t in roy a l pa y . I n th e m ea n t im e , to conso le h i st roop s fo r th e i r d i sappoin tm ent , and to k eep u p the i r sp i r i t s ,h e l ed t he m up on ano the r i n r oad , t o l ay w as t e t he veg a o fG r a n a d a .

C H A P T E E X I .

H O W M U L E Y A B E N H A S S A N M A D E A F O EA Y IN T O T H E L A N D S O FM E D I N A S I D O N I A , A N D H O W H E W A S E E C E I V E D .

O L D M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n h a d m u s t e r e d a n a r m y , a n d m a r c h e dto the r e l ie f o f L o x a ; b u t a r r iv ed too l a te . T h e l as t squ ad rono f F e r d i n a n d h a d a l r e a d y p a s s e d o v er t h e b o r d e r . " T h e yhad come and gone ," sa id he , " l ike a summer c loud , and a l lt h e i r v a u n t i n g h a s b e e n m e r e e m p t y t h u n d e r . " H e t u r n e d ,t o make ano the r a t t emp t upon Alhama , t he ga r r i s on o f wh ichwas i n t h e u tm os t cons t e r na t i on a t t h e r e t r e a t of F e r d ina nd ,a n d wo uld ha ve des er ted th e p lace , ha d i t n o t been for th ecou r age and pe r s eve r ance o f t h e a l cayde , L u i s F e r na nd ezP u e r t o C a r r e r o . T ha t b r ave and l oya l com ma nder chee r edup the sp i r i t s o f the men , and kep t the o ld Moor i sh k ing a tbay , un t i l the approach of Ferd inand , on h i s second incurs ionin to the vega , ob l iged h im to make an unwi l l ing re t r ea t in toM a l a g a .

Muley Aben Hassan fe l t , tha t i t would be in va in . , wi th h i s

infer ior force, to o ppose th e pow erful ar m y of th e C hr i s t ia nmonarch ; bu t to - r emain id le , and see h i s t e r r i to r i es l a idw as te , w ou ld ru in h im in th e es t imat ion of h i s peop le . " I iw e c a n n o t p a r r y , " s a i d h e , " w e c a n - s t r i k e : if w e c a n n o tkeep our own lands f rom be ing ravaged , we can ravage the•lands of th e en em y." H e inqu i red , and l ea rne d th a t m os t o fth e chiv al ry of A nd alus ia , in th ei r eagerne ss for a foray, h a dmarched of f wi th the k ing , and l e f t the i r own count ry a lmos tdefence les s. T he t e r r i to r i es o f th e D u k e of M ed ina S idonia

w er e pa r t i cu l a r l y un gu a r d ed . H e r e we r e vas t p l a in s o f pa s tu r ag e , covered w i th flocks and h e r d s ; the ve ry co un t ry fora h as ty i n r oad . T h e o ld m ona r ch ha d a b i t t e r g r ud ge ag a ins tth e du ke , for ha vin g foi led hi m at A lha m a. " I '11 give th iscaval ier a lesson," sa id he , exul t ingly , " that wi l l cure him ofh i s love of -cam paign ing ." So he pre pa red in a l l ha s te fo r aforage in to the count ry about Medina S idonia .

M ul ey A be n H as sa n sa ll ied ou t o f M alag a w i th f if teen




hu n d r e d ho r s e and s ix t ho us a nd foot, an d t ook t h e way b yth e s ea - coas t, m ar c h in g t h r o ug h E s t e po n i a and en t e r i ng t h eC h r i s t ian co un t r y be tw een G ib r a l t a r and C as t e ll a r. T he on lype rso n th a t w as l ike ly to m oles t h im on th i s ro u t e w as one

P ed r o de V ar g as , a s h r ewd , ha r dy , an d v ig i l an t s o ld i er , a l caydeof G ibra l t a r , an d w ho lay ensconced in h i s o ld w ar r io r - roc kas i n a c i tade l . M ule y A ben H as s a n kn ew th e wa t ch f u l an dda r ing cha r ac t e r o f t he man ; bu t had a s ce r t a ined t ha t h i s -ga rr iso n wa s too sm al l to ena ble M m to m ak e a sa l ly , or a tl ea s t to as sure M m an y success . S t i l l he pu rsu ed h i s m ar chwi th g rea t s i l ence and cau t ion ; sen t par t i es in advance to exp lore every pass where a foe might l i e in ambush , cas t manyan anxious eye towards the old rock of Gibral tar , as i t s c loud. -

cap t sum m i t w as seen tow er in g in th e d i s tanc e on M s le f t ;nor d id he fee l en t i r e ly a t ease , un t i l he had passed th roughthe b r oken and moun ta inous coun t r y o f C as t e l l a r , and de s cende d i n to t he p l a in s . H e r e he encam ped on t h e ban ks o ft h e C e l emin . E r o m henc e he s en t f ou r hu nd r e d e o r r ed o r s ,o r f l ee t horsemen, a rmed wi th l ances , who were to s t a t ionthemselves near Algez i ras , and to keep a s t r i c t watch , ac rossth e b ay , up on th e oppos i t e fo r t r es s o f G ibra l t a r . I f th e a l cayde a t t em p te d t o s a ll y f o rt h , t h ey we r e t o w ay l ay an d a t

t ac k h im , be ing a lmos t four t ime s h i s suppo sed force , an d w er eto send swif t t id ings to the camp.

I n t he m ea n t ime , tw o hu nd r ed co r r edo r s w er e des pa t chedto scour th a t vas t p la in ca l led th e Ca m pina de Tar i f a , ab ou nd ing wi th flocks an d he r ds , an d two hu nd r ed m or e w er e t o r av aget h e l a n d s a b o u t M e d i n a S i d on i a. M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n r e ma ined wi th t he ma in body o f t he a r my a s a r a l l y ing po in ton th e ba nk s of he Celemin . T he forag ing par t i es sco ured

the country to such ef fect , that they came dr iving vas t f locksand herds before them, enough to supply the p lace of a l l tha tha d bee n s wep t f rom th e vega o f G r ana da . T he t r o op sw h i c h h a d k e p t w a t c h u p o n t h e r o c k of G i b r a l t a r r e t u r n e dw i th w or d t ha t t he y ha d no t s een a C h r i s t ian he lm e t s t i r r i ng .T he o ld k ing congr a tu l a t ed h ims e l f upon t he s ec r ecy andpr omptnes s w i th wh ich he had conduc t ed M s f o r ay , and uponhaving baf f l ed the v ig i l ance of Pedro de Vargas .

M uley Aben Has s an had no t been s o s ec r e t a s he imag ined .

T he wa t ch f u l Ped r o de Var gas had r ece ived no t i ce o f M »m ov em ents . H is g ar r i son w as ba re ly suffic ient fo r th e d e fence of the place , and he feared to take the f ie ld , and leaveM s f o rt re s s un gu a r d ed . L u ck i l y , a t tM s j un c tu r e , t he r e a r r i ved i n t he ha r bo ur o f G ib r a l t a r a s qu ad r o n of t h e a r m edgal leys s t a t ioned in the s t r a i t , and commanded by Car los deV al er a . T h e a lcayxle im m edia te ly p reva i l ed upo n h im to>gua r d t he p l ace du r ing h i s abs ence , and s a l l i ed f o r t h a t m id -



T H E C O N Q U E S T O F ( JE A N A D A . 4 1

ni gh t wi th , s eve n ty ho rse . H e m ad e for th e to w n of Cas te l l a r ,wh ich i s s t r ong ly pos t ed on a s t eep he igh t , knowing t ha t t heM o o r i s h k i n g w o u l d h a v e t o r e t u r n b y t h i s p l a c e . H e o r d e r e da la rm fires to be l igh te d up on th e m ou nta ins , to g ive no t ic et h a t t h e M o o r s w e r e o n t h e r a v a g e , t h a t t h e p e a s a n t s m i g h tdr ive th e flocks an d h erd s to p laces o f r e fu ge ; an d h e sen tcour ie r s , r id ing a t ful l speed in ev ery d i rec t ion , s um m on ingth e fighting m en of th e ne ighb ou rho od to m ee t h i m a t Cas te l l a r . M ul ey A be n H as sa n saw, b y th e f ires b laz ing ab ou tthe moun ta in s , t ha t t he coun t r y was r i s i ng .

H e s t r uck h i s t en t s , and pus hed fo r war d a s r ap id ly a s pos s ib l e f o r t he bo r de r ; bu t he was encumber ed wi th boo ty , andw i th t h e vas t cava lgada s wep t f rom the pas tu r e s of t h e C am -

p in a o f T a r i fa . H i s s cou ts b r o ug h t h im wor d t h a t t he r ew ere t roops in th e fie ld ; b u t he m ad e l igh t o f th e in te l l igen ce ,kn ow ing th a t th ey cou ld on ly be those of th e a lcayd e ofG i b r a l t a r , a n d t h a t h e h a d n o t m o r e t h a n a h u n d r e d h o r s e m en i n h i s ga r r i s on . H e t h r ew in advance tw o hu nd r e d andf i f ty o f h i s b raves t t roops , and wi th them the a lcaydes o fM ar ab i l l a and C as a r e s . B e h in d t h i s va ng ua r d was a g r e a tcava lgada o f ca t t l e , and i n t he r ea r mar ched t he k ing , w i thth e m ain force o f h i s l i t t l e a r m y. I t w as ne ar th e midd le o f

a s u l t r y s um m er day , t h a t t he y app r oach ed C as t e l la r . D eV ar g as was on t he w a t c h ; and behe ld , b y an imm ens e c loudof du s t , th a t th ey we re descen ding one of th e he igh t s o f th a tw i l d a n d b r o k e n c o u n t r y . T h e v a n g u a r d a n d r e a r g u a r d w e r eabov e ha l f a l eagu e asun der , w i th th e ca va lgada be tw ee nth em , an d a long an d c lose fo rest h id th em f rom each o the r .De Var gas s aw tha t t hey cou ld r ende r bu t l i t t l e a s s i s t ance t aeac h o ther , in case of a su dd en a t tac k, and m ig ht b e eas i lyth ro w n into confus ion. H e chose fifty of h is br av es t ho rse

men, and , making a c i r cu i t , took h i s pos t s ecre t ly in a nar rowglen , open ing in to a defile be tw ee n two rock y he igh t s , th ro u g hw hic h th e M oo rs h ad to pass . I t wa s h i s in te n t io n to suf fe rt h e va ng ua r d and t h e cava lgada t o pas s , an d t o f all up on t h er ea r .

W h i l e t h u s ly i n g p e r d u e s ix M o o r i s h sc o u t s, w e l l m o u n t e dand we l l a r med , en t e r ed t he g l en , examin ing eve r y p l ace t ha tm ig h t . concea l an enem y. Som e of th e Ch r i s t i ans a dv i sed ,

t ha t t hey s hou ld s l ay t hes e s i x men , and r e t r ea t t o G ib r a l t a r ."No," s a id D e V a r g a s ; " I hav e come ou t f or h ig he r ga m eth a n th ese , a nd I ho pe , by th e a id o f G od an d San t iago , todo good w or k t h i s day . I kno w thes e M oo r s we l l, and d o u b tno t bu t t ha t t hey may r ead i l y be t h r own in to con f us ion . "

B y t h i s t ime t h e s ix s cou ts app r oac hed s o ne a r , t h a t t h e yw er e on t h e po in t o f d i s cove ring t h e C h r i s t ian am bus h . D eVa r gas gave t h e w or d , and t en ho r s e m en r us he d f o r t h up on



4 2 H I S T 0 B Y O P

t h em . I n an i n s t a n t , f ou r .of t h e M oo r s r o l l ed i n t h e du s t ;t he o the r two pu t s pu r s t o t he i r s t eeds , and f l ed t owar ds t he i ra r m y , p u r s u e d b y t h e t e n C h r i s ti a n s . A b o u t e i g h t y o f t h eM oo r i s h v an gu a r d came ga l l op ing t o t h e r e l ie f o f t he i r com-

an ions : the Chr i s t i ans tu rned , and f l ed towards the i r ambush .)e V ar ga s k ep t h i s m en concea led , u n t i l th e fug i tives an dth e i r pu r s ue r s came c l a t t e r i ng pe l l- me l l i n to t h e g l e n : a t as igna l t rumpet , h i s men sa l l i ed fo r th , wi th g rea t hea t , and inc lo s e a r r a y . T he M oo r s a lm os t r u s h ed upon t he i r wea ponsbefore th ey perce ive d th em . F o r t y o f th e in fidel s w ere over t h r o w n ; t h e r e s t t u r n e d t h e i r b a c k s . " F o r w a i ' d " c ri e d D eV a r g a s : " l e t us g ive th e va ng ua rd a b ru sh befo i'e i t can b ejo in ed b y th e re ar . " So say ing , he pu rsu ed th e fly ing M oo rs

do w n th e h i l l , and cam e wi th suc h force an d fury up on th ead va nc e-gu ard , as to over th row m an y of th e m a t th e firsten co u n te r . A s h e w he ele d off w it h h is m en , th e M oo rs (Hs->ch a r g ed t he i r l ances , t ipon wh ich he r e t u r ne d t o t h e cha r ge ,an d m ad e g r ea t s l augh t e r . T h e M oo r s f ough t va l i an t l y f o r .as ho r t t ime , un t i l t he a l caydes o f M ar ab i l l a and C as a r e s wer es la in , w he n th ey gave w ay , an d fled for th e r ea rg ua rd . I nth e i r fl igh t t h ey pas s ed t h r o ug h t he cava lga dao f ca t t l e , t h r e wth e w ho le in confus ion , an d ra i se d such a c loud of d us t , th a t

t h e C h r i s ti ans cou ld no l onge r d i s t i ngu i s h ob j ec t s . F ea r in gth e k in g an d th e m ain b od y m ig h t be a t ha nd , an d findingt h a t D e V a r g a s w a s s e v e r e l y w o u n d e d , t h e y c o n t e n t e d t h e m se lves wi th despoi l ing the s l a in , and t ak ing above twenty-e igh t ho r s e s , and t hen r e tu r ned t o C as t e l l a r .

W he n t he r o u t e d M oor s came fl ying back on t h e r ea r gu a r d ,M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n f e a r e d t h a t t h e p e o p l e o f X e r e s w e r e i na r m s . Seve ra l o f h i s fo l lowers adv i sed h im to aba nd on th ecava lgada , and r e t r e a t by ano the r r oad . " . N o , " s a id t he o ldk i n g ; " h e i s no t r u e s o ld i er , w ho g ives u p h is boo ty w i th ou tfighting." P u t t in g sp ur s to his ho rse , h e gal lopp ed for w ardthrough the cen t re o f the cava lgada , d r iv ing the ca t t l e to theright an d lef t . W h e n h e rea ch ed th e fie ld of ba t t le , h e fou ndi t s t r ew ed wi th t he bod i e s o f upw ar ds o f one hun dr ed M oo r s ,a m o n g w h i c h w e r e t h o s e of t h e tw o a l c a y d e s. E n r a g e d a tth e s igh t , he s um m on ed a l l h i s c ross -bow m en and cava l ry ,p u sh ed on to th e v er y ga tes of Ca s te l lar , and set f ire to tw ohou ses c lose to th e wa l l s . P e d ro de V ar ga s w as un able f romhis w ou nd to sa l ly fo r th in per so n ; b u t he o rd ere d ou t h i st r oops , and t he r e was b r i s k s kmni s h ing unde r t he wa l l s , un t i lth e k in g d re w off, an d re tu rn e d to th e scene of th e r e ce n tenco un t e r . H e r e he ha d t h e bod i es o f t h e p r i nc ipa l w a r r i o r sl a id ac ros s m u le s , t o be i n t e r r ed hon our a b ly a t M a lag a . T here s t o f th e s l a in we re bu r ie d in th e fie ld o f ba t t l e . G ath er ing toge ther the sca t t e red cava lgada , he paraded i t s lowly , in




a n im m ens e l i ne , pa s t t h e wa l l s o f C as t e l la r , by w ay o f t au n t i n ghis foe.

W i t h a ll h i s fie rceness, o ld M u le y A b e n Ha s 3 a n h ad ag l eam o f war l i ke cou r t e s y , and admi r ed t he ha r dy and s o ld i e r

l ik e c h a r a c t e r of P e d r o d e V a r g a s . H e s u m m o n e d t w oC hr i s t i an cap t i ves , and demanded , wha t wer e t he r evenues o ft h e a l cayde o f G ib r a l t a r . T h ey t o ld .h im th a t , am ong o th e rth ings , he was en t i t l ed to one ou t o f every drove of ca t t l e tha tpa sse d h i s bo un da r ies . " A l ia fo rb id " c r i ed th e o ld m on arc h ," that so brave a caval ier should be defrauded of h is r ight .H e im m edia te ly chose twe lve of th e finest ca t t l e f rom t h etwe lve droves w hich formed th e cava lgada . Th ese h e gav ein charge to an a l f aqu i , to de l iver them to Pedro de Vargas .

" T e l l ham," s a id he , " t ha t I c r ave h i s pa r don f o r no t hav ings en t t he s e ca t t l e s oone r ; bu t I have t h i s momen t l ea r ned t hena tu re o f h i s r igh t s , an d I h as te n to sa ti sfy th em w i th th epu nc tua l i t y due t o s o w or t hy a cava li e r. T e l l h im a t t h esame t ime , tha t I had no idea the a lcayde of Gibra l t a r was soact ive and vigi lant in col lect ing his to l l s ."

T he b r ave a l cayde r e l i s hed t he s t e r n s o ld i e r - l i ke p l ea s an t r yo f t h e o ld M oo r i s h m onar c h , a nd r ep l i ed i n t h e s ame ton e ." T e l l h i s m a j e s ty , " s a id he , " t h a t I k i ss h i s ha nd s fo r t h e

ho no ur he has done m e , and r eg r e t t h a t m y s can ty fo rce ha sn o t pe r m i t t ed m e t o g ive h im a m or e si gna l r ecep t i on on h i sc o m i n g i n t o t h e s e p a r t s . H a d t h r e e h u n d r e d h o r s e m e n , w h o mI hav e be en p r om is ed f rom X er e s , a r r i ved i n t im e , I m ig h thave s e r ved up an en t e r t a inmen t mor e be f i t t i ng s uch am on arc h . I t ru s t , how ever , th ey wi l l a r r ive in th e course o fth e n igh t , in w hic h case h i s m ajes ty m ay b e sure o f a ro ya lr ega l e a t t he dawn ing . "

He then ordered , tha t a r i ch s i lken ves t and scar le t mant lesho uld be g iven to th e a l faqu i , an d d i smissed h im w i t h g re a tc o u r t e s y .

M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n s h o ok h i s h e a d w h e n h e r e c e iv e d t h ere p l y of D e V arg as . " A l ia p rese rve u s , " sa id he , " f rom an yv i s i t a t i on o f t he s e ha r d r i de r s o f Xer es A handfu l o f t roops ,ac qu a in t e d w i th t h e wi ld pas s es of t he s e m oun ta in s , m a ydes t r oy an a r my encumber ed a s ou r s i s w i th boo ty . "

I t wa s some re l ie f to th e k in g , how ever , to l ea rn th a t th e

h a r d y a l cayde o f G ib r a l t a r was t oo s eve r e ly w oun ded t o t a k eth e fie ld in per son . H e im m ed ia te ly be a t a r e t r e a t w i th a l ls p e e d ; h u r r y i n g w i t h s u c h p r e c ip i ta t io n , t h a t t h e c a v a lg a d aw a s f r e q u e n tl y b r o k e n a n d s c a t t e r e d a m o n g t h e r u g g e ddef i l es o i the mounta ins , and above f ive thousand of theca t t l e t u r n ed back , an d w er e r ega ined b y t h e C h r i s t i ans .M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n p r o c e e d e d t ii iv m p h a n t l y w i t h t h e r e s i d u e



4 4 ' H I S T O R Y OF

t o M a l a g a , g l o r y i n g in the spoils of the D u k e of M e d i n aSidonia .

K i n g F e r d i n a n d was m or t i f ied at finding his i ncu r s ion i n tot h e v e g a of G r a n a d a c o u n t e rb a l a n c e d by t h i s i ncu r s ion i n to

h i s own domin ions , and saw, t h a t t h e r e w e r e two s ides to theg a m e of war, as to all o t h e r g a m e s . The on ly one who r e a p e dr ea l g lo r y in th is ser ies of i n r o a d s and s k i rm i s h i n g s w a s P e d r od e V a r g a s , the s t ou t a l cayde of G i b r a l t a r . *

C H A P T E R XII .

F O R A Y OF THE S P A N I S H C A V A LI ER S AM ON G- T H E M O U N T A I N S OFMALAGA.

T H E fo ray of old M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n had t o u c h e d the p r i d eo f A nd a lus i a n ch iva l ry , and t h e y d e t e r m i n e d on r e ta l i a t ion .F o r t h i s p u r p o s e , a n u m b e r of the mos t d i s t ingu i shed cava l i e r sa s s embled at A n t e q u e ra , in the m o n t h of M a r c h , 1483. - The

l e a d e r s of the en t e r p r i s e wer e the g a l l a n t M a r q u i s of Cadiz ,D o n P e d r o H e n r i q u e z , a d e l a n t a d o of A n d a l u s ia , Don J u a n de

Si lva , C oun t of Cifuentes , and b e a r e r of the r oya l s t a nd a r d ,w h o c o m m a n d e d in Sevi l le , Don Alonzo de C a r den as , m as t e rof the r e l ig ious and m i l i t a r y o r de r of San t i ago , and Don

Alonzo de A gu i la r . Sev era l o th er cava l ie r s of n o t e h a s t e n e dt o t a k e p a r t in the en t e r p r i s e , and in a l i t tl e t ime , abo u t tw en ty -s e v e n h u n d r e d h o r s e and severa l companies of foot wereas s embled wi th in the old war l ike c i ty of A n t e q u e r a , c o m pr i s i ng the very f lower of Anda lus i an ch iva l r y . A counc i lof war was h e l d by the chiefs, to d e t e r m i n e in w h a t q u a r t e r

t hey s hou ld s t r i ke a b l o w . The r iva l M oo r i sh k ing s were-waging c iv i l war wi th each o the r in the v ic in i ty of G r a n a d a ,and. the w h o l e c o u n t r y lay open to i n r oad . V a r iou s p l an sw e r e p r o p o s e d by the di f ferent caval iers . The M a r q u i sof Cadiz was des i rous of scal ing the wal l s of Z a h a r a ,and rega in ing possess ion of t ha t impor t an t ' f o r t r e s s . The

m a s t e r of San t i ago , howeve r , s ugges t ed a w i d e r r a n g e , and á

s t i l l mor e impor t an t ob j ec t . He had r ece ived in form at ionfrom his ada l ides , who w e r e a p o s t a t e M o o r s , t h a t an i ncu r s ioa

m i g h t be m ad e w i th s a fe ty i n to a mo imta inous r eg ion nea rM alaga , ca l l ed the A x a r q u i a . H e r e w e r e v a l u e s of pas tu r e -l and , we l l s t ocked wi th nocks and h e r d s ; and t h e r e w e r enumer ous v i l l ages and h a m l e t s , w h i c h w o u l d be an e a s y p r e y .

* Alonzo do Palencio, 1. xxviii, c. 3.



THE CONQUEST O E G B A N A D A . 4 5

T h e c i t y o f M a lag a was t oo we ak ly ga r r i s oned , an d h a d t oofew cav al ry to se nd for th a ny force in op pos i t ion. A n d h eadded , t ha t t hey migh t ex t end t he i r r avages t o i t s ve r y ga t e s ,and pe r adven tu r e ca r r y t ha t wea l t hy p l ace by s udden a s s au l t .

The adventurous sp i r i t s o f the cava l i e r s were in f lamed by th i ssu gg es t io n : in the i r s ang uine confidence, th ey a l ready beh e ldM ala ga i n t he i r power , a nd t he y w er e eage r fo r t h e en t e r p r i s e .T h e M ar qu is o f Cadiz en dea vou red t o in te rp ose a l i t t l e coo lc a u t i o n : he l ikewise h ad apo s ta te ada l ides , th e m os t in te l l ig en tan d expe r i enced on t h e bo r de r s . A m on g thes e , he p l acedes pec i a l r e l i ance on one , named L u i s Amar , who knew a l l t hem ou n ta in s and va l l eys o f t h e cou n t r y . H e ha d r ece ived f romh im a pa r t i cu la r ac coun t of thes e m ou nta ins a nd va l l eys o f th e

A xa rqu ia .* Th e i r s avage and bro ke n n a t u re was a suff ic ientdefence for the f ie rce people th a t inh ab i ted the m , w ho , m an ni ngthe i r r ocks , a nd t h e i r t r em end ous pas s e s , wh ich w er e o f tenno th in g m or e t h an t h e deep , d r y be d o f t o r r en t s , m igh t s e tw hole a rm ies a t def iance . E v e n i f van quish ed , th ey a f fordedno s po i l t o t he v i c to r ; t hen - hous es w er e l i t t le be t t e r t h a nb ar e wa l l s , a nd th e y w ould dr ive off t he i r s can ty f locks an dh er d s to the fo r t r es ses o f th e mo un ta in s . T h e sober counc i lo f th e m arq uis w as over ru led . T h e cava l ie r s , accu s tom ed to

moun ta in war f a r e , cons ide r ed t hems e lves and t he i r ho r s e seq ua l to any w i ld an d rug ge d expedi t ion , an d w ere f lushedw i th th e idea of a b r i l l i an t as sau l t up on M ala ga . Le av ing a l lhe avy bagg age a t A n te qu e r a , and a l l s uch a s ha d ho r s e s t ooweak for th is mountain scramble , they set for th , fu l l of spi r i tand conf idence . Don Alonzo de Agui la r and the ade lan tado ofA nd alu s ia l ed th e squ adro n of adv anc e ; the Co unt o f C i fuen tesfol lowed, wi th cer ta in of the chival ry of Sevi l le ; then came theba t t a l i on o f t he m os t va l i an t R od e r igo Ponc e de L e on , M ar q u i sof Cadiz ; he was accompanied by severa l o f h i s b ro ther s andnep hew s , and m an y cava li e rs wh o s oug h t d i s t i nc t ion u nd e rh i s b a n n e r ; and a s t h i s f ami ly ba nd pa r a ded i n m ar t i a l s t a t et h r o u g h t h e s t r e e t s o f A n t e q u e r a , t h e y a t t r a c t e d u n i v e r s a la t t en t i on an d app l aus e . T h e r ea r g ua r d was l ed by D on AlonzoC a r dena s , m as t e r of S an t i a go ; and was compos ed of t h ekn ig h t s o f h i s o rder , an d th e cava l ie r s of E c i j a , w i th ce r ta inm e n a t a r m s o f t h e H o l y B r o t h e r h o o d , w h o m t h e k i n g h a dp l aced un de r h i s comm and . T he a r m y was a t t en de d by agrea t t r a in o f mules , l aden wi th p rov i s ions fo r a f ew days 's upp ly , u n t i l t h ey s hou ld be ab l e t o f o rage amon g t h e M oo r i s h

* Pulgn r, in his chronicle, reverses the caso, and m ak es the Marquis ofCadiz recommend the expedition to the A xarquia ; hut Fr ay An ton ioA gap ida is supported in his statem ent by that mo st veracious and contem porary chronicler, Andres Bernaldo, curate of Los Palacios.




vi l l ages . N e v er d id a m ore ga l l an t an d se lf -conf iden t l i t t l ea rm y t r e ad th e ea r th . I t w as com posed of m en ful l o f he a l than d v igou r , t o w hom w ar was a pas t im e and de l i gh t . T he yh a d s pa r ed no expense i n t he i r eq u i pm en t s ; fo r nev e r w as

th e pom p o f w ar ca r r i ed t o a h ighe r p i t ch t h an am ong t h epr o u d ch iva l ry o f Spa in . Cased in a rm ou r , r i ch ly in la id a n dembos s ed , decked wi th r i ch s u r coa t s and wav ing p lumes , ands upe r b ly m ou n te d on An da lus i an s t eeds , t he y p r an ced ou t o fA nte qu era , wi th ba nn ers fly ing, an d the i r var iou s dev ices an da r m or i a l bea r ing s o s t en t a t i ous ly d i s p l ay ed ; and i n t h e con fidence o f t he i r hopes , p r omis ed t he i nhab i t an t s t o en r i ch t hemwi th the spo i l s o f Malaga . In the r ear o f th i s war l ike pagean tfo llowed a peacefu l ba nd , in t en t up on prof i ting b y th e an t i c i

pa t ed v i c to ri e s . T he y w er e no t t h e cus tom ar y w r e t ches t ha thove r abou t a r mies , t o p lunde r and s t r i p t he dead ; bu t good lyand subs tan t i a l t r ader s , f rom Sevi l l e , Cordova , and o ther c i t i esof t raf fic. T h e y ro de s leek m ule s , and w ere c lad in fa i rr a iment , wi th long l ea thern purses a t the i r g i rd les , wel l f i l l edw i th p i s to les an d o th er go lden co in. T he y h ad h ea rd of th espoi ls w as te d b y th e so ld ie ry a t th e ca p tu re o f A lham a, an dwer e p r ov ided wi th mon ie s t o buy up t he j ewe l s and p r ec iouss ton es , th e vessels of gold a n d s i lver , a nd th e r ic h s i lks an dc lo th s , t h a t s hou ld f or m the p lu nd e r o f M a laga . T h e p r o udcaval iers e ye d the se sons of traf fic w i th g re at d isdain , b u tpe rm i t t e d th em to follow, for th e convenience of th e t roo ps ,who migh t o the r wi s e be ove r bu r dened wi th boo ty .

I t ha d been i n t e nd ed t o conduc t t h i s exped i t ion w i th g r ea tce l e r i t y and s ec r ecy ; bu t t he no i s e o f t he i r p r epa r a t i ons hada l r ea dy r each ed t h e c i t y o f M a laga . T he ga r r i s on , i t i s t r u e ,w as weak , b u t t h e com m ander was h ims e l f a hos t . T h i s w as

M uley Abda l l ah , commonly ca l l ed E l Z aga l , o r , " t he va l i an t . "H e w a s y o u n g e r b r o t h e r o f M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n , a n d g e n e r a lof the few forces which remained fa i thful to the old monarch.H e possessed eq ua l f ie rceness o f sp i r i t w i th h i s b ro th er , a n dsurp asse d h im in c ra ft a nd v ig i l ance . H is ve ry na m e was aw ar - c r y a m ong h i s s o ld ie r y , wh o had t he m os t ex t r av ag an topinion of h is prowess .

E l Z aga l s u s pec t ed t ha t M a laga was t he ob j ec t o f t h i s no i s yexped i t ion . H e cons u l t ed w i th o ld B ex i r , a ve t e r an M o or ,

w ho gov e r ned t h e c i ty . " I f t h i s a r m y o f ma r au de r s wer e t or ea ch M a la ga , " s a id he , " w e s hou ld ha r d ly be ab l e t o ke epth em w i thou t i t s wa l l s . I w i l l t h r o w myself, wi th a smal lf o r ce , i n to t he moun ta in s , r ous e t he peas an t r y , t ake pos s es s ionof th e p asses , an d end eav our to g ive the se Spa nish cava l i e r ssuf f i c ien t en te r t a inment upon the road ."

I t w a s o n a W e d n e s d a y t h a t t h e p r a n k l i n g a r m y o f h i g h -met t l ed war r io r s i s sued f rom the anc ien t ga tes o f Antequera .



TH E CONQUEST- OE GEA NAD A. 4 7

T h e y m a r c h e d a ll d a y a n d n i g h t , m a k i n g t h e i r w a y s e c r e t l y ,a s - t hey s uppos ed , t h r o ug h t h e pass e s o f t h e m ou n ta in s . A sth e t r a c t o f coun t r y t h ey i n t en de d t o m ar au d was f a r i n t h eM oor i s h t e r r i t o r i e s , nea r t he coas t o f t he M ed i t e r r anean , t heydid no t a r r ive th e re un t i l l a t e in th e fo llowing day . I n pa ss in gth r ough t hes e s t e r n and l o f t y moun ta in s , t he i r pa th was o f t ena long t he bo t t om o f a ba r r anca , o r deep r ocky va l l ey , w i th asca n ty s t r ea m das h ing a long i t , am on g the loose rock s a n ds tones which i t had broken and ro l l ed down in the t ime of i t sau tum na l v io lence . Som e t imes t he i r r oad was a m er e r am bla ,o r d r y be d of a to r ren t , cu t deep in to th e m ou nta ins , an d f il ledw i th t he i r s ha t t e r e d f r agm en t s . T h es e ba r r a nca s and r am bla sw ere ov erh un g b y im m ense cliffs an d prec ip ices , fo rming t h elu r k ing p l aces o f am bus cad es d u r in g t h e w ar s be tw een t h eM oo r s an d Span i a r ds , a s i n a f te r t imes t he y hav e beco m eth e f avour it e haun t s o f r obb e r s , t o w ay l a y t h e un f o r tu na t et rave l l e r .

A s th e su n w en t dow n, th e caval iers cam e to a lofty p a r t oft h e m oun ta in s , com m and ing , t o t he i r r i gh t , a d i s t an t g l imps eof a p a r t o f th e f a ir ve ga of M ala ga , w i th th e b lue M ed i te r r anean beyond , and t hey ha i l ed i t w i th exu l t a t i on a s a g l imps eo f t h e p r om is ed l and . A s t h e n ig h t c lo sed i n , t h ey r ea ch ed

the cha in of l i t t l e va l l eys and hamle t s , locked up among theser o c k y h e i g h t s , a n d k n o w n a m o n g t h e M o o r s b y t h e n a m e o ft h e A x a r q u i a . H e r e t h e i r v a u n t i n g h o p e s w e r e d e s ti n e d t om ee t w i th t h e f ir st d i s appo in tm en t . T he i nha b i t an t s ha d hea r do f t he i r ap p r o ac h : t he y ha d conveyed aw ay t he i r ca t t le an def fec t s ; and , w i th the i r wives an d ch i ld ren , h a d t a k en re fug ein t h e t ower s and f o r tr e ss e s o f t h e m oun ta in s . E n r ag ed a tthe i r d i sappoin tment , the t roops se t f i r e to the deser ted houses ,and pres sed forward , hop ing for be t t e r fo r tune as they advan

ced . D on Alonzo d e Agu i la r , an d the o the r cava l i e rs in t h evan gua r d , s p r ead ou t t h e i r f or ces, t o l ay w as t e t h e c o u n t r y ;cap tu r ing a few l i nge r ing he r ds of ca t tl e , w i th t h e M oo r i s hpea s an t s w ho w er e d r i v ing t he m to s ome p l ace o f s a f e ty .W h i l e t h i s m ar a ud ing pa r ty ca r r i ed f ir e and swor d i n t h e ad va nc e, an d l i t u p t h e mo xmtain c liffs w i t h th e flames of t h eha m le t s , t h e m as t e r of San t i ago , w ho b r o ug h t up t he r e a r gu a r d , m a in t a in ed s t r i c t o r de r , k eep ing h i s kn igh t s t o ge th e rin mar t i a l a r ray , r eady for a t t ack or defence should an enemy

a p p e a r . T h e m e n a t a r m s of t h e H o l y B r o t h e r h o o d a t t e m p t e dto r oa m in qu es t . o f b o o ty : bu t he cal led t he m b ack , an dr e b u k e d t h e m s e v e r e l y .

• A t l en g th t he y came to a pa r t o f t h e m ou n ta in com ple t e lyb r o ke n up by ba r r a nca s and r am blas o f vas t dep th , and s hag gedw i th r oek s an d p r ec ip ice s . I t was impos s ib le t o m a in t a in t h eo r d e r o f m a r c h • the horses had no room for ac t ion , and were




s ca r ce ly m ana geab l e , hav ing t o s c r amble f rom r ock t o r ock ,and np and down f r igh t fu l dec l iv i t i es , where there was scarcefoo t ing for a m ou nta in goa t . Pa ss in g by a b ur n i n g v i l l age ,th e l ig h t o f th e flames reve a led t he i r pe rp le xe d s i tua t io n .

T he M oo r s , w ho ha d t ak en r e f uge i n a wa t ch - tow er on anim pe nd ing he igh t , s hou t ed w i th e xu l t a t i on w hen t he y l ookeddo w n up on t he s e g l i st en ing cava li e rs , s t r ugg l i ng a nd s t um b l i ng amon g t h e r ocks . Sa l l y ing f o r t h f rom the i r t ower , t h e yto ok possess ion of th e c liffs w hic h ove rh un g th e rav ine , an dh u r l e d d a r t s a n d s t o n e s u p o n t h e e n e m y . I t w a s w i t h t h eu tm os t g ri e f o f he a r t t h a t t he good m as t e r of San t i ago beh e ldh i s b rave men fa l l ing l ike he lp les s v ic t ims a round h im, wi tho u t th e m ea ns of r es i s t ance or r ev en ge . T he confus ion of h i s

fo llowers w as increased b y th e sho uts o f th e M oo rs , m ul t i p l i ed b y th e echoes o f eve ry c rag an d cliff, as i f they weres u r r o un de d b y i nnu m er ab l e f oes. B e ing en t i r e ly i gno r an t o ft h e cou n t r y , i n t he i r s t r ugg l e s t o ex t r ica t e t hem s e lves t h e yplu ng ed in to o t he r g lens an d defi les , w he re th ey w ere s t i l lm or e expos ed t o dange r . I n t h i s ex t r em i ty , t h e m as t e r ofSa n t i ag o des pa t ched me s s enge r s i n s ea r ch of s uccour . T heM ar q u is o f Cadiz , l ike a loya l companion in a rm s , ha s te ne dto h i s a i d wi th h i s cavaby . H i s app r oach checked t he a s s au l t s

o f t h e e n e m y ; a n d t h e m a s t e r w a s a t l e n g t h e n a b l e d t o e x t r i c a t e h i s t r oops f rom th e de file . I n t h e m ean t im e , D o nA lonz o de A gu i la r an d h i s compan ions , in the i r eag er adv anc e ,h a d l ikewise go t en ta ng led in de ep g lens an d d ry be ds o ft o r r en t s , w he r e t he y h ad be en s eve re ly ga l led b y t h e i n s u l t in g a t t ac ks o f a han dfu l o f M oo r i sh pe asa n t s , po s ted on th eim pe nd ing p r ec ip ice s . T h e p r ou d s p ir i t of D e A gu i l a r wa sincens ed a t hav ing t h e gam e o f w ar t h us t u r n ed upo n h im ,a n d h i s ga l l an t fo rces dom ineered over b y m ou nta in bo ors ,

whom he had t hough t t o d r i ve , l i ke t he i r own ca t t l e , t o An te -qu e r a . H ea r in g , how eve r , t h a t t h e M ar q u i s o f C ad i z an dthe mas t e r o f San t i ago wer e engaged wi th t he enemy , he d i s r ega r ded h i s own dange r , and , ca l l i ng t oge the r h i s t r oops ,r e tu r n ed t o a s si st t he m , o r r a th e r , t o pa r t ak e o f t he i r pe r i l s .B e in g once m or e a ss embled tog e the r , t h e cava li e rs he ld ah a s t y counc i l, am ids t th e hu r l in g of s tones a nd w his t l ing ofa r r ows ; and t he i r r e s o lves wer e qu i ckened by t he s i gh t , f r omt im e to t im e , o f som e ga l l an t comp anion in a rm s l a id low .

T he y de t e r m ined t h a t t he r e was no s po il i n t h i s pa r t o f t h ecoun t r y t o r epay t he ex t r ao r d ina r y pe r i l , and t ha t i t wasb e t t e r t o a b a n d o n t h e h e r d s t h e y h a d a l r e a d y t a k e n , w h i c hon ly em bar r a s s ed t he i r m ar ch , an d t o r e t r e a t w i th a l l s peed t ol e s s dange r ous g r ound .

T he ada l i des o r gu ides wer e o r de r ed t o l ead t he way ou t o ft h i s p l ace o f ca r nage . T h es e , t h in k in g t o conduc t t h em b y




ou r sw ords . L e t us sca le th e m ou nta in , and se ll ou r l i r esdea r ly , i n s t ead o f s t ay ing he r e t o be t ame ly bu t che r ed . "

So s ay ing , he t u r n ed h i s s t eed aga ins t t h e m oun ta in , an dsp ur re d h i m u p i t s f lin ty s ide . H o rs e an d foo t fo llowed h i s

ex am pl e ; eager , i f th ey cou ld n o t escape , to hav e a t l ea s t ady ing b low a t t h e enem y . A s t h ey s t r ugg l ed up t h e he ig h t , at r em en do us s t o r m o f da r t s and s t ones was s how er ed u ponth em by t h e M oor s . Som e t imes a f r agm en t o f r ock cameb o u n d i n g a n d t h u n d e r i n g d o w n , p l o u g h i n g i ts w a y t h r o u g hth e cen t re o f the i r hos t . T he foo t so ld ie rs , f a in t w i th w ea r i ness and hunger , o r c r ipp led by wounds , he ld by the t a i l s andm an es of the horses , to a id the m in the i r ascen t , wh i le th ehorses , los ing thei r foot ing among the loose s tones , or receiving

some sudden wound , tumbled down the s t eep dec l iv i ty , s t eed ,r ider , and so ld ie r ro l l ing f rom crag to c rag , un t i l they wereda she d to p ieces in th e va l l ey . I n th i s des pera te s t rug gle , th ea l fe rez, o r s t an da rd-b ea rer o f th e m as te r , w i th h i s s t a nd ard ,was los t , a s were many of h i s r e la t ions and h i s deares t f r i ends .At l eng th he - s ucceeded i n a t t a i n ing t he c r e s t o f t he moun ta in ,b u t i t w as on ly to be pl un ge d in ne w dif ficul ties . A wi ld erness o f rocks and rugged de l l s l ay before h im, bese t by c rue lfoes. H av in g ne i t he r ba nn e r no r t r um pe t , b y wh ich t o r a l l y

h i s t r oops , t he y w and e r ed apa r t , e ach i n t en t up on s av ing h imse l f f rom the prec ip ices o f the mounta ins and the dar t s o f theen em y. "When th e p ious m as t e r o f San t iago be he ld th e sca t t e red f ragments o f h i s l a te ga l l an t fo rce , he cou ld no t r es t r a inh i s grief. " O G-od " ex cla im ed he , " gr ea t i s th in e a n g erth i s day aga ins t t h y s e r v an t s T h ou ha s t conve r t ed t h e coward ice o f the se in fidel s in to des pera te va lour , an d h as t m a d epeas an t s and boo r s v i c to r i ous ove r a r med men o f ba t t l e "

He would fa in have kep t wi th h i s foo t so ld ie r s , and , ga ther i n g t h e m t o g e t h e r , h a v e m a d e h e a d a g a i n s t t h e e n e m y ; b u tt hos e a r ound h im en t r ea t ed h im to t h ink on ly o f h i s pe r s ona ls a f e ty . T o r em a in was t o pe r i s h w i tho u t s t r i k ing a b lo w ; t oescape was to p reserve a l i f e , tha i might be devoted tovengean ce on t he M oor s . T h e m as t e r r e luc t an t l y y i e lded t oth e i r adv i ce . " O L o r d o f H o s t s " exc la imed he aga in ," f rom th y w ra th do I fly , no t f rom th es e in f ide ls : t h e y areb u t i n s t r u m en t s i n t h y han ds t o chas t is e u s fo r ou r s i n s "

So say ing , he sen t t h e gu ides in -adva nce , and , p u t t in g spursto h i s horse , dashed th rough a def i l e o f the mounta ins , beforet h e M o o r s c o u ld i n t e r c e p t h i m . T h e m o m e n t t h e m a s t e r p u this horse to speed, h is t roops scat tered in a l l d i rect ions .Some endeavoured to fo l low h i s t r aces , bu t were confoundedam on g th e in t r icac ies o f th e m ou nta in . T h ey fled h i th er an dth i t he r ; many pe r i s h ing among t he p r ec ip i ce s , o the r s be ings l a in by t he M oor s , and o the r s t aken p r i s one r s .



THE CONQUES T OF &EANADA. 5 1

The ga l l an t Marquis o f Cadiz , gu ided by h i s t rus ty ada l id ,Lu is A m ar , ha d ascend ed a di ffe ren t p ar t o f th e m ou nta in .H e w as followed by his f r iend, D o n Alonz o d e A gui lar , th eade lan tado , and the Count o f C i fuen tes ; bu t , in the darknessa n d confus ion , th e ba ud s of the se com m ande rs be cam e separa te d from each o th er . "When the m arq uis a t t a ine d th esum m i t , he looked a ro un d for h i s compan ions in a rm s ; b u tthey were no longer fo l lowing h im, and there was no t rumpetto sum m on th em . I t was a conso la t ion to th e ma rqu is , how ever , th a t h is br ot he rs , a nd seve ral of h is re la t ion s , w i th anu m be r o f h i s r e ta iner s , w ere s ti l l w i th h im . H e ca l led h i sbro ther s by name, and the i r r ep l i es gave comfor t to h i s hear t .

His gu ide now led the way in to ano ther va l l ey , where he

wo u ld be l es s expos ed t o dange r . W h e n he ha d r each ed t h ebo t to m of i t, th e m ar qu is pa use d, to col lect h is sc at te red follow ers , an d to give t im e for h is fel low com m and ers to re jo inh im . H e r e h e was sud den ly as sa il ed b y th e t roops of E lZa ga l , a ided b y th e m ou nta in eer s from the c liffs. T h e Ch r i s t i a n s , exhaus ted and t e r r i f i ed , los t a l l p resence of mind; mos tof th em f led, an d w ere e i ther sl a in o r t a ke n cap t ive . T hemarquis and h i s va l i an t b ro ther s , wi th a f ew t r i ed f r i ends ,m ad e a s t ou t r e s i st ance . H i s ho r s e was k i l led un de r h im ; h i s

b r o the r s , D o n Dieg o and D on L ope , w i th h i s two nephe ws ,Don L or enzo and Don M anue l , we r e , one by one , s wep t f r omhis s i d e ; e i the r t r ans f ixed w i th da r t s and l ances by th e so ld ie rsof E l Zaga i , o r c ru she d by s tones f rom the he igh t s . T h em ar q u i s was a ve t e r an war r i o r , and h ad been in m an y a b loodyba t t le , b u t ne ve r before h a d de ath fa l len so th ick an d c losea r o u n d h i m . W h e n h e s aw h i s r e m a i n i n g b r o t h e r , D o nBel t ran, s t ruck out of h is saddle by a f ragment of a rock, andhis ho rse - running wi ld ly abo ut w i tho ut h i s r ider , he gave a

c ry of angu ish , an d s tood bew i ldered an d aghas t . A fewfa i th fu l fol lowers su r ro un de d h im , an d en t re a te d h im to flyfor h i s l if e . H e wo uld s t il l ha ve rema ined , to ha ve sh are dth e for tune s of h is fr iend, D o n Alonzo de A gu i lar , a nd hiso th e r compan ions i n a r m s ; bu t t h e f o rces o f E l Z ag a l w er ebe tween h im and t hem, and dea th was wh i s t l i ng by on eve r yw ind . R e lu c ta n t ly , there fo re , he con sen ted to fly . A no the rhorse was brought h im: h i s f a i th fu l ada l id gu ided h im by oneof the s t eepes t pa ths , which l as ted for four l eagues ; the

enemy s t i l l nang ing on h i s t r aces , and t h inn ing t he s can tyran ks of h i s fo llowers. A t l en g th th e m arq uis r eac hed t h eex t r em i ty of t he m ou n ta in d en i e s , and , w i th a ha gg a r d r em nant o f h i s men , escaped by d in t o f hoof to Antequera .

T h e Co un t of Cifuentes , w i th a few of h is re ta ine rs , in a t t e m pt in g to fo llow th e M ar qu is o f Cadiz , w an de red in to ana r r ow pas s , w he r e t he y wer e com ple te ly s u r r ou nde d by t h e

D 2



5 2 H I S T O E T O E

ba n d of .E l Za ga l . F in d in g a l l a t t e m pt a t escape imp oss ib leand r e s i s t ance va in , t he wor thy coun t s u r r ende r ed h ims e l fpr i soner , as d id a l so Ins b ro ther , Don Pedro de S i lva , and thefew of h i s r e ta ine r s w ho surv ive d .

T h e daw n o f day f ound D o n Alonzo de Ag u i l a r , w i th ahand f u l o f h i s adh e r en t s , s t il l am ong t h e m oun ta in s . T h eyh a d a t t e m pte d to follow th e M ar qu is o f Cadiz , b u t ha d been ,ob l iged to pause and defend themse lves aga ins t the th icken ingf o rces o f t he enem y . T he y a t l eng th t r ave r s ed the m ou n ta in ,an d r eached t h e same va l l ey w her e t h e m ar qu i s ha d m ade h i sl a s t d i s a s tr ous s t and . W ea r i ed and pe r p l exed , t he y s he l t e r edthem s e lves i n a na tu r a l g r o t t o , un de r an ove r han g ing r ock ,w hic h ke p t o ff th e da r t s o f the e n em y ; w hi le a bu bb l ing fount a in gave t he m the m ean s of s l ak ing t he i r r ag in g t h i r s t , an dref resh ing the i r exh aus ted s teeds . A s da y bro ke , the scene ofs l aug h t e r un f o lded i ts ho r r o r s . T h e r e l ay t h e nob l e b r o th e r sa n d nep hew s of th e ga l l an t m arq uis , t r ans f ixed w i th da r t s , o rgas hed and b r u i s ed wi th uns eem ly woun ds ; w h i le m an y o th e rga l l an t cava l ie r s w ere s t r e tc he d ou t dea d an d dy in g a ro un d ,s ome o f t h em pa r t l y s t r ipped and p lun de r e d by t h e M oo r s .De Agu i l a r was a p ious kn igh t , bu t h i s p i e ty was no t humblean d res igned , l ike t h a t of th e w or th y m as te r o f Sa n t ia go .H e im prec a ted ho ly curses up on the in fide ls , for hav ing t h u sla id low the f lower of Chr is t ian chival ry , and he vowed in hishea r t b i t t e r vengeance upon t he s m T O u n d i n g coun t r y . B ydegrees the l i t t l e fo rce o f De Agui la r was augmented by numbe rs of fugi t ives , w ho issue d f rom caves an d cha sm s, w h e reth ey had t aken r e fuge i n t h e n igh t . A l i t tl e ba nd of m ou n te dkn igh t s was g r adua l l y f o rmed , and t he M oor s ha v ing aban do ne d the h eig hts to col lect th e spoi ls of t h e s la in , th is ga l lan tbu t f o r l o r n s quad r on was enab l ed t o r e t r ea t t o An teque r a .

This d i sas t rous a f fa i r l as ted f rom Thursday even ing th roughou t F r id ay , th e 2 1s t o f M ar ch , th e fes t iva l o f S t B en ed ic t .I t i s s t i l l recorded in Spanish calendars as the defeat of them o u n t a i n s o f M a l a g a ; a n d t h e p l a c e w h e r e t h e g r e a t e s ts l aughte r took p lace i s po in ted ou t to the p resen t day , and i scal led La cuesta de la matanza, o r " th e h i l l o f th e m as sa cr e . "T h e p r i n c i p a l l e a d e r s w h o s u r v i v e d r e t u r n e d t o A n t e q u e r a ;many o f t he kn igh t s t ook r e f uge i n A l l i ama , and o the r s wandered about the mounta ins fo r e igh t days , l iv ing on roo t s and

he r bs , h id ing t hems e lves du r in g t h e day , and r oam ing f o r t ha t n igh t . So en feeb led and d i s hea r t ened w er e t he y , t ha tth ey offered no res i s t an ce if a t t ac ke d . Th ree or fours o ld i e r s wou ld s u r r ende r t o a M oor i s h peas an t , and even t hew om en of M ala ga sa l li ed fo r th an d m ad e pr i son ers . So m ewer e t h r own in to t he d i i ngeons o f f r on t i e r t owns ; o the r sl ed cap t i ve t o G r a n ad a ; b u t by fa r t h e g r ea t e r nu m be r we r e



T H E C O N Q U E S T OF G R A N A D A . 5 3

c o n d u c t e d to M a l a g a , the c i t y t hey had t h r e a t e n e d to a t t a c k .T w o h u n d r e d and f i f ty pr incipal caval iers , a lcaydes , comm a n d e r s , and h ida lgos of generous blood, were conf ined in the

a lcazaba or c i tadel of M a l a g a , to a w a i t t h e i r r a n s o m ; and five

h u n d r e d and s e v e n t y of the comm on s o ld i e r y we r e c r owdedin an enclosure or c o u r t - y a r d of the a lcazaba , to be sold as

s laves .*Great spoi ls were col lected of s p l end id a r mour and weapo ns

taken f rom the spoil , or t h r o w n a w a y by the caval iers in t he i rf l igh t ; and many horses , magni f i cen t ly capar i soned , toge therw i t h n u m e r o u s s t a n d a r d s ; all w h ich we r e pa r a ded i n to the

M oor i s h t owns .T he mer chan t s , a l s o , who had come wi th the a r m y , i n t e n d

in g to traffic in the spoils of the M oor s , we r e t hems e lves m ad eobjects of traffic. Se ve ra l of th em we re dr iven l ike ca t t l ebefore the M oor i s h v i r agos to the m a r k e t of M a l a g a , and, in

sp i t e of all t he i r a d r o i t nes s in t r a d e , and then - a t t em p t s to buy

t hems e lves off at a cheap r ans om , t h ey w er e un ab l e to p u r chas e t he i r f reedom w i thou t s uch d r au gh t s upon t h e i r m o n e yb a g s at h o m e as d r a i n e d t h e m to the ve r y bo t t om .

C H A P T E R X I I I .

E F F E C T S OF THE DISASTERS AMO NG THE M O U N T A I N S OF

MALAGA.

T H E people of A n t e q u e r a had scarcely recovered f rom the

t u m u l t of exc i t emen t and admira t ion , caused by the d e p a r t u r eof the g a l l an t b a n d of cava l ie r s up on the i r fo ray , w he n th e y

b e h e l d the sca t t e red wrecks f ly ing for r e fuge to the i r wal l s .Day a f t e r day, and hou r a f t e r hou r , b r ough t s ome wr e t chedfugi t ive , in w h o s e b a t t e r e d p l i g h t and hag ga r d , wo- begon ed e m e a n o u r , it was a lmos t imposs ib le to r ecognize the war r i o rw h o m t h e y had l a te ly seen to i ssue so ga i ly and glor ious lyf r om then - ga tes .

T he a r r i va l of the M a r q u i s of Cadiz , a lm ost a lone, cov eredw i t h d u s t and b lood , his a r m o u r s h a t t e r e d and defaced, his

c o u n t e n a n c e the p i c t u r e of desp ai r , filled ev ery he a r t w i t h

s o r r o w ; for he was g r ea t l y be loved by the peop l e . The m u l t i t ude a s ked , whe r e was the b a n d of b r o the r s t h a t r a l l iedr o u n d him as he w e n t f o r t h to the field; and w h e n t h e y h e a r dt h a t t h e y had, one by one, b e e n s l a u g h t e r e d at his s ide , theyhushed the i r vo ices , or s poke to each o ther on ly in wh i s pe r s

Cura de los Palacios.




as l i e passed , gaz ing a t Mm in s i l en t sympathy . No onea t te m p te d to console him in so gr ea t an aff lict ion, n or d id t h egood m ar qu i s speak eve r a wo r d , h u t , s hu t t i ng h ims e l f u p ,bro od ed in lone ly ang uish over h i s m is for tune . I t wa s on ly

th e a r r iva l o f D on Alonzo de A gu i la r th a t gave h im a g lea mof c on sola t ion ; for, am ids t th e shaf ts of d ea th th a t h ad fa l lenso th i ck ly am on g his family , he re joiced th a t h is chosen f r iendand b r o the r i n a r ms had e s caped mi in ju r ed .

For severa l days every eye was tu rned , in an agony of sus pen se , tow ard s the M oor i sh : bo rder , anx ious ly looking , inev ery fug i tive f rom the mo un ta ins , for th e linea m ents o f som ef r iend or r e la t ion , w hose fa te was y e t a m ys te ry . A t l e n g t ha l l dou b t s ubs ided i n to ce r t a in ty ; t he who le e x t en t o f t h i s

g r e a t ca l ami ty wa s kno wn , s p r ead ing g r ie f an d c ons t e r na t i onth r ou gh ou t t he l and , and l ay ing des o l a t e t h e p r i de and h op esof pa laces . I t w as a sor row th a t v i s i ted th e m arb le ha l l a n ds i lken p i llow. S ta te ly dam es m ou rn ed over th e loss o f th e i rsons , t h e j oy an d g lo r y o f t he i r a g e ; and m an y a f ai r cheekwa s b l anch ed wi th wo , t h a t ha d l a t e ly m an t l ed w i th s ec r e tadm i r a t ion . • " A l l An da lus i a , " s ays an h i s t o r i an o f t he d ay ," w a s ove r whe lmed by a g r ea t a f fl ic ti on; t he r e was no d r y in gof th e eyes w hich w ep t in he r . " *

F e a r and t r em bl in g re igned for aw hi le a long th e f ron t ie r .The i r spear seemed broken; the i r buck le r c le f t in twain .E ve r y bo r de r t own d r eaded an a t t ack , and t he mo the r caugh the r i n f an t t o he r bos om, w he n t he wa t ch - dog how led i n t h enig ht , fancying i t th e w ar- cry of th e M oo r . All. for a t im eappeared los t , and despondency even found i t s way to ther oya l b r eas t s o f Fe r d inand and I s abe l l a , amid t he s p l endour so f t hen - cour t .

G r ea t , on t h e o the r ha nd , was t h e j oy of t he M oo r s , w he nthey saw whole l eg ions o f Chr i s t i an war r io r s b rought cap t ivei n t o t h e i r t o w n s , b y r u d e m o u n t a i n p e a s a n t r y . T h e y t h o u g h ti t th e w ork of Al lah in f avour o f th e f a ith fu l . B u t w he n t h e yr ecogn i s ed , am ong t he cap t ives t hu s de j ec ted a nd b r ok endow n, severa l o f th e p ro ud es t o f Ch r i s t i an ch iva l ry ; w h e nth e y saw severa l o f th e ba nn ers an d dev ices o f th e no bles thous es o f Spa in , w h ich t h ey ha d been accus tomed t o beh o ldin th e fo remos t o f th e ba t t l e , no w t ra i l ed ignom inious ly

th r ough t he i r s t r ee t s ; when , i n s ho r t , t hey wi tnes s ed , t hear r iva l o f the Count o f C i fuen tes , the roya l s t andard-bearer o fSpa in , w i th h i s ga l l an t b r o the r , Don Ped r o de S i l va , b r ough tp r i s one r s i n to t he ga t e s o f Gr anada , t he r e wer e no bounds t othe i r exu l t a t i on . T he y t ho ug h t t h a t t h e days o f t h en - a n c i e n t

" Cara de los Palacios.



THE CONQUEST 0 E GRANADA. 5 5

g lo r y wer e abou t t o r e tu r n , and t ha t t hey wer e t o r enew the i rca r ee r o f t r i umph ove r t he unbe l i eve r s .

The Chr i s t i an h i s to r ians o f the t ime a re sore ly perp lexed toaccoun t f o r t h i s m i s f o r tun e ; and w hy so m an y C h r i s t i an

knigh t s , f igh t ing in the cause of the ho ly fa i th , should thus ,mi racu lous ly as i t were , be g iven cap t ive to a handfu l o fin fide l bo or s ; fo r we a re as su red th a t a l l th i s ro u t a n d des t ru ct io n was ef fected b y f ive hu n d re d foot an d fi fty ho rse ,and these mere mounta ineer s , wi thout sc ience or d i sc ip l ine .*" I t was i n t en de d , " obs e r ves one h i s t o r i og r aphe r , " a s a l es sonto t he i r con f idence and va in - g lo r y ; ove r r a t i ng t he i r ownprowess , an d th in k in g th a t so chosen a ba n d of ch iva l ry h a db u t to app ear in th e l an d of th e ene m y, an d conq uer . I t w as

to t each them tha t the r ace i s no t to the swi f t , nor the ba t t l et o t he s t r ong , bu t t ha t God a lone g ive th t he v i c to r y . "T he wor thy f a the r F r ay An ton io Agap ida , howeve r , a s s e r t s

i t to be a punishment fo r the avar ice o f the Spanish war r io r s .They d id no t en te r the k ingdom of the in f ide l s wi th the puresp i r i t o f Chr i s t i an kn ig h t s , zea lous on ly for th e g lory of t h ef a i t h ; b u t r a t h e r a s g r ee dy m en o f t r ade , t o en r i ch t hem selves b y ve nd in g th e spoils of th e inf idels . In s t e a d of p re par ing themse lves by confess ion and communion , and execu t i ng t he i r t e s t amen t s , and mak ing dona t i ons t o chu r chesan d conven t s , t h ey t ho ug h t on ly o f a r r an g in g ba r ga ins an ds a le s o f t he i r an t i c i pa t ed boo ty . I n s t e ad o f t ak ing wi th t h emho ly m onks , t o a id t he m w i th t he i r p r a ye r s , t he y w er e fo llowed by a t r a in o f wor ld l ings , to keep a l ive the i r s ecu la r ands o r d id i deas , and t o t u r n wha t ough t t o be ho ly t r i umphs i n toscenes of br aw l in g t raff ic ." Su ch is th e opinion of th e exce l len t Ag ap ida , i n w h ich he i s j o ined b y t h a t m os t wo r th y

and upr igh t o f chron ic le r s , the cura te o f Los Pa lae ios . Agapida comfor ts himself, however , wi th the r e f l ec t ion , tha t th i sv i s i t a t i on was mean t i n mer cy , to - t r y th e Cas t i l ian he ar t , an dto ex t rac t f rom i t s p resen t humi l i a t ion the e lements o f fu turesuccess , as go ld i s ex t rac ted f rom am ids t th e im pu r i t i es o fea r t h ; and i n t h i s r e f l ec t i on he i s s uppor t ed by ' t he vene r ab l eh i s t o r i an , Ped r o Abar ca , o f t he s oc i e ty o f J e s u i t s . *

* Cura de los PaJacios.

•j Abarca, Anales de Aragon, Rey 30, cap. 2, sect. 7 .




C H A P T E R X I V .

H O W K I N G B O A B D I L E L C H I C O M A R C H E D O V E R T H E B O R D E R .

T H E de f ea t o f t h e C h r i s t ian cava li e rs am ong t h e m ou n ta in so f M a laga , and t he s ucces s f u l i n r oad o f M uley Aben Has s anin to the l ands o f Medina S idonia , had produced a f avourab leeffect on th e fo r tunes of th e o ld m on arc h . T h e in co ns ta n tpopu l ace began t o s hou t f o r t h h i s name in t he s t r ee t s , and t osne er a t th e inac t iv i ty o f h i s son , Bo abd i l e l Chico . T h ela t ter , though in the f lower of h is age, and dis t inguished forv i g o u r a n d d e x t e r i t y i n jo u s t s a n d to u r n a m e n t s , h a d n e v e ryet f leshed his weapon in the f ie ld of bat t le ; and i t was murm u re d th a t he p re fe r red th e s i lken repose of th e coo l ha l l sof the Alhambra , to the f a t igue and danger o f the fo ray , andt h e h a r d e n c a m p m e n t s o f t h e m o u n t a i n s .

T he popu l a r i t y o f t he s e r i va l k ings depended upon t he i rsuccess agains t the Chr is t ians ; and Boabdi l e l Chico found i tnec essary to s t r ike some s igna l b low, to cou nte rba lance th el a t e t r i um ph o f h i s f a the r . H e w as f u r t h e r i nc i t ed b y t h ef ierce old Moor , h is fa ther - in- law, Al i Atai - , a l cayde of Loxa ,

wi th whom the coa l s o f wra th aga ins t the Chr i s t i ans s t i l lbu r n ed am ong t h e a s hes o f age , and ha d l a t e ly be en b low nin to a f lame b y t he a t t ack m ad e by E e r d ina nd on t h e c i t yu n d e r h i s c o m m a n d .

A l i A ta r in formed B oab di l th a t th e l a te d i scomf i tu re of th eC hr i s t i an kn igh t s had s t r i pped Anda lus i a o f t he p r ime o f he rch iva l ry , an d bro ke n the sp i r i t o f the coun t ry . A l l th e f ron t ie rof Cordo va an d Ec i ja now lay open to in road . ; bu t he spec ia l lypo in te d ou t th e c i ty o f Lu ce na as an o b jec t o f a t t a c k ; be in g

feeb ly gar r i sone d , and ly ing in a co un t ry r i ch in pa s tu ra ge ,ab oim din g in ca t t le an d gra in , in o i l an d w ine . T h e f iery o ldM oo r s poke f rom tho r ou gh i n f o r m a t ion ; fo r he had m ad em a n y an incurs ion in to those pa r t s , and h i s ve ry na m e w as at e r r o r t h r o u g h o u t t h e c o u n t r y . I t h a d b e c o m e a b y - w o r d i nthe ga r r i s on o f L oxa , t o ca l l L ucena t he ga r den o f Ah Ata r ;for he was accus tomed to forage i t s fer t i le ter r i tor ies for a l lh is suppl ies .

Boabdi l e l Chico l i s t ened to the per suas ions o f th i s ve te ranof th e bo rd er s . H e as sem bled a fo rce o f n in e tho us an d foo tan d s even hu nd r e d ho r s e , m os t of t he m h i s own ad he r en t s ,b u t m an y th e par t i s an s o f h i s f a th er : fo r b o th fac t ions , ho w ev er th ey m igh t fight them se lves , w ere r ea dy to un i t e in a nyexpedi t ion aga ins t the Chr i s t i ans . Many of the mos t i l lus t r iousa n d va l i an t o f th e M oo r i sh nobi l i ty as sem bled a i-ound h i ss t an da r d , magn i f icen t ly a r r ay ed , i n s um ptuo us a r m ou r an d



t h e c o n q u e s t o f g b a n a d a . 5 7

rich, embroidery, as though they were going to a festival, or atil t of reeds, ra ther than an enterprise of iron war. Boabdil' smother, the sultana Ayxa la Ho rra , armed him for the field,and gave him her benedict ion as she girded his cimeter to his

s ide . His favourite wife Morayma wept , as she thought ofth e evils th at might befall him. " W h y dost thou weep,daughter of Ali A ta r? " said the high-minded Ayxa ; "t he setears become not the daughter of a warrior, nor the wife of aking. Believe me, there lurks more danger for a monarchwithin the strong walls of a palace, than within the frail curtains of a tent . I t is by perils in the field tha t thy husbandmust purchase security on Ms throne.

Bu t Morayma still hung upon Ms neck with tears and sad

forebodings; and when he departed from the Alhambra , shebetook herself to her mirador, which looks out over the vega;whence she watched th e army, as it passed in shining orderalong the road tha t leads to Lo xa : and every burst of warlikemelody tha t came swelling on the breeze was answered by agush of sorrow.

As the royal cavalcade issued from the palace, and descended through the streets of Granada, the populace greetedtheir youthful sovereign with shouts, and anticipated successth at should wither the laurels of Ms father. I n passingth rough the gate of Elvira , however, the king accidentallybroke his lance against the arch. At this , certa in of hisnobles turned pale, and entreated Mm not to proceed, for theyZ 'egarded it as an evil omen. Boabdil scoffed a t t he ir fears,for he considered them mere idle fancies; or ra ther , saysEray Antonio Agapida, he was an incredulous pagan, puffedup wi th confidence and vainglory. H e refused to tak eanother spear, but drew forth his cimeter, and led th e way(adds Agapida) in an arrogant and haughty style, as thoughhe would set bo th heaven and earth at defiance. Anotherevil omen was sent, to deter him from his enterprise. Arrivingat the rambla or dry ravine of Beyro, which is scarely a bowshot from th e city, a fox ran tM-ough the whole army, andclose by the person of the king, and, though a thousand boltswere discharged a t it, escaped uninjured to th e mountains .The principal courtier's about Boabdil now reiterated their re

monstrances against proceeding; for they considered theseoccurrences as mysterious portents of disasters to their army.The king, however, was not to be dismayed, but continued tomarch forward.*

At Loxa the . royal army was reinforced b y old Ali At ar ,wi th th e chosen horsemen of his garrison, and m an y of the

* Marmol. Rebel, de los Moros, lib. i, c. 12 , fol. 14.



5 8 HISTORY. OF

br av es t w a r r i o r s o f t h e bo r de r t o w ns . T h e peop l e o f L o xas h o u t e d w i t h e x u l t a ti o n , w h e n t h e y b e h e l d A l i A t a r a r m e d a ta l l po in t s , and once mor e moun ted on h i s B a r ba iy s t eed ,w h ic h h ad o ft en bo r ne h im ove r t h e bo r de r s . T he ve t e r a n

war r i o r , w i th nea r ly a cen tu r y o f yea r s upon h i s head , had a l lthe f i re and animat ion of a youth a t the prospect of a foray,and ca r ee r ed f r om r ank t o r ank wi th t he ve loc i t y o f an Ar abof t h e des e r t . T h e popu l ace w a t ch ed t h e a r m y a s i t pa r ad edove r t he b r i dge , and wound i n to t he pas s e s o f t he moun ta in s ;a n d s t i ll th e i r eyes w ere fixed up on th e pe nn on of AH A ta r ,as i f i t bore wi th i t an as surance of v ic to ry .

T he M oor i s h a r my en t e r ed t he C hr i s t i an f r on t i e r by f o r cedm arc he s , ha s t i ly r av ag ing th e co un t ry , d r iv ing off th e flocks

an d he r ds , and m ak ing cap t i ves o f t he i nh ab i t an t s . T h eypr es s ed on f u i i ous ly , and made t he l a t t e r pa r t o f t he i r mar chm th e n igh t ,, t h a t t h ey m igh t e l ude obs e r va ti on , and com eup on L u ce na b y s u r p r i s e . B oabd i l was i nexpe r i enced i n t h ea r t o f w a r ; b u t he ha d a ve te ra n counse llo r in h i s o ld f a the r -in - law : fo r Al i A ta r kn ew eve ry secre t o f th e co u n t r y ; an das he p r owled t h r ough i t , h i s eye r anged ove r t he l and ,un i t ing , in i t s g la re , the c ra f t o f the fox , wi th the sanguinaryferoci ty of the wolf. H e h a d flattered himself, t h a t t h e i r

m ar ch h a d been so rap id , as to ou t s t r ip in te l l igence , an d th a tL ucena wou ld be an ea s y cap tu r e ; when , s udden ly , he behe lda l a r m fires, b l az ing upo n t h e m oun ta in s . " W e a r e d i s covered , " sa id he to Boabdi l e l Chieo : " the count ry wi l l beu p in a rm s . W e hav e no th in g le ft , b u t to s t r ike b o ld ly fo rL ucena : i t i s bu t s l i gh t l y ga r r i s oned , and we may ca r r y i t byassau l t , be fore i t can rece ive as s i s t an ce . " Th e k in g approv edof h i s counse l , an d th ey m arc he d ra p id ly fo r th e ga te o fL u c e n a .

C H A P T E R X T .

HO W T H E C O U N T D E C AB RA S A L L I E D F O R T H F R O M H I S C A S T L E ,I N Q U E S T O F K I N G B O A B D I L .

D O N D I E G O D E CORDOVA, Count o f Cabra , was in the cas t l e

o f V ae na , wh ich , w i th t h e t ow n of t h e s ame nam e , i s s i t u a t edon a lo f ty sunburn t h i l l , on the f ron t ie r o f the k ingdom ofCordo va , an d b u t a f ew league s from L uc en a . T he ra ng e o fm o u n t a i n s fro m H o r q u e r a li e b e t w e e n t h e m . T h e c a s tl e o fV a e n a w a s s t r o n g , a n d w e l l f u r n i sh e d w i t h a r m s ; a n d t h ecount had a numerous band of vassa l s and re ta iner s : fo r ' i tbe ho ve d th e nob lem en of th e f ron t ie r s in th ose t im es to b ewe l l p r epa r ed , w i th m an and ho r s e , w i th l ance an d bu ck l e r ,



T H E C O N Q U E S T O E G E A N A D A . 5 9

to r es i s t t ri e su dd en incurs ions o f t l i e M oo rs . T l i e C ou nt o fC ab r a was a ba r d y .and expe r i enced w a r r i o r ; s h r ew d incounci l , p ro m p t in act ion, ra pi d a n d fear less in th e f ie ld. H ewas one of the b r av es t cava l i e rs for an in ro ad , and h ad b e e n

qu i ckene d and s ha r p ene d i n t ho ug h t an d ac t ion by l iv ing onthe bo r de r s .On the n igh t o f the 20 th of Apr i l , 1483 , the count was

abou t t o r e t i r e t o r e s t , w hen t he w a t ch m an f rom th e t u r r e tb r ou gh t h im wo r d , t h a t t h e r e wer e a l a r m fires on t h e m ou nt a in s o f Hor que r a , and t ha t t hey wer e made on t he s i gna ltower , overhanging the def i l e , th rough which the road passesto C abr a and L ucena .

The count ascended the bat t lements , and beheld f ive f ights

b l az ing on t h e t o w er ; a s i gn t h a t t he r e was a M oor i s h a r m yat tac k in g some p lace on th e f ron t ie r . T he cou nt ins t an t lyordered the a la rm-be l l s to be sounded , and despa tched cour ie r st o r ous e t he com man der s o f t h e ne igh bou r ing t ow ns . H eord ere d a l l h is re ta in ers to pr ep ar e for act ion, an d se nt at r u m p e t t h r o u g h t h e t o w n , s u m m o n i n g t h e m e n t o a s s e m b l ea t t he ca s t l e -ga t e a t da yb r e ak , a r m ed an d equ ipped fo r t h efield.

T h r ou gh ou t t h e r em a inde r of t he n igh t , t h e ca s tl e r e s o un dedw i th t h e d in o f p r epa r a t i on . E v e r y hous e i n t h e t ow n was i nequa l bus t l e ; fo r in these f ron t ie r towns every house had i t swar r i o r , and t he l ance and buck l e r wer e eve r hang ing aga ins tth e wal l , r ea dy to be sn a tche d d ow n for ins ta n t s e rv ice .JSTOthing was he ar d b u t the no i se of a rm ourer s , , th e shoe ing ofs teeds , an d furb i sh ing of w ea po ns ; an d a l l n i gh t long t h ea la rm f i r es kep t b laz ing on the mounta in .

W h e n t h e m o r n i n g d a w n e d , t h e C o u n t o f C a b r a s a l l i e d

for th , a t t h e h ea d of tw o h u n d re d an d fifty caval iers , of t h ebe s t f amil ies of V a e n a ; a l l wel l app oin ted , exerc i sed in a r m s ,an d expe r i enced i n t h e war f a r e o f t he bo r de r s . T h e r e w er e ,bes ides , twelve hundred foo t so ld ie r s ; a l l b rave and wel l -s ea soned m en o f t he s ame tow n . T h e coun t , o r de r ed t he m t oha s t en f o r war d , wh oeve r cou ld ma ke m os t s peed , t ak ing t h er oad t o C abr a , w h ich was t h r ee l eagues d i s t an t . T ha t t hey -might no t lo i t e r on the road , he a l lowed none of them tobre ak the i r f as t, un t i l th e y a r r ive d a t th a t p lace . T he prov i

den t coun t des pa t ched cou r i e r s i n advance ; and t he l i t t l ea rm y, on reac h ing Ca bra , found tab les spread w i th food an dr e f re s hmen t s a t t h e ga t e s of t h e t ow n . T h e r e t he y w er ejo ined by Don Alonzo de Cordova , s en ior o f Zuheros .

H av in g m ade a he a r ty r epas t ,, t h ey w er e on t he p o in t o fr e s um ing t he i r m ar ch , whe n t h e co un t d is cove red , t ha t , i n t h eh u r r y of h i s de pa r tu r e f ron r ho m e , h e ha d f o r go t ten t o b r i n gthe s t a nd a r d o f ^ - aen a , wh ich , f or up w ar d s o f e i gh ty ye a r s ,




L ad a lways bee n bo r ne t o b a t t l e by M s f ami ly . I t wa s no wnoon , and t he r e was no t t ime t o r e tu r n . H e t ook , t he r e f o r e ,the s t andard of Cabra , the dev ice o f wMch i s a goa t , andwhich had no t been s een i n t he war s f o r t he l a s t ha l f cen tu r y .

W h e n ab ou t to depa r t , a cou r ie r cam e ga l lop ing a t ful l speed ,br i ng ing miss ives to the coun t , f rom h i s nep hew , D o n Die goH er na nd ez de C or dova , s en io r o f L uc ena , an d a l cayde de l o sDonze les , en t rea t ing h im to has ten to Ms a id , as h i s town wasbese t by the Moor i sh k ing , Boabdi l e l CMco, wi th a power fu la rmy, who were ac tua l ly se t t ing f i r e to the ga tes .

T he coun t pu t M s l i t t l e a r my in s t an t l y i n movemen t f o rLu ce na , w hich i s on ly one l eagu e f rom Cabra . H e w as firedw i th t h e i d ea o f hav ing t h e M oor i s h k in g i n pe r s on t o con

t e n d w i t h . B y t h e t im e h e r e a c h e d L u c e n a t h e M o o r s h a ddes i s te d from th e a t t ac k , an d w ere rav ag ing th e sur i ' ound ingco un t ry . H e e n te red th e tow n w i th a f ew of h i s cava l i e r s ,an d was rece ived wi th jo y b y h i s nep hew , w hose wh ole fo rcecons i s t ed b u t o f e i gh ty ho r s e and t h r ee hu nd r e d f oot. D onD i e g o H e r n a n d e z d e C o r d ov a w a s a y o u n g m a n ; y e t h e w a sa p ru d en t , careful , a n d capab le officer. H a v in g lear ne d, t h eeve ning before , th a t th e M oo rs ha d passe d the f ron t ie r s , h ehad ga the r ed wi th in h i s wa l l s a l l t he women and ch i l d r en

f r om the env i r ons ; had a r med t he men , s en t cou r i e r s i n a l ld i rect ions for succour , and had l ighted a larm f i res on them o u n t a i n s .

B o a b d i l h a d a r ri v e d w i t h h is a r m y a t d a y b r e a k , a n d h a ds en t i n a mes s age , t h r ea t en ing t o pu t t he ga r r i s on t o t hes wor d , if t h e p l ace we r e no t i n s t an t l y s u r r e nd e r ed . T he me s s e n g e r w a s a M o o r o f G r a n a d a , n a m e d H a m e t , w h o m D o nD iego ha d f o r mer ly kno wn . H e con t r ived t o amu s e M m w i thneg ot ia t ion , to gain t im e for succo ur to ar r iv e . T h e fierce oldA l l A tar , los ing a l l pa t i e nce , h a d m ad e an as sau l t up on th etown , and s t o r med l i ke a f u r y a t t he ga t e ; bu t had beenr epu l s ed . A no the r an d mor e s e r ious a t t ack was expec t ed i nthe course o f the mght .

W h e n t h e C o un t de C a br a ha d he a r d t itd s accoun t o f t h es i tua t io n of a ffai rs , he tu rn ed to h i s n ephe w , w i th h i s u su a la l ac r i t y o f manne r , and p r opos ed , t ha t t hey s hou ld immed i a t e ly s a ll y f o r t h i n que s t o f t h e enem y . T h e p r ud en t Do n

D iego r em on s t r a t e d a t t he r a s hn es s o f a t t ack ing s o g r ea t af o rce w i th a m er e hand f u l o f m en . " N e p h e w ," s a id t h e•count, " I cam e f rom V ae na w i th a de term ina t ion to fightth i s Moor i sh k ing , and I wi l l no t be d i sappoin ted . "

" A t a n y r a t e , " r e p l ie d D o n D i e g o , " l e t u s w a i t b u t t w oho ur s , and w e s ha ll have re in f o r cemen t s , wM ch hav e b ee npr omis ed me f r om E ambla , San t ae l l a , M on t i l l a , and o the rp l aces i n t he ne igh bou r hood . " ? ' I f w e w a i t t h e s e , " s a id t h e



T H E C O N Q U E S T O E G R A N A D A . 6 1

h a rd y coun t , " th e M o or s w i l l h e off, a nd a l l ou r t ro ub le w i l lhav e been i n va in . Y o u m ay awa i t t h em if yo u p l ea s e : I a mreso lved on f igh t ing . "

T he coun t paus ed no t f o r a r ep ly ; bu t , i n h i s p r ompt and

rap id m an ne r , s a l li ed fo r th to h i s m en . T h e yo un g a lca yd ede l o s Donze l e s , t hough mor e p r uden t t han h i s a r den t unc l e ,w as equa l l y b r av e . H e d e t e r m ined t o s t an d b y h im in h i sra sh en te rp r i se ; and , su m m onin g h i s l i t t l e fo rce , m ar ch edfor th , to jo in th e coun t , w ho w as a l r ea dy on th e a le r t . T h e ythen p r oceeded t oge the r i n ques t o f t he enemy .

T he M oor i s h a r m y ha d ceas ed ravag ing t h e coun t r y , an dw er e no t t o be s een , t h e n e ighbo ur hoo d be ing h i l l y , and b r o kenw i th deep rav in es . T he cou nt desp a tche d s ix scout s on ho rse

back , t o r econn o i t r e , o r de r ing t h em to r e tu r n w i th a ll s peedwhen t hey s hou ld have d i s cove r ed t he enemy , and by no -m ean s t o engage i n s k i r mi s h ing w i th s t r agg l e r s . T h e s cou t s ,ascen ding a h ig h h i l l, beh e ld th e M oo r i sh a rm y in a va l l eybehind i t ; the cava l ry r anged in f ive ba t t a l ions , keep ing guard ,wh i le th e foot so ld ie rs w ere sea te d on th e g ras s , m ak in g ar ep as t . T he y r e tu r n ed imm ed ia t e ly w i th t he i n t e ll i gence .

T he coun t now o r de r ed t he t r oops t o mar ch i n t he d i r ec t i onof th e enem y. H e an d h i s nep hew ascended th e h i l l, an d saw,th a t th e five ba t t a l ion s o f M oo r i sh cava l ry h ad bee n formed,i n to two ; one o f abou t n ine hundr ed l ances , t he o the r o f abou ts ix hu nd r ed . T h e who le f or ce s eemed p r e pa r ed t o m ar c h fo rth e f ron t ie r . T h e foo t so ld ie r s w ere a l r ea dy in m ot ion , w i thmany p r i s one r s , and a g r ea t t r a i n o f mu le s and beas t s o f bu r den , l ade n w i th b oo ty . A t a d i s t ance wa s Bo abd i l e l Chieo .T hey cou ld no t d i s t i ngu i s h h i s pe r s on ; bu t t hey knew h im byh i s s upe r b w h i t e cha r ge r , magn i f i cen tl y cap a r i s o ned ; an d b yh i s b e i n g s u r r o u n d e d b y a n u m e r o u s g u a r d , s u m p t u o u s l ya r m ed and a t t i r ed . O ld A l i A ta r was ca r ee r i ng abo u t t h eva l l ey w i th h i s u s u a l im pa t i ence , hu r r y in g t h e m ar c h o f t h elo i t e r ing t roops ,

The eyes o f the Count de Cabra g l i s t ened wi th eager joy , as .he behe ld t h e r oya l p r i ze w i th in h i s r each . T he im m en s edi sp ar i ty o f the i r forces nev er en te re d in to h i s mind . " B ySa nt ia go " sa id he to h i s n eph ew , as t h ey ha s ten ed down,th e h i l l , " h a d w e w ai ted for m ore fo rces , th e M oo r i sh k i ng

an d h i s a r m y w ould ha ve escaped us "T he coun t now ha r angued h i s men , t o i n s p i r i t t hem to t h i shaz a r do us e nco un t e r . H e t o ld t he m no t t o be d i s may ed a tth e nu m be r o f th e M oo rs ; for G od of ten pe rm i t t e d th e f ewto con que r t he m a n y ; a nd he ha d g r ea t con fidence , t h a tth rough the d iv ine a id , they were tha t day to ach ieve a s igna lv i c to r y , w h ich s hou ld w in t he m bo th r iches and r eno w n . H ecommanded , t ha t no man s hou ld hu r l h i s l ance a t t he enemy ,



6 2 HIS TOKY OB

b u t s l iou ld ke ep i t in b i s ba nd s , and s t r ik e as ma n y b lowsw i t h i t a s h e cou ld . H e w ar n ed t he m , a l so ne ve r t o s ho u t ,excep t w he n t he M oor s d id ; fo r w hen b o th a r mies s ho u t edtoge the r , t he r e was no pe r ce iv ing wh ich made t he mos t no i s e ,

an d was t h e s t r onges t . H e des i r ed h i s unc l e , L o pe de M en doza , and D ieg o C abre ra , a l cayd e of M énica , to a l igh t an dente r on foo t , in the ba t t a l ion of in fan t ry , to an imate them toth e com bat . H e appo in ted , a l so , th e a lcay de of V ae na , an dDiego de C lav i jo , a cava l i e r o f h i s household , to r emain in ther ea l - , and no t to permi t any one to l ag beh ind , e i ther to despoi lth e dead , o r fo r any o the r purp ose ,

Such were the o rder s g iven by th i s mos t adro i t , ac t ive , andin t r ep id cava li e r to h i s l i t t l e a rm y ; sup ply ing , by adm irab le

sagac i ty , an d sub t le m an ag em en t , t íie w an t o f a m ore nu m ero usforce . H is o rde r s be ing g iven , an d a l l a r ra ng em en ts m ade , heth re w as ide h i s l ance , d re w h i s sword , an d com m and ed h i ss t anda r d t o be advanced aga ins t t he enemy .

T H E M oo r i sh k i ng ha d descr ied th e Sp anish forees a t a d i s t a n ce , a l t ho ug h a s l igh t fog p r ev en t e d h i s s ee ing t h em d i s t i nc t lyan d ascer ta in ing the i r nu m be rs . H is o ld f a ther - in - law , A l iA ta r , was b y h i s s i de , wh o , be ing a ve t e r an m ar a ud e r , waswe l l a cq ua in t e d w i th a l l t h e s t and a r ds and a r mo r i a l bea r ingso f t h e f r on ti e r s. W h e n t h e k in g beh e ld t h e anc i en t and l ongdisuse d ba nn er o f Ca bra em erg ing from the mis t , he tu rn ed toA l i A ta r , an d dem and ed whos e ens ign i t wa s . T he o ld bo r de re r wa s fo r once a t a los s ; fo r th e ba nn er h a d no t b ee ndisp layed in ba t t l e iu h i s t ime .

" S i re , " r ep l i ed he , a f t e r a pause , " I have been cons ider ing

w hic h i s a dev ice b or ne b y th e tow ns of Ba eza an d TJbeda .I f i t b e so, a l l A nda lus ia i s in m ov em ent aga in s t y o u ; fo r i ti s no t p r obab l e , t ha t any s ing l e com ma nder o r com m un i ty

w ou ld ve n t ur e to a t t ac k yo u . I w ould adv i se you , the re fo re ,t o r e t i r e . "T h e C o un t o f C ab r a , i n w ind ing do w n t h e h i l l t ow ar d s t h e

M oo r s , f ound h ims e l f on a mu ch l ower s t a t ion t h an t he en em y :he there fore o rdered in a l l has te , tha t h i s s t andard should bet ak en back , s o a s t o ga in t he van t age g r ou nd . T he M oo r s ,m i s t ak in g t h i s f o r a r e t r ea t , r u s he d imp e tuou s ly t ow ar ds t h eC hr i s t i ans . T he l a t t e r , hav ing ga ined t he he igh t p r op os ed ,

C H A P T E E X V I .

THE BATTLE OF LTJCENA.

I t app ears to b e a do g ,



T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G R A N A D A . 6 3

c h a r g e d d o w n u p o n t h e m a t t h e s a m e m o m e n t , w i t h t h eba t t l e -c ry of " S a n t i a g o " and , dea l ing th e first b lows , l a i dmany of the Moor i sh cava l i e r s in the dus t .

T h e M oor s , t hus checked i n t he i r t um ul tu ou s a s s au lt , w e r e

th ro w n in to confus ion , an d be ga n to g ive w ay ; th e Ch r i s t i ansfo llowing ha rd tvpon th em . Bo abd i l e l Chico end eav ou red tor al ly t h e m . " S o l d h o l d for s h a m e " c rie d h e : " l e t u sno t fly , a t l e a s t un t i l we kn ow ou r e n e m y " T h e M oo r i s hch iva l r y wer e s t ung by t h i s reproof, and t u r ned t o make f r on t ,wi th the valour of men who feel that they are f ight ing undert h e i r m o n a r c h ' s eye.

A t t h i s m om en t , L o r enzo de Po r r e s , a l cayde o f L uq ue , a r -l-ived w i t h fifty ho rse an d one hu n d re d foot, so un din g a n

I ta l i a n t ru m p et f rom am on g a copse of oak t r ee s , w hich concea led h i s fo rce . T he qu ick ear o f o ld A l i A ta r ca ug ht th en o t e . " T ha t is an I t a l i a n t r u m pe t , " s a id he t o t h e k i n g :" t he who le wor ld s eems i n a r ms aga ins t you r ma je s ty "

T h e t r u m p e t of L o r e n z o d e P o r r e s w a s a n s w e r e d b y t h a tof th e Co unt de Ca bra in an o th er d i re c t io n ; an d i t s eem ed toth e M oor s a s i f t he y wer e be tw een two a r mies . D o n L or e nzo ,s a l l y ing f r om among t he oaks , now cha r ged upon t he enemy .T h e l a t t e r d id no t w ai t to ascer ta in th e force of th i s ne w foe.T he confus ion , the va r ie t y o f a la rms , th e a t t a cks f rom oppo s i t eq ua r te r s , the obs cur i ty o f th e fog , a l l consp i red to dece iveth em as t o t h e nu m be r o f t he i r adve r s a r i e s . B r o ken an d d i s m ay ed , th ey re t r e a te d fighting; an d no th in g b u t th e p res enc ean d r em ons t r an ces o f t h e k ing p r e ve n t e d t he i r r e t r e a t f rombeco m ing a he ad lon g flight.

T h i s s k i r m i s h ing r e t r ea t l a s t ed f or abou t t h r e e l eagu es .M a n y we r e t h e ac t s o f i nd iv idua l p r owes s be twe en C hr i s t i an

a n d M oo r i s h k n ig h t s ; and t h e w ay was s t r ew ed b y t he flowero f t h e k ing ' s gu a r ds , an d o f h i s r oya l hous eho ld . A t l en g thth ey came to t he r i vu l e t of M ingonza l ez , t h e ve r da n t ban ksof w hic h w ere covered w i th wi llows and t am ar i s ks . I t w ass wo l l en b y r ece n t r a in , an d w as now a deep and t u r b idt o r r e n t .

He r e t he k ing made a cou r ageous s t and , w i th a s ma l l bodyof cava l r y , wh i l e h i s bag gag e c r oss ed t h e s t r eam . H o ne b u tth e cho ices t an d m os t lo ya l o f h i s gu ard s s tood b y th e i r m o

na rc h in th i s ho ur o f ex t rem i ty . T h e foo t so ld ie r s took t oflight t h e m om en t t he y pas s ed t he f o r d ; m an y o f t h e ho r s e m en , pa r ta k i ng of th e gen era l pan ic , gave re ins to the i r s t eeds ,a n d scou red lo r th e f ron t ie r. T he l i t t l e ho s t o f devo tedcava l ie r s now ser r i ed th e i r fo rces in f ron t o f th e i r m on arc h ,t o n r o t e c t h i s , r e t r ea t . T h ey f ough t h an d t o ha n d w i th t heC hr i s t i an w ar r io r s ; d i sda in ing to y ie ld , o r to ask for qu ar t e r .T he g r ou nd was cove r ed w i th t h e dead and dy ing . T he k ing ,



6 4 H I S T O R Y O P

h a v i n g r e t r e a t e d a l o n g t h e r i v e r b a n k s , a n d g a i n e d s o m edis tan ce faom th e scene of com bat , looke d back , an d saw t h eloy a l b a n d a t l en g th g ive w ay . T he y c rossed th e fo rd , fo ll owed pe l l m e l l b y t h e enem y , and s eve r a l o f t h em w er e

s t r uck down in to t he s t r eam.T h e k ing now d i s m oun ted f rom h i s w h i t e cha r g e r , w ho s e

co lour and r i ch capar i son made h im too consp icuous , and endeavoured to concea l h imse l f among the th icke t s which f r ingedt h e r i v e r . A s o ld ie r of L u c e n a , n a m e d M a r t i n H u r t a d o , d i s cove r ed h im , an d a t t ack ed h im w i th a p ike . T h e k in g de f en dedhimse l f wi th c imeter and t a rge t , un t i l ano ther so ld ie r as sa i l edh im , and he s aw a t h i r d app r oach ing . Pe r c e iv ing t h a t f u r t h e rres i s t ance would be va in , he d rew back , and ca l l ed upon themto des is t , of fer ing th em a nob le ran so m . O ne of th e soldiersr u s he d f o r war d t o s e ize h im , b u t t h e k in g s t r uck h im to t h eear th wi th a b low of h i s c imeter .

D on D iego Fe r na nd ez de C or dova com ing up a t t h i s m om en t ,th e m en sa id to h im , " Senor , h ere i s a M oo r th a t w e ha veta k en , w ho seem s to be a m an of ra nk , an d offers a lar ger a n s o m . "

" S l av es " exc l aimed K in g B oabd i l, yo u hav e no t t ak en

m e . I su r re nd er to th i s cava l i e r . "D o n D i e g o r e ce i v e d h i m w i t h k n i g h t l y c o u r t e s y . H e p e r ce ived h im to be a pe r s on o f h igh r a n k ; bu t t h e k in g con cea led h i s qua l i ty , an d gave h im se l f ou t as th e son of A b enAley ze r , a nob l em an o f t he r oy a l hous eh o ld .* D o n D ieg ogave him in charge of f ive soldiers , to conduct h im to thecas t le o f L u ce n a ; t h en pu t t i ng s pu r s t o h is ho r s e , he ha s t en edto re jo in th e Co un t de Ca bra , w ho w as in h o t pu rsu i t o f th eene m y . H e ove r took h im a t a s t r eam ca l led E i anc a l , an d

th e y con t inue d to p res s on th e sk i r t s .o f th e fly ing a rm y d u r in gth e r em a ind e r o f t he day . T h e pu r s u i t was a lmos t a s haz a r d ou sas t he b a t t l e ; fo r ha d t he enemy a t a ny t ime r ecove r ed f romthe i r pan i c , t hey migh t , by a s udden r eac t i on , have ove r w he lm ed t h e s ma l l f or ce o f t he i r pu r s ue r s . T o gu a r d aga ins tth i s pe r i l , th e w ar y cou nt ke p t h i s ba t t a l io n a lway s in c loseo r de r , an d h a d a bo dy o f a hu n dr ed chos en l ances i n t h e ad van ce . T he M oor s ke p t up a P a r th i a n r e t r e a t . Seve r a l t im esthey t u r ned t o make ba t t l e ; bu t s ee ing t h i s s o l i d body o f

s teele d w arr io rs pre ss ing up o n th em , th e y again took to flight.T he ma in r e t r ea t o f t he a r my was a long t he va l l ey wa t e r ed

b y t h e X e n i l , a n d o p e n i n g t h r o u g h t h e m o u n t a i n s o f A l g a r i n g oto th e c i ty o f Lo xa . T he a la rm fi res o f th e p rec ed in g n ig h th a d r o u s e d t h e c o u n t r y . E v e r y m a n s n a t c h e d s w o r d a n dbu ck l e r fr om t he w a l l ; and t h e t own s an d v i ll ages po u r e d

* Garibay, lib. xl , cap. 31 .



T H E C O N Q U E S T O E G K A N A D A . 6 5

f o r t h t he i r w a r r i o r s t o ha r a s s t h e r e t r e a t i n g foe. A l i A ta ri e p t th e m ain force o f th e a r m y tog e th er , an d tu rn ed fie rcelyf rom t im e t o t im e upon h i s pu r s u e r s . H e was l i ke a wo l fT iun ted t h r o ug h t h e co un t r y he ha d o ft en m ad e des o l a t e b y h i sm a r a u d i n g s .

T h e a l a r m o f t h i s i nvas ion h a d r eac hed t he c i ty o f A n te qu e r a ,where were severa l o f the cava l i e r s who had escaped f rom theca r nag e i n t h e m oun ta in s o f M a lag a . T h e i r p r o ud min dswer e f e s t e r i ng wi th t he i r l a t e d i s g r ace , and t he i r on ly p r aye rw as for ven gean ce on the in fide ls . N o sooner d id th ey he aro f t he M oor s be ing ove r t he bo r de r t han t hey wer e a r med andm ou n te d fo r ac t ion . D on Alonzo de Ag u i l a r l ed t he m f o r th ;a smal l body of but for ty horsemen, but a l l caval iers of prowess ,a n d th i r s t in g for r eve ng e . T h ey came up on the foe on th eba nk s o f t h e X en i l , w he r e i t w ind s t h r o ug h t he va l leys o fCordo va . T h e r iver , swel led b y th e l a te r a ins , w as deep andtu r b u l e n t , an d on ly f o rdab l e a t c e r t a in p l aces . T he m a in"body of th e a rm y w as ga the red in confusion on th e ba nk s ,endeavour ing to fo rd the s t r eam, p ro tec ted by the cava l ry o fA l i A t a r .

No sooner d id the l i t t l e band of Alonzo de Agui la r come ins ig h t o f th e M oo rs th a n fury flashed f rom th e i r eyes . " R e

m em be r t h e m oun ta in s o f M a l ag a " t he y c r i ed t o each o the r ,a s t h ey r u s he d t o com ba t . T h e i r cha r ge wa s des pe r a t e , b u tw as ga l l an t ly r es i s t ed . A sc ram bl ing and b lood y fight ensue d ,h a n d t o ha n d and s wor d t o s wor d , s ome t imes on l and , s omet i m e s i n t h e w a t e r ; m a n y w e r e l a n c e d o n t h e b a n k s ; o t h e r s ,t h r o w ing t hems e lves i n to t he r i ve r , s un k w i th t h e we igh t o fth e i r a rm our , an d w ere d row ned . Som e, g rap pl ing tog e the r , fe llf rom th e i r hors es , b u t con t inue d th e i r s t rug gle in th e wa ves ,an d he lm and t u r b an r o l led t oge the r dow n th e s t r eam . T h e

M oor s wer e by f a r - t he s upe r io r i n number , and among t hemw e r e m a n y w a r r i o r s o f r a n k ; b u t t h e y w e r e d i s h e a r t e n e d b ydefea t , whi le the Chr i s t i ans were exc i t ed even to despera t ion .

A l i A ta r a lone pre serv ed a l l h i s f ire an d ene rgy am id h i sr eve r s e s . H e ha d been en r ag ed a t t h e de fea t o f t he a r m y ,th e loss o f the k in g , and th e ignom inious flight h e ha d b ee nob l iged t o m ake , t h r o ug h a cou n t r y wh ich ha d s o o ft en bee nth e scen e of h is e xp lo i ts : b u t to be th u s im pe de d in his flight,an d ha r a s s ed and i n s u l t ed b y a m er e hand f u l o f w ar r i o r s ,rou se d th e v io len t pass ions o f th e o ld M oo r to per fec tf renzy .

He had mar ked Don Alonzo de Agu i l a r dea l i ng h i s b lows ,s ays Ag ap ida , w i th t h e p ious vehem ence of a r igh t eo us kn ig h t ,w ho kno w s th a t in every w ou nd inf lic ted upo n th e infidels , h ei s do ing G od se rv ice . A l i A ta r sp ur re d h i s s t ee d a long th ebank of the r iver , to come upon Don Alonzo by surpr i se .

3?




h ad s een i n r o ya l s p l endour , s u r r o un de d b y h i3 a r m y , t h eg e n e r o u s h e a r t of t h e c o u n t w a s t o u c h e d b y s y m p a t h y . H es a id ev e r y th in g t h a t became a cou r t eous an d C h r i s t i an k n i gh tt o comf ort h i m ; obs e r v ing , t h a t t h e s ame m uta b i l i t y o f t h i ng s

w h i c h h a d su d d e n l y d e s t r o y e d h i s r e c e n t p r o s p e r i t y m i g h tcause h i s p r ese n t m is for tunes as r ap id ly to pa ss a w a y ; s ince ,in th i s wor ld , no th ing is s t ab le , a nd eve n sor row ha s i t sa l l o t t ed t e r m .

T hus cons o l i ng h im by gen t l e and s oo th ing wor ds , and ob serv ing towards Turn the honour and reverence tha t h i s d ign i tyan d h i s m is for tunes insp i red , h e co nd uc ted h im a p r i so ne r toh i s s t rong cas t l e o f Vaena .

C H A P T E R X V I I .

L A M E N T A T I O N S O E T H E M O O ES E O E T H E B A T T LE OE L U C E N A .

T H E sen t ine l s looked ou t f rom the watch- towers o f Loxa ,a long t he va l l ey o f t he Xen i l , wh ich pas s e s t h r ough t he moun

t a in s o f A lga r ingo . T h ey l ooked , t o beho ld t h e k in g r e tu r n ing in t r iu m ph , a t th e he ad of h i s sh in ing hos t , l ad en w i thth e spo il o f th e unb e l ieve r . T he y looked , to be ho ld t h es t anda r d o f t he i r wa r l i ke i do l , t he fierce Al i A ta r , bo r neb y th e ch iva l ry o f Lo xa , ever fo remos t in th e w ars o f th eb o r d e r .

I n th e even ing of th e 21s t o f Ap r i l , t h e y descr ied a s ing leho r s em an , u r g ing h i s f a l te r i ng s t eed a long t h e ba nk s o f t h er iver . A s he drew ne ar , th ey perce ived , b y th e flash of a rm s ,t h a t h e w as a w ar r i o r ; and , on nea r e r app r oach , b y t h e r ichnes sof h i s a rmour , and the capar i son of h i s s t eed , they knew h imto be a w ar r i o r o f r an k . .

H e r e a c h e d L o x a f a in t a n d a g h a s t ; h i s A r a b i a n c o u r s e rcove r ed wi th f oam and dus t and b lood , pan t i ng and s t agge r i n g w i t h f at ig u e , a n d g a s h e d w i t h w o u n d s . H a v i n g b r o u g h th i s m as t e r in sa fe ty , he sun k do w n an d d ied before th e ga teo f t h e c i t y . T he s o ld i e rs a t t h e ga t e ga the r ed r ou nd t h e

cava l i e r , as h e s tood , m u te an d m elanch oly , b y h i s exp i r ings t eed . T he y kn ew h i m to b e , t h e ga l l an t C id i C a l eb , nep hewof t h e ch ie f a l faqu i o f t h e a lbaycen of G r an ad a . W h e n t h epeople o f Loxa behe ld th i s noble cava l i e r thus a lone , haggard ,a n d dejected, , th ei r h e ar ts w er e f i lled w i th fear ful foreb o d i n g s .

" C a v a l i e r , " s a id t h e y , " h o w f ar es i t w i t h t h e k i n g a n da r m y ? " H e cas t h i s ha n d momm f u lly t owa r ds t h e l an d o f



6 8 H I S T O B T O F

•the Ch r i s t i ans . " T he re th e y l i e " exc la imed h e : " th e h eaven s hav e f all en up on t h e m a l l a r e l o s t a l l dea d " *

U po n t h i s , t he r e was a g r ea t c r y o f cons t e r na t i on amongthe people , and loud wai t ings of women ; for the f lower of the

s ca r r e d i n m an y a bo r de r ba t t l e , s t ood l ean ing on h i s l anceb y t h e g a t e w a y . " W h e r e i s A h A t a r ? " d e m a n d e d h e e a g e r l y ." I f he s t i l l l ive , the a rmy cannot be los t "

" I s aw h i s t u r b an c loven b y t h e C h r i s t i an s w or d , " r ep l i e dCid i Ca leb. " H is bo dy is floating in th e Xe n i l . "

W h e n t h e s o ld ie r he a r d t hes e w or ds , h e s mo te h i s b r e as t ,and th rew dus t upon h i s head ; fo r he was an o ld fo l lower o fAl i A ta r .

T h e nob l e C id i C a l eb gave h ims e l f no r e po s e ; bu t , m ou n t in gano the r s t eed , ha s t ened t o ca r r y t he d i s a s t r ous t i d ings t oG r a n a d a . AB he pas s ed t h r ough t he v i l l ages and hamle t s , hes p r ead s o r r ow a r ound ; f o r t he i r chos en men had f o l l owed t hek ing t o t he war s .

W h e n h e e n t e r e d t h e g a t e s o f G r a n a d a , a n d a n n o u n c e d t h eloss o f the k ing and a rmy, a vo ice o f hor ror went th roughoutth e c it y . E v e r y one t h ou gh t b u t of h i s ow n s ha r e i n t h egene r a l ca l ami ty , and c r owded r ound t he bea r e r o f i l l t i d ings .

O n e ask ed af ter a fa ther , an ot he r af ter a b ro th er , som e af ter alover , and m an y a m ot he r a ft e r h er son . H is rep l i es w ere s t i l lo f w ou nd s an d dea th . To one h e rep l i ed , " I s aw th y fa ther

T o ano the r , " T hy b r o the r fe ll w ou nd ed un de r t h e hoo fs o ft he ho r s e s ; bu t t he r e was no t ime t o a id h im , f o r t he C hr i s t i ancava l r y w er e up on u s . " T o a t h i r d , " I s aw th e ho r s e o f t h ylover covered w i th b lood , a nd ga l lop ing w i th ou t h i s r id er . "To a four th , " Thy son fought by my s ide on the banks of theX e n i l : w e w e r e s u r r o u n d e d b y t h e e n e m y , a n d d r i v e n i n t oth e s t r eam . I he a r d h im ca ll a l oud up on A l l ah i n t he m ids to f t he wa t e r s : when I r eached t he o the r bank , he was nol o n g e r b y m y s i d e "

T he nob l e C id i C a l eb pas s ed on , l e av ing Gr anada i n l amen t a t i on . H e u r g ed h i s s t eed up t h e s t eep av enue of t r ee s an df oun t a in s , t h a t l e ads t o t h e A lham br a , no r s t oppe d un t i l hear r iv ed before th e ga te o f ju s t i c e . A yx a , the m ot he r o f

B oab d i l , an d M or a ym a , h i s be loved an d t en de r w i fe , ha d da i l ywa tched , f r om the t ower o f t he Gomer es , t o beho ld h i st r i u m ph an t r e t u r n . W h o s ha l l de s c r i be t he i r a fflic tion, w he nthey heard the t id ings o f C id i Ca leb P T h e s u l ta n a A y x as pake no t m uch , b u t s a t e a s one en t r anced i n wo e . E v e r y

An o ld Moor i sh so ld ie r ,

pe r s on o f t he k ing . "

* Cura de los Palacios.



T H E C O N Q U E S T OF G R A N A D A . 6 9

n o w and t h e n a deep s i gh bu r s t f o r t h ; but she r a i s ed her eyest o h e a v e n . " I t is the wi l l of A l l a h " sa id she; and w i t ht h e s e w o r d s she e n d e a v o u r e d to r ep r e s s the agonies of a

m o t h e r ' s s o r r o w . The t e n d e r M o r a y m a t h r e w h e r s e l f on the

e a r t h , and g a v e way to the fu l l tu rbu lence of her feelings,bewa i l i ng her h u s b a n d and her f a the r . The h i g h - m i n d e dA y x a r e b u k e d the v io lence of her grief. " M o d e r a t e t h e s et r a n s p o r t s , my d a u g h t e r , " s a i d she; " r e m e m b e r , m a g n a n i m i t y s h o u l d be the a t t r i b u t e of p r i n c e s : it b e c o m e s not

t h e m to g ive way to c lamorous sor row, l ike common and

v u l g a r m i n d s . " But M or ayma cou ld on ly dep lo r e her lossw i t h the a n g u i s h of a t e n d e r w o m a n . She s hu t he r s e l f up

in her m i r a d o r, and g a z e d all day w i t h s t r e a m i n g e y e s u p o nth e vega . E v e ry ob jec t before her r eca l l ed the causes of her

affliction. The r i ve r Xen i l , wh ich ran s h in ing amids t the

gr oves and g a r d e n s , was the s a m e on the b a n k s of w h i c h had

p e r i s h e d her f a ther , Ali A t a r : b ef ore her lay the r o a d to L oxa ,b y w h i c h B o a b d i l had d e p a r t e d in m a r t i a l s t a t e , s u r r o u n d e db y the ch iva l ry of G r a n a d a . E v e r and a n o n she w o u l d b u r s ti n t o an a g o n y of grief. " A l a s , my f a t h e r " she wou ldexc la im, " the r iver runs smi l ing before me, t ha t cove r s thy

m a n g l e d r e m a i n s who wi l l ga the r t hem to an h o n o u r e d t o m b ,

i n the l a n d of the u n b e l i e v e r F And t h o u , oh, B o a b d i l l i g h tof my eyes joy of my h e a r t life of my l i f e W o the day,

a n d wo the h o u r , t h a t I saw th ee de pa r t from t he se wal l s T h e r o a d by w h i c h t h o u h a s t d e p a r t e d is s o l i t a r y ; nev e r w i l li t be g l a d d e n e d by thy r e t u r n The m o u n t a i n t h o u h a s tt r aver sed l i es l ike a c loud in the d i s tance , and all b e y o n d it is

d a r k n e s s "

T h e r o y a l m i n s t r e l s w e r e s u m m o n e d to a s s u a g e the sor rowsof the q u e e n : t h e y a t t u n e d t h e i r i n s t r u m e n t s to cheerful

s t r a i n s ; but, in a l i t t l e whi le , the a n g u i s h of t h e i r h e a r t s p r e va i l ed , and t u r n e d t h e i r s o n g s to l a m e n t a t i o n s .

" B e a u t i f u l G r a n a d a " t hey exc l a imed , " how is thy g lo r yf a d e d The v i v a r r a m b l a no longer echoes to the t r a m p of

s t e e d and s o u n d of t r u m p e t ; no l o n g e r is it c r o w d e d w i t h thy

you th f u l nob l e s , e age r to d i s p l ay t he i r p r owes s in the t o u r n e ya n d the fes t ive t i l t of r e e d s . A l a s the flower of thy ch iva l ry .

l ies low in a f o r e i g n l a n d the soft note of the l u t e is no 1

l o n g e r h e a r d in thy m o u r n f u l s t r e e t s , the l ive ly cas tane t is

s i l en t upon thy hi l l s , and the g racefu l dan ce of the z a m b r a isn o m o r e s e e n b e n e a t h thy bow er s B eho ld , the A l h a m b r a is

fo r lo rn and d e s o l a t e In va in do the o r a n g e and m y r t l eb r ea the t he i r pe r f umes i n to its s i l k e n c h a m b e r s ; in va in does .

t he n igh t i nga l e s i ng wi th in its g r o v e s ; in va in are its m a r b l eha l l s r e f reshed by the s o u n d of founta ins and the g u s h of

l im p i d r i l l s A l a s the c o u n t e n a n c e of the k i n g no longer



7 0 HIS TORY OR

s liii ie s w i th in t hos e h a l l s ; t h e l i gh t o f t h e A lha m br a i s s e tf or e v e r "

T h u s a l l G r an ad a , s ay t h e A r ab i an ch r on i c l e r s , gave i t s e l fup t o l amen ta t i ons ; t he r e was no th ing bu t t he vo i ce o f wa i l

in g f rom th e pa lace to th e co t t ag e . A l l jo in ed to dep lore th e i ryo uth fu l m on arc h , cu t do wn in th e f r eshness an d pro m ise ofh i s yo u th . M a n y f ea r ed t h a t t h e p r ed i c t i on of t h e a s t r o loge rwas about to be ful f i l led , and that the downfal of the kingdomw ou ld fo llow th e de a th o f B oa b d i l ; wh i le a l l dec la red , th a t ,had he surv ived , he was the very sovere ign ca lcu la ted tores to re the r ea lm to i t s anc ien t p rosper i ty and g lory .

C H A P T E R X V I I I .

H O W M U L E Y A B E N H A S S A N P R O F I T E D B Y T H E M I S F O R T U N E S O FH I S S O N B O A B D I L .

A N un f o r tun a t e d ea th a tones w i th t h e wor ld f or a m u l t i t u deo f e r r o r s . W h i l e t h e popu l ace t ho ug h t t he i r you th f u l m on a r chhad per ished in the f ie ld , nothing could exceed thei r gr ief for

h i s l o s s, an d t h e i r ado r a t i on o f h i s m em or y : w hen , h W e v e r ,t h ey l ea r ned , t h a t h e wa s st i ll a l ive , and h ad s u r r en de r e d h im se l f cap t ive to the Chr i s t i ans , the i r f ee l ings underwent anins t a n t chan ge . T h ey dec r i ed h i s t a l en t s a s a com ma nder , h i scou rage as a so ld ie r . T h ey ra i l ed a t h i s exped i t ion , as r a shand i l l conduc t ed ; and t hey r ev i l ed h im , f o r no t hav ing da r edto d ie on th e fie ld o f ba t t l e , r a th er tha n su r re nd er to th oe n e m y .

The a l faqu i s , as usua l , mingled wi th the populace , and a r t fu lly gu id ed th e i r d i sco nten t s . " Be ho ld , " exc la imed the y ," the p red ic t ion i s accompl i shed , which was pronounced a t theb i r t h o f B o a b d i l H e h a s b e e n s e a t e d o n t h e t h r o n e , a n d t h ek in gd om ha s suffered downfa l an d d i sgrace b y h i s defea t an dcap t i v i t y . C om f ort you r s e lves , oh M os l em s T he ev i l da yha s pass ed b y : th e f a tes a re sa ti sf ied , th e scep t re , w hic h h asbeen broken in the f eeb le hand of Boabdi l , i s des t ined tor e s um e i ts f o r mer pow er and s wa y , in t h e v igo r ous g r a s p o fA b e n H a s s a n . "

T he peop l e W ere s t r uck w i th t h e w i s dom o f t he s e w or d s .They re jo iced , tha t the ba le fu l p red ic t ion , which had so longh u n g ove r t h em , was a t an e n d ; and dec l a r ed , t h a t no ne bu tM u l e y A b e n H a s s a n h a d t h e v a l o u r a n d c a p a c i ty n e c e s s a r yfor th e p ro tec t io n of t h e k ing dom - in th i s t ime of t r ou bl e .

T he l onge r t he cap t i v i t y o f B oabd i l con t i nued , t he g r ea t e rg r e w th e po pu l a r i t y o f h i s f a the r . O ne c i t y a f te r an o th e r



T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G R A N A D A . 7 1

r enewed a l l eg i ance t o h im: f o r power a t t r ac t s power , andf o r tun e c r ea t e s f o r t une . A t l en g th he w as enab l ed t o r e tu r nto Gr anada , and e s t ab l i s h h ims e l f once mor e i n t he Alhambr a .At h i s app r oach , h i s r epud i a t ed s pous e , t he s u l t ana Ayxa ,

ga the r ed t oge the r t he f ami ly and t r ea s u r e s o f he r cap t i t e s on ,a n d re t i r e d w i th a ha ndfu l o f th e no bles in to th e a lbayee n ,the r iva l quar te r o f the c i ty , the inhab i tan t s o f which s t i l lr e ta ine d fee lings of loy a l ty to Boab di l . H e r e she fo rt if iedherself, and he ld the semblance of a cour t , in the name of hers on . T he f ie rce M ule y A be n H as s an w ou ld have wi l l ing lyca rr ied f ire a n d sw ord in t o th is fact ious q u ar te r of th e capi t a l ; bu t he dared no t conf ide in h i s new and uncer ta in popul a r i t y . M a n y o f t he nob l e s de t e s t ed h im fo r h i s pas t c r ue l t y ;

and a l a rge por t ion of the so ld ie ry , bes ide many of the peopleo f h i s ow n pa r ty , r e s pe c t ed t h e v i r t ues o f A yx a l a H o r r a ,an d p i t i ed t h e mi s f o r tunes o f B oa bd i l . G r ana da , t he r e f o r e ,p r ese n te d th e s ingu la r spec tac le o f tw o sovere ign t ies w i th inth e sam e c i ty . T h e o ld k i ng for ti fi ed h im se l f in th e lo f tytow er s o f t h e A lha m br a , a s m uc h aga ins t h i s own s ub j ec ts a saga in s t t h e C hr i s t i a ns : wh i l e Ayx a , w i th t h e zea l o f a mo the r ' sa ff ec tion , w h ich w axes w ar m er an d w ar m er t ow ar ds h e r off

s p r ing w he n i n adve r s i t y , s ti ll m a in t a in ed t h e s t an da r d o f

powerful fact ion a l ive wi thin the wal ls of the a lbayeen.

T he un f o r tuna t e B oabd i l r ema ined a p r i s one r , c l o s e ly gua r dedin t h e ca s t le o f V ae na . F r o m t he t ow er s o f h i s p r i s on h ebeh e ld t h e t ow n be low f il led w i th a r m ed m e n ; and t h e l o ft yh i l l on which i t was bu i l t , g i rd led by mass ive wal l s and ramp a r t s , on w h ich a v ig i l an t w a t ch w as ma in t a ined , n igh t and day .T h e m o u n t a i n s a r o u n d w e r e s t u d d e d w i t h w a t c h - t o w e r s , o v e r looking the lone ly roads which l ed to Granada . ; so tha t at u r b an cou ld no t st i r over t h e bo r de r w i thou t t he a l a r m

be ing g iven , and t h e wh o le cou n t r y p u t on t h e a le r t . B o abd i lsaw, th a t th er e w as no hop e of escape f rom such a fo r t r es s ,and t ha t any a t t emp t t o r e s cue h im wou ld be equa l l y i n va in .H i s he a r t wa s filled w i th anx i e ty , a s he t ho ug h t on t h e con fus ion and ru in which h i s cap t iv i ty mus t cause in h i s a f fa i r s ;w hi le so r row s of a sof ter k in d ov ercam e his fo r t i tu de , as h ethough t on t he ev i l s i t m igh t b r i ng upon h i s f ami ly .

T h e C o u n t d e C a b r a , t h o u g h h e m a i n t a i n e d t h e m o s t v i g i -

a l c a z a b a ; a n d k e p t h i s

C H A P T E R X I X .

C A P T I V I T Y O F B O A B D I L E L C H I C O .




l a n t g u a r d o v e r M s r o y a l p r i s o n e r , y e t t r e a t e d M m w i t h p r o f ound de f e r ence . H e ha d appo in t ed t h e nob l e s t ap a r t m en t sin the cas t l e fo r h i s abode , and sought in every way to cheerh im du r in g Ms cap t iv i ty . A few day s on ly h ad passed aw ay ,

w h en m issives a r r ive d f rom th e Cas t i l ian sovere igns . F e rd i n a n d h a d b e e n t r a n s p o r t e d w i t h j o y a t h e a r i n g o f t h e c a p t u r eo f t h e M oo r i s h m on ar ch ; see ing t he deep and po li ti c u s e st h a t m i g h t b e m a d e o f s u c h a n e v e n t : b u t t h e m a g n a n i m o u sspir i t of I sa be l la w as f il led w i th com pass ion for th e un fo r tu na te cap t ive . Th e i r m essages to Boab di l w ere fu ll o f sy m p a t h y a n d c o n s o l a t io n ; b r e a t h i n g t h a t h i g h a n d g e n t l e c o u r t esy , wMch dwel l s in noble minds .

This magnanimi ty in Ms foe cheered the de jec ted sp i r i t o f

th e cap t ive m on arch . " Te l l m y sovere igns , th e k in g an d th equ een , " s a id he t o t he m es s enge r , " t h a t 1 canno t be un ha pp y ,be ing i n t he pow er o f s uch M gh and m igh ty p r i nces ; e s pe c ia lly s ince they pa r ta k e so l a rge ly o f th a t g rac e an d good n e ss , w h i c h A l l a h b e s t o w s u p o n t h e m o n a r c h s w h o m h e g r e a t l yl oves . T e l l t hem , f u r t he r , t h a t I ha d long t ho ug h t of s u b m i t t in g m yse l f to the i r sway , to rece ive th e k in gd om ofG r an ad a f rom the i r ha nd s , i n t h e s ame ma nn e r t ha t m yances to r r ece ived i t f r om Xing J ohn I I , f a t he r o f t he g r ac ious

queen . M y g r ea t e s t s o r r ow, i n t h i s m y cap t iv i t y , is t h a tI m us t ap pea r to do th a t f rom force , w M ch I w ou ld fa in h a v edone f rom inc l ina t ion . "

I n t h e mean t ime , M ul ey A be n H as s an , finding t h e f ac ti onof h i s s t i l l fo rmidable in Granada , was anx ious to conso l ida teh i s pow er , b y ga in ing possess ion of th e p er son of Boa bd i l .F o r th i s pu rpos e , he sen t an emb assy to th e Catho l ic mo narc hs ,o f fe r ing l a rge t e rms for the r ansom, or r a ther the purchase , o fMs son ; p ropos ing , among o ther condi t ions , to r e lease theCount o f C i fuen tes , and n ine o ther o f Ms mos t d i s t ingu i shedcap t ives , an d to en te r i n to a t r ea ty o f confederacy w i th th esovere igns . N ei th er d id th e implacab le f a ther m ak e anyscru ple of tes t i fy in g M s indif ference, w he th er h is son w e rode l ivered up ahve or dead , so tha t Ms per son were p lacedas s u r ed ly wi th in M s power .

T h e hu m an e he a r t o f I s abe l l a r evo l t ed a t t h e i dea o f g iv ingup t he un f o r tuna t e p r i nce i n to t he hands o f h i s mos t unna tu r a l

an d inv e te ra te en em y. A d i sda infu l r e fusa l w as there fo rer e tu r ne d t o t he o ld m ona r ch , whos e mes s age ha d be en co uchedin a va un t in g sp i r i t . H e wa s in formed, th a t th e C as t i l i ansovere igns w ou ld l i s t en to no proposa l s o f peace f rom M u le yA be n H as s an , u n t i l h e s hou ld l ay down h i s a r m s , an d o ff erth em in a l l hu m i l i ty . O ve r tur es in a d i ffe ren t sp i r i t w er em ade by t he m o th e r o f B oabd i l , t h e s u l t ana A yx a l a H or r a , .w i th th e con cur renc e of th e p ar ty w M ch s t il l r em ain ed fa ith fu l



T H E C O N Q U E S T O E G K A N A D A .

t o M m . I t w a s t h e r e b y p r o p o s e d , t h a t M a h o m e t A b d a l l a ,o therw ise ca l led Bo abdi l , sho uld ho ld M s c rown as vassa l to -t h e C as t il ian s ove r e igns ; pav ing an ann ua l t r i b u t e , an d r e l eas ing seven ty Chr i s t i an cap t ives annua l ly fo r f ive year s : tha the shou ld m oreov er pa y a l a rge su m up on th e spo t fo r Ms-ran som , an d a t th e same t im e g ive f reedom to four h u n dr edC M is t ians , t o be chos en by t h e k i n g : t h a t he s hou ld a l soengage t o be a lways r eady t o r ende r mi l i t a r y a id ; and s hou ldcome to the Cor tes , o r as semblage of nobles and d i s t ingu i shedvassa l s o f th e c rown, w hen eve r sum m on ed . H is on ly son ,and the sons o f twelve d i s t ingu i shed Moor i sh houses , were tobe de l ivered as hos tages .

King Ferd inand was a t Cordova when he rece ived tMs>.

p r o po s i t i on ; Q uee n I s abe l l a wa s abs e n t a t t he t ime . H e wasanxiou s to consu l t he r in so m om ento us an a f fa i r ; o r r a the r ,he wa s fearfu l o f p roceed ing too prec ip i t a te ly , an d n o t d ra w ingf rom th i s fo r tun a te even t a l l th e ad va nta ge of w hich i t w ass us cep ti b l e. W i t h o u t r e tu r n i ng an y r ep ly , the r e f o r e , t o t h emiss ion , he sen t mis s ives to th e cas t l e o f V ae na , wh ere Bo abd i lr ema ined i n cou r t eous du r ance o f t he b r ave C oun t de C abr a ,o r de r ing , t ha t t he cap t i ve mona r ch s hou ld be b r ough t t oCordova .

Th e Co unt de Ca bra se t ou t w i th Ms i l lus t rious p r i sone rb u t w hen he a r r i ved a t C or dova , K in g Fe r d in an d dec l ineds ee ing t he M oor i s h monar ch .

H e was st il l un de t e r m ined w ha t cou r s e t o pu r s ue ; w he the rto r e ta in h im pr i soner , s e t h im a t l iber ty on ransom, or t r ea th im w i th po l i ti c m ag na nim i ty ; an d each course w ou ld requ i re -a di fferent k in d of rec ep t ion . U n t i l t l i is po int shou ld b ereso lved , there fore , he gave Mm in charge to Mar t in deAlarcon , a lcayde of the anc ien t fo r t r es s o f Porcuna , wi th o rder s

to g ua rd M m s t r i c t ly , bu t to t r e a t h im w i th th e d i s t inc t ionan d defe rence due to a p r inc e . Th ese com m and s w ere s t r i c t ly -obeyed , and , wi th the excep t ion of be ing res t r a ined in h i sl iber ty , the monarch was as nobly en te r ta ined as he cou ld ihave been in Ms roya l pa lace a t Granada .

In the mean t ime , Ferd inand ava i l ed h imse l f o f th i s c r i t i ca l . ,momen t , wh i l e Gr anada was d i s t r ac t ed wi th f ac t i ons and d i s sens ions , and before he had conc luded any t r ea ty wi th Boabdi l ,t o make a pu i s s an t and os t en t a t i ous i n r oad i n to t he ve r y hea r to f the k ing dom , a t the he ad of h i s m os t i l lus t r ious nob les . H esacked and des t roye d severa l tow ns and cas tl es , an d e x te nd edM s r avages t o t he ve r y ga t e s o f G r an ad a . O ld M ule y Ab enH as sa n d id no t v en tur e to oppose M m . H is c i ty wa s filled.,w i th t r o o ps ; b u t h e wa s un ce r t a in o f t he i r af fection . H edreaded , tha t , should he sa l ly fo r th , the ga tes o f Granadamight be c losed aga ins t h im by the fac t ion of the a lbayc in .




" T he ' o ld M oo r s t ood on t h e lo f ty t ow er o f t h e A lh am br a , "s ay s A n ton io Ag ap ida , " g r m d in g h i s t e e th , an d f oaming l i t ea t ige r sh u t u p in h i s cage , as h e be he ld th e g l i t t e r ing b a t t a l i ons of t h e C h r i s ti ans wh ee l i ng ab ou t t h e vega , and t h es t a nd a r d of t h e cr os s s h in ing f o r t h f rom am ids t t h e s m o te o fin f ide l Tillages an d ham le t s . T he m os t C a tho l i c k in g , " con t i nue s Ag ap ida , " w ou ld g l ad ly hav e pe r s ev e r ed in t h i s r i gh t e ousra v a g e ; b u t h i s m un i t ions be ga n to f a il . Sa t is fi ed , there fore ,wi th hav ing l a i d was t e t he coun t r y o f t he enemy , and i n s u l t edo ld M ul ey A be n H as s a n i n h i s ve r y cap i t a l, he r e tu r ne d t oCordo va , covered w i th l au re l s , an d h i s a rm y loade d w i th spo i l s ;a n d now b e th ou gh t h im se l f of com ing to an im m edia te dec i sionin r ega r d t o h i s r oya l p r i s one r . "

C H A P T E E X X .

O F T H E T R E A T M E N T O F B O A B D I L B Y T H E C A S T IL I A NS O V E R E I G N S .

A STATELY c o n v e rs a ti o n w a s h e l d b y K i n g F e r d i n a n d , i n t h e

anc ien t c i ty o f Cordova , composed of severa l o f the mos t r ever e nd p r e l a t e s and r e no w ned cava li e rs o f t h e k ingdom , t ode t e r mine upon t he f a t e o f t he un f o r tuna t e B oabd i l .

D o n Alonz o de C a r dena s , t h e w or th y m as t e r o f San t i ago ,w as o ne of th e firs t w h o gav e his cou nsel . H e w as a p io usa n d zea lous kn igh t , r ig id in h i s devo t ion to th e f a i th ; an d h i sho ly zea l h a d be en in f lamed to pecu l ia r veh em ence s ince h i sd i s a s t r ous c r us a de am on g t h e m oun ta in s o f M a laga . H einve ighed wi th a r dou r aga ins t any compr omis e o r compac t

w i t h th e in fide ls . T h e ob jec t o f th i s w ar , h e observed , w asnot the sub jec t ion of the Moors , bu t the i r u t t e r expuls ionf r om th e l and , s o t h a t t he r e m igh t no l onge r r em a in a s i ng les t a i n o f M a h o m e t a n i s m t h r o u g h o u t C h r i s t i a n S p a i n . H egav e i t a s h i s op in ion , there fore , th a t th e cap t ive k in g ou gh tno t to be se t a t l iber ty .

E o dr i go Po nc e de L eon , t h e va l i an t M ar q u i s o f C ad iz , onth e c on t r a r y , s poke w ar m ly f or t he r e lea s e o f B oa bd i l . H epronounced i t a measure o f sound po l icy , even i f done wi thout

cond i t ions . I t w ou ld t e nd to ke ep u p th e c iv il w ar inG ra na da , w hic h w as as a fire consum ing t h e e n t ra i l s o f th eenemy, and e f fec t ing more fo r the in te res t s o f Spa in , wi thoutexpense , than a l l the conques t s o f i t s a rms .

T he g r and ca r d ina l o f Spa in , Don Ped r o Gonza l ez de M endoza , co inc ided in op in ion w i th th e M ar q ui s o f Cadiz . " N a y ,"ad d ed t h a t p ious p r e l a t e an d po l i ti c s t a t e s m an , " i t wo u ld be




s ound wi s dom to f u r n i s h , t he M oor wi th men and money , anda l l o the r neces s a r ie s t o p r om ote t h e c ivi l w a r i n G r a n a d a ; b yth i s means would be produced grea t benef i t to the se rv ice o fG o d ; s ince w e a re as s ure d b y h i s in fa ll ib le w ord , th a t ' ak ingdom d iv ided aga ins t i t s e l f cannot s t and . ' "*

Fe r d inand we ighed t hes e couns e l s i n h i s mind , bu t wass low in com ing to a dec i sion . " H e w as re l ig ious ly a t t en t iv et o h i s o w n i n t e r e s t s , " o b s er v es F r a y A n t o n i o A g a p i d a ;" kno win g h ims e l f t o be b u t an i n s t r u m en t of P r o v ide nc e i nth i s ho ly w a r ; an d th a t , there fore , in co nsu l t ing h i s own.adv an t a ge , he was p r om ot ing t h e i n t e r e s t s of t h e f a i t h . " T h eopin ion of Q ue en I sab e l l a r e l i eved h im f rom h i s pe rp le x i ty .T h a t h ig h-m ind ed pr incess was zea lous fo r th e p rom ot ion of

th e fa i th , b u t no t fo r the ex te rm ina t io n of th e in fide ls . T h eM oo r i s h k ings h ad he ld t he i r t h r on es a s vas s a ls t o h e r p r o gen i to r s : she w as co n ten t , a t p res en t , to accord th e sam epr iv i l ege , an d th a t th e r oy a l p r i son er shou ld be l ibera te d , o ncond i t ion of beco m ing a vassa l to th e c rown. B y th i s me ans ,m ig ht b e e ffec ted th e de l iverance of m an y C hr i s t i a n cap t iveswho wer e l angu i s h ing i n M oor i s h cha ins . '

K i n g F e r d i n a n d a d o p t e d t h e m a g n a n i m o u s m e a s u r e r e c o m m end ed b y t h e queen , b u t he accompan ied i t w i th s eve r a l

shre w d condi t ions , exac t ing t r ib u t e , m i l i t a ry se rv ices , a nds afe pas s age and m a in t en anc e f or C h r i s t ian t r oops t h r o ug hou t t h e p l aces w h ich s hou ld adh e r e t o B oab d i l . T h e cap t i vek ing read i ly submi t t ed to these s t ipu la t ions , and swore , a f t e rth e m an ne r o f h i s f a i th , to observe th e m w i th exa c t i tud e . At r uc e w as a r r an ge d fo r two yea r s , du r in g wh ich t h e C as t i li ans ove r e igns engaged t o ma in t a in h im on h i s t h r one , and t oass i s t h i m in r ecove r ing a l l p laces w hich h e h a d los t d ur in ghis capt iv i ty .

W h e n B oa bd i l e l C h i co ha d s o l emnly ag r eed t o t h i s a r r an ge men t i n t he ca s t l e o f Po r cuna , p r epa r a t i ons wer e made t orece ive h im in Cordova in r eg a l s ty le . Su pe rb s teed s , r i ch lycapa r i soned , an d ra i m en t o f b ro cad e an d s ilk , an d t h e m os tcos t ly c lo ths , wi th a l l o ther a r t i c les o f sumptuous a r ray , werefurn i she d to h im a nd to f ifty M oo r i sh cava l i e rs w ho h ad com eto t r ea t fo r h i s r ansom, tha t he might appear in s t a te bef i t t ingthe monar ch o f Gr anada , and t he mos t d i s t i ngu i s hed vas s a l o ft h e C h r i s t ian s ove r e igns . M on ey a ls o wa s advan ced t o m a in t a in h im in s u i t ab l e g r andeu r du r ing h i s r e s idence a t t heCa s t i l i an cou r t , an d h i s r e tu rn to h i s dom in ions . F in a l l y , i twa s ord ere d by th e sovere igns , th a t , w he n he cam e to Cor dova , a l l th e nob les and d ign i ta r i es o f th e co ur t sh ou ld go-for th to r ece ive h im.

* Salazar, Cronica del Grau Cardenal, p. 188.




A que s t ion no w arose am on g ce r ta in o f those anc ien t and .expe r i enced m en , w ho g r ow g r e y a bo u t a cou r t i n t h e p r o found s tu d y of fo rms and cerem onia l s , w i th w ho m a po in t o f

unc t i l io i s as a vas t po l i t i ca l r igh t , and who cont rac t a sub-me and awf u l i dea o f t he ex t e r na l d ign i t y o f t he t h r one .

C e r t a in o f t he s e cou r t s ages p r opounded t he momen tousques t i on , whe the r t he M oor i s h monar ch , coming t o do -ho m ag e as a vassa l , ou gh t no t to kn ee l an d k i s s th e h an d ofth e k in g . " T h i s w as im m edia te ly dec ided in th e a ff irmativeby a l a rge number o f anc ien t cava l i e r s , accus tomed," says ;A nto n io A gap ida , " to th e lo f ty pun c t i l io o f our m os t d ign i fied cou r t and t r an s ce nd an t s ove r e igns . " T he k ing , t h e r e fore, was i n f o rmed b y t ho s e w ho a r r a ng ed t h e ce r emon ia l s,

t h a t w hen t h e M oor i s h m on ar ch app ea r ed i n h i s p r e s ence h ewa s expe c ted to ex te nd h i s ro ya l h a n d to r ece ive th e k i s s o fh o m a g e .

*' I shou ld ce r t a in ly do s o , " r ep l i ed K in g Fe r d ina nd , " w e r ehe a t l iber ty , an d in h i s ow n k in g d o m ; b u t I ce r ta in ly sha l lno t do so , s ee ing tha t he i s a p r i soner , and in mine . "

T he cou r t i e r s l oud ly app l auded t he magnan imi ty o f t h i srep ly , th o u g h m an y con dem ned i t in se cre t as savo ur ing oft oo much gene r os i t y t owar ds an i n f i de l ; and t he wor thy

J es u i t , F r ay An ton io Agap ida , f u l l y concu r s i n t he i r op in ion .T he M oo r i s h k in g en t e r ed C or dova w i th h i s l i t t le t r a i n o ffa i th fu l kn igh t s , an d escor ted b y a l l th e nob i l i ty an d ch iv a l ryof th e Cas t i l ian co ur t . H e was condu c ted w i th g re a t s ta te ,an d ce r em ony t o t h e r oy a l pa l ace . W h e n he came inpres en ce of K in g F er d in an d he kne l t , an d offered to k i s s h i sha nd , no t m er e ly i n hom age a s h i s s ub j ec t, b u t i n g r a t i t ud efor h i s l ibe r ty . F er d in an d dec l ined th e tok en of vassa lage ,an d r a i s ed h im g r ac ious ly f rom the ea r t h . A n i n t e r p r e t e r

beg an , i n t h e na m e o f B oab d i l , t o l au d t h e m agn an im i ty o ft he C as t i l i an monar ch , and t o p r omis e t he mos t r mphc i t s ub m i s si on . " E n o u g h , " s ai d K i n g F e r d i n a n d , i n t e r r u p t i n g t h ein t e r p r e t e r i n t he mids t o f h i s ha r angue , " t he r e i s no need o ft he s e com pl imen t s . I t r u s t i n M s i n t eg r i t y , t h a t h e wi l l doe v e r y t h i n g b e c o m i n g a g o o d m a n a n d a g o o d k i n g . " W i t hthe se wo rds he rece ived Bo abdi l e l Chico in to h i s roy a l f r iendsh ip and pro tec t ion .

C H A P T E R X X I .

B E T U E N O F B O A B D I L F B O M C A P T I V I T Y .

I N the m onth of A ug ust , a noble M oor, of the race of t h eA ben cerra ges, arrived w ith a splendid r et inu e at th e city o f



T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G R A N A D A . 77

•Cordova, b r ing ing wi th . M m th e son of B oa bd i l e l Chico , a n dother o f the noble youths o f Granada , as hos tages fo r the fu l filment o f t h e t e r m s o f r ans o m . W h e n t h e M oo r i s h k i ngbehe ld h i s son , h i s on ly ch i ld , who was to r emain in h i s s t ead ,

sor t of capt ive in a hos t i le land, he folded him in his arms ,a n d w e p t o v e r h i m . " W o e t h e d a y t h a t I w a s b o r n " e x c l a imed he , " and ev i l t h e s t a r t h a t p r e s ided a t m y b i r t hw e ll w a s I c alle d E l Z o g o y b i , o r ' t h e u n l u c k y f o r s o rr o wi s hea ped upon m e b y my f a the r , an d s o rr ow do I t r an s m i t t om y s o n "

Th e af flic ted h e ar t o f Bo abd i l , how ever , w as soo thed b yth e k in dn ess o f th e Ch r i s t i an sov ere igns , w ho rece ive d th eho s ta ge pr ince w i th a t en de rne ss su i t ed to h i s age , an d a d i s

t i nc t i on wor thy o f h i s r ank .T hey de l i ve r ed h im in cha r ge t o t he wor thy a l cayde M ar t i nde Ala r con , who had t r ea t ed h i s f a the r w i th s uch cou r t e s ydur in g h i s con f inemen t i n t h e ca s tl e o f Po r c u n a ; g iv ingorders tha t , a f t e r the depar tu re o f the l a t t e r , h i s son shouldb e en t e r t a in ed w i th g r e a t hono ur an d p r ince ly a t t en t i on i n t hesame for t r es s .

On t he 2nd o f Sep t ember , a gua r d o f honour a s s embled a tthe ga te o f the mans ion of Boabdi l , to escor t h im to the f ron

t i e r s o f h i s k in gd om . H e pre s sed h i s ch i ld to h i s h ea r t a tp a r t i n g ; b u t h e u t t e r e d n o t a w o r d , f o r t h e r e w e r e m a n yC h r i s t i an eyes t o beho ld h i s emo t ion . H e m ou n te d h i s s t eed ,a n d n e v e r t u r n e d h i s h e a d t o lo o k a g a i n u p o n t h e y o u t h ;b u t t hos e wh o w er e ne a r h im obs e r ved t h e ve hem en t s t r ugg l eth a t shook h i s f rame , w he r e in t h e ang u i s h o f t h e f a the r ha dwe l l n igh s ubdued t he s t ud i ed equan imi ty o f t he k ing .

Boabdi l e l Chico and King Eerd inand sa l l i ed fo r th , s ide bys ide , f rom Cordova , am ids t t h e acc lam at ions o f a p rod ig ious

m ul t i t u de . W h e n t h ey we r e a s ho r t d i s t ance f rom t h e c i t ythey s epa r a t ed , w i th many g r ac ious exp r e s s ions on t he pa r t o ft h e C as t i li an m ona r ch , an d m an y t han k f u l ac know ledgme n t sf rom h i s l a t e cap t i ve , whos e he a r t h ad bee n hu m ble d by ad ve r s i t y . Fe r d in an d dep a r t ed fo r G uad a lup e , a nd B oab d i l f orG r a n a d a . T h e l a t t e r w a s a c c o m p a n ie d b y a g u a r d o f h o n o u r ;a n d th e v iceroys o f A nda lus ia , and th e gen era l s , on th e f ront i e r , were o rdered to fu rn i sh h im wi th escor t s , and to show h imal l poss ib le h on ou r on h i s jo ur ne y . I n th i s w ay he w as con

duc t ed , i n r oya l s t a t e , t h r ough t he coun t r y he had en t e r ed t orav ag e , an d wa s p laced in sa fe ty in h i s ow n dom inions .

H e wa s met ,' on t he f ron t ie r , b y th e p r inc ipa l nob les an dcava l ie r s o f h i s cour t , who had been secre t ly sen t by h i s mother , the su l t ana Ayxa , to escor t h im to the cap i ta l .

The hear t o f Boabdi l was l i f t ed up for a moment , when hefou nd h imse l f in h i s own te r r i to r i e s su r rou nd ed b y M os lem




kn igh t s , w i th . M s own s t an da r ds wa v ing ove r M s h e a d ; an dl ie be ga n to do ub t tbe p red ic t ions o f as t ro logers . H e soonfou nd cause , how ever , to m od era te Ms exul ta t ion . T h e loy a lt r a in , wM ch had come to we l come h im, was bu t s can ty i nn u m b e r ; and he m i s s ed m an y o f M s m os t zea lous an d obs e qu ious cou r t i e r s . H e h ad r e tu r ne d , i ndeed , t o M s k in gdo m :b u t i t was no l onge r t he devo t ed k ingd om he h ad le ft . T h es to ry of h i s vassa lage to th e Ch r i s t i an sovere igns h ad be enm ad e us e o f b y M s f a the r t o r u in h i m w i th M s peop l e . H eha d been r ep r e s en t ed a s a t r a i t o r t o M s cou n t r y , a r en eg adoto M s fa ith , and as l eag ued w i th th e ene mies o f bo th , t os ubdue t he M os l ems o f Spa in t o t he yoke o f C hr i s t i anbon dag e . I n t h i s w ay t h e m ind o f t h e p ub l i c ha d b een

tu r n ed f rom M m. T h e g r ea t e r p a r t o f t h e nob i l i t y ha dth r o ng ed r o un d t he t h r o ne o f h i s f a the r i n t h e A lha m br a ;an d M s m oth er , th e r eso lu te su l t a na A yx a , w i th d if ficu ltymain ta ined her f ac t ion in the oppos i t e towers o f the a lcazaba .

Such was the melancholy p ic tu re o f a f fa i r s g iven to Boabdi lb y th e cour t i e r s w ho ha d come for th to m ee t Mm . Th ey eve ninformed him that i t would be an enterpr ise of d i f f icul ty andda ng er to m ak e h i s w ay bac k to th e "cap i ta l, an d reg a in th el i t t l e cour t wMch s t i l l r emained fa i th fu l to Mm in the hear t o f

t h e c i t y . T he o ld t i ge r , M ule y A be n H as s a n , l ay couch edwi th in the Alhambra , and the wal l s and ga tes o f the c i ty weres t r ong ly gu a r d ed b y M s t r oops . B oa bd i l s hook M s he ad a tthe se t id ing s . H e ca l led to m ind th e i l l om en of Ms bre ak in g M s lance aga ins t th e ga tes o f E lv i ra , w he n i s su ing fo r thso va ing lor ious ly w i th Ms a rm y, wM ch he no w saw c lear lyf o r eboded t h e des t r uc t i on o f t h a t a r m y , on wM ch he h ad s oconf iden t ly r e l i ed . " H en ce fo r th , " sa id he , " l e t no m a n ha vethe impie ty to scof f a t omens . "

Boabdi l approached Ms cap i ta l by s tea l th , and in the n igh t ,p ro w l ing ab ou t i ts wal l s l ike an en em y seek ing to de s t ro y ,r a t h e r t h a n a m o n a r c h r e t u r n i n g t o M s t h r o n e . A t l e n g t h h ese ized upon a pos te rn ga te o f the a lbayc in , a par t o f the c i tywM ch h ad a lways be en i n M s f avour. H e pas s ed r ap id lyth ro u g h th e s t r ee t s , before the popu lace w ere a rouse d f romthe i r s l eep , and reached in sa fe ty the fo r t r es s o f the a lcazaba .H e r e h e w as r ece ived i n to t h e embr aces o f M s i n t r ep id m o th e r ,an d M s f avour i te w i fe M or a ym a . T h e t r ans p o r t s o f t h el a t t e r , on t h e sa fe r e tu r n of he r hu s ba nd , w er e m ing l ed w i thtear s ; fo r she thought o f her f a ther , Ah Atar , who had fa l l enin Ms cause ; and of her on ly son , who was l e f t a hos tage inthe hands o f t he C M is t i ans .

The hear t o f Boabdi l , so f tened by h i s mis for tunes , wasm o v e d b y t h e c h a n g e s i n e v e r y t h i n g r o u n d h i m ; b u t M sm ot he r ca ll ed up M s s p ir i t. " T h i s , " s a id s he , " i s no t ime



T H E C O N Q U E S T O E G E A N A D A .

fo r t ea r s and fondness : a t ing mus t th ink of h i s scep t re andhis th ro ne , an d no t y ie ld to softness l ike com m on m en . T h o uh as t don e -well, m y son , in th row in g th yse l f r e so lu te ly in toG r a n a d a : i t m u s t d e p e n d u p o n t h y s e l f w h e t h e r t h o u r e m a i n

here a k ing or a cap t ive . "T h e o ld k in g , M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n , h a d r e t i r e d t o h i scouch tha t n igh t , in one of the s t ronges t towers o f theA lha m br a ; b u t h i s r e s t le s s anx i e ty ke p t h im f rom r epos e .I n the f ir s t w atc h of th e n ig h t he he ar d a sho ut f a in t ly r i s ingf rom the quar te r o f the a lbayc in , which i s on the oppos i t es ide of th e deep va l l ey of th e D ar ro . Sh or t ly a f t e rw ard s ,ho r s e m en came ga l lop ing u p t h e h i l l t h a t l e ads t o t he m a inga t e o f t he A lham br a , s p r ead in g t h e a l a r m th a t B o abd i l h a d

ente red the c i ty , and possessed h imse l f o f the a lcazaba .In the f i r s t t ranspor ts of h is rage" , the old king would haves t r uck t he me s s enge r t o t he ea r t h . H e has t i l y s um m one dh i s couns e l l o r s and commander s , exho r t i ng t hem to s t and byh im in t h i s c r i t i c a l momen t ; and , du r ing t he n igh t , madeevery prepara t ion to en te r the a lbayc in , sword in hand , int h e m o r n i n g .

I n t h e m e a n t i m e , t h e s u l t a n a A y x a h a d t a k e n p r o m p t a n dv igo r ous m eas u r e s t o s t r en g th en he r pa r t y . T he a lb ayc in

w as t h e pa r t of th e c i ty filled b y th e lower o rde r s . T h er e tu r n o f B oabd i l was p r oc l a imed t h r oughou t t he s t r ee t s , andl a r ge s um s o f m oney w er e d i s t r i bu t ed am ong t h e p opu l ac e .The nobles , as sembled in the a lcazaba , were p romised honoursan d re w ard s b y Bo abd i l , as soon as h e sh ou ld b e f irmly ont h e t h r o n e , t h e s e w e l l -t im e d m e a s u r e s h a d t h e c u s t o m a r yeffect ; and b y da yb rea k a l l th e m ot ley populace of th ea lbayc in were in a rms .

A doleful da y succe eded . A l l G ra n ad a wa s a scene oft u m u l t a n d h o r r o r . D r u m s a n d t r u m p e t s r e s o u n d e d i n e v e r ypar t ; a l l bus iness was in te r rup ted ; the shops were shu t , thedoors ba r r i cadoed . A r m ed ban ds pa r a ded t h e s t r ee t s ; s ome ,s hou t ing f or B oabd i l, and s ome fo r M ule y A be n H as s a n .W hen t hey encoun t e r ed each o the r , t hey f ough t f u r i ous ly ,an d w i thou t m er c y ; eve r y p ub l i c s qu a r e becam e a s cene o fba t t l e . T h e gr ea t m ass o f th e lowe r o rder s w as in f avour o fBo abd i l ; b u t i t wa s a m ul t i tu de w i tho ut d i sc ip l ine o r lo f ty

s p i r it . P a r t o f t h e peop le was r eg u l a r l y a r m e d ; bu t t h eg r ea t e r number had s a l l i ed f o r t h wi th t he imp lemen t s o f t he i rt r a de . T h e t r oops of t he o ld k ing , am ong w hom w er e m a n ycava l ie r s o f p r id e an d va lour , soon drove th e pop ulace f romth e sq ua res . T h ey fort if ied them se lves , how eve r , in th ès t r ee t s and l anes , wh ich t he y ba r r i cadoed . T h ey m ad e fo rt r es ses o f the i r houses , and fought despera te ly f rom thew indo w s and t he roofs ; and m an y a w ar r io r o f th e h ig he s t



« 0 H I S T O R Y O F

b lood o f G r an ad a w as l a i d low by p l ebe i an b and s , and p l ebe i anweapons , in tb i s c iv i l b rawl .

I t was imposs ib le tha t such v io len t convuls ions should l as tlo ng in th e h e a r t of a c i ty . T h e people soon lon ge d for

r epos e , and a r e tu r n t o t he i r peace fu l occ upa t i ons ; and t he•caval iers detes ted these conf l ic ts wi th the mul t i tude, in whichth er e w ere a l l th e ho r ror s ,o f w ar w i th ou t i t s l aure l s . B y theinte r fere nc e of th e a lfaquis , an armis t ic e w as a t len gt h ef fected.B o ab d i l was pe r s u ade d t h a t t he r e w as no depen dence upo n .th e inco ns ta n t f avour o f th e m ul t i tu de , an d was preva i l ed |up on t o qu i t a cap i t a l w he re he cou ld on ly m ain ta in a p r e - .c a r i ous s ea t upon h i s t h r one by a pe r pe tua l and b loody•s t ruggle . H e f ixed h is co ur t a t th e c i ty of A lm er ia , w hic h

was en t i r e ly devo t ed t o h im; and wh ich a t t ha t t ime v i edw i th G r an ad a i n s p l endour an d impo r t ance . T h i s compr omis eof g r an de ur fo r t r anq ui l l i ty , how ever , was sore ly ag a ins t th ecouns e l s o f h i s p r oud- s p i r i t ed mo the r , t he s u l t ana Ayxa .Gr anada appea r ed i n he r eyes t he on ly l eg i t ima t e s ea t o fdomin ion ; and she observed , wi th a smi le o f d i sda in , tha t hewas no t w or th y of be ing ca l led a m ona r ch wh o was no t m as t e rof h is capi ta l .

C H A P T E R X X I I .

FORAY O F T H E MO O R I S H A L C A Y D E S , A N D BA T T L E O F LOPERA.

T H O U G H M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n h a d r e g a i n e d u n d i v i d e d s w a yover the c i ty o f Granada ; and the a l f aqu i s , by h i s command,had denounced Boabdi l as an apos ta te , and as one doomed by

h e a v e n t o m i s f o r t u n e ; s ti ll t h e la t t e r h a d m a n y a d h e r e n t sam o ng t h e comm on peop l e . W he ne ve r , t he r e fo r e , an y ac t o ft h e o ld m ona r ch was d i sp l ea sing t o t h e t u r bu l en t m u l t i t u de ,th e y w ere p ro ne to g ive h im a h i n t o f the s l ippery n a t u re o fM s s tand ing , by sho ut ing ou t t h e na m e of Bo abdi l e l CM co.L o n g e x p e ri en c e h a d i n s t r u c t e d M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n i n t h e-charac te r o f the incons tan t people over whom he ru led ." A l l a h a c h b a r " e x cla im e d h e , " G o d i s g r e a t b u t a s u c cess fu l in road in to the count ry o f the unbe l iever s wi l l make

m or e conve r t s t o m y cause t h an a t hou s an d t ex t s o f t h eKor an , expounded by t en t hous and a l f aqu i s . "

A t t h i s t ime , K in g Fe r d ina nd wa s abs en t f rom A nda lus i a on.a , d i s tan t expedi t ion , w i th m an y of h i s troops . T he m om en twas favourab le fo r a fo ray- : and Muley Aben Hassan cas t. about h i s tho ug hts fo r a l ead er to co ndu c t i t . A l i A ta r ,the t e r ror o f the border , the scourge of Andalus ia , was dead ;



T H E C O N Q U E S T O E G R A N A D A . 8 1

but there was ano ther ve te ran genera l , s carce in fe r io r to h imf or p r e da to r y wa r f a r e . T h i s w as o ld B ex i r , t h e g r e y a ndc r a f t y a l cayde o f M a laga ; and t he peop l e unde r h i s commandw ere r ip e fo r an expedi t ion of th e k in d . T he s igna l defea t

an d s l aug h t e r of t h e Span i s h kn igh t s , i n t he ne ig hbo ur ingm ou nta ins , h a d f il led th e people o f M ala ga w i th va n i ty an dse l f -conce i t : th ey ha d a t t r ib u t ed to the i r own va lo ur th e def ea t w h ich h a d been caus ed by t h e na tu r e o f t h e coun t r y .M a n y o f t h em wor e t h e a r mour , and pa r ad ed i n pub l i c w i ththe horses , o f the unfor tuna te cava l i e r s s l a in on tha t occas ion ;which they vaunt ing ly d i sp layed as the t rophies o f the i rboas t ed v i c to r y . T h ey had t a l ked t hems e lves i n to a con t em ptfor the ch iva l ry o f Andalus ia , and were impat ien t fo r an

opp or tun i t y t o ove r r un a coun t r y de f ended b y s uch t r oo ps .This Muley Aben Hassan cons idered a f avourab le s t a te o fm in d to e nsure a dar ing in r o ad ; an d he sen t o rder s to o ldBexi r to ga ther toge ther h i s people , and the cho ices t war r io r sof the border s , and to ca r ry f i r e and sword in to the veryhe a r t of An da lus i a . T h e wa r y o ld B ex i r imm ed ia t e ly de spa tched h i s emissar ies among the a lcaydes o f the bordertowns , ca l l ing upon them to as semble , wi th the i r t roops , a t theci ty of l ionda, c lose upon the Chr is t ian f ront ier .

JBonda was th e m os t v i ru len t ne s t o f M oo r i sh d ep red a tor sin th e whole bo rde r co un t ry . I t was s i tua te d in th e m ids t o f th ewi ld Ser ran ía , o r cha in of mounta ins o f the same name, whichare unc om m on ly lo fty, b ro ken , and prec ip i tous . I t s tood o nan a lmost i sola ted rock, near ly enci rc led by a deep val ley, orr a th e r chas m, t h r ou gh wh ich r an t h e beau t if u l r i ve r ca l ledB i o V e r d e . T h e Mo o r s of th is c i ty w er e th e m os t act ive ,rob us t , and war l ike o f a l l th e m ou nta in eer s ; an d the i r ve rych i ld ren d i scharg ed the c ross -bow w i th un er r in g a im. T h ey

w er e i nces s an t l y ha r a s s ing t he r i ch p l a in s of A nd a lu s i a : t he i rc i t y aboun ded w i th C hr i s t i an s po i l s ; and t he i r deep d ung eonswere c rowded wi th Chr i s t i an cap t ives , who might s igh in va infor de l iverance f rom th i s impre gn able fo r t r es s . Su ch w asB on da i n t he t ime o f t h e M o o r s ; an d i t ha s eve r r e t a in edsom eth in g of th e same chara c te r , even to th e p re sen t d ay .I t s inhabi tants cont inue to be among the boldes t , f ierces t , andm os t a dven tu r ous o f t h e An da lus i an m oun ta inee r s ; and t h eSerranía de B o n d a i s f amous , as th e m os t dang erous reso r t o ft he band i t and t he con t r aband i s t a .

Hamet Z e l i , s u r named E l Z eg r i , was t he commander o fth i s be l l ig eren t c i ty an d i t s fie rce inh ab i tan t s . H e w as of th et r ibe o f Zegr i s , and one of the mos t p roud and dar ing of tha t -war l i ke r ace . B es ide t h e i nha b i t an t s o f B o nd a , he h ad aleg ion of Af r ican M oo rs in h i s im m ed ia te se rv ice . T h eywer e o f t he t r i be o f t he Gomer es ; mer cena r y t r oops , whos e

o




ho t Af r ican b lood ba d no t y e t be en t em pe r ed by t h e s o f te rl iv ing of S p a i n ; an d who se wh ole bus iness w as to figh t .Th ese he ke p t a lways wel l a rm ed an d wel l app oin ted . T h er ich pas turage of the va l l ey of Honda produced a b reed ofho rses f amous for s t r e ng th an d spe ed : n o cava l ry , there fore ,w as be t t e r m ou n te d t h an t he ba nd of G-omeres. R ap id o nthe march , f i e rce in the a t t ack , i t would sweep down upon theA nd alu s ian p la ins l ike a sud den b las t f rom th e m ou nta ins ,and pass away as suddenly , before there was tune for pursu i t .

T he r e was no th ing t h a t s t i r r ed up t he s p i r it o f t he M oo r sof the f ron t ie r s more thoroughly than the idea of a fo ray .The summons of Bexi r was g lad ly obeyed by the a lcaydes o fth e bo rd er to w n s : and in a l i t t l e wh i le th er e was a fo rce o f

fifteen h u n d re d ho rse , an d four th ou sa nd foot, th e ve ry p i t hand m ar r ow o f t h e s u r r ou nd ing coun t r y , a s s embled wi th inth e wal l s of R on da . T he people o f th e p lace an t i c ipa te dwi th eagerness the r i ch spo i l s o f Andalus ia , tha t were soon tocrowd the i r ga te s . T hro ug ho ut th e day , "the c i ty r e sou nd edw i th t he no i s e o f ke t t l e d r u m and t r u m p e t : t he h igh m e t t l eds teeds s t am pe d an d n e ig hed in th e i r s t a ll s , a s i f th ey sh are dthe" im pat ie nce for th e fo ra y ; wh i le th e Ch r i s t ian cap t ivess ighed , as th e var ied d in o f p re pa ra t io n reac hed to th e i r

r o c k y d u n g e o n s , d e n o t i n g t h a t a f r esh as sau l t was prepar ingaga ins t t he i r cou n t r ym en .T h e infidel hos t sa l l ied for th , fu l l of sp i r i t s ; an t ic ip at in g

an ea s y r avage , and ab un dan t boo ty . T h ey encour aged eachot he r in a co ntem pt for th e prow ess of th e foe . M a n y of t h ew ar r i o r s o f M a laga , and o f s ome o f t h e m ou n ta in tow ns , h adinsu l t ing ly a r rayed themse lves in the sp lend id a rmour o f theChr i s t i an kn igh t s , s l a in o r t aken pr i soners in the f amous mas sacre ; an d some of th em rod e t he A nd alus ian s teeds w hic h

ha d bee n cap tured on th a t occasion .T h e w ar y B exi r had* conc er ted h i s p lan s so secre t ly an d

expedi t ious ly , tha t the Chr i s t i an towns of Andalus ia had no tth e l ea s t susp ic ion of th e s to rm , th a t ha d ga the red be yo ndth e m oun ta in s . T h e vas t and r ock y r an ge of t he Se r r a n i a deR o n da ex te nd ed l ike a sc reen , cover ing a l l th e i r m ov em en ts .f rom, observat ion.

T he a r my made i t s way a s r ap id ly a s t he r ugged na tu r e o ft he moun ta in s wou ld pe r mi t , gu ided by Hamet e l Z eg r i , t hebold a lcayde of Ronda , who knew every pass and def i l e . Nota d rum, nor the c lash of a cymbal , nor the b las t o f a t rumpetw as pe rm i t t e d to b e he ard . T h e m ass o f w ar ro l l ed qu ie t lyon , a s t he ga the r ing c loud t o t he b r ow o f t he moun ta in s ,i n t end ing t o bu r s t down , l i ke t he t hunde r bo l t , upon t he p l a in .

N ev e r l e t t h e mo s t w ar y com m ander f ancy h ims e l f s ecu r ef rom discovery; for rocks have eyes , and t rees have ears , and




th e b i rd s o f th e ah ' hav e ton gue s , to b e t ra y th e m os t sec re ten te rpr i se . T he re ch anced , a t th i s t im e , to be s ix Ch r i s t i anscouts p rowl ing about the savage he igh t s o f the Ser ran ia deE o n d a . Th ey were o f th a t k in d of l awless ruf fians w ho in fes t

th e bo rde r s o f be l l igeren t cou nt r i es , r e ad y a t an y t im e tofight for pa y, or pro w l for p l un de r . T he w i ld m ou nt ai n passesof Spa in have ever abounded wi th loose , r ambl ing vagabondso f t h e k i n d ; s o ld i e rs i n w ar , r obb e r s i n pe ac e ; gu ides , gu a r ds ,smuggler s , o r cu t - th roa t s , accord ing to the c i r cums tances o fthe case .

" T h es e six m ar au de r s , " says F r a y An ton io Agap ida , " we r e ,on th i s occasion, chosen ins t ru m en ts , s anc ti fi ed by th e r igh t eous ness of t he i r cause . T h ey wer e l u r k ing am ong t he m ou n

t a i n s , t o en t r ap M oor i s h ca t tl e , o r M oor i s h p r i s o ne r s ; bo thof which were equa l ly sa leab le in the Chr i s t i an marke t . "T h ey ha d asce nde d one of th e lof t ies t cliffs , an d w ere look ing

ou t , l i ke b i r d s of p r ey , r ea dy t o pou nce upo n an y th ing t h a tm ig ht o ffe r in th e va l l ey , w he n th ey descr ied th e M oo r i sha r m y em er g ing fr om a m ou n ta in g len . T h ey w a t che d i t i ns i lence , as i t w ou nd be low the m , rem ark ing th e s t an da rds oft h e va r ious t ow ns , an d t h e pen non s o f t he comm ander s . T he yho ve red ab ou t i t , on i t s m arc h, sk ulk ing f rom cliff to cliff,

un t i l t he y s aw th e r ou t e b y w h ich i t i n t en de d t o en t e r t h eC h r i s t ian cou n t r y . T h ey t h e n d i s pe rs ed , each m ak ing h i sway , by the secre t passes o f the mounta ins , to some d i f fe ren ta l cayde , t ha t t hey migh t s p r ead t he a l a r m f a r and wide , andeach ge t a separa te r eward .

One has t ened t o L u i s Fe r nandez Pue r to C a r r e r o , t he s ame ,va l i an t a l cayde w ho h ad r epu l s ed M ule y A ben H as s a n fr omthe wal l s o f Alhama, and who now commaded a t Ec i j a , in the

abs en ce of t h e m as t e r o f San t i ago . O the r s r ous ed t h e t ow nof TJ t re ra , and the p laces o f tha t ne ighbourhood , 2 ra t t ingthem on t he a l e r t .

P u er to C ar re ro was a cava l ie r o f con sum m ate v igou r a ndac t iv i ty . H e im m edia te ly sen t cour ie r s to th e a leaydes o f th ene ighbour ing for t r es ses , to Herman Car re l lo , cap ta in o f abo dy of t he H o l y B r o the r hoo d , and t o ce r t a in kn igh t s o f t h eord er o f A lcan ta ra . P u e r t o Ca r re ro w as th e first to t a k eth e field . K no w ing t h e h a r d and h u n g r y s e rv i ce o f t he s e

bo r de r s cam per s , he m ade eve r y ma n t ak e a he a r t y r ep as t ,and see tha t h i s horse was wel l shod , and per fec t ly appoin ted .Then, a l l being ref reshed, and in val iant hear t , ho sa l l ied for thto^ s eek t h e M oo r s . H e h ad b u t a hand f u l o f me n , t h e r e t a in er s o f h i s household , ' and t ro ops of h i s ca p t a i nc y ; b u tt h ey wer e we l l a r m ed and m oun ted , and accus tomed t o t h es udd en r ous es o f t he bo r d e r ; m e n . w i th wh om the c r y of



H I S T O B Y O F

" A r m an d o u t to horse an d to th e fie ld " w as suf fic ien t a tany t ime to pu t them in a f ever o f an imat ion .

W hi l e t h e no r th e r n pa r t o f A nda lus i a was t hu s on t h e a l e r t ,one o f t h e scou t s ha d ha s t ene d s ou th w ar d , t o t h e c i ty of X er e s ,

an d g iven t h e a l a r m to t h e va l i an t M ar q u i s o f C ad i z. W h e nt h e m a r q u i s h e a r d t h a t t h e M o o r w a s o v e r t h e b o r d e r , a n dth a t t he s t an da r d o f M a la ga w as in t h e advance , h i s h e a r t

m as s ac r e i n t h e m oun ta in s , w he r e h i s va l i an t b r o the r s h a db ee n m an gled before h i s eye s . T h e ve ry au th ors o f h i s ca la mi ty were now at hand, and he f la t tered himself that the dayo f vengeance had a r r i ved .

H e m ad e a h a s t y lev y of h is re t a in ers , an d of th e fighting

men o f Xer es , and hu r r i ed o f f , w i th t h r ee hundr ed ho r s e andtwo hundred foo t , a l l r eso lu te men , and pan t ing for r evenge .

I n t h e me an t im e , t h e ve t e r an B ex i r ha d accompl i shed h i sm ar c h , a s he imag ined , und i s cove r ed . P r o m th e open ings o fthe c raggy def i l es , he po in ted ou t the f e r t i l e p la ins o f Andalus ia , and re ga le d th e ey es o f h i s so ld ie ry w i th th e r i chco un t ry th ey w ere ab ou t to r ava ge . Th e fie rce G om eres o fB o n d a w er e flu shed w i th j o y a t t h e s i g h t ; an d even t h e i rs t eeds seemed to p r ick up the i r ea r s , and snuf f the b reeze , ast h e y behe ld t he s cenes of t he n

-

f requent forays .W h e n t h ey came to w he r e t h e m oun ta in defile opened i n to

th e low land , Be xi r d iv ided h i s fo rce in to th re e p a r t s : o ne ,co m po sed of foot soldiers , an d of suc h as w ere w ea kl ym ou nte d , h e l ef t to gu ard th e pass ; be ing too expe r ienced ave t e r a n no t t o know th e impor t ance of s ecu r ing a r e t r e a t .A second bod y he p laced in amb ush , am ong th e g roves an dth i ck e t s on t he bank s of t he r i ve r L o pe r a . T h e t h i r d , con

s i s t ing of l igh t cava l ry , he sen t fo r th to r ava ge th e Cam pina ,o r g re a t p la in o f U t re ra . M os t o f th i s l a t t e r fo rce was com po sed of th e fiery G om ere s of B on da , m ou nt ed on th e fleets t eed s b r ed amo ng t he m oun ta in s . I t was led b y t h e bo lda lcay de H a m e t e l Ze gr i , w ho w as ever eager to be fo remos tin the fo ray .

L i t t l e suspec t ing , tha t the count ry on bo th s ides was on thea la r m , and ru sh ing f rom a l l d i r ec t ions , to c lose up on the m in •re ar , th i s f ie ry t ro op dash ed forward , un t i l th ey came w i th i n

tw o l eagues o f U t r e r a . H e r e t h ey s ca t t e r ed t hems e lves a bo u tthe p la in , ca reer ing round the g rea t herds o f ca t t l e , and f locksof sheep , a r id sweeping them in to d roves , to be hur r i ed to them o u n t a i n s .

W hi l e t hey wer e t hus d i s pe r s ed i n eve r y d i r ec t i on , a t r oopof horse , and body of foo t , f rom Ut re ra , came suddenly uponth e m . T he M oo r s r a l li ed t og e the r i n s ma l l pa r t i e s , an d en -

b o u n d e d r e m e m b e r e d t h e




•deavour ed t o de f end t hems e lves : bu t t hey wer e wi thou t ale a d e r ; fo r H ar r ie t e l Z eg r i wa s a t a d i s t ance , hav ing , l ike ahawk , made a w ide c i r cu i t i n pu r s u i t o f p r ey . T he mar aude r ssoon gave way , and f l ed towards the ambush on the banks of

the Lopera , be ing ho t ly pursued by the men of TJ t re ra .W h e n t h e y r e a c h e d t h e L o p e r a , t h e M o o r s i n a m b u s hrushed for th , wi th fu r ious c r i es ; and the fug i t ives r ecover ingcourage f rom th i s r e in forcemen t , r a l l ied , an d tu rn e d up o nthe i r pu r s u e r s . T he C hr i s t i ans s t ood t he i r g r ou nd , t ho ug hgre a t ly in fe rio r in nu m be r . Th e i r l ances w ere soon bro ke n ,an d t h ey came to s ha r p wo r k w i th s wo r d and chne t e r . • T h eChr i s t i ans fought va l i an t ly , bu t were in danger o f be ing over wh e lme d . T h e bo ld H a m e t ha d co ll ect ed a hand f u l of h i s

s ca t t e r ed G o m er es ; and , l e av ing h i s p r ey , h ad ga l l oped t o w ard s th e scene of ac t ion . H is l i t t l e t roop of ho rsem en h a drea ch ed t he c res t o f a r i s ing gro und , a t no gre a t d i s t ance ,w hen t r um pe t s wer e he a r d i n ano the r d i rec t ion , an d L u i s F e r nandez Puer to Car re ro , and h i s fohowers , came ga l lop ing in tothe f ie ld , and charged upon the inf idels in f lank.

T h e M oor s w er e a s tounded , a t fi nd ing w ar t h us b r ea k ingup on t h em f rom va r ious qu a r t e r s o f w ha t t he y ha d expec t ed•to f ind an un gu ar de d co un t ry . T he y foug ht fo r a sho r t t im e

w i th d espera t ion , an d res i s t ed a ve he m en t as sau l t f rom th ekn igh t s of A lc an t a r a , and t h e m en a t a r ms o f t he H o ly B r o the r ho od . A t l eng th t h e ve t e r an B ex i r was s t r uck f rom h i sho r s e by P u e r to C a r r e r o , and t ak en p r is one r , and t h e who leforce gave w ay an d fled. I n the i r flight th e y sep ara ted , an dtook two r oads t o t he moun ta in s ; t h ink ing , by d iv id ing t he i rfo rces , to d i s t r ac t th e ene m y. T h e Chr i s t i ans w ere too fewt o s e p a r a t e . P u e r t o C a r re r o k e p t t h e m t o g e t h e r , p u r s u i n g•one d iv is ion of th e ene m y w i th g re a t s l aug hte r . Th i s ba t t l e

too k p lace a t th e founta in o f t h e fig t r ee , ne ar to th e L op era ..Six hu nd re d M oo r i sh cava l ie r s w ere s la in , an d m an y tak enpr is on ers . M u c h spoi l w as col lected on th e fie ld , w i th w hic hthe C hr i s t i ans r e tu r ned i n t r i umph to t he i r homes .

T he l a r ge r body o f t he enemy had r e t r ea t ed a long a r oad ,l ead ing m or e t o t h e s ou th , b y t he ban ks o f t h e G uad a l e t e .W h e n t h ey r eache d t h a t r i ve r , t h e s ound o f pu r s u i t ha d d i edaway ; and t hey r a l l i ed , t o b r ea the and r e f r e s h t hems e lves on

th e m ar g in o f t h e s t r eam . T h e i r f orce was r edu ced t o abo u ta th ou sa nd horse , an d a confused m ul t i tu de of foo t. W h i l ethey wer e s ca t t e r ed , and pa r t l y d i s moun ted , on t he banks o ft he Guada l e t e , a f r e s h s t o r m o f war bu r s t upon t hem f r om anopp os i t e d i rec t ion . I t was th e M ar qu is o f Cadiz , l ead ing onhis hou seho ld t roop s , an d th e fighting m en of X er ez . W h e n. the Ch r i s t i an w ar r io r s came in s igh t o f th e M oo rs , th ey w ere




r ous ed t o f u r y a t beho ld ing many o f t hem a r r ayed i n t hea r m ou r o f t h e cava li e rs wh o ha d bee n s l a in amo ng t he m ount a in s o f M a laga . N ay , s ome , w ho h ad bee n i n t h a t de fea t,behe ld t he i r own a r mour , wh ich t hey had ca s t away i n t hen -

flight, to enab le them se lves to c limb the m ou nta ins . E x as pe r a t ed a t t he s i gh t , t hey r u s hed upon t he f oe , w i th t hefe roc i ty o f t iger s , r a th er th an th e t em pe ra te coura ge ofcava l i e r s . E a c h m a n fe lt as i f h e w ere ave ng ing th e de a th o fa r e la t ive , o r w ip ing ou t h i s ow n d i sgrace . T he good ma rqu ish ims e l f beh e ld a power f u l M oo r be s t r i d in g t h e h o r s e o f h i sb r o t he r B e l t r an : g iv ing a c r y o f r age and ang u i s h a t t h es igh t , he r u s hed t h r ough t he t h i ckes t o f t he enemy , a t t ackedth e M oo r w i th r es i s t l es s fu ry , and , a f t e r a sh or t com bat ,

hu r l ed h im b r ea th l e s s t o t he ea r t h .T h e M oor s , a l r eady vanq u i s hed i n sp i r it , cou ld no t w i th s t a ndth e as sau l t o f m en th us m ad ly exc i ted . T he y soon gave w ayan d fled for t h e defile of th e Se rra ni a d e Ro nd a, w he re th ebo dy o f t r oops h ad be en s t a t i oned t o s ecu r e a r e t r e a t . T he s e ,see ing th e m come ga l lop ing w i ld ly u p th e def il e, w i th Ch r i s t i anba nn er s in p ur su i t , an d t h e flash of w eap on s a t then.' de ad lywork , thought a l l Andalus ia was upon them, and f l ed , wi thoutaw a i t i ng an a t t ack . T he pu r s u i t con t i nued am ong g l ens an d

den ies ; fo r th e Ch r i s t i an w ar r io r s , eager for r eve ng e , h a d n ocompass ion on the foe .

W h e n t he p t i r s u i t was ove r, t h e M ar qu i s o f C ad i z an d h i sf ol lowers r epos ed t hems e lves up on t h e ban ks o f t h e G ua da l e t e ,w he r e t he y d iv ided t h e s po il . Am ong th i s w er e f ound m an yr i ch co r s le t s, he lm e t s , and weapon s , t h e M oo r i s h t r oph i e s o ft h e de f eat i n t hè m ou n ta in s of M a laga . Seve r a l w e r e c l a imedb y t he i r ow ner s , o the r s wer e kno w n to hav e be long ed t o nob l ecava l i er s , w ho ha d be en sl ain , o r t a ke n p r i s one r s . T he r e w er esevera l horses a l so , r i ch ly capar i soned , which had prancedpr o ud ly wi th t he un f o r tun a t e war r i o r s , a s t h ey s a ll ied ou t o fA n t eq ue r a up on t h a t f a t a l exped i ti on . T h us t h e exu l t a t i on o ft h e v i c to r s was das hed w i th me lancho ly , an d m an y a kn ig h tw as seen l am en t ing over th e he lm et o r cor s le t o f some lov edcompanion in a rms .

T he good M ar qu i s o f C ad i z was r e s t i ng unde r a t r ee , on t heba nk s o f t he G uada l e t e , w he n t h e ho r s e , w h ich h ad be lo nge d

to h i s s l aug h t e r ed b r o the r B e l t r an , was b r ou gh t t o h im . H el a id h i s hand upon t he mane , and l ooked wi s t f u l l y a t t heem pty s add l e . H i s bos om heaved w i th v io l en t ag i t a t i on , andh i s l i p q u i v e r e d , a n d w a s p a l e . " A y d e m i , m i h e r m a n o "" W o i s m e , m y bro th er " was a l l th a t h e said , fo r th e g r ie f o fa w ar r i o r has no t m an y w or ds . H e l ooked a r oun d on t h ef ie ld s t r ewn wi th the bodies o f the enemy ; and , in the b i t t e r -



THE CONQUEST O F GRANADA. 87

ness o f h i s wo, h e f e lt conso led b y th e idea , th a t h i s b ro th erh a d n o t b e e n u n r e v e n g e d . *

C H A P T E R X X E L T .RETREAT O F H A M E T E L ZEGRI, ALCATDE O F RONDA.

T H E b o ld a l cayde of R o nd a , H a m e t e l Z e g r i , h ad ca r ee r edwide over the campina of Ut re ra , encompass ing the f locks andh e r d s , w he n he he a r d t h e bu r s t o f w a r a t a d i s t ance . T h e r ew er e w i th h im bu t a hand f u l o f h i s G om er es . H e s aw th escam per an d pu rsu i t a fa r off, an d be he ld t he Chr i s t i an ho rse

m e n s p u r r i n g m a d l y o n t o w a r d s t h e a m b u s c a d e , o n t h e b a n k so f t he L o pe r a . H a m e t t o s s ed h i s ha nd t r i um ph an t ly alo ft fo rhis m en to follow hi m . " T h e C hr i s t ian dogs are ou rs " sa idh e , as he pu t sp i i r s to h i s horse to t ake the enemy in r ear .

T he l i t t l e band wh ich f o l l owed Hamet s ca r ce ly amoun ted t oth i r t y ho r s em en . T he y s pu r r ed ac ros s t h e p l a in , and r eache da r is i ng g r ou nd j u s t a s t he fo rce of Pu e r to C a r r e r a had cha r ged ,wi th sound of t rumpet , upon the f l ank of the par ty in ambush .H a m e t b e h e l d t h e h e a d l o n g r o u t o f t h e a r m y w i t h r a g e a n d

cons t e r na t i on . H e f ound t h e cou n t r y was po u r ing f o r t h i t sl eg ions f r om eve r y qu a r t e r , and pe r ce ived t h a t t he r e was n osafety b u t in prec ipi ta te flight. B u t w hic h w ay to fly ? ana r m y was be tw een h im and t h e m ou n ta in p as s : a l l t h e f o rceso f t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d w e r e r u s h i n g t o t h e b o r d e r s ; t h e w h o l er o u t e b y wh ich he ha d come was by t h i s t ime occup i ed by t h efoe. H e chec ked h i s s t eed , rose in h i s s t i r rup s , an d ro l l eda s t e r n an d t houg h t f u l eye ove r t h e co u n t r y ; t hen , s i nk ingin to h i s sadd le , he seem ed to comm une for a m om en t w i th

h imse lf . T ur n i ng qu ic k ly to h i s t roo p , h e s ing led ou t arenegado Chr i s t i an , a t r a i to r to h i s r e l ig ion and h i s k ing ." C om e h i t h e r , " s a id H a m e t ; " t h ou kno w es t a l l t h e s ec r e tp a s s e s o f t h i s c o u n t r y ? " — " I d o , " r e p l i e d t h e r e n e g a d o ." D os t th ou kno w an y c i rcu i tous ro u te , so l i t a ry an d un t rave l l ed ,b y wh ich we can pas s w ide w i th in t hes e tr oops , an d r eac h t h eS e r r a n i a P " T h e r e n e g a d o p a u s e d : " S u c h a r o u t e I k n o w ,b u t i t i s ful l o f p e r i l ; for i t l eads th ro u g h t h e h ea r t o f th e

* " E n el despojo de la batalla se vieron muohas rieas coraras e cap a-c e t a 3 e barberas de las que se habian p erdido en el Ax arqu ia, e otrasmuoh as armas, e algunas fueron conocidas de sus duenos que las ha viandejado para fuir, e otras fueron conocidas, que eran muy senaladas deliombre s principales que havian quedado mu ertos e cautivos e fuerontornados muchos de los mismos cavallos con sus ricas sillas, de los quequedaron en la A xarquia, e fueron conocidos cuios eran."—C ura de l o sPalacios, c. 67.




C h r i s t i an l a n d . " — " I t i s w e l l , " s a id H ar r i e t ; " t h e m or e dan -

ferous in ap pe ara nc e th e less i t •will be susp ected . N ow ,earke n to m e . B id e b y m y s ide . T ho u sees t th i s pu rse o f

go ld an d t h i s c ime te r . T a ke u s b y t h e r o u t e t h ou ha s t m ent ioned sa fe to the pass o f the Ser ran ia , and th i s purse sha l l be

th y r e w ar d ; b e t r a y u s , an d t h i s c im e te r s ha l l c leave t he e t othe saddle bow." *

T he r eneg ado obeyed t r em bl ing . T he y t u r n ed off f rom t h ed i r ec t r oad t o t he m oun ta in s , a nd s t r uck s ou th wa r d t owa r dsLebr ix ia , pass ing by the mos t so l i t a ry roads , and a long thosedeep r amblas and r av ines by wh ich t he coun t r y i s i n t e r s ec t ed .I t was i ndeed a da r i n g cou r se . E v e r y now an d t he n t h eyhe a r d t h e d i s t an t s ound o f t r um pe t s , and t h e a l a r m be l ls o ft owns and v i l l ages , and f ound t ha t t he war was s t i l l hu r r y ingto t h e bo r de r s . T h ey h id t hems e lves i n t h i cke t s and i n t h ed r y bed s o f r i ve r s un t i l t h e dang e r h ad pas s ed by , and t h e nr e s u m ed the i r cou r s e . H a m e t e l Z e g r i r ode on i n s il ence , h i sha nd upon h i s c ime te r , and h is eye up on t h e r eneg ado gu ide ,pr ep are d to sacri fi ce h im on th e l eas t s ign of t r ea ch e ry ; w hi leh i s D a n d fo llowed , gn aw ing the i r hp s w i th r a ge a t ha v in g th u sto s ku lk t h r ough a coun t r y t hey had come to r avage .

W h e n n ig h t fe ll, t h ey s t r uck i n to m or e p r ac t i cab l e r oa ds ,

a lways keep ing wide of the v i l l ages and namle t s , l es t thewa tch - dogs s hou ld be t r a y t he m . I n t h i s w ay t h ey pas s ed , i ndeep midnigh t , by Arcos , c rossed the Guada le te , and e f fec tedt h e i r r e t r e a t t o t h e m o u n t a i n s . T h e d a y d a w n e d a s t h e ym ad e t he i r w ay up t h e s avage den i e s . T h e i r com r ades h adb e e n h u n t e d u p t h e s e v e r y g l e n s b y t h e e n e m y . E v e r y n o wan d t h en t h ey came to w he r e t he r e ha d be en a pa r t i a l f igh t ,o r a s l au gh te r o f th e fug i t ives ; an d th e rock s w ere re d w i thb lood , an d s t r ew ed w i th m ang led bod i e s . T h e a l cayde of

Bonda was a lmos t f r an t i c wi th r age a t s ee ing many of h i sbra ve s t w ar r io r s , ly ing s ti ff an d s ta rk , a p r ey to th e ha w ksa n d v u l t u r e s o f t h e m o u n t a i n s . N o w a n d t h e n s om e w r e t c h e dM o o r w ould c raw l ou t o f a cave or g len , w hi th er h e h ad f ledf o r r e f uge ; f o r , i n t he r e t r ea t , many o f t he ho r s emen hadabandoned t he i r s t eeds , t h r own away t he i r a r mour , andc lambered up the c l i f f s , where they cou ld no t be pursued bythe Chr i s t i an cava l ry .

T he M oor i s h a r my had s a l l i ed f o r t h f r om E onda amids t

shouts and acc lamat ions ; bu t wai l ings were heard wi th in i t swa l l s a s t h e a l cayde an d h i s b r o ke n b an d r e tu r n ed , w i tho u tbanne r o r t r umpe t , and hagga r d wi th f amine and f a t i gue .T he t i d ings o f t he i r d i s a s t e r had p r eceded t hem, bo r ne by t hef ugi ti ves of t h e a r m y . N o one ve n tu r ed t o s peak t o t h e s t e m

* Cura de los Palacios, ubi suprá.



T H E C O N Q U E S T OF G RANAD A. 8 9

Har r i e t el Z e g r i as lie e n t e r e d the c i ty , for t h e y saw a d a r kc l o u d g a t h e r e d u p o n his b r ow .

" I t s eemed , " s ays the p ious An ton io Agap ida , " as if

h e a v e n m e t e d out th is defeat , in e x a c t r e t r i b u t i o n for the illsin fl ic ted u po n th e Chr i s t i an war r io r s in t h e he ig h t s o f M a la ga . "

I t was equa l ly s igna l and d i sas t rous . Of the b r i l l i an t a r ra yo f M oor i s h ch iva l r y , wh ich des cended so conf ident ly in toA n d a l u s i a , not m o r e t h a n tw o h u n d r e d e sc a pe d . The choices tt roops of ' the f ron t ie r were e i ther t aken or d e s t r o y e d ; the

Moor i sh gar r i sons enfeeb led , and m a n y a l c ay d e s and ca val iersof nob le l ineage car r i ed in to cap t iv i ty , who w er e a f t e r war dsob l i ged to r edeem thems e lves wi th heavy r ans oms .

T h i s was cal led the ba t t l e of L o p e r a , and was f o u g h t on

t h e 17th of S e p t e m b e r , 1483. F e r d i n a n d and I s abe l l a wer ea t V i t t o r i a , in Old Cas t i l e , when they rece ived news of the

v ic to r y , and the s t anda r ds t ak en f rom the enem y . T h ey ce le b r a t e d the event wi th process ions , i f luminat ions , and o the rfes tiv i ti es . F er d i na n d sen t to the M a r q u is of Cadiz the r oy a lr a i m e n t w h i c h h e had w o r n on t h a t day, and confer red on him,

a n d on all t hos e who s hou ld i nhe r i t his t i t l e , the pr ivi lege of

wear ing r oya l r obes on our L a d y ' s day in S e p t e m b e r , in comm e m o r a t i o n of th i s v ic to ry .

Q u e e n I s a b e l l a was equa l ly mindfu l of the great servicesof Don L u i s F e r n a n d e z P u e r t o C a r r e r o . B e s id e s m a n ye n c o m i u m s and f avours , she s e n t to his wife the roya l ves t m e n t s and r o b e of b r ocade , w h ich she had w o r n on the s amed a y , to be w o r n by her, d u r i n g her fife, on the ann ive r s a r y of

t h a t b a t t l e . *

C HAP T E E X X I V .

O F THE H I G H AND C E R E M O N I O U S R E C E P T I O N AT COURT OF THE

C O U N T DE CABEA AND THE A L C A Y D E DE LOS D O N Z E L E S .

I N the m i d s t of the bus t l e of warl ike affairs , the w o r t h yc h r o n i c l e r F r a y A n t o n i o A g a p i d a p a u s e s to no te , wi th cur iousa c c u r a c y , the d i s t i ngu i s hed r ecep t i on g iven to the C o u n t de

C a b r a , and his n e p h e w , the a l eayde de los D o n z e l e s, at the

s t a t e l y and ce r emon ious cou r t of Cas t i le , in r e w a r d for thec a p t u r e of the M o o r i s h k i n g B o a b d i l ." The c o u r t , " he observes , " was he ld , at the t i m e , in the

anc i en t M oor i s h pa l ace of the c i t y of C o r d o v a ; and the ce r e m o n i a l s w e r e a r r a n g e d by t ha t vene r ab l e p r e l a t e Don P e d r o

* Mariana. Abarca. Zurita. Pulgar, etc.




Gonza l ez de M endoza , b i s hop o f T o l edo , and g r and ca r d ina lof Spain .

" I t was on W ed ne s d ay , t h e 14 th o f Oc tob e r , " con t i nuesthe p r ec i s e An ton io Agap ida , " t ha t t he good C oun t deC abr a , a cco r d ing t o a r r angemen t , appea r ed a t t he ga t e o f

C or dova . H e r e h e was m e t b y t h e g r and ca r d ina l , and t h eD u k e o f V i l l ahe r mos a , i ll eg i tima t e b r o the r o f t h e k ing ,tog e th er w i th m an y of th e f ir s t g ran dee s an d pre la tes o f t hek ingdo m . B y t h i s augus t t r a i n was he a t t en de d t o t he pa l ace ,amids t t r i umphan t s t r a in s o f mar t i a l mus i c , and t he s hou t s o fa p r od ig ious mu l t i t ude .

" W h e n t he coun t a r r i ved i n p r e s ence o f t h e s ove r e igns ,who were seated in s ta te , on a .dais , or ra ised par t of the hal lo f aud ien ce , th ey bo th a rose . T he k in g adv anc ed ex ac t lyfive s t eps tow ard th e count , w ho kn e l t , and k i s sed h i s m ajes ty ' sh a n d ; b u t th e k in g w ould no t r ece ive h im as a m ere vassa l,b u t em brac ed h i m w i th a ffect iona te cord ia l i ty . Th e que en ,also , advanced two s teps , and rece ived the count wi th acou nten anc e fu ll o f swee tness and be n ig n i ty . A f te r he h a dk i s s ed he r hand , t h e k ing an d queen r e tu r ne d t o t he i r t h r on es ;and , cus h ions be ing b r ough t , t hey des i r ed t he wor thy coun tto be se a ted in the i r p res enc e . " This las t c i r cum s tance i s

wr i t t en in l a rge l e t t e r s , and fo l lowed by severa l no tes o fadmi r a t i on , i n t he manus c r ip t o f t he wor thy F r ay An ton ioAgap ida ; who cons ide r s t he ex t r ao r d ina r y p r i v i l ege o f s i t t i ngin presen ce of the Catho l ic sovere igns an ho no ur wel l w or thfighting for.

" The good count took his seat a t a shor t d is tance f rom thek ing ; and near h im was sea ted the Duke of .Naje ra , then theBishop of •Palencia , then the Count of Agui lar , the CountL u na , and D on G u t i e r e de C a r denas , sen io r comm ander o f

L e o n ." O n th e s ide o f the qu een w ere sea ted t h e g r an d card ina l

of Spa in , the Duke of Vi l l ahermosa , the Count o f MonteHey, and the b i shops of Jaen and Cuenca , each in the o rderin wh ich t h ey a r e nam ed . T he I n f an t a I s abe l l a wa s p r e ven ted , by ind i spos i t ion , f rom a t t end ing th i s ce remony.

" And now f e s t i ve mus i c r e s ounded t h r ough t he s umptuousha l l ; and , behold , twenty l ad ies o f the queen ' s r e t inue en te red , ,magn i f i cen tl y a t t i r e d ; upo n wh ich tw en ty you th f u l cava l ie r s ,ve r y gay and ga l l i a r d i n t he i r a r r a y , s tepped f o r t h ; and , eachtak in g h i s f air pa r tn er , th ey comm enced a s t a te ly dan ce . T h ecour t , i n t he m ea n t im e , " obs e rves F r a y An ton io A gap ida ," looked on wi th lo f ty and becoming grav i ty .

" W hen t he dance was conc luded , t he k ing and queen r o s eto r e t i r e to supper , and d i smissed the cour t wi th many grac iousexpr es s ions . H e w as t h en a t t en de d by a l l t h e g r and ees p r e s en t ,



T H E C O N Q U E S T O E G B A N A D A . 9 1

to the pa lace of the g rand card ina l , where they par took of aS i t m p t u o u s banquet.

" O n th e fo l lowing S a tu rd ay , th e a lcay de de los D onz e leswas r ece ived l i kewi s e wi th g r ea t honour s ; bu t t he ce r emon ie swere so a r ranged , as to be a degree l es s in d ign i ty than thoseshown to h i s unc le ; the l a t t e r be ing cons idered the p r inc ipa lac to r i n t h i s g r ea t ach i evem en t . T h us , t h e g r an d ca r d ina lan d t h e D uk e o f V i l l ahe r m os a d id no t m ee t h i m a t t h e ga t eof th e c i ty , b u t r ece ived h im in th e pa lace , and en te r t a in edhim in conversa t ion un t i l summoned to the sovere igns .

" W h e n t h e a l cayde de l os Do nze l e s en t e r ed t h e p r e s en cechamber , t he k ing and queen r o s e f r om the i r cha i r s ; bu t ,w i thou t advanc ing , t hey embr aced h im g r ac ious ly , and com

manded h im to be s ea t ed nex t t o t he C oun t de C abr a ." T he I n f an t a I s abe l l a came f o r t h t o t h i s r ecep t i on , andtook he r s ea t be s ide t h e queen . W h e n t h e cou r t w e r e a l ls ea t ed , t he mus i c aga in s ounded t h r ough t he ha l l , and t hetwenty ladies came for th , as on the preceding occas ion, r ichly ,a t t i r e d , b u t in d i ffe ren t r a i m en t . T h e y dan ced as be fo re ; a ndth e I n f a n t a I s abe l l a , t ak ing a yo un g Po r tu gu es e dams e l f o r apa r tne r , j o ined i n t h e dance . W h e n t h i s was conc luded , t h ek in g an d qu een d i smissed th e a lcayd e de los D onze les w i th

g r ea t cou r t e s y , and t he cou r t b r oke up . "T h e w o r t h y P r a y A n t o n i o A g a p i d a h e r e i n d u l g e s i n a l o n g

eulog y on th e sc rup ulou s d i sc r imina t ion of th e Cas t i l i an cou r t ,i n t he d i s t r i bu t i on o f i t s honour s and r ewar ds ; by wh ichm ea n s every_ sm ile an d g es tur e , an d w or d of th e sove reignsh a d i t s ce r ta in va lue , an d con veye d i t s equ iva len t o f jo y to th eh ea r t of t he s u b j e c t : " a m a t t e r we l l w or th y t h e s t u dy , " s aysh e , " of a l l m on a r ch s ; w ho a r e t oo ap t t o d i s t r i bu t e hon om ' swi th a heed les s capr ice , tha t r enders them of no ava i l .

" O n t h e f ol lowing Su nd ay , bo th t he C o un t de C ab r a an dthe a lcayde de los Donze les were inv i t ed to sup wi th thes ove r e igns . T h e cou r t , t h a t even ing , w as a t t e nd ed by t h eh ighes t nob i l i t y , a r r ayed wi th t ha t cos t and s p l endour f o rwh ich t he Span i s h nob i l i t y o f t hos e days was r enowned .

" Before sup per , th er e w as a s t a te ly and ce remon ious dan ce ,bef i t t ing th e d ig n i ty of so au gu s t a cou r t . Th e k in g l ed fo r ththe queen , i n g r ave and g r ace f u l meas u r e ; t he C oun t de

C a br a w as ho no ur e d w i th t h e ha nd o f t h e I n f an t a I s ab e l l a ;an d t h e a l cayde de lo s Donze l e s dance d w i th a d au gh t e r o ft h e M a r q u i s d e A s t o r g a .

" T h e dance b e ing concluded , t h e r o ya l pa r t y r ep a i r ed t othe supper t ab le , which was p laced on an e leva ted par t o f - thesa loon . H e re , in fu ll v iew of th e cou r t , th e C ou nt de C ab raan d t he a l cayde de lo s Don ze l e s s upp ed a t t h e s am e t ab l e w i thth e k in g , t h e queen , and t h e i n f an t a . T he r oya l f ami ly w er e



Q2 HISTORY O F

. se rved b y t i e M ar q u i s of V i l l ena . T he cupb ea r e r t o t h ek ing was h i s nephew, Fad r ique de T o l edo , s on t o t he Duke o fA lv a . D o n Alonzo de E s ta n i ga h a d th e hon ou r o f fu lf il lingthat of f ice for the queen, and Tel lo de Agui lar for the infanta .O th er cava l i e rs o f r a nk an d d i s t inc t ion w ai te d on th e cou nt

a n d the a lcayd e de los D on ze les . A t one o 'c lock , the tw od i s t i ngu i s hed gues t s wer e d i s mi s s ed , w i th many cou r t eousexpress ions , by the sovere igns .*

" Su ch , " s ays F r a y An ton io A gap ida , " we r e t h e g r e a tho no urs , pa id a t ou r m os t exa l t ed an d ceremon ious cou r t , tothe s e r enow ned cava l ie r s . B u t t h e g r a t i t ud e o f t h e s ove re ignsd id no t end he r e . A few days a f t e rwar ds , t he y bes tow ed up onth e m la rge reve nue s fo r fife , an d o ther s to descend to the i rh e i r s ; w i th th e p r iv i l ege , fo r th e m a nd the i r desc end ants , top r e f ix t h e t i t l e o f D on t o t he i r nam es . T h ey gave t hem ,m or eov e r , a s a r m or i a l bea r ings , a M oo r ' s hea d c r owned , w i tha go lden cha in ro un d th e neck , in a sanguine fie ld , and tw en ty -tw o ban ne r s r ou nd t h e m ar g in o f t h e e s cu t cheon . T h e i rdescendants , o f the houses o f Cabra and Cordova , con t inue tobear these a rms a t the p resen t day , in memor ia l o f the v ic to ryof Lucena , and the cap ture o f Boabdi l e l Chico . "

C H A P T E R X X V .

H O W T H E MARQUIS O F CADIZ CONCERTED TO. S U R P R I S E ZAHABA,A N D T H E RESULT O F H I S E N T E R P R I S E .

T H E va l i an t R ode r igo Ponce de L eon , M ar qu i s o f C ad i z , wasone of th e m os t v ig i l an t o f com m and ers . H e k ep t in h i s p ay

a. nu m be r o f conve r ted M oo rs , to se rve as ada l ides o r a r m edguid es . Th ese m on gre l Ch r i s t i ans w ere o f g re a t s e rv ice inpro cu r ing in format ion . Av ai l ing them se lves o f th e i r M oo r i shcha r ac t e r and t ongue , t hey pene t r a t ed i n to t he enemy ' s count r y , p row led abo ut th e cas tl es and for tr es ses , no t i ced th e s t a teof t he wal l s , th e ga tes , an d tow ers ; th e s t r e ng th of th e i r gar r i sons , an d th e v ig i lance or ne g l igence of the i r com m and ers .A l l t h i s t h e y r e p o r t e d m i n u t e l y t o t h e m a r q u i s ; w h o t h u sknew the s t a te o f every for t r es s upon the f ron t ie r , and when i t

m igh t be a t t acke d w i th adva n t age . B es ides t he va rious t ow ns•and c i ties over w hich he hel d a feud al sw ay, h e h a d a lw aysa n ar m ed force ab ou t b im re ad y for th e f ie ld. A ho s t of

* Th e account given by Fray An tonio A gapida of this ceremonial, so•characteristic of the old Spanish court, agrees, in almost every particular,•with an ancient manuscript, made up from the Chronicles of the curate ofJos Palacios, and other old Spanish writers.



T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G B E N A D A .

re ta ine rs fed in Lis hal l , w ho w ere rea d y to follow him todange r , and dea th itself, w i t h o u t m q u i r i n g w h o o r w h y t h e yfoug ht . T h e arm ou r ies of h is cas t les w er e supplied, wi th ,he lm s , an d cu i ras ses , an d weap ons of a l l k inds , r e ad y bu r

n i she d for u s e ; an d h i s s t ab les were f ill ed w i th h ar d y s teedstha t cou ld s t and a moun ta in s camper .T he mar qu i s was awar e t ha t t he l a t e de f ea t o f t he M oor s ,

on t h e ban ks o f t h e L op e r a , had weak ened t he i r w ho le f ron t ier ; for m an y of th e cas t les an d for t resses h a d los t th e i ra lcay des an d , th ei r choices t t roo ps . H e sen t o ut h is war-houn ds , t he r e f o r e , up on t h e r ang e , t o a s ce r t a in whe r e a s uc ces sf ul b low m igh t be s t r uc k ; and t he y s oon r e t u r ne d w i thw or d t h a t Z a h a r a wa s wea k ly ga r ri s oned , and s h o r t of p r ov i s ions .

Th is w as th e ve ry for t res s wh ich , abo ut two ye ar s before ,h a d b e e n s t o rm e d b y M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n ; a n d it s c a p t u r eh a d be en th e f ir st b low of th i s even t fu l w ar . I t h a d ev ers ince rem ain ed a th or n in t he s ide o f An dalus ia , A l l th eChr i s t i ans had been car r i ed away cap t ive , and no c iv i l popul a t ion h ad been i n t r oduced i n t he i r s t ead . T he r e we r e no-w om en or ch i ld re n in th e p lace . I t wa s ke p t u p as a m erem i l i t a r y pos t , com m and ing one of t he m os t im po r t an t pa ss e so f t h e m oun ta in s , an d was a s t r ongho ld o f M oor i s h ma

r au de r s . T he m ar qu i s was an im a ted b y t h e i dea of r eg a in ingth is for t ress for h is sovere igns , an d w res t in g f rom t h e oldMoor i sh k ing th i s boas ted t rophy of h i s p rowess .

H e s en t mi s s ives , t he r e fo r e , t o t he b r av e L u i s Fe r na nd ezP u e r to C a r r e r o , w ho ha d d i s ti ngu i s hed h ims e l f i n t h e l a t ev ic tory , and to Juan Almaraz , cap ta in o f the men-a t -a rms of 'th e Ho ly Bro therh ood , in forming th em of h i s des igns , an dinv i t ing th e m to m ee t h im w i th the i r fo rces on t h e ban ks oft he Guada l e t e .

" I t w a s o n t h e d a y , " s a ys F r a y A n t o n i o A g a p i d a , " o f t h eg lor ious apos t les S t S im on an d Ju d as , th e 28 th of O ctober ,in the year o f g race 1483 , tha t th i s chosen band of Chr i s t i anso ld ie r s as sembled , sud den ly and secre t ly , a t th e app oin tedplace . Th e i r fo rces , w he n un i ted , am ou nted to s ix h un d re dho rse an d f if teen hu nd re d foo t. Th e i r ga the r ing p lace w as a tth e en t ranc e of th e defile l ead ing to Za ha ra . T h a t anc ien ttow n, r en ow ned in M oo r i sh wa r fa re , i s s i tua ted in one of th er ou gh es t pa s s e s o f t he Se r r an i a de E on da . I t i s bu i l t r o un dth e cra gg y cone of a h i l l , on th e lof ty sum m it of w hich is as t ron g cas t l e . T he co un t ry a ro un d is b ro ke n in to deep ba r ranc as o r r av ine s , some of w hich approac h i t s v er y wa l l s .T he p l ace , had , un t i l r ecen t l y , been cons ide red im pr eg na b l e ;b u t , " a s t h e w o r t h y F r a y A n t o n i o A g a p i d a o b s e rv e s , " t h ew al ls of im pre gn ab le for t resses , l ike th e vi r tue of se lf -conf identsa in t s , ha ve the i r weak po in t s o f a t t ac k . "



H I S T O R Y O F

T he M ar qu i s o f C ad i z advanced wi th h i s l i t t l e a r my in t hedea d o f t h e n igh t , m ar ch ing s i l en t ly up t h e deep a nd da r kdefi les o f the m ou nta ins , an d s tea l ing u p t h e rav ines , w hichex ten de d to th e wal l s o f th e tow n. Th e i r ap proa ch was sono i s e l e s s , t ha t t he M oor i s h s en t i ne l s upon t he wa l l s hea r d no t

a voice or a footfa ll . T he m ar q u is w as acc om pan ied b y his o ldes ca l ado r, Or t e ga de P r a do , wh o had d i s t ingu i s hed huns e lf a tth e sca l ing of A lban ia . Th i s h a rd y ve te ra n w as s t a t ion ed ,w i th t e n me n , fu rn i shed w i th sca l ing l add ers , in a cav i tyam on g th e rock s , c lose to th e w al l s : a t a l i t t l e d i s t ance sev en tym en w ere h id in a r av in e , to be a t h an d to second h i m w he nh e shou ld hav e fixed h i s l add ers . T h e res t o f th e t roop s we reconcea led i n a no the r r av in e , com m and ing a f ai r appro ach toth e ga te o f th e fo r t r es s . A sh rew d an d w ary ada l id , we l l

acqua in ted wi th the p lace , was appoin ted to g ive s igna l s ; andwas so s t a t ioned tha t he cou ld be seen by the var ious par t i esi n ambus h , bu t was h idden f r om the ga r r i s on .

T he r ema inde r o f t he n igh t pas s ed away i n p r o f ound qu i e t .T he M oor i s h s en t i ne l s cou ld be hea r d t r anqu i l l y pa t r o l l i ngth e wa l l s in per fec t s ecu r i ty . T h e da y daw ned , an d th er i s ing su n b eg an to sh ine aga in s t th e lo fty pe aks o f th e Ser -r an i a de E o nd a . T he s en t i ne ls l ooked , fr om the i r ba t t l em en t s ,ove r a s avage bu t qu i e t moun ta in coun t r y , whe r e no t a humanbe ing was s t i r r ing . T h ey l i t tl e d r ea m ed of t h e mi s ch i ef t h a tl ay lu r k in g in every rav in e and c hasm of th e rocks a ro un dthe m . A pp r ehe nd in g no dan ge r o f s u r p r i s e i n b r oad da y ,th e g rea te r p ar t o f th e so ld ie rs aba nd on ed t h e wal l s a ndtowers , and descended in to the c i ty .

B y orde r s o f th e m arq uis , a smal l bo dy of l igh t cava l rypas sed th e g len , and , tu rn in g ro un d a po in t o f rock , show edthem selve s before th e tow n. Th ey sk i r re d th e fie lds a lm os t

to the gates , as i f by way of bravado, and to defy the gar isonto a sk i rm ish . T he M oo rs we re no t s low in r ep ly in g to i t .Abou t s even ty ho r s e , and a number o f f oo t , who had gua r dedth e wal l s , s a ll ied fo r th im petu ou s ly , th ink ing to m ak e easyp r ey o f t he s e in s o l en t m ar au de r s . T h e C h r i s t ian ho r s em enfled fo r t h e r a v i ne ; t h e M oor s pu r s u ed t h em down th e h i l l,u n t i l t h e y h e a r d a g r e a t s h o u t i n g a n d t u m u l t b e h i n d t h e m .L oo kin g rou nd , th ey beh e ld the i r tow n assa il ed , an d a sca l ingp a r t y m o u n t i n g t h e w a l l, s w o r d i n h a n d . W h e e l i n g a b o u t ,

a n d L u i s F e r n a n d e z P u e r t o C a r r e r o r u s h e d f o r t h a t t h e s a m et i m e , wi th t he i r am bus cade , and endea vour ed t o cu t t h em o ff;bu t t he M oor s s ucceeded i n t h r owing t hems e lves wi th in t hewal l s .

W h i l e P u e r t o C a r r e r o s t o r m e d a t t h e g a t e , t h e m a r q u i s p u tspu rs to h i s h orse , an d ga l loped to th e su pp or t o f Or teg a de

T he M ar qu i s o f C ad i z



9 6 H I 8 T 0 B Y O F

Our zea lous chron ic le r s cof f s a t the Moor i sh a lcayde , wholos t h i s f o r t r e s s by s u r p r i s e , i n b r oad day l i gh t ; and con t r a s t sth e v ig i l ance of th e Ch r i s t i an go vern or o f A lham a, th e tow ntaken in r e ta l i a t ion for the s to rming of Zahara .

The impor tan t pos t o f Alhama was a t th i s t ime conf ided , byK i n g F e r d i n a n d , t o D o n D i e g o L o p e z d e M e n d o z a , C o u n t o fTendi l l a ; a cava l i e r o f noble b lood , b ro ther to the g randca r d ina l o f Spa in . H e ha d b een i n s t r u c t ed b y t he k ing , no tmere ly to main ta in h i s pos t , bu t a l so to make sa l l i es , and l ayw as t e t he s u r r o un d in g cou n t r y . H i s f o r tr e s s was c r i t ic a l l ys ta t ioned . I t was w i th in seven l eague s o f G ran ad a , an d a tn o gre a t d i s t ance f rom th e w ar l ike c i ty o f Lo xa . I t w as nes t l edin t he l ap of t he m ou n ta in s , com m and ing t h e h igh r oa d t oM ala ga , an d a v iew over the ex tens ive vega . T hu s s i tua te ,i n t h e he a r t o f t h e ene m y ' s coun t r y , s u r r ou nd ed b y foes r e ad yto as sa i l h im, and a r i ch count ry fo r h im to r avage , i t behovedth is caval ier to be for ' ever on th e a ler t . H e w as , in fact, a nexper ienced veteran, a shrewd and wary of f icer , and a commande r amaz ing ly p r ompt and f e r t i l e i n exped i en t s .

On a s s uming t he command , he f ound , t ha t t he ga r r i s oncons i s ted b u t o f one th ou sa nd m en, ho rse and foo t. T h e yw e r e h a r d y t r o o p s , s e a s o n e d i n r o u g h m o u n t a i n c a m p a i g n i n g ;

b u t reckless an d dissolute , as soldiers are a p t to D e , w h e naccus tomed t o p r e da to r y war f a r e . T he y wo u ld f igh t ha r d f orboo ty , and t hen gamble i t heed l e s s ly away , o r s quande r i t i nl icen t i ous r eve l li ng . A lha m a abou nde d w i th haw l r ing , s ha r p ing, id le hangers on, eager to prof i t by the vices and fol l ies ofthe gar r i son . The so ld ie r s were o f tener gambl ing and danc ingb e n e a t h t h e w a l l s t h a n k e e p i n g w a t c h u p o n t h e b a t t l e m e n t s ;an d no th ing was he a r d , f r om m or n ing t i ll n igh t , b u t t h enoisy con tes t o f ca rds and d ice , mingled wi th the sound o i

t h e bo l e r o o r f andango , t h e d r ow s y s t r um m ing of t he g u i t a r ,and t he r a t t l i ng o f t he ca s t ane t s ; wh i l e o f t en t he who le wasin te r ru p t ed by th e lou d bra w l an d fie rce an d b loody con tes t .

The Count o f Tendi l l a se t h imse l f v igorous ly to r e formth es e excesses . H e kn ew th a t l ax i ty o f m ora l s i s ge ne r a l l y a t t end ed by neg l ec t o f d u ty ; and t h a t t h e l ea s t b r e ac hof disc ipl ine , in th e expo sed s i tua t ion of h is for t ress , m ig h tb e fa ta l . " H e r e i s b u t a han dfu l of m e n ," sa id h e : " i ti s neces s a r y t ha t each man s hou ld be a he r o . "

He endeavour ed t o awaken a p r ope r ambi t i on i n t he mindsof h i s so ld ie r s , an d to ins t i l in to th em th e h i gh pr inc ip les o fch iva l r y . " A ju s t w a r , " h e obs e r ved , " i s o f ten r en de r edwick ed a nd d i s a s t r ous b y t h e m an ne r i n wh ich i t i s cond uc t ed ifor th e r igh teo usn ess of th e cause i s no t suff ic ient to s an ct io nth e p r of li gacy o f t h e m e a n s ; and t h e w an t o f o r de r and s ub o r d ina t i on am ong t h e t r oops m ay b r ing r u in and d i s g race up on




th e be s t co nc e r t ed ' p l a ns . " B u t we canno t des c r i be t h ec h a r a c t e r a n d c o n d u c t o f t h i s r e n o w n e d c o m m a n d e r i n m o r ef o rc ib l e langu age t h a n t h a t o f F r a y A n to n io Ag ap ida , ex cep t ing tha t the p ious f a ther p laces , in the fo reground of h i s•v i r tues , h i s ha t red of the Moors .

" T h e C ou n t de , T en d i l l a ," s ays he , " w a s a m i r r o r ofC h r i s t i an kn ig h t ho od : wa t ch fu l , abs t emious , cha s t e , devou t ,an d tho rou gh ly filled w i th th e sp i r i t o f t h e cause . H e l a boured incessan t ly and s t r enuous ly fo r the g lory of the f a i th ,a n d the p ro spe r i ty o f th e i r m os t Ca tho l ic majes t i es ; an d ,above a l l , he ha ted the in f ide l s wi th a pure and ho ly ha t red .Th is w or th y cava l ie r d i scounten anced a l l id leness , r io t ing ,cham ber ing , and w an to nne s s am ong h i s s o ld ie r s . H e ke p t

t hem cons t an t l y t o t he exe r c i s e o f a r ms , mak ing t hem ad r o i tin the use o f the i r weapons and management o f the i r s t eeds ,a n d pro m pt for the fie ld , a t a m om ent ' s no t i ce . H e p erm i t t e dno sound of lu te , or harp , or song, or o ther loose mins t re lsy ,to be he ar d in h i s fo r t r e s s ; deb auc hing the ear and sof ten ingthe va lour o f the so ld ie r : no o ther mus ic was a l lowed bu t thewho le s ome r o l l i ng o f t he d r ums and b r ay ing o f t he t r umpe t ,and such l ike sp i r i t - s t i r r ing ins t ruments , as f i l l the mind wi thth ou gh t s of i r on w ar . A l l w and e r ing mins t r e l s , s ha r p ing

ped l e r s , s t u r dy t r u l l s , and o the r camp t r umper y , we r e o r de r edto pack up t hen - baggage , and wer e d r ummed ou t o f t he ga t e sof A lham a. I n p lace of such rab b le , he in t rod uce d a t r a inof ho ly f r ia r s , to insp i r i t h i s people b y exho r ta t ion an d pr ay er ,an d chora l ch an t in g ; a nd t o sp ur th em on to fight th e goo dfight of fa i th . A l l gam es of cha nce we re pro hib i ted , ex ce ptt h e g ame of w a r : and th i s he l abour ed , by v ig il ance a ndvigou r , to r ed uc e to a gam e of ce r ta in ty . H ea ve n sm i ledu p o n th e effor ts of th is r igh teo us cava l ier . H is m en bec am e

sold ie r s a t a l l po in t s , an d t e r ro r to th e Mo ors . Th e goodcount never se t fo r th on a r avage wi thout observ ing the r i t esof confess ion, absolut ion, and communion, and obl iging hisfo llowers to do th e sam e. T he i r ba nn ers w ere b les sed b y th eho ly , f ri a rs w hom h e m a in t a ined i n A lh am a ; and , i n t h i s w ay ,success was secured to h i s a rms ; and he was enab led to l aywas t e t he l and o f t he hea then .

" The for t r es s o f Alhama," con t inues Fray Anton io Agapida ,•"ove r looked , f rom i ts lof ty s i te , a gre at p a r t of th e fer t i levega , wa t e r ed b y t he C az in and t h e X en i l . F r o m th i s h emade f requent sa l l i es , sweeping away the f locks and herdsf rom th e pa s tu re , th e l abo urer f rom th e fie ld , an d th e conv oyf rom t h e ro a d ; so th a t i t was sa id b y th e M oo rs , th a t a be e t l ecould no t c rawl across the vega wi thout be ing seen by CountT end i l l a . T h e pea s an t r y , t he r e f o r e , w e r e fa in t o be t ak e t hem se lves to w atch tow ers and fort if ied ham le t s w he re th ey sh u t

H




Tip t he i r ca t t l e , ga r ne r ed t he i r co r n , and s he l t e r ed t he i r w iv esa n d c h i l d re n . E v e n t h e r e t h e y w e r e n o t s a f e : t h e c o u n tw ou ld s t o r m the s e r u s t i c f o r t r e ss e s w i th f ire a nd s w o r d ;m ak e cap t ives of t he i r i n h ab i t a n t s ; c a r r y off t h e co r n , t h eoil , t he s i l k s , and ca t t l e ; and l eave t he r u in s b l az ing and

s mok ing , w i th in t he ve r y s i gh t o f Gr anada ." I t w as a p leas ing an d re f resh ing s ig h t , " con t inues th e

good fa the r , " to be ho ld the piou s k n ig h t an d his fo llowersre turn ing f rom one of these c rusades , l eav ing the r i ch l and ofth e in f ide l in sm oking deso la t ion be h in d th em . T o beh oldthe long l ine o f mules and as ses , l aden wi th the p lunder o f theG ent i l es , the ho s t s o f cap tive M oo rs , m en , wo m en, an d c h i l d r en ; d r oves o f s t u r dy beeves , l owing k ine , and b l ea t i ngs h e e p ; a l l w ind ing u p th e s t eep acc l iv i ty to th e g a tes o fA lha m a, p r ic ke d on b y th e Catho l ic so ld ie ry . H is gar r i so nthus th r ived on the fa t o f the l and and the spo i l o f theinf ide l : nor was he unmmdful o f the p ious f a ther s , whoseb les s ings c rown ed h i s en te rpr i ses w i th s uc ce ss ; a l a rgo p or t io n of th e spo il wa s a lways ded ica ted to th e chu rch , and t h egood f r i a r s were ever r eady a t the ga tes to ha i l h im on h i sr e tu r n , and r ece ive t h e s ha r e a l l o tt ed t o t he m . B es ides t he s ea l lo tm ents , h e m ad e m an y vo t ive o ffer ings, e i ther in t im e ofpe r i l o r on th e eve of a fo ra y ; a nd th e chape l s o f A lh am awere resp lendent wi th cha l i ces , c rosses , and o ther p rec iousgif ts , made by th i s Ca tho l ic cava l i e r . "

T hus e loquen t l y does t he vene r ab l e F r ay An ton io Agap idad i l a t e i n p r a i s e o f t h e good C ou n t de T e nd i l l a ; and o t he rh i s to r ia ns o f eq ua l vera c i ty b u t les s unc t ion , agree in p ro no un c in g h i m one of th e ab les t o f Sp anish gen era l s . So t e r r ib le ,in f ac t, d id he becom e in th e l and , th a t th e M oo r i sh pe as an t rycou ld no t ven tu r e a l eag ue fr om G r an ad a o r L ox a , t o l a bo ur

in t h e f ie lds, wi th ou t per i l o f be ing car r i ed in to cap t iv i ty .T h e p eo p le of G r a n a d a c l am o u r e d a g a i n s t M u l e y A b e n H a s s a nfor suf fe r ing h i s l ands to be th u s ou t rag ed an d insu l t ed , a n ddemanded t o have t h i s bo ld mar aude r s hu t up i n h i s f o r t r e s s .T h e o l d m o n a r c h w a s r o u s e d b y t h e i r r e m o n s t r a n c e s . a H esen t fo r th power fu l t roops of horse to p ro tec t the count rydu r ing t he s eas on t ha t t he hu s ba nd m en w er e ab r oa d in t h ef ie lds . Th ese t roop s pat ro l led , in form idable sq ua dro ns , inthe ne ighbour hood o f A lhama , keep ing s t r i c t wa t ch upon i t s

g a t e s , so th a t i t w as imposs ib le fo r th e Ch r i s t i ans to m ak e as a l l y , w i thou t be ing s een and i n t e r r up t ed ."While A lha m a was th us b loc kad ed b y a rov in g force o f

M oo r i s h cava l r y , t he i nh ab i t an t s w er e awake ned one n ig h tb y a t r em en do us c rash , th a t shook th e fo r t r es s to i t s founda t ions . T h e gar r i son f lew to a rm s , suppo s ing i t some as s au l t o f t h e enem y . T he a l a r m p r ov ed t o have been caus ed




by t he r u p tu r e o f a p o r t i on of t h e wa l l, wh ich , u nd e r m ine db y hea vy r a in s , h a d s udden ly g iven w ay , l e av ing a l a r gecha sm ya w ni ng towards th e pla in .

T he Co unt de Te ndi l l a w as for a t i m e in g r ea t an x ie ty .

Sho u ld t h i s b r e ach b e d i scove red by t h e b lockad ing ho r s em en ,t h e y w o u l d a ro u s e t h e c o u n t r y . G r a n a d a a n d L o x a w o u l dpour ou t an overwhelming force , and they would f ind h i s wal l srea dy sappe d for an as sau l t . I n th i s f ear fu l em ergen cy , th ecou nt d i sp layed h i s no ted t a le n t fo r exp edien t s . H e ord ere da quant i ty of l inen c loth to be s t re tched in f ront of the breach,pa in t ed i n imi t a t i on o f s t one , and i nden t ed wi th ba t t l emen t s ,so as , a t a d is tance, to resemble the other par ts of the wal ls .B eh in d t h i s s c reen he employed wo r kme n , day and n igh t , i n

r epa i r i ng t he f r ac tu r e . N o one was pe r m i t t ed t o l eave t h efor t ress , les t inform at ion of i t s defenceless p l ig ht sho uld b ecar r i ed to th e ffioors. L ig h t squ ad rons of th e en em y w er es een hov e r ing abou t t h e p l a in , b u t none app r oached n ea renough to d i scover the decep t ion ; and thus , in the course o fa f ew days , the wal l was rebu i l t s t ronger than before .

T he r e was ano the r exped i en t o f t h i s s h r ewd ve t e r an , wh ichg r e a t l y exc i t es t h e mar v e l o f Aga p ida . " I t hap pe ned , " heobserves , " th a t th i s Ca tho l ic cava l ie r a t one t ime was de s t i t u t e

of go ld an d si lver , w he rew i th to p ay the wag es o f h i s t r o o p s ;an d t h e s o ld i er s m ur m ur ed g r ea t l y , s ee ing t h a t t he y had no tth e m ea ns of purc has in g necessaries f rom th e people o f th e tow n.I n t h i s d i l emma , wha t does t h i s mos t s agac ious commander ?H e tak es h im a n um be r o f l i t t le mo rse l s o f pap er , on w hic hh e inscr ibes var ious sum s , l a rg e and smal l , accord ing to th en a t u re o f th e case , an d s igns th e m w i th h i s own ha n d an dna m e. Th ese d id he g ive to the so ld ie ry , in ea rne s t o f th e i rpa y . H o w yo u wi l l s ay , a re so ld ie r s to be pa id w i th sc raps

o f pape r ? E v e n so , I an sw er , a nd w el l pa id too, as I wi l lp resen t ly make mani fes t : fo r the good count i s sued a p roc la m a t ion , o r de r ing t he i nhab i t an t s of A lham a to t ak e t hes em orse l s o f pa pe r for th e ful l am ou nt th ere on inscr ibed , p r omis ing to r edeem them, a t a fu ture t ime , wi th s i lver and go ld ,an d t h r e a t en ing s eve re pun i s hm en t t o a ll wh o s hou ld r e f us e.The people , hav ing fu l l conf idence in h i s words , and t rus t ing ,tha t he would be as wi l l ing to per form the one promise , as hecer ta in ly was ab le to per form th e o ther , took thes e cur iousmorse l s o f paper wi thout hes i t a t ion or demur .

" Thus , by a sub t le and mos t mi racu lous k ind of a lchymy,d id th i s Ca tho l ic cava l i e r tu rn w or th les s pa pe r in to p rec iou sgo ld , and make h i s l a t e impove r i s hed ga r r i s on abound i nm o n e y . "

I t is b u t j u s t t o add , t h a t t he C oun t de T end i l l a r ed ee m edhis p rom ises l ike a loya l k n ig h t ; and th i s mi rac le , as i t ap -

H 2



1 0 0 H I S T O B T O F

pe ar ed in th e eyes o f F r a y A nto n io Ag apida , i s th e first in s t ance on r eco r d o f pap e r m oney , w h ich has s ince i nu nd a t e dthe c iv i l i zed wor ld wi th unbounded opu l ence .

C H A P T E R X X V I I .

F O R A Y O F C H R I S T I A N K N I G H T S I N T O T H E T E R R I T O R I E S O F T H EMOOES .

T H E Span i s h cava l i e r s , who had s u r v ived t he memor ab l emas s ac r e among t he moun ta in s o f M a laga , a l t hough t hey hadr epe a t ed ly avenged t he d ea th o f t he i r compan ions , ye t cou ldno t fo rge t th e ho r ro r an d hum i l i a t ion of the i r defea t . N o th in gw ould sa ti sfy th em b u t to un de r ta ke a second expe di t ion ofth e k ind , to ca r ry f ire an d swo rd th ro ug ho ut a wid e p ar t o fthe Moor i sh t e r r i to r i es , and to l eave a l l those reg ions , whichh ad t r i u m ph ed i n t he i r d i s a s te r , a b l ack a nd bu r n ing mo num en t o f t he i r venge ance . T h e i r w i s hes acco r ded w i th t h epol icy of the k ing , who des i red to l ay was te the count ry , anddes t roy the resources , o f the enemy; every as s i s t ance wasthere fore g iven , to p romote and accompl i sh the i r en te rpr i se .

I n th e spr ing of 1484 , th e anc ien t c i ty o f A nte qu era aga inr e s ou nde d w i th a r m s . N um be r s o f t h e same cava l ie r s, whoh a d as semb led th er e so ga i ly th e p re ced ing ye ar , aga in cam ew hee l ing in to the ga tes , w i th th e i r s t ee led an d sh in ing wa r r io r s ,b u t w i th a m or e da r k a nd s o l emn b r ow tha n on t h a t d i s a s t r ousoc cas ion ; fo r th ey ha d the reco l lec tion of the i r s l au gh te re df r i ends presen t to the i r minds , whose dea ths they were toavenge .

I n a l i t t le wh i le th e re w as a chosen force of s ix th o u sa n dho r s e an d twe lve t ho us a nd foot a s s embled in A n teq ue r a , m an yof them the very f lower of Spanish chival ry , t roops of thees tab l i shed mi l i t a ry a nd xe l ig ious o rde r s , an d of th e H o lyB r o t h e r h o o d .

E ve r y p r ecau t i on had been t aken t o p r ov ide t h i s a r myw it h a l l th in gs needful for i t s exte ns ive an d per i lo us inr oa d.Numer ous s u r geons accompan ied i t , who wer e t o a t t end upona l l the s i ck and wounded , wi thout charge , be ing pa id fo r the i r

se rv ices b y th e que en . I sa be l l a a l so , in he r con s idera tehumani ty , p rov ided s ix spac ious t en t s , fu rn i shed wi th beds ,an d a l l th in gs r equ i s i t e for th e w ou nd ed an d in fi rm. Th es econ t inue d to be use d in a l l g re a t expedi t ions th ro ug ho ut the-w ar , an d w er e ca ll ed t he Qu een ' s H os p i t a l . T he w or th yf a the r , F r a y A n ton io Agap ida , va un t s t h i s ben igna n t p r ov i s ionof th e que en, as th e firs t in t ro du ct io n of a re gu la r c am phosp i ta l in campaign ing se rv ice .




T h us tho ro ug hly pre pa red , th e cava l ie r s i ssued for th fromA nte qu e r a i n s p lend id and t e r r i b l e a r r ay , b u t w i th l e ss ex u l t i ngconfidence an d va un t ing os ten ta t ion t h a n on then," fo rm erfo ra y : an d th i s w as the o rde r o f th e a rm y.

Don Alonzo de Agu i l a r l ed t he advance - gua r d , accompan iedby D o n Dieg o F e r n an de z de C or dova , a l cayde de lo s Do nze l e s ,a n d L u i z F e r n a n d e z P u e r t o C a r r e r o , C o u n t o f P a l m a , w i t hthe i r hous eh o ld t r oops . T h ey w er e f ol lowed b y J u a n deM er lo , J u a n de Alm ar a , and C a r lo s de B iezman , o f t h e H o lyB r o the r hood , w i th t he men- a t - a r ms o f t he i r cap t a inc i e s .

T he s econd ba t t a l i on was com ma nded b y t h e M ar q u i s o fCadiz and the mas te r o f San t iago , wi th the cava l i e r s o fSan t i ago , and t h e t r oops o f t he hous e of Po nce L e o n : w i ththe se a l so w en t th e sen ior com m and er o f Ca la t rav a , and th eknigh t s o f tha t o rder , and var ious o ther cava l i e r s and the i rr e t a ine r s .

T h e r igh t w ing of th i s s econd ba t t a l ion w as l ed b y G onsa lvode Cordova , a f t e rwards r en ow ned as g r an d cap ta in o f S p a in :th e l ef t wing , by D iego L ope z de Av i la . T he y w ere accompanied by severa l cava l i e r s , and cer ta in cap ta ins o f the HolyB r o t h e r h o o d , w i t h t h e i r m e n - a t - a r m s .

T he Duke o f M ed ina S idon i a and t he C oun t de C abr a comm a n d e d th e th i r d b at ta l ion , w- ith the . t roo ps of then." resp ec t ivehous e s . T h ey w er e accompan ied b y o the r com m ander s o fn o t e , wi th the i r fo rces .

T h e r e a r g u a r d w a s b r o u g h t u p b y t h e s e n io r c o m m a n d e rand kn igh t s o f Alcan ta ra , fo l lowed by the Andalus ian ch iva l ry ,f r om Xer ez , E c i j a , and C a r mona .

Such was the a rmy tha t i s sued for th f rom the ga tes o fAn teque r a on one o f t he mos t ex t ens ive tolas or devas t a t i ng

in r oad s , t h a t eve r l a i d w as t e t he k ingdo m o f G r an ad a .T he a r my en t e r ed t he M oor i s h t e r r i t o r y by t he way o fAlora , des t roy ing a l l the corn- f i e lds , v ineyards and orchards ,an d p lan ta t ion s o f o l ives , ro un d th a t c i ty . I t th en proce ede dth ro u g h th e r i ch va l l eys an d fe r ti le up land s of Coin , Caz ara-bonc la , Ahnexia , and Car tama, and in t en days a l l thosefe r t il e r eg ions w ere a sm okin g an d f r igh t fu l dese r t . F r o mhe nc e i t pu r su ed i t s s low an d des t ruc t ive course , l ike th e s t r e amof l ava of a vo lcano , th rough the reg ions o f Pupiana and

Alhendin , and so on to the vega of Malaga , l ay ing was te thegroves of o l ives and a lmonds , and the f ie lds of gra in , andde s t roy ing eve ry gree n th in g . T he M oo rs o f some of tho seplac es in ter ce de d in vain for th ei r grov es an d fie lds, of fer ingto de l iver u p the i r Ch r i s t i an cap t ives . O ne p ar t o f th e a rm yb lockad ed t he t own s , wh i l e t h e o the r r ava ged t h e s u r r o un d in gcou n t r y . Som e t imes t h e M oo r s s a ll ied f o r t h des pe r a t e ly t ode f end t he i r p r o pe r ty , b u t we r e d r iven b ack t o t he i r g a t e s




with , s l au gh te r ; an d the i r su bu rb s p i l laged an d b u rn t . I t w asan awfu l spec tac le a t n ig h t to beho ld th e vo lum es of b lacksmoke , mingled wi th lu r id f l ames , tha t rose f rom the burn ings ub ur b s , an d t h e wo m en o n t he wa l l s of t h e t own , w r ing ing

th e i r ha nd s , and shr iek ing a t th e deso la tion of the i r dw el l ings .T he des t roy in g a rm y, on a r r iv in g a t the sea coast , found

vessels ly in g off sho re , lad en wi th a l l k in ds of provis ions a n dm un i t ions fo r i t s use , w hich h ad be en sen t f rom Sevi ll e an dX er ez . I t w as th us enab led to con t inu e i t s deso la t ing career .A dvan c ing t o t he ne igh bou r hood o f M a laga , i t was b r av e lyassa i led b y th e M oo rs of th a t c i ty , an d th er e w as severesMrmish ing for a whole day : bu t whi le the main par t o f thea r my encoun t e r ed t he enemy , t he r e s t r avaged t he who levega , an d de s t ro ye d a ll the , m i l l s . A s th e objec t of th e expe d i t ion was no t to cap ture p laces bu t mere ly to burn , r avage ,an d des t roy , th e hos t , s a ti sf ied w i th th e misch ie f th ey h addone i n t he vega , t u r ned t he i r backs upon M alaga , and aga inen t e r ed t h e mo un ta in s . T h ey pas s ed by C o in , and t h r o u ghthe r eg ions o f A l l agagna , and Ga t e r o , and Alhamin ; a l lw hic h w ere l ikewise deso la ted . I n th i s -way d id th ey m ak ethe c i r cu i t o f tha t cha in of r i ch and verdan t va l l eys , the g loryof those m ou nta ins , an d th e p r id e and d e l igh t of th e M oo rs .F o r fo r ty day s d id the y con t inue on l ike a consu m ing f i re ,l eav ing a sm oking an d how l ing w as te to m ar k the i r course ,un t i l , w ea ry w i th the w ork of des t ruc t ion , an d hav ing fu l lysa te d th e i r r eve ng e for th e massac re o f th e A xarq uia , th e yr e tu r ned i n t r i umph to t he meadows o f An teque r a .

I n t h e m o n t h of J u n o , K i n g F e r d i n a n d t o o k c o m m a n d i npe rson of th i s des t ruc t iv e a rm y. H e increase d i t s fo rce ;a n d h e ad de d to i t s m ea ns of mischief sev eral Lombards, an d

o the r heavy a r t i l l e r y , i n t ended f o r t he ba t t e r i ng o f t owns , andm a n a g e d b y e n g i n e er s f ro m F r a n c e a n d G e r m a n y . W i t hthe se th e M ar q ui s ' o f Cadiz as sured th e k in g h e w ould soonb e ab le to r ed uce th e M oo r i sh fo r t r es ses . Th ey w ere on lycalcu la ted for defence ag ains t th e eng ines ancie nt ly us ed inw ar f a r e . T h e i r wa l ls and t ower s we r e h ig h and t h in , depe nding on the i r ro ug h an d roc ky s i tua t ions . T he s tone an d i ro nba l l s t hu nd e r e d from th e l om bar ds , wo u ld s oon t um ble t h emin ru ins upon the heads o f the i r defenders .

The fa te o f Alora speed i ly p roved the t ru th o f th i s op in ion .I t w as s t r ong ly pos t ed on a r ock w as he d by a r i ve r . T h ear t i l l e ry soon b a t t e re d dow n tw o of th e towe rs an d a p a r t o ft h e wa l l . T he M oor s w er e t h r ow n in to cons t e r na t i on a t t h eveh em enc e of th e as sau l t , an d th e e ffect o f those t r em en do useng ines upo n t he i r va un t ed bu lw ar ks . T he r oa r in g o f t h e

' a r t i l l e ry an d the tu m bl i ng of the wal l s t e r r i f ied th e wom en,w ho b ese t th e a lcayd e w i th voc i fe rous sup pl ica t ions to sur -




* Cura (lo los Palacios.

T e n d e r . T he p lace w as g iven u p on the 20 th of Ju n e , on cond i t ion th a t th e inh ab i tan t s m ig ht dep ar t wi th the i r e ffec ts .T he peop l e o f M a laga , a s ye t unacqua in t ed wi th t he power o f

th i s ba t t e r in g ordn ance , w ere so incen sed a t those of Alo ra .f o r w h a t t h e y ' c o n s i d e r e d a t a m e s u r r e n d e r , t h a t t h e y w o u l dno t admi t t hem in to t he i r c i t y .

A s imi la r f a te a t t e nd ed th e tow n of Se ten i l , bu i l t o n a l o f t y

r ock , and e s teem ed imp r egnab l e . M a n y t imes ha d i t bee nbes i eged , unde r f o r mer C hr i s t i an l ongs , bu t neve r had i t b e e n

t ak en . E v e n now, fo r s eve r a l day s , t h e a r t i l l e r y was d i r ec t edag a ins t i t w i tho ut e f fec t; an d m an y of th e cava l ie r s m u r mured a t the Marquis o f Cadiz , fo r hav ing counse l l ed the

long t o a t t ack t h i s unconque r ab l e p l ace .*On the s ame n igh t t ha t t he s e r ep r oaches wer e u t t e r ed , t hemar qu i s d i r ec t ed t he a r t i l l e r y himself. H e l eve ll ed t h e l om -b ar d s a t th e bo t to m of th e wa l l s, an d a t th e ga te s . I n a l i t t l ewh i l e t h e ga t e s w er e ba t t e r ed t o p i e ce s ; a g r ea t b r e ach waseffected in the w al ls ; an d th e M oo rs w er e fa in to ca pi tu la te .T wen ty - f ou r C hr i s t i an cap t i ves , who had been t aken i n t hedefea t o f th e m ou nta in s o f M alag a , we re r escu ed f rom th edungeons of th i s fo r t r es s , and ha i l ed the Marquis o f Cadiza s the i r de l ivere r .

N eed les s i s i t to m en t ion th e c ap ture o f var io us o th erp l aces , wh ich s u r r ende r ed wi thou t wa i t i ng t o be a t t acked .T he M oor s had a lways s hown g r ea t b r ave r y and pe r s eve r ancei n de f end ing t he i r t owns ; t hey wer e f o r midab l e i n t he i rs a l li e s an d s k i r mi s hes , and pa t i e n t i n end ur ing h un ge r a n dt h i r s t w h e n b e s i e g e d : b u t t h i s t e r r ib l e o r d n a n c e , w h i c h d e m ol i shed the i r wa l l s w i th such ease an d rap id i ty , o verw helm edt h e m w i th confus ion an d d i smay, a nd re nd ere d va in a l l r e

s i s t ance . K in g E e r d ina nd was so s t r uck wi th t h e e ffect o ft h i s a r t i l l e r y , t ha t he o r de r ed t he number o f l ombar ds t o b ei n c r e a s e d ; a n d t h e s e p o t e n t e n g in e s h a d h e n c e f o r t h a g r ea tinf luence on th e for tun es of th e w ar .

The l as t opera t ion of th i s year , so d i sas t rous to the Moors ,was an i n r oad by King Fe r d inand , i n t he l a t t e r pa r t o f s ummer , i n to t he vega ; i n wh ich he r avaged t he coun t r y , bu r nedtwo v i l l l ages near to Granada , and des t royed the mi l l s c lose to

the very ga tes o f the c i ty .O l d M u l e y A b e n H a s s a n wa3 o v e r w h e l m e d w i t h d i s m a ya t t h i s d e s o l a t i on ; wh ich , du r ing t h e who le yea r , h a d b e e n

r a g i n g t h r o u g h o u t M s t e r r i to r i e s , a n d h a d n o w r e a c h e d t oth e wa l ls of h is cap i ta l . H is f ierce spi r i t w as b ro k e n b y inf i r m i ty : he o ffered to pu rcha se a pe ace , an d to ho ld M s c row na s a t r i b u t a r y vas s a l. F e r d i na nd wo u ld l i st en t o no p r o po -




s i t i ons ; t he abs o lu t e conques t o f Gr anada was t be g r ea tob j ec t o f t he w a r ; an d he was r e s o lved nev e r t o r e s t co n t e n tw i th ou t i t s com ple te fu lf ilment. H av in g supp l ied an d

s t r e ng the ne d t h e ga r r i s ons of t he p l aces he ha d t ak en i n t h eh e a r t o f t h e M oor i s h t e r r i t o r i e s , he en jo ined t he i r co m m ande r sto r en de r ev e r y a s s is t ance t o t h e yo un g M oor i s h k ing , i nth e c iv i l w ar aga ins t h i s f a ther . H e th en re tu rn ed w i th h i sa r m y to Cordova , in g re a t t r iu m p h ; c los ing a se r ies o f r a vag ing campa igns , t ha t had f i l l ed t he k ingdom o f Gr anadawi th g r ie f and cons te rna t ion .

ATTEMPT OF EL ZAGAL TO S URPRIS E BOABDIL IN ALMEEIA.

D U R I N G th i s y ea r o f sor row and d i sas te r to th e M oo rs , t h eyounge r k ing B oabd i l , mos t t r u ly ca l l ed t he un f o r tuna t e , he lda d imin i shed and feeb le cour t in the mar i t ime c i ty o f Almer ia .He r e t a ined l i t t l e mor e t han t he name o f k ing ; and was s up

po r t ed , i n even t h e s hadow o f r oy a l t y , by t he coun t enan cea n d t r ea sur es o f th e Cas t i l i an sovere igns . S t i l l he t ru s te d ,tha t , in the f luc tua t ion of even t s , the incons tan t na t ion mightonce mor e r e tu r n t o h i s s t anda r d , and r ep l ace h im on t heth r one o f t he Alhambr a .

H i s m o the r , t he h igh - s p i r i ted s u l t ana A yxa , l a H or r a , en de av ou red to rous e h i m f rom th i s pass ive s t a te . " I t i s afeeb le m in d , " sa id she , " th a t w ai t s fo r th e tu rn of fo r tu ne ' swhee l ; the b rave mind se izes upon i t , and tu rns i t to i t s pur

po se . T ak e th e f ie ld , an d yo u m ay dr ive da ng er before y o u ;remain cower ing a t home, and i t bes ieges you in your dwel l i ng . B y a bo ld en t e r p r i se , yo u m ay r ega in yo u r s p l end idth ro n e in G ra n a d a ; by pass ive fo rbearance , yo u wi l l fo rfe iteven t h i s mi s e r ab l e t h r one i n A lmer i a . "

Boabdi l had not the force of soul to fol low these courageousco un s e l s ; and i n a l i tt l e t ime t he ev il s h i s m o th e r ha d p r e dic ted fe l l upon him.

O ld M ul ey A be n H as s an was a lmos t ex t i ngu i s hed by agean d in f i rmi ty . H e h a d ne ar ly los t h i s s igh t , an d wa s comp l e t e l y b e d r i d d e n . H i s b r o t h e r A b d a l l a , s u r n a m e d E l Z a g a l ,o r " t h e va l i an t , " t h e s am e wh o h ad a s si st ed i n t h e mas s ac r eo f t he Span i s h ch iva l r y among t he moun ta in s o f M a laga , wascommander - in -ch ie f o f the Moor i sh a rmies , and gradua l ly tookup on h imse l f m os t o f th e cares o f sove re ign ty . A m on g o the r

qu a r r e l w i th h i s s o n ; and h e p r os e cu t ed i t w i th s uc h vehe-

C H A P T E R X X V H I .

th ings , he was par t i cu la r ly zea lous L h i s b r o t h e r ' s



TH E CONQUEST ОЕ GEANADA . 1 0 5

men c e t h a t m a n y affirmed t h e r e w as s ome th i ng mo r e t h a n f r a t e rna l s ymp a t h y a t t h e bo t t om of h is zea l .

T h e disas te r s a n d disgraces inf l icted on t h e coun t r y b y t h e Chr i s t i ans du r i n g t h i s y e a r h a d wound e d t h e na t i ona l feel ings of t h e people of A lme r i a ; an d m a n y h a d felt i n d i g n an t t h a t Boabchl shou ld r ema i n pass ive a t s uch a t i m e ; or r a t h e r , should, appea r to m a k e a common cause w i t h t h e en emy . H i s unc l e Abda l l a d i hgen t l y f omen ted t h i s feel ing b y h is ag en t s . T h e s ame a r t s we r e mad e u s e of t h a t h a d b e e n successful in Gr a n a d a . Boabd i l w as secre t ly b u t ac t ive ly denounced b y t h e alfaquis as an apos ta te , l e agued wi t h t h e Chr i s t i ans aga i n s t h is coun t r y an d his ea r ly fa i th . Th e affections of t h e popu -lace and soldiery we r e g r adua l l y a l i ena ted from h im , an d a deep conspi racy conce r t ed for h is des t ruc t i on . I n t h e m o n t h of F e b r u a r y , 1485, E l Zaga l s udden l y appea r ed before Alme r i a a t t h e h e a d of a t r oop of hor s e . T h e alfaquis we r e p r ep a r e d for h is ar r iva l , and t h e ga t e s we r e t h r own open to h im . H e en t e r e d wi t h h is band , an d gal loped t o t h e c i t ade l . T h e a l cayde wou ld h a v e mad e r e s i s t a n c e ; b u t t h e gar r i son p u t h im to dea t h , an d r ece ived E l Zag a l wi t h acc lamat ions . E I Z a g a l r u s h e d t h r o u g h t h e ap a r tmen t s of t h e alcazar , b u t h e s ough t in vain for Boabchl . H e found t h e su l t ana A y x a la H o r r a in one of t h e saloons , wi t h Ben Ahage t e , a young e r b r o t h e r of t h e mona r ch , a va l i an t Abence r r age , a nd s eve r a l a t t e nd an t s , w ho ra l l ied r o u n d t h em t o p r o t e e t t h em . W h e r e is t h e t r a i t o r Boabd i l P exc l a imed E l Zaga l . I know no t r a i t o r mo r e perf idious t h a n thyself exc la imed t h e i n t r ep i d s u l t a n a : a n d I t r u s t m y son is in safety, t o t a k e 4v e n g e a n c e on t h y t r e a s on . Th e r age of E l Zag a l was wi t hou t bound s , w h e n h e l e a r ned t h a t h is i n t e nd ed vict im h a d escaped . I n h is fury h e slew t h e pr ince B en A h a g e t e ; an d h is fol lowers fell upon a n d mas s ac r ed t h e Abenc e r r a g e a n d a t t e nd an t s . A s t o t h e p r o u d su l t ana , she was bo rne away pr i sone r , an d l oaded w i t h r ev i l ings , as hav i ng uphe l d h e r son in h is r ebe l l ion , an d f omen ted a civil wa r .

T h e un fo r t una t e Boabd i l h a d b e e n appr i zed of h is d a n g e r b y a fai thful soldier , j u s t in t ime to m a k e h is escape . Th r ow -in g himsel f on one of t h e f leetest hor s es of h is s tab les , an d fol lowed by a handfu l of adhe r en t s , h e h a d gal loped , in t h e confusion, ou t of t h e ga t e s of Almer i a . Severa l of t h e cava l ry of E l Zaga l , w ho we r e s t a t i oned wi t hou t t h e walls , pe r ce i v ed h is flight, an d a t t emp t e d t o pu r s u e h im . Then 1 ho r s e s we r e j a d e d wi t h t r ave l , a n d h e soon left t h em fa r b e h i n d . B u t w h i t h e r w as h e t o fly ? E v e r y for t ress a nd cast le in t h e k i ng -dom w as closed aga i n s t h im . H e kn ew n o t w hom amo n g t h e Moo r s t o t r u s t ; for t h e y h a d be en t a u g h t t o de t e s t h im , as a t r a i t o r a n d an apos t a t e . H e h a d no a l t e rna t i ve b u t t o s eek



1 0 6 H I S T O R Y O F

r e f uge am ong t h e C hr i s t ians , h i s he r ed i t a r y enemies . W i tha hea vy he a r t , he t u r ne d h i s ho r s e ' s he ad t ow ar ds C or dova .H e h a d to lu rk , l ike a fug i tive , th ro u gh a p ar t o f h i s o w ndo m in io ns ; no r d id he fee l h imse l f s ecure un t i l he had pass ed

th e fr on t ie r , and behe ld t h e m ou n ta in ba r r i e r of h i s co un t r ytow er in g beh ind h im . T h en i t was t h a t he becam e consc iousof h i s h ivmi li a ting s ta te : a fug it ive f rom h i s t h ro n e ; an ou t ca s t f rom h i s n a t i o n ; a k ing w i thou t a k ingdo m . H e s mo teh i s b r ea s t in a n agon y of grief. " E v i l i nde ed , " exc l a imedh e , " was t he day of m y b i r t h ; an d t r u ly wa s I na m ed E lZ o g o y b i , t h e u n l u c k y "

H e en t e r ed t he g a t e s of C or dova w i th dow ncas t co un t ena nce ,a n d w i t h a t r a i n of only for ty fol lowers . T h e sovereigns w er e

a b s e n t ; b u t t h e cava li er s o f An da lus i a man i f e st ed t h a t s ym p a t hy i n t he mi s f o r tunes o f t h e m ona r ch , t h a t becomes m enof lof ty an d ch iva l rous sou l s . T he y rece ived h i m w i th g r ea td i s t inc t i on , a t t en ded h im w i th t h e u tm os t c ou r t e s y ; a nd h ewas honour ab ly en t e r t a ined by t he c iv i l and mi l i t a r y commanders o f tha t anc ien t c i ty .

I n t h e m ean t ime , E l Z a ga l p u t a new a l cayde ove r A lm er i a ,t o gove r n i n t h e na m e o f b i s b r o th e r ; and , hav ing s t r ong lyga r r i s oned t he p l ace , he r epa i r ed t o M a laga , whe r e an a t t ack

o f t he C hr i s ti ans w as app r ehen ded . T h e yo un g m on ar c hbe ing dr iven ou t o f th e l and , an d th e o ld m on arc h b l ind a n dbed r idden , E l Z aga l , a t t he head o f t he a r mies , was v i r t ua l l yth e s ove r e ign o f G r ana da . T he peop le w er e p l ea s ed w i thha vin g a new ido l to look u p to , a nd a new n am e to sho utfo r t h ; an d E l Z ag a l w as ha i l ed wi th acc lamat ions, , a s the m ai nhope of the na t ion .

C H A P T E R X X I X .H O W K I N G F E R D I N A N D C O M M E N C E D A N O T H E R C A M P A IG N

A G A I N S T T H E M O O R S , A N D H O W H E L A I D S I E G E TO C O I N

A N D C A R T A M A .

T H E g rea t e f fec t o f the ba t t e r ing ordnance , in demol i sh ing theM oor i s h f o r t r e s s e s , i n t he p r eced ing yea r , i nduced XingE e r d in an d t o p r ocu r e a power f u l t r a m f o r t he cam pa ign o f

1485 , in th e c ourse of w hic h he resolve d to assaul t som e of th em os t fo rmidable ho lds o f th e enem y. A n a r m y of n ine th ou s and cava l r y and twen ty t hous and i n f an t r y a s s embled a tCordo va ear ly in th e spr ing , an d th e k ing too k t h e f ie ld ont h e 5 th o f A pr i l . I t had be en de te rm ined , in secre t counc i l ,t o a t t ack t he c i t y o f M a laga , t ha t anc i en t and impor t an t s ea -

or t , on which Granada depended for fo re ign a id and suppl ies ,t was thought p roper p rev ious ly , however , to ge t possess ion



T H E C O N Q U E S T O E G - H A N A D A . iorof var ious towns and for t r es ses in t l i e va l l eys o f San ta Mar iaand C ar t ama , t h r ough wh ich pas s t he r oads t o M a laga .

T h e first p lace assa i led was th e to w n of B en am aq ue x . I t .h ad sub m i t t ed to th e Catho l ic sovere igns in th e p re ce d in g

yea r , b u t ha d s ince r enou nced it s a l leg i ance . K in g F e r d i nand was en r aged a t t he r ebe l l i on o f t he i nhab i t an t s . " I .w i ll m a k e t h e i r p u n i s h m e n t , " s a i d h e , " a t e r r o r t o o t h e r s : t h e ysha l l be loya l th ro ug h force , if no t th ro u g h fa i th . " T he p la cewas ca r r i ed by s t o r m; one hundr ed and e igh t o f t he p r i nc ipa linh ab i tan t s w ere e i th er p u t to the sw ord o r hanged , on th eba t t l em en t s . T h e r e s t w e r e ca r r i ed i n to cap t i v i t y . *

The towns of Coin and Car tama were bes ieged on the samed a y ; th e first by a d iv i s ion of th e a rm y led on b y th e M a r qu i s o f C ad iz ; t h e second by an oth er d iv is ion , com m an de db y D o n A l o n z o d e A g u i l a r , a n d L u i s F e r n a n d e z P u e r t o .C a r r e r o , t h e b r ave s en io r of Pa lm a . T h e k ing , w i th t h e r e s to f t he a r my , r ema ined pos t ed be tween t he two p l aces , t ore nd er as s is t ance to e i ther d iv is ion . T h e ba t t e r i e s open ed u po nbo th p l aces a t t he s ame t i m e ; an d t h e t hu nd e r of t he l om-ba r d s was m u tu a l l y he a r d f rom one cam p to t he o the r . T h eM oo rs m ad e f reque nt sa ll ies an d a va l i an t defe nce ; b u t th e ywere confoundecf by the t r emendous uproar o f the ba t t e r i es ,an d t h e des t r uc t i on of t he i r wa l l s . I n t he m ean t im e , t h ea l a r m f i r e s ga the r ed t oge the r t he M oor i s h moun ta inee r s o fth e Ser ran ia , w ho as sem bled in g re a t nu m be rs in th e c i ty ofM on da , ab ou t a l eagu e f rom Coin . *

T h ey m ade s eve r a l a t t em p t s t o en t e r t he bes ieged t ow n ,bu t i n va in ; t hey wer e each t ime i n t e r cep t ed and d r ivenback by the Chr i s t i ans , and were reduced to gaze a t a d i s t ance ,i n des pa i r, on t h e des t r uc t i on o f t h e p l ace . W h i l e t h u s

s i t ua t ed t he r e r ode one day i n to M onda a f i e r ce and haugh tyMoor i sh ch ie f ta in , a t the head of a band of swar thy Af r icanh o rs e m e n : i t w as H a m e t e l Ze gr i , th e fiery-spirited a lca yd eo f E o n d a , a t t h e h e a d o f h i s b a n d o f G o m e r e s . H e h a d n o ty e t r ecov ered f rom th e rag e and m or t i fi ca t ion of h i s defea to n th e ban ks of th e Lo pera , in th e d i sas t rou s fo ray of o ldB ex i r , w he n he ha d bee n ob l iged to s t ea l back to h i s m ou nta i ns w i th th e los s o f h i s b ra ve s t fo llowers . H e h ad evers ince pa n t e d fo r reven ge . H e now r ode am ong t h e hos t o f

h e , " feels p i ty for th e w om en an d ch i ldre n of Coin, expo sedto cap t iv i ty an d de a th ? W h oe ve r h e i s , l e t h i m follow m e,w ho am re ad y to d ie as a M os le m for the r e l i e f o f M os lem s "So say ing , h e se ized a w hi te ba nn er , and , wa ving i t over h i s

war r i o r s a s s embled ti W h o a m o n g y o u , " c r ie d

* Pulgar. Garibay. Cura de los Pala cios.



108 H I S T O S T O F

he ad , rod e for t h from th e tow n, fo llowed b y th e G om ere s .M a n y of th e "war rio rs , rou sed b y h i s w ords an d h i s exa m ple ,sp ur red reso lu te ly a f t e r h i s ba nn er . T h e people o f Coin ,be ing prepared for th i s a t t empt , s a l l i ed fo r th as they saw the

w h i t e b a n n e r , a n d m a d e a n a t t a c k u p o n t h e C h r i s t i a n c a m p ;and , in the confus ion of the moment , Hamet and h i s fo l lowersga l loped in to th e ga tes . Th i s r e in forcem ent an hn a te d th ebes i eged , and H a m e t exho r t ed t h em to ho ld ou t obs t i na t e lyin defence of life an d th e tow n. A s th e G om eres w ere ve te ra nw a r r i o r s , t h e m o r e t h e y w e r e a t t a c k e d t h e h a r d e r t h e yfought .

A t l eng th , a g r ea t b r each was made i n t he wa l l s ; and Fe r d inan d , w ho was im pat ie n t o f the r es i s t ance of th e p lace ,

o r de r ed t h e D u k e o f N ax e r a and t h e C o un t o f B e nav en t e t oen te r w i th th e i r t r o o p s ; a nd , as the i r fo rces w ere no t suffic ien t , h e sen t w ord to Lu is de Cerda , D u k e of M ed ina Ce l i ,to . sen d a p a r t of h is peo ple to th ei r ass is tan ce.

T h e feuda l p r id e o f th e duke w ras rouse d a t th i s de m an d." Te l l m y lo rd the k i ng ," sa id th e ha ug ht y gran dee , " th a t Iha ve come to s uccour h im w i th m y hous eh o ld t r oops . I f m ypeop l e a r e o r de r ed t o any p l ace , I am to go w i th t h e m ; bu t ,i f I am to r em a in i n t he camp , t h ey m us t r em a in w i th m e ;for t roops ca nno t se rve w i tho ut the i r c om m and er , no r th e i rcommander w i thou t h i s t r oops . "

T he rep ly of th e h igh-sp i r i t ed gra nd ee perp lexed the caut ious Fe rd in an d , w ho kn ew th e j ea lou s p r id e o f h i s pow er fu lnob l e s . I n t he mea n t im e , t h e peop le of t he camp , hav in gmade a l l p repara t ions fo r the as sau l t , were impat ien t to be l edf o r war d . U pon t h i s Pe r o R uy z de A la r con pu t h ims e l f a tth e i r hea d , and , s e izing the i r m an tas , o r po r tab le bu lw ark s ,

an d the i r o th er defences, th ey m ad e a ga l l an t as sau l t , an df ough t t he i r w ay i n a t t h e b r eac h . T he M oor s we r e so ove r come by th e fu ry of the i r as sau l t, th a t th ey re t r e a t ed f igh t ingto t he s qu a r e of' t h e t own . P e r o B uy z de Ala r con t ho ug h tthe p l ace was ca r r i ed , when s udden ly Hamet and h i s Gomer escam e s cou r ing t h r o ug h t h e s t r ee t s , w i th wi ld war - c r ie s , an dfell fur ious ly up on th e Ch r is t ian s . Th e la t te r w rere , in th e i rt u r n , bea t en b a ck ; and , wh i l e a t t ac ked i n f ron t by t h e G omer es , we r e a s s a i l ed by t he i nhab i t an t s w i th a l l k inds o f

miss i les f rom th e i r roofs and w indow s . T he y a t l e n g t h ga vew a y , a n d r e t r e a t e d t h r o u g h t h e b r e a c h . P e r o R u y z d eA larco n s t il l m ain ta ine d Ms grou nd in one of th e p r inc ipa ls t r e e t s . Th e few cava l i e rs th a t s tood by h i m ur ge d M m t ofly JSTo," sa id h e , " I ca m e h e re to fight, a n d n o t to fl y "H e w a s p r e s e n t l y s u r r o u n d e d b y t h e G o m e r e s . H i s c o m pa nio ns fled for th ei r l ives . Before th e y fled, th e y saw h im



T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G B A N A D A . 109

covered wi th wounds , but s t i l l f ight ing desperate ly for thefame of a good caval ier .*

T h e r e s i s t ance of t h e i nha b i t an t s , t h ou gh a ided b y t h eva lou r o f th e Go m eres , was of no ava i l . T h e ba t t e r in g a r

t i l l e ry o f th e Ch r i s t i ans dem ol i shed th e i r w al l s ; com bus t ib lesw ere th ro w n in to th e i r tow n, wh ich se t i t on fire in var io usp l aces , and t he y w er e a t l en g th compe l led t o cap i t u l a t e . T he ywer e pe r mi t t ed t o depa r t w i th t he i r e f f ec t s , and t he Gomer esw i th t he i r a r m s . H a m e t e l Z e g r i and h i s Af r ican ba nd s a ll iedf o r th , and r ode p r ou d ly t h r o ug h t he C hr i s t i an c a m p ; no rcould th e Sp an ish cava l i e r s r e f ra in f rom reg ard ing w i th admi r a t i on t ha t haugh ty war r i o r and h i s devo t ed and daun t l e s sa d h e r e n t s .

T he cap tu r e o f C o in w as accompan ied b y t h a t o f C a r t am a .T he fort if ica tions o f th e l a t t e r w ere r ep a i red and ga r r i so ne d;b u t Coin be ing too ex tens ive to b e defended b y a m od era teforce , i t s w al ls w er e dem ol ished. T h e s iege of th es e pla cess t r uck s uch t e r r o r i n to t he s u r r ound ing coun t r y , t ha t t heM oor s o f many o f t he ne ighbour ing t owns abandoned t he i rhomes , and f led , wi th such of thei r ef fects as they could car ryaway : upon wh ich t he k ing gave o r de r s t o demol i s h t he i rwal l s and towers .

X in g Fe r d in an d now le ft h i s camp an d h i s he avy a r t i l l e r yne a r C a r t am a , an d p r oceeded wi th h i s l i gh t e r t r oops t o r econ no i t r e M alag a . B y th i s t im e th e secre t p la n of a t t ack , a r ran ge d in th e counc i l o f w ar a t Cordova , w as kn ow n to a l lt h e wo r ld . T h e v ig i l an t wa r r i o r , E l Z aga l , ha d t h r ow n h im sel f in to th e place . H e h a d p u t a l l th e for t if ications , w h ic hw ere of va s t s t re ng th , in t o a s ta te of defence, an d h ad sen torder s to the alcaya.es o f t h e m oun ta in t ow ns t o ha s t en wi ththei r forces to his ass is tance.

T h e ve r y day t h a t Fe r d i na nd ap pea r ed be f o re t h e p l ace , E l.Zagal sa l l ied fo r th to receive h im at th e he ad of a th o us an dcav a l ry , th e cho icest w ar r io r s o f G ran ad a . A h o t sk i r m ishtoo k p lace am ong th e g ard en s and o live t r ees ne ar the c i ty .M a n y we r e k i l l ed on bo th s i des, and t h i s gave t h e C hr i s t i ansa s ha r p f o r e t a s t e o f wha t t hey migh t expec t , i f t hey a t t emp tedto bes iege the p lace .

W h e n t h e s k i r mi s h was ove r, t h e M ar q u i s o f C ad i z ha d a

pr iv a te conference wi th th e k ing . H e rep rese n te d th e d if ficu ltyof bes ieg ing Malaga wi th the i r p resen t fo rce , espec ia l ly asthe i r p lans had been d i scovered and an t i c ipa ted , and the wholeco un t r y was m ar ch ing ove r t h e m oun ta in s t o oppos e t he m .T h e m arq uis , w ho h ad secre t in te l ligence f rom a l l q ua r te r s ,h a d r ece ived a l e t t e r f rom J u ce ph Xe r i f e , a M oo r of R on da ,

* Pulgar, part iii, cap. 4 2 .

http://alcaya.es/

http://alcaya.es/




of Ch r i s t i an l ineage , appr iz ing l ii in of th e s i tua t ion of t h a tim po r t an t p l ace an d i t s ga r r i s on , wh ich a t t ha t m om en t la id . i t o p e n t o a t t a c k ; a n d t h e m a r q u i s w a s u r g e n t w i t h t h e k i n g t ose ize up on th i s c r i t i ca l m om ent , an d secure a p lace , w hic h w as

one of the most powerful Moor ish for t resses on the f ront iers ,and , i n t he hands o f Hamet e l Z eg r i , had been t he s cou r ge o fA nda lus i a . T he good m ar q u i s ha d ano the r m o t ive f or h i sadv i ce , becom ing a t r u e and l oya l kn igh t . I n t h e deep du n geons of Honda l anguished severa l o f h i s companions in a rms ,w ho ha d be en ca p tu r ed i n t h e de fea t i n t h e A xa r q u i a . T obr ea k t he i r cha ins, and r e s to r e t he m to l i b e r t y and l i gh t , h efe lt to be h i s pecu l ia r du ty , as one of those w ho h a d m os tp r omoted t ha t d i s a s t r ous en t e r p r i s e .

K in g F e r d i na nd l i s tened t o t he adv ice o f t h e m ar q u i s . H eknew the impor t ance o f R onda , wh ich was cons ide r ed one o ft h e ke ys o f t h e k ing do m of G r a n a d a ; an d he was d i s posedto pu n i s h t h e i nha b i t an t s , fo r t h e a id t h ey ha d r en de r ed t oth e ga r r i son a t Coin . Th e s iege of M alag a , there fore , w asabandoned f o r t he p r e s en t , and p r epa r a t i ons made f o r a r ap idand s ec r e t move aga ins t t he c i t y o f R onda .

C H A P T E R X X X .

S I E G E O F R O N D A .

T H E b o l d H a m e t e l Z e g r i , t h e a lc a y d e o f R o n d a , h a d r e t u r n e dsu l len ly to h i s s t rong hold a f te r the sur r en de r o f Coin . H eh a d fleshed h i s sw ord in ba t t l e w i th th e Ch r i s t ians ; b u t h i sth i r s t fo r ven gea nce w as s t i ll unsa t i s fi ed . H a m e t g lor ied inth e s t r en g t h of h i s fo r t r es s a nd th e va lou r o f h i s people . Afie rce an d w ar l ike pop ulace w as a t h i s co m m an d; h i s s igna lfires w ould sum m on a l l th e w ar r io r s o f th e S er ra n ía ; h i sG om er es a lmo s t s ubs i s t ed on t h e s poi ls o f A nd a lu s i a ; an d i nth e rock on w hic h h i s fo r t res s was bu i l t w ere hope les s du ngeons , f i l led wi th Chr is t ian capt ives , who had been car r iedo f f by t hes e war hawks o f t he moun ta in s .

R o n d a was cons ide r ed a s imp r egnab l e . I t was s i t ua t e i nthe hea r t o f w i ld and rugged moun ta in s , and pe r ched upon ani so la ted rock , c res ted b y a s t ro ng c i t ade l , wi th t r ip le wal l s a n dtow er s . A de ep r av ine , o r r a th e r a pe r pe nd i cu l a r chas m of r ocks ,o f f ri gh tf u l dep th , s u r r o un ded t h r ee pa r t s o f t h e c i t y ; t h r o ug hth i s flowed t he R io V er d e , o r G r een R iv e r . T h e r e w er e tw osuburbs to the c i ty , fo r t i f i ed by wal l s and towers , and a lmos tinaccess ib le , f rom th e na tu ra l asp er i ty o f th e rocks . A ro u n d

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T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G K A N A D A . I l l

th i s ru gg ed c i ty w ere deep rich, va l l eys , she l t e red by t h emoun ta in s , r e f r e s hed by cons t an t s t r eams , abound ing wi thgra in , and the mos t de l i c ious f ru i t s , and y ie ld ing verdan tm e a d o w s ; i n w h i c h w a s r e a r e d a r e n o w n e d b r e e d of h o r s e s ,the bes t in the^whole kingdom for a foray.

H a m e t e l Z e g r i h a d s ca rc e ly r e t u r n e d t o H o n d a , w h e n h er ece ived i n t e l l i gence t ha t t he C hr i s t i an a r my was mar ch ing t othe s i ege of Malaga , and order s f rom El Zaga l to send t roopsto h i s as s i s t ance . H a m e t sen t a pa r t o f h i s gar r i son for t h a tpu r p os e . I n t h e m ean t im e , he m ed i t a t ed an exped i t ion , t ow h i c h h e w a s s t im u l a t e d b y p r i d e a n d r e v e n g e . A l l A n d a lu s i a was now d r a ined of i t s t r o op s : t he r e wa s an o pp or tu n i t y ,there fore , fo r an in road , by which he might wipe ou t the d i s grac e of h i s defea t a t th e ba t t l e o f Lo pe ra . A pp reh en din gno dan ge r t o h i s m ou n ta in c i t y , now tha t t h e s t o r m o f w ar h a dpas s ed dow n in to t h e vega o f M a lag a , he l ef t b u t a r e m n an tof h i s ga r r i son to m a n i t s w al l s ; and , pu t t in g h imse l f a t th ehead of h is band of G-omeres , swept down suddenly in to the-p l a in s o f An da lus i a . H e ca r ee r ed , a lmos t w i thou t r e s i s t anc e ,over those vas t campinas , o r pas ture l ands , which form a par to f t h e doma ins o f t h e D u k e of M ed ina S idon i a . I n va in t h ebe l l s were rung , and the a la rm f i r es k ind led ; the band ofH a m e t h ad pas s ed b y be fo r e any fo rce cou ld be a s s em ble d ;an d wa s on ly t o be t r aced , l ike a hu r r i can e , by t h e devas t a t i oni t h a d m a d e .

H a m e t r ega ined i n s a fe ty t h e Se r r an i a de Ho nda , exu l t ingin his successful inro ad . T h e m ou nt ai n glens we re filled w i t hlon g dro ves of ca t t le an d flocks of shee p f rom th e ca m pin aso f M ed ina S idon ia . T h e r e w er e m u le s , t oo , l ade n w i th t h ep lu nd e r o f t h e v i l l a ge s ; and eve r y w ar r i o r ha d s om e cos tl yspoi l of jewels for h is favour i te mis t ress .

A s E l Z e g r i d r ew ne a r t o Ho nda , he was r ous e d f rom h i sd r eam of t r i um ph by t h e s ound o f heav y o r dnance be l l owingth r o ug h t h e m ou n ta in def ile s. H i s he a r t m i s gave h im : heput spurs to h i s horse , and ga l loped in advance of h i s l agg ingcava lgad a . A s he proce eded the no i se o f the o rdna nce increased ,echoing from cliff to cliff. Sp ur r i ng h i s ho r s e up a c r agg yhe igh t , whic h com m and ed an ex tens ive v iew, he beh e ld , to h i scons t e r na t i on , t he coun t r y abou t Honda wh i t e w i th t he t en t sof a bes ieg ing a rm y. Th e roy a l s t an da rd , d i sp layed before a

p r o u d e n c a m p m e n t , s h o w e d t h a t F e r d i n a n d h i m s e l f w a s p r e sen t ; whi le t h e incessan t b laze and th un de r o f a r t il l e ry , a n dthe vo lumes o f ove r hang ing s moke , t o ld t he wor k o f des t r uc t ion tha t was go ing on .

T he r oya l a r m y ha d s ucceeded i n coming upo n H on da b ysurp r i se , d ur ing th e absen ce of i t s a lcayde and m os t o f i t sga r r i s on ; b u t i t s i nh ab i t an t s w er e war l ike , and de f ended



1 1 2 H IS T O R Y o r

t hem s e lves b r ave ly , t r u s t i ng t h a t Ha m e t an d h i s G-omereswould soon re tu rn to the i r as s i s t ance .

T h e fanc ied s t r e ng th of th e i r bu lw ark s ha d been of l i t t l eava i l aga ins t the ba t t e r i e s o f th e bes iege r s . I n th e o f space offour days th r ee tow ers an d gre a t m asses o f th e wal l s , w hic h

de f ended t h e s ub u r bs , w e r e ba t t e r e d down , and t h e s ubu r b st a k e n a n d p l u n d e r e d . L o m b a r d s a n d o th e r h e a v y o r d n a n c ew ere n ow leve l led a t th e w al ls of th e c i ty , and s tone s an dmiss i l es o f a l l k ind s hu r le d in to th e s t r ee t s . T h e ve ry rockon which the c i ty s tood shook wi th the thunder o f the a r t i l l e ry ; an d the Ch r i s t i an cap t ives , d eep w i th in i t s du ng eon s ,ha i l ed the sound as the p romise of de l iverance .

W h e n H a m e t e l Z e g r i b e h e l d h i s c i t y t h u s s u r r o u n d e d a n dassai led , h e cal led his m en to fol low him , an d m ak e a desp er a t e a t t emp t t o cu t t he i r way t h r ough t o i t s relief. T h e y p r o ceeded s t ea l t h i l y t h r o ug h t he m oun ta in s , u n t i l t he y came toth e nea r e s t he igh t s above t h e C h r i s t ian cam p . W h e n n ig h tfell, an d p ar t o f th e a rm y w as sun k in s leep , th ey descen dedth e r ocks , and r u s h in g s udden ly upo n t h e weakes t pa r t of t h ecamp , endeavour ed t o b r eak t hen - way t h r o ug h , an d ga in t hec i ty . T he cam p wa s too s t ro ng to be fo rc ed ; th ey w ere d r iv enback t o t he c r ags o f t he moun ta in s , whence t hey de f ended

thems e lves by s how er ing dow n da r t s and s tones upo n t h e i rp u r s u e r s .Hamet now l i gh t ed a l a r m f i r e s abou t t he he igh t s ; h i s

s t a n d a r d w a s j o i n e d b y t h e n e i g h b o u r i n g m o u n t a i n e e r s a n db y t r oops f rom M alaga . T h us r e in f o rced , he m ad e r ep ea t e dassau l t s up on th e Ch r i s t i ans , cu t t ing off a l l s t r agg le r s f romth e cam p. Al l h i s a t t e m pts , how ever , to force h i s w ay in toc i ty w ere f ru i tl es s . M a n y of h i s b ra ve s t m e n w ere s l a in , andh e was ob l iged to r e t r e a t in to th e f as tnesses o f th e m ou n

t a i n s .I n t h e me anw hi l e t h e d i s t re s s o f o f E o n d a was ho u r ly

increas in g . T he M ar qu is o f Cadiz , ha v in g possession of thesuburbs , was enab led to approach to the very foo t o f the per pen dicu la r p rec ip ice r i s ing f rom th e r iv er , on th e sum m i t o fw hic h t h e c i ty i s bu i l t . A t th e foot of th is ro ck is a l iv in gfoun ta in o f l imp id w ate r , gu sh in g in to a g re a t n a tu ra l ba s in .A secre t m ine l ed do w n f rom w i th in th e c i ty to th i s foun ta inb y severa l h u n dr ed s tep s , cu t in th e so lid rock . P ro m th i s th e

c i ty ob ta ine d i t s ch ie f supp ly of w a te r ; a nd t h e s t eps w eredeep ly worn by the weary fee t o f Chr i s t i an cap t ives employedin th e pa infu l l ab ou r . T h e M ar qu is of Cadiz d i scovered th i ss ub t e r r a ne an pa s s age , and d i r ec t ed h i s p ionee r s t o coun t e r m ine i t t h r o ug h t h e s ol id bod y o f t h e r ock . T he y p i e r ced t othe shaf t , and, s topping i t up, depr ived the c i ty of the benef i to f th i s p rec ious founta in .



T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G E A N A D A . 1 1 3

W h i l e t h e b r a ve M ar q u i s o f C ad i z was t h us p r e s s ing t h es iege w i th zea l , an d g lowing w i th th e gen erou s tho ug hts o fsoon de l iver ing h i s companions in a rms f rom the Moor i sh dungeon s , f a r o th er w ere th e f ee lings o f th e a leayd e , H a m e t e lZ e g r i . H e s mo te h i s b r eas t , and gna s hed h i s t e e th , i n impo te n t fu ry , as he beh e ld , from th e m ou nta in c liffs, th e de s t ruc t i on o f t h e c i ty . E v e r y t h un de r o f t h e C hr i s t i an o r dn anc es eemed t o ba t t e r aga ins t h i s he a r t . H e s aw tow er a f te r t owe rtum bl i ng b y day , an d a t n ig h t th e c i ty b laze d l ike a vo lca no ." T he y f ired no t m ere ly s tones f rom the i r o rd na nc e , " says achron ic le r o f the t imes , "bu t l ikewise g rea t ba l l s o f i ron , cas ti n m ou lds , wh ich demol i s hed eve r y th ing t h e y s t r u ck . " T he yth re w a l so ba l l s o f tow , s t eep ed in p i t c h an d o il an d gu np ow

de r , wh ich , w he n once on fire , w ere no t to be ex t in gu ishe d ,an d w hic h set th e ho use s in flames .G r e a t w a s t h e h o r r o r o f t h e in h a b i t a n t s . T h e y k n e w n o t

w he re to flee for r e fu ge : th en - houses were in a b laze , ors ha t t e r e d b y t h e o r dna nce . T h e s t r ee t s w er e pe r i l ous , f romthe f a l l i ng r u in s and t he bound ing ba l l s , wh ich das hed t op i eces eve r y th ing t h ey enco un t e r ed . A t n ig h t t h e c i ty l ookedl ike a f i e ry fu rnace : the c r i es and wai t ings o f the women werehe a r d be tw een t h e t hu nd e r s o f t h e o r dna nce , and r eached ,

even t o t he M oor s on t h e opposi te m oun ta in s , wh o ans w er edthem by ye l l s o f fu ry and despa i r .A l l ho pe of ex te rna l succour be ing a t an end , t h e i nh ab i

t a n t s o f H on da w er e compe l led t o cap i t u l a t e . F e r d i na nd waseas il y p r eva i l ed up on t o g r an t t h em f avour ab l e t e r m s . T heplac e w as capa ble of lon ge r res is ta nc e ; an d h e feare d for th esafety of h is cam p, as th e forces w ere dai ly au gm en t in g onth e m ou n ta in s , and m ak ing f r equen t a s s au l ts . T he i nh ab i t an t swere permi t t ed to depar t wi th the i r e f fec t s , e i ther to Barbary

or e l se w he re ; an d those w ho chose to r es id e in Sp a in h adlands as s igned them, and were indulged in the exerc i se o fthe i r r e l ig ion .

JNo sooner d id the p lace sur r en de r , t h a n de ta chm en ts w eres en t t o a t t ack t h e M oor s , wh o h ove r ed abo u t t he ne ighbo ur i ng m ou n ta in s . H a m e t e l Z e g r i , howeve r , d id n o t r em a in ,to t r y a f ru it les s ba t t l e . H e gave u p th e gam e as los t , an dre t re a t ed w i th h i s G om eres , filled w i th g r ie f an d rag e , b u tt rus t ing to fo r tune to g ive h im fu ture vengeance .

T he f i rs t ca re o f th e good M ar q ui s o f Cadiz , on en te r in gH on da , was t o de l i ve r h i s un f o r tu na t e compan ions i n a r m sf rom th e du ng eo ns of th e fo r t r es s . , W h a t a d i fference inthen- looks f rom the t ime , when , f lushed wi th hea l th andho pe , an d a r ra ye d in •mi li ta ry po m p, th ey ha d sa l l i ed fo r thup on t h e m oun ta in f o r ay . M a n y o f t h em wer e a lmos t nak ed ,w i th i r ons a t t he i r ank l e s , an d bea r ds r e ach ing t o t he i r w a i s t s .

i



1 1 4 H I S T O R Y O P

T he i r me e t i ng w i th t h e ma r qu i s w as j oy fu l , ye t i t h a d t h elook of grief; f or t he i r j oy was ming l ed w i th m an y b i t t e rr eco l lec t i ons . T h e r e wa s an imm ens e nu m be r o f o the r cap t i v e s , among whom were severa l young men of noble f ami l i es ,

w h o , w i th filia l p ie ty , h a d su r re nd er ed them se lve s p r i s on ersin place of thei r fa thers .T he cap t i ves wer e a l l p r ov ided wi th mu le s , and s en t t o t he

qu een a t C or dova . T h e hu m an e he a r t o f I s abe l l a m e l t ed a tth e s igh t o f th e p i t eo us ca va lcade . T h e y w ere a ll suppl iedby he r w i th f ood and r a im en t , and m on ey t o pay t he i r ex pens es t o t he i r hom es . T h e i r cha ins w er e hu n g a s p ioust rop hie s aga in s t th e ex te r io r o f th e ch urc h of S t J u a n de losR ey es i n T o l edo , w he r e t he C hr i s t i an t rave l l e r m ay r ega l e

h i s eyes wi th the s igh t o f them a t th i s very day .A m on g th e M oor i s h cap t ives was a y ou ng i n fi del m a ide nof g r ea t bea u ty , w ho des i red to beco m e a Ch r i s t ian , and torem ain in Spa in . Sh e ha d been insp i red w i th th e l igh t o ft he t r ue f a i t h , t h r ough t he min i s t r y o f a young man , who hadbe en a cap t ive in R on da . H e wa s anx ious to com ple te h i sgood w or k by m ar r y ing he r . T h e queen cons en t ed t o t h e i rp ious w ishes , ha v in g first t ak en ca re tha t th e yo u ng m aid enshould be proper ly pur i f i ed by the ho ly sacrament o f bap t i sm.

" T hus t h i s pes t i l en t ne s t o f war f a r e and i n f i de l i t y , t hec i t y o f R onda , " s ays t he wor thy F r ay An ton io Agap ida , " wascon ver ted to th e t r u e fa ith by th e th u n d er o f our a r t i l l e ry .An example which was soon fo l lowed by Casanbone las , Alar -be l l a , and o ther towns in these par t s ; insomuch tha t , in thecourse o f th i s expedi t ion , no l es s than seven ty- two p lacesw ere rescu ed f rom th e v i le sec t o f M ah om et , and p laced u n d erthe ben ignan t domina t i on o f t he c r os s . "

C H A P T E R X X X I .

H O W T H E P E O P L E O P G R A NA D A I N V I T E D E L ZAGAL T O T H E

THRONE ; A N D H O W H E M A R C H E D T O T H E C A P IT A L .

T H E peop l e o f G r an ad a w er e a ve r s a t i le , un s t ea dy r ace , an dexceed ing ly g iven t o m ak e and un m ake k ings . T he y had , f ora l ong t ime , vac i l la t ed be tw een o ld M ul ey Ab en H as s an an dhis son , Bo abd i l e l Chico ; som et imes se t t in g u p t h e o ne , som et im es t h e o th e r , and s ome t imes bo th a t once , acco r d ing t oth e p inc h and p r e s s u r e o f ex t e r na l ev il s. T h ey f ound , how eve r , th a t th e evi ls s t i l l w en t on increas in g, in def iance ofeve r y ch an ge ; and w er e a t t he i r w i t s ' end t o dev is e s ome



T H E C O N Q U E S T O E G K A N A D A . 115

ne w comb ina t ion or a r ran ge m en t , b y w hich an e ffic ient go vern men t migh t be wr ough t ou t o f two bad k ings .

W h e n t h e t i d ings a r r i ved o f t he f all of R o nd a , an d t h e con se qu en t ru in o f th e f ron t ie r , a tum ul t uo us as semblage too k

plac e in one of th e 'publ ic sq ua res . A s usu al , th e peo ple a t t r ibu ted the mis for tunes o f the count ry exc lus ive ly to thefau l t s o f the i r ru le r s : fo r th e popu lace ne ve r ima gine , th a tan y p ar t o f the i r "miser ies can or ig ina te w i th them se lves . Ac r a f t y a l f aqu i , nam ed A lym e M aze r , w ho ha d wa t che d t h ecu r r en t o f t he i r d i s con t en t s , r o s e , and ha r angued t hem.

" Y o u hav e bee n choos ing an d ch an gin g ," sa id he , " be t w e e n t w o m o n a r c h s ; a n d w h o a n d w h a t a r e t h e y ? M u l e yA b en H as s a n fo r on e ; a m an w or n ou t by age and i n f i r m i t i e s ;

unable to sa l ly fo r th aga ins t the foe , even when ravag ingto th e ve ry ga te s o f the c i ty : an d Boabd i l e l Chico for th eo th e r ; a n a pos ta te , a t r a i to r , a d eser te r f rom h i s th r on e , afug i t ive am on g th e enemies of h i s n a t io n ; a m an fa ted toan i sfortune , and proverb ia l ly na m ed ' th e u n lu ck y . '

" In a t ime of overwhelming war , l ike the p resen t , he on lyi s fit to swa y a sc ep t re w ho can wie ld a swo rd . W o u ld yo us eek s uch a m an ? Y o u ne ed no t look far . A l lah ha s sen tsu ch a on e, in th is t i m e of d is t ress , to r e t r ie ve th e for tu ne s

o f G r a n a d a . Y o u a lr e a d y k n o w w h o m I m e a n . Y o u k n o wi t can be no o the r t han you r gene r a l , t he i nv inc ib l e Abda l l a ;wh os e s u r n am e of E l Z a ga l has beeome a w a t chw or d i nba t t l e , rou s ing the courage of the fa i th fu l, an d s t r ik ing t e r ro ri n to t he unbe l i eve r s . "

The mul t i tude rece ived the words o f the a l f aqu i wi th acc la m a t ion s ; t he y we r e de l i gh t ed w i th t he i dea of a t h i r d k in gove r G r a n a d a ; and Ab da l l a e l Z aga l , be ing o f t h e r oy a lfami ly , and a l ready in the v i r tua l exerc i se o f roya l power , themeas u r e had no th ing i n i t t ha t appea r ed e i t he r r a s h o rv io len t . A deputa t ion w as there fore sen t to E l Z ag a l a tM a laga , i nv i t i ng h im to r epa i r t o Gr anada , t o r ece ive t hec r o w n .

E l Z a ga l exp r e s s ed g r e a t s u r p r i s e and repug nanc e , w he nth e m i ss ion was ann ounced t o h i m ; and no th ing h u t h i spa t r io t ic zeal for th e pxiblic safe ty , a nd his f ra te rna l eag erne ss to r e l i eve th e aged A be n H as sa n from th e cares o f go

ve rnm en t , p reva i l ed up on h im to acce p t th e o ffer o f th ec r own . L eav ing , t he r e f o re , R o dov an de V ane gas , one o f t h eb r a ve s t M oor i s h gene r a l s , i n com m and of M a laga , h e de p a r t e d f or G r a n a d a , a t t e n d e d b y t h r e e h u n d r e d t r u s t ycava l i e r s .

O ld M ule y A be n H as s a n d id no t w a i t f or t h e a r r i va l o fh i s b r o t he r . U na ble any longer to buffet w i th th e s to rms ofthe t imes , h is only sol ic i tude was to seek some safe and quiet

i 2



T H E C O N Q U E S T O E G B A N A D A . 117

t r a ra , w i th a pa r t o f t l ie i r com panions in a rm s , r e t u r n i n gf rom th e i r fo ray . A p ar t o f th e i r fo rce h ad pass ed onw i th t h e cav a lga da : n ine ty o f t he p r i nc ipa l cava li e rs h a dha l ted , to r epo se an d re f resh them se lves in th i s va l l ey . E lZ ag a l smi led w i th f e roc ious joy , w he n he he ar d of th e i r neg l i ge n t secu r i ty . '• H e re wi l l be t ro ph ies , " sa id he , " t o g ra ceou r en t r anc e i n to A lham a . " Ap pr oach ing t h e va l l ey w i thcaut ious s i lence, he wheeled in to i t a t fu l l speed, a t the headof h i s t roop , and a t t a ck ed th e Ch r i s t i ans so sud de nly an df u r ious ly , t h a t t he y ha d no t t im e t o p u t t h e b r i d l e s upo nth e i r horses , o r even to l eap in to th e saddles . T he y m ad e aconfused but val iant defence, f ight ing among the rocks , andin th e rug ge d be d of th e r iver . Th e i r defence was u se le s s ;

s even ty - n ine w er e s l ain , t h e r em a in ing c loven w er e t ak enpr i soners .A par ty o f the Moors ga l loped in pursu i t o f the cava lgada :

th e y soon over took i t, wind ing s lowly u p a h i l l. T he ho rsem en , w ho convoyed i t, pe rce iv ing th e enem y a t a d i s t ance ,m ad e the i r escape , an d l ef t the spo il to be re t ak en b y the M oo rs .

E l Zaga l ga thered toge ther h i s cap t ives and h i s booty , andprocee ded , e la te w i th success , to G ran ad a . H e pa use d beforethe ga te o f E lv i ra ; fo r as ye t he had no t been proc la imed

k ing . T h i s ce r emony was imm ed ia t e ly pe r f o r m ed ; fo r t h efame of h i s r ecen t exp lo i t had preceded h im, and had in tox i ca t ed t he minds o f t he g iddy popu l ace .

H e en t e r ed G r an ad a i n a s o r t o f t r i u m ph . T he e levencapt ive kn igh t s o f Ca la t rava w alke d in f ron t. N e x t we repa r ad ed t he n in e ty cap tu r ed s teeds , bea r ing t he a r m ou r an dwe apons o f t he i r l a t e owner s , and m ou n ted b y a s m an yM oo r s . T h en came s even ty M oor i s h ho r s em en , w i th a s m an yC h r i s t ian head s han g ing a t t he i r s add l e bo ws . M ule y A b-

.dalla e l Z ag al fo llowed, s ur ro un de d b y a nu m b er of d is t ingu i sh ed cava l ie r s , r i ch ly a t t i r e d ; an d the pa ge an t was c losedb y a lon g cava lgada of th e f locks an d he rd s , an d ot he r b oo ty ,recovered f rom the Chr i s t i ans .*

T he popu l ace gazed w i th a lmo s t s avage t r i u m ph a t t h e s ecap t ive cava l i e r s , and the gory heads o f the i r companions ;knowing t hem to have been pa r t o f t he f o r midab l e ga r r i s ono f Alhama , s o . l ong t he s cou r ge o f Gr anada , and t he t e r r o rof th e vega , T h ey ha i l ed th i s p e t ty t r i um ph as an ausp i c ious open ing of th e r e ign of the i r new m on arch . F o r seve ra ld a y s t h e name3 o f M uley Aben Has s an and B oabd i l e l Gh icow re r e n e v e r m e n t i o n e d b u t w i t h c o n t e m p t ; a n d t h e w h o l ec i ty r e sou nd ed w i th th e p ra i ses o f E l Zag a t , o r " th e va l i an t . "

* Zurita, lib. xx , c. 62 , Mariana, H ist. España. Abarca, A nale s deAragón,



U S H I S T O R Y O F

C H A P T E R XXXII .

H O W T H E C O U N T D E C A B R A A T T E M P T E D T O C A P T U R E A N O T H E B

K I N G , A N D H O W H E F A R E D I N H I S A T T E M PT .

T H E e leva t ion of a bo ld an d ac t ive v e te ran to th e th r on e ofGr anada , i n p l ace o f i t s l a t e bed r idden k ing , made a vas t dif

f e rence in th e aspec t o f th e w ar , an d ca l l ed fo r som e b lo wth a t sh ould da sh th e conf idence , o f th e M oo rs in the i r ne wmonarch , and an imate the Chr i s t i ans to f r esh exer t ions .

Don Diego de Cordova , the b rave Count de Cabra , was a tth i s t im e in h i s ca s t le o f V ae na , w he re h e ke p t a w ary ey e

up on t h e f r on ti e r. I t was now th e l a t t e r p a r t o f A u g u s t ; an dhe g r ieved , t h a t t h e s u m m er s hou ld pas s away w i tho u t an yinr oa d in to th e coun t ry of th e foe. H e sen t ou t h i s s cou t s ont h e p r o w l , a n d t h e y b r o u g h t h i m w o r d , t h a t t h e i m p o r t a n tpo s t o f M oc l iu was b u t w eak ly gar r i son ed . Th is w as acas t e l l a t ed t own , s t r ong ly s i t ua t e upon a h igh moun ta in ,p ar t ly su r ro un de d b y th ick fores t s, and p ar t ly g i rd led b y ar iv er . I t de fended one of th e ru gg ed an d so l i t a ry passes b yw hich t h e C hr i s t i ans wer e w on t t o m ak e t he i r i n r oad s , i n s o

much t ha t t he M oor s , i n t he i r f i gu r a t i ve way , denomina t ed i tthe sh ie ld o f Granada .T he C oun t de C abr a s en t wor d t o t he mona r chs o f t he

feeble s ta te of the garr ison, and gave i t as h is opinion, that ,by a secre t and rap id expedi t ion , the p lace might be surpr i sed .K in g F e r d i na nd a s ked t h e adv ice of h i s couns e l lo r s . So m ecau t i oned h im aga ins t t he s angu iue t emper amen t o f t he coun t ,an d h i s heed les sness o f dan ger . M ocl in , th ey observed , w asne a r t o G r ana da , an d m igh t be p r o m pt ly r e in f o r ced . T h eopin ion of the count , however , p reva i l ed ; the k ing cons ider inghim a lmos t in fa l l ib le in mat te r s o f border war fa re , s ince h i scap ture o f Boabdi l e l Chico .

The k ing depar ted f rom Cordova , there fore , and took pos ta t A lca lá l a R ea l , fo r the pu rpo se of be ing ne ar to M oc l in .The queen a l so proceeded to Vaena , accompanied by her ch i l - 'd r en , P r i n ce J u a n and t he P r in ces s I s abe l l a , and he r g r e a tcounse l lo r in a l l mat te r s , pub l ic aud pr iva te , sp i r i tua l and

t empor a l , t he vene r ab l e g r and ca r d ina l o f Spa in .Noth ing cou ld exceed the p r ide and sa t i s fac t ion of the loya lC oun t de C abr a , when he s aw th i s s t a t e ly t r a i n wind ing a longthe d r ea r y moun ta in r oads , and en t e r i ng t he ga t e s o f Vaena .H e r ece ived h i s r oya l gues t s w i th a l l du e ce r emony , an dlodge d t h em in t h e bes t apa r tm en t s t h a t t he war r i o r ca s t l ea f forded ; be ing the same th a t ha d forme r ly be en occupied b ythe r oya l cap t i ve B oabd i l .



T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G E A N A D A . 1 1 9

K i n g F e r d i n a n d h a d c o n c e r te d a w a r y p l a n t o e n s u r e t h es ucces s o f t he en t e r p r i s e . T he C ou n t de C a br a an d D o nM ar t i n Alonzo de M on tem ay or we r e t o s e t fo r t h w i th t h e i rt roops , so as to r each Mocl in by a ce r ta in hour , and to in te r

cep t a l l who should a t t empt to en te r , o r should sa l ly f rom thetow n . T h e m as t e r o f C a l a t r ava , t h e t r oops o f t h e g r a ndca r d ina l , commanded by t he C oun t o f B uend i a , and t heforces o f the B ishop of Jaen , l ed by tha t be l l igeren t p re la te ,am ou nt in g in a l l to four tho usa nd h orse a nd s ix tho us an d foot ,were to se t o f f in t ime to co-opera te wi th the Count de Cabra ,so as to su r ro un d the tow n. T he k in g w as to fol low w i th h i swhole fo rce , and encamp before the p lace .

A n d h e r e t h e w o r t h y P a d r e F r a y A n t o n i o A g a p i d a b r e a k sfor th in to a t r iumphant eu logy of the p ious p re la tes , who thusm ing led per so na l ly in thes e scenes o f w ar fa re . " A s th i sw a s a h o l y c r u s a d e , " sa y s h e , " u n d e r t a k e n fo r t h e a d v a n c e m e n t o f th e f a ith , an d th e g lory of th e ch urch , so w as i ta lways coun t enanced and up he ld by s a in t l y m en . F o r t h evic tor ies of th ei r m os t Catho l ic majes t ies w ere no t fo llowed,l ike those of more wor ld ly sovere igns , by e rec t ing cas t l es andtowel 's , an d app oin t ing a lcayde s an d gar r i sons , b u t b y found ing of convents and ca thedra l s , and the es tab l i shment o fw ea l t h y b i s hopr i cks . W he r e f o r e t he i r ma j e s t i es w er e a lwayssur rounded , in cour t o r camp, in the cab ine t o r in the f i e ld ,by a c rowd of ghos t ly adv i se r s , insp i r i t ing them to the p rosecu t i on o f t h i s m os t r i gh t eous w ar . N ay , t h e ho ly m en o f t h echurch d id no t sc rup le , a t t imes , to buck le on the cu i ras s overthe cassock , to exchange the c ros ie r fo r the l ance ; and thus ,wi th co r po r a l hands and t empor a l weapons , t o f i gh t t he goodf ight of the fa i th ."

B u t t o r e tu r n f rom th i s r hap s od y o f t h e w or thy f ri a r. T heC oun t de C abr a , be ing i n s t r uc t ed i n t he compl i ca t ed a r r ange m en t s o f t h e l ong , m ar c he d f o r t h a t m idn igh t , t o execu t eth e m pun c tua l l y . H e l ed h i s t r oops by t h e l i t tl e r i ve r , w h ichw ind s be low T ae n a , an d so u p th e w i ld defi les o f th e m ou nta i ns ; m arc h in g a l l n ig h t , an d s topping on ly in th e h ea t o fthe fol lowing day, to repose under the shadowy cl i f fs of adeep bar ranca , ca lcu la t ing to a r r ive a t Mocl in exac t ly in t imeto co-opera te wi th the o ther fo rces .

T h e t r oops ha d s ca rce ly s t r e t c he d t hems e lves on t h e ea r t hto t ak e r epos e , w he n a s cou t a r r i ved , b r i n g in g w or d t h a t E lZ ag a l ha d s udd en ly s a ll ied ou t of G r an ada , w i th a s t r on gforce , an d ha d en cam ped in the v ic in i ty o f M oc l in . I t w asp l a in t ha t t he war y M oor had r ece ived i n f o r ma t ion o f t hein t e nd ed a t t ack . T h i s , how eve r , was no t t h e i dea t h a tp r e s en t ed i ts e lf t o t h e m ind o f t he C oun t de C ab r a . H e ha dcap tu r ed one k ing : he r e was a f a i r oppor tun i t y t o s ecu r e



120 h i s t o b t o f

ano the r . .W ha t a t r i umph , t o l odge a s econd cap t i ve mona r chin h i s ca s t le o f Y a e n a W h a t a p r i s one r t o de li ve r i n to t h eh a n d s o f h i s r o y a l m i s t r e s s F i r e d w i t h t h e t h o u g h t , t h egood count fo rgo t a l l the a r rangements o f the I c ing ; o r r a ther ,

b l in de d by former success , h e t ru s te d ev ery th in g to cou ragean d f o r t u ne ; and t ho ug h t , t ha t , by one bo ld s woop , he m ig h taga in be ar off th e roy a l p r ize , an d w ear h i s l aure l s w i th ou tcom pet i t ion . H is on ly fear w as , th a t th e m as te r o f Ca la t rava ,an d t he be l l i ge r en t b i s hop , m igh t come u p i n t im e t o s ha r eth e g lory of the v ic to ry . So ord er ing every one to horse , th i sho t - sp i r i t ed cava l ie r pu sh ed on for M ocl in , w i th ou t a l lowinghis t roops the necessary t ime for r epose .*

T h e even ing c losed as th e count a r r ive d in the ne ig hb ou r ho od of M ocl in . I t was th e full of th e mo on, an d a b r i g h tan d c loud le s s n igh t . T he coun t was m ar ch ing t h r o ug h oneof tho se dee p va l l eys o r r av ine s , w orn in th e Spa nish m ou nt a in s by t he b r i e f bu t t r emendous t o r r en t s , wh ich p r eva i ldu r ing t he au tum na l r a in s . I t was wa l l ed , on bo th s i des , b ylof ty an d a lmo s t perp end icu la r c l if fs ; b u t th e s t ro ng g leam sof moonl igh t , tha t pene t ra ted to the bo t tom of the g len , g l i t t e re d on th e a rm ou r of th e squad ron s , as they , s i l en t ly p asse dth r o ug h i t . Su dde n ly t h e w ar - c r y of t h e M oor s r o s e i nva r ious pa r t s of t h e va l l ey . " E l Z a g a l E l Z ag a l " w ass hou t ed f r om eve r y cliff, accompanied by showers o f mis s i l es ,th a t s t ruck do wn severa l o f th e Ch r i s t i an w ar r io r s . T h ecou nt l i ft ed u p h i s eyes an d beh e ld , b y the . l igh t th a t p reva i l ed ,ev ery c liff g l i s t en ing w i th M oo r i sh so ld ie ry . T he dea d lys hower f e l l t h i ck ly r ound h im; and t he s h in ing a r mour o f h i sfo llowers m ad e the m fai r ob jec t s fo r the a im of th e en em y.T h e cou nt saw h i s b ro the r Gon za lo s t ru ck dea d b y h i s s ide ;

. h i s own ho r s e s unk unde r h im , p i e r ced by f ou r M oor i s hl ances ; and he r ece ived a wound i n t he hand f r om an a r que -b u s e . H e r em em be r ed t he ho r r i b l e mas s ac r e of t h e m ou n ta in sof M alag a , an d feared a s imi la r ca tas t ro ph e . Th ere wa s n ot im e to pau se . H is b ro the r ' s ho rse , f reed from h i s s l au gh te re dr ide r , was r un n in g a t l a r g e ; s e iz ing t h e r e in s , he s p r an g i n tothe saddle , ca l l ed upon h i s men to fo l low h im, and , whee l inground , r e t r ea ted ou t o f the f a ta l va l l ey .

T he M oo r s , r u s h in g dow n fr om the he ig h t s , pu r s u ed t h e

r e t r ea t i ng C h r i s ti ans . T h e chas e en du r ed fo r a l e ag ue ; b u ti t was a l eague o f r ough and b r oken g r ound , whe r e t he C hr i s t i an s ha d t o t u r n and f igh t a t a lmos t eve r y s t ep . I n t h e s esh or t b u t fie rce co m bats the e nem y los t m an y c ava l i e r s o fn o t e ; bu t the los s o f the Chr i s t i ans was in f in i t e ly moreg r i evous , compr i s i ng number s o f t he nob l e s t wa r r i o r s o f

* M ariana, lib. x x v , c. 17 . Abarca. Zurita, &c.




V a e n a a n d its- v ic in i ty . M a n y of th e Ch r i s t i ans , d i sab led b yw oun ds , o r exhau s t ed by fa t igue , t u r n ed a s ide , and ende avou r edto conceal t hem s e lves am ong r ocks a nd t h i ck e t s , b u t n ev e rm or e re jo ined th e i r com panions , be ing s la in o r ca p tu red b ythe M oor s , o r pe r i s h ing i n t he i r wr e t ched r e t r ea t s .

T h e a r r iva l o f th e t roo ps , l ed b y th e m as te r o f Ca la t rav aan d t h e B i s hop o f J a en , pu t an end t o t h e r ou t . E l Z a ga lcon t en t ed h ims e l f w i th t h e l au r e l s he ha d ga in ed ; and ,or de r in g t h e t rum pe ts to ca ll o if h i s m en f rom th e pu rsu i t ,r e t u r n e d i n g r e a t t r i u m p h t o M o c l i n . *

Q ue en I s abe l l a w as a t V aena , awa i t ing , i n g r e a t anx i e ty ,th e r esu l t o f th e expedi t ion . Sh e w as in a s t a te ly ap ar tm en tof the cas t l e , look ing towards the road tha t winds th rough the

m oun ta in s f rom M oc l in , and r eg a r d in g t h e w a t eh tow er s t h a tc rowned the ne ighbour ing he igh t s , in hopes o f f avourab les igna l s . T he pr inc e an d pr incess , he r ch i ld ren , w ere w i thhe r , an d he r ven erab le counse llo r, th e g ra nd card ina l . A l ls ha r ed i n t h e anx i e ty o f t he m om en t . A t l en g th cou r i e r s w er es een r i d in g t ow ar d t he t ow n . T h ey en t e r ed i ts ga t e s ; b u t ,before they reached the cas t l e , the na ture o f the i r t id ings waskn ow n to th e que en , b y th e sh r ieks an d wai l ings tha t rosef rom th e s t re ets below . T h e m esse ng ers w ere soon followed

b y w ou nd ed fug it ives , ha s te n in g hom e to be re l i eved , o r tod ie am on g the i r f ri ends an d fami li es. T he wh ole tow n re so un de d w i th la m en tat io ns , for i t ha d los t th e flower of i t syo ut h and i t s b rav es t w ar r io r s . I sab e l l a was a w om an ofcou rageo us sou l, bu t he r f eel ings we re overpow ered b y th espec tac le o f woe w hich p rese n te d i t s e lf on eve ry s ide . H e rma te r na l hea r t mour ned ove r t he dea th o f s o many l oya lsub jec t s , who , so shor t ly before , had ra l l i ed round her wi thde vo ted af fection;, and , los ing h e r us ua l se l f -com m and, she

sunk in to deep despondency .I n t h i s g loomy s t a t e o f m ind , a t ho us a nd app r eh ens ions

crow ded up on he r . She dread ed th e confidence w hich th i ssuccess w ou ld im pa r t to th e M oo rs . Sh e feared, a lso , for th eim po r ta n t fo r t res s o f Alban ia , th e gar r i son of w hich ha d n o tb ee n re inforc ed s ince i t s foraging pa r ty h a d be en cut off b yth i s s ame E l Z ag a l . O n eve r y s ide t h e queen s aw d an ge ran d d i sas te r , and feared th a t a ge ne ra l ro u t was abou t toa t t end t he C as t i l i an a r ms .

T he g r a nd ca r d ina l comf or ted he r w i th bo th s p i r i t ua l an dw or ld ly counse l . H e to ld he r to r eco l l ec t th a t no co un t ryw as ever con que red w i tho ut occas iona l r eve r ses to th e conquerors ; tha t the Moors were a war l ike people , fo r t i f i ed in ar o ug h an d mo un ta inou s cou n t r y , whe r e t h ey neve r cou ld b e

* Zurita, lib. xx. c. i. Pu lsar , Cronica.




conquered by l i e r ances tor s ; and tha t , in f ac t , he r a rmies hada l ready , in th ree year s , t aken more c i t i es than those of any ofh e r p rede cessors ha d been ab le to do in twe lve . H e conc luded by of fe r ing to t ake the f i e ld , wi th th ree thousandcava l ry , h i s own re ta ine r s , pa id an d ma in ta in ed by himself,

an d e i t he r ha s t en t o t h e r e li e f o f A lban i a , o r un de r t ak e an yo th e r exped i ti on he r ma j e s ty m igh t com man d . T he d i s c r ee tw ord s o f the card in a l soo thed t h e sp i r i t of th e que en , w hoalways looked to him for consolat ion, and she soon recoveredt ie r usua l equanimi ty .

Some of the counsel lors of I sabel la , of that pol i t ic c lassw ho se ek t o r i s e b y th e faul ts of o the rs , w ere lou d in then*censu res o f th e r ashn ess o f th e coun t . T he qu een defend ed

h i m wi th p r o m pt gene r os i t y . " T h e en t e r p r i s e , " sa id s he ," was r a s h ; b u t no t m or e r a s h t h an t h a t o f L u cena , w h ichwas c rowned wi th success , and which we have a l l app laudedas t h e he ig h t of he r o i s m. H a d t h e C o un t de C a br a succeededin ca p tu r ing th e un c le , as he d id the ne phe w , w ho i s th er etha t wou ld no t have p r a i s ed h im to t he s k i e s ? "

The magnanimous words o f the queen pu t a s top to a l linv id ious remarks in her p resence ; bu t ce r ta in o f the cour t i e r s ,who had env i ed t he coun t t he g lo r y ga ined by h i s f o r mer

ach ie vem ents , con t inued to mag ni fy , amo ng them se lves , h i sp r e s e n t i m p r u d e n c e ; a n d w e a r e t o l d b y F r a y A n t o n i oAg ap ida , t h a t t h ey s nee r ing ly gave t h e w or t hy cava li e r t h eappe l la t ion of " Count de Cabra , the k ing-ca tcher . "

Fe r d inand had r eached t he p l ace on t he f r on t i e r ca l l ed t heF ou n t a i n o f t h e K ing , w i th in t h r ee l eagues o f M oc l in , w h enh e he a r d o f t he l a t e d i s a s te r . H e g r ea t l y l am en te d t he p r e cipi ta t ion of th e c ount , b u t forbore to express him sel f w i t hsever i ty , fo r he knew the va lue of tha t loya l and va l i an t

cava l i e r .* H e he ld a counc il o f w ar to de te rm ine w h a tcou rse was to be pu rsue d . Som e of h i s cava l ie r s adv i sed h i mto abandon t he a t t emp t upon M oc l in , t he p l ace be ing s t r ong lyre inforced , an d th e ene m y insp i r i t ed by h i s r ec en t v ic to ry .C e r t a in o ld Span i s h h ida lgos r eminded h im tha t he had bu t a .f ew Cas t i l i an t roops in h i s a rmy, wi thout which s tanchs o ld i e ry h i s p redeces s o r s neve r p r e s um ed to en t e r t h e M oo r i s ht e r r i t o r y ; w h i l e o t h e r s r e m o n s t r a t e d t h a t i t w o u l d b e b e n e a t hthe d ign i ty o f the k ing to r e t i r e f rom an en te rpr i se on account

of th e defeat of a s ingle caval ier an d his re t a in ers . I n th isw ay t h e k in g was d i s t r ac t ed b y a mu l t i t ude o f cou ns e l l o r s ;w he n for tun a te ly a l e t t e r f rom th e qu een p u t an . en d to h i spe r p l ex i t ie s . P r o cee d we , i n t h e ne x t chap t e r , t o r e l a t e w h a twas the purpor t o f tha t l e t t e r .

* Abarca, Anales de Aragon.




C H A P T E R X X X I I I .

E X P E D I T I O N A G A I N S T T H E C A ST LE S O F C A M B I L A N D A L B A H A E .

" H A P P Y a r e t h o s e p r i n c e s , " e x c l a i m s t h e w o r t h y P a d r e F r a yA nto n io A gap ida , " w ho hav e wo m en and p r i e s t s t o adv i s ethe m , fo r i n t he s e dwe l l e th t h e s p i ri t o f cou nc i l " W h i l eF e r d i n an d and h i s cap t a in s we r e con found ing each o the r i nth ei r del ib erat io ns a t th e F o u n ta in of th e "King, a qu ie t but-dee p l i t t l e counc i l o f w ar w as he ld in th e s t a te ap ar tm en t o ft h e o ld ca s t le o f V aen a , be tw een Q ue en I s abe l l a , t h e vene r ab l e Ped r o Gonza l ez de M endoza , g r and ca r d ina l o f Spa in ,

an d D o n G ar c i a Os o r io , t he be l l i ge r en t B i s hop o f J a en . T h i sl a s t wor thy p r e l a t e , who had exchanged h i s mi t r e f o r a he lm ,no sooner beh e ld th e defea t o f th e en te rp r i se aga in s t M ocl in ,than he turned the re ins of h is s leek s ta l l - fed s teed, andha s te ne d bac k to V ae na , fu ll of a p ro jec t for th e em ploy m entof th e a rm y, the advan cem ent o f th e f a ith , an d th e benef i t o fh i s ow n d iocese . H e kn ew tha t th e ac t ions o f th e k in g w er einf luenced b y th e op in ions o f th e que en , and th a t th e qu ee na lways inc l ined a l i s t en ing ear to the counse l s o f sa in t ly men .H e la id h i s p lans , there fore , w i th t h e cus tom ary wisdom ofhis c loth , to turn the ideas of the queen in to the proper-chan ne l ; and t h i s was t he pu r po r t o f t h e w or th y b i s hop ' ssugges t ions .

T h e b i s hopr i ck o f J a e n ha d fo r a l ong t ime been ha r r a s s edb y tw o Mo or i s h cas t l es , th e scourge a nd t e r r or o f a l l th a tp a r t o f th e co un t ry . T he y w ere s i tua te on th e f ron t ie r s o fth e k in gd om of Gr an ad a , abo ut four l eagues f rom Jae n , in a

d e e p , na r r ow, and r ugged va l l ey , s u r r ounded by l o f t y mount a i n s . T h r o u g h t h i s v a l le y r u n s t h e R i o F r i o , o r " C o l dRiv er , " in a deep cha nne l , be tw ee n h ig h prec ip i tous r oc ks .O n each s ide o f th e s t r ea m r i se tw o vas t rock s , ne ar ly per pendicu la r , wi th in a s tone ' s th row of each o ther , b lock ing upth e na r ro w gorge of th e va l l ey . O n th e sum m i ts o f th es erocks s tood the two formidable cas t l es o f Ca inb i l and Albahar ,fo r t i f i ed wi th ba t t l ements and towers o f g rea t he igh t andth i ckn es s . T h ey we r e connec t ed t oge the r b y a b r i dge t h r ow n

f rom rock to rock across th e r iver . T h e roa d w hich pas sedth r ough t he va l l ey t r ave r s ed t h i s b r i dge , and was comple t e lyco m m an de d b y the se cas t l es . T he y s tood like tw o g ian t s o fr omance , gua r d ing t he pas s and domina t i ng t he va l l ey .

T he k ings o f Gr anada knowing t he impor t ance o f t he s ecas t l es , k ep t the m a lway s we l l gar r i so ned and v ic tua l l ed t os ta n d a s iege, w i th fleet s teeds an d h a rd r id er s t o forage t h eco un t r y of t he C hr i s t i ans . T he war l i ke r ace o f t h e Ab en -



.124 H I S T O R Y O F

cer ra ges , th e t roop s of th e roy a l hou sehold , an d o th er s o f th echo i cest ch iva l r y of G r an ada , m ad e t he m the i r s t r ongho lds ,f r om whence t o s a l l y f o r t h on t hos e p r eda to r y and r ov ingen te rpr i s es w hich w ere t h e de l ig h t o f the M oo r i sh cava l i e r s .

A s t h e w ea l t hy b i s hopr ick o f J a e n l ay imm ed ia t e ly a t han d ,i t suf fered more pecul iar ly . f ro m t h e s e m a r a u d e r s . T h e ydr ov e off th e fat bee ve s, an d th e f locks of she ep from t h epa s tu res , an d swe pt th e l abo urer s f rom th e fie ld . T h e ys cour ed t h e co un t r y t o t h e ve r y ga t e s of J a en , s o t h a t t h ec i t izens cou ld no t ve n t ur e f rom the i r wal l s w i tho ut t he r i skof being borne of f capt ive to the dungeons of these cas t les .

The wor thy b i shop , l ike a good pas tor , behe ld wi th g r ie f o fh ea r t h i s f a t b i shop r ic da i ly w axin g l eane r an d l eaner , an dpoor e r and poo r e r ; and h i s ho ly i r e was k ind l ed a t t hetho ug ht , th a t th e possessions o f the ch urc h sh ould thu s beat the mercy of a crew of inf idels .

I t was t h e u r ge n t couns e l o f t he b i s hop , t he r e f o r e , t h a t t h emi l i t a ry fo rce thus p rov iden t ia l ly as sembled in the ne ighbour hoo d , s ince i t w as ap pa ren t ly foil ed in i t s a t t em pt up onM oci in , shou ld be tu rn e d aga ins t the se inso len t cas t l es, an dthe coun t r y de l i ve r ed f r om then - dom ina t ion . T h e g r a nd

card ina l suppor ted the sugges t ion of the b i shop , and dec la redth a t he ha d l ong me d i t a t ed t h e po l icy of a m eas u r e o f t h ek i nd . T he i r un i t e d op in ions found favour w i th th e q uee n ,a n d she despa tched a l e t t e r on th e sub jec t to the k in g . I tcam e ju s t in t ime to r e l i eve h im f rom th e d i s t r ac t ion of am ul t i t u de o f couns e ll o rs , and h e imm ed ia t e ly und e r too k t h ereduc t ion of the cas t l es .

The Marquis o f Cadiz was accord ing ly sen t in advancew i th two t hou s an d ho r s e t o keep w a t ch up on t h e ga r r i s ons ,

a n d pre ve n t a l l en t ra nce or ex i t un t i l the k in g shou ld a r r ivew i th t he m a in a r m y and t h e ba t t e r i n g a r t i l l e r y . T he quee n ,to be ne ar a t h an d in case o f ne ed , m ove d h er qu ar te r s to t h ec i t y o f J aen , whe r e s he was r ece ived wi th mar t i a l honour s byth e be l l igeren t b i shop , w ho ha d bu ck led on h i s cu i ras s an dgirded on his sword, to f ight in the cause of his diocese.

I n t h e m ean t im e , t h e M ar qu i s o f C ad iz a r r i ved i n t h eva l l ey , and comple te ly shu t up the Moors wi th in the i r wal l s .T he ca s t l e s wer e unde r t he command o f M ahomet L en t i n ben .TTsef, an Abencer rage , and one of the b raves t cava l i e r s o fG ra na da . I n h i s gar r i sons w ere m an y t roops of th e fie rceAfr ican t r ibes o f G om eres . M ah om et Le nt in , conf iden t inth e s t r en g th of h i s fo r tr es ses, smi led as he look ed dow n f romhi s ba t t l em en t s upon t h e C hr i s t i an cava l r y , pe r p l exed i n t h er o ug h and na r r ow va l l ey . H e s en t f o r t h s k i r mi s h ing pa r t i e s"to ha r a s s t h e m ; an d t he r e w er e m an y s ha r p comba t s b e t w e e n s m a ll p a r ti e s a n d s in g le k n i g h t s ; b u t t h e M o o r s w e r e



T H E C O N Q U E S T O E G E A N A D A . 125

dr iv en ba ck to tk e cas t l es, an d a l l a t t em pt s to sen d in te l l i gence o f t he i r s i t ua t i on t o G r a na da w er e i n t e r cep t ed b y t h ev ig i l ance of the Marquis o f Cadiz .

A t l en g th t h e l eg ions o f t h e r o ya l a r m y came pou r ing ,w i th flu tte ring b an ne r an d va un t ing t ru m p et , a lon g t h edefi les o f th e m ou nta ins . T he y ha l t e d before th e ca s t l es ;bu t the k ing cou ld no t f ind room, in the nar row and ruggedva l ley , to fo rm h i s camp: he had to d iv ide i t in to th ree par t s ,w hic h wer e po s ted o n d if feren t he igh t s , and h i s t en t s w hi ten edt h e s id e s o f t h e n e i g h b o u r i n g h i l ls . W h e n t h e e n c a m p m e n tw as f o rmed , t h e a r m y r e m a ine d gaz ing i d ly a t t h e ca s t l e s .T h e a r t i l l e ry w as up w ard s o f four l eagu es in th e r e ar , an dwi thout a r t i l l e ry a l l a t t ack would be in va in .

T h e a l c a y d e , M a h o m e t L e n t i n , k n e w t h e n a t u r e o f t h e r o a db y w h ich t h e a r t i l le r y ha d t o b e b r o ug h t . I t was m er e ly arugged pa th , a t t imes sca l ing a lmos t perpendicu la r c rags andprec ip ices , up which i t was u t t e r ly imposs ib le fo r whee l ca r r i ag es to pass ; ne i the r w as i t in the pow er o f m an or be as tt o d r aw up t h e l om bar d s and o th e r ponde r ous o r dn anc e .He f e l t a s s u r ed , t he r e f o r e , t ha t t hey neve r cou ld be b r ough tto t h e ca m p ; and , w i tho u t t he i r a id , w ha t cou ld t h e C hr i s t i anseffect aga ins t h is roc k-b ui l t ca s t les ? H e scoffed a t th e m ,

there fo re , as he saw the i r t e n t s b y day and th e i r fires b yn i g h t c o v e ri n g t h e s u r r o u n d i n g h e i g h t s . " L e t t h e m l i n g e rhe re a l i t t l e lon ge r , " sa id he , " an d th e au tu m na l to r ren t s w i l lw a s h t h e m f r o m t h e m o u n t a i n s . "

W h i l e t h e a l cayde wa s t hu s c lo s ely m ew ed u p w i th in h i swal ls , and the Chr i s t i ans l ay inac t ive in the i r camp, he no t iced ,one ca lm au tum na l day , t he s ou nd o f imp lem en t s o f l abo urecho ing am ong t h e m oun ta in s , and now and t h en t he c r a s h ofa f a l l ing t r ee o r a thunder ing repor t , a s i f some rock had been

hea ved f rom i t s bed , an d hu r l e d i n to t h e va l l ey . T h e a l caydewa s on t h e ba t t l em en t s of h i s ca s tl e s u r r o un de d b y b i s kn igh t s ." M e t h i nk s , " s a id he , " t he s e C hr i s t i ans a r e m ak ing w arup on th e rock s and t r ees o f th e mo un ta in s , s ince th ey f ind ou rcas t l es unassa i l ab le . "

T h e s ounds d id no t ceas e even du r ing t h e n ig h t ; eve r ynow and t h en t h e M oor i s h s en t ine l , a s he pa ced t h e ba t t l e m en t s , h ea r d s ome c r a s h echo ing am ong t h e he ig h t s . T h ere tu rn of day exp la ined th e my s te ry . Scarce d id th e su n sh in eaga ins t t he s ummi t s o f t he moun ta in s t han s hou t s bu r s t f r omthe c l i f fs oppos i te to the cas t les , and were answered f rom thecamp wi th j oy f u l s ound o f ke t t l ed r ums and t r umpe t s .

The as ton i shed Moors l i f t ed up the i r eyes and behe ld , as i tw ere , a to r re n t o f w ar b rea k in g o u t o f a n ar ro w defi le .T h e r e was a m u l t i t u de o f m en w i th p i ckaxes , s pad es , an dbars o f i ron , c lea r ing away every obs tac le , whi le beh ind them




sa id l ie , " i s a ll th e p row ess o f Imighth ood aga ins t th es e coward ly eng ines tha t murder f rom afa r ?"

F o r a who le da y a t r em end ous l i re ke p t t h un de r in g up onth e cas t l e o f A lba ha r . T h e lon ibards d i scha rged l a rg e s tone s ,

w h ich dem ol i s hed two o f t h e t ow er s and a l l t he ba t t l em en t sw b i c h g u a r d e d t h e p o r t a l . I f a n y M o o r s a t t e m p t e d t odefend th e wal l s o r r ep a i r th e b rea che s , th ey we re sho tdo w n b y r ibad oqu ines an d o ther smal l p ieces o f a r t i l l e ry .The Chr i s t i an so ld ie ry i s sued for th f rom the camp undercover of th is f ire , and , ap pro ach ing th e cas tles , d isch arg edf ligh ts o f a r row s and s tones th ro ug h the openings m ad e by t h eo r d n a n c e .

At l eng th , to b r ing the s i ege to a conc lus ion , Franc i sco

R am irez e leva ted some of th e he av ies t a r t i l l e ry on a m ou nt ,th a t rose in form of a cone or py ram id, on t h e s ide of a r iv erne a r t o A lbaha r , and com m anded bo th ca s tl e s. T h i s wa s anopera t ion of g rea t sk i l l and ex tens ive l abour , bu t i t was repa idb y com ple te success ; fo r th e M oo rs d id no t dare to w ai t un t i lth i s t e r r ib le ba t t e ry shou ld d i scharge i t s fu ry . Sa t is fi ed th a ta l l fu r ther r es i s t ance was va in , the va l i an t a lcayde made s igna lfor a pa r ley . T h e a r t ic les o f cap i tu la t ion w ere soon a r ra ng ed .T he a l cayde a nd h i s ga r r i s on w er e pe r m i t t ed t o r e tu r n in s a f e ty

to the c i ty o f Granada , and the cas t l es were de l ivered in to thepossess ion of King Ferdinand, on the day of the fes t ival of StM a t t h e w , i n t h e m o n t h o f S e p t e m b e r . T h e y w e r e i m m e d i a t e l yrepa i red , s t rongly gar r i soned , and g iven in charge to the c i tyo f J aen .

T h e e ffects of th i s t r iu m ph w ere imm edia te ly ap pa ren t .Q uie t an d secu r i ty once m ore se t t l ed up on th e b i sh op r ic .The husbandmen t i l l ed the i r f i e lds in peace , the herds andf locks fa t t ened unmoles ted in the pas tures , and the v ineyardsy ie ld ed corp u len t sk ins fu l o f ros y wine . T he good b i sho penjoyed, in the grat i tude of h is people , the approbat ion of h isconsc ience , the increase o f h i s r evenues , and the abundance ofhi s tab le , a re w ar d for a l l h is to i l s an d pe r i l s . " Th is g lor iousv i c to r y , " exc l a ims F r ay An ton io Agap ida , " ach i eved by s uchex t r a o r d ina r y m an ag em en t and in f in i te l abour , is a s h in ingex am ple of w h at a b isho p can effect for th e pro m ot io n of th efai th and the good of h is d iocese ."

C H A P T E R X X X I Y .

E N T E E P E I S E O F T H E K N I G H T S O F C A LA TE AV A A G A I N S T Z A L EA *

"WHILE t h e s e even t s we r e t ak ing p l ace on t h e n o r th e r n f r on ti e ro f t he k ingdom o f Gr anada , t he impor t an t f o r t r e s s o f A lhama




was neg l ec t ed , and i t s com man der , D o n G u t i e r e de Pa d i l l a ,c l ave ro of C a l a t r ava ,* r edu ced t o g r oa t pe r p l ex i t y . T h er e m na n t of t he f o rag ing pa r ty , wh ich ha d been s u r p r i s ed an dm as s ac r ed by t he f ie rce E l Z aga l , w hen on h i s w ay to G r a na da

to rece ive the c rown, had re tu rned in confus ion and d i smay toth e fo r t r es s . Th ey could on ly speak of the i r ow n d i sgrace ,be ing ob l iged to abandon the i r cava lgada , and to f ly , pursuedb y a sup er ior force . Of th e f lower of th ei r p ar ty , th e gal la ntkn igh t s o f C a l a t r ava , who had r ema ined beh ind i n t he va l l ey ,t h ey kn ew no th ing . A few days c l ea r ed up t h e m ys t e r y , an dbrought t id ings o f the i r s t eeds , l ed in t r iumph in to the ga tes o fGr anada ; and t he i r b l eed ing heads , bo r ne a t t he s add l e - bowsof the war r io r s o f E l Zaga l . The i r f e l low knigh t s , who formed

a par t o f the gar r i son , were s t ruck wi th hor ror a t the d i smals to r y , an d pa n t e d t o r eveng e t he i r dea th . T h en - n u m b e r ,how ever , was too m uc h red uce d b y th i s loss to t a k e th e fie ld ;fo r t h e veg a s wa r m ed w i th t h e tr oops o f E l Z ag a l . T h eycould no t even ven ture fo r th to fo rage for p rov i s ions ; and thede fea t o f t he C ou n t de C ab r a hav ing i n t e r r up t ed t he i r cus t om ar y s upp l ie s , t he y w er e r edu ced t o s uch ex t r em i ty , t h a tthey had to ki l l several of thei r horses for food.

Don Gut ie re de Pad i l l a , c l avero of Ca la t rava , the commander

of the fo r t r es s , was ponder ing one day over the g loomy s ta teof a ffair s, w he n a M oo r was bro ug ht before h im , wh o h a dapp l ied a t th e ga te for an aud ien ce . H e bore a bu dg e t , an dappea i' ed t o be one o f t hos e i t i ne r an t m er c han t s w ho w an de r edabou t t he coun t r y i n t hos e days , hang ing on t he s k i r t s o fa rmies , to purchase the spo i l s o f the so ld ie ry , and who wouldp r e t end t o s e l l amu le t s , t r i nke t s , and pe r f umes , bu t wou ldof ten draw for th f rom the i r wal le t s a r t i c les o f g rea t r a r i ty andva lue : r i ch shawls , cha ins o f go ld , neck laces o f pear l s anddiamonds , and cos t ly gems , the p lunder o f camps and c i t i es .T he M oor app r oached t he c l ave r o wi th a mys t e r i ous l ook ." S en ior ," sa id h e , " I w ou ld spea k w i th yo u a lone ; I ha ve apre ciou s je w el to dispose of." " I n ee d no je w el s ," sa id t h ec l ave r o , ab r u p t l y ; " t ak e t h y wa r es t o t h e s o ld i e r y . " " B y t h eb loo d of h im w ho d ied on th e c ross , " exc la imed th e M oo r ,wi th earnes t so lemni ty , " do no t tu rn a deaf ea r to my of fe r :the j ewel I have to se l l would be to you of ines t imable va lue ,and you a lone can be t he pu r chas e r . "

T he c l aver o w as moved by t h e ea r nes tn es s o f t h e M oo r ,and perce ived , tha t , under the f igura t ive l anguage common toh i s cou n t r ym en , h e concea led s ome m ean ing o f im po r t anc e .H e ma de a s ign , t he r e f o r e , t o h i s a t t e nd an t s t o w i th d r a w .

* Clavero of Calatrava is he who beavs the keys of the castle, convents,and archives of the order. It is an office of great honour and d istinction.




T h e M oo r l ooked a f te r t he m un t i l t h e doo r c lo s ed ; t h en ,

I del iver " the for t ress of Z al ea in to yo ur h an ds ?"Z a l ea was a s t r ong t own , abou t two l eagues d i s t an t , wh ich

ha d l ong been a hos t i l e and dange r ous ne igh bou r t o A lh a m a ;i t s w a r r i o r s l ay in g f r equen t am bus cades t o s u r p r i s e t h e k n igh t sof Ca la t rava , when ou t upon a fo rage , and to in te rcep t and cu toff thei r suppl ies and cavalgadas .

T h e c lavero looked w i th m ingled surpr i se an d d i s t r us t a tth is i t in er an t ped ler , w ho th u s of fered to traf fic for a w ar l ik etow n . " T h ou t a lke s t , " s a id he , " o f s e ll ing m e Z a l e a ; w h a tmeans has t thou of making good the sa le ?"

" I have a b r o the r i n t he ga r r i s on , " r ep l i ed t h e M oor , " w h o ,

for a pr op er su m paid dow n, wi l l ad m it a b od y of t roo ps b yn igh t i n to t he c i t ade l . "" And for a sum of go ld , then , " sa id the c lavero , r egard ing

h i m w i th s t e r n s c r u t i ny , " t ho u a r t p r epa r e d t o be t r a y t h ypeople and thy fa i th ?"

" I ab ju r e t he m an d t he i r f a i t h , " r ep l i ed t h e M o o r : " m ym ot he r w as a Cas t i l ian cap t ive ; he r people sha l l be m y people ,and her r e l ig ion my re l ig ion . "

T he cau t ious c lavero s t i ll d i s t ru s ted th e s incer i ty o f th i sm ong r e l M oor and p i eba ld C hr i s t i an . " W h a t a s s u r anc e , "c o n t i n u e d h e , " h a v e I , t h a t t h o u w i l t d e a l m o r e t r u l yw i th m e t h an w i th t h e a l cayde o f t h e f o r t re s s t h ou wou lds tb e t r a y ? To m e tho u ha s t no t i e o f fea l ty , to h im tho u o w es tthy a l l eg iance . "

" I ow e him no a l leg ian ce " cr ied th e M oo r , f i re f lashingfrom h i s e y es : " th e a lcayde i s a ty ra n t , a d o g he has r ob be dme of my merchandise , s t r ipped me of my lawfu l booty , andor d e r e d m e t h e bas t i nado , becaus e I da r ed t o compla in . M a yth e curse o f G od l igh t upon m e if I r e s t con ten te d un t i l Ih a v e a m p l e v e n g e a n c e "

" E n o u g h , " s a i d t h e c l a v e r o ; " I w i ll t r u s t t o t h y v e n g e a n c e ,e v e n m o r e t h a n t o t h y C h r i s ti a n i t y . "

D o n G u t i e r e now s um m oned a couns e l o f h i s p r i nc ipa lkn ig h t s . T he y w ere a l l eage r for the en te rpr i se , as a m odeof r ev en gin g th e de a t h o f the i r com panions , an d wip ing offth e s t igma cas t up on th e o rde r b y th e l a te defea t. Sp ies w ere

sen t to r econnoi t r e Za lea , and to communica te wi th theb r o the r o f t h e M o o r ; t h e s um to b e pa id a s a r ecom pens ewas ad jus t ed , and eve r y a r r angemen t made f o r t he en t e r p r i s e .

On the appoin ted n igh t , a par ty o f cava l i e ra se t ou t underth e gu idanc e of t h e M oor . W h e n t h ey came ne a r t o Z a l ea ,t he i r l e ade r boun d t he ha nd s o f t h e gu ide beh in d h i s b ackand p ledged h i s kn igh t ly word to s t r ike h im dead on the l eas ts ign of t r e ac he ry ; h e th en ba de h im lead the w ay . I t was .

adva nc ing cau t i ous ly , " W h a t w i l l ," said he, " if

K



1 3 0 H I S T O E Y o r

m idn igh t wi ien th ey a r r ived in s i lence u n de r th e wal l s o f - th e 'c i t ade l . A t a low s igna l, a l ad de r o f rop es wa s l e t d o w n :G u t i e r e M un oz and Pe d r o de A lva r ad o w er e t he f irst t o a s cen d ;fo llowed b y ha l f a dozen o th er s . T h e y surp r i sed th e gu ar ds ,

cu t t hem down , t h r ew them ove r t he wa l l , and ga ined pos s es s ion of a tow er . T h e a la rm w as given, th e w hole c i tade l w asin confus ion , bu t a l r eady the kn igh t s o f Ca la t rava were in -eve r y pa r t . T he y ca ll ed t o each o the r t o r em em be r t he i rb r e t h r en mas s ac r ed i n t h e va l l ey of t h e vega , an d t he i r b loo dyhead s bo r ne i n t r i u m ph to G r ana da . T h ey f ough t w i th s an gu ina r y f u r y ; mos t o f t he ha l f - a r med and bewi lde r ed ga r r i s onw er e p u t t o t h e s w or d ; t h e r e s t w e r e t ak en p r i s one r s ; i n an •.hour t hey wer e mas t e r s p f t he c i t ade l , and t he t own s ubmi t t ed

of course . T he y found th e magaz ines s to re d w i th a ll k in dso f p r ov i s ions , w i th w h ich t he y l oaded an imm ens e t r a in o fbe as t s o f bu rd en , for th e r e l i e f of th e f amish ing ga r r i son ofA l h a m a .

T h u s d id th e g a l l an t kn igh t s o f Ca la t rava ga in the s t ro ngtow n of Za lea , w i th scarce ly any loss , an d a tone for th e .ing lor ious defea t sus ta ine d b y th en ' com panions . L ar ge re in forcem ents an d suppl ies f rom th e sovere igns a r r iv in g soonaf te r , s t r e ng the ne d th e m in the i r ow n for t res s , an d ena b led

them to keep possess ion of then-

ne w conq ues t . Th i s ga l l a n ta f fa i r took p lace about the same t ime as the cap ture o f Cambi lan d A lb a h a r ; and t hes e two ach i evem en t s gave a p r os pe r oust e r m ina t i on t o t h e cheq ue r ed even t s o f t h i s im po r t an t ye a r .Fe r d in an d a nd I s abe l l a r e t i r ed fo r t he w in t e r t o A lcada d eH en a r es , w he r e t h e . queen , on t h e 16 th o f D ecem ber , gav eb i r t h t o t h e i n f an t a C a the r ine , a f te r war ds s pouse t o H e n r yT i l l of E n g la n d .

C H A P T E R X X X V .

D E A T H 0 E OJJD. M U L E Y A B E N H A S S A N .

T H E pe r s ona l exp lo it s w i th wh ich E l Z a ga l ha d com men cedhis r e ign , in surpr i s ing the kn igh t s o f Ca la t rava , and defea t ingth e C ou n t de C abr a , ha d g iven h im a t r an s i en t pop u l a r i t y ,wh ich he had p r omoted by f ea s t s and t ou r namen t s , and o the rpu bl ic r e jo ic ings , in w hich the Mo ors de l igh ted . K no w ing ,how eve r , t h e unce r t a in n a tu r e o f t h e peop l e ove r wh om h ereigned, he feared some capr ic ious revolut ion in favour of h isdepos ed b r o the r , M ule y A ben H as s a n . T h a t once f ie r y o ld -m on ar c h was now b l i nd an d bed r idde n , an d l ived i n a k ind o fdu r an ce i n t h e c i t y o f A lmu neca r . H e was t r ea t ed , howeve r ,w i th de f er ence a nd a t t e n t i o n ; fo r t h e ga r r i s on h ad be en o r i-




gina i ly appoin ted by bimself. E l Za ga l , hav ing now a l i t t l el e i s u r e du r ing t he i n t e r va l o f t he campa igns , became s udden lyso li c itous abo ut th e de a t h of h i s b ro the r , and h a d h im re m ov ed to Sa lob reña , fo r th e benef i t of pu re r an d m ore

sa lu br io u s air . . ...T h e sm al l to w n of Salob reñ a was s i tu ate o n a lof ty hil l, ,that rose out of the cent re of a beaut i ful and fer t i le val ley onthe M ed i t e r r anean coas t . I t was p r o t ec t ed by a s t r ong ca s t l e ,bu i l t b y th e M oo r i sh k ings , as a p lace of depos i t for th e i rt r easures . Here a l so they gen t such of the i r sons and bro ther sa s m igh t end ang e r t h e s ecu r i ty o f t he i r r e i gn . T he y l ivedh e r e , p r i soners a t l a rge , in a s t a te o f vo lup tuous repose , undera se rene sky , in a sof t c l imate an d lux ur ia n t va l l ey . T h e

pa lace was adorned wi th founta ins , and de l i c ious gardens , andpe r f umed b a th s , ; a ha r em o f beau t i e s was a t t h e com ma nd ofth e roy a l cap t ives , an d m us ic an d t h e danc e be gui led t h el agg ing hou r s . N o th ing was den i ed t h em b u t t h e l i be r t y to .d e p a r t ; t h a t a l one was w an t ing t o r en de r t he abode a pe r fec tpa rad ise . . .

N otw i th s ta nd ing th e ex treme, sa lub r i ty o f the a i r, an d th eass iduous a t t en t io ns of the com m ande r , w ho was d evoted toE l Z aga l , and ha d be en pa r t i cu l a r l y cha r ged by h im to be

wa tchfu l over th e he a l th o f h i s b ro th er , th e o ld m on arc h hadno t been he r e m an y day s be fo re he exp i r ed . T h e r e w asno th i ng surpr i s ing in th i s e v e n t ; fo r life w i th h im ha d longg l imm er ed in t h e s oc ke t : b u t t h e m eas u r e s imm ed ia t e ly t akenby E l Z a ga l r ous ed t h e s usp i cions of t he pub l i c . W i t h i nde cen t has te , he o rd ered tha t th e t r easures , o f th e deceaseds hou ld be packe d up on m u les , and conveyed t o Gr an ada , wh e r ehe took possess ion of them, to the exclus ion of the chi ldren. ,T he s u l t ana Z or a yn a , a n d he r two s ons , w e r e im pr i s oned in .

the Al l i ambra , in the tower o f Gomares ; the same p lace ,wher e , by he r i n s t i ga t i on , t he v i r t uous Ayxa l a Hor r a and he rson Bo abd i l h ad once b een conf ined . . T he re she ha d l e isure ,to rum ina te on th e d i sapp oin tm ent o f a l l he r scheme s , per -l iduou s ly ex ecu ted , for th e adv anc em ent o f those sons , w how er e he r fe llow pr i so ne rs . Th e corpse of o ld M ul ey A benH as s a n was a ls o b r o ug h t t o G r a n ad a ; n o t i n s t a t e , l ike t h erem ains o f a once pow er fu l sovere ign , b u t t r a nsp or te d igno-m in ious ly on a m ule . I t rece ived no funera l hon ours , b u t w asb or ne obscure ly to th e g rave b y tw o Ch r i s t i an cap t ives, an ddepos i t ed in the roya l Osar io o r charne l house .*

No s oone r wer e t he peop l e we l l a s s u r ed t ha t o ld M uleyA be n H as s a n was dea d and . bu r i ed , t h an t h ey a l l, w i th Oneaccord , be ga n to dep lore h i s los s an d ex to l h i s m em ory .

* Cura de los Palacios, cap. Ixxvii.K 2



132 HIS TORY OF

They" ad m i t t ed th a t he had been f ie rce an d c rue l , b u t the n h ehad been b r ave : i t was t r ue , he had pu l l ed down th i s warup on th e i r hea ds ; b u t he ha d h imse l f a l so be en c rush ed b yi t . I n a w ord , h e was d e a d ; an d h i s de a th a ton ed for eve ry

fau l t : fo r a k ing , jus t deceased , i s genera l ly e i ther a hero ora sa in t . I n p rop or t ion as th ey ceased to ha te M ule y A be nH as s an , t he y began t o ha t e h i s b r o the r E l Z aga l . T he m ann e r o f th e o ld k ing ' s dea th , th e eage rness to se ize upo n h i st r easures , the scanda lous neg lec t o f h i s corpse , and the impr i sonment o f h i s su l t ana and ch i ld ren , a l l f i l l ed the publ ic mindw i th da r k s us p i c ions ; and t h e n am e o f E l Z ag a l was o f tencoupled wi th the ep i the t s o f f r a t r i c ide in the low murmur ingsof the people .

As the p ubl ic m us t a lwa ys hav e some lead ing pe r son to l ike ,as wel l as to ha te , th er e be ga n once m ore to be an in qu i ryaf te r Bo abdi l e l Chico . T ha t un for tun a te m on arc h was l iv inga t Cordova , un de r th e shad e of th e co ld f r iendsh ip of F er d i nan d , w ho ha d ceas ed t o r eg a r d h im w i th m uc h a t t en t i on w he nh e w as no lon ge r useful to h is in te res ts . JNo sooner , how eve r ,d id the publ ic f avour once more inc l ine towards h im, than thek indne s s of t he C a tho l ic m ona r ch imm ed ia t e ly r ev ived . H efurn i shed h im w i th m one y and m ean s aga in to e leva te h i s s t anda rd , an d c rea te a d iv is ion in th e M oo r i sh po w er . B y th i s

e l Blan co, a s t ro ng f ront ier to w n on th e confines of M ur ci a ,where he remained , as i t were , wi th one foo t over the border ,and r ead y t o d r aw th a t back a t a m om en t ' s wa r n in g . H i sprese nce , how eve r , gav e ne w fife to h i s f act ion in G ran ad a . I ti s t rue , the more cour t ly and opulen t inhab i tan t s o f the quar t e r o f th e A lha m bra s t i l l r a l l i ed rou nd th e th ro ne of E l Za ga l ,

as th e g re a t s ea t of pow er ; b u t th en th e inh ab i tan t s o f t h ea lbayc in , t h e poo r es t pa r t o f t he com mu ni ty , wh o had no th in gto r i sk an d no th in g to lose , w ere a lmos t un an im ous in f avourof the ind ige nt Bo ab di l . So i t i s in th is wo nderful sys te m ofsu bl un ar y affai rs ; th e r ic h befr iend th e r ich , th e pow erfuls tand by the power fu l , whi le the poor en joy the s t e r i l e as s i s t ance of the i r f e l low s : thu s , each one seek ing h i s k ind , th ead m irab le o rd er o f a l l th in gs i s m ain ta ined , an d a un iver s a lha r mony p r eva i l s .

OF T H E C H R I S T I A N A E M Y , W H I C H A S S E M B L E D A T T H E C IT Y O F

GEEAT and g lor ious was the s ty le wi th which the Catho l icsovere igns opened ano ther ye ar ' s cam paign of th i s even t fu l

as s i s t ance Boabdi l es tab l i shed

C H A P T E R X X X V I .

CORDOVA.




w ar . I t was l ike comm encing an oth er ac t of a s t a te ly and.hero ic d ram a, w he re th e cur ta in r i s es to th e insp i r ing so un dof mar t i a l melody , and the whole s t age gutters w i t h t h e a r r a yof w ar r io r s an d th e po m p of a rm s . T h e anc ien t c i ty o f Cor dova was the p lace appoin ted by the sovere igns fo r the as sembla ge of th e t r o o p s ; and , ear ly in th e sp r ing of 1486, th e fa irva l l ey of th e G uad a lqu iv i r r esou nd ed w i th th e shr i l l b la s t o ft r um pe t , and t he impa t i en t ne igh ing o f t h e w ar - ho r s e . I nth i s sp lend id e ra o f Spanish ch iva l ry there was a r iva l sh ipamong the nobles , who mos t should d i s t ingu i sh h imse l f by thes p l endour o f h i s appea r ance , and t h e nu m be r and equ ipm en t sof h is feudal fo llowers. E v e ry da y be he ld som e caval ier ofn o t e , th e r epre sen ta t ive o f some pr ou d an d power fu l ho us e ,

en t e r i ng t he ga t e s o f C or dova wi th s ound o f t r umpe t , anddisp lay ing h i s ba nn er an d dev ice , r eno w ne d in m an y a cont e s t . H e wou ld appea r i n s um ptuou s a r r ay , s u r r ou nde d b ypages and lackeys , no less gorgeous ly a t t i red , and fol lowed bya hos t of vassals and re ta iners , horse and foot , a l l admirablyequ ipped i n bu r n i s hed a r mour .

Such was t h e s t a t e of D o n I n ig o L ope z de M endo za , D u k eof In fa n ta d o ; wh o ma y be c it ed as a p ic tu re o f a w ar l ikenob l e of t hos e t imes . H e b r o ug h t w i th h im five hu nd r e d

m en- a t - a r ms of h i s hous eho ld , equ ipped and m ou n te d h lagemía a n d h la guisa. T he caval ie rs wh o a t t en de d h im w er ebo th magn i fi cen t ly a rm ed an d dres sed . T h e hou s ings o ff i f ty of h is horses were of r ich c loth , embroidered wi th gold;an d o the r s we re o f b roca de . T he sum pte r m ules ha d hou s ingsof th e same, w i th ha l t e r s o f s i lk ; w hi le the b r id les , head pieces ,and a l l the harness ing g l i t t e red wi th s i lver .

T he cam p equipa ge of thes e no ble an d luxu r ious w ar r io r sw as equa l ly magni f i cen t. Th e i r t e n t s w ere gay pav i l ions , o f

var ious colours , f i t ted up wi th s i lken hangings , and decoratedw it h flu ttering p en no ns . T h e y h a d vessels of gold a n d s i lverfor the service of thei r tables , as i f they were about to engagein a course of s ta te ly feas ts and cour t ly revels , ins tead of thes t e r n encoun t e r s o f r ug ged and m oun ta inou s war f a r e . Som et imes they passed th rough the s t r ee t s o f Cordova a t n igh t , insp lendid cava lcade , wi th g rea t numbers o f l igh ted to rches , thera y s o f w hich , fa l ling up on po l ished a rm ou r , an d nod dingplumes , and s i lken scar f s , and t r app ings o f go lden embro idery ,filled a l l beh older s w i th ad m ir a t io n *

But i t was no t the ch iva l ry o f Spa in a lone which th rongedth e s t r ee t s o f Cordo va . T he fame of th i s w ar h a d sp rea dth r oughou t C hr i s t endom: i t was cons ide r ed a k ind o f c r u s a d e ; an d Catho l ic kn igh t s f rom a l l pa r t s h as ten ed t o s igna li se

* Pulg ar, part ii , cap. 4 1 , 56 .



134 H I S T O B Y O F

t hems e lves i n s o ho ly a canse . T he re w ere severa l va l i a n tcheva li e rs f rom Fr an ce , am ong w hom th e m os t d i s t i ngu i s hedwas G as tón du L eon , s enes cha l o f T ou lous e . W i t h h im camea ga l l an t t r a i n , we l l a r med and moun ted , and deco r a t ed wi thr ich sureoá t s an dp un ac he s o f f ea ther s , Th ese cava l ie r s , i t i ssa id , ec l ipsed a l l o th ers in t h e l ig ht fes t iv it ies of th e co ur t .They were devoted to the f a i r ; bu t no t a f t e r the so lemn andpass iona te m an ne r o f th e Sp anish lovers : t h e y were gay ,ga l l an t , an d joy ou s in the i r am ours , and cap t iva ted b y t h eviv aci ty of th ei r a t tac ks . T h ey w ere a t firs t he ld in l igh tes t imat ion b y th e g rav e an d s ta te ly Sp anish kn igh t s , u n t i lthey made themse lves to be respec ted by the i r wonder fu lprowess in the f ield.

The mos t consp icuous of the vo lun teer s , however , who appeared in Cordova on th i s occas ion , was an Engl i sh kn igh t o froy a l connec t ion . Th is wa s th e L o rd Sca les , E a r l o f R ive r s ,r e l a t e d t o t h e Q u e e n o f E n g l a n d , w ife o f H e n r y V I I . H eha d d i s t ingu i sh ed h imse l f in th e p rec ed in g ye ar , a t the ba t t l eo f B o s wo r th E i e ld , wh e r e H e n r y T ud or , t h en E a r l o f R i ch m ond , ove r came R ich a r d I I I . T ha t deci si ve ba t t l e hav inglef t the C o u n t r y a t peace , th e E a r l o f R i ve r s , r e ta in in g a pass ionfor war l ike scenes , repai red to the Cas t i l ian cour t , to keep his

a rm s in exerc i se in a cam paign aga ins t th e M oo rs . H ebr ou gh t w i th h im a hu nd r e d a r che r s , a l l dex t e r ous w i th t h elong bow a nd t h e c lo th - ya r d a r r o w : a ls o two hu nd r ed yeo m en , a rm ed cap-à-p iè , w ho fought w i th p ike and ba t t l eax e ;men robus t o f f r ame, and of p rod ig ious s t r eng th . -

T he wor thy Pad r e F r ay An ton io Agap ida des c r i bes t h i ss t r anger kn igh t and h i s fo l lowers wi th h i s accus tomed accur ac y and m inu t ene s s . " T h i s cava l i e r, " he obs e r ves , " w a sf rom the i s l and of England , and brought wi th l i im a t r a in o f

h i s vassa l s ; men who had been hardened- in cer ta in c iv i l warsw h ich ha d r ag ed i h t he i r cou n t r y . T h ey wer e a com e ly r ac eof m en , b u t too fa ir an d f resh for w ar r io r s ; no t hav ing th esu nb urn t , m ar t i a l h ue of ou r o ld Cas t i l ian so ld ie ry . T h e yw ere hu ge feeders a lso , an d d eep carouser s ; an d cou ld n o taccom m odate them se lves to th è sobe r d ie t o f our t roop s , b u tmus t f a in ea t and dr ink a f t e r the manner o f the i r own count r y . T he y we re o f ten no i sy an d un ru ly , a lso , in th e i r w as sai l ; an d the i r q ua r te r of th e ca m p w as pron e to be a scen e ofl oud r eve l and s udden b r aw l . T h ey w er e w i tha l of g r ea tp r i de ; ye t i t was no t l i ke ou r i n f l ammab le Span i s h p r i de :t h ey s t ood no t m uc h u pon t h e pundonor and h igh punc t i l io ,and r a r e ly d r ew the s t i l e t t o i n t he i r d i s p u t e s ; b u t t he i r p r i d ewa s s i len t an d contum el ious . T ho u gh f rom a re m ote a n d

-somewhat barbarous i s l and , they ye t be l i eved themse lvesth e m os t per fec t m en up on ea r th ; an d m agni fi ed the i r chief-




ta i n , t he L or d Sca le s , bey on d t h e g r ea t e s t of on r g r an de es .W i t h a ll t h i s , i t m us t be s a id o f t he m , t h a t t he y w er e m ar ve l lous good m en in th e fie ld , dex te rous a rch ers , an d pow er fu l w i th th e ba t t l ea xe . I n th e i r g re a t p r id e an d se lf -wi llt hey a lways s ough t t o p r e s s i n t he advance , and t ake t he pos t

of dan ger , t ry in g to ou tv ie our Sp anish ch iva l ry . T h ey d idn o t ru sh forw ard fiercely , or m ak e a b r i l l ian t ons et , l ike th eM oo r i sh an d Spanish t roops ; b u t th e y w en t in to th e fightde l ibera te ly , an d per s is ted ob s t ina te ly , an d w ere s low to findo u t w h e n t h e y w e r e b e a t e n . W i t h a l , t h e y w e r e m u c hes teemed, ye t l i t t l e l iked by our so ld ie ry , who cons ideredth e m s tan ch com panions in th e fie ld , ye t cove ted bu t l i t t l efe l lowship wi th them in the camp.

" Then- commander , the Lord Sca les , was an accompl i shedoava l ier , of grac ious an d nob le pre sen ce, an d fa i r speech . I tw as a m ar ve l t o see s o m uc h cou r t e s y i n a kn igh t b r o ug h t upso fa r f rom our Cas t i l ian cour t . H e wa s mu ch ho no ured b ythe k ing and queen , and found grea t f avour wi th the f an-dam es abou t t h e co u r t ; who , i ndeed , a r e r a t he r p r one t o bep lease d w i th fo re ign cava l i e r s . H e w en t a lway s in cos t lys t a t e , a t t en de d by pages and e s qu i re s , a nd accom pan ied b ynoble young cava l i e r s o f h i s count ry , who had enro l l ed them

se lves under h i s banner , to l ea rn the gen t le exerc i se o f a rms .I n a l l pa ge an t s an d fes tiva ls , th e eyes o f th e popu lace w er ea t t r a c t e d by t he s i ngu l a r bea r ing and r i ch a r r ay o f t h e E n g l i s hear l and h i s t r a in , who pr ided themse lves in a lways appear ingin t h e ga r b and m an ne r of t he i r c o u n t r y ; an d wer e i ndeedsometh ing very magni f i cen t , de lec tab le , and s t r ange to beho ld . " _ _

The wor thy chronicler i s no less e laborate in his descr ipt ionof the mas te r s o f San t iago , Ca la t rava , and Alcan ta ra , and

the i r va l i an t k n ig h t s ; a r m ed a t a l l po in t s , and deco r a t ed w i thth e ba dg es of th ei r ord ers . " T he se ," h e af firms, " w ere t h eflower of Ch r is t ian chiv al ry . B ein g co ns ta nt ly in service ,they became more s t eadfas t and accompl i shed in d i sc ip l inethan the i r r egu la r and t emporary l ev ies o f the f euda l nobles .Ca lm , so lemn, and s ta te ly , the y sa t l ike tow ers upon the i rpow er fu l cha rger s . O n para de s , th e y ma ni fes ted non e of th eshow an d os ten ta t ion of th e o th er t roop s . N ei th er in ba t t l e ,d id they endeavour to s igna l i se themse lves by any f i e ry

v ivac i ty , o r desp era te and va ing lor ious ex p lo i t ; ev ery th in gw i th t h em was m eas u r ed an d s ed a t e ; y e t i t was obs e r ved ,t ha t none wer e mor e war l i ke i n t he i r appea r ance i n t he camp ,or more ter r ib le for ' thei r achievements in the f ie ld .

The gorgeous magni f i cence of the Spanish nobles foundb u t l i t t le favour in th e eyes of th e sovere igns . T he y sawth a t i t caused a com pet i t ion in exp ense , ru in ou s t o caval iers




of modera te fo r tune ; and they feared tha t a sof tness andef feminacy m ig ht th u s he in t ro du ced , incom pat ib le w i th t h es te rn na tu re o f th e w ar . T h ey s ign i fi ed then- d i sap prob a t ionto s eve r a l o f t h e p r i nc ipa l nob l emen , a nd r ecom m end ed a m or esober and soldier l ike display whi le in actual service .

" Th ese a re r a re t roop s fo r a tou rn ey , m y lo rd , " sa id F e r d ina nd t o t h e D u ke o f I n f an t ado , a s he behe ld h i s r e t a ine r sg l i t t e r ing in go ld and emb ro ide ry : " bu t go ld , th ou gh go rge ou s ,i s sof t and yie lding: i ron is the metal for the f ie ld ."

" S i re , " r ep l i ed th e duk e , " if m y me n para de in go ld , y o u rm ajes ty w i l l f ind th e y f ight w i th s tee l ." T h e kin g sm iled, .b u t s hook h i s h e a d ; and t he duke t r ea s u r ed up h is s peech i n ;

h i s hea r t .I t r e m ains now to r eve a l th e im m edia te ob jec t o f th i s

m igh ty and ch iva lr ous p r ep a r a t i on ; wh ich had , i n fac t, t h egrat i f icat ion of a ro ya l p iq ue a t bo t to m . T h e seve re lessonwhich Fe r d inand had r ece ived f r om the ve t e r an Ah Ata r ,before the wal l s o f Loxa , though i t had been of g rea t s e rv icein r ender ing h im wary in h i s a t t acks upon for t i f i ed p laces , ye trank led sore ly in h i s mind; and he had ever s ince he ld Loxain pecu l ia r od ium . I t w as , in t r u th , one of th e m os t be l l igeren t and t roublesome c i t i es on the border s ; incessan t ly haras s ing A nd alus ia b y i t s incurs ions . I t a l so in te rv ene d be tw ee nthe C hr i s t i an t e r r i t o r i e s and Alhama , and o the r impor t an tp laces , ga ined in th e k in gd om of G ran ad a . F o r a l l th es er e a s o n s , K i n g F e r d i n a n d h a d d e t e r m i n e d t o m a k e a n o t h e rg r and a t t emp t upon t h i s war r i o r c i t y ; and f o r t h i s pu r pos e hehad summoned to the f i e ld h i s mos t power fu l ch iva l ry .

I t was in the month of May tha t the k ing sa l l i ed f rom Cor dova , a t t h e hea d o f h i s a r m y . H e ha d twe lve t h ou s an dcavalry , and for ty thousand foot soldiers , wi th cross-bows,

lances , an d a rqu ebu ses . Th ere w ere s ix tho us an d p ioneers ,wi th ha tche t s , p ickaxes , and c rowbars , fo r l eve l l ing roads .H e took w i th h im , a l so , a g re a t t r a in o f lom bards an d o th erhe av y a r t i l l e r y ; w i th a bod y of Ge r m ans , s k il led i n t h e s e r v ice o f o rdnance and the a r t o f ba t t e r ing wal l s .

" I t was a g lor ious spec tac le , " says Fray Anton io Agapida ," to behold th i s pompous pagean t i s su ing for th f rom Cordova :the pennons and dev ices o f the p roudes t houses o f Spa in , wi ththose of ga l l an t s t r anger kn igh t s , f lu t t e r ing above a sea o f

c res t s and p lumes ; to see i t s lowly moving , wi th f l ash ofhe lm et , an d cu iras s and buckle r , ac ross th e anc ien t b r id ge ,an d re f lec ted i n t h e wa t e r s o f t h e G ua da lqu iv i r ; w h i le t h ene igh of s t eed , and the b las t o f t rumpet , v ib ra ted in the a i r ,an d r e s oun ded t o t he d i s t an t m oun ta in s . B u t , above a l l , "concludes th e good fa ther , w i th his accu s tom ed zeal , " i t w ast r i u m ph an t t o beho ld t h e s t an da r d of t he f a it h eve r yw her e



T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G R A N A D A , 1 3r

disp layed ; and to r e f l ec t , tha t th i s was no wor ld ly-minded:a r my , i n t en t upon s ome t empor a l s cheme o f ambi t i on o rr e ve ng e ; b u t a C h r i s t ian hos t , bou nd on a c r us ade t o ex t i r pa te th e v i le seed of M ah om et f rom th e l a nd , and to ex ten dthe pure domin ion of the church ."

C H A P T E R X X X V I I .

H O W F R E S H C O M M OT IO N S B R O K E O U T I N G R A N A D A , A N D H O WT H E P E O P L E U N D E R T O O K TO A LL AY T H E M .

W H I L E per fec t un i ty o f ob jec t , and harmony of opera t iongave pow er t o t he C hr i s t i an a r m s , t h e dev o t ed k ingdo m o fG r an ad a con t i nued a p r e y t o i n t e r na l f euds. T he t r an s i en tpopula r i ty o f E l Zaga l had dec l ined ever s ince the dea th o fh i s b ro ther , and the par ty o f Boabdi l e l Chico was da i lyga in ing s t r eng th . T he a lbayc in and t h e Al l i am br a w er e aga inar rayed aga ins t each o ther in dead ly s t r i f e , and the s t r ee t s o funhappy Granada were da i ly d ied in the b lood of her ch i ld ren*I n th e m id s t of the se dissens ions , t id in gs a r r iv ed of th e for

m idab le a rm y assembl ing a t Cordova . T he r iva l f ac tionspaus ed i n t he i r i n f a tua t ed b r awl s , and wer e r ous ed t o a t empo r a r y s ens e o f t h e comm on dan ge r . T h ey f o r t hwi th r e s o r t edt o t h e n - o ld expe dien t o f new m odel l ing the i r gov ernm ent , o rr a t he r , o f m ak in g and un m ak ing k ing s . T h e el evat ion of E lZaga l to the th rone had no t p roduced the des i red e f fec t .W h a t , the n , was to be done ? Re ca l l Bo abd i l e l Chico , a n dacknow ledge h im aga in as sovere ign ? W h i l e t h e y w ere in apopvda r t umul t o f de l i be r a t i on , Hamet Aben Z a r r ax , s u r aamed

E l San to , a ro s e am ong t hem . T h i s was t h e s am e wi ld , me l an cho ly m au , w ho ha d p r ed i c t e d t h e woes o f G r ana da . H eis sued f rom one of th e caverns o f th e ad jacen t he igh t , w hi chove r hangs t he Dar r o , and has s i nce been ca l l ed t he Ho lyM o u n t a i n . H i s a p p e a r a n c e w a s m o r e h a g g a r d t h a n e v e r ;f o r t he un hee ded s p i r it o f p r ophe cy s eemed t o hav e t u r n edi n w a r d l y , a n d p r e y e d u p o n h i s v i ta l s. " B e w a r e , o h M o s l e m s "exc la imed h e , " o f m en , w ho a re eager to gov ern , ye t a reun ab l e t o p r o t e c t W h y s l augh t e r each o the r fo r E l C h i co

o r E l Z a ga l ? L e t yo u r k ings r enoun ce t he i r con t e s t s anduni te fo r the sa lva t ion of Granada , o r l e t them be deposed "

H a m e t A b e n Z a r r a x h a d l o n g b e e n r e v e r e d a s a s a i n t ; h ew as now cons idered an orac le . T he o ld m en and the nob lesimm ed ia t e ly cons u l t ed toge the r how th e two ri va l k ings mig h tb e b r o ug h t t o acco rd . T h ey ha d t r i ed m os t ex pe d i e n t s : i twas now de t e r mined t o d iv ide t he kh igdom be tween t hem ;



138 H I S T O R Y 0 3 ?

g iv ing Gr anada , M a laga , Ve l ez M a laga , A lmer i a , A lmuneca r ,and t he i r dependenc i e s , t o E l .Z aga l , and t he r e s idue t o B oabd i l e l Chico . A m on g th e c i ti es g r an ted to th e l a t t e r , L ox a•was par t icular ly speci f ied , wi th a condi t ion, that he should

im m ed ia te ly t ak e com mand of i t in p er so n ; for th e counc i lt ho ug h t t h e f avour h e en joyed w i th t h e C as t il ian m on ar ch sm i g h t a v e r t t h e t h r e a t e n e d a t t a c k .

E l Z a ga l r ead i l y acco r ded t o t h i s a r r an gem en t . H e h adbe en has t i ly e leva ted to th e th ro ne b y an ebu l li tion of th epeople , and m ig h t b e as has t i ly cas t dow n aga in . I t s ecuredh i m one -ha lf o f a k ingdom to w h ich he ha d no he r ed i t a r yr igh t , and he t rus ted to fo rce o r f r aud to ga in the o ther ha l fhereaf te r . T he wi ly o ld m on arch even sen t a depu ta t ion to

his ne ph ew , m ak in g a m er i t of of fering him cheerfully th ehalf, which he had thus been compel led to r e l inqui sh , andinvi t ing him to enter in to an amicable coal i t ion for the good ofthe coun t r y .

T h e he ar t o f Bo abdi l sh ru nk f rom a l l connexion w i th am an wh o h ad s oug h t h i s lif e, and w hom he r ega r de d a s t h em ur de r e r o f h i s k ind r ed . H e accep t ed one -ha lf o f t h e k ing dom as an of fer f rom the nat ion, not to be re jected by a pr incewho scarce ly he ld possess ion of the g round he s tood on .

H e as ser ted , nev er the les s , h i s ab so lu te r ig h t to th e whole , a n donly submi t t ed to the par t i t ion ou t o f anx ie ty fo r the p resen tgoo d of h i s peop le . H e as sembled h i s hand fu l o f adh ere n t s ,an d p r ep a r ed t o has t en t o L ox a . A s he m ou n ted h i s ho r s e t od e p a r t , H a m e t A b e n Z a r r a x s t o o d s u d d e n l y b e f o r e h i m ." B e t r u e t o t h y coun t r y an d t h y f a i t h , " c r i ed h e : " ho ld nof u r the r com mu nica t ion w i th t he s e C hr i s t ian dogs . T r u s t no tthe ho l low-hear ted f r i endsh ip of the Cas t i l i an k ing : he i sm in ing t he ea r t h be ne a th t h y f eet . C hoose one o f two t h in g s :

be a sovere ign or a s l ave ; • t h o u c a n s t n o t b e b o t h "B o a b d i l r u m i n a t e d o n t h e s e w o r d s : h e m a d e m a n y w i se

r e s o lu t i ons ; bu t he was p r one a lways t o ac t f r om the impu l s eo f t he momen t , and was un f o r tuna t e ly g iven t o t empor i ze i nh i s po l icy . H e w r o t e t o Fe r d in an d , i n fo r rn ing h im th a t L o xaand cer ta in o ther c i t i es had re tu rned to the i r a l l eg iance , andth a t h e he ld th em as vassa l to th e Cas t i l i an c rown , accord ingto the i r conve nt ion . H e conjured h im , there fore , to r e f ra inf rom an y m ed i ta ted a t t ack , of fe ring f ree passag e to t h e Sp anisha , rmy to Malaga , o r any o ther p lace under the domin ion of h i suncle.*'

Fe r d inand t u r ned a dea f ea r t o t he en t r ea ty , and t o a l lprofessions of f r iendship and vass alage . Bo ab di l w as n ot hi ngto h im b u t an ins t ru m en t for s t i r r i ng u p th e flames of c ivi l

* Zurita, lib. x x , o. 68 .



TH E CO NQ UEST O F G EANADA. 139

discord . H e no w ins i s t ed th a t he h ad en te red in to a ho s t i l eleague wi th h i s unc le , and had consequent ly fo r fe i t ed a l lc la ims to h i s indu lgence ; and he prosecu ted wi th the g rea tes tearnes tn ess h i s cam paign ag a ins t th e c i ty o f Lo xa .

" T h u s , " o b se rv e s t h e w o r t h y P r a y A n t o n i o A g a p i d a ," d i d t h i s m os t s agac ious s ove re ign ac t upo n t h e t e s t i n t h ee l even th chap t e r of t he E v ang e l i s t S t L uk e , t h a t ' a k ingd omdiv ided aga in s t i ts e l f cannot s t an d . ' " H e h ad ind uc ed theseinfide ls to w as te and des t roy them se lves b y in te r na l d i s sens ions , an d finally cas t fo r th th e surv ivor . W h i l e th e M oo r i shmonar chs , by t he i r r u inous con t e s t s , made good t he o ld C as -t i l ian pro ve rb in cases of c ivil w ar , " E l ven cido ve ncido , y e lv e n c i d o r p e r d i d o , " " t h e c o n q u e r e d c o n q u e r e d , a n d t h e c o n - ^

q u e r o r u n d o n e . " *

C H A P T E E X X X Y I I I .

H O W K I N G F E R D I N A N D H E L D A CO U N C IL O F W A E A T T H E EO C KO F T H E L O V E E S .

T H E r o ya l a r m y , on i t s m ar c h aga ins t L oxa , l a y encam ped oneplea san t even ing in M a y in a m eado w, on th e ba nk s of th e

river Y eg u as , ar ou n d th e foot of a lof ty cliff, ca l l ed t he Sockof th e Lo vers . T h e qu ar te r s o f each nob lem an formed, as i twe re , a sepa ra te l i t t l e enc am pm ent ; h i s s t a te ly pav i lion , sur m ou nt ed b y his flu ttering pe nn on , r i s ing abov e th e sur ro un ding t e n t s o f h i s vassa ls an d re ta in er s . A l i t t l e ap ar t f rom th eo th er s , as i t w ere in p ro ud reserve , w as th e enc am pm ent o fth e E ng l i sh ear l. I t w as sum ptuo us in i t s fu rn i tu re a nd comple te in i t s m uni t ion s . A rch ers and so ld ie rs a rm ed w i th ba t -t l e axes kep t gua r d a r ound i t ;• whi le above th e s t an da rd ofE n g la n d rol led ou t i t s am ple folds , an d flapped in th e eve ningbr eeze .

T he ming l ed s ounds o f va r i ous t ongues and na t i ons wer eh e a rd f rom th e so ld ie ry as th ey w ate red th e i r horses ' in th es t rea m , o r bus ied them se lves ro un d th e f ires wh ich be ga n tog low he r e an d t he r e i n t h e tw i l i gh t • the gay chanson of theFr en ch m an s ing ing o f h i s amou r s on t h e p l ea s an t ba nks of t h eLo i re , o r th e sun ny reg ions o f th e G aro nn e ; th e b ro ad gu t - .

t e r a l t ones o f t he Ger man , chan t i ng s ome dough ty hrieger-lied,or ex to l l ing th e v in ta ge of th e E n in e ; th e wi ld rom an ce ofthe Spania rd , r ec i t ing thè ach ievements o f the C id , and many

f amous pas s age o f t he M oor i s h war s ; and t he l ong andmelancho ly d i t t yo f t he E ng l i s hman , t r ea t i ng o f s ome f euda lhero or r edoubtab le ou t l aw of h i s d i s t an t i s l and .

* Garibay, lib. xl, c. 33.




O n a r i s ing gro un d com m anding a v iew of the wh ole encam pm ent , s tood th e am ple an d magni f i cen t pav i l ion of th ek in g , w i th th e b an ne r o f Cas t il e and A r rag on , and th e ho lys tan da rd of th e cross e rec ted before it . I n th i s t e n t w er eas s embled t he p r i nc ipa l com man der s of t he a r my , h av in gbe en su m m oned b y F er d in an d to a counci l o f w ar on rece iv in gt id ings th a t Boa bdi l ha d th r ow n h imse l f in to Lo xa w i th acons iderab le re inforce m ent . A f ter some con sul ta t ion i t w asde te rmined to inves t Loxa on bo th s ides : one par t o f thea r m y was t o se ize upo n t he dange r ous bu t com man d ing he ig h tof San to Albohac in , in f ron t o f the c i ty ; whi le the r emainder ,making a c i rcui t , should encamp on the oppos i te s ide .

No sooner was th i s r eso lved upon , than the Marquis o f

Cadiz s tood for th , and c la imed the pos t of danger , on behal fof h imsel f and those caval iers , h is companions in arms, whoh ad been compel led to r e l inqu i sh i t b y th e gen era l r e t r e a t o fth e a rm y on th e fo rmer s i ege . T h e enem y h a d exu l ted overth em , as i f dr iv en f rom i t in d isg race . T o reg ain t h a t pe r i l ous he igh t , to p i t ch th e i r t e n t s up on i t , an d to avenge th eb lood of the i r va l i an t compeer , the mas te r o f Ca la t rava , whoha d f a ll en up on i t, was due t o t he i r f a m e ; t h e m ar q u i sdem anded , t he r e f o r e , t h a t t h ey m igh t l ead t h e advance , and

s ecu r e t he he igh t , engag ing t o ho ld t he enemy employedunt i l the main a rmy should t ake i t s pos i t ion on the oppos i t es ide of the ci ty.

K ing Fe r d inand r ead i l y g r an t ed h i s pe r mi s s ion , uponwhich t he C o un t de C abr a begged t o h e adm i t t ed t o a s ha r eof th e en te rp r i se . H e h ad a lways be en accus tom ed to se rvein the advance ; and now that Boabdi l was in the f ie ld , and ak in g was to b e t ake n , h e cou ld no t con ten t h imse l f w i th r e m a in ing i n t h e r ea r . Fe r d in an d y i e lded h i s con s en t : f or h e

was d i sposed to g ive the good count every oppor tun i ty tore t r ieve his la te d isas ter .T he E ng l i s h ea r l , when he hea r d t he r e was a wor k o f

dang e r i n ques t ion , was eage r t o be o f t h e pa r t y ; bu t t h ek in g res t r a ine d h i s a rd ou r . " Th ese cava l i e r s , " s a id he "c on ceive tha t th e y ha ve an acc ou nt t o se t t le wi th , th ei r _pride .L e t t hem have t he en t e r p r i s e t o t hems e lves , my lo r d : i f youfol low these Moor ish wars long, you wi l l f ind no lack of per i l ous se rv ice . "

T he M arq ui s o f Cadiz an d h i s companions in a i m s s t ruckth e i r t en t s before da yb rea k . T he y w ere five tho us an d ho rseand twe lve t ho us a nd f oot, and t h ey m ar ch ed r ap id ly a longth e defi les of th e m ou nta ins ; th e caval iers be ing anx ious tos t r ike the blow, and get possess ion of the height of Albohac in , before th e k ing w i th th e m ain a rm y should a r r ive tothe i r as s i s t ance .



T H E C O N Q U E S T O E G R A N A D A . 141

C H A P T E R X X X I X .

H O W T H E R O YA L A R M Y A P P E A R E D BE F O R E T H E C IT Y O F L O X A ,A N D H O W I T W A S R E C E I V E D , A N D O F T H E D O U G H T YA C H I E V E M E N T S O F T H E E N G L I S H E A R L .

T H E adv ance o f t h e C hr i s t ian a r m y upo n L o xa t h r ew t h ew ave r ing Bo abdi l e l Chico in to one of n i s usua l d i l em m as ;

and he was grea t ly perp lexed be tween h i s oa th o f a l l eg ianceto th e Spa nish sovere igns , an d h i s sense of du ty to h i s sub j e c t s . H i s dou b t s w er e de t e r m ined b y t he s igh t of t h e ene m ygl i t t e r ing upon the he igh t o f Albohac in , and by the c lamoursof th e peop le to be led for th to ba t t le . " Al lah. " excla ime dh e , " t ho u know es t m y h e a r t ; t ho u know es t I have been t r uein-m y fa i th to th i s Chr i s t i an m o n a rc h I ha ve of fe red to ho ldLoxa as h i s vassa l , bu t he has p re fe r red to approach i t a s ane n e m y : on h i s he ad be t h e i n fr act ion o f ou r t r e a ty "

B oab d i l was no t w an t ing i n co u r a ge ; he on ly need ed dec is ion . W h e n he ha d once m ade up h i s mind , he ac t ed v igo r ous ly . T h e m is for tune w as , h e e i ther d id n o t m ak e i t u p a t^U, o r h e m ade i t u p too l a te . H e wh o dec ides t a rd i ly gene r a l l y ac t s r a s h ly ; endeav our ing t o compens a t e , by h u r r y ofact ion , for s lowness of del ib erat io n. Bo abd i l ha s t i ly buc kle do n h i s a rm ou r , and sa ll ied fo r th , sur ro un de d by h i s gu ar ds ,

T he c i t y o f L oxa s t ands on a h igh h i l l , be tween two mount a i n s , on th e ba nk s of th e X en i l . To a t t a in th e he igh t inques t ion , the t roop s ha d to pass over a t r a c t o f co un t ry ru gg edand broken , and a deep va l l ey , in te r sec ted by the cana l s andwa te r - cou r s e s , w i th wh ich t he M oor s i r r i ga t ed t he i r l ands .

T hey wer e ex t r eme ly embar r a s s ed i n t h i s pa r t o f t he i r mar ch ,an d iu im m ine nt r i sk o f be ing cu t up in de ta i l before th e ycou ld r each t he he igh t . T he C ou n t de C ab r a , w i th h i s u s u a leag ern ess , ende avo ure d to p u sh across th is val ley , in def ianceof every o bs tac le . H e , in consequence , soon becam e en ta ng l ed wi th h i s cava l r y among t he cana l s ; bu t h i s impa t i encewould no t permi t h im to r e t r ace h i s s t eps , and choose a moreprac t i cab le b u t c i r cu i tous ro u t e . O the r s slowly c rossedano the r pa r t o f t h e va l l ey b y t he aid o f po n to on s ; wh i l e t h e

Marquis o f Cadiz , Don Alonzo de Agui la r , and the Count deU r en a , be ing m or e expe r ienced i n t h e g r ou nd , f rom the i rfo rmer campaign , made a c i r cu i t round the bo t tom of thehe igh t , and , thus ascending , began to d i sp lay the i r squadronsand e l eva t e t he i r banne r s on t he r edoub t ab l e pos t , wh ich , i nth e fo rmer s iege , th ey h a d b een compel led so re lu c ta n t ly toabandon .



142 HISTORY OF

and at the head of fire hundred horse and four thousand foot,

the flower of his army. Some he detached to skirmish with

the Christians who were scattered and perplexed in the

valley, and to prevent their coneentoating their forces; while,

with his main body, he pressed forward, to drive, the enemy

from the height of Albohacin, before they had time to collectthere in any numher, or to fortify themselves in that impor

tant position.

The worthy Count de Cabra. was yet entangled, with his.

cavalry,, among the water-courses of the valley, when he

heard the war-cries of the Moors, and saw their army rushing

over the bridge. He recognised Boabdil himself by his splen

did armour, the magnificent caparison of his steed, and the

brilliant guard which surrounded him. The I'oyal host swept

on toward the height. An intervening hill hid it from his

sight; but loud shouts and cries, the din of drums and trum

pets, and the reports of arquebuses, gave note that the battle

had begun.

Here Was a royal prize in the field, and the Count de Cabra

unable to share in the action The good cavalier was in an

agony of impatience. Every attempt to force his way across

the valley only plunged him into new difficulties. At length,

after many eager but ineffectual efforts, he was obliged toorder his troops to dismount, and slowly and carefully to lead

their horses back, along slippery paths, and amid plashes of

mire and water, where often there was scarcely a foothold.

The good count groaned in spirit, and was in a profuse sweat

with mere impatience as he went, fearing the battle might be

fought, and the prize won or lost, before he could reach the

field." Having at length toilfully unravelled the-mazes of the

valley, and arrived at firmer ground, he ordered his troops to

mount, and led them full gallop to the height. Par t of t hegood count's wishes were satisfied, but the dearest were dis

appointed. He came in season to partake of the very hottest

of the fight, but the royal prize was no longer in the field.

Boabdil had led on <his men with impetuous valour, or

rather with hurried rashness. • Heedlessly exposing himself

in the front of the battle, he received two wounds in the very

first encounter. His guards rallied round him, defended him

with matchless valour, and bore him bleeding out of the

action.' The Count de Cabra arrived just in time to see theloyal squadron crossing the bridge, and slowly conveying their

disabled monarch towards the gate of the city.

The departure of. Boabdil made no difference in the fury of

the contest. A Moorish warrior, dark and terrible in aspect,

mounted on a black charger, and followed by a band of

savage Gomeres, rushed forward to take the lead. I t was




H a in e t e l Z eg r i , t l ie f ierce a lca yd e of E o n d a , w i th th e rem-*l ian t o f h i s once red ou bta b le gar r i son . A nim ated b y h i sexample , t h e M oo r s r enew ed t he i r a s s au l ts upon t h e he ig h t .I t was brave ly defended on one s ide by the Marquis o f Cadiz ,

on an o th er b y D o n A lonzo de A gu i la r ; an d as f ast as t h eM oor s a s cended t hey wer e d r i ven back and das hed down thedec l iv it i es. T h e Co un t de U re n a took h i s s t a nd up on th efa ta l spo t w he re h i s b r o t he r ha d fa ll en. H is fo llowers en te re dw i th zea l in to th e f eel ings of th e i r com m and er ; an d hea ps ofthe enemy sunk benea th the i r weapons , s acr i f i ces to themanes o f t he l amen ted mas t e r o f C a l a t r ava .

T he ba t t l e con t i nued w i th i nc r ed ib l e obs t i nacy . T h eM o o r s k n e w t h e i m p o r t a n c e of t h e h e i g h t t o t h e sa f et y of t h e

c i ty ; th e cava l ie r s f e lt th e i r ho no urs s t ak ed to m ain ta in i t .F re sh supp hes o f t roop s we re po ured o u t o f th e c i ty ; so m eba t t l ed on t he he igh t , wh i l e s ome a t t acked t he C hr i s t i answho were s t i l l in the va l l ey and among the o rchards andga rde ns , to p re ve n t th e i r un i t ing the i r fo rces . T he t roop s inthe va l l ey were g radua l ly d r iven back , and the whole hos t o ft h e M oor s s wep t a r ou nd t he Albohac in . T he s i t ua t ion o f t h eMarquis o f Cadiz and h i s companions was per i lous in thee x t r e m e ; t h e y w e r e a m e r e h a n d f u l ; a n d w h i l e t h e y w e r e

fighting h an d to h an d w i th the M oo rs wh o as sa il ed th e he igh t ,they were ga l l ed f rom a d i s tance by the c ross -bows anda r queb us es of a hos t , t h a t a ugm en te d each m om en t in. num ber . 'A t t h i s c r it ic a l j u nc tu r e , K in g Fe r d ina nd emer ged f rom th em oun ta in s w i th t he m a in bod y o f t h e a r m y , and advanced t oan em inen ce co m m an ding a ful l v iew of th e fie ld of act ion.By h i s s ide was the noble Engl i sh cava l i e r the Ear l o f B iver s .T hi s w as th e firs t t im e h e h ad w i tnesse d a scene of M oo r is hwa r f a r e . H e l ooked w i th eage r i n t e r e s t a t t he chance m ed ley

fight before h im ,— th e w i ld caree r of caval ry , th e i r re gu lara n d t u m u l t u o u s r u s h o f i n f a n t r y , a n d C h r i s t i a n h e l m ' a n dM oor i s h t u r b an i n t e r ming l i ng i n dead ly s t r ugg l e . H i s h ig hb lood moun ted a t t he s i gh t , and h i s ve r y s ou l was s t i r r edwi th in h im by the confused war -c r ies , the c langour o f d rumsan d t r um pe t s , an d t h e r epo r t s of a r queb us es , t h a t came echo ingu p th e m ou nta ins . See ing th e k ing w as sending a r e in forcem en t to th e f ie ld , h e en t rea ted perm iss ion t o m ingle in th eaffray, an d f ight acc ord ing to th e fashion of Ms co un try . H is

req ue s t be in g gran ted , he a l igh ted f rom Ms s teed . H e wasm e r e l y a r m e d en bi nco ; th a t i s to say , w i th mor ion , ba ckpiece , and breas t -p la te ; Ms sword was g i rded by Ms s ide ,an d in Ms h a n d he wie lded a power fu l ba t t l e -axe ; H e w asfo l lowed by a body of Ms yeomen, a rmed in l ike manner , andb y a ba nd o f a r che r s , w i th bows ma de o f t he t ou gh E n g l i s hye w t r e e . T he ea r l t u r n ed t o h i s t r oops , and add r es s ed t he m



Í4A H I S T O R Y O F

br ief ly an d b lu n t ly , accord ing to the m an ne r o f h i s co un t ry ." R e m e m b e r , m y m e r r y m e n a l l , " s a id h e , " t h e e y e s o fs t r an ge rs ar e up on y o u ; yo u are in a foreign lan d, fightingf o r t h e g lo r y o f Go d and t h e ho nou r o f m er r y o ld E n g l a n d "

A lou d shou t w as th e r e p ly . T h e ear l w ave d h i s ba t t l e -a xeo v e r h i s h e a d . " S t G e o r g e fo r E n g l a n d " c r ie d h e ; a n d ,io the insp i r ing sound of th i s o ld Engl i sh war -c ry , he and h i sf ol lowers r u s h ed dow n to t he ba t t l e w i th m an ly a nd cou r ageous•hear ts .*

T h ey s oon m ad e t h e i r wa y i n to t h e m ids t o f t he e n e m y ;b ut , w hen enga ged in th e ho t te s t o f the f ight, th ey m ad e nosho uts o r ou tc r ies . T he y pres sed s tead i ly fo rward , dea l ingth e i r b lows to r ig h t an d le ft , hew ing dow n th e M oo rs , an d

cu t t i ng t he i r w ay w i th t he i r ba t t l e - axes , l i ke woodm en in af o r e s t ; wh i l e t he a r che r s , p r e s s ing i n to t he open ing t h eymade , p l i ed the i r bows v igorous ly , and spread dea th on . everys ide .

W h e n th e C as t il ian m oun ta inee r s behe ld t h e va lou r o f t h eE ng l i s h yeomanr y , t hey wou ld no t be ou tdone i n ha r d ihood .T h ey cou ld no t v i e w i th t h em in w e igh t a nd bu lk , bu t f orv igou r an d ac t i v i t y t he y we r e s u r pas s ed by none . T he y ke p tpace w i th t hem , t he r e f o re , w i th eq ua l he a r t an d r iva l p r owes s ,

and gave a b rave suppor t to the s tou t i s l anders .The Moors were confounded by the fu ry of these as sau l t s ,

and d i shear tened by the los s o f Hamet e l Zegr i , who wascar r i e d w ou nd ed f rom th e fie ld . T h ey grad ua l ly f el l ba ckupon t he b r i dge ; t he C hr i s t i ans f o l l owed up t he i r advan t age ,• and d r ove t h em o ve r i t t um ul tuo us ly . T he M oor s r e t r ea t edin to t he s ubu r b , and L or d R ive r s and h i s t r oops en t e r ed wi thth em pe l l m el l , fighting in th e s t r ee t s and in th e hou ses . K in gE er d in an d came up to th e scene of ac t ion w i th h i s roy a l gu ard ,

.a nd th e infidels w ere a l l dr ive n w i thin the c i ty w al ls . T h u sw er e t h e s ubu r bs ga ined b y t h e ha r d ihood o f t he E ng l i s hl o r d w i t h o u t s u c h a n e v e n t h a v i n g b e e n p r e m e d i t a t e d . f

T he E a r l o f R ive r s , no twi th s t and ing he had r ece ived awo und , s t il l u r g ed f o r war d i n t h e a t tack . H e pe ne t r a t ed

-alm ost to th e ci ty ga te, in defiance of a sho w er of m issi les ,th a t s lew m an y of h i s fo llowers . A s tone , hu r le d from th eba t t l em en t s , checked h i s imp e tuou s ca r ee r . I t s t r uck h im in

the face , dashed ou t two of h i s f ron t t ee th , and l a id h im• sense les s on th e ea r th . H e w as rem ov ed t o a sho r t d i s t anc e•by h i s men; bu t , r ecover ing h i s senses , r e fused to permi th imse l f to be t aken f rom the suburb .

When the con tes t was over , the s t r ee t s p resen ted a p i t eous

* Cura de los Palac ios.+ Cura de los Palac ios, M S ,



T H E CO NQ UEST OF G RANAD A. 145

spectacle , so m a n y of t he i r i nhab i t an t s had d ied in the defenceof the i r th resho lds , or been s l au gh t e r e d w i thou t r e s i s t ance .A m o n g the v ic t ims was a poor weaver , who had b e e n at w o r ki n his dwel l ing at t h i s t u r b u l e n t m o m e n t . His wi fe u rg edh im to fly in to the c i ty . " W hy s hou ld I fly ?" said the M o o r ,f

' t o be r e s e r ved for h u n g e r and s l a v e r y ? I t e l l you, wife, I

. wi l l abide here ; for b e t t e r is it to die qu ick ly by the s teel ,' t h a n to pe r i s h p i ecemea l in cha ins and d u n g e o n s . " He said; no m o r e , but r e s u m e d his occupa t ion of w e a v i n g ; and, in the

ind i sc r imina te fu ry of the as sau l t , was s l a u g h t e r e d at his

loom.*T he C hr i s t i ans r ema ined mas t e r s of the field, and p r oceeded

t o p i t c h t h r e e e n c a m p m e n t s for the p r os ecu t i on of the s iege.

T he k ing , w i th the g r ea t body of t he a r m y , t ook a pos i t ion onthe s ide of the c i t y nex t to G r a n a d a . The M a r q u i s of Cadiza n d his b ra ve companions once m ore p i t c hed the i r t en t s u po nt h e h e i g h t of S a n t o A l b o h a c i n ; but the E ng l i s h ea r l p l an t edh i s s t anda r d s t u r d i l y w i th in the s u b u r b he had t aken .

C H A P T E R XL. J •• :CO NCLUSIO N OF THE S I E G E OF I O X A .

H A V I N G possess ion of the h e i g h t s of A l b o h a c m , and thes u b u r b of the c i ty , the C hr i s t i ans wer e enab l ed to choose themost f avourab le s i tua t ions for t h e i r b a t t e r i e s . T h e y i m m e d i a t e ly des t r oyed the s t one b r i dge by w h i c h the ga r r i s on hadm a d e its s a l l i e s ; and t h e y t h r e w two wo ode n br idges acrossthe r i ve r , and o th er s over the canals and s t r e a m s , so as

to es tab l i sh an ea s y comm unica ti on be tw een the differentcamps .

W h e n all was a r r a n g e d , a heavy f i re was opened up on the

c i t y f rom va r ious po in t s . T he y t h r e w not only bal ls of s toneand i r on , but g rea t ca rcases of f i r e , which burs t l ike meteorso n the h o u s e s, w r a p p i n g t h e m i n s t a n t l y in a b l aze . The wallswer e s ha t t e r ed , and the t ower s t opp l ed down by t r e m e n d o u sd i scharges f rom the l o m b a r d s . T h r o u g h the openings thusm ad e t h ey cou ld beho ld the i n t e r i o r of the c i t y ; h o u s e s

t u m b l i n g d o w n or in f l a m e s ; men, w o m e n , and ch i ld renfly ing in t e r ro r th ro u gh the s t r ee t s , and s l a u g h t e r e d by the

s h o w e r of miss i les sen t th ro ug h th es e opening s f rom sm al le rar t i l le ry , a nd f rom cross-bows and a r queb us es .

T h e M o o r s a t t e m p t e d to r e p a i r the b r e a c h e s ; but f resh dis -

* Pnlgar, part iii, cap. 58.

L



146 H I S T O R Y O P

cha r g es f rom th e l om bar ds bu r i ed t he m be ne a th t h e r u in s o ft h e wa l ls t h ey w er e m end ing . I n t he i r de s pa i r, m an y o f t h einh ab i t an t s r u s h ed f o r t h i n to t h e na r r o w s t r ee t s of t h e s ub u r b s ,and as sa i l ed the Chr i s t i ans wi th dar t s , e imete r s , and ponia rds ;s eek ing to des t roy ra ther than defend , and heed les s o f dea th ,in th e confidence th a t to d ie f igh t ing w i th an unb e l iever wa sto be t r ans la ted a t once to parad i se .

F o r tw o n igh t s and a da y t h i s awf u l s cene co n t i n ue d ; w he nce r ta in o f th e p r in c ipa l inh ab i tan t s be ga n to r e fl ec t u pon th ehope l e s s nes s o f r e s i s tance . T h e i r k in g was d i s a b l ed ; t h e i rpr inc ipa l cap ta ins w ere e i ther k i l l ed or w o un d ed ; the i r fo rt if ica t ions l i t t l e be t t e r th a n hea ps of ru ins . T he y h ad ur ge dthe un f o r tun a t e B oabd i l t o t h e con f li c t; t h ey now c l amou r ed

for a cap i tu la t ion . A pa r ley was pro cu red f rom th e C hr i s t i a nmonar ch , and t he t e r ms o f s u r r ende r wer e s oon ad jus t ed .T h ey w er e t o y i e ld up t h e c i t y imm ed ia t e ly , w i th a l l t he i rCh r i s t i an cap t ives, an d to sa l ly fo r th w i th as m uc h of th e i rp r o pe r ty a s t he y cou ld t ak e w i th t he m . T he M ar q u i s o fC ad i z , on whos e honou r an d hu m an i ty t he y ha d g r e a t r e l i ance ,wa s to escor t th em to G ran ad a , to p ro tec t th e m f rom assa u l to r rob be ry . Su ch as chose to r em ain in Spa in w ere to b epe rm i t t e d to r es ide in Cas t i le , A r rag on , o r Valenc ia . A s t o

Bo ab di l e l Chico , h e w as to do hom age as vassa l to K in gF e r d in a n d ; b u t no cha r ge was t o be u r g ed a ga ins t h im , o fha v in g v io la ted h i s fo rmer p led ge . I f he should y ie ld u p a l lp r e t ens ion s t o G r ana da , t h e t i t l e o f D u k e o f G uad ix w asto be a s s igned h im , an d t h e t e r r i t o r y t he r e to annexed , p r o v ide d i t should b e recov ered from E l Za ga l w i th in s ixm o n t h s .

T he cap i tu la t ion be ing a r ran ged , th ey gave as hos tag es th ealcayde of the c i ty , and the pr incipal of f icers , together wi th

th e sons o f the i r l a t e ch ief ta in, th e ve te ran A h A ta r . T h ew ar r io r s o f Lo xa th en i s sued for th , hu m ble d an d de jec ted , a thav ing t o s u r r ende r t hos e wa l l s wh ich t hey had s o l ong ma in t ained, w i th va lou r and r e no w n; and t he wom en an d ch i l d r enf i l led the a i r wi th lamentat ions , a t being exi led f rom thei rna t i ve homes .

L as t came f o r t h B oabd i l , mos t t r u ly ca l l ed E l ' Z ogoyb i , t heun luc ky . Accus tom ed , a s he ha d been , t o be c r own ed andu n c r o w n e d ; t o b e r a n so m e d , a n d t r e a t e d a s a m a t t e r o f b a r ga in , he h a d accede d of course to th e cap i tula t ion. H e w asenfeeb led by h i s wounds , and had an a i r o f de jec t ion ; ye t , i ti s sa id , h is conscience ac qu i t ted h im of a bre ac h of fa i th to w ar ds t h e C as t il ian s ove r e ign s ; and t h e pe r s ona l va lou r h ehad d i sp layed had caused a sympathy for h im among many ofth e C hr i s t ian cava l ie r s . H e knee l ed t o Fe r d in an d , acco r d ingto th e fo rms of vassa lage , an d th e n de pa r ted in m elanc holy



T H E CONQUEST O F GEANADA. 147

m ood fo r P r i ego , a t ow n ab ou t t h r ee l eagues d i s t an t. F e r d i na nd imm ed ia t e ly o r de r ed L o xa t o be r epa i r ed and s t r ong lygar r i soned . H e w as g rea t ly e la ted a t th e cap ture o f th i splace , in consequence of h is former defeat before i t s wal ls .H e pas s ed g r ea t encomiums u pon t h e co mm ander s who h a dd i s tmgu i s hed t hems e lves ; and h i s t o r i ans dwe l l pa r t i cu l a r l yup on h i s v i si t t o t he t e n t o f t h e E n g l i s h ea r l. H i s m a je s tyconsoled him for th e loss of h is te e th , b y th e con s iderat ion ,t h a t he mig h t o the r wi s e hav e bee n d ep r ived o f t he m b yna tura l, de ca y : w herea s th e lack of th em wo uld now b ees t eemed a be au ty r a th e r t h an a de f ec t ; s e r v ing a s a t r op hyof the g lor ious cause ' in which he had been engaged .

T h e ea r l r ep li ed , " t h a t he gave t ha nk s t o Go d and t o t h e

holy Vi rg in fo r be ing thus honoured by a v i s i t f rom the mos tpo t en t k in g i n C h r i s t end om ; t h a t he accep ted , w i th a l l g r a t i tude, h is gracious consolat ion for the loss he had sus ta ined;though he he ld i t l i t t l e to lose two tee th in the se rv ice o f God,who had g iven h im a l l . "

" A speec h ," says F r a y A nton io A gap ida , " ful l of m os tcou r t l y w i t an d C hr i s t ian p i e ty ; and one on ly mar ve l s t h a ti t shou ld be m ad e b y a na t ive of an i s land so far d i s ta nt f romCas t i l e . "

C H A P T E R X L I .

CAE-TUBE OE ILI.OEA.

KING F E B D I N ' A N D fol lowed up his v ic tory a t Loxa by layings iege to th e s t ron g tow n of H lora . Th i s r ed ou bta b le fo r t r es s

w as pe rch ed u p on a high- rock, in t h e m ids t of a spaciousva l l ey . I t was w i th in four l eagues o f th e M oor i sh ca p i ta l ;and i t s lof ty cas t le , keeping vigi lant watch over a wide c i rcui to f count ry , was t e rmed the r igh t eye of Granada .

The a lcayde of Hlora was one of the b raves t o f the Moor i shcommander s , and made eve r y p r epa r a t i on t o de f end h i sfor t res s to th e l as t ex t rem i ty . H e sen t th e wo m en a ndchi ld ren, t h e ag ed an d inf irm, to th e m etrop ol is . H e -placedbar r i cado es in th e sub urbs , opened doors o f comm unica t ion

f rom house to house , and p ie rced the i r wal l s wi th loopholes ,for th e disch arge of cross-bows, arqu ebu ses , an d o the r m iss i les .

King Ferd inand a r r ived before the p lace wi th a l l h i s fo rces .H e s ta t ioned h imse l f up on th e h i l l o f En c in i l l a , and d i s t r i bu te d th e o ther enc am pm ents in var ious s i tua t ions , so as toinves t th e fo r t r es s. K no w ing th e va l i an t ch arac te r o f th ea l cayde , and t he des pe r a t e cou r age o f t he M oor s , he o r de r ed

L 2



148 H I S T O R Y 0 1 ?

the encampments to be fo r t i f i ed wi th t r enches and pa l i sadoes ,th e gua rds to be d oubled, an d sen t inels to b e plac ed in a l lt he wa t ch tower s o f t he ad j acen t he igh t s .

W h e n a l l w a s r e a d y , t h e D u k e d e l I n f a n t a d o d e m a n d e d

th e a t t a ck . I t was h i s first ca m pa ign ; an d he was anx iousto d i sprove the roya l ins inua t ion made aga ins t the hard ihoodof h i s embr o ide r ed ch iva lr y . E in g Fe r d in an d g r an t ed h i sdem and , w i th a beco m ing com pl iment to h i s sp i r i t. H eord ere d t h e Co unt de Ca bra to m ak e a s imul taneous a t t a ckup on a di fferent qu ar ter . B ot h chiefs led for th th ei r t ro op s .Those of the duke were in f r esh and br i l l i an t a rmour , r i ch lyornamented, and as yet uninjured by the service of the f ie ld .Those of the count were wea therbea ten ve te rans , whose

a r mour was d in t ed and hacked i n many a ha r d f ough t ba t t l e .T h e you th f u l duk e b lu s he d a t t he con t r a s t . " C av a l i e r s "cr ied h e , " w e ha ve be en repro ach ed w i th th e f inery of ou ra r m s : l e t us p rove th a t a t r e nc ha nt b lad e m ay re s t in ag i l ded s he a th . F o r w a r d t o t he f oe and I t r u s t i n G odthat , as we enter th is af f ray knights wel l accoutred, so wesha l l l eave i t cava li e rs wel l p ro ve d " H is m en re spon dedby eager acc lamat ions , and the duke l ed them forward to theassau l t . H e advanced , un de r a t r em end ou s show er o f s tone s ,

d a r t s , bal ls , and ar rows ; but nothing could check his career .He en t e r ed t he s ubu r b s wor d i n hand ; h i s men f ough tfuriously , th ou gh w i th g re a t lo s s ; fo r every dwel l ing ha dbe en tu rn e d in to a for t ress . Af ter a severe confl ic t th e ysucceeded in d r iv ing th e M oors in to the tow n, abo ut th e sam et ime tha t the o ther suburb was car r i ed by the Count de Cabraand h i s ve te ran s . Th e t roops of th e D u ke de l In f an tad ocame ou t o f the con tes t th inned in number , and covered wi thb lood , and du s t , and w oun ds . T he y rece ived th e h ig he s t

encom iums of th e k in g ; and th er e was nev er a f t e rwards an ysneer a t the i r embro idery .

T he subu rbs be in g t ak en , th ree ba t t e r i es , each furn i shedw i th e igh t l a rge lom bard s , w ere opene d up on th e fo r t r es s .T h e damage and havoc w er e t r em en do us ; fo r t h e f ortifica t ions h a d no t be en co ns t ruc ted to w i ths tan d such eng ines .T h e t ower s wer e ov e r th r ow n; t h e wa l ls ba t t e r e d t o pi eces ;the in ter ior of the place was a l l exposed; houses demol ished,an d m an y people s la in . T he M oo rs w ere t e r ri f ied b y th etu m bh ng r u in s and t he t r em end ous d in . T h e a l cayde ha dreso lved to defend th e p lace un to th e l as t ex t re m i ty . H ebeh e ld i t a heap of ru b b is h ; the re w as no prospec t o f a idf rom G ra n a d a ; n is people h ad los t a ll spi r i t to fight, a n dw ere voc ife rous for a sur ren de r . W i t h a r e lu c ta n t he ar t h ec a p it u la t ed . T h e i n h a b i t a n ts w e r e p e r m i t t e d t o d e p a r t w i t hal l the i r effects , exc ept ing the n: a r m s ; an d w ere esco r ted in .



THE CONQUES T OF GRANADA. 149

safe ty , by the D uk e de l In fan tado an d th e Co unt de Cab ra ,t o t he b r i d ge of P ino s , w i th in two league s of G r anad a .

King Ferd inand gave d i rec t ions to r epa i r the fo r t i f i ca t ionsof I l lora , an d to place i t in a s t ro ng s ta te of defence. H e

left , as a lcay de of th e to w n an d for t ress , Go nza lvo de Cordov a,yo un ger b ro th er of D o n Alonzo de A gui la r . Th i s ga l l an tcava l i e r was cap ta in o f th e roya l gu ard s o f F er d i na nd an dIsabe l l a , and gave a l ready proofs o f tha t p rowess whicha f t e r war ds r ende r ed h im s o r enowned .

O F T H E A R R I V A L O F Q U E E N I S A B EL L A A T T H E C A MP B E F O R EM O C L I N , A N D O F T H E P L E A S A N T SA Y I N G S O F T H E E N G L I S H

T H E w ar o f G rana da , how ever poe t s m ay em bro ider i t w i ththe f lowers of their fancy, was certainly one of the s ternest ofthose i ron conf l i c t s which have been ce lebra ted under thenam e o f ho ly wa r s . T h e w or thy F r a y An ton io Ag ap ida dwe l lswi th unsa ted de l igh t upon the success ion of rugged mounta inenterpr ises , b loody bat t les , and merci less sackings and ravages ,w hic h ch aracter ize i t ; y e t w e f ind him , on one occas ion,pa us in g, in th e full caree r of v ic tory over th e inf idels, to deta i la s ta te ly pageant of the Cathol ic sovereigns .

I mmed ia t e ly on t he cap tu r e o f L oxa , Fe r d inand had wr i t t ento I sabe l l a , so l i c i t ing her p resence a t the camp, tha t he might

con su l t wi th he r as to th e d i spos i tion of the i r new ly-acqui redte r r i to r i es .I t was i n t h e ea r l y pa r t o f J u n e t h a t t h e quee n dep a r t ed

f rom Cordova , w i th th e Pr inc ess I sab e l l a , an d nu m erou s l ad iesof h e r cou r t . Sh e h a d a glor ious a t te nd an ce of cavaliers an dpages , w i th m an y gua rds an d dom es tics . Th ere w ere fo r tymules fo r the use o f the queen , the p r incess , and the i r t r a in .

As th i s cour t ly cava lcade approached the Pock of theLovers , on the banks of the r iver Yeguas , they behe ld a sp len

d id t r a in o f kn igh t s advanc ing to m eet the m . I t was he ad edb y th a t accompl i shed cava li e r, th e M arq uis D u k e de Cadiz ,

th e cam p the da y a f t e r th e cap ture o f Hlora , and advance dth us fa r to r ece ive th e qu een , a n d esco r t he r over th e b ord er s .T h e que en rece ived th e m arq uis w i th d i s t ingu i shed ho no ur ;-fo r h e w as es teem ed as th e mi r r or o f ch iva l ry . H is ac t ionsin t h i s wa r had become the t heme o f eve r y t ongue , and many

C H A P T E R X L I I .

EARL.

accom pan ied by t h e ade l an t ado He had l e f t




. hes i t a ted no t to compare h im in p rowess to the immor ta lC i d * . •

T hus ga l l an t l y a t t ended , t he queen en t e r ed t he vanqu i s hedf ron t ie r o f G rana da , jou rne y in g secure ly a long th e p lea san t

ha nk s of th e X en i l , so l a te ly sub jec t to th e scour ings o f t heM oo r s . She s t opped a t L ox a , w he r e s he adm ins t e r ed a id an dcons o l a t i on t o t he wounded , d i s t r i bu t i ng money among t hem

• for then." sup por t , ac cord ing to th ei r ra n k,j The k ing , a f t e r the cap ture o f Hlora , had removed h i s camp; before th e for t ress of M ocl in , w i th an in ten t ion of bes ieging i t .; Th i th er th e qu een proceeded , s t il l e scor ted th ro ug h th e mo un

ta in roads b y th e M arq uis o f Cadiz . As I sab e l l a d rew ne arto t h e cam p, th e Du k e de l In fa n tad o i s sued for th a l eague

and a hal f to receive her , magnif icent ly ar rayed, and fol lowedb y a l l h i s ch iva l ry in g lorious a t t i r e . W i th b im came th es ta nd ard of Sev il le , bo rne by th e m en-a t -a rm s of th a t r en ow ne dc i ty , and th e p r io r o f S t . Ju a n , w i th h i s fo llowers. T he yarranged themselves in order of bat t le , on the lef t of the roadb y w hich the quee n was to pass . T he w or t hy Ag apida i s loy a l ly minute in h i s descr ip t ion of the s t a te and grandeur o f

_ t h e C a tho li c s ove r e igns . T he qu ee n r o d e , a che s nu t m u le ,seated in a magnif icent saddle chai r , decorated wi th s i lver g i l t .

T he hou s ings o f th e m ule were o f fine c r imson c lo th ; th e bor de r s embr o ide r ed wi th go ld ; t he r e in s and headp i ece w er eof sa t in , cur ious ly embossed wi th needlework of s i lk , and 'w ro ug ht w i th go lden l e t t e r s . Th e que en w ore a b r ia l o r roy a lsk i r t o f ve lve t , un de r wh ich w ere o ther s o f b ro ca de ; a sca r le tm an t le , o rn am en ted in th e m oresco fash ion, an d a b lack ha tembr o ide r ed r ound t he c r own and b r im .

The in fan ta was l ikewise mounted on a chesnut mule ,

r ich ly capar isone d. Sh e w ore a br ia l o r sk i r t of b lac k bro ca de ,and a b l ack man t l e , o r namen ted l i ke t ha t o f t he queen .W h e n t he roy a l cava lcade passed by th e ch iva l ry o f th e

Duke de l I n f an t ado , wh ich was d r awn ou t i n ba t t l e a r r ay , t hequeen made a r everence to the s t andard of Sev i l l e , and orderedi t t o pas s t o t h e r i gh t ha nd . W h e n s he app r oached t h e cam p ,th e m u l t i t ud e r an f o r t h t o m ee t he r , w i th g r e a t dem ons t r a t i onso f j o y ; fo r s he was un ive r s a l l y be loved by he r s ub j ec t s . . A l lth e ba t t a l ions sa l li ed fo r th in m ih ta ry a r ra y , be ar in g t h e

va r io us s t anda r d s and ban ne r s o f t h e cam p , wh ich w er e l ow ered in sa lu ta t ion as she passed .T he k ing now appea r ed , i n r oya l s t a t e , moun ted on a

s u p e r b c h e s n u t h o r s e , a n d a t t e n d e d b y m a n y g r a n d e e s o fCas t i l e . H e w ore a ju b on or close ve s t o f c r imson c lo th , w i thcuisses or shor t ski r t s of yel low sat in ; a loose cassock of





brocade , a r ich. M oo r i sh c imeter , an d a h a t w i th p lum es T h egr andees who a t t ended h im wer e a r r ayed wi th wonde r f u lmagni f i cence , each accord ing to h i s t as te and inven t ion .

" T h e s e h i g h a n d m i g h t y p r i n c e s , " sa y s A n t o n i o A g a p i d a ," r e ga rd ed eac h o th er w i th g r ea t defe rence as a l li ed sover e ign s , r a t h e r t h an w i th connub ia l ' famiha r i t y a s m er e h us ba n d and wi fe , w he n t he y app r oached each o th e r : t he r e f o r e ,be f or e embr ac ing , t he y m ade t h r e e p r o f ound r ev e r e nc es ; t h equeen t ak ing of f her ha t , and remain ing in a s i lk ne t o r cawl ,w i th he r face uncove r ed . T he k in g t h en app r oached , an dem brac ed he r , an d k i s sed h e r r espec t fu l ly on th e cheek . H ea l s o embr aced h i s daugh t e r t he p r i nces s , and , mak ing t hes ign of th e c ross , h e b les sed h er , an d k i s sed h er on th e

l i p s . "*T h e good Ag ap ida s eems s ca rce ly t o hav e been m or e s t r uckw i th th e app earan ce of th e sovere igns , th a n w i th th a t o f th eE ng l i s h ear l . " H e fo llowed ," say s he , " im m edia te ly a f t e rt h e k in , w i th g r ea t pom p , and i n an e x t r ao r d ina r y m ann e r ,t ak in g p r ecedence o f a l l t h e r e s t . H e was m ou n ted , a laguisa, o r w i th long s t i r ru ps , on a sup erb ch esn ut horse , w i tht r app ing s o f azu r e s il k , wh ich r each ed t o t h e g r ou nd . T h ehous ings we r e o f m u lb e r r y , . pow der ed w i th s t a r s o f go ld .

H e w a s a r m e d i n proof, an d wo re over h i s a r m ou r a sh or tF r e n c h m a n t l e o f b l a c k b r o c a d e . H e h a d a w h i t e F r e n c hh a t w i th p l um es ; a nd ca r r i ed on h i s le ft a r m a s ma l l r o un db u c k l e r , b a n d e d w i t h g o ld . F i v e p a g e s a t t e n d e d h i m , a p p a r e l l ed i n s il k and b r ocade , an d m ou n te d on ho r s e s s um ptu ous ly capa r i soned . H e h ad a l so a t r a in o f fo llowers , a t t i r e daf ter the fashion of h is country ."

H e ad vance d i n a ch iva l rous an d cou r teous man ne r , m ak inghis r everen ces first to th e qu ee n an d in fan ta , and a f t e rw ards

to t h e k in g . Q uee n I s abe l l a r ece ived h im g r ac ious ly , comp l imen t ing h im on h i s cou r ageous conduc t a t L oxa , and con dol ing w i th h im on th e los s o f h i s t ee th . T h e ear l , how ever ,m ad e l igh t o f h i s d i sf igu r ing w o u n d ; s ay ing , t h a t " o u r b l e s s edL o r d , w ho ha d bu i l t a l l t h a t hou s e , had . opened a w indo wt h e r e , t h a t h e m i g h t s e e m o r e r e a d i l y w h a t p a s s e d w i t h i n . " fW h e r e u p o n , t h e w o r t h y F r a y A n t o n i o A g a p i d a i s m o r e t h a neve r as to n i shed a t th e p re gn an t w i t of th i s i s land cava l i e r .The ear l con t inued some l i t t l e d i s t ance by the s ide o f the

r oy a l f ami ly , co mp l imen t ing t he m a l l w i th cou r t eous s peeches ,h i s s t eed cu r ve t i ng an d ca r ri co li ng , bu t m an age d w i th g r ea tg r ace a nd dex t e r i t y , l e av ing t h e g r ande es and t h e peop l e a tl a r ge no t m or e f ill ed w i th adm i r a t i on a t t h e s t r ang enes s a n d

* Cura de los Palacios.+ Pietro Martyr, Epist. 61.



152 HISTORY 03?

magnif icence of Ms s ta te , than a t the excel lence of Ms horse-m a n s M p . *

To tes t i fy Ms sense of th e g aU ah try an d services of t h isno ble E ng l i sh kn igh t , w ho h ad come f rom so fa r to as s i s t in

the i r wa r s , t he queen s en t h im , t he nex t day , p r e s en t s o ftwe lve horses , w i th s t a te ly t e n t s , fine l inen , tw o b ed s , w i t hcover ings o f go ld brocade , and many o ther a r t i c les o f g rea tva lue .

H a v in g ref reshed himself, as i t w ere , w i th t h e des cr ipt io nof tM s prog ress o f Q uee n I sabe l l a to th e cam p, an d th e g lor ious po m p of th e Catho l ic sovere igns , the wo r th y A nto n ioA gap ida re tu rn s , w i th r en ew ed re l i sh , to Ms p ious w ork ofd i scomf i t ing the Moors . f

C H A P T E E , X L I H .

H O W K I N G F E R D I N A N D A TT AC KE D M O C L IN , A N D O F T H E . .STRANGE E V E N T S THAT A T T E N D E D IT S CAPTUEB.

" T H E C a tho l i c s ove r e igns , " s ays E r ay An tomo Agap ida ,

" h ad b y tM s t im e c lose ly c l ipped th e r ig h t w ing of th eM oo r i s h vu l t u r e . " I n o the r wor ds , m os t o f t h e s t r ong f o rt r es ses a long the wes te rn f ron t ie r o f Granada had fa l l enbe ne a th t h e C hr i s t i an a r t i ll e r y . T h e a r m y now l ay encam pedbefore th e to w n of M ocl in , on th e f ront ier of Ja e n , one of th em os t s tu bb or n for t resses of th e bo rder . I t s tood on a Mg hro ck y h i ll , th e ba se o f w hich w as ne ar ly g i rd led b y a r iver . AtM ck f o r e s t p r o t ec t ed t he back pa r t o f t he t own towar ds t hem ou nta in . Th us s trong ly s i tua te , i t dom ineered , w i th i t s

f rowning ba t t l ements and mass ive towers , over a l l the mounta in passes in to tha t par t o f the count ry , and was ca l l ed theSM eid of G ran ad a . I t ha d a dou ble a r re ar o f b lood to se t t l ew i th t h e C hr i s t i ans . T w o hu nd r ed yea r s be fo r e, a m as t e r o fSant iago and a l l Ms cava l i e r s had been l anced by the Moorsbefore i t s ga tes . I t ha d rec en t ly m ad e t e r r ib le s l aug hte ramong the t roops of the good Count de Cabra , in Ms prec ip i - '

* Cura de los Palacios. ]

•f* T he description of this royal pageant, and the particulars conc ern ing 'the English earl, agree precisely w ith the chronicle of And res Bern aldes,th e curate of L os Palacios. Th e En glish earl m ake s no further figure inthis wa r. It appears from various histories, that he returned in the courseof the year to En glan d. In the following year his passion for fighting tookhim to"the Continent, at the head of four hundred adventurers, in aid ofFranc is, Du ke of Brittany, against Louis X I of Fran ce. H e was killed, inthe same year (1488), iii the battle of St Albans, between the Bretons andthe French.




ta t e a t t em p t t o en t r a p t he o ld M oor i s h m onar ch . T he p r i d eo f Fe r d inand had been p iqued , by be ing ob l i ged , ou t ha toccas ion, to recede f rom his p lan, and abandon his concer teda t t ac k on th e p lace . H e was now pre pa red to t ak e a fu ll

r evenge .E l Z ag a l , t h e o ld w ar r i o r k in g o f G r ana da , an t i c i pa t ing as econd a t t emp t , had p r ov ided t he p l ace wi th ample mun i t i onsan d p r ov i s i on ; ha d o r de r ed t r ench es t o be dug , and add i t i ona lbu lw ar ks t h r ow n up , an d caus ed a l l t h e o ld m en , t h e w om en ,an d th e ch i ld ren , to be rem ove d to th e cap i ta l .

Such was the s t rength of the for t ress , and the di f f icul t ies ofi t s pos i ti on , t h a t F e r d in an d an t i c ipa ted m uc h t r oub l e i n r e duc ing i t , and made every prepara t ion for a r egu la r s i ege .

I n th e cen t re o f h i s cam p w ere two gre a t m ou nd s , one ofsacks of f lour , the other of gra in , which were cal led the royalg r a na r y . T h r ee ba t t e r ie s o f heavy o r dn ance we r e openedaga ins t the c i t ade l a nd pr inc ipa l tow ers , wh i le smal le r a r t i l le ry , eng ines for th e disch arge of miss i les , arq ue bu ses , a n dcross-bows, w er e dis t r ib ut ed in var ious places , to k eep u p af i r e in to any breach tha t might be made , and upon those of thega r r i s on , who s hou ld appea r on t he ba t t l emen t s .

T he l om bar d s s oon m ade an impr es s ion on t he wo r ks , de -

m oh^h ing a p ar t o f th e w al l, an d tum bl in g dow n sev era l . o ft hos e ha ug h ty t ower s , wh ich , f rom the i r he igh t , ha d bee nim pr eg nab l e be fo r e t h e i nven t ion o f gunpow der . T h e M oo r srepai red thei r wal ls as wel l as they were able , and s t i l l conf iding in the s t r eng th of the i r s i tua t ion , kep t up a r eso lu tedefence, f i r ing down f rom thei r lof ty bat t lements and towersup on t h e C hr i s t ian cam p . F o r two n igh t s and a day an i n cessan t fire was ke p t up , so th a t the re wa s n o t a m om en t inwhich the roar ing of o rdnance was no t heard , o r some damagesus ta ined by th e Chr is t ia ns or th e M oo rs . I t w as a confl ic t,how ever , mo re of eng inee r s an d a r t i l le r i s t s th an of ga l l a n tca va l i e r s ; th er e w as no sa l ly o f t roops , o r shock of a rm edm en , o r ru sh an d cha rge of cava l ry . Th e kn igh t s s toodlooking on wi th id le weapons , wai t ing un t i l they should havean op po r tun i ty o f s igna l iz ing the i r p rowess , b y sca ling th ewa l l s o r s to rm ing th e b rea che s . A s th e p lace , how ever , wa sassai lable only in one par t , there was every prospect of a longand obs t ina te r es i s t ance .

T h e engin es , as usual , d ischarg ed n ot o nly bal ls of s tone and.i ron, to demol ish the wal ls , but f laming bal ls of inext inguishab le com bust ibles , des igne d to se t fire to th e hou ses . O ne ofthe se , which passed h ig h th ro ug h th e a i r , l ike a m eteor , s end ingout sparks , and c rack l ing as i t went , en te red the window of atow er , wh ich w as us ed as a m agaz ine of gun pow der . T hetow er b l ew up w i th a t r em end ous exp los ion : t h e M oo r s w ho



1 5 4 H I S T O E T O F

w ere up on i t s ba t t l em en ts w ere bu r le d in to th e a i r , and fel lm ang led i n va r i ous pa r t s o f t h e t o w n ; an d t he hous es i n i t sv i c in i t y wer e r en t and ove r th r own , a s w i th an ea r t hquake .

T h e M oo rs , w ho h a d nev er wi tne ssed an exp los ion of th i s

k in d ; asc r ibed th e des t ruc t io n of th e tow er t o a m i rac le .So m e, w ho h a d seen th e descen t o f the fl aming ba l l , im ag ine dtha t f i r e had fa l l en f rom heaven , to punish them for the i r per t in ac i ty / T h e p ious A ga pida h im se l f be l i eves th a t th i s fie rymiss ive was con duc ted b y d iv ine agency , to confound th einfide ls . A n op in ion in w hich h e i s sup po r ted b y o the rCatho l ic h i s to r ians .*

See ing heaven and ea r t h a s i t we r e combined aga ins t t hem,th e M oor s l o s t a l l hea r t , an d cap i t u l a t ed ; an d w er e p e r m i t t ed

t o d e p a r t > w i t h the i r e ffec ts , l ea v in g . be h in d a l l a rm s a ndmuni t ions o f war . •" T he C a tho l i c a r my , " . s ays A n ton io Ag ap ida , " en t e r ed

M ocl in in so lemn s ta te , no t as a l i cen t ious hos t , in t en t up onplu nd er and : deso la t ion , (but as a b an d of Ch r i s t i an wa r r io r s ,coming t o pu r if y and r eg ene r a t e t he l and . T h e s t an da r d o fth e e ross , th a t ens ign of th i s ho ly c rusad e , w as bo rne in th eadv ance , fol lowed by th e o th er ban ne rs o f th e a rm y. T he ncam e th e k in g an d queen , a t t h e he ad o f a v as t nu m be r o f

a rm ed cava l ie r s . T he y w ere accom panied b y a ba nd of p r ie s t san d f r i ar s , w i th th e cho i r o f th e roy a l chape l , cha n t ing th ecan t ic le Te Ileum laudamus. A s t h e y w e r e m o v i n g t h r o u g hth e s t r ee t s i n t h i s s o l emn m ann e r , eve r y s ound hus he d , ex cep t i ng t he an them o f t he cho i r , t hey s udden ly hea r d , i s s u ingas i t w ere f rom Und er gro un d, a c ho rus of voices , ch an t in gthe s o l emn r e s pons e , Benedictum, qui venit in nomine Dom ini.fT he process ion pa use d in w ond er . T h e soun ds a rose f romChr i s t i an cap t ives , and among them severa l p r i es t s , who were

conf ined in sub te r raneous dungeons .T h e he a r t of I s abe l l a was g r ea t l y t o uc he d : s he o r de r ed t h e

cap t ives to b e d ra w n for th from th ei r ce ll s , a n d w as s t i ll m or em o v e d : a t behold ing , by the i r wan , d i sco loured , and emacia tedapp earan ce , how m uc h th ey h ad suffered . Th e i r ha i r an db e a r d s w e r e o v e r g r o w n a n d s h a g g e d ; t h e y w e r e w a s t e d b yhu ng e r , an d we r e ha l f naked , an d i n cham s . She o r de r ed ,t h a t t he y s hou ld be c lo thed an d che r is hed , and mo neyf u r n i s hed t hem to bea r t hem to t he i r homes . J

Several of the capt ives were brave caval iers , who had been,w ou nd ed an d m ad e pr i son ers , in th e defea t o f th e Co unt &e

* Pulgar. Garibay. Lucio Marino Siculo, Cosas Mem orab. da Hispanl ib. xx .

+ Marino Siculo.} Illescas, H ist. Pontif. lib.-vi, c. 20, sect. 1.




C abr a , b y E l Z aga l , i n t he p r eced ing yea r . T h e r e wer e a l s ofound oth er m elan cho ly t ra ce s of th a t d isas t rous affair . O u•vis iting th e na rro w pass , w he re th e , defeat ha d ta ke n pla ce ,th e rem ain s of several Ch r is t ian w arr io rs w ere found in

th icke t s , o r h idden beh ind rooks , o r in the c le f t s o f the mount a ins . T h e r e w er e s ome wh o ha d been s t r uc k f rom the i rhorses , and w oun ded too severe ly to fly . T h ey ha d c rawledaw ay f rom th e scene of act ion, an d concealed them selve s , toavoid fa ll ing in to th e ha nd s of the enem y, a nd h ad th u sper i shed m iserab ly an d a lone . Th e rem ains o f those of no tewer e known by t he i r a r mour and dev i ces , and wer e mour nedover by the i r com panions , w ho ha d shar ed th e d i sas te r s o ft h a t d a y . *

The queen had these r emains p ious ly co l l ec ted , as the r e l i esof so-many mar tyrs , who had fa l len in the cause of the fa i th .T h e y w ere in te r red , w i th g r ea t so lemni ty , in th e m osqu es o fMocl in , which had been pur i f i ed , and consecra ted to Chr i s t i anwo r s h ip . " T h e r e , " s ays An ton io Ag ap ida , " r e s t t he bonesof those t ru ly Catho l ic kn igh t s , in the ho ly ground , which , ina m an ne r , ha d be en sanc t if ied b y the i r b lo o d; an d a ll p i lg r imspass ing th rough those mounta ins o f fe r up prayers and massesfor the repose of thei r souls ."

Th e qu een rem aine d for some t ime a t M ocl in , adm in i s te r ingcomfort t o t h e w ound ed and t h e p r i s one r s , b r i ng ing t he new ly -acq ui red t e r r i to ry in to o rder , an d founding churches an dm o n a s t er i e s, a n d o t h e r p io u s i n s t it u t io n s . " W h i l e t h e k i n gm arc he d in f ron t , l ay ing w as te th e l a nd of th e Ph i l i s t in es , "says th e figura tive A nto n io Ag apida , " Q ue en I sab e l l a fo llowed h i s t r aces , as th e b in de r fo llows th e reaper , g a th er in gth e rich ha rve s t , th a t has fa llen ben ea th his s ickle . Tn th isshe was great ly ass is ted by the counsels of that c loud ofb i shop s , f r ia r s , an d c le rgymen , bes ides o th er sa in t ly per so na g e s , wh ich con t inua l ly sur ro un de d he r , ga rne r in g th e f i rs tf rui t s of th is infidel lan d in to th e gra na r ies of th e ch ur ch ."L eav ing he r t hus p ious ly employed , t he k ing pu r s ued h i scareer o f conque s t , de te rm ined to l ay w as te th e veg a , an dcar ry f i r e and sword to the very ga tes o f Granada .

* Pnlgar; part iii, cap. 6 1.



156 H I S T O R Y OF

C H A P T E E X L T V .

H O W Z I N G F E R D I N A N D F OR A G ED T H E V E G A ; AND O F T H E F A T EOF THE T W O M O O R I S H B R O T H E R S .

MTFLEY ABDALLA E L ZAGAL had been under a spell of ill

for tune ever s ince the suspic ious death of the old k i n g hisbr o the r . Succes s had des e r t ed his s t a n d a r d , and, w i t h hisf ickle subjects , want of success was one of th e g rea te s t c r imesi n a sovereign. H e found his popula r i ty dec l in ing , and helos t all confidence in his peop le . The C hr i s t i an a r my mar ched

in open def iance th rough his t e r r i t o r i e s , and sat down de l i bera te ly before his f o r t r e s s e s ; yet he d a r e d not l ead for th hisl eg ions to oppose them , l es t the i n h a b i t a n t s of the a lbaycin ,ever r ipe for a revol t , should r i se , and s h u t the g a t e s of

G r a n a d a a g a i n s t his r e tu r n .E v e r y few days some m elancholy t r a in en te re d the m e t r o

polis , the i n h a b i t a n t s of s ome cap tu r ed t own , bea r ing the few•effects that had been s pa r ed t hem , and weep ing and bew ai l ingthe deso la t ion of t h e i r h o m e s . W h e n the t id ings a r r ive d

t h a t D l o r a and M o c l i n had fallen, the people were se izedwi th cons t e r na t i on . " T h e r i g h t eye of G r a n a d a is e x t i a -

; g u i s h e d " e x c l a i m e d t h e y ; " the shie ld of G r a n a d a is b r o k e nwha t s ha l l p r o t ec t us from the i n r oad of the foe ?" W h e nthe surv ivors of the gar r i sons of tho se town s a r r ived , w i thdowncas t looks , bear ing the m a r k s of b a t t l e , and des t i t u t e of

a r m s and s t anda r ds , t h e popu l ace r ev i l ed t h em in t h e i r w r a t h :b u t t h e y a n s w e r e d , " W e f ough t as l ong as we had force to

fight, or w alls to s he l t e r u s ; but the Chr is t ians la id our

t o w e r s and b a t t l e m e n t s in r u i n s , and we looked in va in fora id f r om Gr anada . " .•*"

T he a l caydes of M o r a and M o c l in w e r e b r o t h e r s ; t h e ywere a l ike in p r owes s , and the b r a v e s t a m o n g the M o o r i s h•cavaliers . They had b e e n the mos t d i s t ingu i shed in all t i l t sand t ou r neys , wh ich g r aced the happ i e r days of G r a n a d a , andhad d i s t i ngu i s hed t hems e lves in the s terner confl icts of thef ield. Acclamation had a lways fo l lowed the i r banners , and

t h e y had l o n g b e e n the de l i gh t of the people . Now, w h e nthey r e tu r ned , a f t e r the cap tu r e of the i r fo r t r es ses , they werefollowed by the uns t eady popu l ace wi th exec r a t i ons . Theh e a r t s of the a lcaydes sw el led w i th ind ign a t io n ; th ey foundt h e i n g r a t i t u d e of t he i r cou n t r ym en s ti ll m or e i n to l e r ab l et h a n the hos t i l i ty of the Ch r i s t ians . T id ings came th a t thee n e m y was advanc ing wi th his t r i u m p h a n t l eg io n s, to layw a s t e the cou n t r y abo u t G r anad a . S t i ll El Z a g a l did not



T H E C O N Q U E S T OE G B A N A D A . 15T

da r e to t a k e the field. The two a lcaydes of M o r a and M oc l in .s tood before him. " We hare defended your fo r t r es ses , " sa idt h e y , " u n t i l we w e r e a l m o st b u r i e d u n d e r t h e i r r u i n s ; and-

fo r our r e w a r d , we re ce iv e scoffs and r ev i l ings . Give us, O

k i n g , an o p p o r t u n i t y in wh ich kn igh t l y va lou r may s ignal izeitself; not s h u t up be h in d s tone wal l s , but in the open conflict of the field The enemy app r oaches , to lay our c o u n t r ydesola te . Give us men to m e e t him in the a d v a n c e ; and let

shame f ight upon our h e a d s , if we be f ound wan t ing in the

b a t t l e "T h e two b ro the r s w ere sen t fo r th w i th a large force of ho r s e

and-foot . El Z a ga l i n t ende d , s hou ld t he y be successful, to

i s sue out w i t h his who le f o r ce ; and, by a decis ive victory,

r epa i r the losses he had suffered . W h e n the people saw thewel l - known s t anda r ds of the b ro the r s go ing for th to ba t t l e ,t h e r e was a f eeb le shout ; but the a lcaydes passed on w i t hs t e r n c o u n t e n a n c e s : for t h e y k n e w the same voices wouldcu r s e t hem wer e t hey to r e t u r n un f o r tun a t e . T h ey cas t a

f a rewel l look up on fai r Gran ad a , and u p o n the beaut i fulfields of t he i r mf ancy , as if for these they were wi l l ing to lay

down the i r l ives , but not for an ungra te fu l people .T h e a r m y of F e r d i n a n d had a r r i ved wi th in two l eagues of

G r a n a d a , at the b r i dge of P i n o s , a pass f amous in the w a r s oft h e M o o r s and Chr i s t i ans for m a n y a b loo dy conflict. I t was

t he pas s by w h i c h the Cas t i l ian m ona rchs gen era l ly m adethe i r i n r oads , and was capable of gr ea t defence, f rom the

r u g g e d n e s s of the coun t r y , and the difficulty of the b r i dge .T he k ing , w i th the m a i n b o d y of the a r m y , had a t t a i ned the-

b r o w of a h i l l , when they behe ld the advanced guard , undert h e M a r q u i s of Cadiz and the m a s t e r of San t iago , fu r ious lya t t acked by the e n e m y , in the vic ini ty of the b r i dge . The

M o o r s ru s h e d to the as sau l t wi th the i r usua l shouts , but with-m or e t h an u s ua l f e roc it y . T h e r e was a ha r d s t r ugg l e at the

br idge , bo th pa r t i e s knowing the impor t ance of the pass . The-

k ing pa r t i cu l a r l y no t ed the p r owes s of two Moor ish caval iers , ,a l ike in a r m s and devices , and who, by t he i r bea r ing and at

t e n d a n c e , he perce ived to be c o m m a n d e rs of the e n em y . T h e yw e r e the two b r o t h e r s , the a lcaydes of I l l o r a and M oc l in .W her eve r t hey t u r ned , t hey ca r r i ed con f us ion and dea th in to-t h e r a n k s of the C h r i s t i a n s ; but th ey fought w i th despera t ion

r a t h e r t h a n v a l o u r . The C o u n t de C a b r a and his b r o the r ,D o n M a r t i n de Cordova , p res sed forward w i th eagerness-a g a i n s t t h e m ; but, hav ing advanced too p rec ip i t a te ly , w eres u r r o u n d e d by the foe, and in i m m i n e n t d a n g e r . A y o u n gChr i s t i an kn igh t , s ee ing the i r per i l , has tened wi th his foll ower s to then" relief. The k ing recognized him for Don J u a nde Ar r agon , C oun t of E i b a r g o z a , his own n e p h e w ; for he was




i l l eg i t imate son of the Duke of Vi l l ahermosa , i l l eg i t imateb r o t h e r o f K i n g F e r d i n a n d . T h e s p le n d i d a r m o u r o f D o nJ in an , and ; t h e s um ptuous capa r is on o f h i s s t eed , r en de r edh m a b r i l l i an t ob jec t o f a t t a ck . H e w a B aBsailed on al l s ides ,and h i s s upe r b s t eed s l a in unde r h i m ; ye t s t i l l he foughtY a h a n t l y , be ar in g for aw h i le th e b ru n t o f th e f igh t, an d g iv ingth e exh aus ted forces o f th e Co unt de Ca bra t im e to r ecov erb r e a t h .

See ing th e per i l of thes e t roo ps , an d t h e genera l obs t inacy ofth e con tes t , th e k in g orde red th e roya l s t an da rd to be adv anc ed ,an d ha s ten ed w i th a l l h i s fo rces to th e r e l ie f o f th e C ou nt d eC ab r a . A t h i s ap p r oach t h e enem y gave way , and r e t r ea t edtow ar ds t h e b r i dge . T h e tw o M oor i s h com ma nder s endea

vo ur e d t o r a l l y t he i r t r oops , and an im a te t h em to de fend t h i sm e n ac es ; b u t ne ar ly in va in . T h ey could on ly co ll ect as can ty hand f u l o f cava li e rs . W i t h t he s e t h ey p l an t e d t hem se lves a t the head of the b r idge , and d i spu ted i t inch by inch .T h e fight w as h ot an d ob s t inate ; for b u t few could co nte ndha nd t o h a n d ; ye t m an y d i s cha r ged c r os s- bows and a r que bu ses f rom th e ba nk s . T h e r iver wa s covered w i th the floatin g bod ies of th e s la in . T h e M oo r ish b an d of caval iers w as

a lm os t en t i r e ly cu t to p iec es : the tw o bro the r s fe ll , coveredw i th wounds , upo n t he b r i d ge th ey had s o r e s o lu t e ly de f ended .They had g iven up the ba t t l e fo r los t , bu t had de te rmined no tt o r e tu r n a live t o ung r a t e f u l G r ana da . W h e n t he peop l e o ft h e cap i ta l hea r d how devo t ed ly t h ey h ad f al len , t h ey l am en tedgre a t ly the i r dea ths , an d ex to l l ed the n ' m em ory . A co lum nw as e rec ted to the i r ho no ur in th e v ic in ity o f the b r id ge ,wh ich long w en t b y t he nam e o f " T he t om b o f t h e b r o the r s . "

T he a r my o f Fe r d inand now mar ched on , and e s t ab l i s hed

i t s camp in t h e v i c in it y o f G r ana da . T he wo r thy A gap ida

f' rea m an y t r i u m ph an t de t a i ls o f t h e r avages com m i t ted i ne vega , wh ich w as aga in l a id w a s t e ; th e g ra in , f ru it s , an d

o the r p r oduc t i ons o f t h e ea r t h d es t r oy ed ; an d t h a t ea r t h lypara dise ren de red a dr ea ry deser t. . H e na rra te s several fiercebut inef fectual sa l l ies and ski rmishes of the Moors in defenceof. the i r f avour i te p la in ; am ong which one .d ese rve s to b ement ioned , as i t r ecords the ach ievement o f one of the sa in t lyheroes of th is war .

D ur in g one o f t h e m ovem en t s o f t he C hr i s t ian a r m y nea rt h e . wal ls of G ran ad a, a ba t ta l io n of f ifteen h u nd re d c av al ry ,and a large force of foot , had sal l ied f rom the c i ty , and pos tedthems e lves nea r s ome ga r dens , wh ich wer e s u r r ounded : by acana l , and t r aver sed by d i t ches , fo r the purpose of i r r r i -ga t ion .

T he M oor s behe ld t he Duke de l I n f an t ado pas s by wi th h i s

pass to the u tmos t .




two s p l end id ba t t a l i ons ; one o f men- a t - a r ms , t he o t t e r o fl igh t cava l ry , a rmed a la geneta. I n company w i th h im , b u tfo llowing as a r ea rgu ard , was D o n G arc ia O sor io , th e be l l iger e n t B i s hop o f J a en , a t t ende d b y F r anc i s co B o r ad i l l o , t h ecor reg idor o f h i s c i ty , and fo l lowed by two sqnadrons of men-a t - a r ms , f r om J aen , Andu ja r , Ubeda , and B aza .* T he s ucces sof the p reced ing year ' s campaign had g iven the good b i shopan inc l ina t ion for w arh ke a f fa ir s ; an d h e ha d once m or ebuckled on his cui rass .

T he M oo rs w ere m uc h g iven to s t r a ta ge m in warfa re* T h eylooked wis tfu lly a t th e mag ni f icen t squa drons of th e D u k ede l I n f an t ado ; bu t t he i r mar t i a l d i s c ip l i ne p r ec luded a l la t t ac k . T h e good b i shop prom ised to be a m ore easy pre y .

Suf fe r ing th e du ke an d h i s t roops to pass unm oles ted , the yappr oached t he s quad r ons o f t he b i s hop ; and , mak ing a p r e tended a t t ack , sk i rmished s l igh t ly , and f l ed in apparen t confusion . T he b i sh op cons idered th e day h i s ow n; and , s econd edby his corregidor Bovadi l lo , fo l lowed wi th valorous precipi tat ion . T he M oo rs fled in to th e Euerta dd Rey, or orchard ofth e kin g. T he t roo ps of th e bish op followed hot l y af ter th em .W hen t he M oor s pe r ce ived t he i r pu r s ue r s f a i r l y embar r a s s edamong the in t r i cac ies o f the garden they tu rned f i e rce ly upon

the m , w hi le some of the i r nu m be r th r ew open th e s lu ices o fth e X en i l . I n an in s tan t th e cana l wh ich enc i rcled , and th edi tches which t raversed the garden, were f i l led wi th Water ,and the va l i an t b i shop and h i s fo l lowers found themse lvesove rwh elm ed b y a de lug e . t A scene of g re a t confusion succeeded . Som e of th e m en of Ja en , s tou tes t o f he ar t an dha nd , f ough t w i th t h e M oor s i n t h e ga r d en , wh i l e o the r ss t ru gg led w i th th e w ate r , endeav our ing to escape across th ecana l , i n w h ich a t t e m p t m an y ho r s e s w er e d r own ed . F o r tu

na t e ly t he Duke de l I n f an t ado pe r ce ived t he s na r e i n to wh ichhis com panions ha d fa l len , an d despatc hed his fight cav al ry toth ei r ass is tance . T h e M oo rs w ere com pel led to flight, an dd r iven a long t he r oad o f E lv i r a up t o t he ga t e s o f Gr anada .Sev era l Ch r i s t i an cava li e rs per i sh ed in th i s a f fray ; th e b i shophimself escaped wi th di f f icul ty , having s l ipped f rom his saddlein cross ing the canal , but saved himself by holding on the ta i lo f h i s cha rger . Th i s per i lous ach ieve m ent seems to ha vesa ti sf ied th e good b i shop ' s be l l igere n t p rope ns i t i es . " H e re

t i r ed on h i s l au re l s , " s ays A gap ida , " to h i s c i ty o f Ja e n ,w he re , on th e fruition of a l l good th ing s , h e gra du al ly w ax edtoo corpulent for h is cors le t , which was hung up in the hal l of

* Pulgar, part iii, cap. 62 .+ Pulgar.



160 H I S T O E T O E

Lis episcopal palace; and we hear no more of h is rxr f l i tarydeeds t h r ou gh ou t t h e r e s idue o f t he ho ly w ar o f G r a na da . " *

K in g Fe r d ina nd hav ing comple t ed h i s r ava ge o f t he vega ,and kep t E l Z aga l s hu t up i n h i s cap i t a l , conduc t ed h i s a r myha ck t h r ou gh t h e pas s of L o pe , t o r e jo in Q ue en I s abe l l a a tM oc l in . T he f o rt re s se s l a t e ly t ak en be ing w e l l ga r r i s onedan d suppl ied , h e gave the com m and of th e fron t ie r to h i scous in , Don Fadr ique de Toledo , a f t e rwards so famous in theN e t h e r l a n d s a s t h e D u k e o f A l b a . T h e c a m p a i g n b e i n g t h u scom ple te ly c row ned w i th success , th e sovere igns r e t u r ne d int r i umph to t he c i t y o f C or dova .

C H A P T E R X L T .

A T T E M P T O E E l i Z AG A L T OO N T H E L I E E O F B O A B D I L , A N D H O W

T H E L A T T E E W A S E O T J S E D T O A C T I O N .

No sooner d id the l as t squadron of Chr i s t i an cava l ry d i s app ear b eh in d th e m ou nta in o f E lv i ra , an d th e no te o f i t st r u m pe t s d ie aw ay upon t he ea r , t h an t h e l ong - suppr es sedw r a th o f o ld M ule y e l Z a ga l hu r s t f o r th . H e de t e r m ined nolon ger to be ha l f a k ing , r e ign ing over a d iv ided k in gd om ,in a d iv ided ca p i t a l ; b u t to ex te rm ina te , b y an y m ean s , fa i ro r fou l, h i s nep hew Bo abd i l an d h i s confedera tes . H e tu rn edfur ious ly upon those whose fac t ious conduc t had de te r redh im f rom sa l ly ing upo n t h e foe. Som e he pu nish ed b y confiscations , o th ers b y ba nis hm en t , o th ers b y de ath . O nce im -d i s pu t ed m on ar ch o f t he en t i r e k ingdom, h e t r u s t e d t o h i smi l i t a ry sk i l l to r e t r i eve h i s fo r tune , and dr ive the Chr i s t i ansover the f ront ier .

Boabdi l , however , had aga in re t i r ed to Velez e l B lanco , onthe conf ines of Murcia , where he could avai l himself, in caseof emergency, of any ass is tance or protect ion af forded him byth e po l icy of F er d i na nd . H is defea t had b l igh ted h i s r ev iving for tunes , for th e people cons idered h im as inev i tab lydoo m ed to m is for tune . S t i ll , w hi le h e l ived , E l Za ga l kn ewh e w ould b e a ra l ly ing po int for fact ion, an d ha ble a t a n ymomen t , t o be e l eva t ed i n to power by t he cap r i c ious mu l t i

t u d e . H e h ad recourse , there fore , to th e m os t per fid iousm ea ns to compass h i s des t ruc t ion . H e sen t am bassad ors to -h im , r ep rese n t in g th e necess i ty o f concord , for th e sa lva t ion

* D on Luis Osorio fué obispo de Jaén desede el ano d e 14 83, y presidio en esta iglesia harta el de 1496 en que murió* en Flandes á donde fuéacompañando á la Princesa D ona J uan a, esposa del A rchiduque D onFelipe.— Esp aña Sagrada. Por Fr . M. Risco, torn. xli. trat. 7 7 , cap. 4 .




of t h e k i ng do m ; an d even of fe ring to r es ign th e t i t l e o f k in g ,a n d to bec om e sub jec t to h i s swa y , on rece iv ing som e es ta te ,on w h ich he cou ld l ive i n t r an qu i l r e t i r em en t . B u t , wh i l eth e amb as s ado r s bo r e t he s e wo r ds o f peace , t h e y w er e f u r

n i s h ed w i th po i s oned he r bs , w h ich t h ey w er e t o adm in i s t e rs ec r e t l y t o B oa bd i l ; and , if t h ey f a il ed i n t h i s a t t em p t , t he yha d p l ed ged t hem s e lves t o d i s pa t ch h im open ly , wh i l e enga gedin conve r s a t ion . T he y w er e i n s t i ga t ed t o t h i s t r ea s on b ypromises o f g rea t r eward , and by as surances f rom the a l f aqu i s ,t h a t B oab d i l w as an apo s t a t e , who s e de a th w ou ld be ac ce p t ab l e t o heaven .

T he young monar ch was s ec r e t l y app r i s ed o f t he conce r t edt r ea s on , and r e f used an aud i ence t o t h e ambas s ado r s . H o

den oun ced h i s unc l e a s t h e m ur de r e r o f h i s f a the r an d h i sk in d r ed , and t h e u s u r p e r o f h i s t h r on e , and vow ed neve r t ore len t in hos t i l i ty to h im, un t i l he should p lace h i s head on thewal l s o f the Alhambra .

O pen w ar aga in b r ok e ou t be tw een t h e two m ona r chs ,though feeb ly car r i ed on , in consequence of then - m u t u a lem bar r a s s m en t s . F e r d i na nd aga in ex t en ded h i s a s s is t ance t oBoabdi l , o rder ing the commanders o f h i s fo r t r es ses to a id h imin a l l enterpr ises agains t h is uncle , and agains t such places asr e f us ed t o acknowdedge h i m as k ing . A n d D o n J u a n deB en av ides , wh o com m anded i n L oxa , even m ade i n r oads , i nh i s nam e, in to th e t e r r i to r i es o f Alm er ia , B aza , an d G uad ix ,w hic h ow ned a l leg iance to E l Za ga l . *

T h e un f o r tun a t e B oa bd i l h ad t h r e e g r ea t ev il s t o con t endwi th ; the incons tancy of h i s sub jec t s , the hos t i l i ty o f h i sun c le , an d th e f r i ends lup of F er d i na nd . T h e l as t wa s b y fa rt h e m os t ba ne f u l ; h i s f o r tunes w i the r e d un de r i t . H e was

loo ke d up on as th e ene m y of h i s fa i th a nd of h i s co un t ry ."The c i ti es sh u t the i r ga tes aga ins t h im . T he people cur se dh im . E v en t he s can ty ba nd of cava li e rs , w ho had h i t h e r t ofo l lowed h i s i l l - s t a r red banner , began to deser t h im; fo r heh ad no t w he r e w i tha l t o r ew ar d , o r even t o s upp or t t hem . H i ssp i r i t s s ank w i th h i s fo r tun e ; an d h e feared th a t , in a l i t t l et i m e , he should no t have a spo t o f ea r th whereon to p lace h i ss t anda r d , o r an adhe r en t t o r a l l y unde r i t .

In the mids t o f h i s despondency he rece ived a message f rom

h i s l i o n - h e a r te d m o t h e r , t h e s u l t a n a A y x a l a H o r r a . " F o rs h am e , " s a id s he , " t o l inge r abou t t h e bo r de r s of yo u r k in g dom , w hen a us ur pe r is s ea ted in yo ur cap i t a l "Why lookabroad for per f id ious a id , when you have loya l hear t s bea t ingt r u e t o y o u i n G r a n a d a ? T h e A l b a y c i n is r e a d y t o t h r o wop en i t s ga tes to r ece ive yo u . S t r ik e ho m e v igorou s ly . As ud de n b low m ay m en d a l l o r m ake an end . A t h r on e o r ag r a v e f or a k in g t he r e i s no hon our a b l e m ed ium ."

M




B o abd i l w as o f an und ec ide d cha r ac t e r ; b u t t he r e a r e c i r cums tances wh ich b r i ng t he mos t wave r ing t o a dec i s i on , and ,w he n once r e so lved , t h ey a r e ap t t o ac t w i th a da r i n g im pu l s e , un kn ow n to s t ead i e r j ud gm en t s . T he mes s age o f t h e

s u l t an a r ous ed h im fr om a d r eam . G r ana da , beau t if u l G r a n a d a w i th i t s s t a t e ly A lham br a , it s de li ci ous ga r d ens , i t sgush ing and l impid founta ins , spark l ing among groves o fo r ang e , c i tr on , and m yr t l e , r o s e be fo r e h im . " W h a t ha ve Ido ne ," exc la imed he , " th a t I shou ld be an ex il e f rom th i sparad i se o f my fore fa ther s , a wanderer and fug i t ive in myown k ingdo m, wh i l e a m ur d e r o us u s u r pe r s it s p r o ud ly up onm y th r o ne ? Su r e ly , A l l ah wi l l be f ri end t h e r i gh t eo us c a u s e :one b low, and a l l may be my own "

H e s u m m o n e d h i s s c a n t y b a n d of c a v al ie rs . " W h o i sr e ad y t o f ollow h i s mo na r c h u n to t h e de a th ? " s a id h e ; an de v e r y o n e l a id h i s h a n d u p o n h is c im e t er . " E n o u g h " s a idh e : " l e t each m an a rm himself, and p r epa r e h i s s t eed i nsec re t for an en te rp r i se o f to i l an d p e r i l : i f we succeed , o u rreward i s empi re "

C H A P T E R X L V *

H O W BO A B D I L R E T U R N S S EC R E TL Y TO G R A N A D A ; A N D H O W H EW A S R E C E I V E D .

" I N t h e .h a n d of G od ," exc la ims an o ld .Arab ian chron ic le r ," i s th e des t in y of p r ince s ; he a lone g iv e th emp i re . A s ing leM oo r i s h ho r s em an , m ou n te d on a f leet Ar a b i an s t eed , was on ed a y t r a v e r s i n g t h e m o u n t a i n s w h i c h e x t e n d b e t w e e n G r a n a d aan d th e f ront iers of M ur cia . H e gal lope d ijsviftly th ro u g h t h eva l l eys , bu t paused and looked ou t cau t ious ly f rom the summi t

of ev ery he igh t . A sq ua dr on of caval iers fo llowed w ar i ly a ta d is ta nc e. T h e re w ere f if ty lanc es . T h e r ich ne ss of their -a r mour and a t t i r e s howed t hem to be war r i o r s o f nob l e r ank ,an d t he i r l e ade r ha d a l o ft y and p r ince l ike dem ean our . " T h es qua d r on t hu s des c r i bed by t h e A r ab i an ch r on i c le r was t h eMoor i sh k ing Boabdi l and h i s devoted fo l lowers .

E o r t w o n i g h t s a n d a d a y t h e y p u r s u e d t h e i r a d v e n t u r o u sjou r n ey , avo id ing a ll popu lous pa r t s o f t h e cou n t r y , a n dchoos ing t h e m os t s o l it a r y pas s e s o f t h e mo un ta in s . T h ey

suf fe red severe hardsh ips and fa t igues ; bu t they suf fe redw i t h o u t a m u r m u r . T h e y w e r e a c c u s to m e d t o r u g g e d c a m pa ig n ing , and t h e i r s t eeds w er e o f gene r ou s an d un y i e ld in gsp i r i t . I t wa s m idn igh t , an d a l l w as da rk and s i l en t as th e ydes cended f r om the moun ta in s and app r oached t he c i t y o fG r an ad a . T he y pas s ed a long qu i e t l y un de r t h e s hadow oti t s wal l s un t i l they a r r ived near the ga te o f the Albayc in .Her e B oabd i l o r de r ed h i s f o l l ower s t o ha l t , and r ema in



TH E CONQUEST OE GBANADA . 163

concea led . Tak ing b u t four or fire wi t h h im , h e advanced r e s o -lu t e ly to t h e ga t e , a nd knock ed wi t h t h e h i l t of his e ime te r . T h e gu a r d s d emand e d w ho s ough t to en t e r a t t h a t uns ea sonab l e hou r . T o u r k i n g e x c l a imed Bo a b d i l ; o p e n t h e g a t e

a n d a dm i t h im .T h e gua r d s he l d for th a l igh t , an d r ecogn i s ed t h e pe r s on of

t h e you th fu l mona r ch . Th e y we r e s t r uck wi t h s udd en awe , a n d t h r ew open t h e ga t e s , and Boabd i l and h is fofiowers en t e r e d unmo l e s t ed . Th e y gal loped t o t h e dwel l ings of t h e pr inc ipa l i n h ab i t a n t s of t h e A l b a y c i n ; t h u n d e r i n g a t t h e i r por t a l s , an d s ummon i ng t h em t o r i se , an d t a k e a rms for t h e i r r i gh t fu l sovere ign . T h e s ummons was i n s t an t l y o b e y e d ; t r ump e t s r e s ounded t h r o u g h o u t t h e s t r e e t s ; t h e g leam of t o r che s an d t h e flash of a rms showed t h e Moo r s h u r r y i n g t o t h e i r ga t he r i ng - p l a ce s ; and , b y dayb r eak , t h e whole force of t h e Albayc i n was r a l l i ed u n d e r t h e s t a nd a r d of Boabd i l . Su c h w as t h e success of t h i s s udd en and despe r a t e ac t of t h e y o u n g m o n a r c h ; for w e a r e as su r ed b y con t empo r a r y h i s to r i ans , t h a t t h e r e h a d be en no prev ious conce r t or a r r a ng emen t . A s t h e gu a r d s opened t h e ga t e of t h e ci ty to a dm i t h im, obse rves a p i ou s chronicler , so G od opened t h e hea r t s of t h e Moo r s t o r ece ive h im as t h e i r k i ng . *

I n t h e morn i ng ear ly , t h e t id ings of t h i s even t r ou s ed E l Zag a l from h is s l umbe r s i n t h e A l h amb r a . Th e fiery o ld war r i o r as s embled h is gua r d in ha s t e , and mad e h is way , sword in hand , to t h e Albayc in , hop i ng t o come ггроп h is nephew b y su rp r i s e . H e w as vigorous ly m e t b y Boabd i l a nd h is adh e r e n t s , an d dr iven back in to t h e qua r t e r of t h e A l h am -b r a . A n encoun t e r took place be tween t h e tw o k i ng s in t h e s qu a r e before t h e pr inc ipa l mosque . H e r e t h e y fought , h a n d

t o hand , w i t h imp lacab l e fury, as t h o u g h i t h a d be en ag r eed t o dec ide t h e i r compet i t ion for t h e c rown b y s ingle comba t . I n t h e t umu l t of t h i s chance med l e y affray, however , t h e y we r e s epa r a t ed , an d t h e p a r t y of E l Zag a l w as i d t ima t e l y dr iven from t h e s qu a r e .

T h e ba t t l e r a g ed fo r some t ime in t h e s t r ee t s and p laces of t h e c i t y ; bu t , finding then- power s of mischief c r amped wi t h i n s uch na r r ow l imi t s , bo t h par t i e s sal l ied for th in to t h e fields, a nd fought b e n e a t h t h e wal l s un t i l even ing . M a n y fell

on b o t h s ides , an d a t n i gh t each p a r t y wi t hd r ew in to i t s qua r -t e r , un t i l t h e morn i ng gave t h em fight to r e n ew t h e u n n a t u r a l conflict. E o r severa l days t h e tw o divis ions of t h e c i ty r ema i n ed l ike hos t i l e powe r s a r r a y ed aga ins t each o t he r . T h e p a r t y of t h e A l h amb r a was mo r e nume r o u s t h a n t h a t of t h e Albayc i n , and con t a ined mo s t of t h e nobi l i ty a n d c h i v a l r y ;

Palgar, л 2



164 H I S T O R Y O S

b u t t b e a d h e r e n t s o f B o a b d i l w e r e m e n h a r d e n e d a n ds t r eng thened by l abour , and hab i t ua l l y s k i l l ed i n t he exe r c i s eof a rms .

T he A lba yc in un de rw en t a k ind of s iege b y th e fo rces o f

E l Z ag a l : t h ey e ffected b r eac hes i n t h e wa l l s , an d m ad e r e - •pe a t ed a t t e m pts to ca r ry i t sword in ha nd , b u t w ere as o f tenr epu l s ed . T h e t r oops of B oabd i l , on t he o the r han d , m ad efrequent sa l l ies ; and, in the conf l ic t which took place , theha t red of the combatan t s rose to such a p i t ch of fu ry , tha t noquar te r was g iyen on e i ther s ide .

Bo abd i l perce ive d th e in fe r io r ity o f h i s fo rce . H e dre ad ed ,also, t h a t h i s ad he r e n t s , be in g fo r t he m os t pa r t t r ad es m enand a r t i s ans , would become impat ien t o f th i s in te r rup t ion of

the i r ga infu l occupa t ions , and d i shear tened by these con t inua lscene s of ca rna ge . H e sen t m iss ives , there fore , in a l l ha s te t oDon E adr ique de T o l edo , who commanded t he C hr i s t i an f o r ceson the f ron t ie r , en t rea t ing h i s as s i s t ance .

D on E a dr iq ue ha d r ece ived o r de r s from th e po l it ic F e r d i n a n d to a id th e you thfu l m on arch in a l l h i s con tes t s w i th h i sun c le . H e adva nced , there fore , w i th a bo dy of t roop s toG r a n a d a ; b u t , w a r y l e s t so m e t r e a c h e r y m i g h t b e i n t e n d e d ,he s tood for some t ime aloof, wa t ch ing t he movemen t s o f t he

pa r t i es . T he furious an d san gu ina ry n a t u re o f th e confl ic tswh ich d i s t r ac t ed un ha pp y G r ana da , s oon conv inced h i m th a tt h e r e was no co ll us ion be tw een t h e m ona r chs . H e s en tBo ab di l , there fore , a re info rcem ent of C hr is t ian foot soldie rsand a r queb us i e r s , un de r F e r n an Alva r ez de So tom ayor ,a lcayd e of Colomara . Th is w as as a f i r e -brand th ro w n in tol igh t u p ane w th e flames of w ar in t h e c i ty , w hich rem ain edrag ing be tween the Moor i sh inhab i tan t s fo r the space of f i f tyd a y s .

C H A P T E E X L V I .

H O W K I N G - F E R D I N A N D L A I D S I E G E T O V E L E Z M A L A G A .

HITHERTO th e even t s o f th i s r e no w ne d w ar ha ve be en l i t t l ee lse than a success ion of br i l l iant but br ief exploints , such as"s ud de n f o rays an d w i ld s k i rmi s hes am ong t h e m oun ta in s , o rth e surpr i sa l s o f cas t l es, fo r t res ses , an d f ron t ie r tow ns . W e

appr oach now to mor e impor t an t and p r o longed ope r a t i ons , i nw h ich anc i en t and m igh ty c it ie s , t h e bu lw ar ks of G r an ad a ,were inves ted by power fu l a rmies , subdued by s low andregula r s i eges , and thus the cap i ta l l e f t naked and a lone .

The g lor ious t r iumphs of the Catho l ic sovere igns , s ays FrayA n t o n i o A g a p i d a , h a d r e s o u n d e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e E a s t ,an d filled a l l he a the nes se w i th a la rm . T he G ra nd T ur k ,B a za j e t I I , and h i s dead ly foe t he G r an d So ldan o f E g y p t ,



T H E -C O N Q U E S T O F G R A N A D A . 165

susp end ed for a t im e the i r b loody feuds , en te r ed in to a l ea gu eto p r o t ec t t he r e l i g ion o f M ahomet and t he k ingdom o f Gr a n ad a f rom th e hos t i l i ti es o f th e Ch r i s t i ans . I t w as con cer tedbe tween t hem tha t B a j aze t s hou ld s end a power f u l a r mada

aga ins t the i s l and of S ic i ly , then apper ta in ing to the Spanishcrown, fo r the purpose of d i s t r ac t ing the a t t en t ion of theCas t i l ian sovereigns , whi le , a t the same t ime, great bodies oft roops should be poured in to Granada f rom the oppos i t e coas tof Africa.

Fe r d inand and I s abe l l a r ece ived t ime ly i n t e l l i gence o f t he s edes igns . T h ey reso lved a t once to ca r ry th e w ar in to th eseabo rd of G ran ad a , to possess them se lves o f i t s po r t s , an dt h u s , as i t were , to bar the ga tes o f the k ingdom aga ins t a l l

ex te rna l a id . M ala ga was to be th e m ain ob jec t o f a t t a c k :i t was the p r inc ipa l s eapor t o f the k ingdom, and a lmos t neces sa ry to i t s ex i s tence . I t h ad long bee n th e sea t o f op ulen tcom me rce , s en d ing m an y sh ips to th e coas t o f Sy r ia an dE g y p t . I t was a ls o t he g r ea t channe l o f comm unica ti on wi thAf r i ca , t h r ough wh ich wer e i n t r oduced s upp l i e s o f money ,t roops , amis , and s teeds f rom Tunis , Tr ipo l i , Fez , Tremezan ,and o the r B a r b a r y power s . I t was emph a t i ca ll y ca ll ed , t he r e fore , t h e H a n d a n d M o u t h of G r a n a d a .

Before l ay ing s iege to th i s r edoubtab le c i ty , however , i t wasdee m ed nece ssary to secure th e ne igh bo ur in g c i ty o f V elezM a l a g a a n d i ts d e p e n d e n t p l a ce s , w h i c h m i g h t o t h e r w i s e h a r a s st h e b e s i e g i n g a r m y .

F o r t h i s im po r t an t cam pa ign t h e nob l e s of t h e k ingdom,were aga in summoned to t ake the f i e ld wi th the i r fo rces in thesp r in g of 1487. T h e m enac ed- invas ion of th e inf idel po w ersof th e E a s t h a d aw ake ned new a rdo ur in the bosoms of a l lC hr i s t i a n kn igh t s , an d so zea lous ly d id th e y resp on d to th es um m ons of t h e s ove r e igns , t h a t an a r m y o f tw en ty t ho us a ndcav alry an d fi fty th ou sa nd foot, th e f lower of Sp an ish w ar r i o r s , l ed b y t h e b r aves t o f Span i s h cava li e rs , t h r o ng ed t h eren ow ne d c i ty of Cordo va a t th e app oin ted t im e .

O n th e n ig h t be f o re t h i s m igh ty ho3t se t for th u po n i t sm ar c h an ea r t h qu ak e s hook t h e c i t y . T he i nh ab i t an t s ,aw ak en ed b y th e shak in g of th e w al l s an d rock ing of th etow ers , f led to th e co ur ts a n d s qu are s , fear ing to bo ove r

wh e lm ed b y t h e r u in s o f t he i r dwe l l i ngs . T he ea r t hq ua kewas mos t v io len t in the quar te r o f the roya l r es idence , thes i te o f t he an c i en t pa l ace o f t h e M oor i s h k ings . M a n y l ooke dup on t h i s a s an om en o f s ome imp end ing ev il , b u t F r a yAntonio Agapida, in that infa l l ib le spi r i t of d ivinat ion which,succeeds an even t , p la in ly r eads in i t a p resage tha t the empi reof the Moors was about to be shaken to i t s cen t re .

I t was on Sa tu r day , t he eve o f t he Sunday o f Pa lms , s ays



166 H I S T O E Y O F

a w or th y and loya l ch r on ic l e r o f t h e t imes , t ha t t h e m os tC a tho l i c mona r ch depa r t ed wi th h i s a r my to r ende r s e r v i ce t oh e a v e n , a n d m a k e w a r u p o n t h e M o o r s . * H e a v y r a i n s h a dswel led a l l the s t reams, and rendered the roads deep and di f f i

cu l t . T he k ing there fore d iv ided h i s ho s t in to tw o bod ies .I n one he p u t a l l the a r t i l l e ry , gu ard ed b y a s t ro ng bo dy ofho r s e , and com m anded by t h e m as t e r o f A lcan t a r a and M ar t i nAlon zo , s en ior o f M on tem ay or . Thi s d iv i sion was to p ro cee db y t h e r oad t h r o ug h t h e va l leys , w he r e pa s tu r a ge aboun dedfor the oxen which drew the ordnance .

T he ma in body o f t he a r my was l ed by t he k ing i n pe r s on .I t wa s d iv ided i n to nu m er ou s ba t t a l i ons , e ach com m anded b ysome d i s t ingu i shed cava l ie r . T he k in g took th e ro ug h an d

pe r i l ous r oad o f t he moun ta in s ; and f ew moun ta in s a r e mor eru g g e d an d d ifficult th an those of A nda lus ia . T h e road s a remer e mu le - pa ths , s t r agg l i ng amids t r ocks and a long t he ve r geof p rec ip ices , c l amber ing vas t , c raggy he igh t s , o r descendingin to f r igh tfu l chasm s a nd rav ines , w i th scan ty an d un ce r ta i nfoo tho ld fo r e i the r m an or s t eed . F o u r th ou sa nd p ionee rsw ere sen t in advanc e , un de r th e a lcayde de los Do nze les , toconq uer , in some degree , th e asper i ti es o f th e road . Som ehad p i ckaxes and c r ows , t o b r eak t he r ocks ; s ome imp le

men t s t o cons t r uc t b r i dges ove r t he moun ta in t o r r en t s ; wh i l ei t was the du ty of o ther s to l ay s t epp ing-s tones in the smal le rs t r ea m s . A s th e co un t ry was inh ab i ted b y f ie rce Mo or i shmoun ta inee r s , Don Diego de C as t r i l l o was des pa t ched wi th ab o d y of ho rse an d foot to ta k e possess ion of th e h eig hts an dpas s es . N o tw i th s t an d in g eve ry p r ecau t i on , t h e r oya l a r m ysuffered excessively on i t s m arc h. A t one tu n e th er e wa s n oplace to encamp for f ive leagues of the most to i l some andm oun ta inous co un t r y , and m an y of t he beas t s of bu r d en s ank

down and pe r i s hed on t he r oad .I t was wi th t he g r ea t e s t j oy , t he r e f o r e , t ha t t he r oya l a r my

wher e t hey l ooked down upon t he vega o f Ve l ez M a laga .The reg ion before them was one of the mos t de lec tab le to theeye t h a t eve r was r avag ed by an a r m y . Sh e l t e r ed fr om eve r yru de b las t b y a sc reen of m oim ta ins , and s lop ing and expa ndin g to th e sou th , th i s love ly va l ley was q u ick en ed by th e

m os t g ene r ous s uns h ine , w a t e r ed b y t h e s i lve r m ean de r in gsof the "Velez , and ref reshed by cool ing breezes f rom theM ed i te r ra ne an . T h e slop ing h i l ls w ere covered -with v ineyards and o l ive t r ees , the d i s tan t f i e lds waved wi th g ra in , o rwer e ve r dan t w i th pas tu r age , wh i l e a r ound t he c i t y wer ede l igh t fu l gardens , the f avour i t e r e t r ea t s o f the Moors , where

em erg ed f rom the se s t e rn came to

* Pulgar, Cronica de los Reyes Catholicos.



T H E C O N Q U E S T 0 E G B A N A D A . 167

th e i r w hi t e pav i l ions g leam ed am on g groves o f o ran ge s ,c i t r ons , an d pom egr an a t e s , and w er e s u r m ou n te d by s t a t e lypa lms , t hos e p l an t s o f s ou the r n g r ow th , be s peak ing a gen e rous c l imate and a c loudless shy.

In the upper par t o f th i s de l igh t fu l va l l ey the c i ty o f Te lezM ala ga r ea r ed it s wa r r i o r b a t t l em en t s , i n s t e r n con t r a s t t oth e l ands cap e . I t w as bu i l t on th e dec l iv i ty o f a s t eep an dins u la ted h i l l , and s t ron gly for ti fi ed b y wal l s an d tow ers .T h e c res t o f th e h i l l rose h ig h a bove th e tow n in to a m e recrag , inaccess ib le on every o th er s ide , an d c row ned by a pow er f ul ca s tl e , wh ich dom inée ed ove r t h e s u r r ou nd in g co un t r y .T w o su bu rbs sw ept dow n in to the va l l ey f rom th e sk i r t s o ft h e t own , and we r e de f ended b y bu lw ar ks and deep d i t ches .

The vas t r anges o f g rey mounta ins , o f t en capped wi th c louds ,w h ich r o s e t o t he no r th , we r e i nhab i t ed by a ha r dy an d war l ike race , whose s t rong for t resses of Comares , Camil las , Com-pe t a , and B enemar ho r ga f r owned down f r om c r agged he igh t s .

At the t ime tha t the Chr i s t i an hos t a r r ived in s igh t o f th i sva l l ey a squ ad ron wa s ho ve r ing on th e sm ooth sea before i t ,d i s p l ay ing t h e ban ne r of C as t il e . T h i s was com ma nded b yth e Co un t o f Tre ven to , an d cons i s ted of four a rm ed ga l l eys ,con vo ying a n um be r o f ca rave l s , l ade n w i th suppl ies for th ea r m y .

A f t e r s u r v e y i n g t h e g r o u n d , K i n g F e r d i n a n d e n c a m p e d o nthe s ide o f a mounta in , which advanced c lose to the c i ty , andw as th e l as t o f a ru gg ed s ie r ra , o r cha in of he igh t s , th a t ext e n d e d q u i t e t o G r a n a d a . O n t h e s m n m i t of t h i s m o u n t a i n ,a n d over looking the cam p, w as a M oo r i sh tow n, pow er fu l lyfor ti fied , ca l led Be nto m iz, a nd w hic h, f rom i ts v ic in i ty , h a dbeen cons idered capable o f y ie ld ing grea t as s i s t ance to Velez

M alag a . Seve r a l o f t h e gene r a l s r em on s t r a t e d w i th t he k in gfor cho os ing a po s t so expo sed to a ssau l ts f rom th e m ou nt a ine e r s . F e r d i na nd r ep l ied , t h a t he s hou ld t hu s cu t off a l lcom m unica t i on be tw een t h e t ow n and t h e c i t y ; and t ha t , asto th e dange r , h i s so ld ie rs m us t ke ep th e m ore v ig i l an t gu ar daga ins t s u r p r i s e .

K in g F e r d i na nd r od e f o rt h , a t t en de d by s eve r a l cava li e rsa n d a s ma l l nu m be r o f cu i r a ss i e rs , app o in t i ng t h e v a r iouss ta t ion s o f th e cam p. W h i l e a bo dy of foo t so ld ie rs w ere

ta k in g possess ion , as an adva nced gu ard , o f an im po r ta n the igh t wh ich ove r looked t h e c i ty , t h e k in g r e t i r e d t o a t e n tt o t ak e r e f r e s hm en t . W h i l e a t t ab l e , he w as s t a r t l ed b y asu d d e n xiproar, and , look ing for th , be he ld his soldiers fly ingbefo re a sup er io r fo rce o f th e ene m y. Th e k in g h ad on noo th er a rm ou r b u t a cu i ras s . Se iz ing a l ance , how ever , h esp ra n g up on h i s ho rse and ga l loped to p ro te c t t h e fug i t ives ,f o ll owed b y h i s hand f u l of kn igh t s and cu i r a s s ie r s . W h e n




t h e S pan i a r ds s aw the k in g has t en ing t o then - a id , t h ey t u r n e dup on t he i r pu r s ue r s . Fe r d ina nd , i n h i s eage r nes s , t h r e whim se l f in to th e m ids t o f th e foe. O ne of h i s g room s w a sk i l l ed bes ide h i m ; b u t be f o r e t h e M oor w ho s lew h im cou ld

escape , th e k in g t r ans f ixed h im w i th h i s l ance . H e th enso ug ht to d raw h i s swo rd w hich hu n g a t h i s s add le -bow, b u ti n va in . N ev e r ha d he be en exposed t o s uch p e r i l : he wass o r r o u n d e d b y t h e e n e m y w i t h o u t a w e a p o n w h e r e w i t h t ode f end himself.

I n t h i s m om en t of awf ul j eop a r d y t h e M ar q u i s o f C ad i z ,t he C oun t de C abr a , t he Ade l an t ado o f M ur c i a , w i th two-o t he r cava l ie r s , n am ed Garc i l as so de l a V eg a a nd D iego d eAtayde , came ga l lop ing to the scene of ac t ion , and , sur round

ing the k ing , made a loya l r ampar t o f the i r bod ies aga ins t theassau l t s o f th e M oo rs . T he horse o f the m arq uis was p ie rc edb y an a r r ow, and t h a t w or th y cava li e r expos ed t o im m inen tdange r ; bu t , w i th t he a id o f h i s va lo r ous compan ions , hequ ic ldy p u t th e ene m y to flight, an d pu rsu ed th e m w i ths laughte r to the very ga tes o f the c i ty .

W h e n t hes e l oya l wa r r i o r s r e t u r ne d f rom th e pu r s u i t , t h eyrem on s t ra ted w i th th e k in g for expos ing h i s life in pe r son a lconf li ct , s ee ing th a t h e ha d so m an y va l i an t cap ta ins w hos ebus iness i t wa s to l igh t . T h e y rem ind ed h i m th a t th e lif e o fa p r inc e was th e l if e o f h i s peop le , an d th a t m an y a b rav ear m y w as los t by th e loss o f i t s com m and er . T he y e n t re a te dh im, there fore , in fu ture to p ro tec t them wi th the fo rce o f h i smind in the cab ine t , r a ther than of h i s a rm in the f i e ld .

Fe r d ina nd acknow ledged t h e wi s dom o f t he i r adv ice , b u tdec la red tha t he cou ld no t see h i s people in per i l wi thoutve n tu r ing h is pe r s on t o a ss i st t h e m : a r ep ly , say t h e o ld

ch r on i c l e r s , wh ich de l i gh t ed t he who le a r my , i na s much a sthey s aw tha t he no t on ly gove r ned t hem as a good k ing , bu tp r o t e c t ed t he m as a va l i an t cap t a in . Fe r d in an d , how eve r ,w as conscious o f th e ex t re m e pe r i l to wh ich he ha d be en expos ed , a nd ma de a vow neve r aga in t o ve n tu r e i n to b a t t l ewi thout hav ing h i s sword g i r t to h i s s ide .*

W h e n t h i s ach i evem en t o f t he k in g was r e l a t ed t o I s abe l l a ,she t r e m bl ed amid s t he r jo y a t h i s s a fe ty , an d a f t e rw ards , inm em or i a l of t h e even t , s he g r an t e d t o Ve l ez M a laga , a s t h e

arms of the c i ty , the f igure of the king on horseback, wi th agro om lyin g dea d a t h is feet, and the M oo rs fly ing.fThe camp was formed, bu t the a r t i l l e ry was ye t on the

roa d , adv anc ing w i th in f in i te l abo ur a t th e r a te o f m ere ly al eague a d a y ; f or heav y r a in s ha d c onve r t ed t h e s t r eam s o f

* I l lescas .Hist . Pontif. lib. vi, c. 2 0 . Vedraar, H ist. V clez Malag a.f Idem.




the va l l eys i n to r ag ing t o r r en t s , and comple t e ly b r oken l i p t her o a d s . I n t h e m e a n t i m e K i n g F e r d i n a n d o r d e r e d a n a s s a u l t-on th e sub urb s o f th e c i ty . Th ey w ere car r i ed , a f t e r a san gu ina ry confl ic t o f s ix ho urs , in w hich m an y Ch r i s t i an caval i e r s wer e k i l l ed and wounded , and among t he l a t t e r Don

A lva r o of Po r tu ga l , son o f t h e D u k e o f B r a gan za . T h es ub ur bs w er e t h en f o rt if ied t ow ar ds t h e c it y w i th t r en ch esan d pa l i sades , an d gar r i so ned b y a chosen force un de r D o nF a d r i q u e d e T o l e d o . O t h e r t r e n c h e s w e r e d i g g e d r o u n d t h eci ty , and f rom the suburbs to the royal camp, so as to cut of fa l l communica t i on wi th t he s u r r ound ing coun t r y .

Bo dies of t roo ps w ere a lso sen t to ta k e possess ion of th em ou n ta in pas s e s , b y wh ich t he s upp li e s f o r t h e a r m y h ad t obe b r o ug h t . T h e m oun ta in s , howeve r , w e r e s o s t eep andrugged, and so ful l of def i les and lurking places , that theM oo rs could sa l ly for th an d re t re at in per fect secu r i ty , f requ en t ly sweeping dow n up on Ch r i s t i an convoys , and be ar in goff b o t h bo oty an d pr i soners to the i r s t rong ho lds . Som et im esthe Moors would l igh t f i r es a t n igh t on the s ides o f the mount a i n s , which would be answered by f i r es f rom the watch towersan d for t r es ses . B y the se s igna ls th ey wo uld concer t as sau l t supon the Chr i s t i an camp, which , in consequence , was ob l igedto be con t inua l ly on the a le r t and ready to f ly to a rms .

King Fe r d inand f l a t t e r ed h ims e l f t ha t t he man i f e s t a t i on o fM s force h a d s t ru ck suff ic ient te r r o r in to t h e c i ty , a nd th a t ,b y offe rs .o f c lemency , i t m igh t be ind uc ed to cap i tu la te . H ew ro te a l e t t e r , there fore , to th e com m and ers , p rom is ing , incase o f im m edia te sur r en de r , th a t a l l th e inhab i tan t s shou ldbe pe r mi t t ed t o depa r t w i th t he i r e f f ec t s ; bu t t h r ea t en ingthem wi th f i r e and sword i f t h e j r per s is ted in defence. TM sle t t e r was despa tched by a cava l i e r named Carva ja l , who ,

p u t t in g i t on th e end of a l ance , gave i t to th e M oo rs w how ere on th e wal l s o f th e c i ty . Th e com m and ers r ep l i ed , th a tt he k ing was t oo nob l e and magnan imous t o pu t s uch a t h r ea tin execu t ion , and tha t they should no t sur render as they knewthe a r t i l l e r y cou ld no t be b r ough t t o t he camp , and t hey wer ep r omis ed s uccour by t he King o f Gr anada .

At t he s ame t ime t ha t he r ece ived tM s r ep ly , t he k ingl ea r n ed t h a t a t t he s t r ong t ow n o f C om ar es, up on a he ig h tab ou t tw o leagu es d i s tan t f rom th e cam p, a l a rge nu m b er o f

w ar r i o r s ha d a s s embled fr om th e A xar q u i a , t h e s ame m ou nt a in s i n wM ch th e C M is t ian cava l ie r s ha d be en m as s ac r ed i nth e beg in n ing o f t he w a r ; and t h a t o the r s wer e da i ly ex pec t ed ,for th is ru g ge d s ier ra w as capa ble of furnisM ng f if teen th o u sand f igh t ing men .

King Fe r d inand f e l t t ha t M s a r my , t hus d i s j o in t ed andenc losed in an en em y ' s cou nt ry , w as in a per i lous s i tua t ion ,



170 HIS TORY OF

an d th a t th e u t m os t ( ii sc ip line an d v ig i lance w ere necessary . .H e p u t t h e cam p un de r t he s t r i c t e s t r egu l a t i ons , f o r b idd inga l l gam ing , b las ph em y, o r b raw l , and expe l l ing a l l loose w om enand the i r a t t endant bu l ly - ruf f i ans , the usua l fomenter s o f r io tan d con t en t i on am ong s o ld ie r y . H e o r de r ed , t ha t non e s hou ldsa l ly fo r th to s ld rmish wi thout permiss ion f rom the i r comm an de rs ; th a t non e should se t f ire to t h e woods on th ene ig hb ou r ing m oun ta in s , and t h a t a ll w or d o f s ecu r i t y g ivento M oo r i sh p laces o r ind iv idua l s shou ld be inv io lab ly observe d .These regu la t ions were enforced by severe pena l t i es , and hadsuch sa lu ta ry e f fec t , tha t though a vas t hos t o f var ious peoplewas co l l ec ted toge ther , no t an opprobr ious ep i the t was .heard ,no r a weapon d r awn in qua r r e l .

I n t he mean t ime t he c loud o f war wen t on ga the r ing abou tthe summi ts o f the mounta ins : mul t i tudes o f the f i e rce war r io r s o f the s i e r ra descended to the lower he igh t s o f Bentomiz ,w h ich ove r hun g t he camp , i n t e nd ing t o f or ce t he i r w ay i n toth e c i ty . A de tac hm en t w as sen t aga ins t them , wh ich , a f t e rsharp f ight ing, drove them to the higher c l i f fs of the mounta in , where i t was imposs ib le to pursue them.

T en days had e l aps ed s i nce t he encampmen t o f t he a r my ,y e t s t il l t h e a r t i l l e r y ha d no t a r r i ved . T he l om bar d s an d

o the r heavy o r dnance wer e l e f t , i n des pa i r , a t An teque r a ; t her e s t c ame g r oan ing s l owly t h r ough t he na r r ow va l l eys , wh ichw er e f illed w i t h lon g t ra i ns of ar t i l le ry an d cars lade n w i t hm un i t i on s . A t l en g th pa r t o f t he s ma l le r o r dna nce a r r i vedwi th in ha l f a l eague of the camp, and the Chr i s t i ans werean ima ted wi th t he hopes o f s oon be ing ab l e t o ma te a r egu l a rat tack upon the for t i f icat ions of the c i ty .

C H A P T E R X L V I I .

H O W K I N G F E R D I N A N D A N D H I S A R M Y W E R E E X P O S E D TOI M M I N E N T P E R I L B E F O R E V E L E Z M A L A G A .

"WHILE th e s t an da rd of th e c ross w aved on the h i l l s beforeVelez Malaga , and every he igh t and c l i f f b r i s t l ed wi th hos t i l ea r m s , the c iv il w ar be tw een th e fac tions of th e A lh am br a an d

th e Alba yc in , o r r a t he r be tw een E l Z a ge l and E l C h ico , con t i n ue d t o convu l se t h e c i t y of G r an ad a .T he t i d ings o f t he i nves tmen t o f Ve l ez M a laga a t l eng th

r ou s ed t h e a t t en t i on o f t he o ld m en and t h e a l faqu is , w hos ehe ad s w er e no t hea t ed b y t h e da i l y b r o i l s . T he y s p r eadthem s e lves t h r ou gh t h e c i ty , an d endeavou r ed t o a r ous e t h epe op le to a sense of then* com m on da ng er .

" W h y , " s a i d t h e y , " c o n t i n u e t h e s e b r a w l s b e t w e e n b r e t h r e n



T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G R A N A D A . 1 7 1

a n d k i n d r e d ? W h a t b a t t l e s a r e t h e s e , w h e r e e v e n t r i u m p his ignom inious , an d th e v ic to r b lu she s an d concea ls h i s scar s '?B e ho ld t h e C h r i s t ians r ava g ing t h e l and w on by t he va lo u rand b lood of your fo re fa ther s , dwel l ing in the houses theyha ve bu i l t , s i t t i ng un de r t h e t r ee s t he y hav e p l an t ed , wh i l eyo ur b r e th r e n w and e r abou t , hous e le s s and des o l a te . D o yo uw ish to seek yo ur roy a l foe ? H e i s enc am ped on th e m ou nta in of B en tom iz. D o yo u w an t a fie ld for th e display of y o u rv a l o u r ? Y o u wi l l find i t before th e w al ls of Vele z M a la g a. "

W h en t h ey ha d r ous e d t he s p i r i t o f t h e peop l e , t h e ym ad e t he i r w ay t o t h e r i va l k ings , and add r es s ed t he m wi th l i ker e m o n s t r a n c e s . H a m e l A b e n Z a r r a x , t h e i n s p i re d s a n t o n ,r ep r o ach ed E l Z a ga l w i th h i s b l i nd an d s ense le s s am bi t i on .

" Y o u are s t r iv in g to be k in g, " sa id he bi t te r ly , " y e t sufferth e k ingd om to be los t . "E l Z ag a l found h imse l f in a perp lex in g d i l emm a. H e

ha d a doub l e w ar t o w age , w i th t h e enem y w i thou t andth e en em y w i th in . Sh ould the Chr i s t i ans ga in possess ionof the sea coas t , i t would be ru inous to the k ingdom;s hou ld he l eave G r an ad a t o oppose t hem , h i s vaca n tt h r on e m igh t be s e ized on by h i s nephew . H e m ad e am er i t o f ne ces s i t y ; and , p r e t e nd ing t o y i e ld t o t h e r em on

s t rances o f the a l f aqu i s , endeavoured to compromise wi thBo ab di l . H e exp ressed deep concern a t th e da i ly losses o f th eco un t ry , caused by th e d i s sens ions of th e ca p i ta l ; an oppo r tu n i t y now pre sen ted i ts e l f to r e t r i ev e a ll b y a b low. T h e•Chr is ti ans had , in a m an ne r , pu t them se lves in a tom b be tw ee nt h e m o u n t a i n s ; n o t h i n g r e m a i n e d b u t t o t h r o w t h e e a r t h u p o nth e m . H e offered to res ig n the t i t le of k in g, to su bm it to th ego ve rn m en t o f h i s neph ew , and fight un de r h i s s t an d a rd ; a l lh e des i red was to ha s te n to th e r e l ie f o f V elez M alag a , an d

to t ake fu l l vengeance on the Chr i s t i ans .B oa bd i l sp ur ne d h i s p ropo s i t ion as th e a r ti fi ce o f a hy po

c r i t e a n d a t r a i t o r . " H o w s h a ll I t r u s t a m a n , " s a i d . h e ," w h o h a s m u r d e r e d m y f a t h e r a n d m y k i n d r e d b y t r e a c h e r y ,a n d rep ea te d ly sou gh t m y ow n life , bo th by v io lence an d s t r a t ag em ? "

E l Z a ga l f oamed wi th r ag e and ve xa t i on ; bu t t he r e was not im e to be los t . H e was bese t b y th e a lf aqu is and t he nobles

of h i s c o u r t ; the you thfu l cava l ie r s we re ho t for ac t ion , th ecommon people loud in the i r compla in t s tha t the r i ches t c i t i eswer e abandoned t o t he enemy . T he o ld war r i o r was na tu r a l l yfond of fighting; h e saw also , th a t to re m ai n ina ct ive w ou lden da ng e r bo th c r ow n and k ingdom , w her ea s a s ucces sf ul b loww o u l d s e c u re h i s p o p u l a r i ty i n G r a n a d a . H e h a d a m u c hm or e power f u l f orce t h a n h i s nep hew , hav ing l a t e ly r ece ivedr e in f o r cemen t s f r om B aza , Guad ix , and Ahna r i a ; he cou ld



T H E C O N Q U E S T O P G B A N A D A . 173

objec t can be d i s t inc t ly seen a t a g rea t d i s t ance , and the Chr i s t i an s w ere ab le t o be ho ld th e fo rm idable ho s t s o f foes , th a tw e r e g a t h e r i n g o n t h e s u m m i t s o f t h e s u r r o u n d i n g m o u n t a i n s .

One of the f i r s t measures o f the Moor i sh Hug was to de tach

a l a r ge f o r ce unde r E odovan de Vanegas , a l cayde o f Gr anada ,to f al l upo n th e convoy of o rdn anc e , w hic h s t r e tc he d for ag r ea t d i s tance t h r ou gh t h e m oun ta in de fi le s. F e r d i na nd ha dan t i c ipa t ed t h i s a t t emp t , and s en t t he commander o f L eonwi th a body of horse and foo t to r e in force the mas te r o fA lcan t a r a . E l Z aga l , f rom h i s m oun ta in he igh t , beh e ld t h ede t achmen t i s s ue f r om the camp , and immed ia t e ly r eca l l edE od ov an de V an ega s . . T h e a r mies now r em a ined qu i e t fo r at i m e , t he M oor l ook ing g r imly down upon t he C hr i s t i an camp ,

l i ke a t i ge r med i t a t i ng a bound upon h i s p r ey . T he C hr i s t i answ ere in f ea rful j e o p a rd y ; a hos t i l e c i ty be low the m , apowerful army above them, and on every s ide mountains f i l ledwi th implacab le foes .

Af t e r E l Z aga l had ma tu r e ly cons u l t ed t he s i t ua t i on o f t heC hr i s t i a n cam p, an d in formed h im se l f o f a ll th e passes of th emoun ta in , he conce ived a p l an t o s u r p r i s e t he enemy , wh ichh e fla ttered him self w ould en sur e th ei r ru in , an d pe rh ap s th ec a p t u r e o f K i n g F e r d i n a n d . H e w r o t e a l e t t e r t o t h e a l c a y d e

of the c i ty , com m and ing h im , in th e dead of th e n ig h t , on as igna l fire be in g m ad e f rom th e m ou nta in , to sa l ly fo r th w i tha l l h i s t roop s , an d fa ll fu r ious ly up on th e ca m p. T he k in gwou ld , a t t h e s ame t im e , r u s h dow n w i th h i s a r m y f rom th em ou nta in , and as sa il i t on the oppos i te s ide , th us ove rwh elm ingi t a t th e ho ur o f deep repo se . Th is l e t t e r he desp a tch ed by arenegado Chr i s t i an , who knew a l l the secre t roads o f thecount ry , and , i f t aken , cou ld pass h imse l f fo r a Chr i s t i an whohad escaped f rom cap t iv i ty .

The f ierce El Zagal , conf ident in the s i iccess of h is s t ra tagem, looked down upon the Chr i s t i ans as h i s devoted v ic t ims .A s t he s un w en t dow n , and t h e l ong s hadows o f t h e mo un ta in ss t r e t c he d ac r os s t h e vega , h e p o in t ed w i th exu l t a t i on t o t hecamp be low, appa r en t l y uncons c ious o f t he impend ing dange r ." A l i a a c h b a r " e x cla im e d h e , " G o d is. g r e a t B e h o l d t h eunb e l i eve r s a r e de l i ve r ed i n to ou r ha nd s : t he i r k in g an dchoices t ch iv a l ry wi l l soon be a t our m er cy . N o w is th e t im e

to show th e cou rage of m en , an d b y one g lor ious v ic to ryre t r ie ve a l l th a t w e hav e los t . H a p p y h e w ho fa ll s fightingin t h e caus e of t he p r o p h e t : he wi l l a t once be t r an s po r t edto t h e pa r ad i s e o f t h e f a it hf u l, an d s u r r ou nd ed by imm or t a lho u r i e s . H a p p y h e wh o s ha l l s u r v ive v i c to r i o us : h e wi l lbeho ld Gr anada , an ea r t h ly pa r ad i s e , once mor e de l i ve r ed f r omi t s foes , an d re s to red to a l l i t s g lo ry " T h e wor ds o f E lZ aga l wer e r ece ived wi th acc l ama t ions by h i s t r oops , who




•wai ted impat ien t ly fo r t l i e appoin ted hour to pour down f romthen ' moun ta in ho ld upon t he C hr i s t i ans ,

C H A P T E R X L V L U .RES U LT OE TH E STRATAGEM OF EL ZAGAL TO S U RP RIS E KING-

F E R D I N A N D .

QUEEN ISABELLA and her cour t had remained a t Cordova , ing r e a t anx i e ty fo r t h e r e s u l t o f t h e r oya l exped i t ion . E v e r yda y br o ug ht t id ings o f th e d if ficu lties wh ich a t t en de d th et r an s po r t a t i o n o f t h e o r dnance and mun i t i ons , and o f t h ecr i t ica l s i tu at io n of the" ar m y.

W h i l e in th i s s t a te o f anx ious suspense , cour ie r s a r r iv edw i th a l l speed f rom t h e f ron t ie r s , b r in g in g t id in gs o f t h esudden sa l ly o f E l Zaga l f rom Granada to surpr i se the Chr i s t i a n cam p . A l l C or dova was i n cons t e r na t i on . T he des t r u c t i on o f t h e A nda lus i an ch iva l r y am ong t h e m oun ta in s o f t h i sve r y ne igh bou r hoo d was ca l led to m in d ; i t was f ea r ed t h a ts im i lar ru in w as ab ou t to b u rs t for th , f rom ro ck s and- pre ci p ices , u p o n F e r d i n a n d a n d h i s a r m y .

Q ue en I s abe l l a s ha r ed i n t h e pub li c, a l a r m ; b u t i t s e r vedto rous e a l l th e energ ies o f he r hero ic m ind . In s t ea d ofu t t e r i ng i d l e app r ehens ions , s he s ough t on ly how to ave r t t heda ng e r . She cal led upo n a l l t he m en of An da lus i a , un de r t h eage of seven ty , to a rm and has ten to the r e l i e f o f the i r sovere ign , and she prepared to se t ou t wi th the f i r s t l ev ies .

T he g r a nd ca r d ina l o f Spa in , o ld P ed r o Gonza l ez de M e n -doza , in w ho m th e p ie ty o f th e sa in t an d th e wisd om of t h ecounsel lor were mingled wi th the f i re of the caval ier , of fered

high pay to a l l hor semen who would fo l low h im to a id tbe i rk ing and t he C hr i s t i an caus e ; and , buck l i ng on a r mour , p r e pared to l ead them to the scene of danger .

T he s um m ons o f t he queen r ou s ed t he qu i ck A nd a lus i a nsp i r i t . W a r r io r s , w ho ha d long s ince g iven u p fighting, a n dhad sen t the i r sons to ba t t l e , now se ized the sword and l ancetha t we r e r u s t i ng on t he wa l l , and mar s ha l l ed f o r t h t he i rgrey-headed domes t ics and the i r g randchi ld ren for the f i e ld .T h e gr ea t d r ea d w as th a t a l l a id wo uld a r r ive too l a te . E l

Z aga l and h i s hos t had pas s ed l i ke a s t o r m th r ough t hem ou n ta in s , and i t wa s f ea red t h e t e m pes t ha d a l ready , b u r s tupon t he C hr i s t i an camp .

I n t h e m eanw hi l e t h e n ig h t ha d c lo sed , w h ich ha d b ee napp o in t ed b y E l Z a ga l fo r t h e execu t i on of h i s p l an . H e ha dw atc he d the l as t l igh t o f day ex p i re , and a l l th e Sp an ishc a m p r e m a i n e d t r a n q u i l . A s t h e h o u r s w o r e a w a y t h e c a m pfires w er e g r ad ua l l y ex t i ngu i s he d . N o d r u m o r t r u m p e t



T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G - E A N A D A . 175

s o u n d e d fr om b e l o w ; n o t h i n g w a s b e a r d b u t n o w a n d t h e nthe heavy t r ead o f t r oops , o r t he echo ing t r amp o f ho r s e s , t heus ua l pa t ro les o f th e c am p, and th e ch ange s of th e g ua rd .E l Z aga l r e s t r a ined h i s own impa t i ence , and t ha t o f h i s

t r oops , un t i l t he n igh t s hou ld be advanced , and t he camp s unkin tha t heavy s leep f rom which men a re wi th d i f f i cu l tyawak ened , and , w he n aw akened , so p r o ne t o be bew i lde r edand d i s mayed .

A t l eng th t h e appo in t ed ho u r a r r ived . B y o r d e r o f t h eM oor i s h k in g a b r i g h t flame s p r un g up f rom th e he igh t o fB en to m iz ; b u t E l Z ag a l l ooked i n va in f or t he r e s po nd ingl igh t f rom t h e c i ty . H is im pat ie nce could bro ok no longer-de l ay : he o r de r ed t h e advance o f t h e a r m y to des cend t h e

m ou nt a in def il e, an d a t t ac k th e cam p. T he def ile was na r ro w ,and ove r h ung by r ocks . As t he t r oops p r oceeded , t he y cam esuddenly , in a shadowy ho l low, upon a dark mass o f Chr i s t i anw ar r i o r s . A l oud s hou t bu r s t f o rt h , an d t h e C hr i s t i ans r u s h edto as sa i l th em . T h e M oo rs , surp r i sed and d i sconcer ted , r e t r e a t e d i n conf us ion t o t h e he igh t . W h e n E l Z a ga l he a r d of aChr is t ian force pos ted in the def i le , he doubted some counter -p l a n o f t h e enem y . H e gave o r de r s t o l i gh t t h e m ou n ta infires. O n a s ignal g iven, b r i g ht f lames sp ru ng ou t on ev er y

he igh t , f rom grea t pyres o f wood prepared for the purpose .Cliff blazed out af ter cliff, un t i l the whole a tmosphere was ina glow of furnac e fight. T h e ru d d y glare l i t u p th e glens a n dpasses o f the mounta ins , and fe l l s t rongly upon the Chr i s t i ancam p, r evea l ing a l l i t s t en t s , an d ev ery pos t an d bu lw ark .W h er ev e r E l Z aga l t u r n ed h i s eyes , he behe ld t h e l i gh t of h i sfires f lashed bac k f rom c uirass , an d helm , an d sp ark l ing la n c e ;h e beh e ld a g rov e of spear s p la n te d in eve ry pass , every as sa i l ab le po in t b r i s t l ing wi th a rms , and squadrons of horse and

foot , in ba t t l e a r ray , awai t ing h i s a t t ack .In f ac t , the l e t t e r o f E l Zaga l to the a lcayde of Velez

M a l a g a h a d b e e n i n t e r c e p t e d b y t h e v i g il a n t F e r d i n a n d , a n dthe r eneg ado m es s enge r h ange d , and s ec r e t m eas u r e s t ak en ,a f t e r the n ig h t ha d c losed in , to g ive the ene m y a w ar m rece p t ion .E l Z ag a l saw t h a t h i s p la n of surpr i se w as d i scovered an dfo i l ed : fu r ious wi th d i sappoin tment , he o rdered h i s t roopsforw ard to th e a t t ac k . T he y ru sh ed dow n th e defile w i th lou d

cr ies , b u t w er e ag a in enco un t e r ed b y t h e mas s o f C h r i s t ianw ar r i o r s , be ing t he advan ce - gua r d o f t he a r m y com m ande db y D o n H u r t a d o de M e n d o z a , b r o t h e r of t h e g r a n d c a r d i n a l .T h e M o o r s w e r e a g a i n r e p u l s e d , a n d r e t r e a t e d u p t h e h e i g h t s .D o n H u r t a d o w o u l d h a v e p u r s u e d t h e m ; b u t t h e a s c e n t w a ss tee p an d rug ged , an d eas ily defended b y th e M oo rs . As ha r p ac t i on was kep t up t h r ough t he n igh t w i th c r os s - bows ,d a r t s , an d a rq ue bu sse s ; th e cliffs echoed w i th deafen ing



176 H I S T O B Y 0 1 ?

ip roar , w hi le th e fires, h laz ing up on th e m ou nta ins , th re w al u r i d and unce r t a in l i gh t upon t he s cene ,

W h e n t h e d a y d a w n e d , a n d t h e M o o r s s a w t h a t t h e r e w a sno co-opera t ion f rom the c i ty , they began to s l acken in the i r

a rd o u r : th e y be he ld a l so eve ry pass o f th e m ou nta in filledwi th C hr i s t i an t r oops , and began t o app r ehend an a s s au l t i nr e t u r n . J u s t t h e n K i n g F e r d i n a n d s e n t t h e M a r q u i s ofCadiz , wi th horse and foo t , to se ize upon a he igh t occupied bya ba t t a l i on o f t h e enem y . T h e M ar q u i s a s sa i led t he M oo r sw i th h i s usu a l in t r ep id i ty , an d soon p u t th em to f ligh t. T h eot he rs , w-ho w er e abo ve, seeing th ei r com pan ions fly ing, w er es e ized w i th a s udd en a l a r m . T h ey t h r ew dow n the i r a r m san d r e t r ea t ed . O ne o f t hos e unac coun t ab l e pan i c s wh ich now

an d th en se ize up on gre a t bod ies o f people , an d to w hic h th el i gh t - s p i r i t ed M oor s w er e ve r y p r on e , now s p r ead t h r o ug hth e cam p . T he y w er e t e rr if ied t h ey kn ew no t w hy , o r a tw ha t . T he y t h r e w away s wo r ds , l ances , b r eas tp l a t e s , c r o s s b o w s , ev ery th in g th a t cou ld b ur d en or im ped e the i r flight,and , spre ad in g them se lves w i ld ly over th e m ou nta ins , f ledhe ad lon g dow n th e defi les . T he y fled, w i tho ut pu rsu er s , f romth e g l im pse of eac h o th er ' s a rm s , f rom th e soun d of eacho th e r ' s f oo ts teps . R o do van de V ane gas , t h e b r av e a l cayde o f

G ran ad a , a lone succeeded in co l lec t ing a bo dy of th e fug i t ive s :he made a c i r cu i t w i th t hem th r ough t he pas s e s o f t he mount a i n s , a nd , fo rc ing h i s w ay across a w eak pa r t o f th e C hr i s t i a nl ines , ga l loped t o w ar ds Ve l ez M a laga . T h e r e s t of t h eM oo r i s h hos t wa s com ple te ly s ca t t e r ed . I n va in d id E l Z ag a lan d h i s kn igh t s a t t e m p t t o r a l l y t h e m ; t he y w er e l ef t a lmo s ta lon e, an d ha d to co nsul t th ei r own sec ur i ty b y flight. T h eMarquis of Cadiz , f inding no oppos i t ion, ascended f rom heightto he igh t , cau t ious ly r econ noi te r ing , an d fearfu l o f some s t r a

t ag em o r am bu s h . A l l , how eve r , was qu i e t . H e r eached ,w i th h i s m en , t h e p l ace w h ich t h e M oor i s h a r m y h ad occ up i ed :t h e he igh t s w er e aban don ed , and s t r ewe d w i th cu i r a s s e s,c im eter s , c ross -bows , an d o the r we apon s . H is fo rce w as toos ma l l t o pu r s ue t he enemy , and he r e tu r ned t o t he r oya l camp

King Ferd inand a t f i r s t cou ld no t c red i t so s igna l andm i r acu lous a de f ea t . H e s us pec t ed s ome lu r k ing s t r a t a ge m .

H e o r de r ed , t he r e f o r e , t h a t a s t r i c t w a t ch s hou ld be m a in t a ine d t h r o ug ho u t t h e cam p , and eve r y one be r ea dy fo r i n s t a n tac t ion . T he fo llowing n ig h t a tho usa nd cava li e rs and h id a lgo skep t gua r d abou t t he r oya l t en t , a s t hey had done f o r s eve r a l

reced ing n ig h t s , no r d id th e k in g re la x th i s v ig i lance , un t i le r ece ived cer ta in in te l l igence tha t the a rmy was comple te ly

scat tered, and El Zagal f ly ing in confus ion.The t id ings of th is rout , and of the safe ty of the Chr is t ian




army, a r r ived a t Cordova jus t as the r e in forcements were onth e po in t o f se t t ing ou t . T h e anx ie ty an d a la rm of th e qu ee nan d t he pub l i c w er e t u r n ed t o t r ans p o r t s o f j o y and g r a t i t ud e .Th e forces w ere d i sbande d , so lemn process ions were m ad e ,a n d Te Deums chanted in the churches for so s ignal a v ic tory .

' C H A P T E R . X L I X .

H O W T H E P E O P L E O F G R A N A D A R E W A R D E D T H E V A L O U R O FE L ZAGAL.

T H E dar ing sp i r i t o f the o ld war r io r , Muley Abdal la e l Zaga l ,in sa l ly ing for th to defend his ter r i tor ies , whi le he lef t anarmed r iva l in h i s cap i t a l , had s t ruck the people o f Granadaw i th adm ira t ion . Th ey reca l l ed h i s fo rmer exp lo it s, an d aga inan t ic ipa te d some ha rd y ach ievem ent f rom h i s fu r ious va lo ur .Cou r ie r s f rom th e a r m y rep or te d i t s fo rmidable pos i t ion onth e he igh t o f Bento m iz . E o r a t im e th ere was a pau se in th eb loo dy comm ot ions o f th e c i ty ; a l l a t t en t ion wa s tu rn ed toth e b low ab ou t to b e s t ruck a t th e Ch r i s t i an cam p. Th e sam econs idera t ions , which d i f fused anx ie ty and t e r ror th roughCordova, swel led every bosom with exul t ing conf idence in

G ran ad a . T he M oors ex pec ted to he ar o f ano ther m assacre ,l ike th a t in th e m ou nta in s o f M alag a . " E l Za ga l has aga inen t r a pp ed t h e en em y " wa s t he c r y , " T h e pow er of t h eunbe l i eve r s i s abou t t o be s t r uck t o t h e h e a r t ; and w e s ha l lsoon see th e Ch r i s t ian k in g l ed cap t ive to th e ca p i t a l " T h u sth e na m e of E l Z ag a l was on every ton gu e . H e was ex to l l edas th e sav iour o f th e cou nt ry , th e on ly one w or th y of w ear in gth e M oo r ish crow n. BoabcLil w as revi led as base ly rem ain ingpass ive wh i le h i s cou nt ry w as in v ad ed ; and so v io len t bec am e

the c lamour o f the populace , tha t h i s adheren t s t r embled forhis safe ty .

W hi l e t he peop l e o f Gr anada wer e impa t i en t l y l ook ing f o rt id ings o f the an t i c ipa ted v ic to ry , s ca t t e red horsemen camesp ur r ing across th e vega . T h ey w ere fug i tives f rom th eMoor i sh a rmy, and brought the f i r3 t incoheren t account o f i t sdefea t . E v e ry one w ho a t t em pte d to t e l l th e t a le of th i s un accountab le pan ic and d i sper s ion was as i f bewi ldered by thebro ke n reco l lec t ion of some f r igh t fu l d ream . H e kn ew n o t

ho w or w h y i t cam e to pa ss . H e ta lke d of a ba t t le in the=n ig h t am on g roc ks an d precipices , b y th e glare of bale- f ires - r

of mul t i tudes o f a rmed foes in every pass , s een by g leamsan d f l a s hes : o f t h e s udd en ho r r o r t h a t s ei zed upon t h e a r m yat da yb rea k, i t s he ad lon g flight an d to ta l d ispers ion. H our-af ter hour the ar r ival of o ther fugi t ives conf i rmed the s tory ofru in and d i sgrace .

IT




I n p r opor t i on t o t he i r r ecen t vaun t i ng was t he hun r iHa t ion :t h a t now f ell u po n t he peop l e o f G r an ada . T he r e was a un i versal , burs t , not of grief, bu t i nd igna t i on .

T h e y c o nf o un d e d t h e l e a d e r w i t h t h e a r m y : t h e d e s e r t e dw i t h t h o s e w h o h a d a b a n d o n e d h i m ; a n d E l Z a g a l , f ro mbe ing the i r ido l , becam e th e ob jec t of the i r execra t ion . H eh ad s ac rif iced t he a r m y ; he ha d d i s g raced t h e na t i o n ; he ha dbe t r a ye d t h e coun t r y . H e was a das t a r d , a t r a i t o r : he w asu n w o r t h y t o r e i g n

O n a s udden , one am ong t he m u l t i t u de c r i ed ou t , " L on gl ive Bo abd i l e l C l i ico " T he cry w as echo ed on a l l s ides , an dev ery o ne sh ou ted, " L o n g five Bo ab di l e l Cbico lon g fivet h e l e g it im a t e k i n g o f G r a n a d a a n d d e a t h t o a ll u s u r p e r s "

I n t h e e x c i te m e n t o f t h e m o m e n t t h e y t h r o n g e d t o t h e A l b a y -c in , an d tho se wh o h ad la te ly b es ieged Bo abd i l w i th a rm sno w sur ro un de d h i s pa lace w i th acc lam at ions . T he ke ys ofth e c i ty an d of a l l th e for t resses w ere la id a t h is fe et ; h e w asbo rn e in s t a te to th e Albam bra , an d once mo re sea ted , w i tha l l due ceremony, on the th rone of h i s ances tor s .

Boabdi l had by th i s t ime become so accus tomed to bec r o w n e d a n d u n c r o w n e d b y t h e m u l t i t u d e , t h a t h e p u t n og r e a t f a i th i n t h e du r a t i on o f t he i r l oya l t y . H e kn ew th a t h e

was s u r r ounded by ho l l ow hea r t s , and t ha t mos t o f t he cou r t i e r s o f th e A lha m bra w ere secre t ly devo ted to h i s un c le . H eascen ded th e th ro ne as th e r igh tfu l sovere ign , w ho h a d beendispossessed of i t by usurpa t ion , and he ordered the heads o ffour of th e pr inc ipal nobles to be s t ru ck off, w ho h a d b e enm os t zea lous in sup po r t o f th e usu rpe r . Ex ec ut io ns o f th i sk i nd w ere m at t e r s o f course on an y chan ge of M oo r i sh g ove r nm en t ; an d B o abd i l wa s ex to ll ed fo r h i s m ode r a t i on a ndhu m an i ty , in be in g co n te n t w i th so smal l a sacr if ice . T h e

fac t ions w ere awed in to ob edie nc e ; the populace , de l igh tedwi th any change , ex to l l ed Boabdi l to the sk ies , and the nameof M ul ey A bda l la e l Za ga l was for a t ime a by-w ord of scornand opp r ob r ium th r oughou t t he c i t y .

N ev er was an y com m ande r m ore as ton i shed and confoundedb y a s udd en r eve r s e t ha n E l Z ag a l . T h e even ing ha d s eenbim wi th a power fu l a rmy a t h i s command, h i s enemy wi th inh i s g rasp , and v ic to ry about to cover h im wi th g lory , and toconso l ida te h i s pow er . T he m orn ing beh e ld h im a fug i tiveam ong t h e m ou n t a in s ; h i s a r my , h i s p r os pe r i t y , h i s pow er ,a l l d i spe l l ed he knew not how; gone l ike a d ream of then i gh t . I n va in ha d he t r i ed to s tem the hea d long f light of th eso ld ie ry . H e saw h i s squa dron s bre ak ing an d d i sper s inga m o n g th e c liffs of th e m ou nta ins , un t i l , of a l l h is ho s t , on lya han dfu l o f cava li e rs r em ain ed fa i th fu l to h im . W i t h the sehe made a g loomy r e t r ea t t owar ds Gr anada , bu t w i th a h e a r t




fa l l o f fo reboding . W h e n l ie d rew nea r t l i e c i ty , l ie pau se d•on th e ban ks of th e X en i l , an d se nt for th scouts to col lecti n t e l li gence . T he y r e t u r ne d w i th de j ec t ed coun t enan ces ." T h e g a tes of G ra na da , " sa id th ey , " a re c losed ag a ins tyo u . T h e ba nn er o f Bo abd i l f loa ts on th e tow er o f t h eA l h a m b r a . "

E l Z ag a l t u r n ed h is s t eed , and dep a r t ed i n s il ence. H er e t r ea t ed to t he t ow n o f A hu une ca r , and f rom then ce t oA lme r ia , p laces w hich s t i ll r em aine d fa ith fu l to h im . R es t l ess an d un eas y a t be in g so d i s ta n t f rom th e cap i ta l, h e a ga inchan ged h i s abode and r ep a i r ed t o t he c i t y o f G uad ix , w i th ina few l eagues o f G r ana da . H e r e he r ema ined , end eav our ingto ra l ly his forces , and prepar ing to avai l h imsel f of any •

change in the f luctuat ing pol i t ics of the metropol is .

C H A P T E R L .S U R R E N D E R O F V E L E Z M A LA G A, A N D O T H E R P L A C E S .

T H E peop l e o f Ve l ez M a laga had behe ld t he camp o f M uleyA bd a l l a e l Z a ga l cove r ing t h e s um m i t o f B en tom iz , a nd g l i t t e r i ng i n t h e l a s t r ay s of t h e s e t t i ng s un . D ur in g t h e n ig h t t h ey

h a d be en a la rm ed and perp lex ed b y s igna l fires on th e mo un t a i n , a n d b y t h e d i s t a n t s o u n d o f b a t t l e . W h e n t h e m o r n i n gbr oke t he M oor i s h a r my had van i s hed a s i f by enchan tmen t .W hi le th e inh ab i tan t s w ere los t in w on de r and conjec ture , a

hody o f cava l r y , t he f r agmen t o f t he a r my s aved by R odovande vanegas , the b rave a lcayde of Granada , came ga l lop ing toth e ga tes . T h e t id ings o f th e s t r an ge d i scomf i tu re o f th e ho s tfilled th e c i ty w i th con s te rna t ion ; b u t Ro do va n ex ho r ted th epeop le to con t inue then" res i s t anc e . H e w as dev oted to E l

Zagal , and conf ident in his ski l l and prowess ; and fe l t assuredtha t he would soon co l l ec t h i s s ca t t e red forces , and re tu rnw i t h f re s h t r oops fr om G r an ada . T he peop l e w er e comf or t edh y t h e w or ds an d encour aged b y t h e p r e s ence of R odova n ,and they had s t i l l a l inger ing hope tha t the heavy a r t i l l e ry o f 'f i e Ch r i s t i ans mig ht be locked u p in th e imp assab le def il es o ft h é m ou n ta in s . T h i s hope was s oon a t an end . T h e ve r y ne x td a y th e y behe ld long l abor ious l ines o f o rdn anc e s lowlymov ing i n to t he Span i s h camp ; l ombar ds , r i badoqu ines , c a t a

pu l t a s , and ca r s lade n w i th mun i t i ons , wh i l e t h e e s co rt , un de rth e b r a ve m as t e r o f A lcan t a r a , w hee l ed i n g r e a t ba t t a l i ons i n to•flie cam p to a ug m en t th e forces of th e bes ieg ers .

T h e in t e l li gence t h a t G r an ad a h ad s hu t i ts ga t e s aga ins tE l Z ag a l , and t h a t no re in f o r cemen t s we r e t o be expec t ed ,comple t ed t he des pa i r o f t he i nhab i t an t s ; even R odovan h imsel f l o s t conf idence, an d advised cap i tula t ion.

N 2




T h e t e r m s w e r e a r r a n g e d b e t w e e n t h e a l e a y d e a n d t h e n o b l eC o un t de C ip i en t e s . T h e l a t t e r ha d be en p r i s one r o f R o do va na t G r ana da , who ha d t r ea t ed h im w i th ch iva l rous cou r t e s y .T h ey ha d conce ived a m u tu a l es teem for each o ther , an d m etas ancient f r iends .

Fe r d inand g r an t ed f avour ab l e cond i t i ons , f o r he was eage rto p r oceed aga ins t M a lag a . T he i nhab i t an t s w er e pe r m i t t edto dep ar t w i th the i r e ffects, excep t th e i r a rm s , an d to r es ide ,i f th e y chose i t , in Sp ain , in an y place dis tan t f rom th e sea .O ne hu nd r ed and tw en ty C hr i s t i ans o f bo th s exes w er e r e s cued f rom cap t i v i t y b y t h e s u r r e nd e r o f V e l ez M a lag a , andw er e s en t t o C or dova , wh e r e t h ey w er e r ece ived w i th g r ea tt e n d e r n e s s b y t h e q u e e n a n d h e r d a u g h t e r , t h e I n f a n t a I s a

be l l a , in the f amous ca thedra l , in the mids t o f publ ic r e jo ic ingsfor the v ic to ry .T he cap tu r e o f Ve l ez M a laga was f o l l owed by t he s u r r ende r

of Bentomiz, Comares , and a l l the towns and for t resses of theA xar q u i a , w h ich w er e s t r ong ly ga r r i soned , and d i s c r ee t an dva l ian t cava l ie r s app oin ted as the n ' a l caydes . Th e inh ab i tan t sof ne ar ly fo r ty tow ns of th e Alp uz ar ra m ou nta ins a lso s en t•deputat ions to the Cas t i l ian sovereigns , taking the oath of a l leg i ance a s M udcha r e s , o r M os l em vas s a l s .

A bo ut th e same t im e came le t t e r s f rom Bo abd i l e l Chico ,announc ing to the sovere igns the r evo lu t ion of Granada in h i sfavour . H e so li c it ed k ind ness an d pro te c t ion for th e inh ab i t an t s w ho h ad re tu rn ed to the i r a l leg iance , an d for those ofa l l o ther p laces which should renounce a l l eg iance to h i s unc le .B y t h i s m ean s , he obs e rved , t he who le k ingd om of G r an ad aw ould soon b e in du ced to acknow ledge h i s sway , and wo uldbe held by him in fa i thful vassalage to the Cas t i l ian crown.

T he Catho l ic sovere igns compl ied w i th h i s r eq ue s t . P r o t ec t i on was immed ia t e ly ex t ended t o t he i nhab i t an t s o f Gr anada ,permi t t ing them to cu l t iva te the i r f i e lds in peace , and to t r adew i th t he Ch r i s t ian t e r r i to r i e s in a l l a r t ic les excep t ing a rm s ,be ing prov ide d w i th l e t t e r s o f sa fety f rom some Ch r i s t i an ca pta in o r a leayde . T he sam e favour w as prom ised to a l l o t he rp l aces t h a t w i th in s ix m on ths s hou ld r enoun ce E l Z ag a l , a ndcome un de r t h e a l leg i ance t o t h e you nge r k ing . Sho u ld t he yno t do s o wi th in t ha t t ime , t he s ove r e igns t h r ea t ened t o makew ar up on t he m , an d conque r t he m fo r t hems e lves . T h i s me a su re ha d a g re a t e ffect in induc ing m an y to r e tu rn to th es t anda r d o f B oabd i l .

Hav ing made eve r y neces s a r y a r r angemen t f o r t he gove r n men t and s ecu r i t y o f t he newly conque r ed t e r r i t o r y , Fe r d inandtu rn e d h i s a t t e n t io n to th e g re a t ob jec t o f h i s cam paign , th e

• reduc t ion of Malaga .



T H E C O N Q U E S T OE G B A N A D A . 1 8 1

C H A P T E R LI.

O E THE CITY OE MALAGA, AND ITS I N H A B I T A N T S .

T H E c i ty of M a laga l i e s in t l ie lap of a fer t i le val ley sur

r o u n d e d by moun ta in s , excep t i ng on the p a r t whic h l i es opent o the sea. As it was one of the m o s t i m p o r t a n t , so it was

on e of the s t ron ge s t c i ti es of the M o o r i s h k i n g d o m . I t was

fortified by wal ls of p r od ig ious s t r eng th , s t udded wi th a g r e a tn u m b e r of h u g e t o w e r s . On the l and s ide it was p r o t e c t e db y a n a t u r a l b a r r i e r ' of m o u n t a i n s , and, on the o t h e r , the

w a v e s of the M e d i t e r r a n e a n b e a t a g a i n s t the f ounda t i ons of

i t s mass ive bu lwarks .A t one end of the c i ty , near the sea, on a h igh mound , s t ood

th e a lcazaba or c i t ade l, a for t r e s sof g rea t s t r e ng th . Im m ed ia t e lyabove th i s rose a s teep and lo fty mo un t , on the top of w h i c h in

old t imes had b e e n a p h a r o s or l igh thouse , f rom which the

he igh t de r i ved its n a m e of Gibra l fa ro .* I t was at p r e s e n tc r o w n e d by an immense cas t le , which, f rom its lof ty and

c r agged s i t ua t i on , its va s t wal l s and m i g h t y t o w e r s , was

d e e m e d i m p r e g n a b l e . I t c o m m u n i c a t e d w i t h the a lcazaba by

a covered way six paces b r oad , l e ad ing dow n be tw een two

w a l l s , a long the

profi le or

r i d g e of the

r ock . The

cas t le of

Gibr a l f a r o commanded bo th c i t ade l and c i ty , and was capable ,d f bo th were t aken , of m a i n t a i n i n g a s iege.

T w o l a r ge s ub u r bs ad joined the c i t y : in the one t o w a r d st h e sea w ere dwel l ing-houses of the mos t opu l en t i nhab i t an t s ,a d o r n e d w i t h h a n g i n g g a r d e n s ; the o the r , on the l and s ide ,was t h i ck ly peop l ed , and s u r r o u n d e d by s t rong wal l s and

t o w e r s .•Malaga possessed a b r a v e and numer ous ga r r i s on , and the

comm on peop l e we r e ac t ive , ha r dy , and r e s o l u t e ; but the c i tywas r i ch and commer c i a l , and u n d e r the hab i t ua l con t r o l of

n u m e r o u s o p u l e n t m e r c h a n t s , who d r e a d e d the ru ino us cons e q u e n c e s of a s i ege . T he y w ere l i t t l e zea lous for the wa r l i ker e n o w n of the i r c i ty , and l o n g e d r a t h e r to pa r t i c i pa t e in the

enviab le secur i ty of p r o p e r t y , and the lucra t ive p r iv i leges of'

safe traffic with the C hr i s t i an t e r r i t o r i e s , g r an t ed to all p lacesw h i c h d e c l a r e d for B oabd i l . At the h e a d of these gainfulc i t izens was Ali D o r d u x , a m i g h t y m e r c h a n t , of u n c o u n t e d

w ea l t h , whos e s h ips t r ad ed to eve r y po r t of the L e v a n t , andwhos e wor d was a law in M a l a g a ,

A l i D or d ux a s s embled the m o s t o p u l e n t and i m p o r ta n t of

h i s commer c i a l b r e th r en , and t h e y r e p a i r e d in a b o d y to the

sdcazaba , w he re th ey w ere rece ived by the a l cayde , A lbozeaC onnexa , w i th t ha t de f e r ence gene r a l l y s hown to men of t he i r

" A corruption of Gibcl-fano, the hill of the lighthouse.



182 h i s t o r y o p

gr e a t l oca l d ign i t y and pow er o f pu r s e . A l i D or du x waaample and s ta te ly in his form, and f luent and emphat ic in hisd i scourse . H i s e loquenc e h a d an e ffect, there fore , upo n th ea lcay de , as h e r epre sen ted th e hope les sness o f a defence of

M ala ga , t h e mi s e r y t h a t m us t a t t en d a si ege, an d t he r u inth a t m u s t fo llow a ca p t ure b y force o f a rm s . O n th e o th e rhand , he se t fo r th the g race tha t might be ob ta ined f rom theCas t i l i an sovere igns by an e ar ly and vo lun ta ry ackno w ledg m e n t of Bo abd i l as k ing , th e peacefu l possession of the i r p r o pe r ty , and t h e p r o fi tab l e comm er ce w i th t h e C hr i s t i an po r t st h a t w ou ld be a ll owed t he m . H e was s econded b y h i sw e igh ty and im po r t an t coad ju to rs ; and t h e a l cayde , accus to m ed to r eg ar d th em as th e a rb i t e r s o f th e a ffa ir s o f t h e

p l ace , y i e lded t o t he i r u n i t ed counse l s. H e depa r t ed , t he r e fore , w i t h a l l speed to th e Ch r i s t i an cam p, em pow ered toar range a cap i tu la t ion wi th the Cas t i l i an monarch , and in themean t ime h i s b r o the r r ema ined i n command o f t he a l cazaba .

T h er e wa s a t th i s t im e , as a lcayde , in t he o ld c rag-bu i l tcas t le of G ibral faro , a w ar l ike an d fiery M oo r , an im pla cab leene m y o f t h e C hr i s t i ans . T h i s was no o the r t h an H a m e tZel i , su rn am ed E l Ze gr i , the once formidable a lcayd e of

H ond a , and t h e t e r r o r o f i t s m oun ta in s . H e ha d nev e r fo rg iven th e ca p tu re of h i s f avour i t e fo r tr es s , and pa n t ed forven gean ce on t h e C hr i s t i ans . N o tw i th s t a nd ing h i s r eve r s e s ,he had r e t a ined t he f avour o f E l Z aga l , who knew how to ap pre c ia te a bo ld w ar r io r o f th e k ind , an d h a d p laced h i m incommand of th i s impor tan t fo r t r es s o f Gibra l fa ro .

H a m e t e l Z e g r i h a d g a t h e r e d r o u n d h i m t h e r e m n a n t o fh i s ba nd of G om eres , w i th o th er s o f th e sam e t r ib e . Th esef ie rce war r io r s were nes t l ed , l ike so many war -hawks , about

thei r lof ty cliff. T h ey l ooked dow n w i th m ar t i a l con t e m pt' up on t h e com mer c i a l c i t y of M a lag a , wh ich t he y wer e p l ac edto p ro te c t ; o r r a th er , th ey es teem ed i t on ly for i t s m i l i t a r yim po r tan ce an d i t s capab i l ity o f defence. T he y he ld no com m un ion w i th i t s t r ad ing , ga in f u l i nhab i t an t s , an d even con s ide red th e gar r i son of th e a lcazaba as th e i r in fe rio r s . W a rwas t h e i r pu r s u i t an d pa s s i on ; t he y r e jo i ced i n i t s t u r b u l en tan d per i lous sc en es ; an d conf iden t in th e s t r e ng th of th eci ty , an d, abov e a l l , of th e i r cas t le , th e y set a t def iance t h e

m en ace of Ch r i s t i an invas ion . Th ere we re am ong the m , a l so ,m an y apos t a t e M oo r s , wh o had once emb r aced C hr i s t i an i t y ,b u t h ad s ince reca n ted , an d h ad fled f rom th e ven gea nce oft h e i nqu i s i ti on . T h es e we r e des pe r adoes , wh o ha d no m er c yto expec t should they aga in fa l l in to the hands of the enemy.

Such were the f i e rce e lements o f the gar r i son of Gibra l fa ro ; an d i t s r ag e m ay eas i ly be conce ived a t he ar in g th a tM a la ga w as t o b e g iven u p w i thou t a b low • t h a t t h e y w e r e



T H E C O N Q U E S T O E G R A N A D A , 183

. to s ink in to C hr i s t i an vassa l s , n n d er th e in te rm ed ia te sw ay ofBo abd i l e l Chico , an d th a t the a lcay de of th e a lcazaha h addepar ted to a r range the t e rms of cap i tu la t ion .

H a m e t e l Z e g r i de t e r m ined t o ave r t , by des pe r a t e m ean s ,

t h e t h r e a t e n e d d e g r a d a t io n . H e k n e w t h a t t h e r e w a s a l a r g epar ty in the c i ty f a i th fu l to E l Zaga l , be ing composed ofw ar l i ke m en , w ho ha d t a ke n r e fuge f rom th e va r ious m oun t a i n t own s wh ich ha d bee n cap tu r ed . T h e i r fee li ngs w er edes pe r a t e a s t hen - fo r tunes , and , l ike Hamet , they pan ted forr evenge upon t he C hr i s t i ans . W i t h t hes e he ha d a s ee r e t

• conference , an d rece ived as surance s o f th e i r ad he ren ce toh i m in any m ea sure s o f defence. A s to th e counc i l o f th epeacef u l i nh ab i t an t s , he cons ide r ed i t un w or t hy t h e con s idera t ion of a soldier, an d h e sp ur ne d a t th e in ter fe renc e oft he wea l t hy mer chan t , Ah Dor dux , i n ma t t e r s o f war f a r e .

" S t i l l , " s a id H a m e t e l Ze gr i , " l e t us p roc eed re gu la r ly . "So he descende d w i th h i s Go m eres to th e c i tade l , en te re d i ts udde n ly , p u t t o de a th t h e b r o the r o f t h e a l cayde and s uchof t he ga r r i s on a s m ad e an y dem ur , and t h en s um m one d t h epr inc ipa l inhab i tan t s to de l ibera te on measures fo r the wel fa reof the c i ty .*

T h e w ea l t hy m er ch an t s aga in m ou n te d t o t h e c i tade l , excep t i ng A h D or d ux , w ho r e fus ed t o obey t h e s um mo ns . T h eyente red wi th hear t s f i l l ed wi th awe, fo r they found Hametsur r ou nd ed b y h i s g r im Afr ican gu ard , a nd a ll th e a r r ay ofm i l i t a ry pow er , an d th ey behe ld , th e b loody t r ace s o f th er ecen t mas s ac r e .

H a m e t e l Z e g r i r o l led a da r k an d s ea r ch ing eye upon t h eassem bly . " W h o , " sa id he , " i s loya l and dev oted to M u le yA bd al la e l Za ga l P" E v e ry one p res en t as se r te d h i s loy a l ty .

" G oo d " s a id H am et , " an d wh o i s r ea dy t o p r ove his d e vo t ion to h i s sovere ign b y defending th i s h i s im po r tan t c i tyt o t h e l a s t e x t r e m i t y ? " E v e r y o n e p r e s e n t e x p r e s se d h i sr e a d i n e s s . " E n o u g h , " o b s e rv e d H a m e t : " t h e a l ca y d e ,A lbozen Connexa , has p rov ed h imse l f a t r a i to r to h i s sovere ignan d to yo u a l l ; fo r he ha s consp i red to de l iver th e p lace toth e Ch r i s t i ans . I t behov es yo u to choose some o th er commander , capab le o f defending your c i ty aga ins t the approaching en em y . " T he a s s embly dec l a r ed una n im ous ly t h a t t h e r e

could b e non e so w or thy of th e com m and as himself. S o H a m e te l Z e g r i was appo in t ed a l cayde o f M a laga , and imm ed ia t e lyp r ocee ded t o m an t he fo r ts an d t owns wi th h i s pa r t i s ans , an dto make every prepara t ion for a despera te r es i s t ance ._ In te l l igen ce of the se occur rences p u t a n end to th e nego

tiations be tw een K in g E e r d in an d a nd t h e s upe r s eded a l cayd e

* Cura de los Palacios, c. 8 2 .



184 H I S T O B T O F

A lbozen Connexa , and i t wa s supposed th e re w as n o a l t e rn at ive b u t to l ay s iege to th e p lace . T he M ar q ui s o f Cad iz ,ho w ev er , found a t Ve lez a M oo r ish caval ier of som e no te , ana t i ve o f M a laga , who o f f e r ed t o t amper wi th Hamet e l Z eg r i

for t h e su rre nd er of th e c i t y ; or , a t leas t , of th e cas t le ofGib r a l f a r o . T h e m ar qu i s com mu nica t ed t h i s t o t he k ing ." I pu t th i s bus iness and th e k ey of m y t r e as ur y in to y o u rh an d , " sa id F er d i na nd : " ac t , s t ipu la te , an d d i sburse , in m ynam e , a s yo u t h in k p r o pe r . " ;

Th e m arqu is a rm ed th e M oo r w i th h i s own lance , cu i ras s ,an d t a rg e t , an d m ou nte d h im on one of h i s own. ho rses . H eequipp ed a lso , in s imi la r s ty le , ano th er M oo r , h i s compan ionand r e l a t ion . T h ey bo r e s ec r e t l e t t e r s t o H a m e t fr om th em arq uis , o ffer ing mm th e to w n of Coin in p erp e tu a l inhe r i t ance, and four thousand doblas in gold , i f he would del iver upGibra l fa ro ; toge ther wi th l a rge sums to be d i s t r ibu ted among

x his officers an d so ld ier s ; an d he he ld ou t unl im i ted re w ar dsfor th e sur ren der o f th e c i ty .*

Hamet had a war r i o r ' s admi r a t i on f o r t he M ar qu i s o f C ad i z ,;and received his m esse ng ers w i th cou r tesy, in h is for t ress ofGibra l fa ro . H e even l i s t ened t o the i r p ropos i t ions w i th

pa t i ence , and d i smissed them in sa fe ty , though wi th an absolu te r e fusal . T he m arq uis th ou gh t h i s r ep ly was no t sope rem pto ry as to d i scourage ano ther e ffort. T h e em issariesw ere despa tche d , there fore , a second t im e , w i th fu r th er p ro pos i t ions . T h ey app r oached M alaga i n t h e n ig h t ; b u t f oundth e gu ard s doubled , pa t ro l s abroad , and th e w hole p lace onth e a le r t . T he y w ere d i scovered , pu rsu ed , an d on ly sa vedthem selves b y the fl ee tness o f the i r s teeds , and the i r kn ow ledg eof the passes o f the mounta ins .

F in d in g a ll a t t em p t s t o t am per w i th t h e f a it h o f H a m e t e lZ eg r i u t t e r l y f uti le , K in g Fe r d i na nd pub l i c ly s um m oned t h e•city to su r r e n d e r ; of fer ing th e m os t favourable te rm s in caseof immedia te compl iance , bu t th rea ten ing cap t iv i ty to a l l theinhabi tan t s in case o f r es i s t ance .

The message was de l ivered in p resence of the p r inc ipa l inhab i t an t s , who , however , were too much in awe of the s t e rna l cayde t o u t t e r a wo r d . H a m e t e l Z e g r i t he n r o s e haug h t i l y ,an d rep l i ed , th a t th e c i ty o f M ala ga h a d no t be en conf ided to

h im to be s u r r ende r ed , bu t de f e nde d ; and t he k ing s ho u ldwi tness how he acqui t t ed h imse l f o f h i s charge . t

•' T he m essen gers r e tu rn ed w i th fo rmidable accoun ts o f th eforce of th e g arr iso n, t h e s t re ng th of th e for ti f icat ions , an d•the de te rm ined sp i r i t o f the com m ande r an d h i s m en . T h e

* Cura do los Palacios, c. S2.+ Pulga r, part iii, cap. 7 4.




kin g im m edia te ly sen t o rd er s to hav e th e he av y a r t i l l e ry fo rw a r d e d fr om A n t e q u e r a ; a n d , o n t h e s e v e n t h o f M a y ,m a r c h e d w i t h h i s a r m y t o w a r d s M a l a g a .

C H A P T E R L I T .A D V A N C E O F K I N G F E B D I N A N D A G A I N S T M A L A G A .

T H E a r m y of E e r d in an d advanced i n l eng th ene d l i ne , g l i t t e r ing a long th e foo t o f th e m ou nta in s w hich bo rde r th eMedi te r ranean ; whi le a f l ee t o f vesse l s , f r e igh ted wi th heavyar t i l l e ry and w ar l ike m uni t ion s , ke p t pace w i th i t , a t a sh or td i s tance f rom th e l and , covering the sea w i th a tho us an dg l eam ing s a il s. W h e n H a m e t e l Z e g r i s aw th i s fo rce ap

proa ch in g , he se t fire to th e houses o f the sub urb s w hic hadjo ined the wal l s , and sen t fo r th th ree ba t t a l ions to encounte rt h e advance - gua r d o f t h e enem y .

T he C hr i s t i an a r my d r ew nea r t o t he c i t y a t t ha t end wher eth e cas t l e and roc ky he igh t o f Gibra l fa ro defend th e seab ord .Immedia te ly oppos i t e to the cas t l e , and about two bow-shots 'd i s t ance , and be tween i t and the h igh cha in of mounta ins ,was a s t eep and rocky h i l l , commanding a pass th rough whichth e C hr i s t i ans m us t m ar ch t o pen e t r a t e t o t he vega , and

s u r r ou nd t h e c i ty . H a m e t e l Z e g r i o r de r ed t h e t h r ee ba t ta l ion s to ta k e the i r s ta t ion s , one on th is h i l l , an oth er in th epass near the cas t l e , and a th i rd on the s ide o f the mounta innear the sea .

A body of Spanish foot soldiers of the advance-guard,. s tu rdy mounta ineer s o f Galhc ia , sp rang forward to c l imb the•s ide of the he igh t nex t the sea ; a t the same t ime a number o fcav a l i e r s an d h ida lgos o f th e roy a l househ old a t t ac ke d th eM oo r s wh o gua r d ed t he pas s be low. T h e M oor s de f ended

the i r pos t s w i th obs t ina te va lour . Th e Gal l i cians w ere re pe a ted ly overpow ered an d dr iven dow n th e h i l l , bu t as o ftenra l l i ed ; and , be ing re in forced b y the h ida lgos an d cava l i e r s,r e tu rn ed to th e as sau l t . Th i s obs t ina te s t rugg le l as ted for s ixho urs . T he s t ri fe was of a . dead ly k ind , no t m ere ly w i thcross -bows and a rquebuses , bu t hand to hand , wi th swords andd a g g e r s : no qu a r t e r was c l aimed o r g iven on e i t he r s i d e :th ey foug ht n o t to m ak e cap t ives , b u t to s l ay . I t was b u tt h e advanc e - gua r d of t h e C hr i s t ian a r m y th a t was en ga ge d :.so na rro w wa s t h e pass a long th e coas t , th a t t h e ar m y couldpro ce ed only i n file . H o rs e an d foot, an d b ea s ts of b ur de n ,were c rowded one upon another , impeding each o ther , andblock ing up th e na r row a nd rug ge d defile . Th e so ld ie r she a r d t h e up r oa r o f t h e ba t t l e , t he s ound of t r um pe t s , and t h ewa r -c r ies of th e M oo rs , b u t t r i e d in va in to p res s fo rw ard tothe ass is tance of then - companions .



1 8 6 H I S T O E Y O S

: A t l en g th a bo dy of foo t so ld ie rs o f th e H o ly B ro th erh oo dcl imbe d, w i th gr ea t d if ficulty, the s teep s ide of th e m o un ta inw h ich ove r hun g t he pas s , and advanced w i th s even ba nn e r sd i sp layed . Th e M oo rs , s ee ing th i s fo rce above the m , ab an

doned the pass in despa i r .T h e ba t t l e was s t il l r ag ing on th e he igh t . Th e G al l i e ians ,t h o u g h s u p p o r t e d b y C a s t i l i a n t r o o p s , u n d e r D o n H u r t a d o d eM en do za and Gai 'c il las so de l a V eg a , w ere severe ly p re s se d ,a n d r o u g h l y h a n d l e d b y t h e M o o r s . A t l e n g t h a b r a v es t a n d a r d - b e a r e r, L u y s M a z e d o b y n a m e , t h r e w h i m s e lf i n t oth e m ids t of t he enemy , and p l an t ed h i s ba nn e r on t h e s um m i t . Th e Gal l i c ians an d C as t i li ans , s t imu la ted b y th i s no ble

• se lf -devot ion, fo llowed Ir im, f ight in g de sp era te ly , an d t h e

Moors were a t l eng th dr iven to the i r cas t l e o f Gibra l fa ro .*T h i s im po r t an t he ig h t be ing t ak en , t h e pas s l ay open t o

th e a r m y : b u t b y t h i s t im e even ing was advanc ing , an d t h ehos t was t oo wea r y and exhaus t ed t o s eek p r ope r s i t ua t i onsf o r t h e encam pm en t . T he k ing , a t t e nd ed by s eve r a l g r a nd ee san d cava l ie r s , w en t th e roun ds a t n ig h t , s t a t ion in g ou tpo s t stow ard s th e c i ty , an d g ua rds an d pa t ro les to g ive th e a la rmon the l ea s t movemen t o f t he enemy . A l l n igh t t he C hr i s t i ansla y up on the i r a rm s , l es t th er e should be som e a t t em pt to -sa l ly fo r th"and a t t ack them.

W h e n t h e m o r n i n g d a w n e d , t h e k i n g g a z e d w i t h a d m i r a t io nat th is c i ty , w hic h h e ho pe d soon to ad d to his dom inions . I twas s u r r ounded on one s i de by v ineya r ds , ga r dens , andorc hard s , w hich covered th e h i l l s w i th ve rd ur e ; on t h e o th ers ide i t s wa l ls w e r e ba the d b y t he s moo th an d t r an qu i l s ea .I t s va s t an d lo f ty tow ers an d prod ig ious cas t les show ed t h el abour s o f magnan imous men , i n f o r mer t imes , t o p r o t ec t t he i r

favour i t e abode . H a ng in g gard ens , g roves o f o ranges , c i t ro ns ,and pomegr ana t e s , w i th t a l l c eda r s and s t a t e ly pa lms , we r em ing l ed w i th t h e s t e r n ba t t l em en t s an d t ower s , be s p eak in gthe opu l ence and l uxu r y t ha t r e i gned wi th in .

I n t h e m e a n t i m e t h e C h r i st ia n a r m y p o u r e d t h r o u g h t h ep a ss , an d th r ow ing ou t i t s c o lum ns , an d ex ten ding i t s l ine s ,took possession of every va n ta ge -gro un d a ro un d th e c i t y .K i n g F e r d i n a n d s u r v e y e d t h e g r o u n d , a n d a p p o i n te d t h es ta t ions o f the d i f fe ren t commanders .

The impor tan t mount , which had cos t so ev iden t a s t ruggle , ,a n d w hich face d th e pow er fu l fo r t r ess o f Gibra l fa ro , was g iven incha r ge t o Uode r igo Ponce de L eon , t he M ar qu i s o f C ad i z , whoin a l l s ieges c la ime d th e po s t o f dan ger . H e ha d sev era lnoble cava l i e r s , wi th the i r r e ta iner s , in h i s encampment , whichcons i s ted of f i f t een hundred horse , and four teen thousand

* Pulgar, Cronica.




f oo t ; and ex t ended f r om the s ummi t o f t he moun t t o t hemarg in of the sea , comple te ly b lock ing up the approach to thec i ty on th a t s ide . F ro m th i s po s t a fine o f en ca m pm en tsex tend ed qu i te ro un d th e c i ty to th e seabord , fo rt if ied b ybulwarks and deep d i t ches ; whi le a f l ee t o f a rmed sh ips andga l leys s t r e tche d before th e harb ou r , so th a t th e p lace w ascom ple te ly inves te d b y sea an d l an d . T he var ious pa r t s o ft h e va l ley now re s ou nde d w i th t h e d in of p r epa r a t i on , a n dwere f i l led wi th ar t i f icers prepar ing war l ike engines andm un i t i on s ; a r m our e r s and s mi th s , w i th g lowing f or ges a n ddea f en ing hammer s ; ca r pen t e r s and eng inee r s cons t r uc t i ngmach ines whe r ewi th t o a s s a i l t he wa l l s ; s t one - cu t t e r s s hap ings tone ba l ls fo r t h e o r dn an ce ; and b u r n e r s of cha rcoa l p r e par ing fuel for the furnaces and forges .

W h e n t h e e n c a m p m e n t w a s f o r m e d , t h e h e a v y o r d n a n c ew as l an de d f rom th e sh ips , an d m ou nt ed in var ious pa r t s o ft h e cam p . F iv e hu ge l omb ar ds w er e p l aced on t h e m ou n t ,commanded by t he M ar qu i s o f C ad i z , s o a s t o bea r upon t hecas t le of Gibral faro .

T he M oor s made s t r enuous e f f o r t s t o impede t hes e p r epa r a t i o n s . A he av y fire w as ke p t u p from th e i r o rdnan ce up on

th e m en employed i n d igg ing t r ench es o r co ns t r uc t i ng b a t t e r i e s , s o t h a t t he l a t t e r h ad t o w or k p r i nc ipa l l y i n t h e n ig h t .T he r oya l t en t s had been s t a t i oned cons p i cuous ly and wi th inr ea ch o f t h e M oor i s h ba t t e r i e s , b u t we r e s o w ar m ly a s s a il edtha t t hey had t o be r emoved beh ind a h i l l .

W h e n t he wo r ks we r e comple t ed , t he C hr i s t ian ba t t e r i e sopened i n r e tu r n , and kep t up a t r emendous cannonade , wh i l ethe f leet , approaching the land, assai led the c i ty vigorous ly onthe oppos i te s ide .

I t was a g lor ious and de lec tab le s igh t , observes F r a y A n to n i oAg apida , to behold th i s inf ide l c i ty th us sur ro un de d b y seaand l an d b y a m igh ty C h r i s t ian f or ce . E v e r y m ou nd i n i t sc i rcui t was , as i t were , a l i t t le c i ty of tents , bear ing thes ta nd ard of some ren ow ne d Catho l ic w ar r io r . Bes ides t h ew ar l ike ships an d gal leys w hich lay before th e place , th e seawas covered wi th innumerab le sa i l s , pas s ing and repass ing ,ap pea r ing and d i sappea r ing , be ing eng aged in b r in g in g suppl iesfor th e subs i stence of th e a rm y. I t w ou ld hav e seem ed a va s tspec tac le con t r ived to r ecrea te the eye , had no t the vo l ley ingburs ts of f lame and smoke f rom the ships , which appeared toHe as leep on th e qu ie t s ea, and th e th un de r o f o rd nan ce f romcam p an d c i ty , f rom tow er and b a t t l e m en t , to ld th e de ad lywar f a r e t ha t was wag ing .

A t n i gh t th e scene w as fa r mo re d i refu l th an in th e d a y .T he cheer fu l l ig h t o f th e sun was go n e ; th ere w as no th in gb u t th e flashes of ar t i l le ry , or th e baleful g leam s of co m bu s-




t ib les th ro w n in to th e c i ty , an d th e conf lagra t ion of th e hou ses .The f i r e kep t up f rom the Chr i s t i an ba t t e r i es was incessan t ;th er e w ere seven gre a t lom bard s , in par t i cu la r , ca l led th e S eve nS i s t e r s o f X im ene s , wh ich d id t r em end ous execu ti on . T he

M oo r i s h o r dnance r ep l ied i n t h un de r f rom the wa ll s ; G ib r a l -1

f a ro was wrapped in vo lumes of smoke , ro l l ing about i t s base ;an d H a m e t e l Z e g r i and h i s Gom er es l ooked ou t w i th t r i u m phup on t h e t em pes t o f w ar t he y ha d awak ened . " T r u ly t h eyw er e s o m an y demon s i nc a r n a t e , " s ays t h e p ious F r a y A n ton ioÀ gap ida , " wh o w er e p e r m i t t ed by heav en t o en t e r i n to an dpossess th is inf idel c i ty for i t s perdi t ion."

C H A P T E R L i n .SIEG E OF MALAGA.

T H E a t t a ck on M ala ga b y sea and l an d was ke p t u p for severa ldays wi th t r emendous v io l ence , bu t w i thou t p r oduc ing anygrea t impress ion , so s t rong were the anc ien t bu lwarks o f theci ty . The Count de Cifuentes was the f i r s t to s ignal ize himsel fb y any no t e d ach i eveme n t . A m a in t ower o f t h e s ub u r b h a dhe en s ha t t e r e d by t h e o r dnanc e , and t he ba t t l em en t s dem ol i shed ,so as to yie ld no she l ter to i t s defen ders . Seein g th is , th ecount as sembled a ga l l an t band of cava l i e r s o f the roya lhous e ho ld , and advanced t o t ak e i t b y s t o r m . T h ey app l i eds ca li ng l adde r s , and m oun ted , s wor d i n han d . T he M oo r s ,hav ing no l onge r ba t t l emen t s t o p r o t ec t t hem, des cended t o alower f loor , and made fur ious res is tance f rom the windows andloopho le s. T he y po u r ed down bo i l ing p i t ch a nd r o s in , an dhu r l e d s t ones and d a r t s and a r r ows on t h e a s s a il an t s . M a n yof th e Chr i s t i ans w ere s l a in ; the i r l add ers w ere de s t roy ed b yflaming com bus t ib les , and th e cou nt w as ob liged to r e t r ea tf rom before th e tow er . O n th e fol lowing day h e ren ew edthe a t tack wi th super ior force , and af ter a severe combat ,succeeded in p lan t ing h i s v ic to r ious banner on the tower .

T h e M oor s now as ss a il ed t h e t ow er in t he i r t u r n . T h eyunde r mined t he pa r t t owar ds t he c i t y , p l aced p r ops o f woodunder the foundat ion, and set t ing f i re to them, drew off to adis tan ce . I n a l i t t le wh i le th e p ro ps gave w ay , th e found a t ion

san k , th e tow er was ren t , p ar t o f i t s wa l l f ell w i th a t r em en do usnoise , many of the Chr i s t i ans were th rown ou t head long , andthe res t were l a id open to the miss i l es o f the enemy.

B y th i s t hne , howeve r , a b r each had been made i n t he wa l lad jo in ing the tower , and t roops poured in to the as s i s t ance ofthen- com rades . A con t inue d ba t t l e w as ke p t u p for tw o da ysan d a n ig h t b y re in forcemen ts f rom cam p an d c i ty . T h epa r t i e s f ough t backwar ds and f o r war ds t h r ough t he b r each o f




the wal l , wi th a l t e rna te success , and the v ic in i ty o f the townwas s t r ewe d w i th t h e dead and w ound ed . A t l en g th t heM oo rs g ra du a l ly gave w ay , d i spu t ing ev ery inch of g ro un d ,u n t i l t h e y w e r e d r i v e n i n t o t h e c i t y ; a n d t h e C h r i s t i a n sr ema ined mas t e r s o f t he g r ea t e r pa r t o f t he s ubu r b .

This par t i a l success , though ga ined wi th g rea t to i l andb loods hed , gave t em po r a r y an ima t ion t o t he C hr i s t i ans .They soon found , however , tha t the a t t ack on the main worksof th e c i ty was a m uc h m ore a rdu ou s t ask . Th e ga r r i soncon t a ined ve t e r ans who had s e r ved i n many o f t he t owns cap -toed b y th e Ch r i s t i ans . T he y we re no long er confou ndedan d d i smay ed by t h e ba t t e r i n g o r dnance an d o the r s t r an geengines o f fo re ign inven t ion , and had become exper t in par ryin g th ei r effects , in rep ai r i ng brea che s , a nd erec t ing co un ter wor ks .

The Chr i s t i ans , accus tomed of l a te to speedy conques t s o fMoor i sh fo r t r es ses , became impat ien t o f the s low progress o fth e si ege . M a n y w ere apprehens ive of a scarc i ty of p rov i s ionsf rom th e d i lnc iu ty o f subs i s t ing so nu m ero us a ho s t in t h ehear t o f the enemies ' count ry , where i t was necessary tot ranspor t suppl ies ac ross rugged and hos t i l e mounta ins , o rsub je c ted t o th e un cer ta in t i es o f th e seas. M a n y w ere a l so

a l a r m ed a t a pes t il ence wh ich b r ok e ou t i n t he ne igh bou r ingvi l l ages , and some were so overcome by these apprehens ions ,as to abandon the camp and re tu rn to the i r homes .

Sev era l o f th e loose an d wo r th les s ha nge rs -on , th a t in fes ta l l g r ea t a r mies , hea r ing t hes e mm- mur s , t hough t t ha t t hes iege would soon be ra i sed , and deser ted to the enemy, hopingto m ak e the i r fo r tunes . Th ey gave exagg era ted accou nts o ft he a l a r ms and d i s con t en t s o f t he a r my , and r ep r e s en t ed t het r oop s a s da i l y r e tu r n i ng hom e in ban ds . Above a ll, t he y

dec l a r ed t ha t t he gunpowd er was nea r ly exhaus t ed , so t h a tth e a r t i l l e ry w ou ld soon be use les s . T he y as sured th e M oo rs ,therefore , that i f they pers is ted in thei r defence a l i t t le longer ,•f l ie king would be obliged to draw off his forces , and abandonthe s iege.

The repor t s o f these r enegadoes gave f resh courage to thegar r i son . T he y m ad e v igorous sa ll ies up on th e cam p, ha ras s in g i t b y n ig h t a nd da y , and ob l ig ing eve ry pa r t to be gu ard edw i th th e m os t pa infu l v ig il ance . T he y fort if ied th e w eak pa r t s

of the i r wal l s wi th d i t ches and pa l i sadoes , and gave everymani fes ta t ion of a de te rmined and unyie ld ing sp i r i t .

Ferd inand soon rece ived in te l l igence of the r epor t s whichh a d b e e n c a r r ie d t o t h e M o o r s . H e u n d e r s t o o d , t h a t t h e yhad been in formed, l ikewise , tha t the queen was a la rmed fort h e s a f ety of t he camp , and ha d w r i t t en r epe a t ed ly , u r g in gh im to ab and on th e s i ege . A s th e b es t m ean s of d i sprov ing



T H E C O N Q U E S T O E G E A N A D A . 1 9 1

w i th a t e rr if ie t h r ea t . H e dec la r ed , t h a t wh oeve r s hou ld t a l kof cap i tu la t ing , o r shou ld ho ld an y com m unica t ion w i th t h eCh r i s t i an s , should b e p u t to de a th . H is fie rce G om eres , l iket r ue men o f t he s wor d , ac t ed upon t he menace o f t he i r chief

t a in as up on a w r i t t e n l aw, and , ha v in g de te c ted severa l o ft h e i nh ab i t an t s i n s ec r e t co r re s pondence w i th t h e ene m y ,they se t upon and s lew them, and then conf i sca ted the i re ffec ts . Th i s s t ru ck suc h t e r ro r in to th e c i ti zens th a t th os ew h o h a d b e e n l o u d e s t i n t h e i r m u r m u r s b e c a m e s u d d e n l ymute , and wer e r emar ked a s ev inc ing t he g r ea t e s t bus t l e andalacr i ty in the defence of the c i ty .

" W hen t he me s s enge r r e tu r ne d t o t h e camp , an d r ep o r t e dth e con t em ptuous r ecep t i on o f t he r oya l me s s age , K in g F e r

d i na nd w as exceed ing ly ind ig nan t . F in d in g th e cessa t ion offiring, on th e qu ee n 's a r r ival , h a d enc oura ged a bel ief am on gthe enemy tha t there was a scarc i ty o f powder in the camp,he o r de r ed a gen e r a l d i s cha r ge f rom eve r y ba t t e r y . T h i ss u dd en bu r s t o f wa r f rom eve ry qu a r t e r s oon conv inced t h eM oo rs of the i r e r ror , an d com ple ted th e confusion of th ec i t i zens , w ho kn ew not w hich m os t to d read , then- as sa i l an t sor the i r defenders , the Chr i s t i ans o r the Gomeres .

T ha t even ing t he s ove r e igns v i s i t ed t he encampmen t o f t heM ar qu i s o f C ad i z , wh ich commanded a v i ew ove r a g r ea t pa r to f th e c i ty an d t he cam p. Th e t en t of th e ma rqu is w as ofg r ea t m ag n i tu de , f u r n is hed w i th hang ings of r i ch b r o cade ,a n d F r e n ch c lo th o f t h e r a r e s t t ex tu r e . I t was i n t h e o r i en t a ls ty le , and , as i t c rowned the he igh t , wi th the sur roundingte n t s o f o the r cava l ie r s , a l l sum ptuo us ly fu rn i shed , p r ese n te d& ga y an d s ilken con t ras t to th e oppos i te tow ers o f G ibra l -f a r o . H e re a sp lend id co l la t ion was se rved up to th e sove

re igns ; and the cour t ly r eve l tha t p reva i l ed on th i s ch iva l rousenc am pm en t , t he g l i t t e r o f page an t r y , and t h e - bu r s t s o ffes t ive mus ic , made more s t r ik ing the g loom and s i l ence tha tre igned over the dark Moor i sh cas t l e .

T h e M ar qu is o f Cadiz , wh i le i t w as y e t l igh t , con duc tedh i s r o ya l v is i to r s t o e ve r y p o i n t t ha t com m anded a v i ew o fth e w ar l ike scene be low. H e caused th e he av y lom bard s a lsoto be d i scharged , tha t the queen and the l ad ies o f the cour tm ig ht w i tness the e ffect o f those t r em en do us eng ines . T h e

fa i r dames were f i l l ed wi th awe and admira t ion , as the mount a in s hook b en ea th t he i r f ee t w i th t h e t h un de r o f t h e a r t i l l e r y , an d t he y beh e ld g r ea t f ragm en t s o f t h e M oor i s h wa l l st umbl ing down the r ocks and p r ec ip i ce s .

"Whi le the good marquis was d i sp lay ing these th ings to h i sro y a l gu es t s , he l if ted u p h i s eyes , and , to h i s as to n i sh m en t ,behe ld h i s own banne r hang ing ou t f r om the nea r e s t t ower o fG ibra l fa ro . T h e b lood m an t led in h i s cheek , for i t w as a



192 H I S T O R Y OR

b a n n e r w h i c h he had los t at the t i m e of the m e m o r a b l e m a s s ac r e of the h e i g h t s of M a l a g a . To m a k e t h i s t a u n t m o r eev iden t , s eve r a l of the Go m er es d i s p l ayed t hem s e lves u po nt h e b a t t l e m e n t s , a r r a y e d in the h e l m e t s and cu i ras ses of s omeof the cavaliers s lain or c a p t u r e d on tha t occas ion .* The

M a r q u i s of C ad i z r e s t r a ined his i nd igna t i on , and h e l d his

p e a c e : but severa l of his cava l i e r s vowed loudly to r e v e n g eth i s c r ue l b r avado on the ferocious garr ison of Gibra l fa ro .

C H A P T E R LV.

ATTACK OF THE M A R Q U I S OF C A D IZ U F O N G I B R A L F A R O .

T H E M a r q u i s of Cadiz was not a cava l i e r tha t r ead i ly fo rgave

q u e t his ba t t e r i e s opened a t r em en do us fire up on G ibra l fa ro .A l l day the e n c a m p m e n t was w r a p p e d in w r e a th s of s moke ;

n o r did the ass aul t cease w i th the day, but t h r o u g h o u t the

n i g h t t h e r e was an in ce ssa nt flashing and t h u n d e r i n g of the

l o m b a r d s , and the fol lowing morning the a s s au l t r a t he r in

c r eas ed t han s l ackened in its fu ry . The M o o r i s h b u l w a r k sw e r e no proo f aga ins t the se formidable eng ines . I n a few

d a y s the lo fty tow er , on w h i c h the t a u n t i n g b a n n e r had b e e ndisp layed , was s h a t t e r e d ; a s ma l l e r t ower in its v ic in i ty re

d u c e d to r u i n s , and a g r e a t b r e a c h m a d e in the i n t e r ven ingwal ls .

Seve r a l of the ho t - sp i r i t ed cava li e rs we re eage r for s t o r m i n g the b r each s wor d in hand ; o the r s , mor e coo l and w a r y ,p o i n t e d out the r a s hnes s of s uch an a t t e m p t : for the M o o r s ,work ing indefa t igab ly in the n igh t , had d igged a deep d i t chw i t h i n the b r e a c h , and had fortified it w i th pa l i sadoes and a

h i g h b r e a s t w o r k . All, howeve r , ag r eed , t h a t the camp m igh tsafely be advanced nea r to the ru ined wal l s , and t h a t it ough tto be so p laced , in r e t u r n for the insolent defiance of the

enemy .T h e M a r q u i s of Cadiz fel t the t e m e r i ty of the m e a s u re , but

h e was unw i l li ng to d a m p the zea l of these h igh-sp i r i t ed caval i e r s ; and, hav ing chos en the p o s t of d a n g e r in the c a m p , it

d id not b e c o m e him to decl ine any se rv ice , mere ly because it

migh t appea r pe r i l ous . He o r d e r e d his ou tpos t s , there fore ,

t o be a d v a n c e d w i t h i n a s t one ' s t h r ow of the b r e a c h , but exh o r t e d the soldiers to m a i n t a in the u tmos t v ig i l ance .

T h e t h u n d e r of the b a t t e r i e s had ceased ; the t r o o p s , ex

h a u s t e d by two n igh t s ' f a t igue and watchfu lness , and a p p r e h e n d i n g no danger f rom the d i sm ant le d w al ls , w ere ha l f of.

t h e m a s l e e p ; the r e s t w e r e s ca t t e r ed ab ou t in neg l igen t secu-

* Diego de Valera, Cronica, MS.



T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G B A N A D A . 1 9 3

rity . O n a sudd en , up w ard s o f tw o tho usa nd M oo rs sa l l i edf o r th f r om th e ca s tl e , l ed o n by A br a he n Z e ne t e , t he p r i n c ipa l cap ta in un de r H a m e t . T h e y fel l w i th f earfu l ha vo cupon t he advance - gua r d , s l ay ing many o f t hem in t he i r s l eep ,

h i s t en t , abou t a bows ho t d i s t ance , when he hea r d t he t umul tof th e on set , an d be he ld his m e n fly ing in confus ion. H eru sh ed for th , fo llowed by h i s s t an da rd-b ear er s . " T u rn aga in ,c a v a l i e r s " e x c la i m e d h e ; " t u r n a g a i n I a m h e r e , P o n c ede L e o n T o t h e f oe t o t h e f o e " T he flying t r oopss topped a t hear ing h i s wel l -known vo ice , r a l l i ed under h i sb a n n e r , a n d t u r n e d u p o n t h e e n e m y . T h e e n c a m p m e n t b yth i s t ime was roused ; severa l cava l i e r s f rom the ad jo in ing

s ta t i on s ha d ha s ten ed to the scene of ac t ion , w i th a n u m b erof Ga l l ic ians an d so ld ie rs o f th e H o ly B ro th erh oo d . A nob s t i na t e an d b loody con t e s t ens ued . T he r ugg edn es s o f t h ep lace , the rocks , chasms , and dec l iv i t i es , b roke i t in to numer ous comba t s . C hr i s t i an and M oor f ough t hand t o hand , w i ths wor ds and dagge r s ; and o f t en , g r app l i ng and s t r ugg l i ng ,ro l l ed toge ther down the prec ip ices .

T h e ba nn e r o f t h e m ar qu i s was i n da ng e r o f be ing t ak en .

H o ha s te ne d to i t s r escu e , fo llowed b y some of h i s b r av es tcava l i e rs . T he y w er e s u r r o un de d b y t h e enem y , and s eve r a lo f t h em cu t dow n . D o n D iego Pon ce de L eo n , b r o the r t oth e m ar qu i s , was w oun ded b y an a r r o w ; and h i s s on -in -l aw ,L u i s Po nce , w as l ikewi s e w ou nd ed : t h ey s ucceeded , howev e r ,in r escu ing th e ba nn er , an d be ar i ng i t off in sa fe ty . T h eba t t l e l as ted for an hour : the he igh t was covered wi th k i l l edand wounded ; and t he b lood f l owed i n s t r eams down ther ocks . A t l eng th , A br ah en Z e ne t e be ing d i sab l ed b y t h e

th r u s t o f a l ance , t h e M oo r s gave w ay , an d r e t r ea t ed t o t h ecas t l e .They now opened a ga l l ing f i r e f rom the i r ba t t l ements and

tow er s , app r o ach ing t h e b r eac hes s o a s t o d i s cha r ge t h e i rc r os s - bows and a r quebus es i n to t he advance gua r d o f t he en cam pm en t . T he m ar qu i s was s i ng led o u t : t h e s ho t fe ll t h i c kab o u t h im , and one pas s ed t h r o ug h h i s buck l e r , an d s t r u cku p o n h i s c u i ra s s, b u t w i t h o u t d o in g h i m a n y i n j u r y . E v e r yon e now saw th e dang er an d inu t i l i ty o f ap proa ch in g th e ca m p

th u s nea r t o t h e ca s t l e ; and . t hos e wh o h a d couns e l led i t we r eno w u r ge n t t h a t i t s hou ld be w i thd r aw n . I t was acco r d ing lyr emoved back t o i t s o r i g ina l g r ound , f r om wh ich t he mar qu i sh ad m os t r e luc t an t l y advan ced i t . N o t h i ng bu t h i s va lou rand t ime ly a id ha d p r ev en t e d t h i s a t t ac k f r om end ing i n ato ta l rou t o f a l l tha t par t o f the a rmy.

M a n y cava l ie r s o f d i s t inc t ion fell in th i s co n te s t ; b u t t h eloss o f no ne w as fe lt m ore d eep ly th a n th a t o f O r te ga de ;

o

T h e mar q u i s was i n



194 H I S T O R Y OP

P r a d o , c a p t a i n of esca ladors . He was one of the b r a v e s t men-

in the service ; the s ame who had dev i sed the first successful'b low of the war, the s t o r m i n g of A l h a m a , w h e r e he was the

f irs t to plant and m o u n t the sca l ing l adders . He had a lways

b e e n h i g h in the f avour and conf idence of the n o b le P o n c e deL e o n , who k n e w how to app r ec i a t e and avai l h imsel f of the

m e r i t s of all ab le and v a l i a n t m e n . *

C H A P T E E LVL

S I E G E OE M A L AG A C O N T I N U E D . S TR A TA G E M S OE VAR IO US'K I N D S .

GREAT w e r e the exe r t i ons now m a d e , b o t h by the bes iegers :a n d the bes i eged , to c a n y on th i s con te s t w i th the u t m o s tv i g o u r . H a m e t el Z e g r i w e n t the r o u n d s of the wal l s and

t ower s , doub l ing the g u a r d s , and p u t t i n g e v e r y t h i n g i n t o the

b e s t p o s t u r e of defence . The ga r r i s on was d iv ided in to pa r t i e s of a h u n d r e d , to each of w h i c h a cap t a in was appo in t ed .S o m e w e r e to p a t r o l e ; o t h e r s to sa l ly for th , and s k i r mi s h wi tht h e e n e m y ; and o the r s to h o l d t h e m s e l v e s r e a d y a r m e d and

i n r e s e r ve . Six a lba tozas , or f loa t ing ba t t e r i es , were manned ,and a r med wi th p i eces of a r t i l l e ry , to a t t a c k the fleet.

O n the o t h e r h a n d , the C as t i ii an s ove r e igns k ep t , open a

c o m m u n i c a t i o n , by sea, w i th va r ious p a r t s of Spain, , f romwhich t hey r ece ived p r ov i s i ons of all k i n d s . T h e y o r d e r e dsuppl ies of pow der , a l so , f rom Vale nc ia , B arce lona , S ic ily , and

P o r t u g a l . T h e y m a d e g r e a t p r e p a r a t i o n s for s t o r m i n g the

c i ty . Towers of wood wer e cons t r uc t ed , to m o v e on w heels , ,each capable of h o l d i n g one h u n d r e d men. T h e y w e r e f u r

n i s h e d w i t h l a d d e r s , to be t h r o w n f r o m t h e i r s u m m i t s to thet ops of the w a l l s ; and wi th in t hos e l adde r s o the r s wer e in

cased , to be let d o w n for the d e s c e n t of the t r oops i n to the

c i ty . T he re w ere ga l l ipagos , or t o r t o i s e s , a l s o ; be ing g r ea twooden sh ie lds , covered wi th h ides , to p r o t e c t the as sa i l an t s ,a n d t h o s e who i i n d e r m i n e d the wal ls .

S e c r e t m i n e s w e r e c o m m e n c e d in va r i ous p l aces. Som e w er ei n t e n d e d to r e a c h to the founda t ions of the wal l s , which wereto be p r o p p e d up wi th wood , r eady to be set on fire; others-

w e r e to p a s s u n d e r the wal l s , and r e m a i n r e a d y to be b r o k e nopen , so as to g ive en t r ance to the bes i ege r s . At t he s e minest h e a r m y w o r k e d day and n i g h t ; and, du r ing t hes e s ec r e tp r e p a r a t i o n s , the o r d n a n c e k e p t up a f ire upon the c i t y , to

d i v e r t the a t t e n t i o n of the bes ieged .I n the m ean t ime , Har r ie t el Z eg r i d i s p l ayed wonde r f u l

* Zurita. Mariana. Abarca.




v igour and i ngenu i ty i n de f end ing t he c i t y , and i n r epa i r i ng 'o r fo r t i fy ing by deep d i t ches , the b reaches made by the enemy.He no t ed , be s ides , eve r y p l ace wher e t he camp migh t beassa il ed w i th a dv an tag e ; an d gave the bes ieg ing a rm y n o

r epos e , n ig h t o r da y . W h i l e h i s t r oops s a ll ied on t h e l an d ,h is floating ba t ter ies a t tac ke d the bes iege rs on th e se a ; soth a t t h e r e was i nces s an t s kh ' mi s h ing . T h e t en t s , c a l led t h eq u e e n ' s h o s p i t a l , w e r e c r o w d e d w i t h w o u n d e d ; a n d t h e w h o l ea rm y suffered, f rom co ns ta n t watchfu lness an d fa t igue . T ogu a r d aga ins t t h e s ud den a s s au l ts o f t he M oo r s , t h e t r en ch esw ere deepe ned , an d pa l i sadoes e rec ted in f ron t o f th e c a m p ;and in tha t par t f ac ing Gibra l fa ro , where the rocky he igh t s d idnot admi t o f such defences , a h igh rampar t o f ea r th was th rown

u p . T h e cava li e rs Garc i l as so de l a V ega , J u a n de Z un iga ,and Dieg o de A tay de , w e r e appo in t ed t o go t h e r oun ds , an dke ep v ig i l an t w atc h th a t the se fo rt if ica tions w ere m ain ta in ed ingood order .

I n a l i t t l e wh i l e Hamet d i s cove r ed t he mines s ec r e t l y comm e n c e d b y t h e C h r i s ti a n s . H e i m m e d i a t e ly o r d e r e d c o u n t e r m ines . T h e so ld ie r s m u tu a l l y w or ke d un t i l t h ey me t , an df ough t h an d t o ha nd i n t he s e s ub t e r r a ne an pas s ages . T h e

Chr i s t i ans were d r iven ou t o f one of the i r mines ; f i r e wass e t t o t he wooden f r amewor k , and t he mine des t r oyed .E n co ur a ge d by t h i s s ucces s , t h e M oor s a t t em p ted a gen e r a la t t ac k up on th e m ines an d th e bes ieg ing fleet. T h e ba t t l elas ted for s ix hours , on l and and wate r , above and be lowgr ou nd , on bu lwa r k and i n t r e nc h an d m ine . T h e M oo r s d i sp layed wonder fu l in t r ep id i ty ; bu t were f ina l ly r epu l sed a t a l lpo in t s , an d ob l iged to r e t i r e in to th e c i ty , w he re th ey w erec lose ly inves ted , w i th ou t th e m ean s of r ece iv ing a ny as s is t

ance f rom abroad.T h e ho r ror s o f f amine w ere now ad de d to th e o th er m iser ieso f M a lag a . H am et e l Z e g r i , w i th t he s p i r i t o f a m an b r edup t o war , cons ide r ed eve r y th ing a s s ubs e r v i en t t o t he wan t sof th e soldier , an d ord ere d a l l th e g rai n in th e c i ty to b ega th er ed an d ga rne red u p for th e so le use o f tho se w ho fough t .E v e n t h i s w as dea l t ou t s p a r in g ly ; and each s o ld i er r ece ivedfour ounces o f b read in the morn ing , and two in the even ing ,for h is dai ly a l lowance.

The wea l thy inhab i tan t s , and a l l those peacefu l ly mcl ined ,m ou r ne d ove r a re s i s tance , wh ich b r o ug h t d es t r uc t i on upo nth e i r ho uses , de a t h in to th e i r f ami li es, an d which th ey saw "m u s t en d in the i r ru in an d cap t iv i ty . S t i l l, no ne of th e mda red to speak open ly of cap i tu la t ion , o r even to m ani fes t th e i rgrief, l e s t th e y should aw ake n t h e w ra th o f th e i r fie rce de f ende r s . T h ey s u r r ou nde d t he i r c iv ic champion , A l i D or d ux ,t h e g r e a t and op u l en t m er ch an t , wh o h ad buc k l ed on s h i e ld



196 H I S T O K T O P

a n d cui rass , an d ta k e n spear in h a n d for th e defence of I ii sna t ive c i t y ; and , w i th a l a rge bo dy of th e b ra ve r c it i zens , ha dch arge of one of the ga te s an d a cons iderab le po r t ion of th ew a l l s . D r a w i n g A h D o r d u x a s id e , t h e y p o u r e d f o r t h t h e i r

gr iefs to him in secret . " W h y , " sa id th ey , " sho uld w e sufferour na t ive c i ty to be made a mere bu lwark and f igh t ing p lacefor fo re ign ba rba r ian s a nd desp era te m en ? T he y ha ve nofamil ies to care for , no property to lose, no love for the soi l ,a n d no valu e for th ei r l ives . T h ey l ig ht to grat i fy a th i r s t forM ood, or a des i re for re v e n g e ; an d wi l l f ight on un t i l M al ag ab e m ad e a ru in , an d i t s people s l aves. L e t us th in k an d ac tfor ourse lves , our wives , an d ou r ch i ld ren . L e t us m ak e pr i va te t e rm s w i th t h e Ch r i s t i ans before i t i s too l a te , an d So save

ourse lves f rom des t ru c t ion . "The bowels o f Ah Dordux yearned towards h i s f e l low-c i t i

z e n s . H e be tho ug ht l iim a lso of the swee t secu r i ty o f peace ,and the b loodles s , ye t g ra t i fy ing t r iumphs of ga infu l comm erc e . T h e idea l ikewise o f a secre t nego t ia t ion o r ba rg a inwi th the Cas t i l i an sovere igns , fo r the r edempt ion of h i s na t ive.c i ty , was more conformable to h i s accus tomed hab i t s than th i sv io len t appea l to a rms ; fo r though he had , fo r a t ime , as sumed

th e wa r r i o r , h e ha d no t f o r go t t en t he m er c ha n t . A l i D or du xcommuned , there fore , wi th the c i t i zen-so ld ie r s under h i s comm an d, an d th ey read i ly conformed to h i s op in ion . Co nce r t ingtoge ther , they wro te a p ropos i t ion to the Cas t i l i an sovere igns ,o f fe r ing to admi t the a rmy in to the par t o f the c i ty in t rus tedto th ei r ca re , on receiv ing assu ran ce of pro tect io n for th e l ivesan d p r o pe r ty of t h e i nha b i t an t s . T h i s w r i t i ng t h ey de l i ve r edto a t r u s ty emi s s a r y , t o t ake t o t h e C hr i s t ian c am p ; appo in t i n g t he hou r an d p lace of h i s r e t u r n , t ha t t he y m igh t be r ea dy

to admi t h im unpe r ce ived .T he M oo r m ad e h i s w ay in sa fe ty to th e cam p, an d wasad m i t t ed to the p rese nce of the sovere igns . E a g e r to ga inthe c i ty wi thout fu r ther cos t o f b lood or t r easure , they gavea w r i t t e n prom ise to g r an t th e condi t ions ; an d th e M oo r se tp u t j oy fu l ly on h i s r e tu r n . A s he app r oa ched t he wa ll s w he r eAl i Dor dux and h i s con f ede r a t e s wer e wa i t i ng t o r ece ive h im ,he was descr ied by a pa t r o l i n g b an d o f Go m er es , and con s idere d a spy coming f rom th e cam p of th e bes iege r s . T h e y

issued for th , and seized him, in s ight of h is employers , whogave themse lves u p for los t . T he G om eres h ad cond uc ted h imne ar l y to th e gat e , w he n he escap ed f rom then- gra sp, an d fled.T h e y e n d e a v o u r e d t o o v e r ta k e h i m , b u t w e r e e n c u m b e r e d w i t ha rm o u r ; h e w as l ig ht ly c lad, an d l ie fled for h is l ife . O ne ofth e G om eres pa use d, an d, level l ing his cross-bow, le t f ly a bol t ,which p ie rced the fug i t ive be tween the shoulder s ; he f e l l , andw as nea r ly w i th in t he i r g r a s p ; b u t r o s e aga in, and , w i th a



T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G B A N A D A . 197'

de spe ra te e ffort, a t t a ine d the C hr i s t i a n cam p. Th e G om eresgave ove r t he p u r s u i t , a nd t h e c i ti zens r e tu r ne d t ha nk s t o A l i afor th ei r del iv eran ce f rom th is fearful per i l . A s to th e fa i thfulm essen ger , he d ied of h i s w oun d , sho r t ly a ft e r r e ac h in g th ecamp , cons o l ed wi th t he i dea t ha t he had p r e s e r ved t he s ec r e tand the l ives o f h i s employers .

C H A P T E R L V H .

S U F F E R I N G S O F T H E P E O P L E O F M A L A G A .

T H E suffe rings o f M ala ga spre ad sor row an d a nx ie ty am on gth e M oo rs ; an d th e y dre ad ed l es t th i s beau t i fu l c i ty , once

th e bu lw ark of th e k ing do m , should fa ll in to th e ha nd s of th eunb e l i eve r s . T he o ld w ar r i o r k ing , A bda l l a e l Z ag a l , wass t il l s he l t e r ed i n G uad ix , w he r e he was s lowly ga the r ing t o ge th e r h i s s ha t t e r ed f or ces . W h e n t he peop l e of G ua d ixheard of the danger and d i s t r es s o f Malaga , they urged to beled to i t s relief; and t h e a lf aqu is admo n i s hed E l Z a ga l no t t ode ser t so r igh teou s and loya l a c i ty in i t s ex t rem i ty . H is ow nwa r l i ke na tu r e m ad e h im f ee l a s ym pa thy f or a p l ace t h a tm ad e s o ga l l an t a r e s i s t an ce ; an d he des pa t ched a s power fu l

a re info rcem en t as h e could spare , ivnder co nd uc t of a cho sencap ta in , wi th o rder s to th row themse lves in to the c i ty .In te l l igence of th i s r e in forcement r eached Boabdi l e l Chico ,

i n h i s r oy a l pa l ace o f t he A lham br a . P i l l e d wi th ho s t i l i t yaga ins t h i s un c le , and des i rous o f p ro v ing h i s loya l ty t o th eCas t i l i an sovere igns , he immedia te ly sen t fo r th a super io rforce o f horse an d foo t , to in te rce p t th e de tach m en t . A sh arpconflic t en s u ed ; t he t r oops o f E l Z a ga l wer e r ou t ed w i thgreat loss , and f led back in confus ion to Guadix.

Boabdi l , no t be ing accus tomed to v ic to r ies , was f lushedw i th t h i s me l ancho ly t r i um ph . H e s en t t i d ings o f i t t o t h eCas t i l i an sovere igns , accom panied w i th r i c h s ilks , boxe s o fArab ian per fume, a cup of go ld r i ch ly wrought , and a f emalecap t i ve o f R e bed a , a s p r e s e n t s t o t h e q ue eu ; and f ou r A r a b i an s teed s , m agni f i cen t ly capa rsoned , a sw ord an d da gg err i ch ly mounted , and severa l a lbornozes and o ther robes ,s um ptuo us ly em br o ide r ed , fo r t he k in g . H e en t r e a t ed t he m ,a t th e sam e t im e , a lway s to look u po n h im w i th f avour , asthe i r devoted vassa l .

Bo abd i l w as fa ted to b e un for tun a te even in h i s v ic to r ies .His defeat of the forces of h is uncle , des t ined to the re l ief ofunhappy M alaga , s hocked t he f ee l i ngs , and coo l ed t he l oya l t yof m an y of h i s be s t ad he ren t s . T he m ere m e n of tr af ficmight r e jo ice in the i r go lden in te rva l o f peace , bu t the ch iva l r ous s p i r i t s o f Gr anada s pumed a s ecu r i t y pu r chas ed by s uch



198 J I I S T O B Y o r

sacr if ices of p r i d e a n d af fection. T h e peo ple a t lar ge , ha vi nggra t i f ied then* love of cha nge , be ga n t o qu es t ion w he th erthey had ac ted generous ly by the i r o ld f igh t ing monarch ." E l Z ag a l , " s a id the y , " wa s fie rce an d b lood y , b t i t th en h ew a s t r u e t o h i s c o u n t r y : h e w a s a n u s u r p e r , b u t t h e n h em a in t a ined t h e g lo r y o f t h e c r own wh ich he u s u r pe d . I f h i ssc ep tre w as a ro d of i ro n to h is sub jects , i t w as a sw ord ofs tee l ag ains t the i r en em ies . T his B oa bd i l sacr if ices re l ig io n,f r i ends , coun t r y , eve r y th ing , t o a mer e s hadow o f r oya l t y , andi s con ten t to ho ld a rush for a scep t re . "

T he s e f ac ti ous m ur m u r s s oon r eac hed t h e ea r s o f B o abd i l ,an d he app r ehe nde d ano the r o f h i s cus tom ar y r eve r s e s . H esen t in a l l ha s te to th e Cas t i l i an sovere igns , bese ech ing m i l i

t a r y a id t o keep h im on h i s t h r on e . Fe r d ina nd g r ac ious lycomp l ied w i th a r eq ue s t s o m uc h i n un i s on w i th h i s po l i cy . Ade t achmen t o f one t hous and cava l r y , and two t hous and i n f a n t r y , w e r e d e s p a t c h e d , u n d e r t h e c o m m a n d o f D o n F e r nandez Gons a l ez , o f C or dova , s ubs equen t l y r enowned a s t heg r an d cap t a in . W i t h t h i s s uccour , B o abd i l expe l led f rom t h ec i ty a l l tho se w ho w ere ho s t i l e to h im , an d i n f avour o f h i sun c le . H e fe lt s ecure in thes e t ro op s , f rom the i r b e in g d i s t inc t , in m an ne rs , l an gu ag e , an d re l ig ion , from h i s sub jec t s ,

and compr omis ed wi th h i s p r i de , i n t hus exh ib i t i ng t ha t mos tun na tu r a l an d hum i l i a t i ng of a l l r eg a l s pec tac l e s, a m on a r chs up po r t ed on h i s t h r o ne b y f o re ign wea pons , an d b y s o ld ie r shos t i l e to h i s people .

Nor was B oabd i l e l C h i co t he on ly M oor i s h s ove r e ign t ha tSough t p r o t ec t i on f rom Fe r d in an d an d I s abe l l a . A s p l end idga l l ey , wi th l a teen sa i l s , and severa l banks of oar s , came oneday i n to t he ha r bour o f M a laga , d i s p l ay ing t he s t anda r d o f t hecresc ent , b u t l ikewise a w hi te flag in s ign of am ity . A n am bas s ad o r l and ed f rom i t w i th in t h e C hr i s t i an l ine s . H e cam ef r om the King o f T r emezan , and b r ough t p r e s en t s s imi l a r t otho se of Bo abd i l , cons i s t ing of A rab ian cou rser s , w i th b i t s ,s t i r ru ps , an d o the r fu rn i tu re o f go ld , to ge th er wi th cos t lyM o o r i s h m a n t l e s ; fo r t h e q u e e n t h e r e w e r e s u m p t u o u s s h a w l s ,rob es , a nd s i lken s tuf fs , or na m en ts of gold , an d exq uis i teo r i en t a l pe r f umes .

T h e K i n g o f T r e m e z a n h a d b e e n a l a r m e d a t t h e r a p i d c on

qu es t s o f t h e Spa n i s h a r m s , an d s t a r t l ed b y t h e des cen t o fseve ra l Sp anish c ru i se r s on th e coas t o f Af r ica . H e c rav edto be cons idered a vassa l to the Cas t i l i an sovere igns , and tha tt h ey w ou ld ex t en d s uch f avour and s ecu r i t y t o h i s s h ip s an ds u b j e c ts a s h a d b e e n s h o w n t o o t h e r M o o r s w h o h a d s u b m i t t e d t o t h e i r s way . H e r equ es t ed a pa in t i ng o f t he i r a r m s ,t h a t h e a nd h i s s ub j ec t s m ig h t r ecogn i s e and r e s pec t t he i rs t a n d a r d w h e n e v e r t h e y e n c o u n t e r e d i t. A t t h e s a m e t im e



2 0 0 H I S T O R Y O F

h e re t i r e d to h i s ce l l, sh u t h imse l f up f rom th e w or ld , an d w asp lunged for a t ime in the b lackes t g loom.

O n a s ud de n h e m ad e h i s appea r an ce aga in i n t h e s t r ee t sof Guadix ; h i s f ace haggard , h i s fo rm emacia ted , bu t h i s eye

be am ing w i th fire. H e s a id t h a t A l l ah h ad s en t an ange l t ohim in the sol i tude of h is cel l , reveal ing to l ihn a mode of del iver in g M ala ga f rom i t s per i l s , an d s t r ik in g h or ro r an d confus ion in to th e cam p of th e un be l iev er s . T h e M oo rs l i s t ene dwi th eage r c r edu l i t y t o h i s wor ds ; f ou r hundr ed o f t hemoffered to fol low him even to the death , and to obey impl ic i t lyh i s c o m m a n d s . O f t h i s n u m b e r m a n y w e r e G o m e r e s , a n x io u sto r e l ieve t he i r co un t r ym en wh o f o r med pa r t o f t h e ga r r is ono f M a laga .

T hey t r ave r s ed t he k ingdom by t he wi ld and l one ly pas s e so f t h e m oun ta in s , concea li ng t hems e lves i n t h e day , a nd t r a ve l l ing on ly in th e n ig h t , to e lud e th e Ch r i s t i an scout s . A tl e n g t h t h e y a r r i v e d a t t h e m o u n t a i n s t h a t to w e r a b o v e M a l a g a ,a n d , look ing down, be he ld th e c i ty com ple te ly inves ted , a cha ino f encam pm en t s ex t en d ing r ou nd it f rom s ho r e t o s ho r e , an da l ine of sh ips b lock ading i t b y sea, wh i le th e con t inua l t h u n d e rof a r t i l l e ry , an d the sm oke r is ing in var iou s par t s , show edth a t t he s iege was p r e s s ed w i th g r ea t ac t i v i ty . T he he r m i t

s canne d t he encam pm en t s war i l y f rom h i s l of ty he ig h t . H es aw tha t t he pa r t o f t he encampmen t o f t he M ar qu i s o f C ad i z ,which was a t the foo t o f the he igh t , and on the marg in of thesea , was th e m os t as sa il ab le, the roc ky so il no t ad m i t t in g d i t ch esor pa l i sadoes . R em ain ing concea led a l l day , he d esce nde dw i th h i s fo llowers a t n i gh t to the seacoas t , an d app roac heds i l en t ly t o t he ou tw or ks . H e h ad g iven t he m the i r i n s t r u c t ion s : the y w ere t o ru sh sud de nly up on th e camp, fight th e i rway t h r ough , and t h r ow thems e lves i n to t he c i t y .

I t was j u s t a t t he g r ey o f t he daw n ing , w he n ob j ec t s a r eobs cu r e ly v i si b le , t h a t t h ey m ad e t h i s des pe r a t e a t t em p t .S o m e s p r a n g s u d d e n l y u p o n t h e s e n t i n e l s ; o t h e r s r u s h e d i n t othe sea , and go t round the works ; o ther s c lambered over theb r e a s t w o r k s . T h e r e w a s s h a r p s k i r m i s h i n g ; a g r e a t p a r t o ft h e M oor s w er e cu t t o p ieces, bu t abo u t two hu nd r ed s uc ceeded in ge t t ing in to the ga tes o f Malaga .

T h e s a n t o n t o o k n o p a r t in the conf l ic t , nor d id he endeavour

to e n te r t h e c i ty . H is p lan s w ere o f a d i ffe ren t na tu re .Dr awing apa r t f r om the ba t t l e , he t h r ew h ims e l f on h i s kneeson a r i s ing grou nd , and , l if t ing h i s ha nd s to hea ven , ap pe are dto be abs o r bed i n p r a ye r . T he C hr i s t i ans , as t he y w er e ,searching for fugi t ives in the c lef ts of the rocks , found him ath i s devo t i ons . H e s t i r r ed no t a t t he i r app r oach , b u t r em a ine dfixed as a s t a tu e , w i tho ut chang ing co lour o r m ov ing a m us c le .E l l e d w i t h s u r p r i s e , n o t u n m i x e d w i t h a w e , t h e y t o o k h i m t ot h e M a r q u i s o f C ad i z . H e was w r app ed i n a coa r s e a lbo r noz ,




or M oor i s h man t l e ; h i s bea r d was l ong and g r i zz l ed , andthe r e was s om e th ing wi ld and m e lanch o ly i n h i s l ook t h a tinsp i red cu r io s i ty . , _ _

On be ing examined , he gave h imse l f ou t as a sa in t , to whom

Al l ah had r evea l ed t he even t s t ha t we r e t o t ake p l ace i n t ha t 's iege . T h e m ar q u i s dem ande d wh en an d how M alag a was t obe t ak en . H e r ep l i ed t h a t he kne w fu ll w e l l ; b u t he was;forb idden to r evea l those impor tan t s ecre t s excep t to the k ingand quee n . T h e good m ar qu i s wa s n o t m or e g iven t o supe r s t i t ious f anc ies than o ther commanders o f h i s t ime; ye t there -s eemed s om e th ing s i ngu l a r and m ys t e r i ous ab ou t t h i s m a n :h e m igh t have s ome im por t a n t i n t e ll igence t o com m un ica t e ;s o he was pe r s ua ded t o s end h im t o t he k in g and quee n . H e

was conduc t ed t o t he r oya l t en t , s u r r ounded by a cu r iousm u l t i t u d e , e x c la i m in g " E l M o r o S a n t o " fo r t h e n e w s h a ds p r e a d t h r o u g h t h e c a m p t h a t t h e y h a d t a k e n a M o o r i s hp r ophe t .

The king, having dined, was taking his s ies ta , or af ternoon 's -s leep , i n h i s t e n t ; and t he queen , t h ou gh cu r ious t o s ee t h i ss ingular being, yet , f rom a natural del icacy and reserve, ,de l ayed un t i l t h e k in g s hou ld be p r e s en t . H e was t ak en ,t he r e f o r e , t o an ad jo in ing t en t , i n w h ich w er e D on a B ea t r i xde Bovadi l l a , M arch ione ss o f Mo ya , and D o n A lvaro of P o r t uga l , s on o f t he Duke o f B r aganza , w i th two o r t h r ee a t t end a n t s . T h e M oor , i gno r an t of t h e Span i s h t ong ue , ha d n o tunders tood the conversa t ion of the guards , and supposed , f romthe magni f i cence of the fu rn i tu re and the s i lken hangings ,t h a t t h i s was t h e r oy a l t en t . F r o m th e r e s pec t pa id by t h ea t t endan t s t o Don Alva r o and t he mar ch iones s , he conc ludedtha t t hey wer e t he k ing and queen .

H e now as ked fo r a d r au gh t o f w a t e r . A jar w a s b r o u g h tto h im, and the guard re leased h i s a rm to enab le h im to d r ink .T he m ar ch iones s pe r ce ived a s udd en change in h i s co un t e nan ce , an d som eth in g s in i s te r , in th e express ion of h i s eye ;an d sh i f t ed h er p os i t ion to a moro rem ote p a r t o f th e t e n t .P r e t e n d i n g t o raise the wate r to h i s l ips , the Moor unfo ldedhis a lborn oz so as to g ras p a oimeter , w hich h e wo re conc ealedb e n e a t h ; t h e n , d a s h i n g d o w n t h e jar, he drew h i s weapon ,and gave Don Alva r o a b low on t he head t ha t s t r uck h im to

the ea r t h , and ne a r ly dep r ived h im o f li fe . T u r n i ng up on t h em arch ion ess , h e th en m ad e a v io len t b low a t he r , bu t , in h i seagerness and ag i t a t ion , h i s o imeter caught in . t h e d r ap e r y o ft h e t e n t ; t h e f or ce o f t h e b low w as b r oke n , and t h e weapo ns t r uck ha r mles s upon s ome go lden o r namen t s o f he r head d r e s s . *

* Pietro Martyr, Epist. 62.



202 H I S T O R Y OP

R u y L o p e z de T o l e d o , t r e a s u r e r to the q u e e n , and J u a n de

BelaJcazar , a s tu rdy f r i a r , who wer e p r e s en t , g r app l ed and

s t r u g g l e d w i t h the d e s p e r a d o , and i m m e d i a t e l y the g u a r d sw h o had c o n d u c t e d him from the M a r q u i s of Cadiz fe l l upon

h i m and cut him to p ieces .*T h e k i n g and q u e e n , b r o u g h t out of t h e i r t e n t s by the noise ,wer e f i l l ed wi th ho r r o r when t hey l ea r ned the imminen t pe r i lf r o m w h i c h t h e y had e s caped . The m a n g l e d b o d y of the

M o o r was t a k e n by the people of the c a m p , and t h r o w n i n t othe c i ty f rom a ca t apu l t . The G o m e r e s g a t h e r e d up the b o d yw i t h d e e p r e v e r e n c e , as the r e m a i n s of a s a i n t ; t h e y w a s h e da n d p e r f u m e d it, and b u r i e d it w i t h g r e a t h o n o u r and l oudl a m e n t a t i o n s . In r e v e n g e of his dea th t hey s l ew one of t he i r

pr inc ipa l Chr i s t i an cap t ives , and, h a v i n g t i e d his b o d y u p o n« n ass, t h e y d r o v e the an imal fo r th in to the camp .F r o m t h i s t i m e t h e r e was appo in t ed an add i t i ona l gua r d

a r o u n d the t e n t s of the k i n g and queen , compos ed of twe lveh u n d r e d c a v a l i e r s of r a n k of the k i n g d o m s of Cas t i l e and

A r r a g o n . No pe r s on was a d m i t t e d to the r oya l p r e s enc ea r m e d . No M o o r was a l lowed to e n t e r the c a m p w i t h o u t a

p r e v i o u s k n o w l e d g e of his c h a r a c t e r and b u s i n e s s ; and on no

a c c o u n t was any M o o r to be i n t r o d u c e d i n t o the p r e s e n c e of

the sovere igns .A n act of t r e a c h e r y of s u c h a f e roc ious n a t u re gave r i se to

a t r a i n of g loomy app r ehe ns ions . T h e r e w er e m an y cab insa n d s h e d s a b o u t the c a m p , c o n s t r u c t e d of b r a n c h e s of t r ees ,w h i c h had b e c o m e dry and c o m b u s t ib l e ; and f ear s were en te r t a i n e d t h a t t h e y m i g h t be set on fire by the M u d i x a r e s , or

M oor i s h vas s a l s , who vis i ted the a r m y . Som e even d r ead edt h a t a t t e m p t s m i g h t be m a d e to po i s on the w el ls and foun

t a i n s . To qu i e t t he s e d i s ma l a l a r ms , all M u d i x a r e s w e r eo r d e r e d to l eave the c a m p ; and all loose id le lo i terers , who

could not give a good account of t hems e lves , we r e t aken i n tocus tody .

C H A P T E R LIX.

H O W H A M E T E I Z E G E I WAS H A R D E N E D IN HIS O B S T I N A C Y BY

T H E A R T S OR A MO O RISH ASTRO LO G ER.

AMONG those fol lowers of the s a n t o n t h a t had effected th e ire n t r a n c e i n t o the c i ty was a dark Af r ican , of the t r i b e of

G o m e r e s , who was l ikewise a h e r m i t , or derv i se , and pas s eda m o n g the M o o r s for a h o l y and i n s p i r ed man. No soonerw e r e the m a n g l e d r e m a i n s of his p r edeces s o r bu r i ed wi th the

h o n o u r s of mar ty r dom, t han t h i s de r v i s e e l eva t ed h ims e l f in




T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G - S A N A D A . 203

his- p lace , an d profes sed to be g if ted w i th th e sp i r i t o f p rop he cy .H e d i s p layed a w h i t e ban ne r , w h ich h e a s s u r ed t he M oo r swas s ac r ed ; t ha t he had r e t a ined i t f o r twen ty yea r s , f o rs o m e s i g n a l p u r p o s e ; a n d t h a t A l l a h h a d r e v e a l e d t o h i m t h a t

unde r t ha t banne r t he i nhab i t an t s o f M a laga s hou ld s a l l yf o r th up on t h e cam p o f t h e unbe l i eve r s , p u t i t t o u t t e r r ou t ,and ban qu e t up on t h e p r ov i si ons i n wh ich i t abo und ed .* T h ehu ng r y an d c r ed u lous M oor s w er e e l a t ed a t t h i s p r ed i c t i on ,an d c r ied ou t to be l ed fo r th a t once to th e a t t a c k ; b u t th ederv i se to ld them the t ime was no t ye t a r r ived , fo r every even tha d i t s a l l o t t ed da y i n t he dec r ees o f f a t e ; t h ey m u s t w a i tpa t i en t l y , t he r e f o re , u n t i l t he appo in t ed t im e s hou ld be r ev ea l edto h im b y heav en . H a m e t e l Z eg r i l i s tened t o t h e de r v i s e

w i th p rofou nd reve renc e , an d h i s exam ple h a d gr ea t e ffect inincre as in g th e aw e an d deference of h is fo l lowers . H e to okth e ho ly m an u p in to h i s s t rong ho ld of Gibra l fa ro , con su l tedh im on a l l occas ions , an d h u n g o u t h i s w hi te ba nn er on th elof ti est tow er , as a s igna l o f enco ura ge m en t to t h e peo ple o fthe c i ty .

I n t h e m ean t im e , t h e p r im e ch iva l r y of Spa in was g r a du a l ly as sem bl ing before th e wal l s o f M ala ga . Th e a rm y w hic hhad commenced t he s i ege had been wor n ou t by ex t r eme ha r d

sh ips , hav ing had t o cons t r uc t immens e wor ks , t o d ig t r enchesan d mine s , t o m ou n t gu a r d by s ea and l an d , t o pa t r o l e t h em ou nta ins , an d to sus ta in ince ssan t confl ic ts . T h e sovere ignswere obl iged, therefore , to cal l upon var ious dis tant c i t ies , forre in forcem ents of ho rse an d foo t. M a n y nob les , a l so , as sem bled the i r vassa l s and repa i red , o f the i r own accord , to ther oya l camp .

Every l i t t l e whi le , some s ta te ly ga l l ey or ga l l an t ca rave lw ou ld s t and i n to t h e ha r bo ur , d i s p l ay ing t h e we l l - know nbanner o f some Spanish cava l i e r , and thunder ing f rom i t sa r t i l l e ry a sa lu ta t ion to the sovere igns , and a def iance to theM oo rs . O n th e l an d s ide a lso , r e in forcem ents wo uld b e seenw i n d i n g d o w n t h e m o u n t a i n s t o t h e s o u n d of d r u m a n dt r umpe t , and mar ch ing i n to t he camp wi th g l i s t en ing a r ms , a sye t unsu l l i ed by the to i l s o f war .

One mor n ing t he who le s ea was wh i t ened by t he s a i l s , andvexed b y th e oar s o f sh ips an d ga l l eys be ar in g tow ard s th e

po r t . O ne h u n d re d vesse ls o f var iou s k in ds an d s izes a r r ive d ,some armed for war l ike se rv ice , o ther s deep f re igh ted wi thp r ov is ions. A t t h e s ame t ime t he c l angour o f d r um an dt i -umpet bespoke the a r r iva l o f a power fu l fo rce by l and , whichcame pour ing i n l eng then ing co lumns i n to t he camp .

T h i s m igh ty r e in f o r ceme n t was f u r n is hed b y t he D u k e o f





puff ed u p ; and t h e M oo r i s h nec r om ance r s t ood bes ide h im .And he po in t ed ou t t o h im the C hr i s t i an hos t be low encampedon every em inence a ro un d th e c i ty , and cover ing i t s f e r ti l eva l ley , and th e m a n y sh ips f loa t ing upo n th e t r a nq ui l s e a ;

and he bade h im be s t rong of hear t , fo r tha t in a f ew days a l lth i s mighty f l ee t would be sca t t e red by the winds of heaven;and th a t he should sa l ly fo r th , un de r gu ida nce of th e sacredbanner , a t t ack th i s hos t , and u t t e r ly defea t i t , and make spo i lof t h o s e s u m p t u o u s t e n t s ; a n d M a l a g a s h o u l d b e t r i u m p h an t l y r evenged up on h e r a s s a i lan t s . So t h e he a r t o f H a m e twas ha r de ned l i ke t h a t o f Ph a r a oh , and he pe r s i s t ed i n s e t t i n ga t def iance the Catho l ic sovere igns and the i r a rmy of sa in t lywar r i o r s . "

C H A P T E R L X .

S I E G E O F M AL AG A C O N T I N U E D . D E S T R U C T I O N O F A T O W E R B YF R A N C I S C O R A M I R E Z D E M A D R I D .

"SEEING th e in fa tua ted obs t inacy of th e bes ieged , th e Ch r i s t i ansnow app roac hed the i r w orks to the wal l s , ga in ing one po s i t iona f te r ano the r p r e pa r a to r y t o a gene r a l a s s au l t . N ea r t h e b a r r i e r o f th e c i ty was a b r i dg e w i th four a rches , defended a t each

end b y a s t ron g an d lo fty tow er , by whic h a pa r t o f th ea r m y wo u ld hav e t o pas s i n m ak ing a gene r a l a t t ack .T he com man der - in -ch ie f of th e a r t i l l e ry , Eran c i sco R am ire zde M ad r id , w as ord ered to t ak e possess ion of th i s b r i dg e .The approach to i t was per i lous in the ex t reme f rom the expo sed s i tua t ion of th e as sa i l an t s , an d the nu m be r o f M oo rsth a t ga r r i s oned t h e t ower s . E r anc i s co R am i r ez , the r e f o r e ,secre t ly excava ted a m ine l ead in g be ne a th t he f ir st tow er , an dp l aced a p i ece o f o r dnan ce , w i th i t s m ou th upw ar ds , imm ed ia te ly un de r the founda t ion , w i th a t r a in o f po w der to p r oduce an exp los ion a t the necessary moment .

W h e n th i s was a r ran ge d , h e adv ance d s lowly w i th h i s forcesin the f ace of the towers , e rec t ing bu lwarks a t every s t ep , andgr adua l l y ga in ing g r ound , un t i l he a r r i ved nea r t o t he b r i dge .He then p lan ted severa l p ieces o f a r t i l l e ry in h i s works , and•began to b a t t e r th e tow er . T he M oo rs r ep l i ed bra ve ly fromt h e n - b a t t l e m e n t s ; b u t i n t h e h e a t o f t h e c o m b a t t h e p i e c e o f

o r dnan ce un de r t h e f ounda t ion was d i s cha r ged . T he ea j t hwaB r e n t open , a p a r t o f t he t ow er ove r th r own , and s eve r a lof th e M oo rs to rn to p ie ce s ; th e r es t took to f ligh t , over whe lmed wi th t e r r o r a t t h i s t hunde r ing exp los ion bu r s t i ngbenea th t he i r f ee t , and a t beho ld ing t he ea r t h vomi t i ngflames an d s m o k e; fo r nev er before ha d th e y w i tne sse dsuch a s t r a tag em in w ar fa re . Th e Ch r i s t i ans ru sh ed for w ard an d too k possession of th e aban don ed pos t , an d im m e-



T H E C O N Q U E S T O P G B A N A D A . 2 0 7

m erc ha nt , w hose s ta te ly m ans io n w as a t t h e foo t o f th e h i l l o ft h e al cazaba , and t h ey u r ge d h im to s t an d fo r t h a s t he i rl eade r , and t o i n t e r cede wi th Hamet e l Z eg r i f o r a s u r r ende r .Ali D o rd u x wa s a m an of co urage as w el l as po l i c y ; he pe r ce ived a l so th a t h un ge r w as g iv ing bo ld ness to th e c i t i zens ,wh i le h e t ru s t e d i t w as su bd uin g th e fierceness of th e sold iery .H e a r m e d himself, there fore , cap-a-p ie , and under took th i sdange r ous pa r l ey w i th t h e a l cayde . H e a s s oc i a t ed w i th h iman a lf aqu i, n am ed A br a he n A lha r i s , and an im po r t an t i nh a b i t a n t n a m e d A m a r b e n A m a r ; a n d t h e y a s ce n d e d t o t h efor t res s o f G ibra l fa ro , fo llowed b y se vera l o f th e t r e m bl in gm e r c h a n t s .

T h ey f ound H a m e t e l Z eg r i , no t , a s be f o re , s u r r o un de d b y

ferocious gu ard s an d a l l th e im plem ents of w ar , b u t in ach am be r of one of t h e lof ty tow ers , a t a tab le of s ton e co ve redw i th sc ro ll s , an d t r ac ed w i th s t r a ng e cha rac te r s a nd m ys t ic -d i ag r ams , wh i l e i n s t r umen t s o f s i ngu l a r and unknown f o r ml a y a b o u t t h e r o o m . B e s i d e H a m e t e l Z e g r i s to o d t h e p r o phe t i c de r v i s e , who appea r ed t o have been exp l a in ing t o h imth e m ys ter iou s inscr ip t ions of th e scrol ls . H is pre sen ce filledth e c i ti zens w i th awe, fo r even A l i D o rd u x con s idered h i m aman i n s p i r ed .

T he a l f aqu i , Abr ahen Alha r i s , whos e s ac r ed cha r ac t e r gavehim boldness to speak , now l i f t ed up h i s vo ice , and addressedH a m e t e l Z e g r i . " W e imp lo r e yo u , " sa id he s o l emnly , " i nthe name of the mos t power fu l God , no longer to per s i s t in ava in r e s i s tance , w h ich m us t end i n ou r de s t r u c t i o n ; b u t de l iver u p th e c i ty , wh i le c lemency i s y e t to be ob ta ined .T h ink how ma ny o f ou r w ar r i o r s hav e f a ll en by t h e s w o r d ;do no t suf fe r those w ho surv ive to pe r i sh b y famine . O u rwives and ch i ld ren c ry to us fo r b read , and we have none to

g ive t he m . W e s ee t h em exp i r e i n l i nge r ing agony be f o reou r eyes , w hi le th e e ne m y mo cks our m isery , b y d i sp lay ingth e ab un da nc e of h i s cam p. O f w h at ava i l i s ou r defence PA r e ou r wa l l s , pe r ad ve n tu r e , m or e s t r ong t h a n t he wa l ls o fE o n d a ? A r e ou r wa r r i o r s m or e b r a ve t h an t h e de f ende r s o fL o xa ? T h e wa l l s o f E o n d a we r e t h r ow n down , and t he w ar r io r s o f Lo xa h a d to sur ren de r . D o w e ho pe for succour PPr om whence a r e we t o r ece ive i t ? T h e tu ne for ho pe i sgone by . G r an ad a has l o s t i t s po w e r : i t no l onge r pos ses s e s

ch iva l ry , comm and ers , o r a k in g . Bo abd i l s i t s a vassa l in th edegraded , wal l s o f the Alhambra : E l Zaga l i s a fug i t ive , shu tu p w i th in t h e wa l ls o f G uad ix . T he k ingd om i s d iv idedaga ins t itself: i t s s t re n g th i s gone, i t s pr id e fa llen , i t s v er yex i s tence a t an end . I n th e na m e of Al lah , w e con jure th ee ,who a r t ou r cap t a in , be no t ou r d i r e s t enemy; bu t s u r r ende rthes e r u in s o f ou r once ha pp y M alag a , an d de l i ve r u s f r omt h e s e o v e r w h e l m i n g h o r r o r s . "




Suc h w as t he s upp l i ca t ion f o rced f rom th e i nh ab i t a n t s - b ythe ex t rem i ty o f then- suffe rings. H a m e t e l Z eg r i l i s t ened toth e a l faqu i w i thou t an g e r ; f o r he r e s pe c t ed t h e s an c t i t y o fh i s office. H is he ar t , too , w as a t th a t m om en t l if t ed u p w i th

a va in conf idence. " Y e t a few d ay s of pa t ie nc e, " sa id h e ,f t and a l l these ev i l s wi l l suddenly have an end . I have beenconfer r ing w i th th i s ho ly m an , an d f ind th a t th e t im e of ou rde l iveran ce i s a t ha nd . T h e decrees o f f a te a re in ev i ta b l e :i t i s wr i t t en in the book of des t iny , tha t we sha l l s a l ly fo r than d des t r oy t h e cam p o f t h e unbe l i eve r s , and b an qu e t up ontho s e m oun ta in s o f g r a in w h ich a r e p i l ed up i n t h e m ids t o fi t . So Al l ah h a th p r omis ed , b y t h e m ou th of t h i s h i s p r o ph e t .-A llah ac hb a r G od i s g r e a t L e t no m an oppos e t h e dec r ees

.o f Heaven ."T he c it iz ens he a r d w i th p r o f ound r e ve r e nc e ; fo r no t r u eM os l e m p r e t en ds t o s t r ug g l e aga in s t w ha t e ve r i s w r i t t en i nth e book of f a t e . A h D or d ux , wh o ha d come p r e pa r ed t ocham pion t he c i ty , a nd t o b r a ve t h e i r e of H am et , hu m ble dhimse l f before th i s ho ly man; and gave fa i th to h i s p rophec iesa s t h e r eve l a t ions of A l l ah . So t h e depu t i e s r e tu r n ed t o t h ec i t izens , an d ex ho r ted t h e m to be of good cheer . " A fewda ys lon ge r , " sa id the y , " an d our suf fe rings a re to t e rm ina te .

W h e n t h e w h i t e b a n n e r is r e m o v e d fro m t h e t o w e r, t h e n l o o ko u t for del ive rance ; for th e h o u r of sa l ly ing for th w i l l ha vea r r i ve d . " T h e peop l e r e t i r e d t o t he i r hous es w i th s o r r owf u lhe ar t s . Th ey t r i e d in va in to qu ie t th e c r ies o f the i r f amishing ch i l d r en ; an d day b y day , an d ho u r by hou r , t he i r anx iouseyes wer e t u r ned t o t he s ac r ed banne r , wh ich s t i l l con t i nuedto wave on the tower o f Gibra l fa ro .

C H A P T E R L X I I .

H O W H A M E T E L Z E G R I S A L L I E D F O R T H , W I T H T H E S A C R E DBA NN ER , TO ATTACK TH E CHR IS TIAN CAMP.

T H E M o o r i s h n e c r o m a n c e r , " o b s e rv e s t h e w o r t h y F r a y A n ton io A gap ida , " r em ain ed sh u t up in th e tower o f the G ibra l faro , dev i s ing dev i l ish mea ns to w ork m isch ie f and d i scomfitu re up on the Ch r i s t i ans . H e was da i ly con su l ted b y H a m e t

e l Ze gr i , w ho h a d gre a t f a i th in those b lac k an d m agic a r t s ,w h i c h h e h a d b r o u g h t w i t h him f rom the bos om o f h ea the nAfr ica ."

From the account g iven of th i s derv i se and h i s incan ta t ionsb y t h e w or t hy f a the r , i t wo u ld appe a r t h a t he w as an a s t r o loger , a nd w as s tu dy ing th e s t a r s , a nd end eav our in g to ca lcu la te th e da y an d ho u r w he n a success fu l a t t a ck m ig ht bemade upon t he C hr i s t i an camp .

F am in e ha d now increase d to such a degree as to d i s t r es s




even , th e gar r i so n of Gibra l fa ro ; a l th ou gh th e G om eres h a dseized upon a l l the provis ions they could f ind in the c i ty .T h e i r pa s sions w er e s ha r pene d b y hu ng e r ; a nd t h ey b eca m eres t l es s and tu rbu len t , and impat ien t fo r ac t ion .

H a m e t e l Z eg r i w as one day in counc i l w i th h i s cap ta in s ;pe r p l exed b y t h e p r e s s u r e o f even t s , w hen t h e de r v i se en t e r e dam ong th em . " Th e ho ur o f v ic to ry , " exc la imed he , " i s a th a n d A l l a h h a s c o m m a n d e d t h a t t o - m o r r o w m o r n i n g y esha ll sal ly forth to th e f ight. I wi l l bear before you the sacredban ne r , and de li ve r yo u r enemies i n to you r ha nd s . H em em -be r , how eve r , t h a t y e a r e b u t i n s t r um en t s i n t he h an ds o fA l lah , to t a ke veng eanc e on th e enemies o f th e f a ith . G oin to ba t t l e , t he r e f o r e , w i th pu r e he a r t s , f o r g iv ing each o the r

al l pas t of fences ; for those who are .char i table towards eachother wi l l be vic tor ious over the foe ."T h e w ords o f th e derv i se w ere rece ived w i th r a p t ur e . A l l

Gib r a lf a ro and t h e a l cazaba r e s ou nde d imm ed ia t e ly w i th t h ed in of a r ms ; a nd H a m e t s en t t h r o ug ho u t t he t ow er s and f ort if ica t ions of th e c i ty , an d selec ted th e ch oices t t roop s an dmos t d i s t ingu i shed cap ta ins fo r th i s even t fu l combat .

I n t h e m o r n i n g e a r l y , t h e r u m o u r w e n t t h r o u g h o u t t h ec i ty tha t the sacred banner had d i sappeared f rom the town of

Gibra l fa ro , an d a l l M alag a w as rou sed to wi tness th e sa l lyth a t was t o des t r oy t h e unbe l i eve r s . H am e t des cended f romhis s t rongh old , acc om panied b y h i s p r inc ipa l cap ta in , Ab ra -he n Ze ne te , and fo llowed b y h i s G om eres . T h e derv i se l e dth e w ay , d i sp lay ing th e w hi te ba nn er , th e sacred p ledge ofv i c to r y . T he m u l t i t ud e s hou t ed , " A l l ah ac hba r " and p r o s t r a t ed t hems e lves be fo r e t h e ba nn e r a s i t pa s s ed . E v e n t h edreaded Hamet was ha i l ed wi th p ra i ses ; fo r , in the i r hope ofspeedy re l ie f th ro u gh th e p row ess o f h i s a rm , th e pop ulacef o rgo t eve r y th in g bu t h is b r av e r y . E ve r y bos om in M a la gawas ag i t a ted by hope and fear ; the o ld men 4 t he women , andch i ld r en , and a l l w ho w en t n o t f o r t h t o ba t t l e , m ou n te d ontower , and ba t t l emen t , and roof, t o wa t ch a comba t t ha t wasto decide thei r fa te .

Before sa l ly ing for th f rom th e c i ty th e derv i se ad dre ssedthe t r oop s , r em ind ing t he m o f t h e ho ly na tu r e o f t h i s en t e r p r i s e , and w ar n ing t he m no t t o f o r get t h e p r o t ec t i on o f t h e

s ac r ed ba nn e r by an y un w or thy ac t . T h ey wer e t o p r e s sforward , f ighting v a l i an t ly , an d gr an t ing n o qu ar te r . T h ega te was then th rown open , and the derv i se i s sued for th fo l l owed by t h e a r m y . T he y d i r ec t ed t he i r a s s a td t up on t h eencampmen t s o f t he mas t e r o f San t i ago and t he mas t e r o fC a l a t r ava , and came upon t hem s o s udden ly t ha t t hey k i l l eda n d w o u n d e d s e v e ra l o f t h e g u a r d s . A b r a n e n Z e n e t e m a d ehis way in to one of the t en t s , where he behe ld severa l Chr i s t i a n s t r ip l ings ju s t s t a r t in g f rom the i r s lum ber . T h e h ea r t o f

p




t h e M o o r w a s s u d d e n l y t o u c h e d w i t h p i t y fo r t h e i r y o u t h ,or , pe rha ps , h e scorne d th e w eak ness of th e foe . H e sm oteth e m w i th t h e flat, i n s t ead o f t h e edge o f h i s s wo r d . " A w a y ,i m p s , " c ri ed he , " away t o yo u r m o th e r s ; " T h e fana t i e

d e r v i s e r e p r o a c h e d h i m w i t h h i s c l e m e n c y . " I d i d n o t k i llt h e m , " r e p li e d Z e n e t e , " b e c a u s e I s a w n o b e a r d s " *. T h e a l a r m was g iven i n t h e cam p , and t h e C hr i s t i ans r u s h ed

f rom a l l qu ar te r s to defend th e g a tes o f th e bu lw ark s . D o nP e d r o P u e r t o C a r r e r o , s e n io r of M o g u e r , a n d h i s b r o t h e r , D o nAlonzo Pacheco , p lan ted themse lves , wi th the i r fo l lowers , inth e ga t ew ay of t h e en cam pm en t o f t h e m as t e r o f San t i ago ,an d bo r e t h e wh o le b r u n t o f t h e ba t t l e u n t i l t h ey w er e r e in forced . T h e ga te o f th e en ca m pm en t o f th e m as te r o f Ca la -

t r a va w as , i n li ke m ann e r , de f ended b y L or enzo Sau r ez deM en do za . H am et e l Z e g r i was f u ri ous a t be ing t h us checkedw he r e he ha d expec t ed a mi r acu lous v i c to r y . H e l ed h i st r oops r epea t ed ly t o t he a t t ack , hop ing t o f o r ce t he ga t e sbe f o r e s uccour s hou ld a r r i ve . T h ey f ough t w i th vehe m en ta r dour , bu t we r e a s o f t en r epu l s ed , and eve r y t ime t heyr e tu r n ed t o t h e a s s a u l t t h ey f ound t he i r enemies dou b l ed i nnu m b er . T h e Ch r is t ian s op en ed a cross- fi re of a l l k i nd s ofmiss il es f rom th e i r bu lw ark s ; th e M oo rs cou ld e ffec t b u t

l i t tl e dam age up on a f oe t h us p r o t e c t ed be h in d t he i r w or k s ,wh i le th e y them se lves w ere exposed f rom h ea d to foot . T h eChr i s t i ans s ing led ou t the mos t consp icuous cava l i e r s , theg r e a t e r pa r t of w hom w er e e i t he r sl a in o r w ou nde d . S t i l lt h e M o o r s , i n f a t u a t e d b y t h e . p red ic t ions o f t h e p ro ph e t ,foug ht desp era te ly and de voted ly , an d the y w ere fu r ious tor eveng e t h e s l augh t e r of t he i r le ade r s . T h ey r u s h ed up once r t a in dea th , endeav our ing m ad ly t o s cal e t hè bu lw ar k s o rforce the ga tes , and fe l l amids t showers o f dar t s and l ances ,

" f i l l ing the di tches wi th thei r mangled bodies .Hamet e l Z eg r i r aged a long t he f r on t o f t he bu lwar ks ,

s ee ldng an open ing fo r a t t ack . H e gn as hed h i s t e e t h w i thfury as h e saw so m an y of h i s chosen w ar r io r s s l a in a r ou ndhim . H e seemed to hav e a ch arm ed l i f e ; fo r, th ou gh cons tant ly in the hot tes t of the f ight , amids t showers of miss i les ,he s t il l e scaped un in jure d . B l ind ly confid ing in th e p rop he cyof v ic to ry , he con t inued to u r g e on h i s dev oted t roo ps . T h e

derv i se , too , r an l ike a maniac th rough the ranks , waving h i sw h i t e b a n n e r , a n d i n c i t i n g t h e M o o r s b y b o w l i n g s r a t h e rth a n b y sho uts . I n th e m ids t o f h i s fr enzy a s tone f rom aca t ap u l t s t r uck h im on t h e he ad and das hed ou t h i s bew i lde r edb r a r a s . f

" W hen t he M oor s behe ld t he i r p r ophe t s l a i n , and h i s banne r

* Cura de Ios Pa iacio s, c. 84.+ Garibay, lib. xviii, c. 33.




h a d ga ined t he s wa y ove r t he s e im po r t an t f o r tr e s s e s. H enow assoc ia ted h imse l f wi th the a l f aqu i , Abrahen Alhar iz ,an d f ou r o f t h e p r i nc ipa l i n hab i t an t s ; and , f o r ming a p r ov i s iona l ju n t a , th ey se n t he ra ld s to th e Ch r i s t i an sovere igns ,

o f fe r ing to sur render the c i ty on cer ta in t e rms , p ro tec t ing thepe r s ons and p r ope r ty o f t he i nhab i t an t s , pe r mi t t i ng t hem tor e s ide a s m udex a r e s , o r t r i b u t a r y vas sa l s, e i t he r i n M a la ga o re l sewhere .

W h e n t hes e he r a ld s a r r i ved a t t h e cam p , and m ade kno wnthe i r m i ss ion , t he ange r o f F e r d in an d was k ind l ed . " R e t u r nto your f e l low-c i t i zens , " sa id he , " and t e l l them, tha t the dayof grace i s gon e by . T h e y ha ve pe rs is te d in a f rui t less d efence,un t i l t he y a r e d r i ven by neces s it y t o ca p i t u l a t e : t he y m us t

s u r r en de r uncond i t i ona l ly , an d ab ide t h e f a t e o f t he van qu i s h ed .T hos e who m er i t de a th s ha l l su ffe r d e a th ; t hos e wh o m e r i tcap t iv i ty sha l l be made cap t ives . "

M a l a g a ; b u t A h D o r d u x c o m fo rte d t h e m , a n d u n d e r t o o k t ogo in per son , and pr ay for f avourab le t e r m s . W h e n th epeople behe ld th i s g rea t merchant , who was so eminent inthe i r c i ty , de pa r t in g w i th his associa tes on th is m iss ion, th e ypluc ked u p he ar t , for th ey sa id , " Su re ly th e Ch r i s t i an k in gwi l l no t t u r n a dea f ea r t o s uch a m an a s A h D o r d u x "

Fe r d in an d , howeve r , wo u ld no t even adm i t t h e am bas s ad o r sto h is p rese nce . " Sen d them to th e dev i l , " s a id he , in a g re a tpas s ion , t o t h e com m and er o f L e on . " I w i l l no t s ee t h em .L e t the m ge t bac k to the i r c i ty . T he y sha l l a l l su r ren de r tomy mer cy a s vanqu i s hed enemies . " *

To g ive emp has i s to th i s r ep ly , he o rd ered a gen era l d i s charge f rom a l l th e a r t i l l e ry an d ba t t e r i es , an d th er e wa s a

g r ea t s hou t t h r ou gh ou t t h e camp , and a l l t he l om bar ds andca t apu l t s , and o the r eng ines , t hu nd e r e d f u r ious ly up on t h ee i ty , do ing grea t damage .

Al i Dor dux and h i s compan ions r e tu r ned wi th downcas tcountenances , and cou ld scarce make the rep ly of the Chr i s t i an sovere ign be heard for the roar ing of the a r t i l l e ry , thetumbl ing of the wal l s , and the c r i es o f women and ch i ld ren .T h e c it iz ens we r e g r ea t l y a s ton i shed and d i s mayed w he n t h eyf ound t h e l i t tl e r e s pec t pa id t o t he i r m os t em inen t m a n ; b u t

th e war r io r s w ho w ere- in th e c i ty exc la imed , " W h a t has th i sm er c han t t o do w i th ques t ions be tw een m en o f ba t t l e ? L e tus no t a ddre ss t h e en em y as ab jec t supp l ian t s , w ho ha ve nopow er t o i n ju r e ; bu t a s va l i an t m en , w ho hav e w eapons i nt h e i r h a n d s . "

So t h ey d is pa t ched an o the r mes s age t o t h e C hr i s ti an s ove -

the people o f

* Cura de los Palacios, cap. 84 .



T H E C O N Q U E S T 0 E G E A ST A D A. 2 1 3

* Pulgar.

re igns , of fer ing to yie ld up the c i ty , and a l l thei r ef fects ,on condi t ion of be ing secured in th e i r per s ona l l ibe r ty . Sho uldth i s be den i ed , t he y dec l a r ed t h a t t h ey wou ld ha ng fr om th eba t t l em en ts f if teen h u n dr ed Chr i s t i an cap t ives , m ale an df ema le ; t h a t t he y wou ld p u t a l l t he i r o ld m en , t he i r wom ena n d chi ldren, in to th e c i tadel , se t f ire to th e c i ty , an d sal lyfor th sw ord in ha nd , to f ight un t i l th e las t gasp . " I n th isway ," sa id they , " the Spanish sovere igns sha l l ga in a b loodyvic tory , an d th e fal l o f M ala ga be ren ow ne d whi le th e w or lde n d u r e s . "

V ar iou s deba tes no w took p lace in th e C hr i s t i an cam p.Many of the cava l i e r s were exaspera ted aga ins t Malaga fori t s long res i s t ance , which had caused the dea th o f many of

the i r r e la t ions an d favour i t e com panions . I t h ad long be en as t r ongho ld f o r M oor i s h dep r eda to r s , and t he mar t we r e mos tof the war r io r s cap tured in the Axarquia had been exposed int r ium ph , an d so ld to s lavery . Th ey rep rese n ted , m oreov er ,tha t there were many Moor i sh c i t i es ye t to be bes ieged ; andth a t an exam ple ou gh t to be m ad e of M alag a , to p re ve n t a l lob s t ina te r es i s t ance hereaf te r . T he y advi sed , there fore , th a ta l l t h e inha b i t an t s s hou ld be p u t t o t he s w or d *

T he hu m an e he a r t o f I s abe l l a r evo l t ed a t s uch s an gu in a r y

counc i l s . Sh e ins i s ted , th a t the i r t r iu m p h shou ld no t b e d i s gra ced b y c rue l ty . Fe rd ina nd , how ever , w as in flexib le inr e f us ing t o g r an t any p r e l im ina r y t e r m s : i n s i s ti ng on an un cond i t i ona l s u r r end e r . T he peop le o f M a lag a now a ban don edthe m selv es to p arox ysm s of" despa i r . O n th e one s ide , th e ysaw famine an d d e a th ; on th e o ther , s l avery an d cha ins . T h emere men of the sword , who had no fami l i es to p ro tec t , wereloud for s ignal is ing thei r fa l l by some i l lus t r ious act ion. " Letus sacr i f ice our Chr is t ian capt ives , and then des t roy our

selves " c r i ed some. " L e t us p u t a l l th e w om en an d c h i l dren to death , se t f i re to the c i ty , fa l l on the Chr is t ian camp,and d i e s wor d i n hand " c r i ed o the r s .

A l i D or d ux g r adu a l l y m ad e h i s voi ce be he a r d am ids t t h ege ne r a l c l amour . H e add r es s ed h ims e lf t o t he p r i nc ipa l i n ha b i t an t s , and t o t hos e w ho h ad ch i l d r en . " L e t t hos e w hofive b y th e sword d ie by th e sw ord ," c r i ed he ; " b u t l e t usn ot follow th ei r de spe rate counci ls . "Who kn ow s w h at spa rks•of p i ty may be awakened in the bosoms of the Chr i s t i ansovere ig ns , w he n th e y beh old our unof fending wives an ddau gh te r s , and ou r he lp le s s l i t t le on es T he C h r i s t ian que en ,they say, i s fu l l of mercy."

A t t he s e wo r ds t h e he a r t s o f t h e un ha pp y peop l e o f M a la gay e a r n e d o v er t h e i r f a m i l i e s; a n d t h e y e m p o w e r e d A l i D o r d u x




to de l iver u p th e c i ty to th e m erc y of th e Cas t i l i an sover e igns .

T he m er c ha n t no w we n t t o an d fr o, and ha d s eve r a l comm u n i c a t io n s w i t h F e r d i n a n d a n d I s a b e l l a , a n d i n t e r e s t e d

severa l p r inc ipa l cava l ie r s in h i s cause . A n d h e sen t r i ch pr e sen t s to th e t i n g an d quee n , o f o r ien ta l m ercha ndise s , s i lks ,a n d s tuffs of gold , an d jew els , an d precious s to nes , an d spices ,and pe r fumes , and m an y o the r r a r e an d s um ptuo us t h ing s ,w h i c h h e h a d a c c u m u l a t e d i n h i s g r e a t tr a d i n g s w i t h t h e E a s t ;and he gradua l ly found favour in the eyes o f the sovere igns .*•F ind ing tha t there was no th ing to be ob ta ined for the c i ty , henow , l i ke a p r u de n t m an and ab l e m er c han t , beg an t o nego t ia te for h imsel f and his immediate f r iends .

H e rep res en ted tha t , f rom th e f irst, th ey h ad be en des i rouso f y i e ld ing up t h e c i ty ; bu t ha d been p r e ve n t ed by w ar l i kean d h igh - han ded m en , wh o ha d t h r e a t e ne d t he i r five s. H een t r ea t e d , t he r e f o r e , t h a t m er cy m igh t b e ex t en ded t o t he m ,and t ha t t hey migh t no t be con f ounded wi th t he gu i l t y .

T h e s o v er e ig n s h a d a c c e p te d t h e p r e s e n t s of A h D o r d u x :ho w cou ld t h ey t u r n a dea f ea r t o M s pe t i t i o n? So t h eyg r a n t e d a pa r do n t o h im , and t o f o r ty f amil ie s wh ich he n a m e d ;and i t was ag r eed t ha t t hey s hou ld be p r o t ec t ed i n t he i r l i ve s

an d p r op e r ty , and pe r m i t t ed t o r e s ide i n M a lag a a s m ud ex a r e sor M os le m va ssa l s ; an d to fo llow th e i r cus to m ary pu rsu i t s . fA l l t h i s be in g a r r an ged , A h D or d ux de l i ve red up tw en ty o ft h e p r i nc ipa l i nha b i t an t s , t o r em a in a s hos t ages un t i l t h e who lec i ty should be p laced in the possess ion of the Chr i s t i ans .

Don Gru t ie re de Cardenas , s en ior commander o f Leon , nowentered the c i ty , a rmed cap-a-p ie , on horseback , and took pos ses sion , in th e na m e of th e Cas t i l i an sovere igns . H e w as

fo l lowed by h i s r e ta iner s , and by the cap ta ins and cava l i e r s o fth e a rm y ; an d in a l i t t l e w hi le th e s t an da rd s o f th e c ross , an dof th e b les sed San t iago , an d of th e Catho l ic sovere igns , w e ree leva ted on th e p r inc ipa l tow er o f th e a lcazaba . W h e n these-s t anda r ds wer e behe ld f r om the camp , t he queen , and t hepr ince s , an d the l ad ies o f th e co ur t , and a ll the ro ya l r e t in u e ,kn e l t down , and gave t ha nk s and p r a i s e s t o t h e ho ly Vi r g in ,and t o San t i ago , f o r t h i s g r ea t t r i umph o f t he f a i t h ; and t heb i s hops , an d o th e r c l e rgy w ho w er e p r e s en t , and t he cho r i s

t e r s o f t he r oya l chape l , chan t ed Te Deum Imdamus, a n dGloria in excelsis.

* M S . Chron of Va lera.f Cura de los Palacios.




C H A P T E R L X I V ,

F U L F I L M E N T O F T H E P E O P H E C Y O F T H E D E E V I S E . F A T E O F

H A M E T E L Z E G E I .

No s oone r was t he c i t y de l i ve r ed up t han t he wr e t ched i nha b i t an t s imp lo r ed pe r mi s s ion t o pu r chas e b r ead f o r t hems e lvesand t he i r ch i l d r en f r om the heaps o f g r a in wh ich t hey had s ooften ga zed a t wis tfu l ly f rom the i r w al l s . T he i r p ra y er w asgran ted , and they i s sued for th wi th the f amished eagerness o fs ta rv ing m en . I t wa s p i t eou s to beh old the s t rug gles o f the seunhappy peop l e a s t hey con t ended who f i r s t s hou ld have t he i rnecess i t ies re l ieved.

" T h u s , " s a y s t h é p i o u s P r a y A n t o n i o A g a p i d a , " t h u s a r eth e pred ic t ions o f f al se p ro ph e t s som et imes pe rm i t t e d to b ever if ied , b u t a lw ays to th e confus ion of tho se w ho t r u s t inth em ; for th e w ords o f th e M oo r i sh nec rom anc er cam e to -pas s t h a t t h ey s hou ld ea t o f t hos e hea ps o f b r ea d ; bu t t h e ya t e o f th em in hu m i l i a t ion a nd defea t , a nd w i th sor row andb i t t e r nes s o f hea r t . "

D a r k an d fie rce were th e f ee lings o f H a m e t e l Z eg r i as h elook ed do w n from th e cas tl e o f G ibra l fa ro , a nd be he ld th e

C hr i s t i a n leg ions p ou r ing in to t h e c i ty , and th e s t a nd ar d ofth e c ross sup plan t ing th e c rescen t on th e c i t ade l . " T h e pe op leo f M a la ga , " s a id he , " have t r u s t e d t o a m an o f t r ad e , an dhe has t raf f icked them away ; but le t us not suf fer ourselves tobe bound hand and foo t , and de l ivered up as par t o f h i sb a r g a i n . W e h a v e y e t s t r o n g w a l ls a r o u n d u s , a n d t r u s t yweap ons i n ou r ha nd s . L e t u s fight un t i l bu r i ed be ne a th t h elas t tumbl ing tower o f Gibra l fa ro , o r , rush ing down f romam on g i t s r u in s , c a r r y hav oc am ong t h e unbe l i eve r s a s t h ey

th r on g t h e s t r ee t s of M a la ga "The f ierceness of the Gomeres , however , was broken.

T hey cou ld have d i ed i n t he b r each had t he i r ca s t l e beenassa il ed ; b u t th e s low adv ance of f amine su bd ue d th e i rs t r eng th wi thou t r ous ing t he i r pa s s ions , and s apped t he f o r cebo th o f s ou l and bo dy . T he y w er e a lmos t una n im ous f or as u r r e n d e r .

I t was a ha r d s t r agg l e f o r t he p r oud s p i r i t o f Hamet t o bow

i t se l f to ask for t e rm s . S t i l l h e t ru s t ed tha t th e va lo ur o f h i sdefence w ou ld ga in him res pe ct iu th e ey es of a chiva l rous foe ." A l i , " s a id he , " h a s neg o t i a t ed l i ke a m er ch an t ; I w i ll c ap i t u l a t e a s a s o ld i e r. " H e s en t a he r a ld , t he r e f o r e , t o F e r d i nand , o f fe r ing to y ie ld up h i s cas t l e , bu t demanding a separa tet r e a t y . T h e Cas t i l l an sovere ign sen t a l aconic and s te rn rep ly :" H e s ha l l r ece ive no t e r m s b u t s uch a s hav e bee n g r an t ed t ot h e c o m m u n i t y o f M a l a g a . "




W h e n th e c i ty wa s c leansed f rom th e im pu r i t i es an d offens ive odours which had co l l ec ted dur ing the s i ege , the b i shops ,and o ther c le rgy who accompanied the cour t , and the cho i r o fth e roy a l cha pe l , w alke d in p rocess ion to th e p r inc ipa l m osq ue ,wh ich was cons ec r a t ed , and en t i t l ed San t a M ar i a de l a I nca r -nac ion . T h i3 done , t h e k in g and que en en t e r ed t h e c i t y , a c com pan ied by t h e g r a nd ca r d ina l o f S pa in , and t he p r i nc ipa lno bles and cava l ie r s o f th e a rm y, an d he ar d a so lemn m as s .T h e chu r ch was t h en e l eva t ed i n to a ca the d r a l , an d M a la gaw as m ad e a b i s hop r i c , an d m an y o f t h e ne ig hb our in g t ow nsw er e com pr ehend ed i n i t s d iocese . T he que en t ook u p h e rr e s idence i n t h e a l cazaba , i n t h e ap a r tm en t s o f he r v a l i an tt r ea s u r e r , B u y L op ez , wh ence s he ha d a v i ew o f t h e w ho le

c i t y ; bu t t he k ing e s t ab l i s hed h i s qua r t e r s i n t he war r i o rcas t le of Gibral faro .And now came to be cons idered the d i spos i t ion of the

M oo r i s h p r i s one r s . A l l t hos e wh o w er e s t r ange r s i n t h e c i t y ,and had e i t he r t aken r e f uge t he r e , o r had en t e r ed t o de f end i t ,w er e a t once cons id ered s laves. T he y w ere d iv ided in to th re el o t s . O ne w as se t ap ar t for th e se rv ice o f Go d, in r ede em ingcap t i ves f rom bon dag e , e i t he r i n t he k ingdo m o f G r an ad a o rin "Af r ica ; th e second lo t was d iv ided am ong those w ho h ad

aided, e i ther in f ie ld or cabinet , in the present s iege, according•to t he i r r a n k ; t h e t h i r d was app r op r i a t ed t o de f ray , by t h e i rsa le , t he g r ea t expens es i ncu r r ed i n t he r educ t i on o f t he p l ace .A hu nd r e d o f t h e Go m er es wer e s en t a s p r e s en t s t o P o p eI n n o c e n t V I I I , a n d w e r e l e d i n t i ' iu m p h t h r o u g h t h e s t r e e t sof Bo rne , an d a f t e rw ards con ver ted to C hr i s t i an i ty . F i f tyM o o r i s h m a i d e n s w e r e s e n t t o t h e Q u e e n J o a n n a o f N a p l e s ,s i st e r t o K i n g F e r d i n a n d , a n d t h i r t y t o t h e Q u e e n o f P o r t u g a l . I sab e l l a m ad e prese n t s o f o th er s to th e l ad ies o f h e r

household, and of the noble famil ies of Spain .A m o n g t h e i n h a b i t a n t s o f M a l a g a w e r e f o ur h u n d r e d a n d

fifty M oor i s h J e w s , f or t h e m os t p a r t wo m en , s peak ing t h eA r ab i c l angu age , and d r e s s ed i n t he M oor i s h f as h ion . T h es ew er e r an s om ed b y a w ea l t hy J e w o f C as t il e , f a r me r - gene r a lo f t h e r oya l r even ues de r ived f rom th e J e w s o f Spa in . H eag r eed t o m ak e up wi th in a ce r t a in time , t h e s um of t w en tyth ou sa n d doblas o r p i s to les o f go ld ; a l l m on ey an d j ew els o f

t h e cap t ives be ing t ak en i n pay m en t . T h ey w er e s en t t oCas t i l e in two a rmed ga l l eys .A s t o t he g r e a t m as s o f M oor i s h i nhab i t an t s , t h ey imp lo r ed

tha t t hey migh t no t be s ca t t e r ed and s o ld i n to cap t i v i t y , bu tm i g h t b e p e r m i t t e d t o r a n s o m t h e m s e l v e s b y a n a m o u n t p a i dw i t h i n a c e r t a i n t i m e . U p o n t h i s K i n g F e r d i n a n d to o k t h eadv ice of ce r ta in of h is ab les t coun sel lors . T h e y said to him ,i f you ho ld ou t a pr os pe ct of hop eless cap t iv i ty , th e inf idelswi l l th ro w a l l the i r go ld and jew els in to w e l l 3 an d p i t s , an d



T H E C O N Q U E S T O P G E A N A D A . 2 1 9

yo u w i l l lose tk e g re a te r p ar t o f th e sp o i l ; b u t i f yo u fix agene r a l r a t e o f r ans o m , and r ece ive t he i r m one y an d j ewe l s i npay m en t , no th ing wi l l b e des t r oye d . T he k in g r e l i s hedg r ea t l y t h i s ad v i c e ; and i t wa s a r r an ge d t h a t a l l t h e i nh a b i t an t s s hou ld be r ans o m ed a t t he gene r a l r a t e of t h i r t y dob l a s

or p is to les in g old for eac h indiv idua l , ma le o r female^ la rg e orsm al l ; th a t a l l th e i r go ld , j ew els , an d o t he r va lua b les , sho uldbe r ece ived immed ia t e ly , i n pa r t paymen t o f t he gene r a lamoun t ; and t ha t t he r e s idue s hou ld be pa id wi th in e igh tm o n th s ; t ha t , if any o f t h e nu m be r ac tua l ly l iv ing s hou ldd ie in th e in te r im , the i r r an som should nev er the les s bec la imed . If, how ever , th e w ho le o f th e am ou nt w ere no t d i s charged a t the exp i ra t ion of e igh t months , they should a l l becons idered and t reated as s laves .

T he un f o r tuna t e M oor s wer e eage r t o ca t ch a t t he l ea s thope o f f u tu r e l i be r t y , and cons en t ed t o t he s e ha r d cond i t i ons .T he m os t r i go r ous p r ecau t i on s w er e t ak en t o exac t t he m tot h e u t t e r m o s t . T h e in h a b i t a n t s w e r e n u m b e r e d b y h o u s e san d f ami li es , an d t he i r nam es t ak en dow n . T h e i r m os t p r e c ious effects w er e m ad e u p in to pa rce ls , an d se aled a n d ins c ri b e d w i t h t h e i r n a m e s ; a n d t h e y w e r e o r d e r e d t o r e p a i rw i th th e m t o cer ta in l a rge co r ra les o r enc losu res , ad jo in ing

the a l cazaba , wh ich wer e s u r r ounded by h igh wa l l s , and ove r l ooked by wa t ch tower s ; t o wh ich p l aces t he cava lgadas o fChr i s t i an cap t ives had usua l ly been dr iven , to be conf inedun t i l the t im e of sa le , l ike ca t t l e in a ma rk e t . T h e M oo rsw ere ob l iged to l eave the i r house s one b y on e : a l l th e i r m on ey ,neck laces , b race le t s and ankle t s o f go ld , pear l , cora l , and pre c ious s tones , were t aken f rom them a t the th resho ld , and the i rper so ns so r igoro us ly searched , th a t th e y car r i ed off no th in gconcealed.

T hen migh t be s een o ld men and he lp l e s s women , andtender maidens , some of h igh b i r th and gen t le condi t ion , pass i ng t h r ou gh t h e s t r ee t s heav i l y bu r d en ed t ow ar ds t h e a lca-.zaba . A s th e y l e ft th e i r hom es , th ey sm ote the i r b re as t s a ndw r u ng t he i r ha nd s , and r a i s ed t he i r w eep ing eyes t o hea ve nin an gu i s h ; an d t h i s i s r eco r de d a s t he i r p l a i n t : " Oh , M a l aga c i t y r enow ned an d bea u t i f u l w he r e now i s t he s t r en g thof th y cas tl es ? w he re th e g r an de ur o f th y tow ers ? of w h a tava i l hav e be en th y m igh ty wal l s for th e p ro tec t io n of th y

ch i l d r e n B eh o ld t h em d r iven f rom th y p l ea s an t abodes ,doomed to drag out a l i fe of bondage in a foreign land, and tod i e f a r fr om th e hom e o f t he i r i n f an cy W h a t w i l l becom eof t h y o ld m en and m a t r on s , wh en t he i r g r e y ha i r s s ha l l be nolonge r r ev e r e nc ed w ha t w i l l becom e o f t hy ma ide ns , s o de l ica t e ly r ea r ed , and t en de r ly che r i s hed , w he n r edu ced t o ha r dan d m en ia l s e r v i t u de B eho ld , t h y once ha pp y fa ro iliea a r e



•220 H I S T O E Y . O P

s ca t t e r ed a s und e r , neve r aga in t o be u n i t e d Sons a r e s epa r a t ed f r om the i r f a t he r s , hus bands f r om the i r w ives , andte nd er ch i ld ren from the i r m oth ers . Th ey w i l l bew ai l eac ho the r i n f o re ign l a n d s ; b u t t he i r l am en ta t i ons wi l l be t h es co ff o f t he s t r ang e r . O h , M a l ag a c i ty o f ou r b i r t h w ho

ca n be ho ld th y deso la t ion , and no t shed tears o f b i t t e rne ss "*W h e n M a l a g a w a s c o m p l e t e l y s e c u r e d , a d e t a c h m e n t w a s

sen t aga ins t tw o for t r es ses nea r the sea , ca l l ed M ex as an dO s u n a ; w h i c h h a d f re q u e n t l y h a r a s s e d t h e C h r i s ti a n c a m p .T he i nhab i t an t s w er e t h r ea t ene d w i th t he s w or d , un l e s s t h eyi n s t a n t l y s u r r e n d e r e d . T h e y c la im e d t h e s a m e t e r m s t h a th a d b e e n g r a n t e d t o M a l a g a ; i m a g i n i n g t h e m t o b e f r e e d o mof per son , an d secur i ty of p ro pe r ty . T he i r c la im w as g ran ted .T h ey we r e t r ans p o r t e d t o M a lag a w i th a ll t he i r r i ch es ; and ,on a r r i v ing t he r e , w e r e ove r w hehn ed w i th cons t e r na t i on a tf ind ing t hem s e lves cap t i ves . " Fe r d in an d , " obs e r ves F r a yAn ton io Ag ap ida , " was a m an o f h i s w o r d ; t he y w er e s h u tu p in the a lcazaba , wi th th e peop le of M alag a , a nd sha redthe i r f a te . "

T he unhappy cap t i ves r ema ined t hus c r owded i n t he cou r t y a rd s of th e a lcazab a, l ike shee p in a fold , unt i l th ey could b esen t b y sea an d l an d to Sev i ll e . T he y w ere th e n d i s t r ib u ted

ab ou t i n c i t y an d cou n t r y , e ac h C hr i s t i an f ami ly hav ing on eor m ore to f eed and m ain ta in as a se rva n t , un t i l th e t e rmfixed for th e pa ym en t o f th e r es id ue of th e r anso m shou ldexp i re . T he cap tives h ad ob ta ine d permiss ion , th a t s evera lo f t he i r number s hou ld go abou t among t he M oor i s h t owns o fthe k ingdom of Granada , co l l ec t ing con t r ibu t ions to a id in thepu r ch as e o f t he i r l i b e r t i e s ; bu t t he s e t ow ns we r e too m uc himpo ve r i s hed by t h e war , and eng r os s ed b y t he i r own d i s t r es se s to l en d a hs ten ing ear . So th e t im e e xpi red wi tho ut

the res idue of the r ansom be ing pa id ; and a l l the cap t ives o fMalaga , to the number , as some say , o f e leven , and o ther s , o ffifteen tho usa nd , bec am e s lav es " N ev er , " exc la ims th ew or th y F r a y An ton io Ag ap ida , i n one o f h i s u s u a l bu r s t s o f.zea l an d loya l ty , " nev er has the re b ee n recorde d a m or ead r o i t and s agac ious a r r an gem en t t h an t h i s m ade b y t he C a tho l ic m on a r ch , by wh ich he n o t on ly s ecu r ed a l l t h e p r o pe r ty ,and hal f the ransom of these inf idels , but f inal ly got possess i on o f t he i r pe r s ons i n to t h e ba r ga in . T h i s t r u ly m ay be

cons ide red one of th e g re a te s t t r i um ph s of th e p ious an d po l i t icFe r d in an d , and a s r a i s ing h im above t he g ene r a l i t y o f con querors , who have mere ly the va lour to ga in v ic to r ies , bu tl ack t he p r udence and managemen t neces s a r y t o t u r n t hem toa c c o u n t . "

* Pulgar.



T H E C O N Q U E S T O P G B A N A D A . 221

C H A P T E R L X Y I .

H O W K I N G F E B D I N A N D P E B P A E E D TO C A B BY T H E W A B I N T O AD I E F E E E N T P A E T O F T H E T E B B I T O B I E S O F T H E M O O B S.

T H E we s t e r n p a r t o f t he k ing dom o f G r an ad a ha d now be enconque r ed b y t h e C hr i s t ian a r m s . T he s eapo r t o f M a lag awas ca p tu re d ; t h e fie rce and w ar l ike inh ab i tan t s o f th e Se r ran ía de Honda , and the o ther mounta in ho lds o f the f ron t ie r ,were a l l d i sa rmed, and reduced to peacefu l and l abor iousvassa lage . Th e i r ha ug ht y for t res ses , w hich ha d so lon g over awed the va l l eys o f Andalus ia , now d i sp layed the s t andard ofC as t i l e and Ar r agon ; t he wa t ch tower s , wh ich c r owned eve r yhe igh t , and f rom which the in f ide l s had kep t a vu l tu re eye on

th e Ch r i s t ian t e r r i to r i es , w ere now e i ther d i sm ant led or gar r i soned w i th C a tho l ic t r oops . " W h a t s igna l ized and s anc t i fied t h i s g r e a t t r i u m ph , " adds t h e w or th y F r a y An ton io de-

wh ieh eve ryw here app eared . I n eve ry d i rec t ion a rose s t a te lyconv ents a nd m on as te r ies , thos e for t resses of th e fa i th , ga r r i soned b y i t s sp i r i tua l so ld ie ry of m on ks and f r i a rs . T h esacred m elody of Ch r i s t i an be l l s w as aga in h ea rd am on g th emounta ins , ca l l ing to ea r ly mat ins , o r sounding the ange les a tthe so lemn hour o f even ing ."

W hi l e t h i s pa r t o f t he k ing dom was t hu s r educ ed by t h eChr i s t i an sword , the cen t ra l par t , round the c i ty o f Granada ,forming th e he ar t o f the M oor i sh t e r r i to ry , wa s h e ld in v as sa lage of th e Cas t i li an m on arc h b y Bo abdi l , su r na m ed E I

T h a t un for tu na te p r ince los t no occasion, by ac t s o f ho m age ,and b y profes s ions th a t m us t hav e be en fore ign to h i s he ar t ,

to p ro p i t i a te the conqu erors o f h i s co un t ry . N o sooner h a dhe he a r d of t he cap tu r e o f M a laga , t h an h e s en t congr a tu l a t ions to th e Catho l ic sovere igns, accom panied w i th p res en t sof ho rses , r i ch ly capar i soned , fo r the k in g ; an d prec ious c lo thof go ld , an d or ien ta l per fumes , fo r th e qu een . H is con gra tula t ions an d h i s p res en t s w ere r ece ived w i th the u tm os tg r ac ious n es s ; an d t h e s ho r t - s igh t ed p r i nce , l u ll ed by t h ete m po ra ry an d pol i t ic forbeara nce of F er d in an d, fla tteredh imse l f th a t he was sec ur ing th e l as t ing f r iendsh ip of tha t

m o n a r c h .T he po l icy of Bo abdi l ha d i t s t r an s ie n t an d superf ic ial advan t ag es . T he po r t i on o f M oor i s h t e r r i t o r y un de r h i s im m ed ia te swa y ha d a r esp i t e f rom t he ca lam i t ies of w ar . T h ehu sb an dm en cu l t iva ted th e i r lux ur ia n t fie lds in secu r i ty , andth e veg a o f G r an ad a once m or e b lo ss omed l i ke t h e r o s e . T hem er ch an ts ag ain ca r r ied on a gainful t raff ic , an d th e ga tes oft h e c i ty w er e t h r ong ed w i th b eas t s of bu r d en , b r i ng ing t h e

A g a p i d a , " w e r e t h e e m b l e m s

Chico.



T H E C O N Q U E S T O P G R A N A D A . 223

Z aga l . T h e m ou n ta in ba r r i e r s b y w h ich i t was l ocked up ,had pro tec ted i t f rom mos t o f the r avages o f war , and 111Z a g a l p r e p a r e d himself, by s t r en g th en ing eve r y f o r t re s s , t obat t le f iercely for - i t s maintenance.

T he Catho l ic sovere igns saw th a t f resh t roub les an d to i l saw a i t ed t hem . T he w ar ha d t o be ca r r i ed i n to a new qu a r t e r ,demand ing immens e expend i tu r e s ; and new ways and meansm u st be devised, to re ple nish thei r ex ha us ted coffers. " A sth i s was a ho ly wa r , how eve r , " s ays F r a y A n ton io A gap ida ," and pecu l i a rl y r ed ou nd ed t o t h e p r os pe r i t y o f t h e chu r ch ,the c lergy were ful l of zeal , and contr ibuted vas t sums ofm on ey and larg e bod ies of t roo ps . A piou s fund w as a lsopro du ce d f rom th e firs t f ru i t s of th a t g lor ious ins t i tu t ion , t h e

I nqu i s i t i on ." I t s o happ ened , t h a t abo u t t h i s t ime t he r e w er e m a n yfamil ies o f w ea l th an d d ign i ty in th e k ingd om s of A r ra go nan d V alenc ia , and th e p r inc ip a l i ty o f Ca ta lon ia , w hose fore fa ther s h a d b ee n -Jews, b u t ha d bee n con ver ted to Ch r i s t i an i t y . N o tw i th s t a nd ing t h e ou tw ar d p i e ty o f t he s e f ami li es ,i t was surmised , and soon came to be s t rongly suspec ted , tha tm an y o f t h em ha d a s ec r e t hank e r ing a f te r J u d a i s m ; an d i twas even wh i s pe r ed , t ha t s ome o f t hem p r ac t i s ed J ewi s h r i t e s

in p r iva te ." T h e C a t h ol ic m o n a r c h , " c o n ti nu e s A g a p i d a , " h a d a r i g h t

eous ab ho rre nc e of a l l k in ds of he res y, an d a ferv ent zeal forth e fa i th ; H e ordered , there fore , a s t r i c t inves t iga t ion of th econ duc t o f these pseu do-C hr i s t i ans . Inq uis i to r s w ere se n ti n to t he s e p r ov inces f o r t he pu r pos e , who p r oceeded wi ththe i r accus tomed zea l. T he cons equence was , t h a t m an yfamil ies were convicted of apos tacy f rom the Chr is t ian fa i th ,and o f t he p r i va t e p r ac t i ce o f J u da i s m . Som e , who ha dgra ce an d pol icy suffic ient to re form in t im e, w ere aga in re ceived in to t h e C hr i s t ian fold ,, af ter be in g severe ly m ulc ted ,a n d c o n d e m n e d t o h e a v y p e n a n c e ; o t h e r s w e r e b u r n t a t autode fes, for the edi f icat ion of the publ ic ; and then- proper ty-was conf iscated for the good of the s ta te .

" As t hes e Hebr ews wer e o f g r ea t wea l t h , and had a he r e d i t a ry pass ion for j ewel ry , there was found abundant s to re inthei r possess ion of gold and s i lver , of r ings and necklaces , and

s t r in gs o f pea r l , an d cora l, an d prec iou s s tones : t r ea sur eseasy of t r anspor ta t ion , and wonder fu l ly adap ted for the emer genc ies o f wa r . I n th i s w ay ," conc ludes th e p ious A ga pid a ," t he s e • back s l ider s , by th e a l l- see ing con t r ivances o f P ro v i dence , w e r e mad e t o s e r ve t h e r i gh t eou s caus e w h ich t h e yha d s o t r eache r o us ly de s e r t e d ; and t he i r apos t a t e w ea l t h w assanc ti fi ed by be ing dev oted to the se rv ice o f heav en an d th ecrown, in th i s ho ly c rusade aga ins t the in f ide l s . "




I t m u s t be added, however , that these pious f inancia l expedien t s r ece ived some check f rom the in te r fe rence of Q u e e nI s a b e l l a . H e r p e n e t r a t i n g e y e s d is c ov e re d t h a t m a n y e n o r mi t i e s had been commi t t ed unde r co lou r of re l ig ious zeal , an d

many innocent per sons accused by fa l se wi tnesses of apos tae y ,e i t he r t h r ough ma l i ce , or a h o p e of ob t a in ing t he i r wea l t h .S h e cau sed s t r i c t inves t iga t ion , there fore , in to the p r o c e e d i n g s w h i c h h a d b e e n h e l d ; m a n y of w hich w ere rever sed , ands u b o r n e r s p u n i s h e d in p r o p o r t i o n to t he i r gu i l t . " *

C H A P T E R L X V I I .

H O W K I N G F E R D I N A N D I N V A D E D T H E E A S T E R N S I D E O F TH E

K I N G D O M OF G RANADA ; AND HOW H E W A S R E C E I V E D BYE L ZAGAL.

" M T J L E Y A B D A L L A E L Z A G A L , " says th e venerable Jesuitfa ther,

P e d r o A b a r c a , " w a s t h e , m o s t v e n e m o u s M a h o m e t a n in allM o r i s m a ; " and t h e w o r t h y E r a y A n t o n i o A g a p i d a m o s t d e vout ly echoes his opinion. " C e r t a i n l y , " a d d s the l a t t e r ," none eve r oppos ed a m ore he a th en i sh and d iabo l ica l obs t in acyto t he ho ly i n r oads of the c ross an d sw ord ."

E l Zag a l f el t th a t i t was necessa ry to do som eth ing to qu ick en •h i s popu l a r i t y w i th the people ; and t h a t no th ing was more -ef fectual than a successful inroad. The M oo r s l oved thes t i r r ing ca l l to a r m s , and a w i l d f or ay a m o n g t h e m o u n t a i n s ;and de l i gh t ed mor e in a h as ty spoi l, w re s te d w i th h a rd fightingf rom the Chr i s t i ans , than in all the s t eady and cer ta in ga inss e c u r e d by pe ace ful traffic.

T h e r e r e i g n e d at th i s t ime a care les s sec ur i ty a long the-f ron t ie r of J a e n . The a lcaydcs of the Ch r i s t i an fo r t r es ses

were conf iden t of th e f r i endsh ip of B o a b d i l el C h i c o ; a ndthey fanc ied h i s unc le too d i s tan t , and too much engrossed b yhis own perp lex i t i es , to th in k of m o le s t i ng t hem . O n a s udden ,E l Z aga l i s s ued ou t of G-uadix w it h a chos en ban d , pa s s e dr a p i d l y t h r o u g h t h e m o u n t a i n s w h i c h e x t e n d b e h i n d G r a n a d a ,and fel l , l ike a t hunde r bo l t , upon t he t e r r i t o r i e s in t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d of A l c a l á la R e a l .

Before the a la rm could be s p r ead , and the f ron t ie r r ou se d ,h e h a d m a d e a w i d e c a re e r of d e s t r u c ti o n t h r o u g h t h e c o u n t r y ;

s ack ing and bu r n ing v i l l ages , s weep ing off flocks and he r ds ,and ca r r y ing away cap t i ves . The w a r r io r s of the frontiera s s e m b l e d ; b u t El Z ag a l was a l r eady fa r on h i s r e tu r n t h r o ug ht h e m o u n t a i n s ; and he r e - e n t e r e d the g a t e s of G u a d i x int r i u m p h , his a r m y l aden wi th C h r i s t ian s po il , and con duc t i ngan imm en se cav alga da. Su ch wa s one of th e fierce El Z a g a l ' s

* Pulgar, part iii , cap. 100.




r e t r e a t i n g t r oops w i th l oud and t r i um ph an t s hou t s , d r i v in gth e m be f o re h im w i th d r ead fu l hav oc . T h e o ld w ar - c r y o f" E l Z ag a l E l Z ag a l " w as aga in voc i fe r a ted b y t he M oo r s ,an d was re -ech oed w i th t r a ns po r t f rom the wal l s o f th e c i t y .

T h e Ch r i s t ians w ere for a t im e in im m ine nt pe r i l o f a co m p l e t e r o u t ; w h e n f o r tu n a t e l y t h e a d e l a n ta d o of M u r c i a t h r e whimself, wi th a l a rge body of horse and foo t , be tween thepu r s u e r s and t h e pu r s ued , cove r ing t h e r e t r e a t of t he l a t t e r ,and g iv ing t hem t ime t o r a l l y . T he M oor s wer e now a t t acked .

t es t , an d dre w bac k s lowly in to th e c i ty . M a n y v a l i a n tcava li e rs we r e s l a in i n t h e s k i r m i s h ; am ong t h e nu m be r o fwh om was D o n Ph i l i p o f Ar r ag on , m as t e r o f t he ch iva hy o f

Sa in t G eorge of M on teso r . H e w as an i l l eg i timate son of t h ek ing ' s i l l eg i t ima t e b r o the r , Don C ar lo s , and h i s dea th wasg r e a t l y b e w a i l ed b y F e r d i n a n d . H e h a d f o rm e r l y b e e n A r c h bishop of Palermo, but had doffed the cassock for the cui rass Jand ha d t hu s , a cco r d ing t o F r a y A n ton io Ag ap ida , ga ined ag lor ious c rown of mar tyrdom by fa l l ing in th i s ho ly war .

T h e w arm recep t ion of h i s adv ance d gu ard , b y the o ldw a r r i o r E l Z a g a l , b r o u g h t K i n g F e r d i n a n d t o a p a u s e . H e

encam ped on t he ba nks of t h e ne ighb our ing r i ve r Gu ad a l e n t i n ,and began t o cons ide r , whe the r he had ac t ed wi s e ly , i n unde r t ak ing th i s campaign wi th h i s p resen t fo rce . His l a te successesh ad p r ob ab ly r en de r ed h im ove r con fiden t. E l Z a ga l h a daga in schooled h im in to h i s charac te r i s t i c cau t ion . H e sawtha t the o ld war r io r was too formidably ensconced in Baza , tobe d i s l odged by any th ing bu t a power f u l a r my , and ba t t e r i ngar t i l l e ry ; an d he feared , tha t , shou ld he pe r s i s t in h i s invas ion ,some d i sas te r might befa l l h i s a rmy, e i ther f rom the en te rpr i se

of th e foe , or f rom a p es t i lence w hic h pre va i led in v ar io u spar t s o f the count ry .Fe r d inand r e t i r ed t he r e f o r e f r om be f o r e B aza , a s he had on

a former occas ion f rom before Loxa, a l l the wiser for a wholesome les son in war fa re , bu t by no means gra te fu l to those who-h ad g iven i t ; and w i th a s o lemn de t e r m ina t i on t o ha ve h i sr evenge upon h i s t e ache r s .' . He now took measures fo r the secur i ty o f the p laces ga ined

in th i s campaign , p lac ing in them s t rong gar r i sons , wel l a rmed

an d suppl ied , cha rg ing the i r a lcay des to b e v ig i l an t in th e i rosts , an d to g ive no re s t to th e ene m y. T h e wh ole o f th e•ont ie r w as p lace d un de r th e com m and of th e b r av e Luis ,

Fe r n an de z P u e r to C a r r e r o . A s i t was ev iden t , f rom th e w ar l i ke cha r ac t e r o f E l Z aga l , t ha t t he r e wou ld be abundance o fac t ive se rv ice and h a rd fighting, m an y h ida lgos an d yo u n gcava l ie r s , eag er fo r d i s t inc t ion , r em ain ed w i th Pu e r t o C ar r e ro .

Al l t he s e d i s posi ti ons be ing m ade , K in g F e r d in an d c lo s ed '

ove r t he unequa l con -



T H E C O N Q U E S T 0 E G R A N A D A . "227

the dubious campaign of th i s year ; no t , as usua l , by re tu rn ingin t r ium ph , a t t h e hea d of h i s a r m y, to some im po r ta n t c i tyof h i s dom in ions ; b u t b y d i sban din g th e t roops , an d re pa i r in gto pray a t the cross of Caravaea.

C H A P T E R L X V I I I .

H O W T H E M O O E S M A D E V A R I O U S E N T E E P E I S E S A G A I N S T T H EC H R I S T I A N S .

" W H I L E t h e p i o us K i n g F e r d i n a n d , " o b s er v e s F r a y A n t o n i oAg apida , " was hum bl in g h imse l f before th e c ross , and devo ut ly pr ay in g for th e de s t ru ct io n of h is enem ies , th a t fierce

pa ga n, E l Za ga l , dep en din g m er el y on his arm of flesh, an dhis sw ord of s t ee l , pu r su ed h i s d iabo l ica l ou t rage s u po n th eC h r i s t ians . " N o s oone r was t he i nvad ing a r m y d i s banded ,th an E l Z ag a l sa ll ied fo r th from h i s s t rongho ld , and car r i edfire an d swo rd in t o a l l those pa r t s th a t ha d su bm i t t ed to th eSp anish yo ke . T he cas tl e o f N ixa r , be in g care les s ly gu arde d ,was t ak en by surpr i se , and i t s gar r i son pu t to t h e sword . Th eo ld w ar r i o r r ag ed w i th s ang u ina r y f u r y abou t t he who lef ron t ie r , a t t ack ing convoys , s l ay ing , wounding , and making

pr i soners , and coming by surpr i se upon the Chr i s t i ans where-ever they were of f then" guard.The a lcayde of the for t ress of Cal lar , conf iding in the

s t rength of i t s wal ls and towers , and on i t s d i f f icul t s i tuat ion,be ing bu i l t on the summi t o f a lo f ty h i l l , and sur rounded byprec ip ices , ve n tu red to abse n t h im se l f f rom h i s pos t . T h evigi lant El Zagal was suddenly before i t wi th a powerful force .H e s t o r med t h e t ow n , s wor d i n h and , f ough t t h e C hr i s t i ansf rom s t ree t to s t r ee t , and drove them, wi th g rea t s l aughte r , to

th e c i tade l . H e r e a ve t e r a n cap t a in , by t h e nam e o f J u a n deAva los , a g r ey - he aded w ar r i o r , s ca r r ed i n m an y a ba t t l e , a s s ume d t he comm and , and m ade an obs t i na t e de fence . N e i t h e rt h e m u l t i t u de of t he enemy , t h e vehem ence o f t h e i r a t t ac ks ,t h o u g h l e d o n b y t h e t e r r i b l e E l Z a g a l himself, had power t oshake the fo r t i tude of th i s doughty o ld so ld ie r .

T he M oor s unde r mined t he ou t e r wa l l s , and one o f t hetow ers o f th e fo r t r es s , an d m ad e th e i r w ay in to th e ex te r io r

so ur t . T h e a lcayde m an ne d th e tops o f h i s towe rs . ; po ur in gdown mel ted p i t ch , and . shower ing dar t s , a r rows , s tones , anda l l k in d of mis s i les , up on th e as sa il an t s . T h e M oo rs w er edr ive n ou t o f th e co u r t ; bu t , be in g re in forced w i th f r esht roops , r e tu rn ed rep ea ted ly to th e as sau l t . F o r five days thecom ba t was ke p t up . T he C hr i s t i ans w er e ne a r ly ex ha us t e d ;bu t t hey wer e s us t a ined by t he chee r ings o f t he i r s t anch o lda l c ay de ; an d t h e y f ea r ed de a th f rom th e c r ue l E l Z a ga l ,



228 H I S T O R Y 0 1 ?

s hou ld t h ey s u r r e nd e r . A t l eng th , t h e app r oac h o f a po wer f u lforce , u n de r P u e r t o Ca r re ro , r e l i eve d th e m f rom th i s f ea rfu lpe r i l . E l Z a ga l aban don ed t h e a s s a u l t ; b u t s e t fire t o t h etown in h i s r age and d i s appo in tmen t , and r e t i r ed t o h i s s t r ong

hold of Guadix .T h e example o f E l Z a ga l r ous e d h i s adh e r en t s t o ac t i on .T w o bo ld M oor i s h a l caydes, A l i A l t a r an d Y za A l t a r , comm an din g th e fo r tr es ses of A lhe nd en an d Sa lob reña , l a id w as teth e co un t ry o f th e sub jec t s o f Bo abdi l , an d th e p laces w hichha d r ecen t l y s ub m i t t ed t o t he C hr i s t i ans . T he y swe p t off t h ecat t le , car r ied of f capt ives , and harassed the whole of thenewly conquered f ron t ie r .

T h e M oo r s , a ls o, o f A lm er í a , and T ave r na s , an d P u r ch en a ,

made in roads in to Murc ia , and car r i ed f i r e and sword in to i t smos t f e r t i l e r eg ions ; whi le on the oppos i t e f ron t i e r , amongth e w i ld va l l eys a nd ru gg ed recesses o f th e S ie r ra Be rm eja ,o r B e d M o u n t a i n s , m a n y o f t h e M o o r s w h o h a d l a t e ly s u b m i t t e d aga in fled to a rm s . T he M arq uis of Cadiz suppressed ,by t imely v ig i l ance , the r ebe l l ion of the mounta in town ofG au sen , s i tua te on a h i gh peak , a lmos t am ong th e c louds ;b u t o th er s o f th e M oo rs for ti fi ed the m se lves i n rock -bu i l ttowers and cas t l es , inhab i ted so le ly by war r io r s , whence they

car r i ed on a con t inua l w ar o f fo rage an d de pr ed a t io n ; sweep in g su dd en ly dow n int o th e val leys , an d c ar r yin g off flocks,an d her ds , and a l l k in ds o f bo oty to the se eag le ne s t s , towhich i t was per i lous and f ru i t l es s to pursue them.

The wor thy Eray Anton io Agapida c loses h i s s to ry of th i sch eq ue red ye ar in a qu i t e a d i fferen t s t r a in f rom th ose t r i umphan t pe r i ods , w i th wh ich he i s accus tomed t o wind up t hev ic tor ious campaigns of the sovere igns . " Grea t and mighty , "says th is ve ne rab le chronicler , " w ere th e floods an d tem pe s ts ,wh ich p r eva i l ed t h r o ug ho u t t he k ing dom o f C as t il e an d A r -r ag on abo u t t h i s t ime . I t s eemed a s t h ou gh t h e window s o fhea ven w er e aga in opened , and a s econd de luge ove r w he lmingth e face of na tu re . T he c louds bu rs t , a s i t w ere , in ca ta rac t su p o n t h e e a r t h ; t o r r e n t s r u s h e d d o w n f ro m t h e m o u n t a i n s ,overf lowing th e val leys . Bro oks w ere swel led in to r ag in gr iv e r s ; hous es we r e und e r m ined ; m i l ls w e r e s wep t away byth ei r ow n s t rea m s ; th e af f righted she ph erd s saw the i r f locksdro w ned in the m ids t o f the pa s tu re , an d w ere fain to t a kere fuge for the i r l ives in tow ers and h i gh p laces . T h e G ua da l qu iv i r , fo r a t ime , became a roar ing and tumul tuous sea ;inu nd a t in g th e im m ense p la in o f th e Ta blad a , an d filling th efair ci ty of Sevil le with affr ight .

" A va s t b lack c loud mo ved over th e l an d , accom panied b ya hu r r i c ane and a t r em bl ing o f t h e ea r t h . H ou s es we r e u n roofed , the wal l s and ba t t l ements o f fo r t r es ses shaken , and




eng ine . H e m an ne d L is t owe r s w i th h i s b r av es t w a r r i o r s ,w ho r a ined down an i r on s howe r upon t he enemy , a nd h el inked ca ldrons toge ther by s t rong cha ins , and cas t f i r e f romthem, consuming the wooden engines o f the i r as sa i l an t s , and

tho s e wh o m ana ged t hem . T h e s iege wa s p r o t r ac t ed fo r s eve ra l day s . T he b ra ve ry of th e a lcayd e cou ld no t save h i sfor t r es s f rom an overwhelming foe , bu t i t ga ined h im honour ab l e t e r m s . Fe r d in an d pe r m i t t ed t he ga r ri s on and t he i nhab i t an t s to r epa i r wi th the i r e f fec t s to Baza ; and the va l i an tHubee Ada lga r mar ched f o r t h wi th t he r emnan t o f h i s f o r ce ,and took the way to tha t devoted c i ty ,

T he de l ays wh ich had been caus ed t o t he i nvad ing a r my bythese var ious c i r cums tances , had been d i l igen t ly improved by

th e o ld M oor i s h E l Z aga l , wh o f el t t ha t he wa s n ow m ak inghis las t s tand for empire , and that th is campaign woxdd decidewhether he should con t inue a k ing or s ink in to a vassa l .

E l Za ga l w as b u t a few leagu es f rom Ba za, a t th e c i ty ofG uad ix . T h i s l a s t was t he m os t imp or t a n t po in t of h i s r em a in ing t e r r i t o r i e s , be ing a k ind o f bu lwar k be tween t hem and t hehos t i l e c i ty o f Granada , the sea t o f h i s nephew' s power .Though he heard of the t ide o f war , there fore , tha t was co l l ec t ing and ro l l ing towards the c i ty o f Baza , he dared no t goin pe r son to i t s as s i s t ance . H e dread ed th a t shou ld he leaveGaud ix , B oabd i l wou ld a t t ack h im in r ea r wh i l e t he C hr i s t i ana r m y was ba t t l i ng w i th h im in f ron t . E l Z aga l t r u s t ed in t h egr ea t s t r e ng th of Ba za to defy an y v io len t as sau l t s , an d h eprof i t ed by the de lays o f the Chr i s t i an a rmy to supply i t wi tha l l poss ib le m eans of defence. H e sen t th i th er a l l th e t roop sh e cou ld spare f rom h i s gar r i son of G uad ix , an d desp a tche dmis s ives t h r oughou t h i s t e r r i t o r i e s , c a l l i ng upon a l l t r ue M os lems to has ten to Baza, to make a devoted s tand in defence ofth ei r ho m es , th e i r l iber t ies , an d the i r re l ig ion. T h e c i t ies of,T a v e r n a s a n d P u r c h e n a , a n d t h e s u r r o u n d i n g h e i g h t s a n dva l leys , resp on de d to his ord ers , an d sen t for th the i r fightingm en to th e fie ld . T h e roc ky fas tnesses of th e A lpn jar rasreso un de d w i th th e d in o f a rms . Troo ps of ho rse and bodiesof foot soldiers were seen winding down the rugged c l i f fs anddefi les o f those m arb le m ou nta in s , and ha s ten ing tow ard sBa za . M a n y bra ve cava l ie r s o f G ran ad a , a l so , spu rn ing th e

quiet and secur i ty of Chr is t ian vassalage, secret ly lef t the c i ty ,a n d ha s te ne d to jo in th ei r fighting coivntrymen. T he g re atdepe nden ce o f E l Z aga l , howeve r , was upo n t h e va lou r a nd ,loy a l ty of h i s cous in and bro ther - in - law , C id i Y ah ye A lna za rA b en Ze l im , w ho was a lcayde of A lm er ia ; a cava l ie r exper i en ced in wa r fa re an d red ou bta b le in the fie ld . H e w ro te toh im t o leave A lm er ia a nd repah* w i th a l l speed, a t th e hea d ofJois t roo ps , to Ba za . C id i Y ah y e de pa r ted im m edia te ly w i th



T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G H A N A D A . 2 3 1

t e n t hou s an d o f t h e b r av es t M o or s i n t h e k ingd om . T h es ewer e , f o r t he mos t pa r t , ha r dy moun ta inee r s , t emper ed t o s unan d s t o r m, and t r i ed i n m an y a com ba t . N on e equa l l ed t h emfor a sa l ly or a sl r irmish. T he y w ere a dro i t in ex ecu t ing a

tho us an d s t r a t agem s , am bus cades , and evo lu t ions . I m pe tuo usin then- as sau l t s , ye t governed in the i r u tmos t fu ry by a word•or s ign f rom the i r commander , a t the sound of a t rumpetthey would check themse lves in the mids t o f the i r ca reer andwhee l o f f and d i sper se ; and , a t ano ther sound of a t rumpet ,t hey wou ld a s s udden ly r ea s s emble , and r e tu r n t o t he a t t ack .T hey wer e upon t he enemy when l ea s t expec t ed , coming l i kea r u s h ing b l a s t , s p r ead ing havoc and cons t e r na t i on , and t henpas s ing aw ay i n an i n s t a n t ; s o t h a t wh en one r ecove r ed f rom

the shock , and looked a round , behold , no th ing was to be seenor he ar d of th i s t em pe s t o f w ar b u t a c loud of dus t , and th e•c la t t e r o f r e t r ea t ing t roops

W h e n C id i Y ah y e l ed h i s t r a i n o f t en t ho us a nd va l i a n tw ar r io r s in to th e ga te s of Ba za , th e c i ty ru n g w i th acc lama t i ons ; a nd f or a t ime t h e i nha b i t an t s t h ou gh t t hem s e lvesse cu re . E l Z ag al a lso fe l t a g low of conf idence, n ot w i th s tan d in g h i s ow n absence f rom th e c i ty . " C id i Y a h y e ," sa idh e , " i s m y cous in , an d m y bro the r - in - law, r e la te d to me b y

blood an d m arr iag e : h e i s a second self: h a p p y is t h a t m o n a r c hw h o h a s h i s k i n s m e n t o c o m m a n d h is a r m i e s " W i t h a llthese r e in forcements , the gar r i son of Baza amounted to abovetw en ty t ho us a nd m en . T h e r e w er e a t t h i s t ime t h r ee p r i n c ip a l l e a d e r s i n t h e c i t y ; M o h a m m e d b e n H a s s a n , s u m a m e dth e V ete ran , w ho was m i l i t a ry gove rnor , o r a lcayde , an o ldM o or of g re a t exper ienc e and d isc re t ion . T h e second w asHamet Abu Ha l i , who was cap t a in o f t he t r oops s t a t i oned i nt h e p l a c e ; a n d t h e t h i r d w a s H u b e c A d a l g a r , t h e . v a l i a n ta l cayde o f C uxa r , wh o ha d r epa i r ed h i t h e r w i th t h e r em a insof h i s gar r i so n . O ver a ll these C id i Y a h y e exerc ised a sup rem ecommand in consequence of h i s be ing of the b lood roya l , andi n th e spec ial confidence of M ul ey A bd al la E l Za ga l . H ewas e loquent and a rden t in counc i l , and fond of s t r ik ing andsp lendid ach ievements ; bu t he was a l i t t l e p rone to be car r i edaw ay by t h e ex c i t emen t o f t h e m om en t , and t h e w ar m th o fh i s ima gina t ion . T h e counc il s o f w ar o f the se c om m and ers ,there fore , were more f requent ly con t ro l l ed by the op in ions o ft h e o ld a l cayde , M oh am m ed ben H as s a n , f o r wh os e s h r ew dn e ss , c au t ion , an d exper ience , C id i Y a h y e h im se l f f e l t t h egr ea te s t deferenc e. . , -.

The c i ty of Baza was s i tuate in a spacious val ley, e ightl eagues i n l en g th and t h r e e i n b r e ad th , ca ll ed t h e H o y a o fbas in o f B aza . I t w as s u r r ou nd ed b y a r a ng e o f mo un ta in sca l l ed the S ie r ra o f X aba lcoho l , the s t r ea m s of w hich , co l -




l ec t ing themse lves in to two r iver s , wate red and fe r t i l i s ed thecou n t r y . T h e c i t y was bu i l t i n t h e p l a i n ; b u t one p a r t o f i tw as p r o t ec t ed by t h e r o cky p r ecip ice s o f t h e m oun ta in , an dby a power fu l c i t ade l ; the o ther par t was defended by mass ive ,

wal l s , s t ud ded w i th imm ens e t ow er s . I t ha d s ubur b s t ow ar dsth e pla in , imp erfect ly fort if ied b y ea r th en w al ls . I n f ront oft hes e s ubu r bs ex t ended a t r ac t o f o r cha r ds and ga r dens ,near ly a l eague in l eng th , so th ick ly p lan ted as to r esemble aco nt in ue d fores t. H e r e ev ery c i t izen w ho could afford i thad his l i t t le p lanta t ion, and his garden of f rui t , and f lowers ,an d ve ge t ab l e s ; wa t e r ed b y cana l s and r i vu l e t s , and domi n at ed by a sm al l tow er , to se rve for recre at io n or defence.This wi lderness o f g roves and gardens , in te r sec ted in a l l

pa r t s b y cana l s and ru ns o f w ate r , an d s tud de d by above atho us an d sm al l tow ers , fo rmed a k in d of p ro tec t ion to th i ss ide of the c i ty , render ing a l l approach ext remely di f f icul t andperplexed, and af fording cover t to the defenders .

W hi l e t he C hr i s t i an a r my had been de t a ined be f o r e t hef ron t ie r pos t s , th e c i ty o f Ba za ha d be en a scene of h u r r i edan d im r em i t t i ng p r epa r a t i on . A l l t he g r a in o f t he s u r r o und ing va l ley , t ho ug h y e t un r ipe , was has t i l y r eap ed and bo r nein to th e c i ty , to p re ve n t i t f rom y ie ld ing sus ten anc e to th eene m y. T he co un t ry was dra ine d of a l l i t s suppl ies . F lo ck sand herds were d r iven , b lea t ing and be l lowing , in to the ga tes .Long t r a ins o f beas t s o f burden , some laden wi th food , o ther sw i th l ances , da r t s , an d a rm s of a ll k in ds , ke p t pou r ing in toth e plac e . A lre ad y th er e w ere m un i t ion s col lected suff ic ientfor a s iege of f ifteen m o n th s ; y e t s t i l l th e ea ger a nd h a s t yp r ep a r a t i on was go ing on w hen t h e a r m y o f Fe r d ina nd ca m ein s igh t . O n one s ide m ig ht b e seen sca t tere d pa r t ies of foota n d h o r s e s p u r r i n g t o t h e g a t e s ; a n d m u l e t e e r s , h u r r y i n gforward the i r burdened an imals , a l l anx ious to ge t undershe l t e r before th e ^ga ther ing s to rm . O n the o the r side th ec loud of war came sweeping down the va l l ey ; the ro l l o fdr um , or c lang of t rum pe t , r eso un ding occas iona l ly f rom i t sde ep bosom , or th e b r ig h t g lanc e of arm s flashing for th l ikev iv id l i gh tn ing fr om i ts co lumns . K in g Fe r d ina nd p i t ch edh i s t en t s i n t he va l l ey , beyond t he g r een l aby r in th o f ga r dens -He s en t h i s he r a ld s t o s ummon the c i t y t o s u r r ende r , p r o mis ing the mos t f avourab le t e rms , in case o f immedia te compl iance , and avowing , in the mos t so lemn te rms , h i s r eso lu t ionnever to abandon the s i ege un t i l ho had possess ion of thep lace .

Upon r ece iv ing t h i s s ummons t he M oor i s h commander sh e l d a counc il o f w a r . T h e p r i nce C id i Y ah ye , i nd ign an t a tth e m ena ce of th e k ing , was fo r r e to r t in g b y a dec la ra t ionth a t th e ga r r i son nev er w ould su r re nd er , b u t w ou ld fight



THE CONQUEST O F GRANADA. 233

C H A P T E R L X X .

THE BATTLE O F T H E G A E D E N S B E F O E E BAZA.

W H E N t he r ep ly o f t h e M oor i s h comm ander s was b r o ug h t t oK in g Fe r d in an d , he p r e pa r ed t o p r e s s t h e s i ege w i th t he u t m os t r igou r . F in d in g th e cam p too fa r f rom t h e c i ty , an dthat the in tervening orchards af forded shel ter for the sa l l ies oft he M oo r s , he de t e r m ined t o advanc e i t bey on d t h e ga r d ens ,i n t h e s pace be tw een t he m and t he s ubu r b s , w he r e h i s ba t t e r i es w ould hav e ful l p lay up on th e c i ty wa l l s . A d e ta ch m en twas sen t in advance , to t ake possess ion of the gardens , and to

keep a check upon the suburbs , oppos ing any sa l ly , whi le theen cam pm en t should be fo rmed an d fort if ied . T he v ar iouscom m ande rs en te r ed th e o rch ards a t d i ff e ren t po in t s . T h eyoung cava l i e r s marched fear les s ly fo rward , bu t the exper ien ced ve tera ns foresaw inf ini te per i l m t h e m aze s of th is ve r da n t l ab yr i n th . T he m as te r o f S t J ag o , as h e l ed h i s troopsin to th e cen t re o f th e ga rden s , exh or ted the m to kee p by oneanother , and to press forward, in defiance of al l diff icul ty orda ng e r ; a s s u r ing t he m th a t G od wou ld g ive t h em the v i c to r y ,

i f . they a t t acked hard i ly and per s i s t ed reso lu te ly .Sca r ce ly had t hey en t e r ed t he ve r ge o f t he o r cha r ds , when

a d in o f d r u m s and t r u m pe t s , m ing l ed w i th war - c r i e s, w e r eheard f rom the suburbs , and a l eg ion of Moor i sh war r io r s onfoo t po ure d for th . Th ey we re l ed on b y th e P r in ce C id i Y a h y e .He saw the imminent danger o f the c i ty , should the Chr i s t ians gain possess ion of th e orc ha rd s . " So ldie rs ," he cr ied," w e f ight for li fe an d l ib er ty , for ou r fam il ies , o ur co u nt ry ,

ou r re l ig ion :* no th in g is lef t for us to de pe nd up on b u t th es t reng th of our hands , the courage of our hear t s , and thea lm igh ty p r o t ec t i on of A l l a h " T h e M oor s ans w er ed h imw i th shou ts of wa r , an d rus he d tp th e enc oun te r . T he tw ohos t s m et in th e m iddle o f th e ga rde ns . A chance m ed ley

* " llli Mauri pro .fortunis, pro liberfcate, pro laribus patriciis, pro vita

denique certabant. —Petri Martyr. Ep ist. 7 0.

•until bu r ie d u n d e r th e ru in s of th e w al ls . " G f w h a t ava i l , 's a id th e ve te ra n M oh am m ed , " i s a de c la ra t ion of th e k in d ,w hich w e m ay fals ify b y our deeds P L e t u s t h r e a t e n w h a twe kno w we can pe r f o r m ; and l e t u s endeavour t o pe r f o r mm or e t ha n we t h r ea t en . " I n con fo r mi ty t o t h e adv i ce o f

M oha m m ed be n H as s an , t he r e f o re , a la con ic r ep ly was s en tto th e Ch r i s t i an m on arch , th an ki ng h im for h i s o ffer o tf avourab l e t e r m s , b u t i n fo r ming h im th a t t he y we r e p l aced i nthe c i ty to defend, not to sur render i t .



H I S T 0 E Y O F

combat ensued , wi th l ances , a rquebuses , c ross -bows , and c ime-t e r s . T he pe r p l ex ed n a t u r e o f t h e g r ound , cu t up and i n t e r sec ted by cana l s and s t r eams , the c loseness o f the t r ees , themul t ip l i c i ty o f towers and pe t ty ed i f i ces , gave grea te r advan

t age s t o t h e M o or s , w ho w er e on f oo t, t h an t o t h e C h r i s t i ans ,w h o w e r e o n h o r s e b a c k . T h e M o o r s , t o o, k n e w t h e g r o u n d ;a l l i t s a l l eys an d passes ; an d w he re th us ena b led to lu rk , tos a l l y f o r t h , t o a t t ack and r e t r ea t , a lmos t w i thou t i n ju r y .

T he C hr i s t i an com m ander s , s ee ing t h i s , o r de r ed m an y o fth e ho rsem en to d i sm ount , an d fight on foo t. Th e ba t t l e th enbecame f ierce and deadly , each dis regarding his own l i fe , prov id ed h e cou ld s l ay h i s ene m y. I t wa s no t so m uc h a ge ne ra lba t t l e , as a m ul t i tu de of pe t ty ac t ions ; fo r eve ry orc ha rd an d

g a rd e n had i t s d i s t inc t con tes t . N o one cou ld see f a r the r th a nth e l i t t l e s cene of fu ry an d b loodsh ed a r ou nd h im , o r kn ewho w th e ge ner a l ba t t l e f a red . I n va in th e cap ta ins ex er tedth e i r vo ices ; in va in th e t ru m pe ts b ra y ed for th s igna l s a u dco m m an d s : a l l was con founded and un he a r d i n t h e un ive r s a l,d in an d u p r o a r ; no one ke p t t o h i s s t and a r d , b u t f ough t a shis own fury or fear d ic ta ted.

I n s ome p l aces , t h e C hr i s ti ans ha d t h e ad va n t a g e ; i no t he r s , t h e M oo r s . Of t en a v i c to r i ous pa r ty , pu r s u ing t h evan qu i s h ed , cam e upo n a s upe r io r an d t r i u m ph an t fo rce o ft h e enem y , and t he f ugi ti ve s t u r n e d back up on t h em in ano v e r w h e l m i n g w a v e . S o m e b r o k e n r e m n a n t s , i n t h e i r t e r r o ra n d confus ion , f led f rom the i r ow n co un t rym en , an d sou gh tre fuge among the i r enemies , no t knowing f r i end f rom foe inthe obs cu r i t y o f t he g r oves . T h e M oor s w er e m or e ad r o i t i nth es e w i ld sk i rm ishin gs , f rom th ei r flexibility , l igh tne ss , an dag i l i t y , and t he . r ap id i t y w i th w h ich t he y wo u ld d i s pe r s e ,r a l l y , and . r e tu r n aga in t o t he cha r ge .*

T h e ha rd es t fighting w as ab ou t th e sm al l ga rde n tow ers an dpav i l i ons , w h ich s e r ved a s so m an y pe t t y f o r tr e s s e s. E a c hpar ty by tu rns ga ined them, defended them f ie rce ly , and weredr iv en ou t . M a n y of the tow ers w ere se t on fire , an d in c reased the hor ror s o f the f igh t , by the wrea ths o f smoke andf lame i n w h ich t he y w r app ed t h e g r oves , an d b y t h e s h r i ekso f t hos e who wer e bu r n ing .

Sev era l o f th e Ch r i s t i an cava l i e r s, bew i ldere d b y th e u p

ro a r an d confusion , an d shock ed a t th e c arna ge w hich pre va i l ed , w ou ld hav e l ed t he i r m en ou t -o f t h e ac t i on ; b u t t h eyw er e en t an g l ed i n a l aby r in th , and kn ew no t w h ich wa y t or e t r ea t . W h i l e i n t h i s pe r p l ex i t y , t h e s t and a r d - b ea r e r o f oneo f t h e s qua d r on s o f t h e g r an d ca r d ina l ha d h i s a r m ca r r i edo f f by a cannon ba l l ; t he s t anda r d was we l l n igh f a l l i ng i n to

* Mariana, lib. xxv, cap. 13.




•among th e g rov es , b y f resh squ ad ron s of the en em y ; and ,a f t e r d i spu t ing the g round inch by inch , ob l iged to r e t i r e to ap l ace be tween t he o r cha r ds and t he s ubu r bs , wh ich was f o r t i f i ed wi th pa l i sadoes .

T he C hr i s t i ans immed ia t e ly p l an t ed oppos ing pa l i s adoes ,and e s t ab l i s hed s t r ong ou tpos t s nea r t o t he r e t r ea t o f t héM o o r s ; w h i l e , a t t h e s a m e t i m e , K i n g F e r d i n a n d o r d e r e dth a t h i s enca m pm en t s hou ld be p i t ch ed w i th in t h e ha r d w ono r c h a r d s .

M ohammed ben Has s an s a l l i ed f o r t h t o t he a id o f t hePr ince C id i Yahye , and made a des pe r a t e a t t emp t t o d i s l odgeth e ene m y f rom th i s fo rmidable pos i t ion ; b u t th e n i gh t h a dc losed , and the darkness r endered i t imposs ib le to make any

impr es s ion . T he M oo r s , how eve r , kep t u p cons t an t a s s au l t sand a l a r ms t h r o ug ho u t t h e n igh t , a nd t h e w ea r y C hr i s t i ans ,ex ha us te d by th e to i ls and suf fe r ings o f th e da y , we re no ta l l owed a momen t o f r epos e .*

C H A P T E R L X X I .

S I E G E O F BAZA. EMBARR ASSMENT O F T H E ARMY.

T H E m or n in g sun ro se up on a p i t eou s scene before th e w al l so f B aza . T he C hr i s t i an ou tpos t s , ha r a s s ed t h r o ug ho u t t h en igh t , we r e pa l e and ha g g a r d ; wh i l e t he m u l t i t u de o f sl a in ,w hic h lay before then- pal isadoe s , show ed th e fierce a t tac ksthey had sus ta ined , and the b ravery of the i r defence .

B eyond t hem l ay t he g r oves and ga r dens o f B aza ; onceth e favour i t e r eso r t s for r e c rea t ion an d de l igh t , no w a sceneof ho r ro r an d deso la t ion . Th e tow ers an d pav i l ions w er e

s mo k ing r u in s ; t h e cana ls and wa t e r - cou r s e s w er e d i s co lou r edw i th b lood , and choked w i th t he bod i e s of t h e s la i n. H e r eand t he r e t he g r ound , deep d in t ed wi th t he t r amp o f man ands t eed , and p l a s hed and s l i ppe r y wi th go r e , s howed wher ethere had been some f i e rce and mor ta l conf l i c t ; whi le thebodies o f Moors and Chr i s t i ans , ghas t ly in dea th , l ay ha l fconcea led among the mat ted and t r ampled shrubs , and f lowers , ,a n d h e r b a g e .

Amids t t he s angu ina r y s cenes a r os e t he C hr i s t i an t en t s .W hich ha d bee n has t i l y p i t ched am ong t he ga r de ns in t h ep r ece d ing even ing . T he expe r ience of t h e n igh t , ho w eve r ,and the fo r lo rn aspec t o f every th ing in the morn ing , convincedK in g Fe r d in an d o f t h e pe r i ls an d ha r ds h ips t o w h ich h i scam p m us t be exposed in i t s p res en t s i tu a t i on ; and , a f t e r a

* Pulgar, part in , cap . 10 6 , 1 07 . Cuia de los Palacios, cap. 82 . Zuvita,l ib. xx, cap. 81.




consu l ta t ion wi th h i s p r inc ipa l cava l i e r s , he r eso lved toa b a n d o n t h e o r c h a r d s .

I t was a dang e r ous m ove m en t t o ex t r i ca t e h i s a r m y fr omso entangled a s i tuat ion, in the face of so a ler t and dar ing anenem y. A bo ld f ron t w as there fo re ke p t u p tow ard s th e c i ty .Add i t i ona l t r oops wer e o r de r ed t o t he advanced pos t s , andwo rks be gu n , as i f fo r a se t t l ed en cam pm ent . N o t a t en tw a s s t ru c k i n t h e g a r d e n s ; b u t i n t h e m e a n t i m e t h e m o s tac ti ve and u n r em i t tm g exe r t i ons we r e m ad e t o r emo ve backa ll the bagg ag e and furn i tu re o f th e cam p to th e o r ig ina l s t a t ion .

Al l day th e M oo rs beh e ld a fo rmidable show of wa r m ain ta in ed in f ront of th e ga rd en s ; w hi le iu th e rea r , th e top s ofthe Ch r i s t i an t e n t s , an d th e pen no ns of th e d i ffe ren t com

m and e r s , we r e s een r i s i ng above t h e g r oves . Sud den ly , t o wards even ing , the t en t s sunk and d i sappeared ; the ou tpos t sbroke up the i r s t a t ions and wi thdrew ; and the whole shadowof an encampment was fas t van i sh ing f rom the i r eyes .

T he M oor s aw, t oo l a t e , t he s ub t l e manœuvr e o f K ingFe rd i na nd . C id i Y a h y e aga in sa l li ed fo r th , w i th a l a rge fo rceof horse and foo t , and pres sed fur ious ly upon the Chr i s t i ans .The l a t t e r , however , exper ienced in Moor i sh a t t ack , r e t i r ed in c lose o rd er : som et imes tu rn in g up on th e ene m y, an d dr iv ing

them to t he i r ba r ri cadoes , and t he n p u r s u ing t he i r r e t r ea t .I n t h i s wa y t h e a r m y wa s ex t r i ca t ed , w i thou t m uc h f u r t he rloss, f rom th e pe ri l ous l ab y r in t h o f t h e ga r d ens . T he cam pwas no w ou t of da ng er , b u t i t w as , a lso , too dis tan t f rom th eci ty to do mischief; w hi le the M oo rs cou ld sa l ly fo r th , an dre tur n , w i th ou t h in dra nc e . T h e k in g ca l led a coun c i l o f w ar ,to cons ider in what manner to p roceed . The Marquis o f Cadizwas for abandoning the s i ege for the p resen t ; the p lace be ingtoo s t rong , too we l l gar r i so ned and pro v ide d , an d too ex ten

sive, to be e i the r ca r r i ed b y as sau l t , an d red uce d b y famine ,or inve s ted b y the i r lim i ted forces : wh i le , in Kng er ing beforei t , the a rmy would be exposed to the usua l malad ies andsuffer ings of bes ieg ing enem ies ; an d, w he n th e ra in y seasoncame on , would be shu t up by the swel l ing of the two r iver s .H e r ecomm ended , in s t ead , t ha t t h e k in g s hou ld t h r o w ga r r i sonsof horse an d foo t in to a l l th e tow ns ca p tu red in the ne igh bo ur hood ; and l eave t hem to keep up a p r eda to r y war upon B aza ,whi le he should over run and ravage a l l the count ry ; so tha t ,

in th e fo llowing y ear , A lm er ia an d G uad ix , h av ing a l l th e i rsub jec t tow ns an d t e r r i to r i e s t ak en f rom th em , m ig ht be s t a r ve dinto submiss ion.

D on G u t i e r e de C a r ned as , s en io r com m ander o f L a r a , onthe o the r hand , ma in t a ined , t ha t t o abandon t he s i ege wou ldbe con s t rued b y th e en em y in to a s ign of w eak ness an d i r r e so lu tion . I t w ou ld g ive new sp i r i t s to th e pa r t i s an s o f E l



238 H I S T O R Y O B

Z a g a l ; and wou ld ga in t o L is' s t an da r d m an y of t h e w ave r ingsubjects of Boahdi l , i f i t d id not encourage the f ickle populaceo f G r an ad a t o open r ebe ll ion . H e adv i s ed , t he r e f o r e , t h a tthe s i ege should be prosecu ted wi th v igour .

T he p r i de of Fe r d in an d p l eaded in f avour o f t h e la s t o p in ion ;for i t w ould be d ou bly hu m i l i a t ing aga in to r e tu rn f rom acamp a ign in t h i s pa r t of t h e M oo r i s h k ingdom , wi tho u t s t r i k in ga b low . B u t w he n h e re f lec ted on a l l th a t h i s a r m y h a dsuffered, an d on a l l th a t th e y m u st s t i ll suffer , sho uld t h esiege co ntin ue , espec ial ly from t h e difficul ty of ob ta in in g are gu la r sup ply of p rovis ions for so nu m er ou s a ho s t , across ag r ea t ex t en t o f r ug ge d a nd m oun ta inous cou n t r y , he de t e r m ine d t o c onsu l t t h e sa fe ty o f h i s people , an d to ad op t th e

advice o f the Marquis o f Cadiz ."When th e so ld ie ry he ar d th a t t h e k in g wa s ab ou t to r a i se 'the s i ege , in mere cons idera t ion for the i r suf fe r ings , they werefilled w i th gen erou s en th us ia sm ; an d en t rea ted , as w i th o n evoice , th a t th e s iege m igh t n ev er be ab an do ne d un t i l the c i tys u r r e n d e r e d .

Perp lexed by conf l i c t ing counc i l s , the k ing despa tchedmes s enge r s t o t he queen , a t J aen , r eques t i ng he r adv i ce -P os t s ha d b een s t a t i oned be tw een t he m in s uc h m ann e r , t ha t ,

mis s ives f rom the camp could reach the queen wi t l i in t enh o u r s . I sab e l l a sen t ins ta n t ly he r r ep ly . She l e ft th e po l icyof r a i s ing , o r con t inu ing th e si ege , to th e dec i sion of the k in gan d h i s ca p t a in s ; b u t s hou ld t he y d e t e r mine t o pe r s eve r e , s hep l e d g e d herself, w i th the a id o f Go d, to fo rward th e m m en ,money , p rov i s ions , and a l l o ther suppl ies , un t i l the c i ty shouldbe t aken .

T he r ep ly o f t he queen de t e r mined Fe r d inand t o pe r s eve r e pan d w hen h i s de t e r m ina t i on was m ad e kn ow n to t he a r m y , i tw as h ai le d w i th as m u ch jo y as i f i t ha d be en t id ing s of a>vic tory .

C H A P T E R L X 2 I I .

S IE G E O E BA ZA C O N T I N U E D . H O W K I N G F E R D I N A N D C O M P L E T E L Y I N V E S T E D T H E C I T Y .

T H E Moor i sh pr ince , C id i Tahye , had rece ived in te l l igence of1

th e do ub ts and discuss ions in th e Ch r is t ian cam p, an d fla tteredh imse l f wi th hopes tha t the bes ieg ing a rmy would soon re t i r e -i n d e s p a i r ; t h o u g h t h e v e t e r a n a l c a y d e , M o h a m m e d , s h o o kh i s he ad w i th i nc r edu h ty a t t h e s ugges t ion . A s udd en m ove ment nex t morn ing in the Chr i s t i an camp seemed to conf i rm,th e s angu ine hopes of t h e p r i nce . T he t en t s w er e s t r uck ,t he a r t i l l e r y and baggage wer e conveyed away , and bod i e s o fs o ld ie r s be gan t o m ar c h a long t h e va l l ey . T h e m o m e n ta r y




gleam of t r i um ph w as soon d i spe l led . T h e Catho l ic k i ng ha dmere ly d iv ided h i s hos t in to two camps , the more e f fec tua l lyto d i s t res s th e c i ty . O ne , cons i s t ing of four tho us an d h o rs e ,and e igh t th ou sa nd foo t, w i th a ll th e a r t i l l e ry and b a t t e r i n g

engines , took po s t o n th e s ide o f th e c i ty tow ard s th e m ou nta in .This w as c om m and ed b y th e va l i an t M ar q ui s o f Cadiz , wi th ,w h o m w e r e D o n A l o n z o d e A g u i la r , L u i s F e r n a n d e z P u e r t oCar re ro , and many o ther d i s t ingu i shed cava l i e r s .

T h e o t h e r c a m p w a s c o m m a n d e d b y t h e k i n g : h a v i n g s i xtho usa nd horse an d a g re a t ho s t o f foo t so ld ie rs , the h a rd ymounta ineer s o f B iscay , Guipuscoa , Gal l i c ia , and the As tur ias^Am ong th e cava li er s wh o w er e w i th t h e k in g w er e t h e b r a v eC o u n t d e T e n d i ll a , D o n E o d r i g o d e M e n d o z a , a n d D o n A l o n z o

de C a r den as , m as t e r o f San t i ago . T h e tw o camps w er e w id easunder , on oppos i t e s ides o f the c i ty ; and be tween them laythe t h i ck wi lde r nes s o f o r cha r d s . B o th camps w er e t he r e f o r efor ti fi ed by gre a t t r en ch es , b rea s t -w ork s , an d pa l i sadoes . T h eve t e r an M oh am m ed , a s h e s aw thes e two fo r midab le cam ps ,gh t te r ing on each s ide o f the c i ty , and no ted the wel l -knownpenn ons of r en ow ned com m and ers flu tte ring abov e th em ,s ti ll com for ted h i s com panions . " Th ese cam ps ," sa id h e ," a re too fa r r emoved f rom each o ther fo r mutua l succour and

co-opera t ion ; and the fo res t o f o rchards i s a gu l f be tweenthe m ." This conso la tion w as b u t of shor t con t inuanc e . Sca rce lywere the Chr i s t i an camps for t i f i ed , when the ear s o f theM oor i s h ga r r i s on w er e s t a r t l ed b y t he s ound o f i nn um er a b l eaxes , and th e c rash of f a ll ing t r ees . T he y looked w i th anx ie tyf rom the i r h igh es t t o w e rs ; a nd , behold , the i r f avoui te g rov eswe re s ink ing be ne a th the b lows of th e C hr i s t i an p ion eers '•T he M oo rs sa l l ied for th w i th f iery zeal to pr ote ct the i r be lov edga r dens , and t h e o r cha r ds i n wh ich t he y s o m uc h de l i gh t ed .Th e C hr i s t i ans , how ever , w ere too w el l sup po r ted to b e d r iv enf rom the i r wo r k . D ay a f te r day , t h e ga r dens becam e t h escene of incessa n t an d b loody sk i rm ish ings . S t i l l th e dev as t a t i on of t he g r oves w en t o n ; fo r K i n g F e r d i na nd was t oowel l aware o f the necess i ty o f c lea r ing away the sc reen ofwoods , no t to be nd a l l h i s fo rces to th e u nd er ta k in g . I t 'w a sa w ork , howev er , o f g iga n t ic to i l an d pa t i enc e . T h e t r e eswere of such magni tude , and so c lose ly se t toge ther , andspread over so wide an ex ten t , tha t , no twi ths tand ing ' fourthousand men were employed , they cou ld scarce ly c lear a s t r ipo f l and t en paces b r oa d , w i th in a d a y : and s uch w er e t h ein t e r r up t i ons , f r om the i nces s an t a s s au l t s o f t he M oor s , t ha ti t was fu ll fo r ty day s before t h e o rch ard s w ere co m ple te lylevelled.

T he dev oted c i ty o f Ba za now lay s t r ippe d of i t s bea u t i fu lcover ing of g rove s and ga rde ns , a t once i t s o r na m en t , i t s




del igh t , an d i t s p ro tec t ion . T h e bes ieger s w en t on s lowly an dsure ly , w i th a lmo s t incred ib le l abo urs , to inv es t an d i so la tethe c i ty . They connec ted the i r camps by a deep t r ench acrossthe p l a in , a l e ague i n l en g th , i n to w h ich t h e y d ive r t ed t he .

w a t e r s o f t h e m ou n ta in s t r eam s . T he y p r o t e c t ed t h i s t r e nc hby pal isadoes , for t i f ied by f i f teen cas t les , a t regular d is tances .They dug a deep t r ench a l so , two leagues in l eng th , ac ross themounta in , in the r ear o f the c i ty , r each ing f rom camp to camp,and for t i f ied i t on each s ide wi th wal ls of ear th and s tone, andwood. Thus the Moors were enc losed on a l l s ides by t r enches ,pa l i sadoes , wa l l s, an d ca s t l e s ; so th a t i t w as imposs ib le fo rth em to sa lly bey on d th i s g rea t l ine o f c i r cumv al la t ion , n o rcou ld an y f or ce en t e r t o t he i r s uccour . Fe r d in an d m ade an

a t t empt l ikewise to cu t o f f the supply of wate r f rom the c i ty :" for w ate r , " observes th e w or thy A gap ida , " i s m or e nece s sa ry to the se in fide l s th a n b re a d ; as th ey m ak e use o f i t inrepea ted da i ly ab lu t ions , en jo ined by the i r damnable r e l ig ion ,and employ i t i n ba th s , and i n a t hous and o the r i d l e and ex t r avagan t modes , o f wh ich we Span i a r ds and C hr i s t i ans makebut l i t t l e account . "

T he r e wa s a nob l e f oun t a in o f pu r e w a t e r , wh ich gu s he dou t a t th e foo t o f th e h i l l Albo hac in , ju s t be h in d th e c i ty .

T he M oor s had a lmos t a s upe r s t i t i ous f ondnes s f o r t h i s mount a in , and da i l y depended upon i t f o r t he i r s upp l i e s . R ece iv ingin t im a t ion f r om s ome d es e r t e r s o f t h e p l an o f K in g F e r d i nand to ge t possess ion of th i s p rec ious founta in , they sa l l i edf o r th a t n igh t , and t h r ew up s uch power f u l w or ks up on t h eimpending h i l l , a s to se t a l l a t t empts o f the Chr i s t i an as sa i l ants a t def iance.

C H A P T E R L X X I I LE X P L O I T O F H E R N A N D O P E R E Z D E L PU L G A R , A N D O T H E R

C A V A L I E R S .

T H E s iege of Baza, whi le i t d isplayed the ski l l and science ofthe Chr i s t i an commanders , gave bu t l i t t l e s cope for the adventu ro us sp i r i t and fie ry va lour o f th e yo un g Spa nish cava l i e r s .T h e y r ep ine d a t t he t ed ious m ono tony an d du l l s ecu r i t y o fthe i r fo r t i f i ed camp; and longed for some sou l - s t i r r ing exp lo i t

of d if ficul ty an d da ng er . Tw o of th e m os t sp i r i ted of th es eyou th f u l cava li e rs we r e F r anc i s co de B az an , and A n ton io deC ue va , t h e l a t t e r of w hom was s on t o t h e D u k e of A lbu qu e r q u e . A s t h ey w er e one d ay s ea t ed on t h e r am pa r t s o f t h eca m p, an d ve n t in g the i r im pat ie nce a t th i s life o f inac t io n ,th e y were ov erh eard b y a ve te ra n ada l id , one of thos e scout s ,o r gu ides , -who a re acqua in ted wi th a l l par t s o f the count ry .

'S e ñ o re s , " sa id he , " i f y ou wish for a se rv ice o f pe r i l a n d



T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G R A N A D A . 2 4 1 '

prof i t ; i f you are wi l l ing to pluck t l ie f iery old Moor by theb ea r d ; I c an l ead you t o w he r e you m ay p u t yo u r m e t t l e t ot h e proof. H a r d by t h e c i t y of1 Guad ix a r e ce r t a in hamle t s ,r i ch in booty : I can conduc t you by a way in which you may •

come up on th em b y surpr i se ; an d i f yo u a r e a s coo l in th ehead as you are hot in the spur , you may hear of f your spoi lsf rom un de r th e ve ry eyes o f o ld E l Za ga l . " Th e idea of thu s ,m ak ing boo ty a t t h e ve r y g a t e s o f Gu ad ix p l ea s ed t he ho t -sp i r i t ed yo uth s . Th ese pre da tory excurs ions w ere f r eque ntabou t t h i s t im e ; and t h e M oor s o f Pa du l , A lhe nden , an do the r t owns - o f t he Alpuxa r r a s , had r ecen t l y ha r a s s ed t heCh r i s t i an t e r r i to r i es b y expedi tions o f the k ind . Fran c i sco deBazan and Anton io de Cueva soon found o ther youug cavahers .

o f the i r age ready to jo in them in the adventure ; and , in al i t t l e whi le , they had near ly th ree hundred horse and two hun«dred foot , ready equipped, aud eager for the foray.

Keeping the i r des t ina t ion secre t , they sa l l i ed ou t o f the :c a m p , on th e edge of an evening, and , guid ed by the adal id ,made the i r way by s ta r l igh t th rough the mos t secre t roads o ft h e m oun ta in s . I n t h i s w ay t hey p r e s s ed on r ap id ly day an d •night , unt i l , ear ly one morning before cock-crowing, they fe l lsuddenly upon the hamle t s , made pr i soners o f the inhab i tan t s ,sacked the houses , r avaged the f i e lds , and , sweeping th rough .the meadows , ga thered toge ther a l l the f locks and herds .W i t h o u t g iv ing themse lves t ime to r es t , th ey se t ou t upo nth e i r r e t u r n , ma king w i th a l l speed for th e m ou nta in s , beforethe a la rm should be g iven , and the count ry roused .

Severa l of t he herdsm en, how ever , ha d fled to G uadix , a n d .car r i ed t id ings o f th e r avage to E l Za ga l . T he be ard of o ldM ul ey t r em bled w i th r age . H e imm ed ia t e ly s en t ou t s ix ,

hiuidred of h is choices t horse and foot , wi th orders to recovei"th e boo ty , an d to b r in g those inso len t m ara ud ers cap t ive toGuad ix .

The Chr is t ian caval iers were urging thei r cavalgada of cat t lean d sheep u p a mou nta in as f ast as the i r own w ear iness w ou ldp e rm i t ; w he n , look ing back , the y be he ld a g re a t c loud of dus t ,and p r e s en t l y desc r ied t he t u r b an ed hos t ho t upo n t he i r t r ace s .

T he y s aw th a t t h e M oor s we r e s upe r io r i n n um be r ; t h e yw ere fresh a l so , bo th m an an d s t ee d : w herea s bo th th ey an d

the i r horses were fa t igued by two days and two n igh t s o f hardmarc l i ing . Severa l o f the horsemen, there fore , ga thered roundthe com m ander s , an d p r opos ed t h a t t h ey s hou ld r e l i nqu i s hth ei r spoil , an d save them selve s b y f l ight . T h e c ap ta in sF r an c i s co de B az an and An ton io de C ueva s pu r n ed a t s uc hc r aven couns el . " W h a t " c r i ed t hey , " aba ndo n ou r p r eyw i tho ut s t r ik ing a b l ow Le ave our foo t so ld ie rs , too , in t he

E



2 2 3 H I S T 0 B Y O J ?

l u r ch , t o be ove r whe lmed by t h e en em y? I f any one g ives ,suc h counse l th ro u gh fear, h e m is take s th e course o f sa fe ty ;for th e re i s less da ng er in pr es en t in g a bo ld f ront to th e foe,t h an i n t u r n in g a das t a r d b a ck ; and f ewer m en a r e k i l l ed i n

a b r ave advance , t han i n a cowar d ly r e t r ea t . "Som e of th e cava l i e rs we re touch ed b y these w ord s , and d ec la red th a t th e y wo uld s tan d by th e foo t so ld ie r s , l ike t r u e com pan ions i n a r ms . T h e g r ea t mas s of t h e pa r ty , h ow eve r , w e r e ,vo lun t ee r s , b r o ug h t t oge the r b y chance , wh o r ece ived no pa y ,n o r ha d any common t i e , t o keep t he m toge the r i n t ime of dan -

fer . T he p leas ure o f th e expedi t ion be ing over , each t h o u g h tu t o f h i s own s af ety, r ega r d l e s s of h i s compan ions . A s t h e

ene m y app roached , t h e t um ul t o f op in ions i n c r e as e d ; and

ev ery th in g was confus ion . T he cap ta ins , to p u t an end toth e d i spu t e , o r de r ed t he s t anda r d - bea r e r t o advance aga ins tt he M oor s ; we l l knowing t ha t no t r ue cava l i e r wou ld hes i t a t eto follow and defend h i s ba nn er . T he s tan da rd-b ea rer hes i t a te d ; the t roops w ere on th e po in t o f t a k in g to flight. U po nt h i s , a cava li er o f t he r oy a l gua r ds , nam ed H er n an do P e r ezdel Pulgar , a lcayde of the for t ress of Salar , rode to the f ront .H e too k off a han dke rch ie f wh ich he w ore ro un d h i s he ad ,af ter th e A nd alu s ian fashion, an d ty in g i t to th e en d of h is

l ance , e leva ted i t in th e a i r . " Cav a l ie r s , " c r ied he , " w h y doyo u t a ke weapons in . yo u r ha nd s , if yo u depend upo n yo urfeet for safety ? Th is day wi l l de te rm ine w ho i s th e b r av em an , an d w ho th e cow ard. H e w ho is d isposed to fight shal lno t w an t a s t a nd a r d ; l e t h im fo llow th i s han dke r ch i e f " Sosay ing , he waved h i s banner , and spur red brave ly aga ins t theM oo rs . H is exam ple sham ed some, and filled o ther s w i thgene rous emula t ion . A l l tu rn ed w i th one accord , and , fol lowi n g t h e ' v a l i a n t P u l g a r , r u s h e d w i t h s h o u t s u p o n t h e e n e m y .

T h e M oo rs scarce ly w ai ted to rece ive the shock of th e i ren co un ter . Seized w i th a sudd en pan ic , th e y took to flight,an d we re pu rsu ed for a g rea t d i s t ance , w i th g re a t s l au gh te r .T h r ee hu nd r ed of t he i r dead s t r ewed t h e r oad , and w er es t r ipped and despoi led by the conquerors ; many were t akenpr i soners ; and the Chr i s t i an cava l i e r s r e tu rned in t r iumph toth e cam p, w i th a long cava lcade of sheep and ca t t l e , an d m ule sl ade n w i th boo ty , and bea r ing be f o re t h em th e s i ngu l a r

s t anda r d , wh ich had conduc t ed t hem to v i c to r y .• W h e n K in g Eerx l inand was in formed of th e ga l l an t ac t iono f He r n an d o P e r e z de l Pu lga r , he imm ed ia t e ly con f er red onh i m t h e h o n o u r o f k n i g h t h o o d ; a n d o r d e r e d t h a t , i n m e m o r y.of h is achievements , he should, bear for arms a lance wi th ahandk erch ie f , tog e th er w i th a cas t le , an d twelve l ions . Th i sia b u t one o f m an y ha r dy a nd he r o i c deeds done by t h a t




brav e cava l ie r , in th e w ar s aga ins t th e M oo rs ; b y w hic h h ega ine d gre a t r eno w n, an d t h e d i s t ingu i shed appe l la t ion of" E l d é l a s h a z a n a s , " o r , " h e o f t h e e x p l o i t s . " *

C H A P T E R L X X I V .

C O N T I N U A T I O N O F T H E S I E G E O E B A Z A . '

T H E o ld M oor i s h k ing , E l Z aga l , m ou n te d a t ower , an d l ooke do ut eager ly , to en joy th e s igh t of th e Ch r i s t i an m ara ud er s , ;b ro u g h t cap t ive in to the ga te s o f B a z a ; b u t h i s sp i r i t s f e ll ,w he n he be he ld h i s ow n t roop s s t ea l ing back in t h e dus k of ' .t he even ing , in b roken , de jec ted par t i es .

T he f o r t une o f wa r bo r e h a r d aga ins t t h e o ld m ona r ch . H i sm in d was ha r a s s ed b y t h e d i s a s t rous t i d ings b r o ug h t eachd a y f rom B aza of th e suffer ings o f th e inh ab i tan t s , a nd th enu m be rs o f th e gar r i son s la in in th e f r eque nt sk i rmishes . H edared no t go in per son to the r e l i e f o f the p lace ; fo r h i spresence was necessary in Guadix , to keep a check upon h i sne ph ew in G r an ad a . H e m ade e ffo rts t o s end r e in f o r cemen t sand s upp l i e s ; bu t t hey wer e i n t e r cep t ed , and e i t he r cap tu r edor d r iven bac k . S t i l l h i s s i tua t ion w as , in some resp ec t s ,

p re fe rab le to th a t o f h i s ne ph ew Bo abdi l . Th e o ld m on arc hwas ba t t l in g l ike a w ar r io r on th e l as t s t ep of h i s th ro ne . E lCh iqu i to r em aine d , a k in d of pens ion ed vassa l, in th e luxu r iousab od e of the A lha m bra . T he ch iva l rous pa r t , o f th e inh ab i tan t so f G r an ad a cou ld no t b u t compar e t he gene r ous s t and m ad ehy the war r io r s o f Baza , fo r the i r count ry and the i r f a i th , wi thth e i r ow n t ime -serv ing subm iss ion to th e y ok e of an un be l iev er .E v e r y acc oun t t he y rece ived o f t h e w ar s of B a za w r u ng t he i rhear t s wi th agony; every account o f the exp lo i t s o f i t s devoted

de f ende r s b r ou gh t b lu s hes t o t he i r cheeks . M a n y s to l e fo r t hs ec r e t l y w i th t h e i r weap ons , and has t ene d t o j o in t he bes i eg ed ;an d t h e pa r t i s an s o f E l Z a ga l w r ou gh t u po n t he pa t r i o t i s man d pass ions o f th e r em aind er , u n t i l an o t he r of those consp i rac ies was fo rmed, tha t were con t inua l ly menac ing theun s t ea dy t h r o ne o f G r an ad a . I t w as conce r t ed by t he con -sp i ra to r s , to as sa i l the Alhambra on a sudden; to s l ay Boabdi l ;to as semble a l l th e t roops , an d m arc h to G u a d ix ; w here , being-re inforced b y th e gar r i so n of th a t p lace , an d l ed on b y th e

o ld w ar r i o r m ona r ch , t he y m igh t f a ll, w i th ove r w he lm ingpow er , up on th e Ch r i s t i an a r m y before Baz a . .'

For tuna te ly fo r Boabdi l , he d i scovered the consp i racy in

* H ernando del Pulgar, the historian, secretary to Q ueen Isabella, isconfounded w ith this cavalier by some writers. H e was also present atthe siege of Baz a, and recounted this transaction in his Ch ronicle of th eCatholic sovereigns, Ferdinand and Isa bella .

B 2



2 4 4 H I S T O R Y O F

time, an d h a d th e hea da of th e lea de rs s t r uc k off, an d pla cedUpon t h e wa l ls o f t h e A lh am b r a ; an ac t o f s eve r i ty , u nu s u a lw i th t h i s mi ld and wave r ing m onar ch , wh ic h s t r uc k t e r r o rin to th e d isaf fec ted , an d pro du ced a k i nd of m u te t r a ng ui l l i tyt h r o u g h o u t t h e c i t y .

K in g Fe r d in an d ha d fu ll i n f o rma t ion o f a l l t he s e m ov em en t sand measures fo r the r e l i e f o f Baza , and took t imely pre cau t i ons t o p r ev en t t hem . B od ie s o f ho r s em en he ld w a t ch i nthe mounta in passes , to p reven t a l l suppl ies , and to in te rcep ta n y g e n e r o u s v o l u n t e e r s fro m G r a n a d a ; a n d w a t c h t o w e r swere e rec ted , o r scou t s p laced , on any commanding he igh t , tog ive th e a la rm a t th e l eas t sign of a hos t i l e tu rb a n .

T he P r ince C ld i Yahye and h i s b r ave compan ions i n

ar m s w ere th u s g rad ua l ly wal led up , as i t w ere , f rom th er e s t of t h e wo r ld . A hu e o f t ow er s , t h e ba t t l em en t s o fwh ich b r i s t l ed wi th t r oops , g i r d l ed t he i r c i t y ; and beh ind t hein t e r ven ing bu lwar ks and pa l i s adoes pas s ed and r epas s ed con t i n ua l bod i e s of t r oops . W e e k a f te r week , and m o n t h af te rm o n t h g l id e d a w a y ; b u t F e r d i n a n d w a i t e d i n v a i n f or t h e

ar r i son to be e i ther t e r r i f i ed or s t a rved in to sur render .Every da y th e y sal l ied for th w i th th e spi r i t an d a lac r i ty of

t roo ps hig h fed an d flushed wi th conf idence. " T h e Ch r is t ia n

m o n a r c h , " s a id t h e v e t e r a n M o h a m m e d b e n H a s s a n , " b u i l d sh i s hopes up on ou r g r ow ing f a in t and de s po nd ing ; we m us tman i f e s t un us u a l chee rf u lnes s an d v igou r . W h a t w ou ld ber a s hnes s i n o the r s e r v ice becom es p r ud ence w i th u s . " T hePr in ce C id i Y ah y e ag r eed w i th h im in op in ion , an d s a ll iedfor th w i th h i s t roo ps u po n a l l k in ds o f ha reb ra in ed explo i t s .T he y l a id am bus hes , conce r t ed s u r p r is e s , and m ad e t h e mos tdes p e r a t e a s s au l t s. T h e g r ea t ex t en t o f t h e C hr i s t i an w or k sr e n d e r e d th e m w e a k i n m a n y p a r t s . A g a i n s t t h e s e t h e M o o r s

d i r e c t e d t h e i r a t t a c k s ; s u d d e n l y b r e a k i n g i n t o t h e m , m a k i n ga has ty r avage , and bea r ing o f f t he i r boo ty i n t r i umph to t hec i ty . Som et imes th e y wo uld sa l ly fo r th b y th e passes a ndc le f ts o f th e m ou nt a in in th e r ea r o f th e c i ty , w hic h i t w asd ifficult to gu ard , and , h ur ry in g down in to t h e p la in , w ouldsweep of f a l l ca t t l e and sheep tha t were g raz ing near thesuburbs , and a l l s t r agg le r s f rom the camp.

T h es e pa r t i s an s al li es b r ou gh t on m an y s ha r p and b loodyen co un te r s ; i n some o f wh ich D on Alonzo de Ag u i l a r and t h ea lcay de de los D onze les d i s t ingu i shed them se lves g re a t ly .D u r i n g one o f t he s e h o t s k i r mi s hes , wh ich hap pen ed on t h esk i r t s of th e m ou nta in abo ut twi l igh t , a va l i an t cava l ie r , na m edM a r t i n Ga l i ndo , behe ld a power f u l M oo r dea l i ng dead ly b lowsabou t h im , and mak ing g r ea t havoc among t he C hr i s t i ans .Gal indo pres sed forward , and cha l l enged h im to s ing le combat .T he M oor , who was o f t he va l i an t t r i be o f t he Abence r r ages ,




was no t s low in answ er ing t li e ca ll . Cou ching th e i r l ance s , th e yrus he d fur ious ly up on each o ther . A t th e first shock th e M oo rwas w ou nd ed in th e face, an d bo rn e ou t of h is sad dle . Be foreGal indo could check h i s s t eed , and tu rn f rom h i s ca reer , the

M oor s p r ang upon h i s f ee t , r ecove r ed h i s l ance , and , r u s h ingu p o n h i m , w o u n d e d h i m i n t h e h e a d a n d t h e a r m . T h o u g hGa l indo wa s on horseba ck , an d th e M oo r on foo t, y e t su chw as th e p row ess and address o f th e l a t t e r , th a t th e C hr i s t i ankn igh t , be in g d i sab led in th e a rm , was in th e u t m os t per i l ,w he n h i s com rades ha s ten ed to h i s as s i s tance . A t th e i rapp r oach t he va l i an t pagan r e t r ea t ed s l owly up t he r ocks ,keep ing t he m a t ba y un t i l he f ound h ims e l f am on g h i s companions .

Seve r a l o f t h e yo un g Span i s h cava l ie r s, s t ung by t he t r i um phof th i s M os le m kn igh t , w ould hav e cha l l enged o th er s o f th eM o o r s t o s in g le c o m b a t ; b u t K i n g F e r d i n a n d p r o h i b i t e d a l lva un t ing enco unte r s o f th e k in d . H e forbade h i s t roop s a l soto p r ovoke s k i r mi s hes ; we l l knowing t ha t t he M oor s wer em or e dex t e r ou s t h an m os t peop l e i n t h i s i r r egu l a r m ode o ffighting, an d w ere b e t t e r acq ua in ted w i th th e g ro un d .

C H A P T E R L X X V .

H O W T W O F R I A R S A R R I V E D A T T H E C A M P ; A N D H O W T H E Y

C A M E F R O M T H E H O L Y L A N D .

" W H I L E t he ho ly C hr i s t i an a r my , " s ays F r ay An ton io Aga-p ida , " w as th u s be le agu er ing th i s inf ide l c i ty o f Ba za , th e rejode in to the camp, one day , two reverend f r i a r s o f the o rdero f Sa in t F r a nc i s . O ne was o f po r t l y pe r s on an d au tho r i t a t i ve

a i r . H e b es t rod e a goodly s t eed , we l l condi t ioned an d w el lcapa r i s oned ; wh i l e h i s compan ion r ode beh ind h im upon ahumble hack , poo r ly accou t r ed ; and , a s he r ode , he s ca r ce lyra i sed h i s eyes f rom th e grou nd , bu t m ain ta ine d a m ee k an dlowly a i r .

T he a r r iva l o f tw o f r ia r s in th e cam p was no t a m at te r o fm u c h n o t e ; fo r i n t he s e ho ly wa r s t he chu r ch m i l i tan t con t in ua l ly m ingle d , in th e a ff ray , an d he lm et an d cowl w ereAlways seen t o g e th er : b u t i t w as soon d i scovered th a t th es e

wor thy sa in t s e r ran t were f rom afa r count ry , and on a mis s iono f g r e a t imp or t . T h ey wer e , i n t r u th , j u s t a r r i ved f rom th eH o l y L a n d ; b e i n g t w o of t h e s a i n t ly m e n w h o k e p t v i g il o v e rth e s epu l ch r e o f ou r b l e s s ed L or d a t J e r u s a l e m . H e .o f t h et a l l and po r t l y f o r m, and command ing presence w a s F r a yAnton io M i l l an , p r i o r o f t he F r anc i s can conven t i n t he Ho lyC i ty . H e h a d a full an d florid cou nten anc e, a sonoro us voice ,and was round, and swel l ing, and copious in his per iods , l ike



248 H I S T O R Y - 0 1 ?

one ac cus tomed t o h a r a ng ue , and t o be l i s tened t o w i th derferenee . H is com panion w as sm al l an d spa re in form, pa le of•visage, and soft and s i lken, and almost whispering in speech:" H e h a d a h u m b l e a n d l o w ly w a y , " s a y s A g a p i d a , " e v e r m o r e

bow ing th e hea d , as be ca m e. one of h i s ca l ling . Y e t h e w ason e of th e m ost act ive , zealous , an d effective br ot he rs of th eco nv en t ; and , w he n he ra i sed h i s smal l b lack eye from t h eear th , there was a keen g lance ou t o f the corner , which showedtha t , though harmless as a dove , he was , never the les s , as wis©as a se rpen t . ". T h es e ho ly m en ha d come , on a m om en to us embas s y , f r om•the G ra nd Soldan . o f E g y p t ; o r , as A gap ida t e rm s h im , in.th e l an gu ag e of the day , th e So ldan of Ba bylo n . T h e l ea gu e ,

.wh ich ha d been m ad e be tw een t h a t po t en t a t e and h i s a r chfoe, t h e G r a nd T ur k , B a j aze t I I , t o un i t e i n a r ms fo r t h esa lva t ion of Granada , as has been ment ioned in a p rev iousch ap te r o f th i s h i s to ry , h ad come to no ug ht . T he in f ide lpr inc es h a d aga in t a ke n up a rm s aga ins t each o ther, , an d h a dre lap sed in to the i r anc ien t hos t i l i ty . S t i l l th e G ra nd Sold an ,as head, of the whole Moslem sect , cons idered l i imsel f boundto p r e s e r ve t he k ingdom o f Gr anada f r om the g r a s p o f unbe l i ever s . H e despa tched , there fore , the se tw o ho ly f r i a rs ,

w i th l e t t e r s to th e C as t il i an sovere igns , as wel l as to th e P o p ean d to th e K in g of' N ap les , r em on s t ra t in g aga ins t th e ev il sdbne t o t he M oo r s o f t he k ingdo m of G r ana da , wh o w er e o fh i s f a it h and k in d r ed : wh e r eas , i t was we l l kn ow n th a t g r e a t

.nu m be rs of Ch r i s t i ans w ere indulg ed an d pro tec ted in th e fu l l

. en joy m ent o f the i r p ro pe r ty , th e i r l iber ty , an d th e i r f a i th in.h i s dom in ions . H e ins i st ed , there fore , th a t th i s w ar sh ou ld

. ce as e ; t h a t t he M oor s of G r an ad a s hou ld be r e in s t a t ed in t h ete r r i to ry of wh ich th ey h ad be en d i spossessed , o therw ise h e

th r ea t ened t o pu t t o dea th a l l t he C hr i s t i ans benea th h i s -sway , to demol i sh the i r convents and t emples , and to des t royt h e H o l y S e p u l c h r e .

Th is f ea rfu l me nac e h a d sp read co ns te rna t ion am on g the-• C hr i s t i ans of Pa l e s t i ne , and w he n t h e i n t r ep id F r a y An ton io -. M i l l a n an d h i s low ly com panion de pa r ted on then- mis s ion ,they were accompanied fa r f rom the ga tes o f Je rusa lem by an

. anx ious t h r on g o f b r e t h r en and d is c ip l es , wh o r em a in ed

wa tch ing t hem wi th t ea r f u l eyes , a s t hey j ou r neyed ove r t hep la ins o f Judea .. T h es e ho ly am bas s ado r s we r e r ece ived w i th g r ea t d i s t i nc

t i on by King Fe r d inand , f o r men o f t he i r c l o th had eve r h ighho no ur an d cons idera t ion in h i s cou r t . H e ha d long and f re qu en t conve r s at ions wd th t h em abo u t t h e Ho ly L a nd , t h es ta te o f th e Ch r i s t i an chu rch in th e dom in ions o f the G ra n dSold an , a nd of th e po l icy an d co ndu c t o f th a t a rc h in f ide l




* Mariana, lib. x x v , cap . 15 .

' t owa rds i ti T ke p or t l y p r io r o f the Fra nc i sca n conv ent w asfull , an d rou nd , an d orato r ical in h is rep l ies , an d th e k in gexpressed h imse l f much p leased wi th the e loquence of h i sper iods ; hu t the poht ic monarch was observed to l end a c lose

and a t t en t ive ear to th e wh isper ing vo ice o f the lowly comp a n i o n ; " w h o s e d is c o u rs e ," a d d s A g a p i d a, " t h o u g h m o d e s tand low, was clear and f luent , and ful l of subtle wisdom."

These ho ly f r i a r s had v i s i t ed Rome in the i r journey ing ,where they had de l ivered the l e t t e r o f the So ldan to thesovere ign pontiff. H i s ho li nes s ha d w r i t t en by t he m to t h eC as t i han s ove r e igns , r eques t i ng t o know wha t r ep ly t hey hadto of fer to th is demand of the or ienta l potenta te .

The King of Naples a l so wro te to them on the sub jec t , b i i t

in w ar y t e r m s . H e inqu i red in to th e course o f th i s w ar wi ththe Moors o f Granada , and expressed grea t marve l a t i t seven ts ; " as if," says Aga pida, " bo th w ere no t no tor io usth r o ug ho u t a l l t he C hr i s t ian wor ld . N a y , " adds t h e w or th yf r i a r , wi th becoming ind igna t ion , "he u t t e red op in ions savour in g of l i t t l e be t t e r th an dam nable h eres y ; for h e observed ,tha t a l though the Moors were o f a d i f fe ren t s ec t , they oughtno t to be m al t r e a te d w i tho ut j u s t cause ; and h in ted th a t , i f• the Cast ihan sovereigns did not suffer any crying injury from

the M oor s , i t wou ld be impr ope r t o do any th ing wh ich migh tdraw grea t damage upon the Chr i s t i ans ; as i f , when once thèsw ord of th e fa i th wa s draw n, i t ou gh t eve r to be she ath ed ,un t i l t h i s s cum o f hea thendom wer e u t t e r l y des t r oyed o rdr iven f rom th e l and . B u t th i s m on arc h ," h e con t inues ,"was more k ind ly d i sposed towards the in f ide l s than washones t and l awfu l in a Chr i s t i an pr ince , and was a t tha t veryt ime in l eague wi th the So ldan , aga ins t the i r common enemy,t h e G r a n d T u r k . "

Th ese p ious sen t imen ts o f th e t ru ly Catho l ic A gap ida a reechoed by P ad r e M ar i a na i n h i s h i s t o r y ; * b u t t he w or t hychronic le r , Pedro Abarca , a t t r ibu tes the in te r fe rence of theK in g of N ap les , no t to l ack of o r tho dox y in r e l ig ion , b u t toan excess of w or ld ly policy, he be ing app rehe ns iv e th at ;s hou ld Fe r d ina nd conque r t h e M oor s o f G r anad a , he m igh thave t ime and means to as ser t a c la im of the house of Ar ragonto the c rown of Naples .

" K in g Fe r d i na nd , " con t inues t h e wo r thy f a the r P ed r oAbar ca , " was no l e s s mas t e r o f d i s s imu la t i on t han h i scous in o f N ap les , so he re p l i ed to h im w i th th e u t m os tsuavity o f manner , go ing in to a minute and pa t i en t v ind i ca t ion of th e w ar , an d t ak ing grea t ap pa ren t pa in s to in formhi m of tho se th ing s , wh ich a l l the w or ld kne w , b u t o f w hic h



2á8 H I S T O E Y O F

t h e o the r p r e t en de d t o be i gno r an t . * A t t h e sam e t ime h esoothed his sol ic i tude about the fa te of the Chr is t ians in theem pi r e o f t h e G r an d So ldan , a s s u r ing h i m th a t t h e g r ea tr evenue ex to r t ed f r om them in r en t s and t r i bu t e s wou ld be a

cer ta in p ro tec t ion aga ins t the th rea tened v io lence .T o t he Pope he made t he u s ua l v ind i ca t i on o f t he war ,• tha t i t was fo r th e r ecov ery of anc ien t t e r r i t o r y us urp ed b ythe Moors , fo r the punishment o f wars and v io lences in f l i c tedup on th e C hr i s t i a ns ; and , f inally , th a t i t w as a ho ly c rusa defor the g lory and advancement o f the church .

*' I t was a t r u ly edi fying s ig ht ," says A gap ida, " to b eh ol dthe se f ri a rs , a f t e r the y ha d h ad the i r aud ience of th e k in g ,mov ing abou t t he camp , a lways s u r r ounded by nob l e s and

cava l ie r s o f h ig h a nd m ar t i a l r eno w n. Th ese w ere insa t i a b lein t he i r que s t i ons . abou t t h e H o ly L an d , t h e s t a t e of t h esep ulc hre of our L or d, a nd th e sufferings of th e devo tedb r e th r en who gua r ded i t , and t he p ious p i l g r ims who r e s o r t edthe r e t o pay t hen - vow s . T he po r t ly p r io r of th e conv entw ould s tand , wi th lo fty an d sh in ing countena nce , in th en i ids t o f these i ron war r io r s , and dec la im wi th r esoundinge loquence on t h e h i s t o r y o f t h e s e pu l ch r e ; bu t t h e hu m blebro ther would ever and anon s igh deep ly , and , in low tones ,

u t t e r some ta le of suf fer ing an d ou trag e, a t w hich his s teel -c lad heare r s would grasp the h i l t s o f the i r swords , and mut te rbe tw een the i r c lenched t ee th p ra ye rs fo r an o th er c ru sad e . " .

The pious f r iars , having f in ished thei r miss ion to the king,and b een t r e a t ed w i th a l l due d i s tinc t ion , took th e i r l eave ,and w end ed the i r w ay to J a e n to v i s it t he m os t Ca tho l ic o fqu ee ns . I sabe l l a , who se h ea r t w as th e sea t o f p ie ty , r ece ivedthem as s ac r ed men , i nves t ed wi th mor e t han human d ign i t y .D ur in g t he i r r e s idence a t J a e n t he y wer e con t inua l l y i n t h er oya l p r e s en ce ; t he r e s pec t ab l e p r i o r o f t he conven t m ovedan d m el ted the l ad ies o f th e cou r t b y h i s f lo rid rh e t o r ic ; b u th i s lowly companion was observed to have con t inua l access toth e roy a l ea r . " T h a t sa in t ly and sof t -spoken m ess en ge r , "says A gapida , " r ece ived th e rew ard of h i s h u m i l i ty ; for th e•queen , moved by h i s f r equent r epresen ta t ions , made in a l lmodes ty and lowl iness of spi r i t , granted a year ly sum in per- ,pe tu i ty o f one thousand duca t s in go ld fo r the suppor t o f them o n k s o f t h e c o n v en ts of t h e H o l y S e p i d c h r e . " t

* ADarca, Anales de Aragón, rey. xxx, cap. 3."t*LaReyna dití á los frailes mil ducados de renta corda s.no, para e l

sustento de los religiosos del Santo Sepu lcro, que es la mejor himosua -sustento quo hasta nuestros dias haquedado á estos religiosos de Jcrusayíem : para donde les dio la reyna un velo labrado por sus ma nos, para.poner encima de la santa sepultura del Seño r. Garibay, Com p. H ist.-l ib.xviii, cap. 36.




M or eove r , on t he depa r tu r e o f t he s e ho ly ambas s ado r s , t heexce l l en t an d m os t C a tho l ic qu een de l ivered to the m a ve i ldevou t ly embr o ide r ed wi th he r own r oya l ha nd s , t o be p l acedove r t h e H o l y Sep u l ch r e . A p r ec ious and ines t imab le p r e sen t , w hich ca l led fo r th a m os t e loq uen t t r ib u t e o f tha n k sf r om the po r t l y p r i o r , bu t wh ich b r ough t t ea r s i n to t he eye3of h i s lowly companion .*

C H A P T E R L X X V LH O W Q U E E N I S A B E L L A D E V I S E D M E A N S T O S U P P L Y T H E A R M Y

W I T H P R O V I S I O N S .

I T ha s be en th e cus tom to l au d th e con duc t an d add ress o f

K i n g F e r d i n a n d i n t h i s m o s t a rd u o u s a n d p r o t r a c t e d w a r ,b u t th e sage A ga pid a i s mo re d i sposed to g ive c red i t to th ecounc i l s and measures o f the queen , who , he observes , thoughless os tens ible in act ion, was in t ru th the very soul , the vi ta lp r inc ip le of t h i s g r e a t en t e r p r i s e . W hi l e K in g Fe r d in an dwas bu s t l in g in h i s camp , an d m ak ing a g l i t t e r ing d i sp laywi th h i s ga l l an t ch iva l ry , she , sur rounded by her sa in t ly counsel lors in the episcopal palace of Jaen, was devis ing ways andm eans to ke ep th e k i ng an d h i s a r m y in ex i s tence . Sh e h a d

pledg ed her se l f to p rov ide a sup ply of m en and m on ey an dprovis ions , un t i l th e c i ty should be t ak en . T h e ha rdsh ips o fthe s iege caused a fear ful was te of l i fe ; but the supply of menwas th e l eas t d ifficult p ar t of h er un de r ta k in g . So be lov edw as th e qu een b y th e ch iva l ry o f Spa in , th a t , o n her ca l l ing onth em for as s is t ance , no t a g ra nd ee or cava l i er th a t ye t l ing ere da t ho m e, b u t e i the r r ep a i red in pe r son or sen t fo rces to th ecam p ; the anc ien t an d w ar l ike f ami l ies v ied w i th each o th erin m ar s ha l l i ng f o r t h t he i r va s s a l s ; and t h us t he bes i eged

M oo rs beh e ld each day f resh t roo ps a r r iv ing before the i r c i ty ,and new ens igns an d pen no ns d i sp layed , emblazone d w i tha r ms we l l kno w n to t h e ve t e r an w ar r i o r s .

B u t t h e m os t a r duou s t a s k was t o keep up a r eg u l a r s upp lyof p rov i s ions . I t w as no t th e a rm y a lone th a t ha d to be sup-

* It is proper to mention the result of this mission of the two friars ;and wh ich the worthy Âga pida has neglected to record. A t a subsequentperiod, th e Catholic sovereigns sent the distinguished historian, Pietro

Martyr of A ngler ia, as ambassador to the Grand Sold an. That able m anmade such representations as w ere perfectly satisfactory to thé oriental p o tenta te. H e also obtained from him the remission of ma ny exactions andextortions heretofore practised upon Christian pilgrims visiting the H ol ySep ulchre, w hic h, it is presumed, had been gen tly, but cogen tly, deta iledto the monarch by the low ly friar. Pietr o M artyr wrote an account of hisembassy to the Grand Soldan ; a work jrreatiy esteem ed by the learnpd,and containing much curious information. It is entitled 1 1 Do LegeationBabilonicâ."



T H E C O N Q U E S T O E G E A N A D A .

T a n s , t h r o ug h t h e wonde r f u l ac t iv i t y , j udg m en t , and en t e r pr i se o f th i s hero ic an d m agn anim ous w om an, a g re a t h o s tencam ped in th e h ea r t of a wa r l ike co un t ry , accessib le on ly ov erm oi in ta in road s , was m ain ta ine d in. con t inua l abu nd an ce j

nor was i t suppl ied mere ly wi th the necessar ies and comfor t sof l ife . T he pow er fu l escor t s d rew m erc ha nts an d a r t i f i ce r sf rom al l par ts to repai r , as i f in caravans , to th is great mi l i tarym ar ke t . I n a l i tt l e wh i l e t h e camp abo und ed w i th t r ad es m enand a r t i s t s o f a l l k ind s to adm in i s te r to th e lu xu ry an d os te nta t ion of th e yo uth fu l ch iva l ry . H e re m ig ht be seen cunning ;ar t i f icers in s teel and accompl ished armourers , achieving thosera re an d sum ptu ou s he lm ets an d cu i ras ses r i ch ly g i l t, in la id ,and embossed , in which the Spanish cava l i e r s , de l igh ted . ;

sadd le r s an d ha rnes s -m ak ers , and horse-m i l liner s a l so , w ho seten t s g l i t t e r ed w i th gorgeous hous ing s and capar i sons . T h em erc ha nts s prea d for th th e i r sum ptuo us s i lks , c lo ths , b ro cades, fine l inen , an d t ap es t ry . Th e t en t s o f th e no bi l i ty w e reprod igal ly de co rate d w i th a l l la nd s of th e r i ch es t s tuf fs , a n ddazzl ed t h e eye w i th t he i r m agn i f i cence ; no r cou ld t h eg r ave l ooks and g r ave s peeches of K in g Fe r d in an d p r ev en t h i syouthfu l cava l i e rs f rom vy ing w i th each o th er in the sp l en do urof thei r dresses and capar isons on a l l occas ions of parade and

ceremony.

C H A P T E R L X X V L T

O F T H E D I S A S T E R S W H I C H E E F E L T H E C A M P .

W H I L E th e Ch r i s t i an cam p, thu s ga y an d gorgeo us , sp rea di tse l f o ut l ike a hol id ay pa g ea nt b efore t h e wal ls of B az a jwhi le a long l ine o f bea s t s o f bu rde n , l ade n wi t h p rov i s ions

and lux ur ies , w ere seen desc ending th e va l l ey f rom m orn ingt i l l n ig h t , an d po ur in g in to th e cam p a con t inue d s t r e am ofabunda nce , t h e un f o r tun a t e ga r r i s on f ound t he i r r e s o u r ce sr ap id ly was t i ng away , and f amine a l r eady began t o p inch t hepeacefu l par t o f the communi ty .

C i di Y a h y e h a d a c t e d w i t h g r e a t s p i r i t a n d v a l o u r a s l o n gas th er e was an y pro spe ct of success ; b u t h e be ga n to lose h isusua l fire an d anh na t ion , an d wa s obse rved to pac e th e w a l l s 'o f Baza w i th a pen s ive a i r , cas t ing m an y a wis t fu l look to w ar ds

the Ch r i s t i an cam p, an d s ink ing in to p rofou nd rever ies an dc o g it at io n s. T h e v e t e r a n a l ca y d e , M o h a m m e d b e n H a s s a n ,no t iced the se despo nding mo ods , an d ende avo ured to r a l ly the-sp i ri ts o f th e p r inc e . " T he ra in y season i s a t h an d ," w otd dh e c r y : " th e floods wi l l soon po ur do wn f rom t he m ou nt a in s ,the r iver s wi l l overf low th e i r ban ks , an d in un da te th e va l leys ..T h e C hr i s t i an k in g a l r ead y beg ins t o w av e r ; he da r e no t .l inger and enc oun te r such a . s eason in a p l a in cu t u p b y can a l s




the i r ca reer . T h e l a te m ea nd er in g r iver sprea ds over i t s on cenaked b ed , l a s hes i t s s u r ges aga ins t t h e ban ks , an d r u s h es ,l ike a w ide and foam ing inu nd a t ion , th r ou gh th e va l l ey .

Scarce ly had the Chr i s t i ans f in i shed the i r shght ly -bu i l ted i f i ces , when an au tumnal t empes t o f the k ind came scour ingfrom th e m ou nta ins . T he cam p wa s imm edia te ly over flowed .M an y o f t he hous es , un de r m ine d by t h e floods o r be a t e n b ythe ra in , c ru m ble d aw ay , an d fe ll to t h e ea r th , b ur y i ng m a nand be as t be ne a th the i r ru i ns . Sev era l va lu ab le fives w er elos t , and grea t numbers o f horses and o ther an imals per i shed .To ad d to th e dis t r ess an d confusion of th e cam p, th e dai lysupply of p rov i s ions sud den ly ce ase d ; fo r th e r a i n ha d bro ke nup t he r o ads , an d r en de r ed t he r i ve r s impas s ab l e . A pan i c

seized upon the army, for the cessat ion of a s ingle day ' s supp ly p r od uced a s ca r c i ty of b r e ad and p r oven de r . F o r tu na t e lythe r a in was bu t t r ans i en t . T he t o r r e n t s r u s h ed by , an dceas ed ; t he r i ve r s s h r un k b ack aga in t o t he i r na r r ow chan ne l s ; and the convoys , tha t had been de ta ined up the i r banks ,ar r ived safely in the camp.

N o sooner d id Q ue en I sab e l l a he ar o f th i s in te r ru p t io n ofhe r suppl ies , th an , w i th h er us ua l v ig i lance an d ac t iv i ty , sheprov ided aga in s t i t s r ec ur re nc e . Sh e desp a tche d s ix th ou sa nd

foot soldiers , u n d e r t h e co m m and of exp er ienc ed officers, to 'r epa i r th e road s , and to m ak e causeways an d br idg es , fo r th ed i s tance of seven Spa nish l eagu es . T he t roops a l so , w ho ha dbeen s t a t i oned i n t h e m oun ta in s b y t he k ing , t o gu a r d t h edenies , m ad e tw o pa ths , one for th e convoys go ing to t h ecamp , and t he o the r f o r t hos e r e tu r n ing , t ha t t hey migh t no tm eet and imp ede each o ther . T h e ed if ices w hic h ha d b e e ndem ol ished b y th e la t e floods w ere reb ui l t in a firmer m a n ne r , and p r ecau t i ons wer e t aken t o p r o t ec t t he camp f r om

f u tu r e i nunda t i ons .

C H A P T E R L X S y i l l . .E N C O T J N T E E B E T W E E N T H E C H R I S T I A N S A N D M O O E S B E F O R E

B A Z A ; A N D T H E D E V O T I O N O F T H E I N H A B I T A N T S T O T H E D E

F E N C E O F T H E C I T Y .

" W H E N K i n g F e r d i n a n d b e h e l d t h e r a v a g e a n d c on fu sio n p r o duced b y a s ing le au tum na l s to rm , an d be tho ug ht h im of a l lth e m alad ies to w hic h a bes ieg ing cam p i s exposed in inc le m en t seasons , h e be ga n to f ee l h i s compass ion k in d l in g forthe suffer ing p eople o f B aza , an d an inc l ina t ion to g ra n t th e mm ore favourab le t e r m s . H e sen t , there fore , s evera l me ssag esto t he a l cayde , M oh am m ed ben H as s a n , o ffe ring l i be r t y o fpe r s on and s ecu r i t y of p r o pe r ty fo r t he i nh ab i t an t s , and l a r g erewards fo r himself, i f he wo u ld s u r r en de r t h e c i t y . T h e



2 5 4 H I S T O R Y O F

v e t e r a n M oh am m ed was n o t to^ be dazz l ed by t h e s p lend id 'o ffer s o f th e m on arc h . H e h ad rece ived exag ge ra ted accounts -o f t he damage done t o t he C hr i s t i an camp by t he l a t e s t o r m,and of the suf fe r ings and d i sconten t s o f the a rmy, in consequ en ce o f t h e t r an s i en t i n t e r r u p t i on o f s upp l i e s. H e cons id e r ed t h e ove r tu r e s o f Fe r d in an d a s p r oof s of t he des pe r a t es t a te o f h i s a ffai rs . " A l i t t l e m ore p a t i e nc e , " sa id t h e•shrewd old w arr io r , " an d we shal l see th is crow d of C hr is t i anlocus t s d r iven aw ay be f o re t he w in t e r s to r m s . " W hen t h e yonce t u r n t he i r back s , i t w i l l be ou r l o t t o s t r i k e ; and , w i t h .he lp of A l lah , th e b low sha l l be dec i s ive . " H e sen t a f i rmth ou g h cou r t eous re f usa l t o t h e C h r i s t ian mo na r c h ; and , i nth e mean t ime , an im a ted h i s com pan ions t o s a l l y f o r th , w i th

m o r e s p i r i t t ha n eve r, t o a t t ac k t he Spa n i s h ou tpos t s , an dtho s e l abour ing i n t h e t r enc hes . T he cons equence was ada i l y occu r r ence o f t he mos t da r i ng and b loody s k i r mi s hes ,t h a t cos t t he l i ve s o f m an y o f t h e b r av es t a nd m os t adve n turous cava l i e r s o f e i ther a rmy. .

I n one of the se sa ll ies , ne ar th re e h u n dr ed ho rse an d tw otho us an d foot mo un ted t he he igh t s beh ind t he c i ty , t o cap tu r eth e C hr i s t i ans wh o w er e em ployed upon t h e w or ks . T he ycame by surpr i se upon a body of guards , esqu i res o f the

C ou n t de U r e n a ; k i l led some , pu t t h e r e s t t o f li gh t, and pu r s u ed t he m down th e m oun ta in , un t i l t h ey came in s i gh t o f a

•Cordova. T h e M oo rs cam e lTishing down wi th s uch f u r y ,t ha t many o f t he men o f t he C oun t de T end i l l a be took t hemselv es to flight. T he bra ve co un t con s idered i t less da nge ro us to f igh t th a n f lee. Bra c ing h i s buc k le r , there fore , an dg r as p ing h i s t r u s ty weapon , he s t ood h i s g r ound wi th h i s ac cus tom ed p r owes s . Gons a lvo o f C or dova r an ge d h ims e l f b y

h i s s i d e ; and , mar s ha l l i ng t h e tr oops wh ich r em a ine d w i ththem, a va l i an t f r on t was made t o t he M oor s .

T h e i nf ide ls p r e s s ed t he m ha r d , a nd wer e ga in ing t h e ad v a n t a g e , w h e n A l o n z o d e A g u i la r , h e a r i n g o f t h e d a n g e r o fh i s b ro ther Gonsa lvo , f l ew to h i s as s i s t ance , accompanied byt h e Co unt o f U re n a and a bo dy of the i r t roop s . A. ho t conte s t ensu ed, f rom cliff to c liff and glen t o glen. T h e M oo rsw er e f ewer i n n u m b e r ; b u t t h ey exce ll ed i n t h e dex t e r i t ya n d l i gh tnes s r equ i s i t e fo r t he s e s c r amb l ing s k i r mi s he s . T h eywer e a t l eng th d r i ven f r om the i r van t age g r ound , and pu r s uedb y Alonzo de A gu i l a r a n d h i s b r o the r Gon s a lvo t o t h e ve r ys u b u r b s o f t h e c i t y ; l e a v i n g m a n y ' o f t h e b r a v e s t of t h e i rm e n up on th e fie ld .

Such was one o f i nnumer ab l e r ough encoun t e r s , wh ichwer e da i l y t ak ing p l ace ; i n wh ich many b r ave cava l i e r s wer es la in , w i th ou t an y app are n t benef i t to e i th er p a r t y . The .'

smal l fo rce under the Count



256: H I S T O E Y O F

C H A P T E R L X X I X .

H O W Q U E E N I S A B E L L A A E E I V E S A T T H E C A M P ; A N D T H E C O N

S E Q U E N C E S O F H E E A E R I V A L .

M O H A M M E D B E N H A S S A N s t i l l encouraged h i s companionswi th hopes t ha t t he r oya l a r my wou ld s oon r e l i nqu i s h t hes i ege ; when t hey hea r d one day s hou t s o f j oy f r om theC h r i s t i an camp , an d t hu nd e r i ng s a lvas o f a r t i l l e r y . W o r dwa s b r ou gh t a t t h e s ame t ime from the s en t ine l s on t he w a t ch -tow er s t h a t a C hr i s t ian a r m y was app r oach ing dow n the va l l ey .M oh am m ed and h i s fe llow com m ander s a s cended one o f t he

h ig he s t tow ers of th e wal l s , and beh e ld in t ru th a nu m ero usf or ce i n s h in ing a r r ay , de s cend ing t h e h i l l s ; and h ea r d t h ed i s tan t c lango ur o f th e t ru m pe ts , an d th e fa in t swel l o f th et r i u m ph an t m us i c . As t he hos t d r ew nea r e r , t h ey des c r i ed a

' s t a te ly dam e, ma gni f i cen t ly a t t i r e d , who m th ey soon d i scoveredto b e the queen . Sh e was r id in g on a m ule , th e sum ptu ou st r app ings o f wh ich wer e r e s p l enden t w i th go ld , and r eachedt o t h e g r o u n d . O n h e r r i g h t h a n d r o d e h e r d a u g h t e r , t h ePr inc ess I sabe l l a , equa l ly sp lend id in he r a r r a y ; on h e r le ft ,

th e ven erab le g r an d cardm al o f Spa in . A noble t r a in of l ad iesand cava l i e r s fo l lowed her , toge ther wi th pages and esqu i res ,and a num er ous gu a r d of h ida lgos o f h i gh r ank , a r r ay ed i n 's u p e r b a r m o u r . W h e n t h e v e t e r a n M o h a m m e d b e n H a s s a nbeh e ld t h a t t h i s was t h e Q uee n I s abe l l a , a m v in g i n s t a t e t ota k e up h e r r es idenc e in th e cam p, h i s he ar t f a il ed h im. H e

" s hook h i s head mour n f u l l y , and t u r n ing t o I i i s c ap t a in s ,, ' "Ca va l ie r s , " s a id he , " th e f a te o f B az a i s de c ide d "

-.»pke M oo r i sh com m and ers r e m aine d gaz ing w i th a m ing led1 ' f ee l ing of g r ie f an d adm ira t ion a t th i s mag ni f i cen t pag ean t ,w hic h foreboded th e fa l l o f th e i r c i ty . Som e of th e t roo ps

'••would ha ve sal l ied for th in one of th ei r desp era te ski r m ishe s ,: < ^ ^ t a b k t h e r o y a l g u a r d, b u t t h e P r i n c e C id i Y a h y e f o rb a d e

'lä tem-; no r w ou ld h e a l low an y ar t i l le ry to be discharg ed, ori\%hy m oles ta t ion or ins ul t to be of fere d; for th e c ha rac ter of' '• I s abe l la w as ve ne r a t ed even by t he M o o r s ; and m os t o f t h e• ' ' commanders possessed tha t h igh and ch iva l rous cour tesy ,

wh ich be longs t o he r o i c s p i r i t s ; f o r t hey wer e among t he• no bles t and brav es t cava l i e rs of t he M oo r i sh n a t ion .The inhab i tan t s o f Baza , when they l ea rned tha t the ChrLs . -

t i a n qu een was app r oac h ing t h e camp , eage r ly s oug h t e ve r yeminence t ha t cou ld command a v i ew o f t he p l a in ; and eve r yba t t l em en t , and tow er , and m os que , was cove r ed w i th t u r b an edhe ad s , gaz ing a t t h e g lo ri ous s pec t ac le . T h ey beh e ld K in gI Fe r d inand i s s ue f o r t h i n r oya l s t a t e , a t t ended by t he M ar qu i s




of Cadiz , th e m as te r o f San t iago , th e D u k e of Alva , th ead m ira l o f Cas t i l e , an d m an y o th er nobles o f r e n o w n ; w hi lethe whole ch iva l ry o f the camp, sumptuous ly a r rayed , fo l lowedin h i s t r a m , an d th e pop ulace re n t t h e a i r w i th acc lam at ions

a t the s igh t o f the pa t r io t queen .W h e n t h e s ove re igns ha d m e t and em br aced each o the r ,t he two hos t s ming l ed t oge the r , and en t e r ed t he camp inmar t i a l pomp; and t he eyes o f t he i n f i de l beho lde r s wer edazzled by the f lash of armour , the splendour of goldencapar i sons , th e g orgeo us d i sp lay of s ilks and b rocad es , an dvelv ets , of toss in g plu m es and flu ttering b an ne rs . T he re w asa t t he s ame t ime a t r i umphan t s ound o f d r ums and t r umpe t s ,c la r ions and sackbuts , mingled wi th the swee t melody of the

du l c imer , wh ich came s we l l i ng i n bu r s t s o f ha r mony , t ha ts eemed t o r i s e up t o t he heavens .*" O n t he a r r i va l o f t h e qu een , " s ays t h e h i s t o r i an H er n an do

de l Pu lga r , w ho was pre se n t a t th e t im e , " i t was ma rve l lou sto behold how, a l l a t once , the r igour and tu rbu lence of warw as sof tened, a n d th e s to rm of pass ion s su nk in to a calm .T h e sw ord was shea thed , th e cross -bow no long er l anc hed i t sdead ly shaf t s , and the a r t i l l e ry , which had h i ther to kep t upan i nces s an t up r o a r , now ceased i t s t hu nd e r in g . O n bo ths ide s the re was s t il l a v ig i l an t g ua rd ke p t u p , the sen t ine l sbr i s t l e d t h e wal l s o f Ba za w i th the i r l ances , and th e g ua rdspa t ro l l ed the Chr i s t i an camp ; bu t there was no sa l ly ing for thto sk i rmish , nor any wanton v io lence or ca rnage .

P r inc e C id i T a h y e s aw, by t h e a r r i va l o f t h e q ueen , t h a tt he C hr i s t i ans wer e de t e r mined t o con t i nue t he s i ege ; and hekn ew th a t t h e c i ty wou ld have t o cap i t u l a te . H e h ad be enprodigal of the f ives of h is soldiers , as long as he thought a

m i l i t a ry good was to be ga ined b y th e sacr i f ice ; b u t h e w assp ar in g of th ei r b lood in a hop less cause , a nd w ar y of exa spera t ing the enemy by an obs t ina te , hope les s defence .

A t t h e r eq ue s t of P r in ce C id i Y ah ye , a pa r l ey was g r an t ed ,and t he mas t e r commander o f L eon , Don Gu t i e r e de C a r denas ,was appo in t ed t o con f e r w i th t he va l i an t a l cayde M ohammed .T he y m et a t an app oin ted p lace , wi th in v iew of bo th cam pand c i ty , honourab ly a t t ended by cava l i e r s o f e i ther a rmy.T h e i r m ee t i ng was h igh ly cou r t eous , fo r t he y ha d l ea r ne d ,

f rom ro u gh enc ou nte r s in th e fie ld , to adm ire each o t he r ' sp row ess . T he com m and er o f Leo n , in an earn es t speech ,po in ted ou t the hope les sness o f any fur ther defence , andw a r n e d M o h a m m e d o f t h e i l l s w h i c h M a l a g a h a d i n c u r r e d b yi t s obs t inacy . " I p rom ise , in th e na m e of m y sovere ign ,"s a id he , " t ha t , i f you s u r r e nd e r im me d ia t e ly , t h e i n ha b i t a n t s

* Cura de los Palacios.S



258 H I S T O R Y 01?

sha l l he t r ea ted as sub jec t s , and pro tec ted , in p roper ty , l iber ty ,a n d re l ig ion . I f yo u re fuse , y ou , w ho a re now ren ow ne d asan ab le and jud ic ious commander , wi l l be chargeab le wi th theconf iscat ions , capt iv i t ies , an d de ath s , wh ich m a y be suffered

b y the" peo ple of B az a." 'T h e c o m m a n d e r c e as ed , a n d M o h a m m e d r e t u r n e d t o t h ec i ty to con su l t w i th h i s com panion s . I t w as ev ide n t th a t a l lf u r t he r r e s i s t ance was ho pe l e s s ; bu t t he M oor i s h co m m ande r sfe l t tha t a c loud might r es t upon the i r names should they , o ft h e n - own d i s c r e ti on , s u r r en de r s o im po r t an t a p l ace w i tho u ti t s hav ing s us t a ined an a s s au l t . P r i nc e C id i Y ah y e r eq ue s t e dpermiss ion , there fore , to send an envoy to Guadix , wi th al e t t e r t o t he o ld mona r ch , E l Z aga l , t r ea t i ng o f t he s u r r ende r .

T he r eques t was g r an t ed ; a s a f e conduc t a s s u r ed t o t he envoy ,a n d t h e v e t e r a n al c a y d e, M o h a m m e d b e n H a s s a n , d e p a r t e dupon t h i s momen tous mi s s ion .

C H A P T E R L X X X .

S U R R E N D E R O P B A Z A .

T H E o ld w ar r io r k in g w as sea ted in an inne r cha m be r o f t h ecas t l e o f G uad ix , m uc h cas t dow n in sp i r it , an d rum ina t in g o nhis g loomy for tunes , when an envoy f rom Baza was announced ,an d t h e ve t e r a n a lcayde M oh am m ed s tood be f o re h im . E lZ a ga l s aw d i s a s tr ous t i d ings w r i t t en i n h i s coun t enan ce ." How f a r e s i t w i th B aza?" s a id he , s ummoning up h i s s p i r i t st o t h e q u e s ti o n . " L e t t h i s i nf o rm t h e e , " r e p l ie d M o h a m m e d ;an d he d e l ivered in to h i s ha nd s th e l e t t e r from th e P r in ceCid i Y ah y e . Th is l e t t e r spoke of th e des pera te s i tua t ion o fB aza , th e impo ss ib i li ty o f ho ld ing ou t longer , w i tho ut as s i s tance f rom El Zaga l , and the favourab le t e rms of fe red by theC as t i li an s ove r eigns . H a d i t bee n w r i t t e n by an y o th e rpe r s on , E l Z aga l migh t have r ece ived i t w i th d i s t r u s t andin d i gn a t io n ; b u t h e conf ided in C id i Y a h y e as in a secon dself; and t h e w ords o f h i s l e t t e r sun k deep in h i s h ea r t .W h e n h e ha d fin ished rea d in g i t , he s ighed deep ly , an d re ma ined f o r s ome t ime l o s t i n t hough t , w i th h i s head d r oop ingup o n h i s bosom . Re cov er ing h imse l f a t l eng th , h e ca l l edtog e th e r t he a lf aqu is , and t h e o ld m en of G u ad ix ; and , comm un ica t ing th e t id ing s from Ba za , so l ic i ted the i r adv ice . I tw as a s ign of sore t ro ub le of m in d a nd de ject ion of h ea r t ,w h e n E l Z a g a l s o u g h t t h e a d v ic e o f o t h e r s ; hut his fiercecourage was t amed, fo r he saw the end of h i s power approaching . T he a l faqu i s and the o ld me n d id bu t increase th ed i s t r a c t ion of h i s m in d by . a va r ie ty o f counse l , no ne of wh ich



T H E C O N Q U E S T 0 E G R A N A D A . 259

appeared of any ava i l ; fo r , un les s Baza were succoured , i tw as imposs ib le th a t i t sbould ho ld ou t , an d e very a t t e m pt tosuccour . i t had proved inef fectual .

E l Za ga l d i smissed h i s counc il in despa i r , an d sum m on ed

t h e v e t e r a n M o h a m m e d b e fo re h i m . " A l l a h a c b b a r " e x c la imed he , " G od i s g re a t ; th e re i s b u t one God, an dM a h o m e t is h i s p r o p h e t R e t u r n t o m y c ou sin , C i d i Y a h y e :te l l h im, i t is ou t o f m y po w er to a id h i m ; he m us t do asseems to h i m for th e be s t . T he people ' o f Ba za ha ve per f o r med deeds w or th y o f im m or t a l f am e : I c ann o t a s k t h emto encounte r fu r ther i l l s and per i l s , in main ta in ing a hope les sdefence."

T he r ep ly of E l Z a g a l . de t e r m ined t h e f a te of t h e c i t y .

C id i Y a h y e an d l ii s f el low com m and ers im m edia te ly cap i tu l a t ed , an i l w e r e g r an t ed t h e mo s t f avour ab le t e r m s . T hecava l ie r s an d so ld ie rs , w ho h ad come f rom o th er pa r t s to thedefence of th e p lace , w ere p er m i t t e d to dep ar t f r eely , w i thth e i r a rm s , horse s , an d e ffects . T h e inh ab i tan t s h ad the i rcho ice , e i ther to de pa r t w i th the i r p ro pe r ty , o r to dw el l in th es ubur bs , i n t he en joymen t o f t he i r r e l i g ion and l aws ; t ak ingan oa th o f f ea l ty to the sovere igns , and pay ing the same t r i bu t e t he y ha d pa id t o t h e M oor i s h k i ng s . T h e c i t y and

c i t ade l w e r e t o be d e l ive r ed up i n s ix da y s ; w i th in w h ichper io d th e inh ab i tan t s we re to r em ove a l l the i r e f fec ts ; an d ,in th e m ean t im e , th e y w ere to p lace , as hos ta ges , fifteenM oo r i s h yo u th s , s ons o f t he p r i nc ipa l i nha b i t an t s , i n t h e ha nd so f t h e com ma nder s of L eo n . W h e n C id i Y ah ye and t hea l cayde M oh am m ed came to de l ive r up t h e hos t ages , am ongw ho m w er e t h e s ons of t h e l a t t e r , t h ey pa id h om age t o t h ek i n g a n d q u e e n ; w h o r e c e i v e d t h e m w i t h t h e u t m o s t c o u r t e s yan d k indne ss , and ord ered mag ni f icen t p re sen t s to b e g iven

to them, and l ikewise to the other Moor ish caval iers ; cons is t ing of money , robes , horses , and o ther th ings o f g rea t va lue .

T he P r in ce C id i Y ah ye was s o cap t i va t ed by t h e g r ace , t h ed ign i ty , an d gen eros i ty o f I sabe l l a , an d th e p r ince ly cou r tesyo f Fe r d ina nd , t h a t he vow ed neve r a ga in t o d r aw h i s s wo r daga ins t s uch magnan imous s ove r e igns .

T he queen , cha r m ed w i th h i s ga l l an t bea r ing and h i s an i m at ed profes s ion of devot ion , as su red h im , tha t , ha v in g h im

on her s ide , she a l r eady cons idered the war t e rmina ted whichhad des o l a t ed t he k ingdom o f Gr anada .M ig h ty an d i r r es i s t ib le a re w ords o f p ra i se from th e h ps

of sovere igns . C id i Y a h y e wa s en t i r e ly sub du ed b y th i s f a irs peech f rom th e i l lu s t r ious I s abe l l a . H i s h ea r t bu r ne d w i tha su dd en flame of loy al ty tow ard s th e sovereigns. ; H e b eg ge dto be enro l l ed am ong s t th e m os t dev oted of the i r , sub jec t s ;and , in the f e rvour o f h i s sudden zea l , engaged , no t mere ly to

http://succour.it/

http://succour.it/




k ing and queen made t he i r s o l emn and t r i i r mp l i a l en t r y on t hef o ll owing d a y ; an d t h e pub l i c j oy was he igh t en ed by t h es igh t o f up w ard s o f five hu n dr ed Ch r i s t i an cap t ives , me n ,wo m en, an d ch i ld ren , de l ivered from th e M oo r i sh d ung eon s .

The los s o f the Chr i s t i ans in th i s s i ege amounted to twentytho us a nd m e n ; o f w hom seven t een t hou s and d i ed of d i s ease ,an d no t a few of m ere c o l d ; " a k ind of de a th , " says th eh i s t o r ia n M a r i a n a , " p e c u l i a r l y u n c o m f o r ta b l e. " B u t , a d d sth e ve ne rab le Je su i t , " as the se la t te r w ere chiefly peo ple ofignoble r ank , baggage car r i e r s and such l ike , the los s was no to f g r ea t impor t ance . "

T h e sur ren de r o f Baz a wa s followed b y th a t o f Alm ui iecar ,Ta ve rna s , an d m os t o f th e fo r tr es ses o f the A lpu xa r ra m ou n

t a i n s . T h e i nha b i t an t s hoped , by p r o m pt and vo lu n t a r y s ub miss ion , to secure equa l ly f avourab le t e rms wi th those gran tedto the cap tured c i ty ; and the a lcaydes , to r ece ive s imi la rr ewar ds t o t hos e l av i s hed on i t s commander s ; no r wer e e i t he ro f t he m d i s appo in ted . T h e i nha b i t an t s we r e pe r m i t t ed t or em a in a s m ud exa r r a s , i n t he q u i e t en joym en t of t he i r p r op e r tyan d re l ig ion ; and as to the a lcaydes , w he n th ey came to t h ecamp to r ende r up t he i r cha r ges , t hey wer e r ece ived by Fe r d inand wi th d i s t ingu i shed favour , and rewarded wi th p resen t s ,

o f money , in p ropor t ion to the impor tance of the p laces theyh a d com m ande d . C a r e was t ak en by t h e po l it ic m on a r c h ,how ever , no t to w ou nd the i r p r id e , o r shock the i r de l i ca cy :so these sums were pa id under co lour o f a r rear s due to them,for the i r s e rv ices to th e fo rmer gov ernm ent . F er d in an d h a dcon que red b y d in t o f sword , in the ear l i e r p a r t o f the w a r ;but he found gold as potent as s teel in th is campaign of Baza. .

W i t h s eve r a l o f t he s e m er ce na r y ch ie ft ains came one , na m ed

A h A b e n F a h a r ; a s e a s o n e d w a r r i o r , w h o h a d h e l d m a n yim po r ta n t com m and s . H e w as a M oo r of a lo fty , s t e rn , an dm elanc holy a sp ec t ; an d s tood s i l en t an d apa r t , w hi le h i scom panions su r ren de red th e i r s e vera l fo r t res ses , an d re t i r e dl ad en w i th t r ea s u r e . W h e n i t c am e to h i s t u r n t o s peak, headd resse d th e sovere igns w i th th e f r ankness of a so ld ie r, b u tw i t h a ton e of deject ion an d desp ai r . " I am a M o o r ," sa idh e , " a n d o f M oor i s h l i n ea ge ; an d an a l cayde o f t he f a irt ow ns and ca s tl e s o f Pu r c he na an d P a t e r na . T h es e w er e

in t r u s t ed t o me t o de f end ; bu t t hos e t ha t s hou ld have s t ood bym e , have los t a l l s t r eng th and courage , and seek on ly fo rsec ur i ty . The se fo r tr es ses, there fore , m os t po ten t sovere igns ,a r e yo urs , w he ne ve r yo u wi l l s end to t a ke possess ion oft h e m . "

L a r ge s um s o f m one y i n go ld w er e imm ed ia t e ly o r de r e d byFerd inand to be de l ivered to the a lcayde , as a r ecompense fors o im po r t an t a s u r r end e r . T h e M oor , how eve r , p u t back t h e




gif t with, a firm and h au gh ty dem eano ur . " I come no t , "sa id l ie , " to se l l w h at i s n o t m ine , h u t to y ie ld w ha t fo r tun ehas m ad e y o u r s ; an d yo u r ma je s t ie s m ay r e s t a s s u r ed , t ha t , ,ha d I be en p r op e r ly seconded , d ea th wou ld have be en t h e

pr ice a t w hich I w ould ha ve so ld m y for t res ses , an d no t th egold you offer me."T h e C as t i han m ona r chs we r e s t r uc k w i th t h e l o ft y and

loya l sp i r i t o f th e M oo r , an d des i red to engage a m an of suc hfidelity in the n ' s e rv ice ; b u t th e p r ou d M os lem could no t beinduced to serve the enemies of h is nat ion and his fa i th .

" I s t h e r e n o th i n g , t h e n , " sa id Q u e e n I s ab e l la , " t h a t w ecan do t o g r a ti fy t hee , an d t o p r ove t o t hee o u r r e g a r d ? "' • ' Y e s , " r ep l ied t he M o o r ; " I hav e l ef t beh ind m e , i n t h e

town s and va l leys wh ich I ha ve s u r r ende r ed , m an y of m yun ha pp y cou n t r ym en , w i th t he i r w ives and ch i l d r en , wh o-can not t e a r them se lves f rom th e i r na t iv e abod es . Giv e m eyour r oya l wor d , t ha t t hey s ha l l be p r o t ec t ed i n t he peaceab l een jo ym ent of th e i r r e l ig ion an d the i r ho m es . " " W e prom isei t , " s a id I s ab e l l a ; " th ey sha l l dwel l in pea ce an d secu r i ty .B u t f o r thyself; w ha t dos t t ho u a s k fo r t h y s e l f ? " " N o t h in g , "rep l i ed A h , " b u t perm iss ion to pass unm oles ted , w i th ho rsesand effects , into Africa."

T he C as t i han m ona r chs w ou ld f ain have f or ced up on h imgold and s i lver , and superb horses r i ch ly capar i soned: no t asr ew ar d s , b u t a s m ar k s o f pe r s ona l e s t ee m : bu t A h A be nE a h a r dec l ined a l l p re sen t s an d d i s t inc t ions , as i f h e tho u gh ti t cr im inal to flourish indiv idua l ly , du r in g a tu n e of pub l icd i s t r es s ; and d i sda ined a l l p ro spe r i ty t h a t s eem ed to g rowout of the ruins of h is country .

H av in g r ece ived a r oy a l pa s s po r t , he ga the r e d t og e the r h i s

ho r s e s and s e r van t s , h i s a r mour and weapons , and a l l h i s wa r l ike e ffec ts , b ad e ad ieu to h i s w eepin g co un t rym en, w i th ab r ow s t amped wi th angu i s h , bu t w i thou t s hedd ing a t ea r , andm o u n t i n g h i s B a r b a r y s te e d , t u r n e d h i s b a c k u p o n t h e d e -hg ht fu l va l l eys o f h i s con que red co u nt ry ; dep ar t in g on h i sway , to seek a so ld ie r ' s fo r tune amids t the burn ing sands ofAfr ica .*

C H A P T E R L X X X I .S U B M I S S I O N " O F E L Z A G A L T O T H E C A S T I L I A N S O V E R E I G N S .

E V I L tid ings ne ve r fa il b y th e w ay th ro u g h lack of m esse ng ers .They a re waf ted on the wings of the wind; and i t i s as i f thevery b i rds o f the a i r would bear them to the ear o f the unfor -

* Pulgar. Garibay, lib. xl , cap. 40 . Cura de los Palacios.




tuna te . The o ld k ing , E l Zaga l , bur ied l i in i se l f in the r ecesses 'of h is cas t le , to h ide himsel f f rom the l ight of day, which nol o n g e r s h o n e p r o s p e r o u s ly u p o n h i m ; b u t e v e ry h o u r h a db r ough t mi s s ives , t hunde r ing a t t he ga t e w i th t he t a l e o f

som e new d i sas te r . F or t r e s s a f te r fo r t res s h ad l a id i t s ke ysa t th e feet of th e Chr is t ian sove reigns . S t r ip b y s t r ip ofwar r io r mounta in and green f ru i t fu l va l l ey was to rn f rom h i sdoma ins , and added t o t he t e r r i t o r i e s o f t he conque r o r s .Sca r ce ly a r em na n t r e m a ined t o h im , excep t a t r ac t o f t h eA lp u x ar ra s , an d th e no ble ci t ies of G-uaclix an d A lm eria. ISToone any longer s tood in awe of the f ierce old monarch : thete r r o r o f h i s f rown h a d dec l ined w i th h i s pow er . H e h a dar r iv ed a t th a t s t a te o f adv ers i ty , w he n a m an ' s f ri ends fee l

em bo ldene d t o t e l l h im ha r d t r u th s , and t o g ive h im un pa l a t ab l eadvice , an d w he n h i s sp i r i t i s bow ed dow n to li s t en qu ie t ly , i fn o t m e e k l y .

E l Zaga l was sea ted on h i s d ivan , h i s whole sp i r i t absorbedin r umina t i on on t he t r ans i t o r y na tu r e o f human g lo r y , whenh i s k in s m an and b r o the r - i n - l aw , t h e P r in ce C id i Y ah ye , w asan no un ce d . T h a t i l lus t rious conv er t to th e t ru e fa i th , an dthe in te res t o f the conquerors o f h i s count ry , had has tened toGuadix wi th a l l the f e rvour o f a new prose ly te , eager to p rovehis zeal in the service of heaven and the Cas t i l ian sovereigns ,b y pe r sua d in g th e o ld m on arc h to ab jure h i s f ai th ,, and .surrender h i s possess ions ,

Cad i Y a h y e s t il l b ore th e gu i se o f a M os le m ; fo r h i s convers ion wa s as ye t a secre t . T he s te rn h ea r t of E l Za ga lsof ten ed a t beh old ing th e face of a k in sm an , in th is h o u r ofad ve rs i ty . H e fo lded h i s cous in to h i s bosom , an d gav eth an k s to A l lah , tha t , am ids t a l l h i s t rouble s , h e h ad s t i ll a .

f r i end an d counse l lo r , on w ho m he m ig ht r e ly . C id i Y ah ye .soon en te re d up on th e rea l pu rpo se of h i s mis s ion . H e rep re sen ted to E l Zaga l the despera te s t a te o f a f fa i r s , and the i r r e -t r i eveab le dec l ine o f M oo r i sh pow er in th e k ing dom of Gra na da ." F a te , " sa id he , " i s aga in s t ou r a m i s ; our ru in i s wr i t t enin t h e he av en s : r em em ber t h e p r ed i c t i on o f t h e a s t r o loge r s ,a t t h e b i r t h o f you r nep hew B oab d i l . W e had hop ed t h a tt he i r p r ed i c t i on was accompl i shed b y h i s cap tu r e a t L u c en a ;b u t i t is now ev iden t , t h a t t h e s ta r s po r t end ed , no t a t em po r a r y

and pass ing reverse of the kingdom, but a f inal over throw*The cons tan t success ion of d i sas te r s , which have a t t ended ouref for ts , show th a t th e scep tre of G ra na d a is doo m ed to pa ssin to t h e ha nds o f t h e C hr i s t i an m ona r chs . Su ch , " conc ludedthe pr ince , emphat ica l ly , and wi th a p ious r everence , " such i st he a lmigh ty wi l l o f God "

E l Z aga l l i s t ened t o t he s e wor ds i n mu te a t t en t i on , w i thou ts o m u c h a s m o v i n g a muscle of h is face , or winking an eyel id .



•264 H I S T O R Y O F

W hen the p r i nce had conc luded , he r ema ined f o r a l ong t imes i l en t an d p ens ive . A t l eng th , hea v ing a p rofo und s igh fromt h e v e r y b o t t o m of h is h e a r t , " A l a h u m a s u b a h a n a h u " e x cla im ed he , " th e wi l l of G od be do ne Y es , m y cous in , i t i s

b u t too ev ide n t th a t suc h i s th e wi l l o f A l lah : an d w h at h ewil ls , he fa il s no t to accom pl ish . H a d h e no t dec reed th e fa llo f G r ana da , t h i s a r m and th i s c ime te r wou ld hav e m a in t a inedi t . " *

" W h a t t h e n r e m a i n s , " s a id C id i Y a h y e , " b u t t o d r a wth e m os t ad va nta ge f rom th e w rec k of em pi re th a t i s l e f ty o u ? To pe rs is t in a w ar , i s to b r i n g com plete desola t ionup on th e l and , an d ru i n and de a th up on i t s f a ith fu l inhab i t a n t s . A r e yo u d i spos ed t o y i e ld up yo u r r em a in ing t ow ns

t o y o u r n e p h e w , E l O h i q u i t o , t h a t t h e y m a y a u g m e n t h i spower , and der ive pro tec t ion f rom h i s a l l i ance wi th theChr i s t i an sovere igns ?"

T h e ey e of E l Z ag al f lashed f ire a t th is sug ges t io n. H egra sp ed th e h i l t o f h i s c im eter , and gna she d h i s t e e th w i thfury . " N e ve r , " c r i ed he , " wi l l I ma ke t e r m s w i th th a t r e c rean t and s lave sooner would I s ee the banners o f theChr i s t i an monarch f loa t ing ' above my wal l s , than they shouldadd to the possess ions o f the vassa l Boabdi l "

C id i Y ah ye imm ed ia t e ly s e ized up on t h i s i dea , and u r ge dE l Z a ga l t o m ak e a f r ank and en t i r e s u r r en de r . " T r u s t , "sa id he , " to th e mag na nim i ty o f th e C as t i li an sove re igns .T h e y wi ll doub t l e ss g r a n t you h ig h and honou r ab l e t e r m s .I t i s b e t t e r to y ie ld to th em as f r iends , w h at th ey m us t in fa l l ib ly an d before lon g w re s t f rom yo u as enem ies : for suc h,m y cousin, i s t h e a lm igh ty wi l l o f G o d " " A lah um a s uba ha n a h u " r ep ea t ed E l Z ag a l , " t h e wi l l o f Go d b e done "So t h e o ld mo na r c h bow ed h i s ha ug h t y neck , and ag r eed t osu r re nd er h i s t e r r i to r i es to the e nem ies o f h i s f a i th , r a th e rt h a n su ffe r t h em to au gm en t t h e M os l em power , un de r t h esway of h i s nephew.

C i d i Y a h y e n o w r e t u r n e d t o B a z a , e m p o w e r e d b y E l Z a g a lto t r e a t , on h i s behalf, w i th th e Ch r i s t i an sovere igns . T h epr ince fe l t a species of exul ta t ion, as he expat ia ted on ther ic h re li cs o f em pi re w hic h h e was au th or ize d to cede . T h er ew as a g r ea t pa r t o f t h a t l ine o f m oun ta in s , w h ich ex t end s

f rom the met ropol i s to the Medi te r ranean Sea , wi th i t s s e r i esof bea ut i ful gre en val le ys , l ike prec ious em erald s se t in ago lden cha in . Ab ove a l l t he s e wer e G uad ix and Alm er i a , tw oof the mos t ines t imable j ewels in the c rown of Granada .

I n r e tu rn fo r the se possess ions , an d for th e c la im of E lZaga l to the r es t o f the k ingdom, the sovere igns r ece ived h im

* Conde, t. iii, c 40.




in to the i r f r i endsh ip and a l l i ance , and gave h im, in perpe tua li nhe r i t ance , t he t e r r i t o r y o f A lhamin , i n t he Alpuxa r r a s , w i thha l f of th e sa l inas , or sa l t p i t s , of M al eh a. H e wa s to en joyth e t i t l e of K in g of A nda r axa , w i th two t h ou s an d M ud e j ares ,

or con qu ered M oo rs , fo r sub jec t s ; an d h i s r ev en ue s w ere tobe m ad e u p to th e sum of four mi l l ions of m ara ve dis : * a l lthese he was to hold as a vassal of the Cas t i l ian crown.

T h e s e a r r a n g e m e n t s b e i n g m a d e , C i d i Y a h y e r e t u r n e d w i t hthem to M uley Abda l l a ; and i t was conce r t ed t ha t t he ce r e mony o f s u r r ende r and homage s hou ld t ake p l ace a t t he c i t yof Almer ia .

O n t h e 1 7 t h o f D e c e m b e r K i n g F e r d i n a n d d e p a r t e d f ro mBa za w i th a p ar t o f h i s a rm y, and th e qu een soon fo llowed

w i t h t h e r e m a i n d e r . F e r d i n a n d p a s s e d i n t r i u m p h b y s e v e ra lof the newly acqui red towns , exu l t ing in these t rophies o f h i spo l icy ra th er th an h i s va lou r . A s h e d rew ne ar to A lm er ia ,t h e M oor i s h k in g came f o r th t o m ee t h im , accompan ied b yth e P r in ce C id i Y ah ye , and a n um be r o f t h e p r i nc ipa l i n ha b i t a n t s on ho r s eback . T he f ie rce b r ow o f E l Z a ga l w asc louded wi th a k in d o f f or ced hu m i l i t y ; bu t t he r e was animpat ien t cur l o f the hp , wi th now and then a swel l ing of thebos om, an d an i nd ig nan t b r ea th ing fr om th e d i s t ended nos t r i l .

I t was ev iden t he cons idered h imse l f conquered , no t by thepow er o f m an , b u t b y t h e ha nd of he av en ; and wh i l e hebowed to the decrees of fa te , i t gal led his proud spi r i t to haveto hu m ble h imse l f before i t s m or ta l agen t . A s h e app roach edthe Chr i s t i an k ing , he a l igh ted f rom h i s horse , and advancedto k i s s h i s ha nd , in toke n of hom age . Fe rd in an d , how ever ,r e s pec t ed t he r oya l t i t l e wh ich t he M oor had he ld ; and wou ldno t pe r mi t t he ce r emony ; bu t , bend ing f r om h i s s add l e , g r a c ious ly embr aced h im , and r eques t ed M m to r emoun t h i s

s t eed . f Seve r a l cou r t eous s peeches pas s ed be tw een t he m ,an d th e fo r t res s an d c i ty o f Alm er ia , an d a l l th e r emain ing-ter r i to r ie s of E l Za ga l , w ere del ivered u p in form. "When al lwas accompl i shed , the o ld war r io r Moor re t i r ed to the mount a i n s , wi th a handfu l o f adheren t s , to seek h i s pe t ty t e r r i to ryof Andaraxa , to bury Ms humi l i a t ion f rom the wor ld , and to -conso le h imse l f wi th the shadowy t i t l e o f a k ing .

* Cura de los Palacios, cap. 94 .i* Cura de los Palacios, cap. 93 .



266 H I S T O E T O F

C H A P T E R L X X X I L .

E V E N T S A T G R A N A D A S U B S E Q U E N T T O T H E S U B M I S S I O N O F

E l i Z A G A t .

W H O ca n tel l w h e n to rejoice in th is f luctuating w orl d ?E ve r y wave o f p r os pe r i t y has i t s r eac t i ng s u r ge , and we a r eof ten overw helm ed by th e ve ry b i l low on which , we tho u g h tto be waf t ed i n to t h e ha ven of ou r hopes . W h e n J us e fAben Commixa , the v iz ie r o f Boabdi l , su rnamed E l Chico , ent e r e d t h e r o ya l s a loon of t h e A lham br a , an d ann oun ced t h ecap i t u l a t i on o f E l Z ag a l , t h e h ea r t o f t he you th f u l m on a r c h

leape d for jo y . H is g re a t w ish w as acc om pl i she d ; h i s un c lew as de f ea ted an d de th r o ne d ; an d he r e ign ed w i thou t a r i va l , .s o le m ona r ch of G r ana da . A t l e ng th he w as ab ou t t o en joyth e f ru it s o f h i s hum i l i a t ion and vassa lage . H e be he ld h i sthrone for t i f ied by the f r iendship and a l l iance of the Cas t i l ianm on ar ch s ; th ere cou ld be no ques t ion , there fore , o f i t s s t ab i l i ty ." A l l ah ae hb a r " exc l a imed he , " Go d i s g r e a t R e jo ice wi t hm e , oh Jusef, t h e s t a r s h a v e c e as ed t h e i r p e r s e c u t i o n H e n c e f o r th l e t no man ca l l me E l Z ogoyb i "

In the f i r s t .moment o f h i s exu l ta t ion , Boabdi l would haveor de red pu bl ic r e jo ic ings ; bu t th e s hre w d Ju se f shoo k h i she ad . " T h e t em pe s t h as ceased ," sa id he , " f rom one po in tof th e hea ven s , b u t i t m a y be g in to r ag e f rom ano ther . At r ou b l e d s ea is be ne a th u s , and we a r e s u r r o un ded b y r ock san d qu ick sa nd s : l e t m y lo rd th e k ing defer r e jo ic ings un t i l .a l l ha s se t t l ed in to a ca lm." E l Chico , how ever , cou ld n o trem ain t r a nq u i l in th i s day of exu l ta t ion . H e ord ered h is*s tee d to be sum ptu ou s ly capar i soned , an d , i s su ing ou t o f th e

ga t e o f t h e Alham br a , de s cended wi th a g l i t t e r i ng r e t i nu ea lo ng th e aven ue of t r ees and founta ins in to th e c i ty , to r e ce ive th e acc lamat ions of th e popu lace . A s h e en te re d t h egrea t square o f the v ivar rambla , he behe ld c rowds of peoplein v io len t ag i t a t ion ; bu t , as he approached , what was h i3s u r p r i s e t o h ea r g r oans , and m ur m ur s , an d bu r s t s of exec r a t i o n T h e t id i n g s h a d s p r e a d t h r o u g h G r a n a d a t h a t M u l e yA bd al la e l Za ga l ha d b een dr iven to ca p i tu la te , an d th a t a l lh is ter r i to r ie s ha d fa l len in to th e han ds of th e C hr is t ia ns . ]STo

on e h ad i nq u i r ed i n to t h e pa r t i cu l a r s , b u t a l l G r an ad a h adbe en th ro w n in to a f e rm ent o f g r ie f an d ind ign a t ion . I n th ehea t o f the moment o ld Muley was ex to l l ed to the sk ies as apa t r io t p r ince , who had fought to the l as t fo r the sa lva t ion ofh i s co u n t ry ; as a m i r ro r of m on arch s , s corn ing to com prom iseth e d ign i ty o f h i s c row n b y an y ac t o f vassa lage . Bo abd i l ,on the con t ra ry , had looked on exu l t ing ly a t the hope les s ye t




hero ic s t rug gle of b i s u n c le ; b e b ad re jo iced in th e defea t o fth e fai th fu l, an d th e t r i u m ph of unb e l iev er s . H e h ad a id edin th e d i sm em be rm en t and downfa ll o f th e em pi re . "Whenthey behe ld h im r i d ing f o r t h i n go r geous s t a t e , i n wha t t hey

con s idered a day of hu m i l i a t ion for a l l t r u e M os lem s , th e yco u ld no t con t a in t h e i r r a ge , and , am ids t t he c l amour s t h a tp r eva i l ed , B oa bd i l m or e t h an once he a r d h i s n am e coup l edwi th t he ep i t he t s o f t r a i t o r and r enegade

Shocked and d i s comf i t ed , t he you th f u l mona r ch r e tu r nedin confus ion to the A lha m bra . H e shu t h imse l f u p w i th in i t si nne r mos t cou r t s , and r ema ined a k ind o f vo lun t a r y p r i s one r ,u n t i l th e first b ur s t of po pu lar feeling sho uld sub s ide . H et r u s t ed t ha t i t wou ld s oon pas s away ; t ha t t he peop l e wou ld

be too sens ible of the sweets of peace to repine a t the pr ice a tw h ich i t was ob t a ine d ; a t any r a t e , he t r u s t e d t o t h e s t r on g

agains t the fact ions of h is subjects .The f i r s t miss ives f rom the pol i t ic Ferdinand showed

Boabdi l the va lue of Ms f r i endsh ip .T he C a tho li c m ona r ch r e m inde d h im o f a t r e a ty w h ich he

h a d m ade , w he n cap tured in the c i ty o f Lox a . B y th i s h eh a d enga ged tha t , in case th e Catho l ic sovere igns sho uldca p tu re the c i t ies o f Gu adix , Baza , and Almer ia , he w ou lds u r r ende r Gr anada i n to t he i r hands wi th in a l im i t ed t ime ,and accep t in exchange cer ta in Moor i sh towns , to be he ld byh im as t he i r va s s al . Fe r d in an d now in fo r med h im, t h a tG uad ix , B aza , and A hne r i a ha d f a l l en ; he ca ll ed u p o n M m ,there fore , to fu lfil h i s eng age m ent . I f th e un for tu na te Bo ab di lhad possessed the wi l l , he had no t the power to comply wi thth i s dem and . H e was s hu t up i n t h e A lham br a , wh i l e a

t em pe s t o f popu l a r f u r y r ag ed wi thou t . G r an ad a was t h r on ge db y re fugees f rom th e cap ture d tow ns , m an y of the m d i s banded soldiera ; o thers broken down ci t izens , rendered f ierceand despera te by ru in : a l l r a i l ed a t Boabdi l as the r ea l causeof th e i r m is for tunes . H o w was he to ve n t ur e fo r th in su ch as t o r m ? above a l l, how was h e to t a lk to suc h m en of sur re nd er ? I n h i s r ep ly to Fe rd in an d , h e r ep rese n te d th e difficu l t i es o f h i s s i tu a t i on ; an d tha t , so f a r f rom ha vin g con t ro lover h i s sub jec t s , Ms ve ry li fe was in da ng er f rom the i r tu r

bu lenc e . H e en t rea ted the k ing , there fore , to r e s t s a ti sf iedf o r t he p r e s en t w i th h i s r ecen t conques t s , p r omis ing h im , t ha tsho uld he be able to reg ain full em pire over Ms cap i ta l a n di t s inhab i tan t s , i t would bu t be to ru le over them as vassa l tothe Cas t i l i an c rown.

F er d in an d was no t to be sa ti sf ied w i th such a r ep ly . T h et ime was come to br ing Ms game of pol icy to a c lose , and to•consummate h i s conques t by sea t ing h imse l f on the th rone of

sovere igns to secure Mm even



268 H I S T 0 B Y O F

t l i e Alha m bra . Pro fes s ing to cons ider Bo ab di l as a f a i th les sa l l y , who had b r oken h i s p l i gh t ed wor d , he d i s ca r ded h imfrom h i s f r i endsh ip , and addressed a second le t t e r , no t to tha tm onar ch , b u t t o t h e com man der s an d counc il of t h e c i t y . H e

demanded a comple te sur render o f the p lace , wi th a l l thearms in the possess ion e i ther of the c i t izens , or of o thers whoh a d r ece n t l y t ak en r ef uge w i th in i t s wa l l s . I f t h e i nhab i t a n t s s hou ld comply w i th t h i s s um m ons , h e p r om is ed t h emthe i ndu lgen t t e r ms wh ich had been g r an t ed t o B aza , Guad ix ,an d A h ne r i a : if t he y s hou ld r e fus e , he t h r ea t en ed t h em w i ththe f a t e o f M a laga .*

T he mes s age o f t he C a tho l i c mona r ch p r oduced t he g r ea t e s tcom m ot ion in th e c i ty . T h e inh ab i tan t s o f th e a lcacer ia , th a t

b u sy h ive of tra ff ic , and a l l o th er s w ho ha d t as ted th e sw ee t sof gainful com m erce d ur in g the la te cessat ion of ho s t i l i t ies ,wer e f o r s ecu r ing t he i r go lden advan t ages by t ime ly s ubmis s ion : o th er s , w ho ha d w ives and ch i lcben , looked on th e mwi th t enderness and so l i c i tude , and dreaded , by res i s t ance , tob r i ng up on t h em th e ho r r o r s o f s l ave r y . B u t , on t h e o the rha nd , G r an ad a was c r owded w i th m en f rom a ll pa r t s , r u ine db y th e w ar , ex asp era ted b y then- suf fer ings , an d eag er on lyf or r eveng e ; w i th o the r s , w ho ha d bee n r e a r e d am ids t hos t i

l i t i es , who had l i ved by t he v s wor d , and w hom a r e tu r n o fpeace wo uld l eave w i th ou t hom e or hop e . T he re w ere o th er s ,t o o , no less f iery and war l ike in dispos i t ion, but animated bya lof t ier spi r i t , va l ian t an d h a u g h ty caval iers of th e old chival r ous l i neages , who had i nhe r i t ed a dead ly ha t r ed t o t he C hr i s t i an s f rom a long l ine o f w ar r io r ances tor s , and to w ho m th eidea w as wo r s e t h an dea th , t h a t G r an ada , i l lu s t r ious G r ana da ,for ages the sea t o f Moor i sh grandeur and de l igh t , shouldbecom e th e abod e o f unbe l i eve r s . A m on g thes e c avahe r s ,

t h s m os t em inen t was M uz a be n A b i l G azan . H e was o froya l l ineage , o f a p roud and generous na ture , and a fo rmcom bin ing m an ly s t r e ng th and be au ty . N on e cou ld exce lh im in the management o f the horse , and dex te rous use o f a l lk i nd s o f w eap on s . H is g racefu lness an d sk i ll in th e to u rn eyw a s t h e t h e m e o f p r a is e a m o n g t h e M o o r i s h d a m e s ; a n d h i sprow ess in th e fie ld h ad m ad e h i rn th e t e r ro r o f th e en em y.H e ha d lon g rep ine d a t th e t imid po l icy of Boa bdi l , an d h adendeavoured to counte rac t i t s enerva t ing e f fec t s , and to keepa l ive th e m ar t i a l sp i r i t of G ran ad a . F o r th i s r easo n he had .p r omoted j ous t s , and t i l t i ngs wi th t he r eed , and a l l t hos eo th e r pub l i c gam es , wh ich be a r t he s emblance o f w ar . H een de av ou red , a l so , to incu lc a te in to h i s comp anions in a rm stho s e h i g h ch iva lr ous s en t im en t s , wh ich l ead t o va l i an t and

* Cura de los Palacios, cap. 96.




the i r weapons , were anx ious to wipe ou t the d i sgrace of the i rl a te pass ive submiss ion by s igna l and dar ing exp lo i t s .

M u z a ben Ab i l G aza n was t h e s ou l o f ac t ion . H e comm an de d t h e cava l ry , wh ich he ha d ih s c ip l ined w i th un co m m on

s k il l. H e wa s s u r r o un ded by t h e nob l e s t yo u t h of G r an ad a ,w ho h a d c aug h t h i s own gene r ou s and m ar t i a l fire, an d p an t e dfor th e fie ld; w hi le th e com m on soldiers , de vo ted to h isper son , were r eady to fo l low h im in the mos t despera te en te r p r i s e s . H e did n ot a l low th ei r cou rag e to cool for w a n t ofac t ion . T h e ga tes o f G ra na da once m or e po ure d for th l eg ionsof l igh t s cour ing cava l ry , which sk i r red the count ry up to theve ry gat es of th e Ch r is t ia n fo r t re sse s ; sw eep ing off flocksa n d h e r d s . T h e n a m e of M u z a b e c a m e f o rm i d a b le t h r o u g h o u t

th e f r on ti e r . H e:

h a d m a n y e n c o u n t e r s w i t h t h e e n e m y i nt h e r o u g h . p a s s e s of t h e m o u n t a i n s , i n w h i c h t h e s u p e r i o rl i gh tnes s and dex t e r i t y o f h i s cava l r y gave h im the advan t age .T h e s igh t o f h i s gh s ten ing l eg ion , r e tu rn in g across th e ve gaw i th long cava lgadas o f booty , was ha i l ed b y th e M oo rs asa r ev iva l of t he i r anc i en t t r i u m p h s ; bu t w hen t h ey be he ldC h r i s t i an b ann e r s , b o r ne i n to t he i r ga t e s a s t r oph i e s , t h eex ul ta t io n of the l igh t -m inde d pop ulace was be yo nd a l lbouno ls . T h e w in t e r pas s ed away , t h e . s p r in g advanced , y e t

F e r d i n an d d e l ayed to t ak e t h e fie ld . H e kne w th e c i t y o fGr anada t o be t oo s t r ong and popu lous t o be t aken by a s s au l t ,and too ful l of provis ions to be speedi ly reduced by s iege." W e m us t have pa t i ence and pe r s eve r ance , " s a id t h e po l i t icm ona r ch . " B y r ava g ing t he coun t r y t h i s yea r , we s ha l l p r o duce a scarc i ty th e nex t , and th e n the c i ty m ay b e inv es te dwith effect ."

A n in te rv a l o f peace , a ided b y th e qu ick veg e ta t io n of aprol if ic soi l an d h ap py cl im ate , h ad re s to re d th e veg a to a l li t s l uxu r i ance and be au ty . T he g r een pas tu r e s on t h e bo r de r sof th e X en i l w ere covered w i th flocks an d he rds . T h e b loom in g o r cha r ds gave p r om is e o f ab un da n t f r u i t ; and t h e ope np l a in was w av ing w i th r i pen ing co r n . T he t ime was a t ha n dto p u t in th e s ick le an d reap th e go lde n harv es t , w he n , sudden ly , a to r r en t o f w ar cam e sweep ing dow n f rom th em o u n t a i n s ; a n d F e r d i n a n d , w i t h a n a r m y of five t h o u s a n dhorse and twenty thousand foo t , appeared before the wal l s o fG r an ad a . H e ha d l ef t t he que en an d p r inces s a t t h e f o r t r e s so f M oc l in , and came , a t t end ed by t h e Du ke o f M ed ina S idon ia ,th e M ar qu is of Cadiz , th e M arq uis de V i l l ena , th e Counts o fD r en a an d C abr as , D on Alonzo de Ag u i l a r , and o the r r eno w nedcava l ie r s . O n th i s occas ion X in g Fe rd in an d , for th e firstt i m e , l ed h i s son , P r in ce Ju a n , in to th e f ie ld , and be s tow edup on h im th e d ign i t y of kn igh tho od . A s if t o s t imu la t e h i mto g r and ach i evem en t s , t h e ce r em ony t ook p l ace on t h e ba nk s




of t he g r and cana l , a lmos t benea th t he emba t t l ed wa l l s o fth a t w ar l ike c i ty , th e ob jec t o f such da r ing en te rp r i ses , andin the mids t o f tha t f amous vega , which had been the f i e ld o fs o m an y ch iva lr ous exp lo it s. H ig h above t h em s hone r e

s p l enden t t he r ed t ower s o f t he Alhambr a , r i s i ng f r om amids tde l i c i ous g r oves , w i th t he s t anda r d o f M ahomet wav ingdef iance to the Chr i s t i an a rms .

T he Duke o f M ed ina S idon i a , and t he va l i an t R odr igoPonce de L eon , M ar qu i s o f C ad i z , we r e s pons o r s , and a l l t hech iva l ry of th e cam p w as as sembled on th e occas ion . T h ep r ince , a f t e r he had been kn igh t ed , be s towed t he s ame honouron severa l you thfu l cava l i e r s o f h igh rank , jus t en te r ing , l ikehimself, on the career o f a rms .

F er d in an d d id no t lo i t e r in ca r ry ing h i s deso la t ing p la nsin to execu t ion . H e d e tach ed pa r t i es in every d i rec t ion toscour th e co iu i t ry . V i l l ages w ere sacked , bu rn t , an d de s t ro ye d ,an d t he love ly vega once m ore w as l a id w as te w i th fire an dsword . "The ravage was car r i ed so c lose to Granada tha tth e c i ty w as w rap ped in the sm oke of i t s ham le t s and g ar de ns .The d i smal c loud ro l l ed up the h i l l , and hung about thetow er s o f t h e A lham br a , w he r e t he un f o r tun a t e B oabd i l s t il lr em ain ed , sh u t u p f rom th e ind ign a t ion of h i s sub jec t s . T hehaples s monarch smote h i s b reas t , a s he looked down f rom h i sm ou nt ai n pa lace o n th e desola t ion effected b y his la t e a l ly .H e da r e d no t even s how h ims e l f i n a r ms amon g t he po pu l ace ,fo r they cursed h im as the cause of the miser ies b rought anewto t hen - doors . Th e M oo rs , how ever , d id no t suffe r th e C hr i s t i ans to ca r ry on the i r r avages unmoles ted as in fo rmer year s .M u z a inc i t ed th em to incessan t sa ll ies . H e d iv ided h i scava l ry in to sm al l squadro ns , each l ed b y a da r ing co m m an de r .

T hey wer e t augh t t o hove r r ound t he C hr i s t i an camp , t oharass i t f rom var ious and oppos i t e quar te r s , cu t t ing of f conv o y s a n d s t r a g g l i n g d e t a c h m e n t s ; t o w a y l a y t h e a r m y i n i t sravag ing expedi t ions , lu rk ing among rocks and passes o f themounta ins , o r in ho l lows and th icke t s o f the p la in , and pract i s i ng a t hous and s t r a t agems and s u r p r i s e s .

T he C hr i s t i an a r m y ha d one d ay s p r ead i t s el f ou t , r a t h e run gu a r d ed ly , i n i t s f o rag ing abo u t t h e vega . As t h e t r oop sc o m m a n d e d b y t h e M a r q u i s d e V i l l e n a a p p r o a c h e d t h e s k i r t s

o f t he mou n ta in s , t he y beh e ld a nu m be r o f M oor i s h p eas a n t s ,has t i ly d r iv ing a he rd of ca t t l e in to a na r ro w g len . T h eso ld ie rs , eage r fo r boo ty , p res sed in pu rsu i t o f the m . Sca rce lyh a d the y e n te red th e g len , w he n shouts a rose from eve ry s ide ,and t hey wer e f u r i ous ly a t t acked by an ambus cade o f ho r s ean d foot. Som e of th e Ch r is t ian s too k to flight; o th ers s too dthe i r g r o un d an d f ough t va l i an t l y . T he M oor s ha d t h evan t age - g r oun d . Som e s how er ed da r t s and a r r ow s f rom th e



2 7 2 H I S T O R Y O F

c le f t s o f t r i e rocks ; o ther s fought , hand to hand , on the p la in ,wh i l e t he i r ca va l r y , r ap id a s l i gh tn in g i n t he i r m ove m en t s ,ca r r i e d hav oc in to th e m ids t o f th e Ch r i s t i an fo rces . T h eM ar qu i s de Vi l l ena , w i th h i s b r o the r , Don Alonzo de Pacheco ;a t t h e f ir st o nse t o f th e M oo rs , sp ur red in to the h o t t es t o ft h e fi gh t. T h ey ha d s ca r ce en t e r ed w he n D o n Alonzo wa ss t ruck l i fe less f rom his horse before the eyes of h is brother .Es tevan de Suzon , a ga l l an t cap ta in , f e l l , r igh t ing brave ly byth e si de of t h e m ar qu i s , w ho r em a ined w i th h i s cham ber l a in ,Sob e r , and a han d f u l o f kn igh t s , s u r r o un de d by t he en em y .Sev era l cava l i e rs , f rom o th er pa r t s o f th e a r m y, ha s te ne d tothe i r a s s i s t ance , when King Fe r d inand , s ee ing t ha t t he M oor shad t he van t age g r ound , and t ha t t he C hr i s t i ans wer e s u f f e r ing severe ly , gave s igna l fo r r e t r e a t . T he m ar qu is ob ey eds lowly and re luctant ly , for h is hear t was ful l of gr ief andr ag e a t t h e dea th of h i s b r o the r . A s he wa s r e t i r i ng , h ebeheld his fa i thful chamber la in , Sol ier , defending himselfb r av e ly aga ins t s i s M oor s . T he m ar qu i s t u r n ed , and r u s he dto h i s r escu e . H e k i l led tw o of th e ene m y w i th h i s o w nha nd , an d p u t th e r es t to flight. O ne of th e M oo rs , how ever ,i n r e t r e a t in g , rose in h i s s t i r rups , and , hu r l in g h i s l ance a tt h e m ar q u i s , w ou nd ed h im in t h e r i gh t a r m , an d c r i pp ledhim for l i fe.

I n cons equence o f t h i s wo und , t h e m ar qu i s wa s eve r a f te rob l i ged t o wr i t e h i s s i gna tu r e wi th h i s l e f t hand , t houghcapab l e o f m ana g ing h i s l ance w i th h i s r i gh t . T h e q ue endem and ed one da y of h im , w hy he h ad ad ve n tu r ed h i s lif efo r t h a t o f a d o m e s t ic ? " D o e s n o t y o u r m a j e s t y t h i n k , "repl ied he , " that I ought to r i sk one l i fe for h im who wouldha ve ad ve n tu r ed t h r e e fo r m e ha d he pos s es sed t h em ?" T h equ een was cha r m ed wi th t h e m agn an im i ty o f t he r ep ly , and

of ten quoted the marquis , as se t t ing an hero ic example to thech iva l ry o f the age .

Such was one o f t he many ambus cades conce r t ed by M uza ,n o r d id he he s i t a te , a t t ime s , to p r es en t a bo ld f ron t to th eCh r i s t i an fo rces , and to defy th em in th e o pen fi eld. K in gF er d in an d s oon pe r ce ived , how eve r , t h a t t h e M oor s s e ldompr ovo ked a ba t t l e w i tho u t ha v ing t he advan t ag e of t h e g r ou nd ,and t ha t , t hough t he C hr i s t i ans gene r a l l y appea r ed t o havethe v ic to ry , they suf fe red the g rea tes t los s ; fo r r e t r ea t ingwas a pa r t o f t he M oor i s h s ys t em, by wh ich t hey wou ld d r awthe i r pu r s ue r s i n to conf us ion , an d t h en t u r n upo n t h em w i th •a m or e v io len t an d fa ta l a t t ac k . H e com m and ed h i s cap ta ins ,there fore , to dec l ine a l l cha l l enges to sk i rmish , and to pursuea secure sys tem of des t ruc t ion , r avag ing the count ry , anddo ing a l l poss ib le in ju ry to t h e ene m y, w i th s l ig h t r i sk tot h e m s e l v e s .



T H E CONQUEST O E Gr B A N AD A. 273

C H A P T E R L 5 X X I V .

T H E E A T E O F T H E C A S T L E O F E O M A .

A B O U T tw o l eagues fr om G r ana da , on an eminence com m and ingan ex tens ive v iew of t l i e vega , s tood the s t rong Moor i sh cas t l eof R om a, a g re a t p lace of r e fuge a nd secu r i ty . H i t h e r t h ene ighbour ing peas an t r y d r ove t he i r f l ocks and he r ds , andh ur r ie d w i th the i r m os t p rec ious e ffects on th e i r ru p t io n of aCh r i s t i an fo rce ; an d an y forag ing or sk i rmish in g p a r t y f romGr anada , on be ing i n t e r cep t ed , on t he i r r e t u r n , t h r ew them

s e lves i n to R om a , m an ne d i t s em ba t t l e d t owe r s , and s e t t h een em y a t defiance . T h e gar r i son w ere acc us tom ed to the ses udden c l a ims upon t he i r p r o t ec t i on ; t o have pa r t i e s o f M oor sc l a t t e r i ng u p t o t he i r ga t e s so ho t l y pu r s u ed t ha t t he r e w asba r e ly t ime t o t h r o w open t h e po r t a l , r ece ive t h em w i th in , ands h u t ou t t h e p u r s u e r s ; wh i l e t h e C hr i s t i an cava li e rs h adm an y a t ime r e ined i n t h e i r pa n t i n g s t eeds a t t he ve r y en t r ance of the barbacan , and re t i r ed curs ing the s t rong wal l s o fR o m a t h a t r o b b e d t h e m o f t h e i r p r e y .

T he l a t e r avages o f Fe r d inand , and t he con t i nua l s k i r mi s h ings in the vega , had roused the v ig i l ance of the cas t l e .One mor n ing ea r l y , a s t he s en t i ne l s kep t wa t ch upon t he ba t t l ements , they behe ld a c loud of dus t advanc ing rap id ly f roma d i s tance . T u r ba ns an d M oo r i s h weapon s s oon cau gh t t he i re y e s , and , as th e w hole ap proach ed , th ey descr ied a d rov e ofca t t l e u r ged on i n g r ea t ha s t e , and conveyed by one hundr edan d f o r t y M oo r s , w ho l ed w i th t h em two C h r i s t i an cap t i ves

in chains .W h e n t h e cava lgada ha d a r r i ved nea r t o t h e ca s t l e , aM oor i s h cava l i e r o f nob l e and command ing mien and s p l end ida t t i r e , rode up to the foo t o f the tower and en t rea ted admi t t a n c e . H e , s t a t e d t h a t t h e y w e r e r e t u r n i n g w i t h a r i c h b o o t yf rom a fo ray in to th e l ands o f th e Ch r i s t i ans , b u t th a t t h eenem y was on t he i r t r aces , an d t h ey f ea red t o be ove r t ake nbe f o r e t hey cou ld r ea ch G r ana da . T he sen t i ne l s des cende din a ll ha s te and flung op en th e ga tes . T h e lon g cava lgada

defi led in to th e co ur ts of t h e ca st le, wh ich w ere soon f il ledw i th lowing and b le a t in g flocks a nd he rds , w i th ne igh ing a nds tamping s teeds , and wi th f ierce- looking Moors f rom them ou nta ins . T he cava l i e r wh o ask ed permiss ion was th e ch ie fof th e p a r t y ; h e wa s som ew hat adva nced in li fe , o f a lo ftyand ga l l an t bear ing , and had wi th h im a son , a young man ofg re a t fire a n d spi r i t . Close b y th em followed th e tw o Ch r is t ian capt ives , wi th looks cas t down and disconsolate .

r



T H E C O N Q U E S T 0 E G E A N A D A . 275

as vassa l to th e ene m y of h i s f a i th a nd na t ion , so th a t h em ig h t see G ra n ad a wre s ted from, th e sw ay of h i s n ep he w .

I n h i s b l in d pass ion th e o ld w ra th fu l m on arc h in jured h i s•own cause , an d s t r e ng the ne d th a t o f Iris ad ve rsary . T h e

Moors o f Granada had been c lamorous in h i s p ra i se , ex to l l ingh im as a v ic t im to h i s p a t r io t i sm , an d h ad re fused to be l i evea l l r ep o r t s o f h i s t r e a t y w i th th 'e C hr i s t i an s ; b u t w hen t h e ybe he ld f rom th e wa l l s o f th e c i ty h i s ba nn er m ing l ing w i t hth e ba nn ers o f the unb e l iever s , an d a r ra ye d aga in s t h i s l a tepeop l e , and t h e cap i ta l he ha d com mand ed , t he y b r o ke f o r t hin to cur ses and rev i l ings , and heaped a l l k inds o f s t igmasupon h i s name .

T he i r ne x t emot ion wa s in favour o f Bo abd i l . T he y ga

th e r ed un de r t h e w a l ls of t h e A lham br a , and ha i led h i m asthe i r on ly hop e , as th e so le depend ence of th e co un t ry .Bo abd i l cou ld scarce ly be l i eve h i s senses w he n he he ar d h i sna m e ming l ed w i th p r a i s e s and g r ee t e d wi th acc l ama t ions .E n co ur a ge d b y t h i s u nex pec t ed g leam o f pop u l a r i t y , he ven tu r e d f o r t h f rom h i s r e t r e a t , and was r ece ived w i th r a p tu r e .A l l h i s pa s t e r r o r s wer e a t t r i bu t ed t o t he ha r d s h ips o f h i sf o r t une and t h e u s u r p a t i on of h i s t y r a n t unc l e , an d w ha t ev e rb re a t h th e p opulace cou ld spare f rom u t te r in g curses on E l

.Zaga l was expe nded in sho uts in ho no ur o f E l Chico .

C H A P T E R L X X X V .

H O W B O A B D I L E L C H I C O T O O K T H E E I E L D ; A N D H I S E X P E D I

T I O N A G A I N S T A L H E N D I N .

E O E t h i r t y days ha d t h e vega bee n ove r r un b y t h e C hr i s t i anforces , and tha t vas t p la in , l a t e ly so luxur ian t and beau t i fu l ,w as beco m e a w ide scene of deso la t ion . Th e des t roy in g a r m yha vi ng ac com pl i shed i t s t ask , passed over th e b r i dg e of P in os ,a n d w o u n d u p i n t o t h e m o u n t a i n s , o n t h e w a y t o C o r d o v a ;bear ing away the spoi ls of towns and vi l lages , and dr iving of ff locks an d he rds , in long du s ty co lum ns . T he so u n d of th el a s t C hr i s t i an t r umpe t d i ed away a long t he s i de o f t he mounta in of E l v i ra , an d no t a hos t i l e squ ad ron was seen g hs ten in gin the mournful f ie lds of the vega.

T he eyes of Bo abd i l e l Chico w ere a t l en g th opene d to th er ea l po l icy o f K in g E e r d in a n d ; and he s aw, t h a t he had n olon ge r an y th ing t o depend up on t h an t h e va lou r of h i s a r m .No t ime was to be los t , in has ten ing to counte rac t the e f fec tof th e l a te Ch r i s t i an rav ag e , a nd in ope n ing th e cha nn e l fo rd i s t an t s upp l i e s t o Gr anada .

Sca r ce ly ha d t h e r e t i r i ng s qua d r on o f F e r d in an d d i s ap pea r edT 2




am ong t he m oun ta in s , t h an B o abd i l buck l e d on h i s a r m ou r ,s a l li ed f o r t h f rom th e A lham br a , an d p r e pa r ed t o t ak e t h efie ld . W h e n the populace be he ld h im ac tu a l ly in a rm s ag a ins th i s l a te a l ly , bo th par t i es th ronged wi th zea l to h i s s t andard .The hardy inhab i tan t s a l so of the S ie r ra Nevada , o r cha in of

s now- capped moun ta in s , wh ich r i s e above Gr anada , de s cendedf rom the i r he igh t s , and has tened in to the c i ty ga tes , to p rof fe rth e i r devot ion to the i r you thfu l k ing . Th e gr ea t squ are o f th ev ivar rambla shone wi th the p roud a r ray of l eg ions o f cava l ry ,deck ed w i th th e co lours an d dev ices o f th e mo s t anc ien tM oo r i s h f ami li es , and m ar s ha l l ed f o r t h b y t h e pa t r i o t M u zato fol low the king to bat t le .

I t was on th e 15 th of J u n e th a t Bo abd i l once m ore is sue dou t f rom th e ga tes of G ran ad a on a m ar t i a l en te rp r i se . Afew leag ue s f rom th e c i ty , w i th in full v iew of i t , an d a t th ee n t r a n c e - o f t he A lpu xa r r a m oun ta in s , s t ood t h e power f u lcas t l e o f A lhen din . I t w as b u i l t on an eminence , r i s ing f romth e m ids t o f a smal l tow n, an d com m and ing a g re a t p a r t o fth e vega , an d th e m ain ro ad to th e r i ch va l l eys o f th e A lp ux -a r r a s . T he cas t le was com m and ed b y a va l i an t Ch r i s t i ancava li e r, nam ed M e nd o d e Qu exada , and g a r r i soned b y twohundred and f i f ty men , a l l s easoned and exper ienced war r io r s .I t w as a con t inua l th or n in the s ide o f G ran ad a . Th e l abo ure r sof th e ve ga w ere sw ept f rom the i r f ie lds b y i t s h a rd y sold iers ,convoys were cut of f on the passes of the mountains ; and, asthe gar r i son commanded a fu l l v iew of the ga tes o f the c i ty ,no ba nd of m erc ha nts cou ld ve n tu re fo r th on the n ' needfu lj ou r neys wi thou t be ing s wooped up by t he war hawks o fA l h e n d i n .

I t was agains t th is impor tant for t ress that Boabdi l f i r s t ledhis t roo ps . F o r s ix da ys an d ni gh ts th e for t ress w as c losely

bes ieged . T he a lcayde an d h i s ve te r an gar r i son defendedthems e lves va l i a n t l y ; b u t t h ey we r e exha us t ed by fa t igue an dcon s t an t w a t ch f u ln es s : f o r t h e M oor s , be ing con t i nua l ly r e l i eved b y f r es h t r oops f rom Gr an ada , ke p t up an un r e m i t t edan d v igorou s a t t ac k . Tw ice the ba rba ca n wa s . fo rced , andtwice the as sa i l an t s were d r iven for th head long wi th excess iveloss . T h e ga r r is on , howe ve r , was d imin i s hed i n nu m be r b yth e k i l l ed an d w o u n d e d : th ere w ere no longe r so ld ie r s suffic ien t to m an the wal l s and ga tew ay . T he brav e a lcayd e w as

com pel led to r e t i r e , w i th h i s surv iv ing force, to the kee p of th ecas t l e , in which he con t inued to make a despera te r es i s t ance .T h e .M oo r s n ow app r oache d t h e foo t o f t he t ower , un de r

she l t e r o f wooden sc reens , covered wi th wet h ides , to wardoff mis s il es an d com bus t ib les . T he y w en t to w ork v igoro us lyto un de r m ine t h e t ower , p l ac ing p r ops o f wood un de r t h efoundat ions , to be af terwards se t on f i re , so as to give the be-




s iege rs t im e to escape before th e edif ice sho uld fa ll . Som e ofth e M oo r s p l i ed t h e c r os s- bows an d a r qu ebu s es t o def end t h eworkmen, and to d r ive the Chr i s t i ans f rom the wal l , whi le thel a t t e r s hower ed down s tones and da r t s , and me l t ed p i t ch , and

f laming combus t ib les , on the miners .T h e b r a v e M e n d o d e Q u e x a d a h a d c a st m a n y a n a n x io u sey e across t h e veg a, in h op es of seeing some C hr is t ian forceha s te n in g to h i s as s i s t ance . N o t a g leam of spear o r he lmw as to b e de scr ied ; for no one h a d dre am ed of th i s su dd eni r r up t i on of t h e M oo r s . T he a l cayde s aw h i s b r av es t m endea d o r w oun ded a r ou nd h im , wh i l e t he r em a ind e r w er es ink ing w i th wa tchfulness a nd fa t igue. I n def iance of a l l oppos i t ion , the Moors had accompl i shed the i r mine ; the f i r e

was b r o ug h t be f o re t h e wa l l s , t h a t was t o b e app hed t o t h es tanchions , in case the garr ison pers is ted in defence ; and in al i t t l e wh i l e t he t own wou ld c r umble benea th h im , and be r en tand hu r l ed i n r u in s t o t he p l a in . A t t h e ve r y l a s t m om en t ,an d no t t i ll the n , the b r av e a lcayde m ad e th e s igna l o f sur r e n d e r . H e m a r c h e d f o r t h w i t h ' t h e r e m n a n t o f h is v e t e r a nga r r i s on , w ho w er e a ll m ad e p r i s one r s . I m m ed ia t e ly B oab d i lor de re d th e waUs of th e for t ress to b e raz ed , an d fire to b eappl ied to th e s t anch ions , th a t th e p lace mi gh t never aga in

become a s t ronghold to the Chr i s t i ans , and a scourge to Grana da . T h e a lcayd e an d h i s f el low cap t ives w ere pass ing i nde j ec t ed convoy ac r oss t h e vega , w he n t h ey he a r d a t r em en dou s c ra s h be h in d t he m . T u r n i ng t o l ook upo n t he i r l a t ef o r t r e ss , t h ey behe ld no th ing b u t a he ap o f t um bl in g r u in s ,an d a vas t co lum n of smoke a nd du s t , w he re once h ad s toodthe lo f ty tower o f Alhendin .

C H A P T E R LXXXYI.E X P L O I T O F T H E C O U N T D E T E N D I L L A .

B O A B D I L E L C H I C O fo llowed u p h i s success b y ca p tu r ing th etw o for t r es ses of M ar ch en a an d B ul du y ; he sen t h i s a l f aqu i sin eve ry d i rec t ion to p roc la im a ho ly w ar , and to sum m on a l l

t rue Mos lems , o f town or cas t l e , mounta in o r va l l ey , to sadd les teed , an d buck le on a rm our , an d has te n to th e s t an da rd of th efa i th . T he t id ing s spread fa r and wide , th a t Bo ab di l e l Chicow as once m or e in th e f ie ld , an d vic to r iou s . T he M oo rs ofvar io us p laces , dazz led b y th i s g lea m of success , ha s te ne d toth ro w off th ei r sw orn a l legiance t o th e Ca s t i l ian crow n, a n dto e l eva t e t h e s t an da r d of B oa bd i l ; and t he you th f u l m on a r ch




fla tte red h im se l f th a t the wh ole k in gd om was on th e po in t o fre tu rn ing to i t s a l l eg iance .

T h e f ie ry cava l i e r s of G ra na da w ere eager to r en ew tho seforays in to t h e Chr i s t i an l and s , in w hic h th e y h ad form er ly

de l i gh t ed . A nu m be r o f t he m the r e f o r e conce r t ed an i r r u p t i on t o t he n o r th i n to t he t e r r i t o r y o f J a en , t o ha r a s s t h eco un t ry abo ut Q uez ada . Th ey ha d he ard of a r i ch convoy ofm er ch an t s and w ea l t hy t r ave l l e r s on t h e w ay t o t he c i ty o fB aeza ; and t hey an t i c ipa t ed a g lo r i ous conc lus ion t o t he i rfo ray in cap tur ing th i s convoy .

As s embl ing a number o f ho r s emen , l i gh t l y a r med , andfleetly m ou nted , an d one h un d re d foo t so ld ie rs , thes e h a rd ycava l ie r s i s sued for th by n igh t f rom Granada , made the i r way

in s i lence th ro u gh th e def iles o f th e m ou nta in s , c rossed th ef ron t ie r wi thout oppos i t ion , and suddenly appeared , as i ff a l l en f rom the c louds , in the very hear t o f the Chr i s t i anc o u n t r y .

T h e m oun ta inou s f ron t i e r w h ich s epa r a t e s G r an ad a f romJ aen was a t t h i s t ime unde r t he C oun t de T end i l l a , t he s ameve te r an w ho h ad d i s t ingu i shed h imse l f by h i s v ig i lance an ds agac i t y when command ing t he f o r t r e s s o f A H i a m a . H o h e l dh i s head-quar te r s a t the c i ty o f Alca lá l a Hea l , in i t s impregnab l e f o r t r e s s , pe r ched h igh among t he moun ta in s , abou t s i xleagues f rom Granada , and predomina t ing over a l l the f ron t ie r .F r om th i s c l oud - cap t ho ld among t he r ocks ho kep t an eag l eeye upon Granada , and had h i s scou t s and sp ies in a l l d i r ect ion s ; so th a t a c row could no t fly over th e bo rd er w i th ou th i s knowledge .

His for t ress was a p lace of refuge for the Chr is t ian capt ivesw ho e s caped by n i gh t f rom th e M oor i s h dungeons o f G r a

na da . Of ten , howe ver , th e y m issed th e i r w ay in th e defi leso f t h e m ou n t a i n s ; and , w and e r ing ab ou t bewi lde r ed , e i t h e rr ep a i r ed b y m i s t ake t o s om e M oor i s h t own , o r we r e d i s cove r ed an d r e t a ke n a t day l i gh t b y t h e enem y . T o p r e ve n tthe se acc ide n t s , th e cou nt h ad a to w er bu i l t a t h i s ow n ex pen se , on th e top of one of th e he igh t s ne ar Alca lá , w hic hcommanded a v i ew o f t he vega , and t he coun t r y a r ound .H e r e he ke p t a b l az ing l i gh t t h r ou gh ou t t h e n igh t , a s abea con for a ll Ch r i s t i an fug i t ives , to gu ide the m to a p lac e o f

safety.The count was a roused one n igh t f rom h i s r epose by shoutsand c r ies , which came up f rom the town, and approached thecas t l e wal l s . " To a rm s to a rm s th e M oo r i s over th eb o rd e r " was the c ry . A Ch r i s t i an so ld ie r , pa le an d emac ia ted , an d w ho s t i ll bo re t r ace s o f th e M oo r i sh cha in s , w asb r o u g h t b e f or e t h e c o u n t . H e h a d b e e n t a k e n a s g u i d e . b y




th e "Moor ish cava l ie r s , w ho h a d sa l l ied from G ran ad a , h u thad e s caped f r om them among t he moun ta in s ; and , a f t e rm u ch w and e r ing , ha d f ound : h i s w ay t o Alca l á b y t h e s i gna lf i re .

N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h e b u s t l e a n d a g i t a ti o n o f t h e m o m e n t ,the Count de Tendi l l a l i s t ened ca lmly and a t t en t ive ly to theacc ou nt o f th e fug it ive , an d que s t ioned h im m in ute ly as tothe t ime o f t he depa r tu r e o f t he M oor s , and t he d i r ec t i on andr ap id i t y of t he i r m ar ch . H e saw, t h a t i t was t oo l a t e t o p r e ven t t he i r i ncu r s ion and r avage ; bu t he de t e r mined t o awa i tt he m , and g ive t he m a w ar m r ecep t i on on t he i r r e t u r n . H i sso ld ie r s were a lways on the a le r t , and ready to t ake the f i e lda t a m om en t ' s w arn ing . Choos ing one h u nd re d an d fifty

lancer s , hardy and va l i an t men , wel l d i sc ip l ined , and wenseasoned, as indeed were a l l h is t roops , l ie i ssued for thqu i e t l y be f o r e b r eak o f day , and , de s cend ing t h r ough t hedefi les o f th e m ou nta ins , s t a t ion ed h i s l i t t l e fo rce in am bu shin a deep bar ranca , o r d ry channe l o f a to r ren t , near Barz ina ,t h r e e l eagues on ly f rom Gr an ada , on t h e r oad by w h ich t h em a r a u d e r s w o u l d h a v e t o r e t u r n . I n t h e m e a n t i m e , h e s e n tscouts to pos t themse lves upon d i f fe ren t he igh t s , and look ou tfor the approach of the enemy.

A l l day th ey re m ai ne d . concea led in th e r av in e , an d for agre a t p a r t o f th e fo llowing n ig h t ; no t a tu r ba n , how ever , w asto be s een , excep t i ng now and t hen a peas an t r e tu r n ing f r omhi s l abour , o r a s o l i t a r y mu le t ee r has t en ing t owar ds Gr anada .T h e cava l ie r s o f th e co un t b eg an to g ro w res t l es s an d im pat i e n t ; t h e y f e a r e d t h a t t h e e n e m y m i g h t h a v e t a k e n s o m eoth er rou te , o r m ig ht hav e rece ived in te l l igence of th e i r am bus c ade ; a nd t he y u r g ed h im to aba ndo n t h e en t e r p r is e , a ndr e tu r n t o A lca l á. " W e a r e he r e , " s a id t he y , " a lmos t a t t h ega t e s o f t h e M oo r i s h ca p i t a l ; ' ou r m ovem en t s m ay hav e beendescr ied , an d , before we a re aw are , G ra na da m ay po ur fo r thi t s legions of swif t caval ry , and crush us wi th an overwhelm-ing force . " T h e Co un t de Ten di l l a , how ever , pe r s i s t ed in r e m a in ing u n t i l h is s cou ts shou ld come in . A bo u t two ho ur sbefore da yb rea k th er e w ere s ign a l fires on cer ta in M oo r i sh .w a t c h t o w e r s of t h e m o u n t a i n s . W h i l e t h e y w e r e r e g a r d i n gthes e wi th anx i e ty , t he s cou t s came hu r r y ing i n to t he r av ine ." T he M oor s a r e app r oach ing , " s a id t h ey ; " we hav e r econ -no i t e r ed t he m ne a r a t ha nd . T he y a r e be tw een one an d tw oh u n d r e d s t ro n g , b u t e n c u m b e r e d w i t h m a n y p r i so n e r s a n dm uc h bo oty . " T h e Ch r i s t i an cava l i e rs l a id the i r ea r s to t h eg r ound , and hea r d t he d i s t an t t r amp o f ho r s e s , and t he t r eadof foo t so ld ie r s . T he y m ou nt ed th e i r horses , b ra ce d th e i rsh ie lds , couched th e i r l ance s , an d drew ne ar to th e en t ran ceof the r av ine where i t opened upon the road .




T he M oor s had s ucceeded i n way l ay ing and s u r p r i s i ng t heCh r i s t i an convoy on i t s w ay to Ba eza . T he y h a d ca p tu red ag r ea t number o f p r i s one r s , ma l e and f ema le , w i th g r ea t s t o r eo f go ld and j ewe l s , and s umpte r mu le s , l aden wi th r i ch mer

chand i s e . W i t h t hes e t h ey ha d m ad e a f o rced m ar c h ov e rth e dang e r ous pa r t s o f t he m o un ta in s ; b u t now, be ing s onear to Granada , they fanc ied themse lves in per fec t s ecur i ty .Th ey lo i t e red a long th e road , there fore , i r r eg u la r ly an d s lowly ,some s ing ing , o the r s l a ug hin g and exu l t ing a t ha v in g e lude dthe boas ted v ig i l ance of the Count de Tendi l l a ; whi le ever andano n was he ar d th e p la in t o f som e female cap t ive , bew ai l ingth e j eop a r dy o f he r no no ur ; an d t h e hea vy s i gh ing o f t h em er ch an t , a t beho ld ing h i s p r o pe r ty i n t h e g r a s p of r u th l e s s

spoi lers .The Count de Tendi l l a wai ted un t i l some of the escor t hadpassed the rav ine ; then , g iv ing the s igna l fo r as sau l t , h i s•caval iers se t up loud shouts and cr ies , and charged fur ious lyin to th e ce nt r e of th e foe. T h e ob scu r i ty of th e place , an dth e h ou r , add ed t o t he t e r r o r s o f t he s u r p r i s e . T h e M oo r sw ere th ro w n in to confus ion . Som e ra l li ed , fought desp era te ly ,an d fel l covered wi th wo un ds . Th i r ty - s ix w ere k i l l ed , an df ifty -f ive w ere m ad e pr i so ne rs ; t he r es t , un d er cover o f the

da rkn ess , m ad e th e i r escape to th e rocks an d defiles o f th em oun ta in s . T he good coun t un bo un d t he p r i s one r s , g l adden ing t h e he a r t s of t he m er ch an t s , by r e s to r i ng t o t h em the i r

• m er ch an di se ; th e f emale cap t ives , a l so , r ega ined th e j ew elsof w hich t he y h a d b ee n despoi led , excep t ing suc h as h adbe en los t be yo nd reco very . For ty - f ive saddle horses o f th echoice Barbary breed remained , as cap tured spo i l s o f theM oor s , t oge the r w i th cos t l y a r mour , and boo ty o f va r i ousk in ds . H av ing co ll ec t ed eve r y th in g i n has t e , and a r r a ng ed

his cava lgada , the count u rged h i s way wi th a l l speed forAlca l á l a B e a l , l e s t he s hou ld b e pu r s ue d an d ove r t aken b yth e M oo r s o f G r ana da . A s he w ou nd up t h e s t eep a s cen t t o

" h i s m ou n ta in c it y , t he i nha b i t an t s pou r ed f o r t h t o m ee t h imw i th s hou t s o f j oy . T h i s t r i u m ph wa s doub ly enha nced b ybe ing rece ive d a t th e ga tes o f the c i ty b y h i s wi fe , th edaugh t e r o f t he M ar qu i s o f V i l l ena , a l ady o f d i s t i ngu i s hedmer i t , whom he had no t s een f o r two yea r s t ha t he had beensepara ted f rom h i s home by the a rduous du t ies o f these i ronw a r s .



282 HISTOEY-OO?

T hi s impor t an t f o r t r e s s had been i n t r u s t ed t o t he commandof Don F r anc i s co R ami r ez de M adr id , c ap t a in - gene r a l o f t hear t i l lery , an d th e mo st sc ient if ic of a l l th e Sp an ish lea de rs .T h a t ex pe r i enced ve t e r an , how eve r , was w i th t he k in g a t C or

dova, having lef t a val iant caval ier as a lcayde of the place .Bo ab di l e l Chico h a d full inform at ion of th e s ta te of th egar r i son , and th e absence of i t s com m ander . P u t t in g h im se l fa t th e he ad of a po w erfu l . force , therefo re , h e de pa r te d f romG r a n a d a , a n d m a d e a r a p i d m a r c h t h r o u g h t h e m o u n t a i n s ;hop ing , b y th i s sud de n m ov em ent , to se ize upon Sa lobre ña ,before King Ferd inand could come to i t s as s i s t ance .

T he i nhab i t an t s o f Sa lob r eña wer e mudexa r e s , o r M oor sw ho h ad sw orn a l leg iance to th e Ch r i s t i ans . S t i l l, w he n th e y

he a r d t h e s ound of t he M o or i s h d r um s and t r um pe t s , a ndbeh e ld t h e s quad r on s o f t he i r co un t r y m en advanc ing ac r os sth e vega , t he i r hea r t s ye a r n ed t ow ar ds t he s t an da r d of t h en 'na t io n an d the i r f a i th . A tu m u l t a rose in th e p lace . T hepopu lace s hou t ed t he name o f B oabd i l e l C h i co , and t h r owingopen t he ga t e s , admi t t ed h im wi th in t he wa l l s .

The Chr i s t i an gar r i son was too few in number to con tendfor th e possess ion of th e tow n. T he y re t r e a te d to th e c i t ade land shu t themse lves up wi th in i t s mass ive wal l s , which were

c o n s id e r ed i m p r e g n a b l e . H e r e t h e y m a i n t a i n e d a d e s p e r a t edefence , ho p ing to ho ld ou t un t i l succour should a r r ive f romthe ne ighbour ing f o r t r e s s e s .

T h e t i d ings t h a t Sa lob r eña was i nves t e d b y t h e M oo r i s hk ing , spread a long the sea coas t and f i l l ed the Chr i s t i ans wi tha l a r m . D o n F r anc i s co E n r iq ue z , unc l e of t h e k ing , commanded t he c i t y o f Ve l ez M a laga , abou t twe lve l eaguesd i s t an t , bu t s epa r a t ed b y r an ge s o f t hos e vas t r ocky m ou nt a i n s , w h ich a r e p i l ed a long t h e M ed i t e r r an ean , and t ow er i ns teep promontor ies and precipices above i t s 'waves .

D o n F r an c i s co s um m one d t h e a l caydes of h i s d i s t r i c t t oh as te n w i th h im to th e r e l ie f o f th i s im po r ta n t fo r t r es s . Anumber o f cava l i e r s and the i r r e ta iner s answered to h i s ca l l ;a m o n g w h o m w a s F e r n a n d o P e r e z d e l P u l g a r , s u r n a m e d E lde l as Hazañas (he of the exp lo i t s ) ; the same who had s igna l -

. i zed h imse l f in a fo ray b y e leva t ing a han dk erch ie f on a l ancefor a banner , and l ead ing on h i s d i shear tened comrades to

v ic tory . A s soon as D o n Fra nc i s co be he ld a l i tt l e b an d co l l ec ted ro un d h im, h e se t ou t w i th a l l speed for Sa lo breñ a .T he m ar c h was r ug ge d and seve r e ; c l imb ing and des cend ingimmens e moun ta in s , and s ome t imes wind ing a long t he edge o fg iddy prec ip ices , wi th the surges o f the sea r ag ing fa r be low.W h e n D on Fra nc i sco a r r iv ed w i th h i s fo llowers a t th e lo f typ r omon to r y t ha t s t r e t ches a long one s i de o f t he l i t t l e vega o fSa lob r eñ a , he looked do wn w i th s o r r ow a nd anx i e ty up on a



T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G R A N A D A . '283

Moorish , army of great force , encamped at the foot of thefor t ress ; •whi le Moor ish banners on var ious par ts of the wal lsshowed tha t the town was a l r eady in possess ion of the in f ide l s .A sol i tary Chr is t ian s tandard a lone f loated on the top of the

cas t le keep , i nd i ca t i ng t h a t t he b r av e ga r r i s on w er e ho m m edup in the i r rock-bu i l t c i t ade l .

Don Francisco fo\md i t imposs ible , wi th his smal l force , tomake any impress ion on the camp of the Moors , o r to ge t toth e re l i e f of th e cas t l e . H e s ta t ion ed h i s l i t t l e b an d up o n aroc ky he ig h t nea r th e sea , w he re th e y we re sa fe f rom th eassa ul ts of th e enem y. T he s igh t of h is f r iendly ban ner , ,w av ing i n t he i r ne ighbou r hood , chee r ed t h e he a r t o f t h egar r i son , and he conveyed to them assurance of speedys uccour f rom the k ing . I n t he m ean t im e , Fe r n an do P e r ezde l Pu lgar , who a lways burned to d i s t ingu i sh h imse l f by bo ldan d s t r ik ing exploi ts , in th e cou rse of a prow ling e xp ed i t iona long t he bo r de r s o f t h e M oor i s h camp , r em ar k ed a pos t e r n -ga te o f th e cas t le open ing up on th e s t eep p ar t o f th e ro ck yh i l l w h ich l ooked t ow ar ds t he m ou n ta in s . A s ud den t h ou gh tf lashed up on th e da r ing m ind of Pu lg ar . " W h o wi l l followmy banne r , " s a id he , " and make a das h f o r yonde r pos t e r n ? "

A bold propos i t ion, in t ime of warfare , never wants for bold ,sp i r i t s to accep t i t . Sev enty reso lu te m en im m edia te lys t epped f o rwar d . P u lg a r pu t h ims e l f a t t hen - hea d . T he ycu t t he i r w ay s udd en ly t h r ou gh a weak pa r t of t he cam p ,fought up to the ga te , which was eager ly th rown open torece ive the m , and succeeded in e ffec ting the i r en t ran ce in toth e fo r t r es s , before th e a la rm of then* a t t e m pt h a d spre adt h r o u g h t h e M o o r i s h a r m y .

The gar r i son was roused to new sp i r i t by th i s un looked- for

re inforcem ent , and w ere enab led to m ak e a mo re v igorous -res i s t an ce . Th e M oo rs h ad in te l ligence , how ever , th a t there -w as a g re a t s carc i ty o f w ate r in th e cas t le , an d the y ex u l t edin t h e i dea t ha t t h i s add i t i ona l nu m be r o f w ar r i o r s w ou ldsoon exhaus t the c i s t e rns , and compel them to sur render . .W h e n P u l g a r h e a r d of th i s h o p e e n t e r t a i n e d b y t h e e n e m y ,h e caused a b uc ke t o f -water to be lowe red f rom th e b a t t l e ments , and th rew a s i lver cup in b ravado to the Moors .

T he s i tuat io n of th e garr ison , how eve r , wa s dai ly growing-m or e an d m or e cr i t ica l . T he y suffered gr ea t ly f rom thi rs t , ,whi le , to t an ta l i ze them in the i r suf fe r ings , they behe ld l impids t r eams wind ing i n abundance t h r ough t he g r een p l a in be lowth em . T he y beg an to f ear th a t a l l succour w ou ld a r r ive to ol a t e , w he n on e da y th e y beh e ld a l i t t l e sq ua dro n of vesse l sfa r a t s ea, b u t s t an d in g tow ard s th e shore . T h er e w as some-do ub t a t first w he th er i t m ig h t no t be a hos t i l e a rm am en t .




f rom A fr ica ; bu t , as i t approac hed , th e y descr ied , to th e i rg r ea t j oy , t he banne r o f C as t i l e .

I t wa s a r e in fo r cemen t , b r o ug h t i n a l l ha s t e b y t h e gove r no ro f t h e f o r t re s s , D o n F r anc i s co R am i r ez . T he s qua d r o n

an ch or ed a t a s t eep roc ky i s land , w hic h r i ses f rom th e v er ym ar g i n of th e sm ooth s an dy beac h , d i rec t ly in f ron t of th eroc k of Sa lob reña , an d s t r e tch es ou t in to th e sea . O n th i si s l and R ami r ez l anded h i s men , and was a s s t r ong ly pos t ed a si f in a fo r t r es s . H is fo rce w as too scan ty to a t t e m pt a ba t t l e ,b u t he a s s is ted t o ha r a s s an d d i s t r ac t t h e bes i ege r s . W h e n eve r K ing B oabd i l made an a t t ack upon t he f o r t r e s s , h i scamp was as sa i l ed , on one s ide by the t roops of Ramirez , wholanded f r om then - i s l and , and , on ano ther , by those of Don

Fr anc i s co E nr iquez , who s wep t down f r om the i r r ock , wh i l eF e rn a n d o de l P u lg a r ke p t up a f ie rce defence f rom every tow eran d ba t t l em en t of t h e ca s t le . T h e a t t en t i on o f t he M oor i s hk i ng w as d ive r ted , a lso , for a t im e , b y an ineffec tua l a t t e m p tto r e l i eve th e l i t t l e po r t o f A dr a , th a t h ad rec en t ly de c la re din h i s f avour , b u t ha d been rec ap tur ed for th e Ch r i s t i ans b yC id i Y ah y e and h i s s on A lnay e r . T hu s t he un luc ky B oab d i l ,bew i lde r ed on eve r y han d , l o s t a l l t h e adv an t ag e t h a t he h a dg a i n e d b y h i s r a p i d m a r c h fr om G r a n a d a . W h i l e h e w a s y e tbes ieg ing the obs t ina te c i t ade l , t id ings were b rought h im, tha tKing Fe r d inand was i n f u l l mar ch , w i th a power f u l hos t , t oi t s as s i s t ance . T h er e wa s no t im e for fu r the r de lay . H emade a fu r ious a t t ack , wi th a l l h i s fo rces , upon the cas t l e , bu twas aga in r epu l s ed by Pu lga r and h i s coad ju to r s , when , aban doning the s i ege in despa i r , he r e t r ea ted wi th h i s a rmy, l es tK i n g F e r d i n a n d sh o u l d g e t b e t w e e n h i m a n d h i s c a p it a l. O nh i s way back t o Gr anada , howeve r , he i n s ome s o r t cons o l edhim se l f for h i s l a t e d i sapp oin tm ent , by over r un nin g a p ar t o fthe t e r r i to r i es and possess ions l a te ly as s igned to h i s unc leE l Z a ga l , and t o C id i Y ah y e . H e de f ea t ed t he i r a l cay des ,des t royed severa l o f the i r fo r t r es ses , burn t the i r v i l l ages , and ,l eav ing t h e co un t r y beh in d h im r ee k ing and s m ok in g w i thh i s veng eanc e , r e t u r ne d , w i th cons ide rab l e boo ty , t o r epos eh ims e l f w i th in t he wa l l s o f t he Alhambr a .

C H A P T E R

H O W K I N G - F E R D I N A N D T R E A T E D T H E P E O P L E O F G U A D I X , A N D

H O W E L Z A G A L F I N I S H E D H I S R O T A L C A R E E R .

S C A R C E L Y h ad Boab di l ensconced h imse l f in h i s cap i t a l w he nK i n g F e r d i n a n d , a t t h e h e a d o f s e v e n t h o u s a n d h o r s e a n d




tw en ty t ho us a nd foot, aga in appe a r ed i n t h e vega . H e h a dse t ou t in a l l ha s te f rom C ordova to th e r e l ie f o í Sa lo br eñ a ;bu t , he ar in g on h i s m ar ch t h a t th e s iege was ra i sed , he tu rn ed ,w i th h i s a rm y, to m ak e a second rav ag e r o un d th e wal l s o f

dev oted G ran ad a . H is p res en t fo rage l as ted fifteen day s , inth e course o f wh ich ev ery th in g th a t h ad escaped h i s fo rme rdeso la t ing v i s i t wa s so com ple te ly des t ro yed , th a t s carce ly agre en th in g, or a l iv ing anim al , wa s lef t on th e face of th elan d . Th e M oo rs sa ll i ed f r equent ly , an d fought despe ra te lyin defence of th ei r fie lds; b u t th e w ork of de s t ru ct io n w a saccompl i shed , and Granada , once the queen of gardens , wasle f t su r rounded by a deser t .

F r o m h e n c e F e r d i n a n d m a r c h e d t o c ru s h a c o n s p i ra c y w h i c h

had l a te ly mani fes ted i t s e l f in the c i t i es o f Guadix , Baza , andA lmer i a . T hes e r ecen t l y conq ue r ed p l aces ha d en t e r e d h i t os ec r e t co r r e s pondence wi th King B oabd i l , i nv i t i ng h im tomar ch t o t he i r ga t e s , p r omis ing t o r i s e upon t he C hr i s t i an ga r r i s ons , s e ize upon t h e c i tade l s, and s u r r en de r t h em se lves in to h i s pow er . Th e M ar qu is o f V i l l ena h ad rece ivednot ice o f the consp i racy , and suddenly th rown himself, wi th ala rge fo rce , in to G uad ix . U n d e r p re ten ce of m ak ing a r ev iewof th e inh ab i tan t s , he m ad e th e m sa lly fo r th in to th e fie lds

be f o re t h e c i ty . W h e n t h e who le M oor i s h popu l a t ion capab l eo f b ea r ing a r m s wa s t h u s w i thou t t h e wa l l s, he o r d e r ed t h ega t e s t o be c lo s ed . H e t he n pe r m i t t e d t h em to en t e r two b yt w o , and t h r e e by t h r ee , and t o t ake f o r t h t h e i r w ives a n dch i ldre n, an d effects . T he ho useless M oo rs w ere fa in tom ak e t hems e lves t em po r a r y hove l s i n t he ga r den s and o r cha r dsab ou t t h e c i ty . T h ey w er e c l amor ous i n t he i r com pla in t sa t be ing thus exc luded f rom the i r homes ; bu t were to ld theymus t wa i t w i th pa t i ence un t i l t he cha r ges aga ins t t hem cou ld

be i nves t i ga t ed , and t he p l ea s u r e o f t he k ing be known .*W h e n F e r d i n a n d a r r iv e d a t G u a d i x h e f o u nd t h e u n h a p p y

M oor s i n t he i r cab ins am ong t h e o r c ha r d s . T h ey com pla inedb i t t e r l y o f t he decep t i on t ha t had been p r ac t i s ed upon t hem,and implored permiss ion to r e tu rn in to the c i ty , and l ivepea cea b ly in th e i r dw el l ings , as he h a d prom ised th em in then*ar t ic les of capi tu la t ion.

King Fe r d inand l i s t ened g r ac ious ly t o t he i r compla in t s .

" M y f r i ends , " s a id he i n r ep ly , " I am in f o r med t ha t t he r ehas been a consp i racy among you to k i l l my a lcayde and gar r i s on , and t o t ake pa r t w i th my enemy , t he King o f Gr anada .I sha l l m ak e a tho rou gh inves t iga t ion of th i s consp i racy .T ho s e am ong yo u w ho s ha l l be p r ov ed i nnoce n t s ha l l b er e s to r ed t o t he i r dwe l l i ngs ; b u t t h e gu i l t y s ha l l i ncu r t h e

* Zu rita, 1. x x , c. 85 . Cura de loa Palacio s, c. 97 .



286 H I S T O R Y 0 3 ?

p en al ty of the i r of fences. A s I wish , how ever , to p roc eedw i th m erc y as wel l as jus t i ce , I no w g ive you y ou r cho ice ,e i th er to de pa r t a t once w i tho ut fu r th er ques t ion , go ing w rhere-eve r y ou p lease , and t ak ing w i th y ou y ou r fami li es a nd e ffec ts

u n d er a n as suranc e of sa fe ty , o r to de l iver u p tho se w ho a reg u i l ty ; n o t one of wh om , 1 g ive yo u m y w ord , sha l l escapep u n i s h m e n t . "

W h e n t h e p e o p l e o f G u a d i x h e a r d t h i s , t h e y c o m m u n e dam on g thems e lves , " and a s m os t of t h em ," s ays t h e w or th yA ga pid a, " w ere e i th er cu lpable , or feared to be con s idered so ,th e y accep ted the a l t e rna t ive , an d de pa r ted soiTowfully, th e yand t he i r w ives and t he i r l i tt l e ones . " " T h u s , " i n t he w or dso f t h a t exce l l en t a nd con t em por a r y h i s t o r ian , A nd r es B e r -

na ld es , com m only ca l led the C ur a te o f L os Pa lac ios , " th u s d idth e k in g de l iver Gu ad ix f rom the , ha nd s of th e enemies o f ourho ly fa ith , a f te r seven h u n dr ed and seve n ty yea r s th a t i t h a db e e n in the i r possession , even s ince th e t im e of R od er ic k t h eG o th ; an d th i s w as one of th e m ys te r ies o f our Lo rd , wh owould no t consen t tha t the c i ty should remain longer in powero f t he M oo r s . " A p ious and s age r em ar k , wh ich i s quo t edwi th pecu l i a r app r oba t i on by t he wor thy Agap ida .

K in g Fe r d in an d o ffe red s imi l a r a l t e r na t i ves t o t he M o or sof Baza, Almer ia , and other c i t ies accused of par t ic ipat ion inth i s cons p i r ac y ; wh o gen e r a l l y p r e f e r r ed t o aban don t he n 'ho m es ra th er th an incu r th e r i sk o f an inves t iga t ion . M o s t oft h e m r e l i nqu i s hed Spa in a s a coun t r y , w he r e t h e y cou ld nolon ge r l ive i n s ecu r i t y and i ndepend ence , and dep a r t ed w i thth ei r famil ies for A fr ic a; suc h as re m ai ne d w ere suffered tol ive in v i l l ages and hamle t s , and o ther unwal led p laces .*

W h i l e F e r d i n a n d w a s t h u s o c cu p ie d a t G u a d i x d i s p e n si n g

jus t i ce an d m ercy , an d rece iv ing c i ti es in excha nge , th e o ldm o n a r c h , M u l e y Abdalla, s u r na m ed E l Z aga l , appe a r ed be f o reh im . H e w as ha gg a r d w i th ca r e, an d a lmos t c r azed w i thpas s ion . H e h ad f ound h i s l i t t le t e r r i t o r y o f A nd a r ax a , andnis tw o th o us an d sub jects , as d if ficult to go ve rn as h a d b e e nt h e d i s t ra c t e d k i n g d o m of G r a n a d a . T h e c h a r m w h i c h h a dh o u n d t h e M o o r s t o h i m w a s b r o k e n w h e n h e a p p e a r e d i na r m s u n d e r t h e b a n n e r o f F e r d i n a n d . H e h a d r e t u r n e d f ro mhi s i ng lo r ious campa ign wi th h i s pe t t y a r my o f two hundr ed

m en , fo llowed b y th e execra t ion of th e people o f G ran ad a ,a n d th e se cre t r ep in in g of those h e ha d l ed in to th e fie ld .Wo sooner had h i s sub jec t s heard of the successes o f Boabdi le l C h i co t h an t h ey s e i zed t he i r a r m s , a s s embled t um ul tu ou s ly ,an d dec l a r ed fo r t h e yo un g m ona r ch , t h r e a t e n i ng t he fife o f E l

* Gaiibay, lib. xiii, cap. 89. Pulgar,. 1. Hi, c. 13 2.



T H E C O N Q U E S T : O E G B A N A D A . 287

Z ag al .* T l ie un for tun a te o ld k ing l iad w i th d if ficulty eva dedthe i r fu ry ; an d th i s l as t l es son seeme d en t i r e ly to hav e cu redhim of Ins pass ion for sovere ign ty . H e now en t rea ted F er d i nand to purchase the towns and cas t l es , and o ther possess ions

w hic h h a d been gr an ted to h im , o ffering th em a t a low ra te ,and begging safe passage for h imsel f and his fo l lowers toAfr ica , f l i ng F er d in a n d grac ious ly compl ied w i th h i s wishes .He pu r chas ed o f h im th r ee - and - twen ty t owns and v i l l ages i nthe va l l eys o f Andaraxa and Alhauren , fo r which he gave h iml ive m i l lions of m ara ve dis . E l Z ag al re lincjuishcd his r ig h tto one-half of the salinas, or salfcpits, of Maleha, in favour ofh i s b ro the r - in - law, C id i T a h y e . H av in g th us d i sposed of h i sp e t t y emp i re an d possess ions , he pac ked u p a l l h i s t r ea su res ,

o f w hich he h ad a g re a t am ou nt , and , fo l lowed b y m a n yMoorish famil ies , passed over to Afr ica . f

And here l e t us cas t an eye beyond the p resen t per iod ofou r chron ic le r , an d t r ac e th e r ema in ing career o f E l Za ga l .H i s s ho r t and t u r bu l en t r e ign and d i sa s t rous end w ou ldafford a wholesome lesson to unpr incipled ambi t ion, were nota l l amb i t ion of th e k in d fa ted to be b l ind to p rece p t an dexam ple . W h e n he a r r i ved i n Af r ica , i n s t ead of m ee t i ng w i thk indnes s and s ympa thy , he was s e i zed and t h r own in to p r i s on

b y t h e K in g of Fe z , a s t ho ug h he ha d be en h i s vas s al . H ewas accused of be ing the cause of the d i s sens ions and down-fa l o f th e k in gd om of G ran ad a , an d th e accusa t ion be ingproved to the sa t i s fac t ion of the King of Fez , he condemnedth e un ha pp y E l Z ag a l t o pe r p e tua l da r kn es s . A bas in o fglo w ing copp er wa s pa ssed before his eyes , w hich ef fectuallyde s t r o ye d h i s s i gh t . H i s we a l t h , wh ich ha d p r ob ab ly be enthe secre t cause of these c rue l measures , was conf i sca ted andse ized upon by h i s oppressor , and E l Zaga l was th rus t fo r th ,b l ind , he lp les s , and des t i tu te upon the wor ld . In thi3wr e t ched cond i t i on t he l a t e M oor i s h monar ch g r oped h i s waythrough the reg ions o f T ing i tan ia , un t i l he r eached the c i ty o fV e lez de G om er a . T h e K in g o f Ve l ez had f o r mer ly been h i sa l ly , an d fe lt som e m ov em ent o f compass ion a t h i s p re sen ta l t e red and ab jec t s t a te . H e gave h im food an d ra im en t ,and suf fe red h im to r emain unmoles ted in h i s domin ions .D ea th , w hic h so of ten hu r r i es off th e p rosp erous an d h ap p yf rom th e m ids t o f u n t as te d p leasure s , spares , on th e o th erhand , the miserab le to d ra in the l as t d rop of h i s cup of b i t t e r n es s . E l Z a ga l d r ag ged ou t a wr e t ched ex i st ence o f m an yye a r s in t h e c i ty o f Ve l ez . H e w and e r ed abo u t , b l i nd an d

* Cura de los Palacios, c. 97 .Conde, part iv, cap. 41.



T H E C O N Q U E S T O B G R A N A D A . 289^

t ed ious s i ege , r equ i r i ng pa t i ence and v ig i l ance r a the r t hanh a r d y deeds o f a r m s , we r e . con t en t ed w i th s end ing t hen*vas s a l s , w h i l e t h e y s t a id a t ho m e them s e lves t o a t t en d t oth e i r dom ains . M a n y c i ti es fu rn i sh ed so ld ie r s a t th e i r cos t ,

an d t h e k ing , t oo k t h e fie ld wi t h an a r m y o f f o r t y t ho us an din f an t r y , an d t e n t ho us a nd ho r s e . T he p r i nc ipa l cap t a in sw ho f o ll owed h im in t h i s cam pa ign , w e r e R od e r ig o P on ce deL e on , t h e M ar q u i s of C ad i z , t h e m as t e r o f San t i ago , t h eM a r q u i s o f V i l l ena , t h e coun t s o f T end i l l a , C i f uen te s , C a b r a ,a a d U r e ñ a , a n d D o n A l o n z o d e A g u i l a r .

Q u e e n I s a b e l l a , a c c o m p a n i e d b y h e r s o n , t h e P r i n c e J u a n ,a n d b y t h e p ri n c e s s e s J u a n a M a r i a , a n d C a t h a l i n a , h e r d a u g h rt e r s , p r ocee ded t o Alca l á l a R e a l , t h e m ou n ta in f o r t re s s an ds t r o n g h o l d o f t h e C o u n t d e T e n d i l l a . H e r e s h e r e m a i n e d t of o r war d s upp l ie s t o t he a r m y , an d t o be r ea dy t o repair t o t hec a m p w h e n e v e r h e r p r e s e n c e m i g h t b e r e q u i r e d .

T h e a r m y o f F e r d i n a n d p o u r e d i n t o t h e v e g a b y . v a r i o u sdefi les o f th e m ou nt a i ns , an d on th e 23d of A pr i l th e ro y a lt en t was p i t ched a t a v i l l age ca l l ed L os Ojos de Hues ea r ,a b o u t a. l e ague an d a ha l f f rom G r an ad a . A t t h e app r oac hof t h i s fo r midab l e f or ce t h e ha r a s s ed i nh ab i t an t s t u r n e d

p a l e , an d even m an y o f t h e wa r r i o r s t r em bled , f or t h ey f el tt ha t t he l a s t de s pe r a t e s t r ugg l e was a t hand .B oabd i l e l C h i co a s s embled h i s counc i l i n t he Alhambr a ,

f r om th e wind ow s o f w h ich t h e y cou ld be ho ld t h e C h r i s t i ans q u a d r o n s g h s t e n i n g t h r o u g h c lo u d s o f d u s t a s t h e y p o u r e da lon g t h e vega . T he u tm os t con fusion an d co ns t e r n a t i onr e ig ne d i n t h e counc i l . M a n y o f t h e m em be r s , t e r ri f ied w i ththe ho r r o r s impend ing ove r t he i r f ami l i e s , adv i s ed B oabd i l t ot h r o w h i m s e l f u p o n t h e g e n e r o s i t y o f t h e C h r i s t i a n m o n a r c h ;

even s eve r a l o f t he b r aves t s ugges t ed t he pos s ib i l i t y o f ob t a in i n g h o n o u r a b l e t e r m s .

T h e wa z i r o f t h e c i t y , A b u l C as im Ab de lm e l i a , w as ca ll edup on t o r ep o r t t h e s t a t e o f t h e pub l i c m ea ns f or s u s t ena ncea n d defenc e. T h e re w er e suff ic ient pro vis ion s , h e sa id , i for af ew m on th s ' s upp ly , i nd ep en de n t of w ha t m igh t ex i s t i n : t h epos s es s ion o f m er c ha n t s , an d o the r r i ch i nh ab i t an t s . "• B u t•of w h at av a i l , " s a id h e , " i s a t e m p or ar y prov i s ion ag a i ns t . th e

s i e g e s o f t h e C a s t i l i a n . m o n a r c h , w h i c h a r e i n t e r m i n a b l e ? "H e pro du ce d , a l so , th e l i s t s o f m en cap able ' o f .be ar in ga r m s . " T h e n u m b e r , " sa id h e , " i s g r e a t ; b u t w h a t ca n b e e x pe c t e d f rom m er e c i t iz en s o ld i e rs P T h e y v a u n t a n d m e n a c ei n t im e o f sa f e ty . N o ne a r e s o a r r og an t w he n t h e ene m y i sa t a d i s t a n c e ; b u t w h e n t h e d i n o f w a r t h u n d e r s a t t h e i rg a t e s , t h e y h i d e t h e m s e l v e s i n t e r r o r . "

W h e n M u z a h e a r d t h e s e w o r d s h e ro s e w i t h g e n e r o u sw a r m t h . " W h a t r e a so n h a v e w e , " s aid h e , " t o d e s p a i r ?

v




T he b lood o f t hos e i l l u s t r i ous M oor s , t he anc i en t conque r o r s -of Sp ain , s t i l l flows in ou r ve in s . L e t u s b e t r u e to ou rselv es ,an d f o r t une wi l l aga in be w i th u s . W e ha ve a ve t e r a n f o r ce ,b o th ho rse an d foot , th e f lower o f ou r ch iv a l ry ; s easo ned in

w ar , an d s ca r r ed i n a t ho us an d ba t t l e s . A s t o t h e m u l t i t ude -of our c i t i zens , spoken of so s l igh t ing ly , why should we doubtt h e i r v a l o u r ? T h e r e a r e t w e n t y t h o u s a n d y o u n g m e n i n t h ef i r e o f youth , fo r whom I wi l l engage tha t , in the defence oft h e i r h o m e s , t h e y w i ll r i v a l t h e m o s t h a r d y v e t e r a n s . D o w ew an t p r ov i s i on s ? O u r ho r s e s a r e fleet, and ou r ho r s e m enda r ing i n f o r ay . L e t t h em s cou r and s cou r ge t h e co un t r y o ft h o s e a p o s t a t e M o s l e m s , w h o h a v e s u r r e n d e r e d t o t h e C h r i s t i a n s . L e t t h e m m a k e i n r o a d s i n t o t h e l a n d s o f o u r e n e m i e s .W e s h a ll s o o n s e e t h e m r e t u r n i n g w i t h c a v a l g a d a s t o o u rg a t e s ; an d to a so ld ie r , the re i s no m orse l so sw ee t as t h a twr es t ed wi th ha r d f i gh t i ng f r om the f oe . "

B oabd i l e l C h i co , t hough he wan t ed f i r m and du r ab l ecou r ag e , was r ead i l y exc i t ed t o s ud de n emot ions o f b r a ve r y .H e ca ug h t a g low o f r e s o lu t i on f rom th e nob l e a r d ou r o fM u z a . " D o w ha t i s need f u l , " s a id he t o h i s com m and er s ;" i n to yo u r ha nd s I con fide t h e comm on s a f e ty . Y o u a r e t h e

p r o t ec to r s of t h e k in gd o m ; and , w i th t h e a id o f A l l ah , w i l lr evenge the insu l t s o f our r e l ig ion , the dea ths o f our f r i endsand r e l a t i ons , and t he s o r r ows and s u f f e r i ngs heaped upono u r l a n d . " *

T o ev e r y one w as no w as s igned h i s s epa r a t e du t y . T h ew az i r h a d ch a r g e o f t h e a r m s an d p r ov i si ons , an d t h e en r o l l i n g o f t h e peop l e . M u z a w as t o com m and th e cava l r y , t odefend the ga tes , and to t ake the l ead in a l l s a l l i es and sk i r m i s h e s. N a i r n E e d u a n a n d M o h a m m e d A b e n Z a y d a w e r eh i s a d j u t a n t s ; A b d e l K e r i m Z e g r i , a n d t h e o t h e r c a p t a i n s ,w er e to g u ar d t h e wa l l s ; an d th e a lcayde s o f th e a lcazab a ,and o f t he r ed t ower s , had command o f t he f o r t r e s s e s .

N o t h i n g n o w w a s h e a r d b u t t h e d i n o f a r m s a n d t h e b u s t l eof p r ep ara t io n . T h e M oo r i sh sp i r i t , qu ic k to ca tch f ir e , w asim m ed ia te ly in a flame; an d th e pop ulace , in th e ex c i t em en to f t h e mo m en t , s e t a t nou gh t t h e pow er o f t h e C h r i s t i ans .M u z a w as in a l l p ar t s o f th e c i ty , in fus ing h i s ow n ge ne rou s

zea l in to th e bosom s of th e so ld ie ry . T he y ou n g cava l i e r sr a l l i e d r o u n d h i m a s t h e i r m o d e l ; t h e v e t e r a n w a r r i o r s r e g a r d e d h i rn w i t h a s o ld i e r' s a d m i r a t i o n ; t h e v u l g a r t h r o n gf o l l owed h im wi th s hou t s ; and t he he lp l e s s pa r t o f t he i nha b i t a n t s , t h e o ld m e n a n d t h e w o m e n , n a i l e d M m w i t h b l e s s i ngs a s t he i r p r o t ec to r .

On t he f i r s t appea r ance o f t he C hr i s t i an a r my , t he p r i nc ipa l

Coude.




ga t e s of t h e c i t y h a d bee n c lo s ed an d s ecu r ed w i th ba r s , an db o l t s , a n d h e a v y c h a i n s . M u z a n o w o r d e r e d t h e m t o b eth r o w n ope n . " T o m e a nd m y cav a l i e r s , " s a id he , " i s i n t r u s t ed t he de f ence o f t he ga t e s : ou r bod i e s s ha l l be t he i rb a r r i e r s . " H e s t a t i oned a t e ach ga t e a s t r on g gu a r d , chos enf r om h i s b r a ve s t m en . H i s ho r s em en we r e a lway s comple t e lya r m e d , a n d r e a d y t o m o u n t a t a m o m e n t ' s w a r n i n g . T h e i rs t eed s s t ood s add l ed and capa r is oned i n t h e s t ab l e s , w i thl anc e and bu ck l e r bes ide t h em . O n th e l ea s t app r oach o f t h ee n e m y , a s q u a d r o n o f h o r s e g a t h e r e d w i t h i n t h e g a t e , r e a d yto da r t f o r t h l i ke t h e bo l t f rom the t h u nd e r c loud . M u z am a d e n o e m p t y b r a v a d o o r h a u g h t y t h r e a t : h e w a s m o r e

t e r r i b l e i n deeds t han i n wor ds ; and execu t ed da r ing exp lo i t s ,be yo nd even t h e va un t o f t h e va ing lo r ious . Su ch w as t h ep r e s e n t c h a m p i o n o f t h e M o o r s . H a d t h e y p o s s e ss e d m a n ys uch war r i o r s , o r had M uza r i s en t o power a t an ea r l i e r pe r i odof th e w ar , th e f a te o f G ra na da m ig h t h av e been, defe r red ,an d t h e M oo r , fo r a l ong t im e , ha ve m a in t a ine d h i s t h r o new i t h i n t h e w a l l s o f t h e A l h a m b r a .

C H A P T E R X C .

H O W K I N G F E R D I N A N D C O N D U C T E D T H E S I E G E C A U T I O U S L Y ,

A N D H O W Q U E E N I S A B E L L A A R R I V E D A T T H E C A M P .

T H O U G H G ra n ad a w as sho rn of i t s g lo r ies , an d n ea r ly cu t offf rom a l l ex te rn a l a id , s t i l l i t s m ig h ty cas t les a n d m ass iv ebu lw ar ks seem ed to se t a l l a t t ac k a t def iance . B e in g th e l a s t

r e t r ea t o f M oo r i s h p ow er , i t h a d a s s em bled w i th in i t s w a l l st he r emnan t s o f t he a r mies t ha t had con t ended , s t ep by s t ep ,w i th t h e i nva de r s , i n t he i r g r a du a l con que s t of t h e l and . A llt h a t r e m a i n e d o f h i g h - b o r n a n d h i g h - b r e d c h i v a l r y w a s h e r e .Al l t ha t was l oya l and pa t r i o t i c was r ous ed t o ac t i v i t y by t hecommon dange r ; and Gr anada , t ha t had s o l ong been l u l l edin to i nac t i on b y va in hopes o f s ecu r i t y , now as s u m ed a f o r mid ab le aspec t in the hour o f i t s despa i r .

E e r d i n a n d s a w t h a t a n y a t t e m p t t o s u b d u e t h e c i t y b y

m ai n force w ou ld b e per i lous an d b lo od y . Ca ut ious in h i spo l i cy , an d f ond o f conqu es t s ga ined by a r t r a t h e r t h a n b yva lou r , h e r e s o r t ed t o t he p l an w h ich h a d be en s o s uccess fu lw i th B aza , an d de t e r m ine d t o r ed uce t h e p l ace b y f am ine .E or t h i s pu r pos e , h i s a r mies pene t r a t ed i n to t he ve r y hea r t o ft h e A l p u x a r r a s , a n d r a v a g e d t h e v a ll e y s, a n d s a c k e d a n db u r n e d t h e t o w n s u p o n w h i c h t h e c i t y d e p e n d e d f or i t s s u p p l i es . S c o u t i n g p a r t i e s a ls o r a n g e d t h e m o u n t a i n s b e h i n dGr anada , and cap tu r ed eve r y ca s ua l convoy o f p r ov i s i ons .




T h e M o o r s b e c a m e m o r e d a r i n g a s t h e i r s i t u a t i o n b e c a m em o r e h o p e l es s . N e v e r h a d F e r d i n a n d e x p e r i e n c e d s u c hv igo r o us s al li es an d a s s au l t s . M u z a a t t h e he ad o f h i s cava l r yh a r a s s e d t h e b o r d e r s o f t h e c a m p , a n d e v e n p e n e t r a t e d i n t o

the i n t e r i o r , mak ing s udden s po i l and r avage , and l eav ing h i sc o u r s e t o b e t r a c e d b y t h e w o u n d e d a n d s la in . T o p r o t e c th i s camp f r om thes e a s s au l t s , Fe r d inand f o r t i f i ed i t w i th deept r e n c h e s a n d s t r o n g b u l w a r k s . I t w a s o f a q u a d r a n g u l a rf o r m, d iv ided i n to s t r ee t s , l i ke a c i t y , t h e t r oop s be in g qu a r t e r e d i n t e n t s an d i n boo ths , co ns t r uc t ed o f bu s he s an db r a n c h e s o f t r e e s . W h e n i t w a s c o m p l e t e d, Q u e e n I s a b e l l acame in s t a t e w i th a l l he r cou r t , and t he p r i nce and p r inces s e s ,t o be p r e s e n t a t t he s i ege . T h i s w as i n t en ded , a s on f o r m eroccas ions , t o r ed uc e t h e bes i eged t o des pa i r , b y s how ing t h ede t e r m ina t i on o f t he s ove r e igns t o r e s ide i n t h e ca m p un t i lt h e c i t y s hou ld s u r r e nd e r . I m m ed ia t e ly a f te r he r - a rr iva l t h equeen r ode f o r t h t o s u r vey t he camp and i t s env i r ons ." W h e r e v e r s h e w e n t s h e w a s a t t e n d e d b y a s p l e n d id r e t i n u e ;a n d a l l t h e c o m m a n d e r s v i e d w i t h e a c h o t h e r in t h e p o m p a n dc e r e m o n y w i t h w h i c h t h e y r e c e iv e d h e r . N o t h i n g w a s h e a r d ,f r om m or n ing u n t i l n ig h t , b u t s hou t s and acc l ama t ions , an d

b u r s t s o f m a r t i a l m u s i c ; s o t h a t i t a p p e a r e d t o t h e M o o r s a si f a c on t i nu a l f e st iva l an d t r i u m ph r e ig ne d i n t h e C hr i s t i anc a m p .

T h e a r r i va l o f t h e que en , how eve r , an d t h e m ena ced obs t i n a c y of t h e s iege, h a d no ef fect i n d am pi ng th e fire of th eM o o r i s h c h i v a l ry . M u z a i n s p i r e d t h e y o u t h f u l w a r r i o r s w i t hth e m os t d evo ted ' he ro i sm . " W e hav e no th in g l e ft to fightf o r, " s a id h e , " b u t t h e g r o u n d w e s t a n d o n : w h e n t h i s i sl o s t , we ceas e t o have a coun t r y and a name . "

F i n d i n g t h e C h r i s t i a n k i n g f o r b o r e t o m a k e a n a t t a c k , M u z ainc i t ed h i s cava l i e r s to cha l l enge the youthfu l ch iva l ry o f theC h r i s t i an a r m y to s i ng l e com ba t o r pa r t i a l s k i r m i s hes .Scarce ly a day passed wi thout ga l l an t conf l i c t s o f the k ind , ins igh t o f -t he c i t y an d t h e cam p . T h e com ba tan t s r i va l l ed eacho t he r i n t h e s p l en dou r o f t he i r a r m ou r an d a r r a y , a s we l l a si n t h e p r ow es s o f t he i r deed s . T h e i r con t e s t s w e r e m or e l i ket h e ' s t a t e ly ce r emon ia l s of t i l t s an d t ou r n am en t s , t h a n t h e

r u d e com ba t s o f t h e field . " F e r d in an d s oon pe r ce ived t h a tt h e y an im a te d t h e f iery M oo r s w i th f r e s h zea l an d cou r ag e ,w hi le th e y cos t th e fives o f m a n y of h i s b r av es t ca va l i e r s ; h eaga in , t he r e f o r e , f o r bade t h e accep t ance Of any i nd iv idua lcha l l enges ; and o r de r ed , t ha t a l l pa r t i a l encoun t e r s s hou ld beavo ided . T h e coo l an d s t e r n po l i cy o f t h e C a tho l i c s ove r e ignb o r e h a r d u p o n t h e g e n e r o u s s p i r i t s o f e i t h e r a r m y ; b u tr o u s e d t h e i n d i g n a ti o n ' o f t h e M o o r s , w h e n t h e y f o u n d t h e yw er e t o be s ub du ed i n t h i s i ng lo r ious m an ne r . " Of w h a t




ava i l , " s a id t he y , " i s c l r iva lr y an d he r o i c va lo u r ? t h e c r a f t ym o n a r c h o f t h e C h r i s t i a n s h a s n o m a g n a n i m i t y i n w a r f a r e :h e s eeks t o s u bd ue u s t h r ou gh t h e w eak ne s s o f ou r bod i e s ,b u t s hu ns t o enc ou n t e r t he cou r ag e of ou r sou l s "

C H A P T E R X C I .

O F T H E I N S O L E N T D E F I A N C E O F T A E F E , T H E M O O E , A N D T H E

D A E I N G E X P L O I T O F F E E N A N D O P E E E Z D E L P U L G A E .

" W H E N t h e M o o r i s h k n i g h t s b e h e l d t h a t a l l c o u r t e o u s c h a l l e n g e s w e r e u n a v a i l i n g , t h e y s o u g h t v a r i o u s m e a n s t o p r o v o k e

th e Ch r i s t i a n w ar r io r s to th e fie ld . Som et im es a bo dy ofth em , f leetly m ou n te d , w ou ld - ga l l op u p t o t h e s k i r t s o f t h ec a m p , a n d t r y w h o s h o u l d h u r l h i s l a n c e f a r t h e s t w i t h i n t h ebarr iers ; leaving his name inscr ibed on i t , or a label af f ixed toi t , con t a in ing s ome t au n t i ng de f iance . T h es e b r av ado es caus e d

tr e a t i r r i t a t i o n ; b u t s t il l t h e S p a n i s h w a r r i o r s w e r e r e s t r a i n e dy t he p r oh ib i t i on o f t he k ing .A m o n g t h e M o o r i s h c a v a li er s w a s o n e n a m e d T a r f e , r e n o w n e d

fo r h i s g r e a t s t r e n g t h a n d d a r i n g s p i r i t ; b u t w h o s e c o u r a g epa r too k of fie rce au da c i t y r a th e r t h a n ch iva l r i c he r o i s m , I none o f t he s e s a l l i e s , when t hey wer e s k i r t i ng t he C hr i s t i ancam p th i s a r r o ga n t M o or o u t s t r i p ped I d s com pan ions , ove r l eape d t he ba r r i e r s , and , ga l l op ing c lo se t o t he r oya l q ua r t e r s ,l aunched h i s l ance s o f a r w i th in , t ha t i t r ema ined qu ive r ing i nth e ea r th , c lose b y th e pav i l ions o f th e sove re ign s . T he ro y a lg u a r d s r u s h e d f or th i n p u r s u i t ; b u t t h e M o o r i s h h o r s e m e nw er e a l r ead y be yo nd t h e cam p , an d s cou r ing i n a c loud o f

du s t for th e c i ty . U p o n w res t ing th e l ance f rom th e ea r th , al abe l was f ound up on i t , im po r t i ng t h a t i t was i n t en de d f o rt h e q u e e n .

N o t h i n g c o u l d e q u a l t h e i n d i g n a t i o n o f t h e C h r i s ti a n w a r r i o r s a t t h e i n s o lence o f t h e b r a vad o , w h en t h ey he a r d t ow h o m t h e d i s c o u r t e o u s i n s u l t w a s o ffe re d. E e r n a n d o P e r e zd e l P u l g a r , s u r n a m e d " H o o f t h e E x p l o i t s , " w a s p r e s e n t , a n dr e s o lved no t t o be ou tb r av ed b y t h i s da r i n g i n fi del . " W h ow i l l s t a n d b y m e , " s a id h e , " i n a n e n t e r p r i s e o f d e s p e r a t e

p e r i l ? " T h e C h r i s t i a n c a v a l i e rs w e l l k n e w t h e h a r e - b r a i n e dva lo u r o f de l P u lg a r ; y e t no t one hes i t a t ed t o s t ep f o r w ar d .H e ch ose fifteen com pan ions , a l l m e n of pow er fu l a rm a n dd a u n t l e s s h e a r t . I n t h e d e a d o f t h e n i g h t h e l e d t h e m f o r t hf r om th e cam p , an d app r oach ed t h e c i t y cau t i ous ly , un t i l h ea r r i v e d a t a p o s t e r n g a t e , w h i c h o p e n e d u p o n t h e D a r r o , a n dw as gu a r de d b y f oot s o ld i e r s. T he gu a r d s , l i t t l e t h in k i ng o fsu ch an un w o nt ed an d pa r t i a l a t t a ck , w er e jEbr^fche m os t p a r t




as leep . T h e ga te w as fo rced , an d a confused an d ch an ce-m e d l e y s k i r m i s h e n s u e d . F e r n a n d o d e l P u l g a r s t o p p e d n o tt o t a k e p a r t i n t h e a ff ray . P u t t i n g s pu r s t o h i s ho r s e , h ega l loped fur ious ly th rough the s t r ee t s , s t r ik ing f i r e ou t o f the

s tones a t eve r y hou nd . A r r i v ed a t t h e p r i nc ipa l m os q ue , h es p r an g f rom h i s ho r s e , and , kne e l i ng a t t h e po r t a l , t ook po s sess ion of th e edif ice as a C hr is t i an ch ap el , de dic at in g i t toth e b l e s sed V i r g in . I n t e s t im on y o f t h e ce r em ony , h e t oo ka t a b l e t , w h i c h h e h a d b r o u g h t w i t h h i m , o n w h i c h w a s i n rs c r i bed i n l a r ge l e t t e r s , " A V E M A E I A, " a nd na i l e d i t t o t h ed o o r o f t h e m o s q u e w i t h h i s d a g g e r . T h i s d o n e , h e r e m o u n t e dh i s s t eed , an d ga l l oped bac k t o t h e ga t e . T he a l a r m h a d be eng i v e n ; t h e c it y w a s i n a n u p r o a r ; s o ld i e rs w e r e g a t h e r i n g

f r om ev e r y d i r ec t i on . T he y w er e a s ton i s hed a t s ee ing aC h r i s t i an war r i o r s peed ing f rom th e i n t e r i o r o f t h e c i t y .F e r n a n d o d e l P u l g a r , o v e r t u r n i n g s o m e , a n d c u t t i n g d o w no th e r s , r e j o ined h i s com pan ions , who s ti ll m a in t a ine d pos s es s iono f t h e ga t e , b y d in t o f ha r d f i gh t ing , an d t he y a ll m ad e goodth e i r r e t r e a t t o t h e cam p . T h e M oo r s w er e a t a l o s s t o con j e c t u r e t h e m ean ing o f t h i s w i ld an d app a r e n t l y f r u it le s sa s s a u l t ; bu t g r ea t w as t he i r exas p e r a t i on , w hen , on t h e f o ll o w i n g d a y , t h e y d i s c o v e r e d t h e t r o p h y o f h a r d i h o o d a n dp r o w e s s , t h e A V E M A B I A, t hu s e l eva t ed i n t h e ve r y ce n t r e o ft h e c i ty . T h e m o s q u e , t h u s b o l d l y s a nc ti fi ed b y F e r n a n d ode l Pu lga r , was even tua l l y , a f t e r t he cap tu r e o f Gr anada ,c o n v e r t e d i n t o a c a t h e d r a l . *

C H A P T E R S C I I .

H O W Q U E E N I S A B E L L A T O O K A V I E W O F T H E C I T Y O E G R A N A D A ;A N D H O W H E E C U R I O S I T Y C O S T T H E L I V E S O F M A N Y C H R I S

T I A N S A N D M O O E S .

T H E r o ya l en cam pm en t l ay a t s uc h a d i s t ance f rom G r an ad a ,th a t th e ge ne ra l aspe c t o f th e c i ty on ly cou ld b e seen , as i tros e g racefu l ly f rom th e ve ga cove r ing th e s ides o f th e h i l l sw i th pa l aces an d t ow er s . Q ue en I s ab e l l a h a d exp r es s ed a nea r ne s t de s i r e t o beh o ld , ne a r e r a t ha nd , a p l ace , t h e be au ty

• I n comm emoration of this daring feat, the Em peror Charles V , inafter y ear s, conferred on Pu lgar and liia descend ants th e right of sepulturein that church, and the privilege of sitting in the choir during high m ass.Th is Fernando Perez del Pulgar was a man of letters, as w ell as ar m s;and inscribed to Charles V a summary of the achievements of Gonsalvo ofCordova, surnamed the Great Captain, who had been one of his comradesin arms. H e is often confounded with Fern and o del Pulga r, historian andsecretary to Qu een Isabella. Se e note to Palgar's Chron. of the CatholicSovereigns, part iii, c. 3, edit. Valencia, 1780.



T H E C O N Q U E S T OF G E A N A D A . 295

•of which, was so r e n o w n e d t h r o u g h o u t the w o r l d ; and the

M a r q u i s of C ad i z , w i th his accus tomed cou r t e s y , p r epa r eda g r ea t mi l i t a r y e s co r t and g u a r d , to p r o t e c t his cons o r t and

t he l ad i e s of the cour t , whi le they en joyed th i s per i lous

gra t i f i ca t ion .I t was on the mor n ing a f t e r the e v e n t r e c o r d e d in the p r e

c e d i n g c h a p t e r , t h a t a magn i f i cen t and pow er fu l t r a in i s sue dfor th f rom the C h r i s t i a n c a m p . The a d v a n c e d g u a r d was

•composed of l eg ions of cava l r y , heav i l y a r m ed , t h a t l ooke dl i ke mov ing mas s es of po l i s hed s t ee l . T h e n came the k i n ga n d q u e e n , w i t h the p r i n c e and p r i nces s e s , and the l ad i e s of

t he cou r t , s u r r ounded? by the r o y a l b o d y - g u a r d , s u m p t u o u s l ya r r a y e d , c o m p o s e d of the mos t i l l u s t r i ous hous es of Spa in .A f t e r t h e s e was the r ea r - g ua r d , com pos ed of a powerful forceof horse and f o o t ; for the f lower o f the a rmy sa l l i ed fo r th tha td a y . The M o or s g azed w i th f ea rf u l adm i r a t i on at th i s g lor iousp a g e a n t , w h e r e i n the p o m p of the c o u r t was m i n g l e d w i t h the

t e r r o r s of the c a m p . I t moved a long in a r a d i an t l ine acrosst h e v e g a , to the m e l o d i o u s t h u n d e r s of m a r t i a l m u s i c ; w h i l eb a n n e r , and p l u m e , and s i lken scarf, and r i ch b r ocade , gave a

g a y and gorgeous re l i e f to the g r im v i s age of i r o n war t h a t

l u r k e d b e n e a t h .T h e a r m y m o v e d t o w a r d s the h a m l e t of Z u b i a , b u i l t on the

s k i r t s of the m o u n t a i n s to the left of G r a n a d a , and c o m m a n d i n g a v iew of the A l h a m b r a , and the m o s t b e a u t if u l q u a r t e ro f the c i t y . As t h e y a p p r o a c h e d the h a m l e t, the M a r q u is of

V i l l e n a , the C o u n t U r e n a . and Don A l o n z o de A gu ila r , fi ledo f f w i th t he i r ba t t a l i ons , and w ere soon seen g l i t t e r ing a lo ngthe s i de of the m o u n t a i n a b ov e the v i l l age . I n the m e a n t i m e ,t h e M a r q u i s of Cadiz , the C o u n t de T e n d i l l a , the C o u n t de

C a b r a , and Don A l o n z o F e r n a n d e z , s e n i o r of A l c a n d r e t e andM o n t e m a y o r , d r e w up the i r fo rces in b a t t l e a r r a y on the

p la in be low the h a m l e t , p r e s e n t i n g a l i v ing ba r r i e r of l oya lc h i v a l r y b e t w e e n the s ove r e igns and the c i t y . T hu s s ecu r e lyg u a r d e d , the r o y a l p a r t y a l i g h t e d , and e n t e r i n g one of the

h o u s e s of the h a m l e t , w h i c h had b e e n p r e p a r e d for t h e i r re

c e p t i o n , e n j o y e d a ful l view of the c i ty f rom its t e r r a c e d roof.

T h e l a d i e s of the cou r t gazed w i th de l i gh t at the red t o w e r s

o f the A lham br a , r i s i ng f rom am ids t s had y g r oves , an t i c i p a t i n g the t i m e w h e n the Catho l ic sovere igns sho uld be en

t h r o n e d w i t h i n its w a l l s, and its cou r t s s h ine wi th the s p l en d o u r of Span i s h ch iva l r y . " The r e v e r e n d p r e l a t e s and h o l yf r i a r s , who a l w a y s s u r r o u n d e d the queen , looked w i t h s e r e nes a t is f a c ti o n , " s a y s F r a y A n t o n i o A g a p i d a , " a t t h i s m o d e r nB a b y l o n ; e n j o y i n g the t r i u m p h t h a t a w a i te d t h e m , w h e nt h o s e m o s q u e s and m i n a r e t s s h o u l d be conve r t ed i n to




ch ur ch es , an d goo dly p r ies t s a n d b i sho ps shou ld succeed tt>the in f ide l a l f aqu i s . "

W h e n t h e M o o r s b e h e l d t h e C h r i s ti a n s t h u s d r a w n f o rt hin fu l l a r ray in the p la in , they supposed i t was to o f fe r . them

ba t t l e , an d t h ey he s i t a t e d no t t o accep t i t . I n a l i t t le wh i l e ,t h e q u e e n b e h e l d a b o d y of M o o r i s h c a v a l r y p o u r i n g i n t o t h evega , the r ider s managing the i r f l ee t and f i e ry s t eeds wi th adm i r ab l e add r e s s . T h e y w er e r i ch ly a r m ed , an d c lo thed i nthe mos t b r i l l i an t co lou r s , and t he capa r i s ons o f t he i r s t eedsflamed w i th go ld an d em br o ide r y . T h i s w as t h e f avour i t esq ua dr on of M u za , com posed of th e flower o f th e yo uth fu lcava l i e r s o f - Gr anada : o the r s s ucceeded ; s ome heav i l y a r med ,s o m e a la genete, w i th l anc e an d buc k l e r , and l a s t l y cam e t h eleg ion s o f foo t so ld ie r s , w i th a rq ue bu se a n d c ross -bow , a n ds pea r and c ime te r .

W h e n t h e q u e e n s a w t h e a r m y i s su i n g f ro m t h e c i ty , s h es en t t o t h e M ar qu i s o f C ad i z , an d f o r bade an y a t t ac k up onthe enemy , o r t he accep t ance o f any cha l l enge t o a s k i r mi s h ;for she w as lo th th a t h e r cu r ios i ty sho uld cos t th e l ife of as i n g l e h u m a n b e i n g .

T h e m a r q u i s p r o m i s e d t o o b e y , t h o u g h s o r e ly a g a i n s t M s

wi l l : and i t g r i eved the sp i r i t o f the Spanish cava l i e r s to beo b l ig e d t o r e m a i n w i t h s h e a t h e d s w o r d s w h i l e b e a r d e d b y t h efoe. T h e M o o r s c o u l d n o t c o m p r e h e n d t h e m e a n i n g o f t h i si nac t i on o f t h e C h r i s t i ans , a f te r hav ing ap pa r en t l y i nv i t ed aba t t l e ; T he y s a ll ied s eve r a l t imes f rom the i r r an ks , an da p p r o a c h e d n e a r e n o u g h t o d i s c h a rg e t h en - a r r o w s , b u t t h eC h r i s t i a n s w e r e i m m o v a b l e . M a n y o f t h e M o o r i s h h o r s e m en ga l l oped c los e t o t h e C h r i s t i an r a nk s , b r a nd i s h ing t h e i rl anc es a r id c im ete r s , an d defy ing va r ious cava l i e r s to s ing lec o m b a t : b u t K i n g F e r d i n a n d h a d r ig o r o u s ly p r o M b i t e d a lldue l s o f t h e k in d , an d t h ey da r ed no t t r an s g r e s s M s o r d e r su n d e r M s v e r y e y e .

W h i l e t M s g r i m a n d r e l u c t a n t t r a n q u i l l i t y p r e v a i le d a l o n gth e C h r i s t i an l i ne , t h e r e r o s e a .m ing l e d s ho u t an d s ou nd o fl a u g h t e r , n e a r t h e g a t e o f t h e c it y . A M o o r i s h h o r s e m a n ,a r m ed a t a l l po in t s , i s s ued f o r t h f ol lowed b y a r ab b l e , w hodr e w ba ck a s T ie app r oac hed t h e s cene o f da ng e r . T h e M oo r

w a s m o r e r o b u s t a n d b r a w n y t h a n w a s c o m m o n w i t h M sc o u n t r y m e n . H i s v i s o r w a s c l o s e d ; h e b o r e a l a r g e b u c k l e ra n d p o n d e r o u s l a n c e ; M s c i m e t e r w a s o f a D a m a s c u s b l a d e ,a n d M s r i c M y o r n a m e n t e d d a g g e r w a s w r o u g h t b y a n a r t i f ice r o f F e z . H e w as kn ow n b y h i s dev i ce t o be T a r f e , t h em o s t i n s o l e n t , y e t v a l i a n t , o f t h e M o s l e m w a r r i o r s ; t h e s a m ew h o h a d h u r l e d i n t o t h e r o y a l c a m p M s l a n c e i n s c r i b e d t o t h equ ee n . A s h e r o de s l owly a long i n f r on t o f t h e a r m y , M s




T o r y s t eed , p ranc ing wi th , f i e ry e y e a n d d i s t e n d e d n o s t r i l ,s e e m e d t o b r e a t h e d e fi an c e t o t h e C h r i s t i a n s . B u t w h a t w e r e

t he f ee l i ngs o f t he Span i s h cava l i e r s , when t hey behe ld , t i edt o t h e t a i l o f h i s s t eed , an d d r a gg ed i n t h e dus t , t h e ve r y i n

s c r i p t i on , Ave Maria, w h i c h F e r n a n d o P e r e z d e l P u l g a r h a da ffixed t o t h e doo r o f t h e m o s q u e A bu r s t o f ho r r o r a n dind ig na t i on b r o ke f o r t h fr om th e a r ii ry . F e r n a n d o de l .Pu lga rwas no t a t hand t o ma in t a in h i s p r ev ious ach i evemen t , bu t oneo f h i s yo un g com pan ions i n a r m s , Ga r c i l a s s o de l a V eg a b yna m e , pu t t i n g s pu r s t o h i s ho r s e , ga l l oped t o t h e ha m le t o fZ ub ia , t h r e w h im s e l f on . h i s kn ee s be f o r e t h e k in g , an d b e so u gh t pe rm iss ion to acce p t th e def iance of th i s inso len t in fidel, an d to r ev en ge th e in su l t o f fe red to ou r b les s ed La d y .

T h e r e q u e s t w a s t o o p i o u s . t o be r e f us ed : Ga r c i l a s s o r e m ou n te d h i s s t e e d ; he c los ed h i s he lm e t , g r aced by f ou r s ab l ep l u m e s ; g r a s p e d h i s b u c k l e r , o f F l e m i s h w o r k m a n s h i p , a n dhis . l ance of m a t ch l e s s t em pe r , an d de fi ed t h e h au g h ty M oo rin th e m id s t o f h i s ca ree r . A co m ba t took p lac e in v iew o ft h e . two . a r m ies , an d o f t h e C as t i l ian cou r t . T he M oo r w aspower f u l i n w ie ld ing h i s weapons , and dex t e r ous i n manag ing

.h is s t eed- H e wa s of l a rg er fr am e th a n Ga rc i l as so , a n dm o r e c o m p l e te l y a r m e d ; a n d t h e C h r i s t i a n s t r e m b l e d f ort hen - cham pion . T h e s hock o f t he i r en co un t e r wa s d r ea d f u l ;t he i r l a nc es .w er e s h ive r ed , an d s en t u p s p l i n t e r s i n t h e a i r .Gar c i l a s s o w a s t h r own back i n h i s s add l e , and h i s ho r s e .mad tea w ide ca r ee r be fo r e he . cou ld r ecove r h i s pos i t ion , ga th e r u pth e r e in s , an d r e tu r n t o t h e con flic t. T he y no w enco un t e r e deach o the r w i th s wo r ds . T h e . M oo r c i r c led r ou nd h i s oppon en t a s a ha w k c i rc l es w he n abo u t t o m ak e a s w oo p ; h i sA r a b i a n s t e e d o b e y e d h i s r i d e r w i t h m a t c h l e s s q u i c k n e s s ; a t

every- a t t ac k of th e in f ide l , i t s eem ed as i f th e C hr i s t i a nk n ig h t m u s t s i nk be ne a th h i s flash ing c ime te r . B u t i f G a r c i las so w ere in fe r io r to h im in pow er , h e w as sup er io ri n ag i l i t y ; m an y o f h i s b lows h e pa r r i ed , o th e r s he r ece ivedo n h i s F l e m i s h b u c k l e r , w h i c h w a s p r o o f a g a i n s t t h e D a m a s c u s b l a d e . T h e b l o o d s tr e a m e d f ro m n u m e r o u s w o u n d s , r e ce ived b y e i t he r w ar r i o r . T h e M oo r , s ee ing h i s a n t a go n i s tex ha us te d , ava i l ed h im se l f of h i s sup er io r fo rce ; and , g ra pp l i n g , e n d e a v o u r e d t o w r e s t h i m f ro m h i s s a d d l e . T h e y b o t h

fel l t o t h e e a r t h ; t h e M o o r p l a c e d h i s k n e e o n t h e b r e a s t o fh i s v i c t im , and , b r a nd i s h in g h i s dag ge r , a im ed a b low a t h i st h r o a t . A c r y o f d e s p a i r w a s u t t e r e d b y t h e C h r i s t i a n w a r r i o r s , w he n s ud de n ly t h ey be he ld t h e M oo r r oE ing l if el es s i nt h e d u s t G a r c i l as s o h a d s h o r t e n e d h i s s w o r d , a n d , a s h i sa d v e r s a r y r a i s e d h i s a r m t o s t r ik e , h a d p i e r c e d h i m t o t h eh e a r t . " I t w a s a s i n g u l a r a n d m i r a c u l o u s v i c t o r y , " s a y sF r a y A n t o n i o A g a p i d a ; " b u t t h e C h r is ti an ^ k n i g h t w a s .



•298 HISTORY O F

. a r med by t he s ac r ed na tu r e o f h i s caus e , and t he ho ly Vi r g ingav e h im s t r e ng th , l i ke a no the r D av id , t o s l ay t h i s g iga n t i cc h a m p i o n o f t h e G e n t i l e s . "

T h e l aws o f ch iva l r y wer e obs e r ved t h r o ug ho u t t h e comb a t ; no one i n t e r f e r ed on e i t he r s i de . Ga r c i l a s s o no w de s po i l ed h i s ad ve r s a r y ; t h en , r e s c u in g t h e ho ly i n s c r i p t i on o f

. " A V E M A R I A " f rom i t s degrad ing s i tua t ion , he e leva ted i t onth e po in t o f h i s swo rd , an d b ore i t off as a s igna l t r i u m ph ,•amids t t he r ap tu r ous s hou t s o f t he C hr i s t i an a r my .

T h e s u n h a d n o w r e a c h e d t h e m e r i d i a n , a n d t h e h o t b l o o d•of th e M oo rs w as in f lamed b y i t s r a y s , an d b y th e s igh t o ft h e de f ea t of t h e i r cham pion . M u z a o r d e r e d tw o p i eces o f

o r dnance t o open a f i r e upon t he C hr i s t i ans . A confus ion wasp r o du ce d i n one p a r t o f t h e i r r a nk s . M u z a ca l led t h e chi ef so f t h e a r m y : " L e t u s w a s t e n o m o r e t i m e i n e m p t y c h a l l e n g e s , l e t u s c h a r g e u p o n t h e e n e m y : h e w h o a s s a u l ts h a sa l w a y s a n a d v a n t a g e i n t h e c o m b a t . " S o s a y i n g , h e r u s h e dforw ard , fo llowed b y a l a rg e bo dy of ho rse an d foot , a n dch a r ge d s o f u r ious ly up on t he ad van ce - g ua r d o f t h e C hr i s t i a n s , t h a t h e d r o v e i t i n u p o n t h e b a t t a l i o n o f t h e M a r q u i so f C ad i z . T h e ga l l an t m ar q u i s no w cons ide r ed h im s e l f ab

so lved f rom a l l fu r ther obed ience to the queen ' s commands .H e g a v e t h e s i g n a l t o a t t a c k . " S a n t i a g o " w a s s h o u t e da long t he l i ne , and he p r e s s ed f o r war d t o t he encoun t e r w i thh i s ba t t a l i o n o f twe lve h u n dr e d l ances . T h e o the r cava l i e rsf o l l owed h i s example , and t he ba t t l e i n s t an t l y became gene r a l .

W h e n t h e k i n g a n d q u e e n b e h e l d t h e a r m i e s t h u s r u s h i n gt o t h e c o m b a t , t h e y t h r e w th e m s e l v e s o n t h e i r k n e e s , a n d i m p lo r e d t h e ho ly V i r g in t o p r o t e c t he r f a it h fu l w a r r i o r s . T h e

p r ince and p r inces s , t he l ad i e s o f t he cou r t , and t he p r e l a t e sand f r i a r s who wer e p r e s en t , d id t he s ame ; and t he e f f ec t o ft h e p r ay e r s o f t he s e i l l u s t r ious an d s a in t l y pe r s on s w as im m e d i a t e l y a p p a r e n t . T h e f ierceness w i t h w h i c h t h e M o o r sh a d r u s h e d t o t h e a t t a c k w a s s u d d e n l y c o o l e d ; t h e y w e r ebo ld a nd a d r o i t fo r a s k i r mi s h , b u t un eq ua l t o t h e ve t e r anSpania rds in the open f i e ld . A pa n ic se ized up on th e foo ts o ld i e r s ; t h ey t u r n ed an d t ook t o f li ght .' M u za a nd h i scava l i e r s i n va in end eav our e d t o r a l l y t h em . Som e s ou gh t

r e f uge i n t h e m o u n ta in s ; b u t t h e g r e a t e r pa r t fled t o t h e c i t y ,i n s u c h c o nf us io n , t h a t t h e y o v e r t u r n e d a n d t r a m p l e d u p o n•each o th e r . T he C h r i s t i ans pu r s u ed t h e m to t h e ve r y ga t e s .U p w a r d s o f t w o t h o u s a n d w e r e k i l le d , w o u n d e d , o r t a k e npr i s one r s , and t he two p i eces o f o r dnance wer e b r ough t o f f a st r op h i e s o f t h e v i c to r y . N o t a C h r i s t i an l ance b u t w as ba th edtha t day in the b lood of an in f ide l .*

* Cura de los Palaciog,




Such , was t he b r i e f bu t s angu ina r y ac t i on , wh ich wask n o w n a m o n g t h e C h r i s t i a n w a r r i o r s b y t h e n a m e o f t h eQ u e e n ' s S k i r m i s h ; f o r w h e n t h e M a r q u i s o f C a d i z w a i t e du p o n h e r M a j e s t y t o a p o l o gi se fo r b r e a k i n g h e r c o m m a n d s ,

h e a t t r i b u t e d t h e v i c t o r y e n t i r e l y t o h e r p r e s e n c e . T h equ ee n , how eve r , i n s i s t ed t h a t a l l was ow ing t o h e r t r oo psb e i n g l e d o n b y s o v a l i a n t a c o m m a n d e r . H e r m a j e s t y h a d n o ty e t r ecove r e d fr om h e r ag i t a t i on a t be ho ld in g s o t e r r i b l e as c e n e o f b l o o d s h e d ; t h o u g h c e r t a in v e t e r a n s p r e s e n t p r o no un ce d i t a s gay an d ge n t le a fight as th ey h ad ever w i t nes s ed .

T o c o m m e m o r a t e t h i s v i c t o ry , t h e q u e e n a f t e r w a r d s e r e c t e da m on as t e r y i n t h e v i l lage of Z u b i a , d ed i ca t ed t o S t E r a n -

c i sco ; which s t i l l ex i s t s , and in i t s garden i s a l aure l p lan tedby t he hands o f he r ma j e s ty .*

C H A P T E E X C I I I .

C O N F L A G R A T I O N O F T H E C H E I S T I A N C A M P . •" '

T H E r av age s o f w ar h a d as y e t spa red a l i t t l e p or t i on of th eve ga of G ra na da . A gr ee n be l t o f ga rde ns an<l o rc ha rds s t i l lf l ou ri s hed r o un d t h e c it y , ex t end ing a lon g t h e ba nk s o f t h eX e n i l a n d t h e D a r r o . T h e y h a d b e e n t h e s ola ce a n d d e l i g h to f t h e i nh ab i t an t s i n t h e i r h app i e r da ys , a nd co n t r i b u t e d t ot h e i r s u s t e n a n c e i n t h i s t i m e o f s c a r c i ty . E e r d i n a n d d e t e r m ine d t o m ak e a f inal a nd ex t e r m ina t i ng r ava ge t o t h e v e r yw al l s o f th e c i ty , so th a t the re sh ou ld no t r em ain a s ing le

g r ee n t h in g fo r t h e s us t en anc e o f m a n o r bea s t . T he e ven ingof a h o t J u l y day s hone s p l en d id ly up on t h e C h r i s t i an cam p ,w h i c h was i n a bu s t l e o f p r e pa r a t i o n f o r t h e n ex t da y ' s s e r v i ce ,f o r de s pe r a t e r e s i s t ance was exp ec t ed f rom the M oo r s . T h eca m p m ad e a g lo r i ous app ea r an ce i n t h e s e t t i ng s un . T h ew ar r i o r s ' t e n t s o f t h e r oya l f ami ly an d t h e a t t e nd an t nob l e sw e r e a d o r n e d w i t h r i c h h a n g i n g s , h a v i n g s u m p t u o u s d e v i c e s ,a n d w i th cos t ly fu rn i tu re ; fo rm ing , as i t w ere , a l i t t l e c i ty o fs i lk and brocade , where the p innac les o f pav i l ions o f var ious

* Th e house from wh ence the king and queen contemp lated the battleis like w ise to be seen at the present day. I t is in the first street to th eright on entering the village from the rega, and the royal arms are paintedon the ceilings. It is inhabited by a worthy farmer, Francisco Garcia, who,in showing the house, refuses all compensation, with true Spanish pride;offering, on the contrary, the hospitalities of his ma nsion to the strange r.H is children are versed in the old Spanish ballads about the exp loits ofHernando Perez del Pulgar and Garcilasso de la Vega.




ga y colo urs , surm ou nte d, wi th , w avin g s t a n d a rd s an d flu tteringpe nn on s , m ig h t v i e w i th t h e dom es and m ina r e t s o f t h e c ap i t a lt h e y w e r e b e s i e g i n g ;

I n . t h e m ids t o f t h i s ga ud y me t r op o l i s , t h e lo f ty t e n t o f t h e

qu ee n dom inee r ed ove r t h e r e s t l i ke a s t a t e ly pa l ace . T h eM a r q u i s o f C a d i z h a d c o u r t e o u s l y s u r r e n d e r e d h i s o w n t e n tt o t h e que en . I t w as t h e m os t com ple t e an d s p l end id i nC h r i s t e n d o m , a n d h a d b e e n c a rr ie d a b o u t w i t h h i m t h r o u g h o u tth e w ar . I n t h e cen t r e r o s e a s t a t e ly a l f aneque , o r pav i l ion ,i n O r i e n t a l t a s t e , t h e r i c h h a n g i n g s b e i n g s u p p o r t e d b y c o l u m n sof l ances , o r n am en ted w i th m ar t i a l dev i ces . T h i s ce n t r epav i l i on , o r s i l ken t ower , was s u r r ounded by o the r compar t m en t s , s om e o f pa in t e d l i nen , l i ned w i th s i l k , and a l l s ep a r a t e df r om each o th e r b y cu r t a in s . I t was one o f t hos e cam ppa l aces w h ich a r e r a i s ed and dem ol i s hed i n an i n s t an t , l i ket h e c i t y o f c a n v a s t h a t s u r r o u n d s t h e m .

As t he even ing advanced , t he bus t l e i n t he camp s ubs ided .E v e r y o n e s o u g h t r e p o s e p r e p a r a t o r y t o t h e n e x t d a y ' s t o i l .T h e k i n g r e t i r e d e a r l y t h a t h e m i g h t b e u p w i t h t h e c r o w i n gof t h e cock , t o he ad t h e des t r o y ing a r m y in pe r s on . A l l s t i ro f m i l i t a r y p r e p a r a t i o n w a s h u s h e d i n t h e r o y a l q u a r t e r s ; t h e

v e r y s o u n d o f m i n s t r e l s y w a s m u t e ; a n d n o t t h e t i n k l i n g o fa gu i ta r w as to be h ea rd f rom th e t e n t s o f th e f a i r l ad ies o ft he cou r t .

T he queen had r e t i r ed t o t he i nne r mos t pa r t o f he r pav i l i on ,w he r e s he was pe r f o r m ing h e r o r is ons b e f o r e a p r i v a t e a l t a r .P e r h a p s t h e p e r i l t o w h i c h t h e k i n g m i g h t b e e x p o s e d i n t h enex t day ' s f o r ay , i n s p i r ed he r w i th mor e t han u s ua l devo t i on .W h i l e t h u s a t h e r p r a y e r s , s h e w a s s u d d e n l y a r o u s e d b y ag la r e o f l ig h t an d w re a t hs of suf foca t ing sm oke . I n an in s t an t

t he who le t en t was i n a b l aze : t he r e was a h igh gus ty wind ,which whi r l ed the l igh t f l ames f rom ten t to t en t , and speed i lywr apped t hem a l l i n one con f l ag r a t i on .

I sa be l l a h ad ba re ly t im e to ' s ave h er se l f by in s ta n t flight.H e r first t h o ug h t on be ing ex t r i c a t ed f rom h e r t e n t w as f o rt h e s a f e ty o f t h e k in g . Sh e r u s h ed t o h i s t en t , bu t t h e v ig i l a n t F e r d i n a n d w a s a l r e a d y a t t h e e n t r a n c e of i t . S t a r t i n gf rom be d on th e f i r st a l a rm , an d fancy in g i t a n as sa u l t o f th e

enemy , he had s e i zed h i s s wor d and buck l e r , and s a l l i ed f o r t hundr es s ed , w i th h i s cu i r a s s upon h i s a r m .The l a te so gorgeous camp was now a scene of wi ld confu

s ion . T h e flames k e p t spr ea d in g f rom one pav i l ion to an o th er ,g l a r i n g up on t he r i ch a r m ou r a nd go lden an d s i lve r ves s e l s ,w h i c h s e e m e d m e l t i n g i n t h e f e rv e n t h e a t . • M a n y o f t h es o l d i e ry h a d e r e c t e d b o o t h s a n d b o w e r s of b r a n c h e s , w h i c h ,b e i n g d r y , c r a c k l e d a n d b l a z e d , a n d a d d e d t o t h e r a p i d c o n flagration. T h e ladies of t h e co ur t fled, sh r ie km g a n d half-




dr es s ed , f rom th e i r t e n t s . T he r e w as an a l a r m o f d r um an dt r u m p e t , a n d a d i s t r a c t e d h u r r y a b o u t t h e c a m p o f m e n h a l fa r m e d .

T h e P r i n c e J u a n h a d b e e n s n a t c h e d o u t o f b e d b y . a na t t en da n t , an d conveyed t o t h e qu a r t e r s o f t h e " Coun t de C a br a ,w h ich w er e a t t h e en t r an ce of t h e cam p . T h e loya l co un tim m ed ia t e ly s um m on ed h i s peop l e an d t ho s e o f . h i s cous in ,D o n A l o n z o d e M o n t e m a y o r , a n d f o rm e d a g u a r d r o u n d t h et en t i n wh ich t he p r i nce was s he l t e r ed .

T h e - i d e a t h a t t h i s w a s a s t r a t a g e m o f t h e M o o r s s o o ns u b s i d e d ; b u t i t w a s f e a re d t h a t t h e y m i g h t t a k e a d v a n t a g eof i t to com m ence an as sau l t . T he M ar q u is o f Cadis ', the re fore , s a l l i ed f o r t h wi th t h r ee t hous and ho r s e t o check any

adv anc e f rom th e c i t y . A s t h ey pas s ed a long , i t w as onee n t i r e s c e n e o f h u r r y a n d c o n s t e r n a t i o n ; s o m e h a s t e n i n g t ot h e i r p o s t s a t t h e c a l l o f d r u m a n d t r u m p e t , s o m e a t t e m p t i n gto save r i ch e ffects an d g l i t t e r in g a rm ou r , o th er s d ra gg in ga long t e r r i f i ed and r e s t i ve ho r s e s .

W h e n t h e y e m e r g e d f ro m t h e c a m p , t h e y f o u n d t h e w h o l ef i r ma m en t i l lun i i ned . T h e na m es w h i r l e d t i p i n l on g l i gh tsp i res , and th e a i r w as fi ll ed w i th sp ark s an d c ind ers . A br ig h tg l a r e W as t h r o w n up on t h e c it y , r evea l i ng eve r y b a t t l em en t

a n d t o w e r . T u r b a n e d h e a d s w e r e s e e n g a z i n g f ro m e v e r yroof, and a r m ou r g l eam ed a long t he w a l l s ; ye t no t a s i ng l ew ar r i o r s a ll ied f rom th e ga t e s . T he M oo r s s us pec t ed s o m es t r a t agem on t he pa r t o f t he C hr i s t i ans , and kep t qu i e t l yw i th in th e i r w al l s . B y deg ree s th e fl ames exp i red , th e c i t yfade d f rom s igh t , a l l aga in bec am e da rk an d qu ie t , a nd th eM a r q u i s o f C a d i z r e t u r n e d w i t h h i s c a v a l r y t o t h e c a m p .

C H A P T E R X C I V .T H E L A S T E A V A G E B E F O R E G R A N A D A .

W H E N t h e d a y d a w n e d o n t h e C h i i s t i a n c a m p , n o t h i n g r e m a in ed o f t h a t beau t i f u l a s s em blage o f s t a t e ly pav i l i ons b u thea ps o f s m ou ld e r ing r ub b i s h , w i th he lm s an d co r s le t s , a n do the r f u r n i t u r e o f war , and mas s es o f me l t ed go ld and s i l ve rg l i t t e r i n g a m o n g t h e a s h e s . T h e w a r d r o b e o f t h e q u e e n w a s

en t i r e ly des t r o yed , and t he r e w as an im m ens e l os s i n p l a t e ,j ewe l s , cos t l y s t u f f s , and s umptuous a r mour o f t he l uxu r iousno bles . T h e fire a t f i rs t had . be en a t t r ib u te d to t r ea ch er y ,bu t , on i nves t i ga t i on , i t was p r oved t o be en t i r e ly acc iden t a l .T h e q u e e n , o n r e t i r i n g t o h e r p r a y e r s , h a d o r d e r e d h e r l a d yin a t t endance to r emove a f igh t burn ing near her couch , , l es ti t s hou ld p r e ve n t h e r s l eep ing . T h r ou gh heed l e s s nes s , t h et a p e r w a s p la c e d i n a n o t h e r p a r t o f t h e t e n t n e a r t h e h a n g i n g s ,




which , be ing b lown aga ins t i t by a gus t o f w ind , immed ia t e lytook f i re .

T h e w a r y F e r d i n a n d k n e w t h e s a n g u i n e t e m p e r a m e n t o f t h eM oo r s , an d has t en ed t o p r ev en t t h e i r de r i v ing con fidence f ron t

t h e n i g h t ' s d i s a s te r . A t b r e a k o f d a y , t h e d r u m s a n d t r u m pe t s s ounded t o a r ms , and t he C hr i s t i an a r my i s s ued f r oma m o n g t h e s m o k i n g r u i n s o f t h e i r c a m p i n s h i n i n g s q u a d r o n s ,wi th f l aun t ing banners and burs t s o f mar t i a l melod ies , ast h o u g h t h e p r e c e d i n g n i g h t h a d b e e n a t i m e o f h i g h f e s t i v i t yin s t ea d o f t e r r o r .

T h e M o o r s h a d b e h e l d t h e c o n fl ag r at io n w i t h w o n d e r a n dp e r p l e x i t y . " W h e n t h e d a y b r o k e , a n d t h e y l o o k e d t o w a r d st h e C h r i s t i a n c a m p , t h e y s a w n o t h i n g b u t a d a r k s m o k i n g

m a s s . T h e i r s cou t s came in w i th t h e j oy f u l i n t e l li gence t h a tt h e w ho le cam p was a s cene o f r u in . Sca r ce h ad t h e ti d ing ss p r e a d t h r o u g h o u t t h e c i t y t h a n t h e y b e h e l d t h e C h r i s t i a na r m y advanc ing t ow ar d s t h e wa l l s . T he y cons ide r ed i t a f e i n tt o cove r t he i r de s p e r a t e s i t ua t i on and p r ep a r e f o r a r e t r ea t .B oabd i l e l C h i co had one o f h i s impu l s e s o f va lou r ; he de t e r mined to take the f ie ld in person, and to fol low up th is s ignalb low wh ich Al l ah had i n f l i c t ed on t he enemy .

T he C hr i s t i an a r my app r oached c lo s e t o t he c i t y , and wer el ay ing w as t e t h e ga r de ns and o r ch a r ds w he n B oab d i l s a l li edfor th , su r ro un de d b y a l l th a t was le f t o f th e flower a n dch iva l r y o f G r an ad a . T he r e i s one p l ace w he r e even t h ecow ar d becom es b r a ve ; t h a t s ac r ed s po t ca l led hom e . W h a t ,t hen , mus t have been t he va lou r o f t he M oor s , a peop l e a lwayso f f i e r y s p i r i t , when t he war t hus b r ough t t o t he i r t h r e s ho lds ?T he y f o ug h t ' am on g t h e s cenes o f t h e i r loves and p l ea s u r e s ,t he s cenes o f t he i r i n f ancy , and t he haun t s o f t he i r domes t i c

l ife. T h e y f ough t un d e r t h e eyes o f t he i r w ives and ch i l d r en ,th e i r o ld m en and th e i r m aide ns , o f a l l th a t was h e lp les s an da l l t h a t w as de a r t o t h e m ; f or a l l G r a na da c r owd ed on t ow era n d b a t t l e m e n t , w a t c h i n g w i t h t r e m b l i n g h e a r t t h e f a t e o f t h i se r en t f u l day .

I t wa s n o t s o m uc h one ba t t l e a s a va r i e ty o f ba t t l e s .E v e r y g a r d e n a n d o r c h a r d b e c a m e a s c e n e o f d e a d l y c o n t e s t ;eve r y i nch o f g r ou nd was d i s pu t ed by t h e M oo r s w i th anago ny o f g r i e f an d va lou r . E v e r y i nch o f g r o un d t h a t t h e

C h r i s t i a n s a d v a n c e d t h e y v a l i a n t l y m a i n t a i n e d ; b u t n e v e r d i dthey advance wi th severer f ight ing or greater loss of b lood.

T he cava l r y o f M uza was i n eve r y pa r t o f t he f i e l d . W her e -ev er i t cam e, i t gav e f resh a r do ur to th e fight. T h e M oo r i s hs o ld ie r , f a i n t ing w i th he a t , f a t i gue , an d w oun ds , was r ous edto ne w l if e a t th e ap pro ach of M u z a ; an d even he , w ho laygas p ing i n t he agon i e s o f dea th , t u r ned h i s f ace t owar ds h im ,and fa in t ly u t t e red cheer s and b les s ings as he passed .



T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G R A N A D A . 303 '

* Zurita, lib. xr," o. 88.

T h e C h r i s t ians h a d b y t h i s t im e ga in ed pos s ess ion o f va r i oust o w e r s n e a r t h e c i t y , f r o m w h e n c e t h e y h a d b e e n a n n o y e d b yc r os s- bows an d a r q ue bu s es . T h e M oo r s , s ca t t e r ed i n va r ious -ac t i ons , w e r e s ev e r e ly p r e s s ed . B oa bd i l , a t t h e he ad o f t h e '

cava l i e rs o f h i s gu a r d , d i s p l ayed t h e u tm os t va lo u r ; m ing l i n gin the f igh t , in var ious par t s o f the f i e ld , and endeavour ing to - 'i n s p i r i t t h e foot s o ld i e rs t o t h e com ba t . B u t t h e M o or i s h 'i n f an t r y was ne ve r t o be dep end ed up on . I n t he he a t o f t h eac t i on a pan i c s e ized up on t h em . T he y f l ed ; l e av ing t h e i rsovere ign exposed , wi th h i s handfu l o f cava l i e r s , to an over w he lm ing force. B oa bd i l w as on th e po in t o f f a ll ing in to th eh a n d s o f t h e C h r i s t i a n s ; w h e n , w h e e l i n g r o u n d , w i t h h i s f o l - 'low ers , th ey a l l th re w th e re in s on th e nec ks o f th e i r f lee t

s t eeds , and took re fuge , by d in t o f hoof, w i th i n th e w al l s o ft he c i t y . *M u z a ende avou r ed t o r e t r i ev e t h e f o r t une o f t h e f ie ld . H e

th r ew h ims e l f be f o r e t he r e t r ea t i ng i n f an t r y ; ca l l i ng upon ;th e m to tu rn , a n d f ight for th ei r ho m es , th e i r famil ies , forev e r y th in g t h a t was s ac r ed an d dea r t o t he m . I t w as a l l i nva in . T h ey w er e t o t a l l y b r ok en an d d i s ma yed , and fledt u m u l t u o u s l y fo r t h e g a t e s . M u z a w o u l d f ain h a v e k e p t t h efie ld w i th h i s ca va l ry ; b u t th i s d evo ted ban d , ha v in g s toodth e b r u n t o f w ar t h r o ug ho u t t h i s de s p e r a t e cam pa ign , w as ,f ea rf u ll y r ed uce d i n nu m be r , and m an y o f t h e s u r v ivo r s w er ec r ipp l ed an d en f eeb led b y t he i r w ou nd s . S lowly and r e luc t an t l y he r e t r ea t ed t o t h e c it y , h i s bos om s we l l i ng w i th i nd ig n a t i o n a n d d e s p a i r. W h e n h e e n t e r e d t h e g a t e s , ' h e o r d e r e dth e m to b e c losed , an d secu red w i th bo l t s an d ba r s ; fo r h ere fused to p lace any fur ther conf idence in the a rchers anda r q u e b u s i e r s , w h o w e r e s t a t i o n e d t o d e fe n d t h e m ; a n d h e

vo w ed ne ve r m or e to sa l ly fo r th w i th foo t so ld ie rs to th efield.I n t h e m e a n t i m e , t h e a r t i ll e r y t h u n d e r e d f r om t h e w a l l s , '

an d check ed a l l f u r t he r advances o f t h e C h r i s t ians . K in gFe r d in an d , t he r e f o r e , c a l led off h i s t r oop s , and r e tu r n ed i nt r i um p h to t h e r u in s o f h i s c a m p ; l eav ing t h e beau t i f u l c i t yo f G r a na da w r ap pe d i n t h e s m oke o f he r field s an d ga r de ns ,and - s u r r ounded by t he bod i e s o f he r s l augh t e r ed ch i l d r en .

Su ch w as t h e l a s t s a l ly m ad e b y t h e M oo r s i n de fence o f

t he i r f avour i te c i t y . T he F r e n c h am bas s ado r , w ho w i tnes s edi t , w as filled w i th w on de r a t th e p row ess , th e de x te r i ty , a n dda r ing o f t h e M os l em s . I n t r u th , t h i s who le w ar wa s anins t ance , memor ab l e i n h i s t o r y , o f t he mos t pe r s eve r ing r e s o lu t i on . F o r nea r ly t e n ye a r s ha d t h e w ar end ur ed , ex h ib i t i ngan a lmos t un in t e r r up t ed s e r i e s o f d i s a s t e r s t o t he M oor i s h




a r m s . T h e i r t o w n s h a d b e e n t a k e n o n e a ft e r a n o t h e r , a n dt h e i r b r e t h r e n s la i n, o r l e d i n t o c a p t i v i ty . T e t t h e y d i s p u t e deve r y c i t y , and t own , and f o r t r e s s , and ca s t l e ; nay , eve r y r ockitself, a s if t h e y h a d b e e n i n s p i r i t e d b y v i c t o ri e s . W h e r e v e r

t h e y c ou ld p la n t foot to fight, or f ind w al l or chff f rom w he nc et o l a n c h a n a r r o w , t h e y d i s p u t e d t h e i r b e l o v e d c o u n t r y ; a n dnow, when the i r cap i t a l was cu t o f f f rom a l l relief, a n d h a d awho le na t i on t hunde r ing a t i t s ga t e s , t hey s t i l l ma in t a inedde f ence , a s i f t h ey ho pe d s ome m i r a c l e t o i n t e r po s e i n t h e i rhehalf. " T h e i r o b s t i n a t e r e s i s t a n c e , " s a y s a n a n c i e n t c h r o n i c l e r ," shows t h e ' g r i e f w i th w h ich t h e M oo r s y i e lded u p t he v ega ,w h i c h w a s t o t h e m a p a r a d i s e a n d h e a v e n . E x e r t i n g a ll t h es t r en g t h o f then* a r m s , t h ey em br ace d , a s i t w e r e , t h a t mo s tbe loved so il , f rom wh ich ne i th er w ou nd s , no r defea t s , nor d ea thitself, cou ld p a r t th em . T h ey s tood firm, b a t t l in g . fo r i t w i ththe un i ted force o f love and grief: ne ve r d r a w ing bac k t he f ootw h i l e t h ey ha d ha nd s t o fight, o r fo r t une t o be f r i end t h em ." *

, C H A P T E R S C V .

B U I L D I N G O F T H E C I T Y O F S A N T A F E . D E S P A I R O F T H E M O O E S .

T H E M oo r s no w s h u t t hem s e lves u p g loomi ly w i th in t he i r w a l l s .T he r e wer e no l onge r any da r ing s a l l i e s f r om the i r ga t e s ; ande v e n t h e m a r t i a l c l a n g o u r of t h e d r u m a n d t r u m p e t , w h i c hh a d c o n t i n u a l l y r e s o u n d e d w i t h i n t h a t w a r r i o r c i ty , w a s n o ws e ldom he a r d f rom i t s ba t t l e m en t s . F o r a t im e t h ey f l a t t e r edthems e lves wi th hopes t ha t t he l a t e con f l ag r a t i on o f t heca m p w ou ld d i s cou r ag e t h e bes i ege r s ; t ha t , a s i n f o r mer

y e a r s , t h e i r i n v a s i o n w o u l d e n d w i t h t h e s u m m e r , a n d t h a tt h e y w o u l d a g a i n w i t h d r a w b e f o re t h e a u t u m n a l r a i n s . T h em e a s u r e s o f F e r d i n a n d a n d I s a b e l l a s o o n c r u s h e d t h e s e h o p e s .T h ey gave o r d e r s t o bu i l d a r eg u l a r c i t y up on t h e s i t e o f t h e i rcam p , t o conv ince t h e M oo r s t h a t t h e s i ege w as t o en du r eun t i l t h e s u r r e nd e r o f G r an ad a , W ine o f t h e p r i nc ip a l c i ti e so f S p a i n w e r e c h a r g e d w i t h t h i s st u p e n d o u s u n d e r t a k i n g , a n dth e y em ula t ed e ach o the r w i th a zea l w or th y o f t he caus e ." I t ve r i l y s eem ed , " says. F r a y A n to n io A gap id a , " a s t ho ug hs om e m i r ac l e op e r a t ed t o a id t h i s p ious w or k , s o r ap id ly d idar i se a fo rmidable c i ty , wi th so l id ed i f i ces , and power fu lw a l l s , a n d m i g h t y t o w e r s , w h e r e l a t e l y h a d b e e n s e e n n o t h i n gb u t t e n t s an d l i gh t pav i l i ons . T h e c i t y w as t r av e r s e d b y twopr inc ipa l s t r ee t s , in fo rm of a c ross , t e rmina t ing in four ga tes ,f ac ing t h e fou r w ind s ; an d in th e ce n t re w as a va s t sq ua re ,

* Abarca, Reyes" de A ragon, rey xxx c. 3. •



T H E C O N Q U E S T O E G C B A N A D A . 30S

w he r e t h e wh o le a r m y m igh t be a s s embled . T o t h i s c i t y i tw as p r op os ed t o g ive t h e na m e o f I s abe l l a , s o dea r t o t h ea r m y a n d t h e n a t i o n ; b u t t h a t p i o u s p r i n c e s s , " a d d s A n t o n i oA gap ida , " ca l li ng t o m ind t h e ho ly caus e i n w h ich i t w as

e r ec t ed , gave i t t he name o f San t a Fe , o r t he c i t y o f t heH o l y F a i t h , a n d i t r e m a i n s t o t h i s d a y , a m o n u m e n t o f t h ep i e ty and g lo r y o f t h e C a tho l i c s ove r e ig ns . "

H i t h e r t h e m e r c h a n t s s o o n r e s o r t e d fr om a ll p o i n t s . L o n gt r a in s of m u le s w er e s een eve r y day en t e r i n g an d depa r t i ng ;f rom i t s ga tes ; the s t r ee t s were c rowded wi th magaz ines f i l l edw i th a l l k in ds o f cos t l y an d l u xu r ious m er ch an d i s e ; a sceneo f b u s t l i n g c o m m e r c e a n d p r o s p e r i t y t o o k p l a ce , w h i le u n h a p p yG r a n a d a r e m a i n e d s h u t u p a n d d e s o l a t e .

I n t he mean t ime , t he bes i eged c i ' y began t o s u f f e r t he d i s t r e ss of fam ine. I t s suppl ies w er e a l l cu t o if. A ca va lga dao f flocks an d he r d s , an d m u les l ade n w i th m one y , com ing t oth e r e l ie f o f t h e c i t y f rom th e m ou n ta in s o f t h e A lpu xa r r a s ,w a s t a k e n b y t h e M a r q u i s o f C a d i z, a n d l e d i n t r i u m p h t ot h e c a m p , i n s i g h t of t h e s uff er in g M o o r s . A u t u m n a r r i v e d ;bu t t he ha r ves t s had been s wep t f r om the f ace o f t he coun t r y ;a r i go r ous w in t e r wa s ap p r oach ing , an d t h e c i t y w as a lm os t

de s t i t u t e o f p r ov i s i ons . T h e peop l e s an k i n to deep de s p o n d e n c y . T h e y c a ll ed t o m i n d a l l t h a t h a d b e e n p r e d i c t e dby a s t r o loge r s a t t he b i r t h o f t he i r i l l - s t a r r ed s ove r e ign , anda l l t h a t h a d be en f o re to ld o f t h e fa t e o f G r a na da a t t h e t im eof t he cap tu r e o f Z aha r a .

B oabd i l was a l a r med by t he ga the r ing dange r s f r om wi thou t , ,an d by t h e c l amo ur s o f h i s s t a r v ing peop l e . H e s i unm on eda counci l , composed of the pr incipal of f icers of the army, the-a lca yde s o f th e fo r t r es ses , th e xe qu es , o r s ages o f th e c i ty ,

a n d th e a l f aqu i s , o r doc tor s o f th e f a i th . T h ey as sem bled int h e g r e a t ha l l o f aud i ence o f t h e A lha m br a , an d des pa i r w a spa in t ed i n t he i r cou n t ena nces . B o abd i l de m and ed o f t hem?w h a t w a s to b e d o n e i n t h e i r p r e s e n t e x t r e m i t y , a n d t h e i r 'a n s w e r w a s — " S u r r e n d e r . " T h e v e n e r ab l e A b a l C a zim A b -dehnehc , gove r no r o f t he c i t y , r ep r e s en t ed i t s unhappy s t a t e . ." O u r g r an a r i e s a r e ne a r l y exhaus t ed , , an d no f u r t h e r s upp l ie s ;a re to be expec ted . T h e pro ve nd er fo r th e war -horses - i sr e q u i r e d a s s u s t e n a n c e fo r t h e s o l d ie r y ; t h e v e r y h o r s e s t h e m se lves a re k i l l ed for food . O f seven th o u sa n d ^steeds w hi chonce cou ld be s en t i n to t he f i e l d , t h r ee hundr ed on ly r ema in .O u r c i t y c o n t a i n s t w o h u n d r e d t h o u s a n d i n h a b i t a n t s , o l d a n dy o u n g , w i t h e a c h a m o u t h t h a t c a l l s p i t e o u s l y f o r b r e a d . "

, T h e xeq ues and p r inc ipa l c i ti z ens dec l a r ed t h a t t he pe op l ecould no longer sus ta in the l abours and suf fe r ings o f a defence :" A n d o f w h a t a v a il is o u r d e f e n c e ," s a id j t h e y , " w h e n t h e




Al l C hr i s t i an cap t i ves wer e t o he l i be r a t ed wi thou t r ans om.Boabdi l and h i s p r inc ipa l cava l i e r s were to t ake an oa th o f

fea l ty to the Cas t i l i an c rown, and cer ta in va luab le t e r r i to r i esi n t h e A l p u x a r r a s m o u n t a i n s w e r e t o b e a s s i g n e d t o t h e

M o o r i s h m o n a r c h f o r h i s m a i n t e n a n c e .T h e M o o r s o f G r a n a d a w e r e t o b e c o m e s u b j e c t s o f t h eSp an i s h s ove r e igns , r e t a in in g t he i r pos ses s ions , t he i r a r m s ,a n d h o r s e s , a n d y i e l d i n g u p n o t h i n g b u t t h e i r a r t i l le r y . T h e ywer e t o be p r o t ec t ed i n t he exe r c i s e o f t he i r r e l i g ion , andgov e r ne d by t h e i r ow n l aws , adm in i s t e r ed b y cad i s o f t hen -own f a i t h , unde r gove r no r s appo in t ed by t he s ove r e igns .T hey wer e t o be exempted f r om t r i bu t e f o r t h r ee yea r s , a f t e rw h ich t e i' m th e p ay wa s t o be t h e s am e a s t h ey ha d be en

accus tomed t o r ende r t o t he i r na t i ve mona r chs .T h os e wh o chos e t o de pa r t f or Af r ica , w i th in t h r e e ye a r s ,

wer e t o be p r ov ided wi th a pas s age f o r t hems e lves and t he i re f fec t s , f r ee o f charge , f rom whatever por t they should pre fe r .

F o r t he f u lf ilmen t o f t he s e a r t i c le s , f ou r h un d r e d ho s t ag esf rom th e pr inc ipa l fami li es w ere r e qu i re d , p rev iou s to th es u r r en de r , t o be s ub s eq uen t l y r e s to r e d . T he s on of t h e K in gof G r an ad a , and a l l o th e r hos t ag es i n pos s es s ion o f t h e C as

t i l i an s ove r e igns , we r e t o be g iven up a t t he s ame t ime .Such were the condi t ions the waz i r , Abal Caz im, l a id beforeth e cou nc i l of G r an ad a , a s t he b es t t h a t cou ld be ob t a in edf rom the bes ieg ing foe .

W h e n t h e m e m b e r s of t h e c o u n c il f o u n d t h a t t h e a w f u lm o m e n t h a d a r r i v e d i n w h i c h t h e y w e r e t o s i g n a n d s e a l t h ep r ed i c t i on o f t h e i r em p i r e , an d b lo t t hem s e lves ou t a s a na t i on ,a l l fi rmnes s de s e r t e d t h em , a nd m any , gave w ay t o t ea r s .M u z a a l o n e r e t a i n e d a n u n a l t e r e d m i e n . " L e a v e , s e n i o r s , "

c r i ed he , " t h i s i d l e l am en ta t i on t o he lp l e s s w om en and ch il d r e n . W e a r e m e n , w e h a v e h e a r t s , n o t t o s h e d t e n d e r t e a r s ,b u t d ro ps o f b loo ds . I s ee th e sp i r i t o f th e peo ple so cas tdow n , t h a t i t i s impos s ib l e t o s ave t h e k in gd om . Y e t t h e r es t i ll r em a in s an a l t e r na t i ve fo r nob l e m ind s — a g lo r ious d e a thL e t u s d i e de f end ing ou r l i be r t y an d ave ng in g t h e woes o fG r a n a d a O u r m o t h e r E a r t h w i ll r ec e iv e h e r c h i ld r e n i n t oh e r bos om safe from th e c ha ins a nd opp ress ions o f th e conqu ero rs ; o r , sh ou ld an y fa il o f a s ep u lc hre to h id e h i s r e m ain s , h e wi l l no t w an t a sk y to cover h im : A l lah forb id i tsho uld be sa id th e nob les of G ra n ad a feared to d ie in h e rd e f e n c e "

M u z a ceas ed t o s peak , a nd a d ea d s i l ence r e ig ne d i n t h eas s em bly . B o abd i l e l C h i co l ooked anx iou s ly a r ou nd , an ds c a n n e d e v e r y f a c e ; b u t h e r e a d i n t h e m a ll t h e a n x i e t y o fc a r e w o r n m e n , i n w h o s e h e a r t s e n t h u s i a s m w a s d e a d , a n d w h oh a d g r ow n ca l lous to eve r y ch iva l r ous appea l . " A l l ah ac hb a r I




G o d is, g r e a t " e x cl a im e d h e : " t h e r e i s n o G o d b u t G o d ,,a n d M a h o m e t is h i s p r o p h e t I t i s i n v a i n t o s t r u g g l e a g a i n s tt h e wi l l o f He av en . T oo s u r e ly wa s i t w r i t t e n i n t h e boo k o ff a t e t h a t I s h o u l d b e u n f o r t u n a t e , a n d t h e k i n g d o m e x p i r e

u n d e r m y r u l e "" A l l a h a c h b a r G o d is g r e a t " e c h o e d t h e vi zi er s a n da l f a q u i s ; " t h e w i l l o f G o d b e d o n e " S o t h e y a ll a c c o r d e dw i t h t h e k in g t h a t t he s e ev i l s w e r e p r e - o r d a ined , t h a t i t w ashope l e s s t o con t end wi th t hem, and t ha t t he t e r ms o f f e r ed byth e C as t i l i an m on ar c hs w er e a s f avou r ab l e a s cou ld b e ex p e c t e d , . W h e n M u z a s a w t h a t t h e y w e r e a b o u t t o s i g u t h e -t r e a t y o f s u r r e n d e r , h e r o s e i n v i o l e n t i n d i g n a t i o n . " D o n o td e c e iv e y o u r s e l v e s , " c r ie d h e , " n o r t h i n k t h e C h r i s t i a n s w i l l

be f a i t h f u l t o t he i r p r omis es , o r t he i r k ing a s magnan imous i nco nq ues t a s he has . be en v i c to r i ous i n w ar . D e a th i s t h e l ea s tw e ha ve t o f ea r : i t i s t h e p lu nd e r in g an d sack ing o f ou r c i t y ,t h e p r o f a na t i on o f ou r m os q ues , t h e r u in o f ou r hom es , t h ev io l a t i on o f ou r w ives and da ug h t e r s ; c r ue l opp r es s ion ,b i g o t e d i n t o l e r a n c e , w h i p s a n d c h a i n s ; t h e d u n g e o n , t h ef aggo t , an d t h e s t a k e : s uc h a r e t h e m i s e r i e s an d i nd ig n i t i e sw e sha l l see an d suffer , a t lea s t th os e gro ve l l ing souls w i l l seet h e m w h o n o w s h r i n k f ro m a n h o n o u r a b l e d e a t h . F o r m yp a r t , b y A l l a h , I w i l l n e v e r w i t n e s s t h e m " W i t h t h e s ewor ds he l e f t t he counc i l chamber , and s t r ode g loomi lyth r o u g h t h e cou r t o f l ions an d t h e ou t e r ha l l s o f t h e A lh a m -fera , w i th ou t de ign ing t o s peak t o t h e obs equ ious cou r t i e r s w hoa t t e n d e d i n t h e m . H e r e p a i r e d t o h i s d w e l l in g , a r m e d h i m s e l fa t a l l po in t s , m ou n t ed h i s f avour i t e w ar ho r s e , and , i s s u ingf o r th f rom th e c i t y b y t h e ga t e o f E lv i r a , w as ne ve r s een o rh e a rd of m o re .* **-

Su ch i s t h e accoun t g ive n b y A r ab i an h i s t o r i ans o f t h e ex i to f M u z a b e n A b e l G a z a n : b u t t h e v e n e r a b l e F r a y A n t o n i oA ga p id a end eav ou r s t o c l ea r u p t h e m ys t e r y o f h i s f a t e .T h a t v e r y e v e n i n g a p a r t y o f . A n d a l u s i a n c a v a l i e r s , s o m e w h a tmor e . t han ha l f a s co r e o f l ances , we r e r i d ing a long t he bankso f t h e X e n i l , w h e r e i t w i n d s t h r o u g h t h e v e g a . T h e y b e h e l din t he tw i l i gh t a M oor i s h war r i o r app r oach ing , c l o s e ly l ockedup f rom, head to foot in proof. H is v i sor w as c losed , h i s l an cein res t , h i s . pow er fu l ch arg er b a rb e d l ike h im se l f in s t ee l .T h e C h r i s t i a n s w e r e li g h t l y a r m e d w i t h c o r sl e t, h e l m , a n dt a r g e t , f or d u r i n g t h e t r u c e t h e y a p p r e h e n d e d n o a t t a c k .S e e i n g , h o w e v e r , t h e u n k n o w n w a r r i o r a p p r o a c h i n t h i s h o s t i l e gu i s e , t hey cha l l enged h im to s t and and dec l a r e himself.

T h e M o s l e m a n s w e r e d n o t ; b u t , f c h a r g i n g i n t o t h e m i d s t c-t h e m , t r a n s f i x e d o n e k n i g h t w i t h h i s l a n c e , a n d b o r e M m o u t

* Conde, part iv.



T H E C O N Q U E S T O E G R A N A D A . ¿509

C H A P T E R X C V I I .

C O M M O T I O N S I N G R A N A D A .

' T H E ca p i t u l a t i on fo r t h e s u r r en de r o f G r a na da w as s i gned ont h e 2 5 t h o f N o v e m b e r , 1 4 8 1 , a n d p r o d u c e d a s u d d e n c e s s a t i o n•of tho se hos t i l i t i es w hic h h a d ra g ed for so m a n y y ea r s .•C hr i s t i an and M oor migh t now be s een ming l i ng cou r t eous lyo n t h e b a n k s o f t h e X e n i l a n d t h e D a r r o , w h e r e t o h a v e m e ta f ew days p r ev ious wou ld have p r oduced a s cene o f s an g u i n a r y c o n t e s t. S t il l, a s t h e M o o r s m i g h t b e s u d d e n l ya r o us e d t o de f ence , if w i th in t h e a l l o t t ed t e r m o f s ev en tyd a y s s uccour s s ho u ld a r r i ve f rom ab r oad , an d a s t h ey w er e&t a l l t ime s a r a s h i n f lamm ab le peop l e , t h e w ar y F e r d in an dm a i n t a i n e d a v i g i la n t w a t c h u p o n t h e c i ty , a n d p e r m i t t e d n os upp l i e s o f an y k in d t o en t e r . H i s ga r r i s on s i n t h e s eap o r t s ,

a n d h i s c r u i se r s i n t h e S t r a i t s of G ib r a l t a r , we r e o r d e r ed l i ke w i s e t o gu a r d ag a ins t an y r e l ie f f r om th e G r a nd So ld an o fE g y p t , o r t h e p r i n c e s o f B a r b a r y .

T he r e was no ne ed o f s uch p r ecau t i ons . T h os e pow er sw er e e i t he r t oo m uc h eng r os s ed b y t he i r ow n w ar s , o r t oom u c h dau n t e d b y t h e s uccess o f t h e Sp an i s h a r m s t o i n t e r f e r ei n a d e s p e r a t e c a u s e ; a n d t h e u n f o r t u n a t e M o o r s o f G r a n a d awer e abandoned t o t he i r f a t e .

•of M s s a d d l e t o t h e e a r t h . W h e e l i n g r o u n d , h e a t t a c k e d t h eo t h e r s w i t h M s c i m e t e r . H i s b l o w s w e r e f u ri o us a n d d e a d l y ;h e s e e m e d r e g a r d l e s s w h a t w o u n d s h e r e c e i v e d , s o h e c o u l db u t s l ay . H e w as ev ide n t ly fighting, n o t fo r g lory , b u t T e-v e n g e ; eag er to in fl ic t de a th , b u t ca re les s o f surv iv ing to en jo yvic tory . N e a r l y one-ha l f o f th e cava l i e r s f e ll b e n e a t h "h iss w or d be f o re he r ece ived a dan ge r o us w ou nd , s o com ple t e lywas he ca s ed i n a r mour o f proof. A t l e n g t h h e w a s d e s pe r a t e ly w oun ded , an d h is s t eed , be ing p i e r c ed by a l anc e , f el lt o t h e g r o u n d . T h e C h r i s t i a n s , a d m i r i n g t h e v a l o u r o f t h eM oo r , w ou ld ha ve s pa r ed M s l i f e ; b u t h e con t i nue d t o fightu p o n h i s k n e e s , b r a n d i s h i n g a k e e n d a g g e r o f F e z . F i n d i n ga t l e n g t h h e c o u l d n o l o n g e r b a t t l e , a n d d e t e r m i n e d n o t t o b e

t a k e n p r i s o n e r , h e t h r e w himself, w i th an exp i r i ng exe r t i on ,i n t o t h e X e n i l , a n d h i s a r m o u r s a n k h i m t o t h e b o t t o m o f t h e•s t ream.

T M s u n k n o w n w a r r io r t h e v e n e r a b l e A g a p i d a p r o n o u n c e st o ha ve be en M u z a b en A be l G-azan , a nd s ays h i s ho r s e w asr e c o g n i z e d b y c e r t a i n c o n v e r t e d M o o r s o f t h e C h r i s t i a n•camp ; t he f ac t , ho w eve r , ha s a lwa ys re m ai ne d in do ub t .



3 1 0 H I S T O R Y OF ,

T h e m o n t h o f D e c e m b e r h a d n e a r l y p a s se d a w a y ; t h ef a m i n e b e c a m e e x t r e m e ; a n d t h e r e w a s n o h o p e o f a n y f a v o u r ab l e even t w i th in t he t e r m s pec i f i ed i n t he cap i t u l a t i on .B o abd i l s aw, t h a t t o ho ld ou t t o t h e end o f t h e a l l o t t ed t im e

w ou ld on ly be t o p r o t r ac t t h e mi s e r i e s o f h i s peo p l e . W i t hth e con s en t o f h i s counc il , h e de t e r m ined t o s u r r e nd e r t h ec i t y o n t h e 6 t h o f J a n u a r y . O n t h e 3 0 t h o f D e c e m b e r , h es en t h i s g r and v i z i e r , J u s e f Aben C omixa , w i th t he f ou r hun d r e d h o s t a g e s , t o K i n g F e r d i n a n d , t o m a k e k n o w n h i s i n t e n t i o n ;bea r ing h im , a t t he s ame t ime , a p r e s en t o f a magn i f i cen tc ime te r , and two Ar ab i an s t eeds , s upe r b ly capa r i s oned .

T h e u n f o r t u n a t e B o a b d i l w a s d o o m e d t o m e e t w i t h t r o u b l eto t h e end o f h i s ca r ee r . T he ve r y ne x t da y t h e s an ton , o rd e r v is e , H a m e t A b e n Z a r a h , t h e s a m e w h o h a d u t t e r e d p r o phec i e s and exc i t ed commot ions on f o r mer oceas ions,"Suddenlym a d e h i s a p p e a r a n c e . W h e n c e h e c a m e n o o n e k n e w : i t w a sr u m o u r e d t h a t h e h a d b e e n i n t h e m o u n t a i n s of t h e A l p u x a r r a s ,a n d o n t h e c o a s t o f B a r b a r y , e n d e a v o u r i n g t o r o u s e t h e M o s l em s t o t h e r e l ie f o f G r an ad a . H e w as r ed uc ed t o a s ke l e to n .H i s eyes g low ed in th e i r socke t s l ike coa l s, an d h i s spee chw a s l i tt l e b e t t e r t h a n f r an t ic r a v i n g . H e h a r a n g u e d t h e p o p u

l ace i n t he s t r ee t s and s qua r e s ; i nve ighed aga ins t t he cap i t u l a t i on ; den oun ced t h e k in g an d nob l e s a s M o s l em s on ly i nn a m e ; a nd ca l led upo n t h e peop l e t o s a l l y f o r t h ag a ins t t h eunbe l i eve r s , f o r t ha t A l l ah had dec r eed t hem a s i gna l v i c to r y .

U p w a r d s o f t w e n t y t h o u s a n d o f t h e p o p u l a c e s e i z e d t h e i ra r m s , and pa r ad ed t h e s t r ee t s w i th s ho u t s and ou t c r i e s . T h es h o p s a n d h o u s e s w e r e s h u t u p ; t h e k i n g h i m s e l f d i d n o tda r e t o ve n tu r e f o r t h , b u t r em a in ed a k in d o f p r i s on e r i n t h eA l h a m b r a .

T h e t u r b u l e n t m u l t i t u d e c o n t i n u e d r u n n i n g , a n d s h o u t i n g ,a n d h o w l i n g a b o u t t h e c i ty , d u r i n g t h e d a y a n d p a r t o f t h en i g h t . H u n g e r a n d a w i n t r y t e m p e s t t a m e d t h e i r f r e n z y ;a n d , w h e n m o r n i n g c a m e , t h e e n t h u s i a s t w h o h a d l e d t h e mo n h a d d i sa p p e a r e d . W h e t h e r h e h a d b e e n d i sp o s e d o f b ythe emissar ies o f the k ing , o r by the l ead ing men of the c i ty ,i s n o t k n o w n ; h i s d i s a p p e a r a n c e r e m a i n i n g a m y s t e r y . *

T h e M o o r i s h k i n g n o w i s s u e d f r o m t h e A l h a m b r a , a t t e n d e db y h i s p r i n c i p a l n o b l e s , a n d h a r a n g u e d t h e p o p u l a c e . H e s e tf o r t h t h e neces s i t y o f com ply in g w i th t h e cap i t u l a t ion , f r omt h e famine t h a t r e ign ed in th e c i ty , th e fu t i l i ty o f defence ,and f r om the hos t ages hav ing a l r eady been de l i ve r ed i n to t hehands o f t he bes i ege r s .

I n t h e de j ec t i on of h i s s p i r i t s , t h e un f o r tu na t e B oa bd i la t t r i bu t e d t o h ims e l f t h e m i s e r i e s o f t h e co un t r y . " I t was m y

* Mariana.



T H E C O N Q U E S T O E G E A N A D A . 3 1 1

c r ime , i n a s cend ing t he t h r one i n r ebe l l i on aga ins t my f a the r , "s a id h e , m o u r n f u l l y , " w h i c h h a s b r o u g h t t h e s e w o e s u p o n t h ek i n g d o m ; b u t A l l a h h a s g r i e v o u s l y v i s i t e d m y s i n s u p o n m yh e a d F o r y o u r s a k e , m y p e o p le , I h a v e n o w m a d e t h i s

t r e a t y , t o p r o t ec t yo u f r om th e s w or d , yo u r l i t tl e ones f romf amine , yo u r w ives an d dau gh t e r s f r om th e ou t r age s o f w ar ,an d t o s ecu r e y ou i u t h e en joym en t o f yo u r p r op e r t i e s , y o u rl ibe r t i es , yo u r l aw s , an d yo ur r e l ig ion , u nd er a sove re ign ofh a p p i e r d e s t in i e s t h a n t h e i l l- s t a rr e d B o a b d i l " T h e v e r s a t i l e popu l ace wer e t ouched by t he humi l i t y o f t he i r s ove r e ign :t h e y a g r e e d t o a d h e r e t o t h e c a p i t u l a t i o n ; t h e r e w a s e v e n af a in t s h o u t o f " L o n g l iv e B o a b d i l t h e u n f o r t u n a t e " a n dthey a l l r e t u r ned t o t he i r homes i n pe r f ec t t r anqn iUi ty .

B o a b d i l i m m e d i a t e l y s e n t m i s si ve s t o K i n g F e r d h i a n d ,ap pr iz in g h im of the se ev en t s , an d of h i s f ea rs l e s t fu r the rd e l a y s h o u l d p r o d u c e n e w t u m u l t s . H e p r o p o s e d , t h e r e f o r e ,to su r re nd er th e c i ty on th e fo llowing day . T h e Ca s t i l i ans ove r e igns a s s e n t ed w i th g r ea t s a t i s f ac t ion ; an d p r e pa r a t i onsw er e m ad e , b o th i n c i t y and cam p , f or t h i s g r e a t even t , t h a twas to sea l the f a te o f Granada .

I t w as a n i g h t o f do le fu l l am en t ing s w i th in th e w al l s o ft h e A l h a m b r a ; fo r t h e h o u s e h o l d o f B o a b d i l w e r e p r e p a r i n gto t a ke a l as t f a rewel l o f th a t de l igh t fu l abo de . A l l th e ro y a lt r ea s u r e s , and t he mos t p r ec ious e f f ec t s o f t he Alhambr a , we r eh a s t i l y p a c k e d u p o n m u l e s ; t h e b e a u t i fu l a p a r t m e n t s w e r edes po i led , w i th t ea r s an d wa i l i ngs , b y t he i r ow n inh ab i t an t s .Before the dawn of day , a moi i rn fu l cava lcade moved obs cu r e ly ou t o f a po s t e r n ga t e o f t h e A lham br a , and de pa r t e dth r o u g h one o f t h e m os t r e t i r e d qu a r t e r s o f t he c i t y . I t w ascom pos ed o f t h e f ami ly of t h e un f o r tu na t e B o abd i l , w ho m h e

s en t off t h u s p r i v a t e ly t ha t t he y m igh t no t be expos ed t o t h eey es o f scof fe rs o r th e exu l ta t ion of th e en em y. T h e m o th e ro f B o abd i l , t h e s u l t a na A yx a l a H o r r a , r od e on i n s i lence ,w i th de j ec t ed ye t d ign i fi ed de m ea no ur ; b u t h i s w i fe Z o r ay m a ,and a l l the f emales o f h i s household , gave way to loud l amenta t ions , as they gave a l as t look to the i r f avour i t e abode , nowa m a s s o f g l o o m y t o w e r s , b e h i n d t h e m . T h e y w e r e a t t e n d e db y t h e anc i en t dom es t ic s o f t h e hous eho ld , and by a s m a l lgu a r d o f ve t e r a n M o or s , l oya l l y a t t a ch ed t o t h e f a ll en

m on ar c h , an d w ho w ou ld hav e s o ld t he i r l ive s dea r ly i n de fence of h i s f ami ly . T h e c i ty w as y e t bu r ie d in s l eep as t h e ypa s s ed t h r o ug h i t s s i len t s t r ee t s . T he gu a r d s a t t h e g a t es hed t ea r s a s t h ey open ed i t fo r t he i r de pa r tu r e . T he y t a r r i e dno t , b u t p r oc eede d a long t h e ba nk s o f t h e Xe n i l , on t h e r o adt h a t l e a d s t o t h e A l p u x a r r a s , u n t i l t h e y a r r i v e d a t a h a m l e ta t s ome d i s t ance f r om the c i t y , whe r e t hey ha l t ed , and wa i t edu n t i l t h e y s h o u l d b e j o i n e d b y K i n g B o a b d i l .




• C H A P T E R X C V I I L

S U R R E N D E R O F G R A N A D A .

T H E s u n h a d s c a r c e l y b e g u n t o s h e d h i s b e a m s u p o n t h e s u m m i t s o f t h e s n o w y m o u n t a i n s w h i c h r i se a b o v e G r a n a d a w h e nt h e C h r i s ti a n c a m p w a s i n m o t i o n . A d e t a c h m e n t o f h o r s ea n d foo t, l ed b y d i s t i ngu i s hed cava l ie r s , an d accom pan ied b yHer nando de T a l ave r a , b i s hop o f Av i l a , p r oceeded t o t akepos s es s ion o f t h e A lh am br a and t h e t ow er s . I t h a d be en s t i pu l a t ed i n t h e cap i t u l a t i on t h a t t h e de t ac hm en t s en t f or t h i spu r po s e s hou ld no t en t e r b y t h e s t r ee t s o f t h e c i t y . A

r oad had , t he r e f o r e , been opened ou t s i de o f t he wa l l s , l e ad ingb y t h e P u e r t a de l o s M ol inos ( or t he G a t e o f t h e M i l l s ) t othe s ummi t o f t he Hi l l o f M ar ty r s , and ac r os s t he h i l l t oa po s t e r n ga t e o f t h e A lham br a .

W h e n t h e d e t a c h m e n t a r r i v e d a t t h e s u m m i t o f t h e h i l l t h eM oor i s h k ing came f o r t h f r om the ga t e , a t t ended by a hand f u lof cava l i e r s , l eav ing h i s v iz ie r , Jusef Aben Comixa , to de l iveru p t h e pa l ace . " Go , s en io r , " s a id he , t o t h e com m and er o fthe de tachment , " go , and t ake possess ion of those fo r t r es ses ,w h i c h A l l a h h a s b e s t o w e d u p o n y o u r p o w e r f u l l o r d i n p u n i s h m e n t of t h e s i n s o f t h e M oo r s "• H e s a id no m or e , b u t p a s s e dm o u r n f u l l y o n , a l o n g t h e s a m e r o a d b y w h i c h t h e S p a n i s hcava l i e r s had come , des cend ing t o t he vega to mee t t he C a tho l i cs o v e r e i g n s . T h e t r o o p s e n t e r e d t h e A l h a m b r a , t h e g a t e s o fw hic h w ere w ide open , an d a l l i t s s p le nd id c ou r t s an d ha l l ss i l e n t a n d d e s e r t e d . I n t h e m e a n t i m e t h e C h r i s t i a n c o u r ta n d a r m y p o u r e d o u t o f t h e c i t y of S a n t a E e , a n d a d v a n c e d

a c r o s s t h e v e g a . T h e k i n g a n d q u e e n , w i t h t h e p r i n c e a n dpr inc es s , an d t h e d ign i t a r i e s an d l ad i e s o f t h e cou r t , t ook t h elead , accompanied by the d i f fe ren t o rder s o f monks and f r i a r s ,a n d s u r r o u n d e d b y t h e r o y a l g u a r d s , s p l e n d i d ly a r r a y e d . T h ep r oce s s ion m ov ed s lowly f o r war d , an d pau s ed a t t h e v i l l ageof Armi l l a , a t the d i s tance of ha l f a l eague f rom the c i ty .

T he s ove r e igns w a i t ed h e r e w i th imp a t i ence , t he i r eyes fixedo n t h e l o f ty t o w e r o f t h e A l h a m b r a , w a t c h i n g f or t h e a p p o i n t e ds ign a l o f pos s es s ion . T h e t im e t h a t ha d e l aps ed s i nce t h e

d e p a r t u r e o f t h e d e t a c h m e n t s e e m e d t o t h e m m o r e _ t h a nn e c e s s a r y fo r t h e p u r p o s e , a n d t h e a n x i o u s m i n d o f F e r d i n a n dbegan t o en t e r t a in c loub t s o f s ome commot ion i n t he c i t y .A t l eng th t hey s aw the s i l ve r c r o s s , t he g r ea t s t anda r d o f t h i sc r u s a d e , e l e v a t e d o n t h e T o r r e d e l a V e l a , o r g r e a t w a t c h -t o w e r , a n d s p a r k l i n g i n t h e s u n b e a m s . T h i s w a s d o n e b yH e r n a n d o d e T a l a v e r a , b i s h o p of A v i l a . B e s i d e i t w a sp l an t ed t h e pe nn on o f t h e g lo r ious ap os t l e S t J a m es ; and a




g r e a t s h o u t o f " S a n t i a g o S a n t i a g o " r o s e t h r o u g h o u t t h ea r m y . L a s t l y w a s r e a r e d t h e r o y a l s t a n d a r d b y the k in g ofa r m s ; w i t h t h e sh o u t of " C a s t i l e C a s t i le F o r K i n g F e r d i n a n d a n d Q u e e n I s a b e l l a " T h e w o r d s w e r e e c h o e d b y t h e

w h o l e a r m y , w i t h a c c l a m a t i o n s t h a t r e s o u n d e d a c r o s s t h eve ga . A t s igh t o f th es e s igna l s o f possess ion , th e sovere ign sf e l l upon t he i r knees , g iv ing t hanks t o God f o r t h i s g r ea tt r i u m ph . T h e w ho le a s s em bled hos t f o ll owed t he i r exam ple ;and t he cho r i s t e r s o f t he r oya l chape l b r oke f o r t h i n to t hes o l e m n a n t h e m o f Te Deum laudamiis

T h e p r oces s ion no w r e s um ed i t s m ar c h wi t h j oy f u l a l ac r i t y ,t o t h e s o u n d o f t r i u m p h a n t m u s i c , u n t i l t h e y c a m e t o a s m a l l

mos que , nea r t he banks o f t he Xen i l , and no t f a r f r om thef oo t o f t h e H i l l of M a r t y r s , wh ic h edi fi ce r em a in s t o t h ep r e s en t day , cons ec r a t ed a s t he he r mi t age o f S t Sebas t i an .H e r e t h e s o v e re i g n s w e r e m e t b y t h e u n f o r t u n a t e B o a b d i l ,acc om pan ied b y abo ut fifty cava l i e r s an d dom es t ics . A s hed r e w n e a r , h e w o u l d h a v e d i s m o u n t e d i n t o k e n o f h o m a g e ;b u t F e r d i n a n d p r e v e n t e d h i m . H e t h e n p ro f fe re d t o k i s s t h ek ing ' s hand , bu t th i s s ign of vassa lage was l ikewise dec l ined :whe r eupon , no t t o be ou tdone i n magnan imi ty , he l eaned f o r

w a r d a n d s a l u t e d t h e r i g h t a r m o f F e r d i n a n d . Q u e e n I s a b e l l a ,a l so , r e f us ed t o r ece ive t h i s ce r emo n ia l o f h o m a g e ; a nd , t ocons o l e h im unde r h i s adve r s i t y , de l i ve r ed t o h im h i s s on , whoh ad r ema ined a s ho s t age eve r s ince B oa bd i l ' s l i be r a t i on f r omcap t iv i t y . T he M oo r i s h m on ar c h p r e s s ed h i s ch i l d t o h i sb o s o m w i t h t e n d e r e m o t io n , a n d t h e y s e e m e d m a t u a l l ye n d e a r e d t o e a c h o t h e r b y t h e i r m i s f o r t u n e s . *

H e t h e n d e l iv e r e d t h e k e y s o f t h e c i t y t o K i n g F e r d i n a n d ,w i th an a i r o f m ing l e d m e lanch o ly a nd r e s igna t i on . " T he s ek e y s , " sa id he , " a re the l as t r e l i cs o f the Arab ian empi re inSpa in . T h ine , O k ing , a r e ou r t r oph i e s , ou r k ing do m , an do u r p e r s o n S u c h i s t h e w i l l o f G o d ' B e c e i v e t h e m w i t hth e c l em ency t h o u ha s t p r o m is ed , and wh ich w e l ook fo r a tt h y h a n d s " t

K i n g F e r d i n a n d r e s t r a i n e d h i s e x u l t a t i o n i n t o a n a i r o fs e r e n e m a g n a n i m i t y . " D o u b t n o t o u r p r o m i s e s , " r e p l i e d h e ," o r , t ha t t hou s ha l t r ega in f r om ou r f r i ends h ip t he p r os pe r i t y

o f wh ich t he f o r t une o f war has dep r ived t hee . "O n r e c e iv i n g t h e k e y s , K i n g F e r d i n a n d h a n d e d t h e m t ot h e q u e e n . S h e , i n h e r t u r n , p r e s e n t e d t h e m t o h e r s o n ,P r i n c e J u a n , w h o d e l iv e r e d t h e m t o t h e C o u n t d e T e n d i l l a ,t h a t b r a ve an d l oya l cava l i e r be ing app o in t ed a l cayd e o f t h ec i t y , and cap t a in - gene r a l o f t he k ingdom o f Gr anada .

* Zurita, A nale s de Arag ón.+ Abarca, Anales de Aragón, rey xxx c. -3.



314 H I S T O R Y OF

H a v i n g s u r r e n d e r e d the l a s t s y m b o l of p o w e r , the u n f o r t u n a t e B o a b d i l c o n t i n u e d on t o w a r d s the A l p u x a r r a s , t h a t he

m i g h t not b e h o l d the e n t r a n c e of the C hr i s t i ans i n to his

cap i t a l . His d e v o t e d b a n d of caval iers fo l lowed him in

g loomy s i l ence , but he av y s ighs bu r s t f r om the i r bos om s , ass hou t s o f j oy and s t r a i n s of t r i u m p h a n t m u s i c w e r e b o r n e onr

t he b r eeze f r om the v i c to r i ous a r my .H a v i n g r e j o i n e d his f ami ly , B o abd i l set f o r w a r d w i t h a

h e a v y h e a r t for his a l l o t t ed r e s idence in the va l l ey of Por-

c h e n a . At two l eagues d i s t ance the cava lcade , w ind ing in to-t h e s k i r t s of the A l p u x a r r a s , a s c e n d e d an e m i n e n c e c o m m a n d i n g the l as t v iew of G r a n a d a . As t h e y a r r i v e d at t h i s s po t ,t h e M o o r s p a u s e d i n v o l u n t a r i l y to t a k e a f a rewel l gaze a t

t he i r be loved c i t y , wh ich a few s t eps m or e w ou ld s h u t f romt h e i r s i g h t for e v e r. N e v e r had it a p p e a r e d so love ly in t h e i re y e s . The s u n s h i n e , so b r i g h t in t h a t t r a n s p a r e n t c l i m a t e ,l i g h t e d up e a c h t o w e r and m i n a r e t , and r e s t e d g lo r ious ly u po nt h e c r o w n i n g b a t t l e m e n t s of the A l h a m b r a , w h i l e the v e g as p r e a d its ename l l ed bos om of ve r du r e be low, g l i s t en ing wi ththe s i l ve r w ind ings of the X e n i l . The M oo r i s h cava li e rs gaze dw i t h a s i l en t agony of t e n d e r n e s s and g r i e f up on t h a t de l i

c ious abode , the s cene of the i r loves and p l e a s u r e s. W h i l et h e y yet l ooked , a l igh t c loud of smoke burs t fo r th f rom the

c i t ade l , and p r e s e n t l y a p e a l of a r t i l l e r y , f a i n t ly he a r d , t o ld t h a tt he c i t y was t ak en pos s es sion of, and the t h r o n e of the M o s l e mk i n g s was l o s t for eve r . The h e a r t of Boabdi l , so f tened by

m i s f o r t u n e s and o v e r c h a r g e d w i t h grief, cou ld no l onge r con t a i n itself. " A l l a h a c h b a r God is g r e a t " sa id he, but the

w o r d s of r e s i g n a t i o n d i e d u p o n his hps, and he b u r s t i n t o a

flood of t e a r s .

H i s m o t h e r , the i n t r e p i d s u l t a n a A y x a la H o r r a , was i n d i g n a n t at his w e a k n e s s . " Yo u do wel l , " s a id she, " t o w e e pl ike a w o m a n , for w h a t you fai led to defend l ike a man "

T h e v i z i e r A b e n C o m i x a e n d e a v o u r e d to conso le his royal,m a s t e r . " Co ns ide r , s i r e , " s a id he, " t h a t the m os t s i gna lm i s f o r t u n e s o f t e n r e n d e r men as r e n o w n e d as the m o s tp r o s p e r o u s a c h i e v e m e n t s , p r o v i d e d t h e y s u s t a i n t h e m w i t hm a g n a n i m i t y . " The u n h a p p y m o n a r c h , h o w e v e r , was not to

be conso led . His t e a r s c o n t i n u e d to flow. " A l l a h a c h b a r "exc l a imed he, " w h e n did m i s f o r t u n e s e v e r e q u a l m i n e "

F r o m t h i s c i r c u m s t a n c e the h i l l , which is not far f romP a d u l , t o o k the n a m e of Fez A l l a h A c h b a r ; but the p o i n t of

v i e w c o m m a n d i n g the l a s t p r o s p e c t of G r a n a d a is k n o w rna m o n g S p a n i a r d s by the n a m e of el ultimo siuyriro el Moro, or,

" the l as t s igh of the M o o r . "



T H E C O N Q U E S T 0 E G R A N A D A . 315

C H A P T E R X C D L

H O W T H E C A S T I L I A N S O V E R E I G N S T O O K P O S S E S S I O N 01?

G R A N A D A .

W H E N t he C as t i l i an s ove r e igns had r ece ived t he keys o fG r a na da f r om t h e ha nd s o f B oahc li l e l C h i co , t h e r o ya la r m y r e s u m e d i ts t r i u m p h a n t m a r c h . A s it a p p r o a c h e d t h ega tes o f th e c i ty , in a l l th e p om p of cou r t ly a n d ch iva l rous :a r ra y , a p roce ss ion of a d i ffe ren t k in d cam e for th to m e e t i t .T h i s w as comp os ed o f m or e t h an five h u n d r e d C hr i s t i an cap t i v e s , m a n y o f w h o m h a d l a n g u i s h e d f o r y e a r s i n M o o r i s h

d u n g e o n s . P a l e a n d e m a c i a t e d , t h e y c a m e c l a n k i n g t h e i rcha ins i n t r i um ph , and s hed d ing t ea r s of j oy . T h ey w er er e c e i v e d w i t h t e n d e r n e s s b y t h e s o v e r e ig n s . T h e k i n g h a i l e dt h e m a s g o o d S p a n i a r d s ; a s m e n l o y a l a n d b r a v e ; a s m a r t y r sto t h e ho ly caus e . T he que en d i s t r i bu t e d l i be r a l r e l ie f am on gt h e m w i t h h e r o w n h a n d s , a n d t h e y p a s s e d o n b e fo r e t h es quad r ons o f t he a r my , s i ng ing hymns o f j ub i l ee .*

T h e sove re igns d id n o t en te r th e c i ty on th i s da y of i t ss u r r e nd e r , b u t wa i t ed u n t i l i t s hou ld be fu l ly occup i ed b y

t h e i r t r o o p s , a n d p u b l i c t r a n q u i l l i t y e n s u r e d . T h e M a r q u i sde V i l l ena , an d t h e C o un t de T end i l l a , w i th t h r e e t h ou s a ndcava l r y , an d a s m an y i n f an t r y , m ar c he d i n , and t ook pos s es s ion , acco m panied b y th e p ro se ly te fp rince , C id i Y a h y e , nowk n o w n b y t h e C h r i s t i a n a p p e l la t io n o f D o n P e d r o d e G r a n a d a ,who was appoin ted ch ie f a lguaz i l o f the c i ty , and had chargeo f t h e M o o r i s h i n h a b i t a n t s ; a n d b y h i s s o n , t h e l a t e P r i n c eA l n a y e r , n o w D o n A l o n z o d e G r a n a d a , w h o w a s a p p o i n t e d

ad m ira l o f th e fleets. I n a l i t t l e w hi le ev ery b a t t l e m en tg l i s t en ed w i th C hr i s t i an h e lm s and l ances , t h e s t an da r d o fth e fa i th an d of th e r e a lm floated f rom ev ery tow er , an d th eth u n de r in g s a lvos o f t h e o r dn anc e t o ld t h a t t h e s ub ju ga t i o nof the c i ty was comple te .

T he g r andees and cava l i e r s now kne l t , and k i s s ed t he handso f t h e k i n g a n d q u e e n a n d t h e P r i n c e J u a n , a n d c o n g r a t u l a t e d t h em on t h e acqu i s i ti on o f s o g r e a t a k in g d o m ; a f t e rw h i c h t h e r o y a l p r o c e s s i o n r e t u r n e d i n s t a t e t o S a n t a E e .

I t was on t he 6 th o f J anua r y , t he day o f k ings , and f e s t i va lo f t h e E p i p h a n y , t h a t t h e s o v e r e ig n s m a d e t h e i r t r i u m p h a le n t r y . " T h e k i n g a n d q u e e n , " s a y s t h e w o r t h y P r a y A n t o n i o -A ga p ida , " l ooke d on t h i s occasion a s m or e t h a n m or t a l . T h eve ne rab le ecc les iast i cs, to w hose adv ice an d zea l th i s g lor iou sc o n q u e s t o u g h t i n a g r e a t m e a s u r e t o b e a t t r i b u t e d , m o v e d

* Ab arca, ubi supra. Zu rita, & c.




a long , w i th hea r t s s we l l i ng wi th ho ly exu l t a t i on , bu t w i thchas t ened and downcas t l ooks o f ed i f y ing hun i i l i t y ; wh i l e t heh a r d y w ar r i o r s , i n to s s ing p lum es an d s h in in g s t ee l, s ee m ede l eva t ed wi th a s t e r n j oy a t f i nd ing t hems e lves i n pos s es s ion

of th i s ob jec t o f so m a n y to i l s an d pe r i l s . A s th e s t r e e t s r e s o u nd ed w i th t h e t r a m p o f s t eed , an d s we l l ing pea l s of m us i c ,t he M oor s bu r i ed t hems e lves i n t he deepes t r eces s e s o f t he i rdw e l l i ngs . T h e r e t h ey bew a i l ed i n s ec r e t t h e f a ll en g lo r y o ft h e i r r a c e , b u t s u p p r e s s e d t h e i r g r o a n s , l e s t t h e y s h o u l d b eh e a r d b y t h e i r e n e m i e s a n d i n c r e a s e t h e i r t r i u m p h . "

T he r oy a l p r oces s ion adv anced t o t h e p r i nc ip a l m os q ue ,w h i c h h a d b e e n c o n s e c r a t e d a s a c a t h e d r a l . H e r e t h e s o v e r e igns o f f e r ed up p r aye r s and t hanks g iv ings , and t he cho i r o f

t h e r o y a l c h a p e l c h a n t e d a t r i u m p h a n t a n t h e m , i n w h i c h t h e yw e r e j o i n e d b y a l l t h e c o u r t i e r s a n d c a v a l ie r s. " N o t h i n g , "s a y s F r a y A n t o n i o A g a p i d a , " c o u ld e x c e e d t h e t h a n k f u l n e s st o G o d o f t h e p i o u s K i n g F e r d i n a n d , f o r h a v i n g e n a b l e d h i mto e r ad i ca t e f r om Spa in t he empi r e and name o f t ha t accu r s edh ea th en rac e , a nd for the e leva t ion of th e c ross in th a t c i ty ,w h e r e i n t h e i m p i o u s d o c t r in e s o f M a h o m e t h a d s o l o n g b e e nche r i shed . I n th e f e rvou r o f h i s sp i r i t , h e sup pl ica ted f rom

he av en a con t i nuanc e of i t s g r ace , an d t h a t t h i s g lo r ious t r i u m p h m i g h t b e p e r p e t u a t e d . " * T h e p r a y e r of t h e p i o u sm on ar c h w as r e s p on de d t o by t he peop l e , an d even h i s enem ieswere fo r once convinced of h i s s incer i ty .

W h e n t h e r e li g io u s c e r e m o n i e s w e r e c o n c l u d e d, t h e c o u r ta s c e n d e d t o t h e s t a t e l y p a l a c e o f t h e A l h a m b r a , a n d e n t e r e db y t h e g r ea t ga t e o f j u s t i c e . T h e ha l l s , l a t e l y occup i ed b ytu r b an ed i n fi del s, no w r us t l e d w i th s t a t e ly dam es an d C h r i s t i a n cou r t i e r s , w ho w an de r ed w i th eage r cu r io s it y ove r t h i s

f a r- f amed pa l ace , ad m i r ing i t s ve r d an t cou r t s an d gu s h in gf oun t a in s , i t s ha l l s dec o r a t ed w i th e l ega n t a r ab es qu es , an ds to r i ed wi th i n s c r i p t i ons , and t he s p l endour o f i t s g i l ded andbr i l l i an t l y - pa in t ed ce i l i ngs .

I t h ad be en a l a s t r eq ue s t o f t h e un f o r tun a t e B o abd i l , andone wh ich s howed how deep ly he f e l t t he t he t r ans i t i on o f h i sf a t e , t h a t n o p e r s o n m i g h t b e p e r m i t t e d t o e n t e r o r d e p a r t b yt h e g a t e o f t h e A l h a m b r a t h r o u g h w h i c h h e h a d s a u i e d f o r t ht o s u r r e n d e r h i s c a p i t a l . H i s r e q u e s t w a s g r a n t e d : t h e p o r t a lw as c los ed up , an d r em a in s s o t o t h e p r e s en t da y ; a m u tem e m o r i a l o f t h a t e v e n t . *

Note.— T he ex i s t ence o f t h i s ga t ew ay , an d t he s t o r y con nec t ed wi th i t , a r e pe r haps known to f ew, bu t wer e i den t i f i ed

* Th e words of Fray Antonio A eapid a are litt le more than an echo-ofthose of the worthy Jesuit, Father Mariana (1. xxv, c. 18):

+ Garibay, Com pend. H ist . 1. xl , c . 42 .



T H E C O N Q U E S T O F G E A N A D A 317

i n t h e r e s e a r c h e s m a d e t o v e r if y t h i s h i s t o r y . T h e g a t e w a yis a t th e b o t t o m of a g re a t tow er , a t som e d i s tan ce f rom th em a i n b o d y o f t h e A l h a m b r a . T h e t o w e r h a s b e e n r e n t a n d

r u i n e d b y g u n p o w d e r , a t t h e t i m e w h e n t h e f o rt re s s w a se v a c u a t e d b y t h e F r e n c h . G r e a t m a s s e s h e a r o u n d , h a l fcov ered b y vine s an d fig-trees . A po or m an , b y th e n a m e ofM at t e o X im en es , w ho fives i n one of t h e hov e l s am ong t h er u ins o f t h e A lha m br a , w he r e h i s f ami ly has l ived f or m an ygen e r a t i on s , po in t e d ou t t he ga t ew ay , s t i l l c lo s ed u p w i ths t o n e s . H e r e m e m b e r e d t o h a v e h e a r d h i s f a t h e r a n d g r a n d f a the r s ay , t h a t i t ha d a lw ays be en s t oppe d up , an d t h a t o u t o fi t K i n g B o a b d i l h a d g o n e w h e n h e s u r r e n d e r e d G r a n a d a .

T h e r o u t e of t h e u n f o r t u n a t e k i n g m a y b e t r a c e d from t h e n c eac r os s t he ga r den o f t he conven t o f L os M ar ty r e s , and downa rav ine be yo nd , th ro u g h a s t r e e t o f g ipsy caves , an d hov e l s ,b y t h e ga t e o f L o s M ol inos , an d so on t o t h e H er m i t a g e o fS t S e b a s t i a n . N o n e b u t a n a n t i q u a r i a n , h o w e v e r , w i l l b eab l e t o r e t r ac e i t, un l e s s a ided b y t he hu m ble h i s t o r i an o f t h ep l a c e , M a t t e o X i m e n e s .

T h e Sp an i s h s ove r e igns fixed t he i r t h r o ne i n t h e p r e s enc echamber o f t he pa l ace , s o l ong t he s ea t o f M oor i s h r oya l t y .H i t h e r t h e p r i n c i p a l i n h a b i t a n t s o f G r a n a d a r e p a i r e d , t o p a yt h e m h o m a g e , a n d k i s s t h e i r h a n d s , i n t o k e n o f v a s s a l a g e ;an d th e i r exa m ple w as fo l lowed b y depu t ies f rom a l l th e tow nsand f o r t r e s s e s o f t he Alpuxa r r a s , wh ich had no t h i t he r t o s ub m i t t e d .

T hu s t e r m ina t ed t h e wa r of G r an ad a , a ft e r t e n yea r s o finc essa n t fighting; " eq ua l l ing , " say s F r a y A nto n io A ga pid a ," th e f a r -famed s iege of T ro y in d ura t ion , an d en din g , l ike

th a t , i n t h e ca p tu r e o f t h e c i t y . " T h us ende d , a l so , t h edomin ion o f t he M oor s i n Spa in , a f t e r hav ing endur ed s evenh u n d r e d a n d s e v e n t y - e i g h t y e a r s f ro m t h e m e m o r a b l e d e f e a to f R o de r i c k , t h e l a s t o f t h e G o th s , on t h e b an ks o f t h eG a u d a l e t e . T h e a u t h e n t i c A g a p i d a i s u n c o m m o n l y p a r t i cu la r in fix ing th e epoc h of th i s eve n t . " Th is g r ea t t r iu m p hof our ho ly Catho l ic f a i th , " accord ing to h i s computa t ion ," t o o k p l a c e i n t h e b e g i n n i n g o f J a n u a r y , i n t h e y e a r o f o u rL o r d 1 49 2 ; be ing 3655 ye a r s from th e pop u l a t i o n of Spa in b yth e pa t r i a r ch T u ba l ; 3797 f rom th e gen e r a l d e l u ge ; 5453 f romth e c r ea t i on o f t h e w or ld , a cc o r d ing t o H e b r e w ca l cu l a t ion ;a n d i n t h e m o n t h R a b i e , i n t h e 8 9 7 t h y e a r o f t h e H e g i r a , o rflight o f M a h o m e t : w h o m m a y G o d c o n f o u n d " s a i t h t h ep ious Agap ida .

TH E E N D .

Cronicle of the Conquest of Granada

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