University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER LI.

The people of Velez Malaga had beheld
the camp of Muley Abdalla el Zagal
covering the summit of Bentomiz, and
glittering in the last rays of the setting
sun. During the night they had been
alarmed and perplexed by signal fires on
the mountain, and by the distant sound
of battle. When the morning broke, the
Moorish army had vanished as if by enchantment.
While the inhabitants were
lost in wonder and conjecture, a body of
cavalry, the fragment of the army saved
by Rodovan de Vanegas, the brave alcayde
of Granada, came galloping to the
gates. The tidings of this strange discomfiture
of the host filled the city with
consternation; but Rodovan exhorted the
people to continue their resistance. He
was devoted to El Zagal, and confident
in his skill and prowess; and felt assured,
that he would soon collect his scattered
forces, and return with fresh troops
from Granada. The people were comforted
by the words and encouraged by
the presence of Rodovan, and they had
still a lingering hope, that the heavy artillery
of the Christians might be locked
up in the impassable defiles of the mountains.
This hope was soon at an end.
The very next day they beheld long laborious
lines of ordnance slowly moving
into the Spanish camp; lombards, ribadoquines,
catapultas, and cars laden with
munitions, while the escort, under the
brave master of Alcantara, wheeled in
great battalions into the camp, to augment
the force of the besiegers.

The intelligence, that Granada had
shut its gates against El Zagal, and that
no reinforcements were to be expected,
completed the despair of the inhabitants;
even Rodovan himself lost confidence,
and advised capitulation.

The terms were arranged between the
alcayde and the noble Count de Cifuentes.
The latter had been prisoner of Rodovan
at Granada, who had treated him with
chivalrous courtesy. They had conceived
a mutual esteem for each other,
and met as ancient friends.

Ferdinand granted favourable conditions;
for he was eager to proceed against
Malaga. The inhabitants were permitted
to depart with their effects, except their
arms, and to reside, if they chose it, in
Spain, in any place distant from the sea.
One hundred and twenty Christians of
both sexes were rescued from captivity
by the surrender of Velez Malaga, and
were sent to Cordova, where they were
received with great tenderness by the
queen, and her daughter the Infanta Isabella,
in the famous cathedral, in the midst
of public rejoicings for the victory.

The capture of Velez Malaga was followed
by the surrender of Bentomiz, Comares,
and all the towns and fortresses
of the Axarquia, which were strongly
garrisoned, and discreet and valiant cavaliers
appointed as their alcaydes. The
inhabitants of nearly forty towns of the
Alpuxarra mountains also sent deputations
to the Castilian sovereigns, taking
the oath of allegiance as Mudixares, or
Moslem vassals.

About the same time came letters from
Boabdil el Chico, announcing to the sovereigns
the revolution of Granada in his
favour. He solicited kindness and protection
for the inhabitants who had returned
to their allegiance, and for those
of all other places which should renounce
allegiance to his uncle. By this means,
he observed, the whole kingdom of Granada
would soon be induced to acknowledge
his sway, and would be held by
him in faithful vassalage to the Castilian
crown.

The catholic sovereigns complied with
his request. Protection was immediately
extended to the inhabitants of Granada,
permitting them to cultivate their fields
in peace, and to trade with the Christian
territories in all articles excepting arms,
being provided with letters of surety from
some Christian captain or alcayde. The
same favour was promised to all other
places that within six months should renounce
El Zagal and come under allegiance
to the younger king. Should
they not do so within that time, the sovereigns
threatened to make war upon them
and conquer them for themselves. This
measure had a great effect in inducing
many to return to the standard of Boabdil.

Having made every necessary arrangement
for the government and security of
the newly conquered territory, Ferdinand

turned his attention to the great object of
his campaign, the reduction of Malaga.