6. CHAPTER VI.
Surrender of Velez Malaga and other places.
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
sound of distant 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 the 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 favorable 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 Alpaxarra mountains, also, sent deputations
to the Castilian sovereigns, taking the oath of
allegiance as Mudehares, or Moslem vassals.
About the same time came letters from Boabdil el
Chico, announcing to the sovereigns the revolution
of Granada in his favor. He solicited kindness and
protection for the inhabitants who had returned to
their allegiance, and for those of all other places
which should renounce adherence 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 favor was promised to all other
places, which, 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.
