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fforts show that the sceptre of Granada is doomed to pass into the hands of the Christian monarchs。 Such；〃 concluded the prince emphatically； and with a profound and pious reverence；〃such is the almighty will of God。〃
El Zagal listened to these words in mute attention； without so much as moving a muscle of his face or winking an eyelid。 When the prince had concluded he remained for a long time silent and pensive； at length； heaving a profound sigh from the very bottom of his heart； 〃Alahuma subahana hu！〃 exclaimed he〃the will of God be done！ Yes； my cousin； it is but too evident that such is the will of Allah； and what he wills he fails not to accomplish。 Had not he decreed the fall of Granada； this arm and this scimetar would have maintained it。〃*
*Conde； tom。 3； c。 40。
〃What then remains；〃 said Cid Hiaya； 〃but to draw the most advantage from the wreck of empire left to you？ To persist in a war is to bring complete desolation upon the land and ruin and death upon its faithful inhabitants。 Are you disposed to yield up your remaining towns to your nephew El Chico； that they may augment his power and derive protection from his alliance with the Christian sovereigns？〃
The eye of El Zagal flashed fire at this suggestion。 He grasped the hilt of his scimetar and gnashed his teeth in fury。 〃Never；〃 cried he； 〃will I make terms with that recreant and slave。 Sooner would I see the banners of the Christian monarchs floating above my walls than they should add to the possessions of the vassal Boabdil！〃
Cid Hiaya immediately seized upon this idea； and urged El Zagal to make a frank and entire surrender。 〃Trust；〃 said he； 〃to the magnanimity of the Castilian sovereigns； they will doubtless grant you high and honorable terms。 It is better to yield to them as friends what they must infallibly and before long wrest from you as enemies； for such； my cousin； is the almighty will of God。〃
''Alahuma subahana hu！〃 repeated El Zagal〃the will of God be done！〃 So the old monarch bowed his haughty neck and agreed to surrender his territories to the enemies of his faith； rather than suffer them to augment the Moslem power under the sway of his nephew。
Cid Hiaya now returned to Baza； empowered by El Zagal to treat on his behalf with the Christian sovereigns。 The prince felt a species of exultation as he expatiated on the rich relics of empire which he was authorized to cede。 There was a great part of that line of mountains extending from the metropolis to the Mediterranean Sea； with their series of beautiful green valleys like precious emeralds set in a golden chain。 Above all； there were Guadix and Almeria； two of the most inestimable jewels in the crown of Granada。
In return for these possessions and for the claim of El Zagal to the rest of the kingdom the sovereigns received him into their friendship and alliance； and gave him in perpetual inheritance the territory of Andarax and the valley of Alhaurin in the Alpuxarras； with the fourth part of the salinas or salt…pits of Malaha。 He was to enjoy the title of king of Andarax； with two thousand mudexares； or conquered Moors； for subjects； and his revenues were to be made up to the sum of four millions of maravedis。 All these he was to hold as a vassal of the Castilian Crown。
These arrangements being made； Cid Hiaya returned with them to Muley Abdallah； and it was concerted that the ceremony of surrender and homage should take place at the city of Almeria。
On the 17th of December； King Ferdinand departed for that city。 Cid Hiaya and his principal officers； incorporated with a division commanded by the count de Tendilla； marched in the van…guard。 The king was with the centre of the army； and the queen with the rear…guard。 In this martial state Ferdinand passed by several of the newly…acquired towns； exulting in these trophies of his policy rather than his valor。 In traversing the mountainous region which extends toward the Mediterranean the army suffered exceedingly from raging vandavales； or south…west gales； accompanied by snow…storms。 Several of the soldiers and many horses and beasts perished with the cold。 One of the divisions under the marques of Cadiz found it impossible to traverse in one day the frozen summits of Filabres； and had to pass the night in those inclement regions。 The marques caused two immense fires to be kindled in the vicinity of his encampment to guide and enlighten those lost and wandering among the defiles； and to warm those who were benumbed and almost frozen。
The king halted at Tavernas； to collect his scattered troops and give them time to breathe after the hardships of the mountains。 The queen was travelling a day's march in the rear。
On the 21st of December the king arrived and encamped in the vicinity of Almeria。 Understanding that El Zagal was sallying forth to pay him homage according to appointment； he mounted on horseback and rode forth to receive him； attended by Don Alonso de Cardenas； master of Santiago； on his right hand； and the marques of Cadiz on his left； and despatched in the advance Don Gutierrez de Cardenas； commander of Leon； and other cavaliers to meet and form an honorable escort to the Moorish monarch。 With this escort went that curious eye…witness； Peter Martyr； from whom we have many of these particulars。
El Zagal was accompanied by twelve cavaliers on horseback； among whom was his cousin； the prince Cid Hiaya （who had no doubt joined him from the Spanish camp）； and the brave Reduan Vanegas。 Peter Martyr declares that the appearance of El Zagal touched him with compassion； for； though a 〃lawless barbarian； he was a king and had given signal proofs of heroism。〃 The historian Palencia gives us a particular description of his appearance。 He was； says he； of elevated stature and well proportioned； neither robust nor meagre； the natural fairness of his countenance was increased by an extreme paleness which gave it a melancholy expression。 His aspect was grave； his movements were quiet； noble； and dignified。 He was modestly attired in a garb of mourninga sayo； or loose surcoat； of dark cloth； a simple albornoz or Moorish mantle； and a turban of dazzling whiteness。
On being met by the commander； Gutierrez de Cardenas； El Zagal saluted him courteously； as well as the cavaliers who accompanied him； and rode on； conversing with him through the medium of interpreters。 Beholding King Ferdinand and his splendid train at a distance； he alighted and advanced toward him on foot。 The punctilious Ferdinand； supposing this voluntary act of humiliation had been imposed by Don Gutierrez； told that cavalier； with some asperity； that it was an act of great discourtesy to cause a vanquished king to alight before another king who was victorious。 At the same time he made him signs to remount his horse and place himself by his side。 El Zagal； persisting in his act of homage； offered to kiss the king's hand； but； being prevented by that monarch； he kissed his own hand； as the Moorish cavaliers were accustomed to do in presence of their sovereigns； and accompanied the gesture by a few words expressive of obedience and fealty。 Ferdinand replied in a gracious and amiable manner； and； causing him to remount and p