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render Granada into their hands within a limited time； and accept in exchange certain Moorish towns to be held by him as their vassal。 Guadix； Baza； and Almeria had now fallen； Ferdinand called upon him； therefore； to fulfil his engagement。
If the unfortunate Boabdil had possessed the will； he had not the power to comply with this demand。 He was shut up in the Alhambra； while a tempest of popular fury raged without。 Granada was thronged by refugees from the captured towns； many of them disbanded soldiers； and others broken…down citizens rendered fierce and desperate by ruin。 All railed at him as the real cause of their misfortunes。 How was he to venture forth in such a storm？ Above all； how was he to talk to such men of surrender？ In his reply to Ferdinand he represented the difficulties of his situation； and that； so far from having control over his subjects； his very life was in danger from their turbulence。 He entreated the king； therefore； to rest satisfied for the present with his recent conquests； promising that should he be able to regain full empire over his capital and its inhabitants； it would be but to rule over them as vassal to the Castilian Crown。
Ferdinand was not to be satisfied with such a reply。 The time was come to bring his game of policy to a close； and to consummate his conquest by seating himself on the throne of the Alhambra。 Professing to consider Boabdil as a faithless ally who had broken his plighted word； he discarded him from his friendship； and addressed a second letter； not to him； but to the commanders and council of the city。 He demanded a complete surrender of the place； with all the arms in the possession either of the citizens or of others who had recently taken refuge within its walls。 If the inhabitants should comply with this summons； he promised them the indulgent terms granted to Baza； Guadix； and Almeria； if they should refuse； he threatened them with the fate of Malaga。*
*Cura de los Palacios； cap。 96。
This message produced the greatest commotion in the city。 The inhabitants of the Alcaiceria； that busy hive of traffic； and all others who had tasted the sweets of gainful commerce during the late cessation of hostilities； were for securing their golden advantages by timely submission： others； who had wives and children； looked on them with tenderness and solicitude； and dreaded by resistance to bring upon them the horrors of slavery。
On the other hand； Granada was crowded with men from all parts； ruined by the war； exasperated by their sufferings； and eager only for revengewith others who had been reared amidst hostilities； who had lived by the sword； and whom a return of peace would leave without home or hope。 Besides these； there were others no less fiery and warlike in disposition； but animated by a loftier spirit。 These were valiant and haughty cavaliers of the old chivalrous lineages； who had inherited a deadly hatred to the Christians from a long line of warrior ancestors； and to whom the idea was worse than death that Granadaillustrious Granada； for ages the seat of Moorish grandeur and delightshould become the abode of unbelievers。
Among these cavaliers the most eminent was Muza Abul Gazan。 He was of royal lineage； of a proud and generous nature； and a form combining manly strength and beauty。 None could excel him in the management of the horse and dextrous use of all kinds of weapons： his gracefulness and skill in the tourney were the theme of praise among the Moorish dames； and his prowess in the field had made him the terror of the enemy。 He had long repined at the timid policy of Boabdil； and endeavored to counteract its enervating effects and keep alive the martial spirit of Granada。 For this reason he had promoted jousts and tiltings with the reed； and all those other public games which bear the semblance of war。 He endeavored also to inculcate into his companions…in…arms those high chivalrous sentiments which lead to valiant and magnanimous deeds； but which are apt to decline with the independence of a nation。 The generous efforts of Muza had been in a great measure successful： he was the idol of the youthful cavaliers； they regarded him as a mirror of chivalry and endeavored to imitate his lofty and heroic virtues。
When Muza heard the demand of Ferdinand that they should deliver up their arms； his eye flashed fire。 〃Does the Christian king think that we are old men；〃 said he； 〃and that staffs will suffice us？ or that we are women； and can be contented with distaffs？ Let him know that a Moor is born to the spear and scimetarto career the steed； bend the bow； and launch the javelin： deprive him of these； and you deprive him of his nature。 If the Christian king desires our arms； let him come and win them； but let him win them dearly。 For my part； sweeter were a grave beneath the walls of Granada； on the spot I had died to defend； than the richest couch within her palaces earned by submission to the unbeliever。〃
The words of Muza were received with enthusiastic shouts by the warlike part of the populace。 Granada once more awoke； as a warrior shaking off a disgraceful lethargy。 The commanders and council partook of the public excitement； and despatched a reply to the Christian sovereigns； declaring that they would suffer death rather than surrender their city。
CHAPTER LXXXIV。
HOW FERDINAND TURNED HIS HOSTLITIES AGAINST THE CITY OF GRANADA。
When King Ferdinand received the defiance of the Moors； he made preparations for bitter hostilities。 The winter season did not admit of an immediate campaign； he contented himself； therefore； with throwing strong garrisons into all his towns and fortresses in the neighborhood of Granada； and gave the command of all the frontier of Jaen to Inigo Lopez de Mendoza； count of Tendilla； who had shown such consummate vigilance and address in maintaining the dangerous post of Alhama。 This renowned veteran established his head…quarters in the mountain…city of Alcala la Real； within eight leagues of the city of Granada and commanding the most important passes of that rugged frontier。
In the mean time； Granada resounded with the stir of war。 The chivalry of the nation had again control of its councils； and the populace； having once more resumed their weapons； were anxious to wipe out the disgrace of their late passive submission by signal and daring exploits。
Muza Abul Gazan was the soul of action。 He commanded the cavalry； which he had disciplined with uncommon skill； he was surrounded by the noblest youths of Granada； who had caught his own generous and martial fire and panted for the field； while the common soldiers； devoted to his person； were ready to follow him in the most desperate enterprises。 He did not allow their courage to cool for want of action。 The gates of Granada once more poured forth legions of light scouring cavalry； which skirred the country up to the very gates of the Christian fortresses； sweeping off flocks and herds。 The name of Muza became formidable throughout the frontier； he had many encounters with the enemy in the rough passes of the mountains； in which the superior lightness and dexterity of his cavalry gave him the advantage。 The sight of h