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untry for him to ravage； it behooved this cavalier to be for ever on the alert。 He was in fact an experienced veteran； a shrewd and wary officer； and a commander amazingly prompt and fertile in expedients。
On assuming the command he found that the garrison consisted but of one thousand men； horse and foot。 They were hardy troops； seasoned in rough mountain…campaigning； but reckless and dissolute； as soldiers are apt to be when accustomed to predatory warfare。 They would fight hard for booty； and then gamble it heedlessly away or squander it in licentious revelling。 Alhama abounded with hawking； sharping； idle hangers…on； eager to profit by the vices and follies of the garrison。 The soldiers were oftener gambling and dancing beneath the walls than keeping watch upon the battlements； and nothing was heard from morning till night but the noisy contests of cards and dice； mingled with the sound of the bolero or fandango； the drowsy strumming of the guitar； and the rattling of the castanets； while often the whole was interrupted by the loud brawl and fierce and bloody contest。
The count of Tendilla set himself vigorously to reform these excesses： he knew that laxity of morals is generally attended by neglect of duty； and that the least breach of discipline in the exposed situation of his fortress might be fatal。 〃Here is but a handful of men；〃 said he； 〃it is necessary that each man should be a hero。〃
He endeavored to awaken a proper ambition in the minds of his soldiers and to instil into them the high principles of chivalry。 〃A just war；〃 he observed； 〃is often rendered wicked and disastrous by the manner in which it is conducted； for the righteousness of the cause is not sufficient to sanction the profligacy of the means； and the want of order and subordination among the troops may bring ruin and disgrace upon the best…concerted plans。〃 But we cannot describe the character and conduct of this renowned commander in more forcible language than that of Fray Antonio Agapida； excepting that the pious father places in the foreground of his virtues his hatred of the Moors。 〃The count de Tendilla；〃 says he； 〃was a mirror of Christian knighthoodwatchful； abstemious； chaste； devout； and thoroughly filled with the spirit of the cause。 He labored incessantly and strenuously for the glory of the faith and the prosperity of their most Catholic majesties； and； above all； he hated the infidels with a pure and holy hatred。 This worthy cavalier discountenanced all idleness； rioting； chambering； and wantonness among his soldiery。 He kept them constantly to the exercise of arms； making them adroit in the use of their weapons and management of their steeds； and prompt for the field at a moment's notice。 He permitted no sound of lute or harp or song or other loose minstrelsy to be heard in his fortress； debauching the ear and softening the valor of the soldier； no other music was allowed but the wholesome rolling of the drum and braying of the trumpet； and such like spirit…stirring instruments as fill the mind with thoughts of iron war。 All wandering minstrels； sharping peddlers； sturdy trulls； and other camp trumpery were ordered to pack up their baggage； and were drummed out of the gates of Alhama。 In place of such lewd rabble he introduced a train of holy friars to inspirit his people by exhortation and prayer and choral chanting； and to spur them on to fight the good fight of faith。 All games of chance were prohibited except the game of war； and this he labored； by vigilance and vigor； to reduce to a game of certainty。 Heaven smiled upon the efforts of this righteous cavalier。 His men became soldiers at all points and terrors to the Moors。 The good count never set forth on a ravage without observing the rites of confession； absolution； and communion； and obliging his followers to do the same。 Their banners were blessed by the holy friars whom he maintained in Alhama； and in
this way success was secured to his arms and he was enabled to lay waste the land of the heathen。〃
The fortress of Alhama （continues Fray Antonio Agapida） overlooked from its lofty site a great part of the fertile Vega； watered by the Cazin and the Xenil； from this he made frequent sallies； sweeping away the flocks and herds from the pasture； the laborer from the field； and the convoy from the road； so that it was said by the Moors that a beetle could not crawl across the Vega without being seen by Count Tendilla。 The peasantry； therefore； were fain to betake themselves to watch…towers and fortified hamlets； where they shut up their cattle； garnered their corn； and sheltered their wives and children。 Even there they were not safe： the count would storm these rustic fortresses with fire and sword； make captives of their inhabitants； carry off the corn； the oil； the silks； and cattle； and leave the ruins blazing and smoking within the very sight of Granada。
〃It was a pleasing and refreshing sight；〃 continues the good father； 〃to behold this pious knight and his followers returning from one of these crusades； leaving the rich land of the infidel in smoking desolation behind them； to behold the long line of mules and asses laden with the plunder of the Gentilesthe hosts of captive Moors； men； women； and childrendroves of sturdy beeves； lowing kine； and bleating sheep；all winding up the steep acclivity to the gates of Alhama； pricked on by the Catholic soldiery。 His garrison thus thrived on the fat of the land and the spoil of the infidel； nor was he unmindful of the pious fathers whose blessings crowned his enterprises with success。 A large portion of the spoil was always dedicated to the Church； and the good friars were ever ready at the gate to hail him on his return and receive the share allotted them。 Besides these allotments； he made many votive offerings； either in time of peril or on the eve of a foray； and the chapels of Alhama were resplendent with chalices； crosses； and other precious gifts made by this Catholic cavalier。〃
Thus eloquently does the venerable Fray Antonio Agapida dilate in praise of the good count de Tendilla； and other historians of equal veracity； but less unction； agree in pronouncing him one of the ablest of Spanish generals。 So terrible； in fact； did he become in the land that the Moorish peasantry could not venture a league from Granada or Loxa to labor in the fields without peril of being carried into captivity。 The people of Granada clamored against Muley Abul Hassan for suffering his lands to be thus outraged and insulted； and demanded to have this bold marauder shut up in his fortress。 The old monarch was roused by their remonstrances。 He sent forth powerful troops of horse to protect the country during the season that the husbandmen were abroad in the fields。 These troops patrolled in formidable squadrons in the neighborhood of Alhama； keeping strict watch upon its gates； so that it was impossible for the Christians to make a sally without being seen and intercepted。
While Alhama was thus blockaded by a roving force of Moorish cavalry； the inhabitants were awakened one night by a tremendous crash that shook the fortress to its foundations。 The garrison flew to arms； supposing it some assault of