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*Pulgar。
**〃Don Luis Osorio fue obispo de Jaen desde el ano de 1483； y presidio in esta。 Iglesia hasta el de 1496 in que murio en Flandes； a donde fue acompanando a la princesa Dona Juana； esposa del archiduque Don Felipe。〃〃Espana Sagrada；〃 por Fr。 M。 Risco； tom。 41； trat。 77； cap。 4。
King Ferdinand； having completed his ravage of the Vega and kept El Zagal shut up in his capital； conducted his army back through the Pass of Lope to rejoin Queen Isabella at Moclin。
The fortresses lately taken being well garrisoned and supplied； he gave the command of the frontier to his cousin； Don Fadrique de Toledo； afterward so famous in the Netherlands as the duke of Alva。 The campaign being thus completely crowned with success； the sovereigns returned in triumph to the city of Cordova。
CHAPTER XLV。
ATTEMPT OF EL ZAGAL UPON THE LIFE OF BOABDIL； AND HOW THE LATTER WAS ROUSED TO ACTION。
No sooner did the last squadron of Christian cavalry disappear behind the mountains of Elvira and the note of its trumpets die away upon the ear than the long…suppressed wrath of Muley el Zagal burst forth。 He determined no longer to be half a king； reigning over a divided kingdom in a divided capital； but to exterminate by any means； fair or foul； his nephew Boabdil and his faction。 He turned furiously upon those whose factious conduct had deterred him from sallying upon the foe： some he punished by confiscations； others by banishment； others by death。 Once undisputed monarch of the entire kingdom； he trusted to his military skill to retrieve his fortunes and drive the Christians over the frontier。
Boabdil； however； had again retired to Velez el Blanco； on the confines of Murcia； where he could avail himself； in case of emergency； of any assistance or protection afforded him by the policy of Ferdinand。 His defeat had blighted his reviving fortunes； for the people considered him as inevitably doomed to misfortune。 Still； while he lived El Zagal knew he would be a rallying…point for faction； and liable at any moment to be elevated into power by the capricious multitude。 He had recourse； therefore； to the most perfidious means to compass his destruction。 He sent ambassadors to him representing the necessity of concord for the salvation of the kingdom； and even offering to resign the title of king and to become subject to his sway on receiving some estate on which he could live in tranquil retirement。 But while the ambassadors bore these words of peace they were furnished with poisoned herbs； which they were to administer secretly to Boabdil； and if they failed in this attempt they had pledged themselves to despatch him openly while engaged in conversation。 They were instigated to this treason by promises of great reward； and by assurances from the alfaquis that Boabdil was an apostate whose death would be acceptable to Heaven。
The young monarch was secretly apprised of the concerted treason； and refused an audience to the ambassadors。 He denounced his uncle as the murderer of his father and his kindred and the usurper of his throne； and vowed never to relent in hostility to him until he should place his head on the walls of the Alhambra。
Open war again broke out between the two monarchs； though feebly carried on in consequence of their mutual embarrassments。 Ferdinand again extended his assistance to Boabdil； ordering the commanders of his fortresses to aid him in all enterprises against his uncle； and against such places as refused to acknowledge him as king； and Don Juan de Bonavides； who commanded in Lorca； even made inroads in his name into the territories of Almeria； Baza； and Guadix； which owned allegiance to El Zagal。
The unfortunate Boabdil had three great evils to contend with the inconstancy of his subjects； the hostility of his uncle； and the friendship of Ferdinand。 The last was by far the most baneful： his fortunes withered under it。 He was looked upon as the enemy of his faith and of his country。 The cities shut their gates against him； the people cursed him； even the scanty band of cavaliers who had hitherto followed his ill…starred banner began to desert him； for he had not wherewithal to reward nor even to support them。 His spirits sank with his fortune； and he feared that in a little time he should not have a spot of earth whereon to plant his standard nor an adherent to rally under it。
In the midst of his despondency he received a message from his lion…hearted mother； the sultana Ayxa la Horra。 It was brought by the steadfast adherent to their fortunes； Aben Comixa。 〃For shame；'' said she； 〃to linger timorously about the borders of your kingdom when a usurper is seated in your capital！ Why look abroad for perfidious aid when you have loyal hearts beating true to you in Granada？ The Albaycin is ready to throw open its gates to receive you。 Strike home vigorouslya sudden blow may mend all or make an end。 A throne or a grave！for a king there is no honorable medium。〃
Boabdil was of an undecided character； but there are circumstances which bring the most wavering to a decision； and when once resolved they are apt to act with a daring impulse unknown to steadier judgments。 The message of the sultana roused him from a dream。 Granada； beautiful Granada； with its stately Alhambra； its delicious gardens； its gushing and limpid fountains sparkling among groves of orange； citron； and myrtle； rose before him。 〃What have I done；〃 exclaimed he； 〃that I should be an exile from this paradise of my forefathersa wanderer and fugitive in my own kingdom； while a murderous usurper sits proudly upon my throne？ Surely Allah will befriend the righteous cause； one blow； and all may be my own。〃
He summoned his scanty band of cavaliers。 〃Who is ready to follow his monarch unto the death？〃 said he； and every one laid his hand upon his scimetar。 〃Enough！〃 said he； 〃let each man arm himself and prepare his steed in secret for an enterprise of toil and peril； if we succeed； our reward is empire。〃
CHAPTER XLVI。
HOW BOABDIL RETURNED SECRETLY TO GRANADA； AND HOW HE WAS RECEIVED。SECOND EMBASSY OF DON JUAN DE VERA； AND HIS PERILS IN THE ALHAMBRA。
〃In the hand of God；〃 exclaimed an old Arabian chronicler； 〃is the destiny of princes； he alone giveth empire。 A Moorish horseman； mounted on a fleet Arabian steed； was one day traversing the mountains which extended between Granada and the frontier of Murcia。 He galloped swiftly through the valleys； but paused and looked out cautiously from the summit of every height。 A squadron of cavaliers followed warily at a distance。 There were fifty lances。 The richness of their armor and attire showed them to be warriors of noble rank； and their leader had a lofty and prince…like demeanor。'' The squadron thus described by the Arabian chronicler was the Moorish king Boabdil and his devoted followers。
For two nights and a day they pursued their adventurous journey； avoiding all populous parts of the country and choosing the most solitary passes of the mountains。 They suffered severe hardships and fatigues； but suffered without a murmur： they were accustomed to rugged campaigning； and their steeds were of generous and unyielding spirit。 It