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as the name of El Zagal on every tongue。 He was extolled as the savior of the country； the only one worthy of wearing the Moorish crown。 Boabdil was reviled as basely remaining passive while his country was invaded and so violent became the clamor of the populace that his adherents trembled for his safety。
While the people of Granada were impatiently looking out for tidings of the anticipated victory scattered horsemen came spurring across the Vega。 They were fugitives from the Moorish army； and brought the first incoherent account of its defeat。 Every one who attempted to tell the tale of this unaccountable panic and dispersion was as if bewildered by the broken recollection of some frightful dream。 He knew not how or why it came to pass。 He talked of a battle in the night； among rocks and precipices； by the glare of bale…fires； of multitudes of armed foes in every pass； seen by gleams and flashes； of the sudden horror that seized upon the army at daybreak； its headlong flight； and total dispersion。 Hour after hour the arrival of other fugitives confirmed the story of ruin and disgrace。
In proportion to their recent vaunting was the humiliation that now fell upon the people of Granada。 There was a universal burst； not of grief； but indignation。 They confounded the leader with the army the deserted with those who had abandoned him； and El Zagal； from being their idol； became suddenly the object of their execration。 He had sacrificed the army； he had disgraced the nation； he had betrayed the country。 He was a dastard； a traitor； he was unworthy to reign。
On a sudden one among the multitude shouted； 〃Long live Boabdil el Chico！〃 The cry was echoed on all sides； and every one shouted； 〃Long live Boabdil el Chico！ long live the legitimate king of Granada！ and death to all usurpers！〃 In the excitement of the moment they thronged to the Albaycin； and those who had lately besieged Boabdil with arms now surrounded his palace with acclamations。 The keys of the city and of all the fortresses were laid at his feet； he was borne in state to the Alhambra； and once more seated with all due ceremony on the throne of his ancestors。
Boabdil had by this time become so accustomed to be crowned and uncrowned by the multitude that he put no great faith in the duration of their loyalty。 He knew that he was surrounded by hollow hearts； and that most of the courtiers of the Alhambra were secretly devoted to his uncle。 He ascended the throne as the rightful sovereign who had been dispossessed of it by usurpation； and he ordered the heads of four of the principal nobles to be struck off who had been most zealous in support of the＇9＇usurper。 Executions of the kind were matters of course on any change in Moorish government； and Boabdil was lauded for his moderation and humanity in being content with so small a sacrifice。 The factions were awed into obedience； the populace； delighted with any change； extolled Boabdil to the skies； and the name of Muley Abdallah el Zagal was for a time a by…word of scorn and opprobrium throughout the city。
Never was any commander more astonished and confounded by a sudden reverse of fortune than El Zagal。 The evening had seen him with a powerful army at his command； his enemy within his grasp； and victory about to cover him with glory and to consolidate his power： the morning beheld him a fugitive among the mountains； his army； his prosperity； his power； all dispelled； he knew not howgone like a dream of the night。 In vain had he tried to stem the headlong flight of the army。 He saw his squadrons breaking and dispersing among the cliffs of the mountains； until of all his host only a handful of cavaliers remained faithful。 With these he made a gloomy retreat toward Granada； but with a heart full of foreboding。 As he drew near to the city he paused on the banks of the Xenil and sent forth scouts to collect intelligence。 They returned with dejected countenances。 〃The gates of Granada；〃 said they； 〃are closed against you。 The banner of Boabdil floats on the tower of the Alhambra。〃
El Zagal turned his steed and departed in silence。 He retreated to the town of Almunecar； and thence to Almeria； which places still remained faithful to him。 Restless and uneasy at being so distant from the capital； he again changed his abode； and repaired to the city of Guadix； within a few leagues of Granada。 Here he remained； endeavoring to rally his forces and preparing to avail himself of any sudden change in the fluctuating politics of the metropolis。
CHAPTER LI。
SURRENDER OF VELEZ MALAGA AND OTHER PLACES。
The people of Velez Malaga had beheld the camp of Muley Abdallah 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 Reduan 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 Reduan 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 Reduan； 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 camplombards； ribadoquines； catapults； and cars laden with munitionswhile 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 Reduan himself lost confidence and advised capitulation。
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； 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 Alpuxarras mountains also sent deputations to the Castilian sovereigns； taking the oath of allegiance as mudexares 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。
CHAPTER LII。
OF THE CITY OF MALAGA AND ITS INHABITANTS。MISSION OF HERNANDO DEL PULGAR。
The city of Malaga lies in the lap of a fertile valley； surrounded by mountains； excepting on the part which lies open to the sea。 As it was one of the most important； so it was one of the strongest； cities of the Moorish kingdom。 It was fortified by walls of prodigious strength studded with a great number of huge towers。 On the land side it was protected by a natural barrier of mountains； and on the other the waves of the Mediterranean beat against the foundations of its massive bulwarks。
At one end of the city； near the sea； on a high mound； stood the Alcazaba； or citadel； a fortress of great strength。 Immediat