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not which most to dread； their assailants or their defenders； the Christians or the Gomeres。
That evening the sovereigns visited the encampment of the marques of Cadiz； which commanded a view over a great part of the city； the camp； and the sea with its flotillas。 The tent of the marques was of great magnitude； furnished with hangings of rich brocade and French cloth of the rarest texture。 It was in the Oriental style； and； as it crowned the height； with the surrounding tents of other cavaliers； all sumptuously furnished； presented a gay and silken contrast to the opposite towers of Gibralfaro。 Here a splendid collation was served up to the sovereigns； and the courtly revel that prevailed in this chivalrous encampment； the glitter of pageantry； and the bursts of festive music made more striking the gloom and silence that reigned over the Moorish castle。
The marques of Cadiz while it was yet light conducted his royal visitors to every point that commanded a view of the warlike scene below。 He caused the heavy lombards also to be discharged； that the queen and ladies of the court might witness the effect of those tremendous engines。 The fair dames were filled with awe and admiration as the mountain shook beneath their feet with the thunder of the artillery and they beheld great fragments of the Moorish walls tumbling down the rocks and precipices。
While the good marques was displaying these things to his royal guests he lifted up his eyes； and to his astonishment beheld his own banner hanging out from the nearest tower of Gibralfaro。 The blood mantled in his cheek； for it was a banner which he had lost at the time of the memorable massacre of the heights of Malaga。* To make this taunt more evident； several of the Gomeres displayed themselves upon the battlements arrayed in the helmets and cuirasses of some of the cavaliers slain or captured on that occasion。 The marques of Cadiz restrained his indignation and held his peace； but several of； his cavaliers vowed loudly to revenge this cruel bravado on the ferocious garrison of Gibralfaro。
*Diego de Valera； Cronica； MS。
CHAPTER LVI。
ATTACK OF THE MARQUES OF CADIZ UPON GIBRALFARO。
The marques of Cadiz was not a cavalier that readily forgave an injury or an insult。 On the morning after the royal banquet his batteries opened a tremendous fire upon Gibralfaro。 All day the encampment was wrapped in wreaths of smoke； nor did the assault cease with the day； but throughout the night there was an incessant flashing and thundering of the lombards； and the following morning the assault rather increased than slackened in fury。 The Moorish bulwarks were no proof against those formidable engines。 In a few days the lofty tower on which the taunting banner had been displayed was shattered； a smaller tower in its vicinity reduced to ruins； and a great breach made in the intervening walls。
Several of the hot…spirited cavaliers were eager for storming the breach sword in hand； others； more cool and wary； pointed out the rashness of such an attempt； for the Moors had worked indefatigably in the night； they had digged a deep ditch within the breach； and had fortified it with palisadoes and a high breastwork。 All； however； agreed that the camp might safely be advanced near to the ruined walls； and that it ought to be done in return for the insolent defiance of the enemy。
The marques of Cadiz felt the temerity of the measure； but was unwilling to dampen the zeal of these high…spirited cavaliers； and； having chosen the post of danger in the camp； it did not become him to decline any service merely because it might appear perilous。 He ordered his outposts； therefore； to be advanced within a stone's… throw of the breach； but exhorted the soldiers to maintain the utmost vigilance。
The thunder of the batteries had ceased； the troops； exhausted by two nights' fatigue and watchfulness； and apprehending no danger from the dismantled walls； were half of them asleep； the rest were scattered about in negligent security。 On a sudden upward of two thousand Moors sallied forth from the castle； led on by Ibrahim Zenete； the principal captain under Hamet。 They fell with fearful havoc upon the advanced guard； slaying many of them in their sleep and putting the rest to headlong flight。
The marques was in his tent； about a bow…shot distant； when he heard the tumult of the onset and beheld his men dying in confusion。 He rushed forth； followed by his standard…bearer。 〃Turn again； cavaliers！〃 exclaimed he； 〃I am here； Ponce de Leon！ To the foe！ to the foe！〃 The flying troops stopped at hearing his well…known voice； rallied under his banner； and turned upon the enemy。 The encampment by this time was roused； several cavaliers from the adjoining stations had hastened to the scene of action； with a number of Galicians and soldiers of the Holy Brotherhood。 An obstinate and bloody contest ensued； the ruggedness of the place； the rocks； chasms； and declivities broke it into numerous combats： Christian and Moor fought hand to hand with swords and daggers； and often； grappling and struggling； rolled together down the precipices。
The banner of the marques was in danger of being taken： he hastened to its rescue； followed by some of his bravest cavaliers。 They were surrounded by the enemy； and several of them cut down。 Don Diego Ponce de Leon； brother to the marques； was wounded by an arrow； and his son…in…law； Luis Ponce； was likewise wounded： they succeeded； however； in rescuing the banner and bearing it off in safety。 The battle lasted for an hour； the height was covered with killed and wounded and the blood flowed in streams down the rocks； at length； Ibrahim Zenete being disabled by the thrust of a lance； the Moors gave way and retreated to the castle。
They now opened a galling fire from their battlements and towers； approaching the breaches so as to discharge their crossbows and arquebuses into the advanced guard of the encampment。 The marques was singled out： the shot fell thick about him； and one passed through his buckler and struck upon his cuirass； but without doing him any injury。 Every one now saw the danger and inutility of approaching the camp thus near to the castle； and those who had counselled it were now urgent that it should be withdrawn。 It was accordingly removed back to its original ground； from which the marques had most reluctantly advanced it。 Nothing but his valor and timely aid had prevented this attack on his outpost from ending in a total rout of all that part of the army。
Many cavaliers of distinction fell in this contest； but the loss of none was felt more deeply than that of Ortega del Prado； captain of escaladors。 He was one of the bravest men in the service； the same who had devised the first successful blow of the war； the storming of Alhama； where he was the first to plant and mount the scaling… ladders。 He had always been high in the favor and confidence of the noble Ponce de Leon； who knew how to appreciate and avail himself of the merits of all able and valiant men。*
*Zurita； Mariana； Abarca。
CHAPTER LVII。
SIEGE OF MALAGIA CONTINUED。STRATAGEMS OF VARIOUS KINDS。
Great were the exertions now made； both by the besiegers and the besieged； to carry on the contest with the utmost vigor。 Hamet went the rounds of the walls and towers； doubling the guards and putting everything in the best posture of defence。 The garrison was divided into parties of a hundred； to each of which a captain was appointed。 Some were to patrol； others to sally forth and skirmish with the enemy； and others to hold themselves armed and in reserve。 Six albatozas； or floating batteries； were manned and armed with pieces of artillery to attack the fleet。
On the other hand； the Castilian sovereigns kept open a communication by sea with various parts of Spain； from which they received provisions of all kinds； they ordered supplies of powder also from Valencia； Barcelona； Sicily； and Portugal。 They made great preparations also for storming the city。 Towers of wood were constructed to move on wheels； each capable of holding one hundred men； they were furnished with ladders to be thrown from their summits to the tops of the walls； and within those ladders others were encased； to be let down for the descent of the troops into the city。 There were gallipagos； or tortoises； also being great wooden shields； covered with hides； to protect the assailants and those who undermined the walls。
Secret mines were commenced in various places： some were intended to reach to the foundations of the walls； which were to be propped up with wood； ready to be set on fire； others were to pass under the walls； and remain ready to be broken open so as to give entrance to the besiegers。 At these mines the army worked day and night； and during these secret preparations the ordnance kept up a fire upon the city to divert the attention of the besieged。
In the mean time； Hamet displayed wonderful vigor and ingenuity in defending the city and in repairing or fortifying by deep ditches the breaches made by the enemy。 He noted also every place where the camp might be assailed with advantage； and gave the besieging army no repose night or day。 While his troops sallied o