eir sons to battle now seized the sword and lance rusting on the wall； and marshalled forth their gray…headed domestics and their grandchildren for the field。 The great dread was； that all aid would arrive too late； El Zagal and his host had passed like a storm through the mountains； and it was feared the tempest had already burst upon the Christian camp。
In the mean time； the night had closed which had been appointed by El Zagal for the execution of his plan。 He had watched the last light of day expire； and all the Spanish camp remained tranquil。 As the hours wore away the camp…fires were gradually extinguished。 No drum nor trumpet sounded from below。 Nothing was heard but now and then the dull heavy tread of troops or the echoing tramp of horsesthe usual patrols of the campand the changes of the guards。 El Zagal restrained his own impatience and that of his troops until the night should be advanced and the camp sunk in that heavy sleep from which men are with difficulty awakened； and when awakened prone to be bewildered and dismayed。
At length the appointed hour arrived。 By order of the Moorish king a bright flame sprang up from the height of Bentomiz； but El Zagal looked in vain for the responding light from the city。 His impatience would brook no longer delay； he ordered the advance of the army to descend the mountain…defile and attack the camp。 The defile was narrow and overhung by rocks； as the troops proceeded they came suddenly； in a shadowy hollow； upon a dark mass of warriors who； with a loud shout； rushed to assail them。 Surprised and disconcerted； they retreated in confusion to the height。 When El Zagal heard of a Christian force in the defile； he doubted some counter…plan of the enemy； and gave orders to light the mountain…fires。 On a signal given bright flames sprang up on every height from pyres of wood prepared for the purpose： cliff blazed out after cliff until the whole atmosphere was in a glow of furnace light。
The ruddy glare lit up the glens and passes； and fell strongly upon the Christian camp； revealing all its tents and every post and bulwark。 Wherever El Zagal turned his eyes he beheld the light of his fires flashed back from cuirass and helm and sparkling lance； he beheld a grove of spears planted in every pass； every assailable point bristling with arms； and squadrons of horse and foot in battle array awaiting his attack。
In fact； his letter to the alcayde of Velez Malaga had been intercepted by the vigilant Ferdinand； the renegado messenger hanged； and secret measures taken after nightfall to give the Moors a warm reception。 El Zagal saw that his plan of surprise was discovered and foiled； furious with disappointment； he ordered his troops forward to the attack。 They rushed down the defile； but were again encountered by the mass of Christian warriors； being the advance guard of the army commanded by Don Hurtado de Mendoza； brother of the grand cardinal。 The Moors were again repulsed； and retreated up the height。 Don Hurtado would have followed them； but the ascent was steep and rugged and easily defended。 A sharp action was kept up through the night with crossbows； darts； and arquebuses。 The cliffs echoed with deafening uproar； while the fires blazing upon the mountains threw a lurid and uncertain light upon the scene。
When the day dawned and the Moors saw that there was no co… operation from the city； they slackened in their ardor： they beheld also every pass of the mountain filled with Christian troops； and began to apprehend an assault in return。 Just then King Ferdinand sent the marques of Cadiz with horse and foot to seize upon a height occupied by a battalion of the enemy。 The marques assailed the Moors with his usual intrepidity； and soon put them to flight。 The others； who were above； seeing their comrades fly； threw down their arms and retreated。 One of those unaccountable panics which now and then seize upon great bodies of people； and to which the light…spirited Moors were prone； now spread throughout the camp。 They were terrified； they knew not why nor at what； and； throwing away swords； lances； breast…plates； crossbows； everything that could impede their motions； scattered themselves wildly in every direction。 They fled without pursuersfrom the glimpse of each other's arms； from the sound of each other's footsteps。 Reduan de Vanegas； the brave alcayde of Granada； alone succeeded in collecting a body of the fugitives； he made a circuit with them through the passes of the mountain； and； forcing his way across a weak part of the Christian lines； galloped toward Velez Malaga。 The rest of the Moorish host was completely scattered。 In vain did El Zagal and his knights attempt to rally them； they were left almost alone； and had to consult their own security by flight。
The marques of Cadiz； finding no opposition； ascended from height to height； cautiously reconnoitring and fearful of some stratagem or ambush。 All； however； was quiet。 He reached with his men the place which the Moorish army had occupied： the heights were abandoned and strewed with cuirasses； scimetars； crossbows； and other weapons。 His force was too small to pursue the enemy； but returned to the royal camp laden with spoils。
Ferdinand at first could not credit so signal and miraculous a defeat； but suspected some lurking stratagem。 He ordered； therefore； that a strict watch should be maintained throughout the camp and every one be ready for instant action。 The following night a thousand cavaliers and hidalgos kept guard about the royal tent； as they had done for several preceding nights； nor did the king relax this vigilance until he received certain intelligence that the enemy was completely scattered and El Zagal flying in confusion。
The tidings of this rout and of the safety of the Christian army arrived at Cordova just as reinforcements were on the point of setting out。 The anxiety and alarm of the queen and the public were turned to transports of joy and gratitude。 The forces were disbanded； solemn processions were made； and 〃Te Deums〃 chanted in the churches for so signal a victory。
CHAPTER L。
HOW THE PEOPLE OF GRANADA REWARDED THE VALOR OF EL ZAGAL。
The daring spirit of Muley Abdallah el Zagal in sallying forth to defend his territories while he left an armed rival in his capital struck the people of Granada with admiration。 They recalled his former exploits； and again anticipated some hardy achievement from his valor。 Couriers from the army reported its formidable position on the height of Bentomiz。 For a time there was a pause in the bloody commotions of the city； all attention was turned to the blow about to be struck at the Christian camp。 The same considerations which diffused anxiety and terror through Cordova swelled every bosom with exulting confidence in Granada。 The Moors expected to hear of another massacre like that in the mountains of Malaga。 〃El Zagal has again entrapped the enemy！〃 was the cry。 〃The power of the unbelievers is about to be struck to the heart。 We shall soon see the Christian king led captive to the capital。〃 Thus was 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 revers