Spain： Hernando de Talavera； the prior of Prado； confessor to the queen； followed； with a great train of prelates； courtiers； cavaliers； and ladies of distinction。 The cavalcade moved in calm and stately order through the camp； softening the iron aspect of war by this array of courtly grace and female beauty。
Isabella had commanded that on her coming to the camp the horrors of war should be suspended and fresh offers of peace made to the enemy。 On her arrival； therefore； there had been a general cessation of firing throughout the camp。 A messenger was at the same time despatched to the besieged； informing them of her being in the camp； and of the determination of the sovereigns to make it their settled residence until the city should be taken。 The same terms were offered in case of immediate surrender that had been granted to Velez Malaga； but the inhabitants were threatened with captivity and the sword should they persist in their defence。
Hamet el Zegri received this message with haughty contempt； and dismissed the messenger without deigning a reply； and accompanied by an escort to prevent his holding any communication with the inhabitants in the streets。 〃The Christian sovereigns；〃 said Hamet to those about him； 〃have made this offer in consequence of their despair。 The silence of their batteries proves the truth of what has been told us； that their powder is exhausted。 They have no longer the means of demolishing our walls； and if they remain much longer the autumnal rains will interrupt their convoys and fill their camp with famine and disease。 The first storm will disperse their fleet； which has no neighboring port of shelter： Africa will then be open to us to procure reinforcements and supplies。〃
The words of Hamet el Zegri were hailed as oracular by his adherents。 Many of the peaceful part of the community； however； ventured to remonstrate； and to implore him to accept the proffered mercy。 The stern Hamet silenced them with a terrific threat： he declared that whoever should talk of capitulating or should hold any communication with the Christians should be put to death。 The Gomeres； like true men of the sword； acted upon the menace of their chieftain as upon a written law； and； having detected several of the inhabitants in secret correspondence with the enemy； set upon and slew them and confiscated their effects。 This struck such terror into the citizens that those who had been loudest in their murmurs became suddenly mute； and were remarked as evincing the greatest bustle and alacrity in the defence of the city。
When the messenger returned to the camp and reported the contemptuous reception of the royal message； King Ferdinand was exceedingly indignant。 Finding the cessation of firing on the queen's arrival had encouraged a belief among the enemy that there was a scarcity of powder in the camp； he ordered a general discharge from all the batteries。 The sudden burst of war from every quarter soon convinced the Moors of their error and completed the confusion of the citizens； who knew 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