CHAPTER XXVIII

Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada

by Washington Irving

CHAPTER XXVIII, CHRONICLE OF THE CONQUEST OF GRANADA by Washington Irving

ATTEMPT OF EL ZAGAL TO SURPRISE BOABDIL IN ALMERIA.


During this year of sorrow and disaster to the Moors the younger
king, Boabdil, most truly called the Unfortunate, held a diminished
and feeble court in the maritime city of Almeria. He retained little
more than the name of king, and was supported in even this shadow
of royalty by the countenance and treasures of the Castilian
sovereigns. Still he trusted that in the fluctuation of events the
inconstant nation might once more return to his standard and replace
him on the throne of the Alhambra.

His mother, the high-spirited sultana Ayxa la Horra, endeavored to
rouse him from this passive state. "It is a feeble mind," said she,
"that waits for the turn of fortune's wheel; the brave mind seizes
upon it and turns it to its purpose. Take the field, and you may
drive danger before you; remain cowering at home, and it besieges
you in your dwelling. By a bold enterprise you may regain your
splendid throne in Granada; by passive forbearance you will forfeit
even this miserable throne in Almeria."

Boabdil had not the force of soul to follow these courageous
counsels, and in a little time the evils his mother had predicted
fell upon him.

Old Muley Abul Hassan was almost extinguished by age and paralysis.
He had nearly lost his sight, and was completely bedridden. His
brother, Abdallah, surnamed El Zagal, or the Valiant, the same who
had assisted in the massacre of the Spanish chivalry among the
mountains of Malaga, was commander-in-chief of the Moorish armies,
and gradually took upon himself most of the cares of sovereignty.
Among other things, he was particularly zealous in espousing his
brother's quarrel with his son, and he prosecuted it with such
vehemence that many affirmed there was something more than
mere fraternal sympathy at the bottom of his zeal.

The disasters and disgraces inflicted on the country by the
Christians during this year had wounded the national feelings of
the people of Almeria, and many felt indignant that Boabdil should
remain passive at such a time, or, rather, should appear to make a
common cause with the enemy. His uncle Abdallah diligently fomented
this feeling by his agents. The same arts were made use of that
had been successful in Granada. Boabdil was secretly but actively
denounced by the alfaquis as an apostate leagued with the Christians
against his country and his early faith; the affections of the
populace and soldiery were gradually alienated from him, and a
deep conspiracy concerted for his destruction.

In the month of February, 1485, El Zagal suddenly appeared before
Almeria at the head of a troop of horse. The alfaquis were prepared
for his arrival, and the gates were thrown open to him. He entered
with his band and galloped to the citadel. The alcayde would have
made resistance, but the garrison put him to death and received El
Zagal with acclamations. The latter rushed through the apartments of
the Alcazar, but he sought in vain for Boabdil. He found the sultana
Ayxa la Horra in one of the saloons with Aben Haxig, a younger
brother of the monarch, and several Abencerrages, who rallied round
them to protect them. "Where is the traitor Boabdil?" exclaimed El
Zagal.

"I know no traitor more perfidious than thyself," exclaimed the
intrepid sultana; "and I trust my son is in safety, to take
vengeance on thy treason."

The rage of El Zagal was without bounds when he learnt that
his intended victim had escaped. In his fury he slew the prince
Aben Haxig, and his followers fell upon and massacred the
Abencerrages. As to the proud sultana, she was borne away prisoner
and loaded with revilings as having upheld her son in his rebellion
and fomented a civil war.

The unfortunate Boabdil had been apprised of his danger by a
faithful soldier just in time to make his escape. Throwing himself
on one of his fleetest horses and followed by a handful of
adherents, he galloped in the confusion out of the gates of Almeria.
Several of the cavalry of El Zagal, stationed without the walls,
perceived his flight and attempted to pursue him; their horses were
jaded with travel, and he soon left them far behind. But whither was
he to fly? Every fortress and castle in the kingdom of Granada was
closed against him; he knew not whom among the Moors to trust, for
they had been taught to detest him as a traitor and an apostate.
He had no alternative but to seek refuge among the Christians, his
hereditary enemies. With heavy heart he turned his horse's head
toward Cordova. He had to lurk, like a fugitive, through a part of
his own dominions, nor did he feel himself secure until he had
passed the frontier and beheld the mountain-barrier of his country
towering behind him. Then it was that he became conscious of his
humiliated state--a fugitive from his throne, an outcast from his
nation, a king without a kingdom. He smote his breast in an agony
of grief. "Evil indeed," exclaimed he, "was the day of my birth, and
truly I was named El Zogoybi, the Unlucky."

He entered the gates of Cordova with downcast countenance and with
a train of but forty followers. The sovereigns were absent, but the
cavaliers of Andalusia manifested that sympathy in the misfortunes
of the monarch which becomes men of lofty and chivalrous souls. They
received him with great distinction, attended him with the utmost
courtesy, and he was honorably entertained by the civil and military
commanders of that ancient city.

In the mean time, El Zagal put a new alcayde over Almeria to govern
in the name of his brother, and, having strongly garrisoned the
place, repaired to Malaga, where an attack of the Christians was
apprehended. The young monarch being driven out of the land, and the
old monarch blind and bedridden, El Zagal at the head of the armies
was virtually the sovereign of Granada. He was supported by the
brave and powerful families of the Alnayans and Vanegas; the people
were pleased with having a new idol to look up to and a new name to
shout forth; and El Zagal was hailed with acclamations as the main
hope of the nation.