ed, fell in long locks on either side of a palace, irresolute and dreaming; and I high imperial brow. His features were trust that an intrigue, by which his jea regular and majestic; and his mantle, lousies are aroused against his general, clasped with a single jewel of rare price Muza, may end either in the loss of that and lustre, and wrought at the breast with able leader, or in the commotion of open a silver cross, waved over a vigorous rebellion or civil war. Treason within and manly frame, which derived from the Grenada will open its gates to us. Seek .composed and tranquil dignity of habitual me two hours hence; the council for the command that imposing effect which many present is dissolved."

of the renowned knights and heroes in his The knights rose, and withdrew with presence took from loftier stature and the usual grave and stately ceremonies of ampler proportions. At his right hand respect, which Ferdinand observed to sat Prince Juan, his son, in the first bloom and exacted from his court; the young of youth; at his left, the celebrated Rod- prince remained.

rigo Ponce de Leon, marquis of Cadiz; Ferdinand crossed himself devoutly; along the table, in the order of their mili- and then, rising, drew aside a part of the tary rank, were seen the splendid Duke drapery of the pavilion, and called, in a of Medina Sidonia, equally noble in as-low voice, the name of Perez. A grave rect and in name; the worn and thought- Spaniard, somewhat past the verge of ful countenance of the Marquis de Villena; middle age, appeared.

the melancholy brow of the heroic Alonzo "Perez," said the king, reseating himde Aguilar; and the gigantic frame, the self, "has the person we expected from animated features, and sparkling eyes of Grenada yet arrived!" that fiery Hernando del Pulgar, surnamed "the knight of the exploits.'

66

len."

Sire, yes, accompanied by a mail

"You see, senores," said the king, con- He hath kert his word: admit them. tinuing an address to which his chiefs Ha, holy father! thy visits are always seemed to listen with reverential attention, balsam to the heart."

"our best hope of speedily gaining the "Save you my son!" returned a man city is rather in the dissensions of the in the robes of a Dominican friar, who Moors than our own sacred arms. The had entered suddenly and without cerewalls are strong, the population still nu-mony by another part of the tent. and merous; and, under Muza Ben Abil Ga- who now seated himself with smileless zan, the tactics of the hostile army are, it composure at a little distance from the must be owned, administered with such king.

skill as to threaten very formidable de- There was a dead silence for some lays to the period of our conquest. Avoid- moments; and Perez still lingered within ing the hazard of a fixed battle, the infi- the tent, as if in doubt whether the er del cavalry harass our camp by perpetual trance of the friar would not prevent or skirmishes; and in the mountain defiles delay obedience to the king's command. our detachments cannot cope with their On the calm face of Ferdinand himsel light horse and treacherous ambuscades. appeared a slight shade of discomposure It is true that, by dint of time, by the and irresolution. when the monk thus recomplete devastation of the Vega, and by sumed:

vigilant prevention of convoys from the "My presence, my son, will not, I trust sea-towns, we might starve the city into disturb your conference with the infidel, yielding: but, alas! my lords, our cne- sith you deem worldly policy demands mies are scattered and numerous, and your parley with the men of Belial?" Grenada is not the only place before "Doubtless not-doubtless not," return which the standard of Spain should be un-fed the king, quickly; then, muttering to furled. Thus situated, the lion does not himself, "how wondrously doth this hoy disdain to serve himself of the fox; and, man penetrate into all our movements and fortunately we have now in Grenada an designs !" he added, aloud, "Let the mes ally that fights for us. I have actual senger enter." knowledge of all that passes within the Alhambra the king yet remains in his

:

Perez bowed and withdrew.
During this time the young prince re-

843

clined in listless silence on his seat; and] on his delicate features was an expression Christian, and a knight," said the king, "But it is the promise of a king, a of weariness which augured but ill of his with dignity rather mild than arrogant; fitness for the stern business to which the "among monarchs, what hostage can be lessons of his wise father were intended more sacred? Let this pass: how proto educate his mind. His, indeed, was ceed affairs in the rebel city?" the age, and his soul, for pleasure; the tumult of the camp was to him but a ho-swer my lord the king?" said Almamen. May this maiden withdrw ere I anlyday exhibition; the march of an army the exhiliration of a spectacle; the court" Shall I conduct this new charge to my The young prince started to his feet. was a banquet, the throne the best seat mother?" he asked, in a low voice, adat the entertainment. The life of the heir dressing Ferdinand,

66

apparent to the life of the king-possessive The king half smiled: "The holy fais as the distinction between enchanting ther were a better guide," he returned in hope and tiresome satiety, the same tone. But though the Domini

:

The small gray eyes of the friar wan-can heard the hint, he retained his modered over each of his royal companions tionless posture; and Ferdinand, after a with a keen and penetrating glance, and momentary gaze on the friar, turned then settled in the aspect of humility on away. "Be it so Juan," said he, with a the rice carpets that bespread the floor look meant to convey caution to the nor did he again lift them till Perez, reap- prince; "Perez shall accompany you to pearing admitted to the tent the Israelite the queen; return the moment your misAlmamen, accompanied by a female fig-sion is fulfilled-we want your pres ure, whose long veil, extending from ence." head to foot, could conceal neither the

beautiful proportlons nor the trembling between the father and son, the Hebrew While this conversation was carried on agitation of her frame. "When last, great king, I was admit- words of comfort and remonstrance to the was whispering, in his sacred tongue, ted to thy presence" said Almamen, maiden; but they appeared to have but "thou didst make question of the sincer-little of the desired effect; and suddenly ity and faith of thy servant; thou didst falling on his breast, she wound her arms ask me for a surety of my faith; thou around the Hebrew, whose breast shook didst demand a hostage; and didst refuse with strong emotions, and exclaimed pasfurther parley without such pledge were sionately, in the same language, "Oh my yielded to thee. Lo! I place under thy father! what have I done? why send me kingly care this maiden-the sole child from thee? why intrust thy child to the of my house-as surety of my truth; stranger? Spare me, spare me!" intrust to thee a life dearer than my

own."

consort."

"Child of my heart!" returned the "You have kept faith with us stranger," "even as Abraham offered up his son, Hebrew, with solemn but tender accents, said the king, in that soft and musical must I offer the upon the altars of our voice which well disguised his deep craft faith; but oh, Leila! even as the angel and his unrelenting will; "and the maid- of the Lord forbade the offering, so shall en whom you intrust to our charge shall thy youth be spared, and thy years rebe ranked with the ladies of our royal served for the glory of generations yet "Sire," replied Almamen, with touch-in the Spanish tongue, suddenly and eaunborn. King of Spain!" he continued ing earnestness," you now hold the pow-gerly, "you are a father; forgive my er of life and death over all for whom weakness and speed this parting.' this heart can breathe a prayer or cher- Juan approached; and, with respectish a hope, save for my countrymen and ful courtesy, attempted to take the hand of my religion. This solemn pledge between the maiden. thee and me I render up without scruple without fear. To thee I give a hostage, frown. from thee I have but a promise."

"You!" said the Israelite, with a dark "Oh king! the prince is young." "Honour knoweth no distinction of

age," answered the king.

"What ho, met, of immunities to the Jews." Perez accompany this maiden and the The calm Dominican looked up as the prince to the queen's pavilion." king spoke, crossed himself, and resumed

The sight of the sober years and grave his attitude of humility. countenance of the attendant seemed to "I demand for the people of Israel," reassure the Hebrew. He strained Leila returned Almamen, "free leave to trade in his arms; printed a kiss upon her fore- and abide within the city, and follow their head without removing her veil; and callings, subjected only to the same laws then, placing her almost in the arms of and the same imposts as the christian popPerez, turned away to the farther end of ulation."

the tent, and concealed his face with his "The same laws and the same imposts" hands. The king appeared touched; but Humph! there are difficulties in the conthe Dominican gazed upon the whole cession. If we refuse?"

scene with a sour scowl. "Our treaty is ended. Give me back Leila still paused for a moment; and the maiden; you will have no further need then, as if recovering her self-possession, of the hostage you demanded; I return said, aloud and distinctly, "Man deserts to the city, and renew our interviews no me; but I will not forget that God is over more.

all." Shaking off the hand of the Span- Politic and cold-blooded as was the iard, she continued, "Lead on; I follow temperament of the great Ferdinand, he thee!" and left the tent with a steady had yet the imperious and haughty nature and even majestic step. of a prosperous and long-descended king; "And now," said the king, when alone and he bit his lip in deep displeasure at with the Dominican and Almamen, "how the tone of the dictatorial and stately proceed our hopes?" stranger.

"Boabdil," replied the Israelite, "is "Thou usest plain language, my friend," aroused against both his army and their said he; "my words can be as rudely leader Muza; the king will not leave the spoken, Thou art in my power, and Alhambra and this morning, ere I left canst return not save at my permission." the city, Muza himself was in the prisons "I have your royal word, sir, for free of the palace." entrance and safe egress," answered Al"How!" cried the king, starting from mamen. "Break it, and Grenada is with the Moors till the Darro runs red with the "This is my work," pursued the He-blood of her heroes, and her people strew brew, coldly, "It is these hands that are the vales as the leaves in autumn." shaping for Ferdinand of Spain the keys "Art thou, then, thyself of the Jewish faith?" asked the king. "If thou art not, "And right kingly shall be your guer-wherefore are the outcasts of the world don," said the Spanish monarch. "mean- so dear to thee?"

his seat.

of Grenada."

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while, accept this earnest of our favour." My fathers were of that creed, royal So saying, he took from his breast a Ferdinand; and if I myself desert their chain of massive gold, the links of which creed, I do no desert their cause. were curiously inwrought with gems, and king! are my terms scorned or accepted!" extended it to the Israelite. Almamen "I accept them: provided, first, that moved not. A dark flush upon the coun- thou obtainest the exile or death of Muza tenance bespoke the feeling he with diffi-secondly, that, within two weeks of this culty restrained. date, thou bringest me, along with the

"I sell not my focs for gold, great king," chief councellors of Grenada, the written said he, with a stern smile; "I sell my treaty of the recapitulation and the kers foes to buy the ransom of my friends." of the city. Do this, and, though the sole "Churlish!" said Ferdinand, offended; king in Christendon who dares the hazard, "but speak on man! speak on!" I offer to the Israelites throughout Anda "If I place Grenada, ere two weeks are lusia the common laws and rights of cil past, within thy power, what shall be my zens of Spain; and to thee I will accord such dignity as may content thy ambi.

reward?"

“Thou didst talk to me, when last we tion."

The Hebrew bowed reverently, and command the secrets of palaces, and rendrew from his breast a scroll, which he der vain the counsels of armed men, have placed on the table before the king. I not in that attested that I am one of "This writing, mighty Ferdinand, con- whom a wise king can make an able sertains the articles of our compact." vant?" "How knave! wouldst thou have us "Thou art a subtle reasoner, my friend," commit our royal signature to conditions said Ferdinand, smiling gently. "Peace with such as thou art, to the chance of the go with thee! our conference for this time public eye? The king's word is the king's is ended. What ho, Perez !"

bond!"

My child!" said he; "will your majesty summon back my child? we would depart?"

The attendent appeared.

"Thou hast left the maiden with the

queen?"

"Sir, you have been obeyed."
"Conduct this stranger to the guard

"A sturdy mendicant this, by the Vir- who led him through the camp. He quits gin!" muttered the king; and then, us under the same protection. Farewell! speaking aloud, "Give me the paper I will Yet stay; thou art assured that Muza scan it." Ben Abil Gazan is in the prisons of the Moor?"

Running his eyes hastily over the words, Ferdinand paused a moment, and then drew towards him the implements of writing, signed the scroll, and returned it to Almamen.

The Israelite kissed it thrice with oriental vencration, and replaced it in his breast.

er

"Yes."

"Blessed be the Virgin!

"Thou hast heard our conference, Fath. Tomas?" said the king, anxiously, when the Hebrew had withdrawn. "I have, son."

"Did thy veins freeze with horror?" Ferdinand looked at him hard and cu- "Only when my son signed the scroll. riously. He was a profound reader of It seemed to me then that I saw the clo men's characters, but that of his guest ven foot of the tempter." baffled and perplexed him.

66

"Tush, father! the tempter would have "And how, stranger," said he, gravely, been more wise than to reckon upon a "how can I trust that man who thus dis- faith which no ink and no parchment can trusts one king and sells another?" render valid, if the church absolve com"Oh king!" replied Almamen (accus-pact. Thou understandest me, father?" tomed from his youth to commune with "I do. I know your pious heart and and command the possessors of thrones yet well-judging mind.' more absolute); "oh king! if thou be- "'Thou wert right," resumed the king, lievest me actuated by personal and sel- musingly, "when thou didst tell us that fish interests in this our compact, thou these catiiff Jews were waxing strong in hast but to make my service minister to the fatness of their substance. They my interest, and the lore of human nature would have equal laws-the insolent blas will tell thee that thou hast won a ready phemerers!"

and submissive slave. But it thou thinkst "Son!" said the Dominican, with I have avowed sentiments less abject, and earnest adjuration, "God, who has prosdeveloped qualities higher than those of pered your arms and councils, will rethe mere bargainer for sordid power, quire at your hands an account of the oughtst thou not to rejoice that chance power intrusted to you. Shall there be has thrown into thy way one whose intel- no difference between his friends and his lect and faculties may be made thy tool? foes-his disciples and his curcifiers?" If I betray another, that other is my "Priest, said the king, laying his hand deadily foe. Dost not thou, the lord of on the monk's shoulder, and with a sat armies, betray thine enemy? the Moor is urnine smile upon his countenance, "where an enemy bitterer to myself than to thee. religion silent in this matter, policy has a Pecause I betray an enemy, am I un-voice loud enough to make itself heard, worthy to serve a friend? If I, a single The Jews demand equal rights: when men man, and a stranger to the Moor, can yet demand equality with their masters, tree

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son is at work, and justice sharpens her Almamen's cheek: and a Moor of com. sword. Equality! these wealth usurers! manding presence rose from the midst of Sacred Virgin! they would soon be buy- his brethren. "By the beard of the ing up our kingdoms." prophet, it is the false santon! What dost

The Dominican gazed hard on the king, thou from Grenada at this hour!" "Son, I trust thee," he said in a low voice and glided from the tent.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE AMBUSH, THE STRIFE, AND THE

CAPTURE.

"Noble Muza," returned Almamen, who, though indeed amazed that one whom he had imagined his victim was thus unaccountably become his judge, retained, at least, the semblance of composure, "my answer is to be given only to my lord the king; it is his commands that I obey."

"Thou art aware," said Muza, frowning, "that thy life is forfeited without apThe dawn was slowly breaking over peal? Whatsoever inmate of Grenada is the wide valley of Grenada, as Alma- found without walls between sunrise and men pursued his circuitous and solitary sunset dies the death of a traitor and depath back to the city. He was now in a serter." dark aud entangled hollow, covered with "The servants of the Alhambra are brakes and bushes, from amid which tall excepted," answered the Israelite, withforest-trees rose in frequent intervals, out changing countenance. gloomy and breathless in the still morning "Ah!" muttered Muza, as a painful and air. As, emerging from this jungle, if so sudden thought seemed to cross him, "can it may be called, the towers of Grenada, it be possible that the rumour of the city gleamed upon him, a human conntenance hath truth, and that the monarch of Grepeered from the shade, and Almanen nada is in treaty with the foe!" He mustarted to see two dark eyes fixed upon sed a little; and then motioning the Moors his own. to withdraw, he continued aloud, "Alma

He halted abruptly and put his hand on men, answer me truly; hast thou sought his dagger, when a low sharp whistle the Christian camp with any message from from the apparition before him was an- the king?" swered around, behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors in the garb of peasants.

"Well, my masters," said Almamen, calmly, as he encountered the wild savage countenances, that glared upon him, "think you there is aught to fear from the solitary santon?"

"I have not."

"Art thou without the walls on the mission of the king?"

"If I be so, I am a traitor to the king should I reveal his secret."

"I doubt the much, santon," said Muza, after a pause; "I know thee for my enemy, and I do believe thy counsels have "It is the magician," whispered one poisoned the king's ear against me, bis man to his neighbor; "let him pass." people, and his duties. But no matter, thy life is spared a while; thou remainest with us, and with us shalt thou return to the king."

"Nay," was the answer, "take him before the captain; we have orders to seize on all we meet."

"But, noble Muza—”

This counsel prevailed; and, gnashing his teeth with secret rage, Almamen found "I have said! Guard the santon; himself hurried along by the peasants mount him upon one of chargers; he shall through the thickest part of the copse. abide with us in our ambush."

At length the procession stopped in a sem- While Almamen chafed in vain at his icular patch of rank swad, in which sev-arrest, all in the christian camp was yet eral head of cattle were quietly grazing, still. At length, as the sun began to lift and a yet more numerous troop of peas- himself above the mountains, first a murants reclined around upon the grass. mur, and then a din, betokened warlike "Whom have we hear?" asked a voice preparations. Several parties of horse, which startled back the dark blood from under gallant and experienced leaders,