Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. I.djvu/486

340 CHAPTER X. WAR OF GRANADA. — UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT ON LOJA, DEFEAT IN THE AXARQUIA. 1482—1483. Unsuccessful Attempt on Loja. — Revolution in Granada. — Expedition to the Axarquia. — Military A rray. — Moorish Preparations. — Bloody Conflict among the Mountains. — The Spaniards force a Passage. — The Marquis of Cadiz escapes. PART LojA Stands not many leagues from Alhama, on '■ — ■ the banks of the Xenil, which rolls its clear current Siege of ^"j"- through a valley luxuriant with vineyards and olive- gardens ; but the city is deeply intrenched among hills of so rugged an aspect, that it has been led not inappropriately to assume as the motto on its arms, " A flower among thorns." Under the Moors, it was defended by a strong fortress, while the Xenil, circumscribing it like a deep moat upon the south, formed an excellent protection against the ap- proaches of a besieging army ; since the river was fordable only in one place, and traversed by a sin- gle bridge, which might be easily commanded by the city. In addition to these advantages, the king of Granada, taking warning from the fate of Alha- ma, had strengthened its garrison with three thou- sand of his choicest troops, under the command