Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/181

157 SECOND VOYAGE. 157 concealed himself early in the morning, and aimed chapter a blow with a short sword, or knife, at the back, L_ of Ferdinand's neck. Fortunately the edge of the weapon was turned by a gold chain or collar which he was in the habit of wearing. It inflicted, how- ever, a deep wound between the shoulders. Fer- dinand instantly cried out, " St. Mary preserve us ! treason, treason ! " and his attendants, rushing on the assassin, stabbed him in three places with their poniards, and would have despatched him on the spot, had not the king, with his usual presence of mind, commanded them to desist, and take the man alive, that they might ascertain the real au- thors of the conspiracy. This was done according- ly, and Ferdinand, fainting with loss of blood, was carefully removed to his apartments in the royal palace.^ The report of the catastrophe spread like wild- General con. •■■ ■'■■'■ sternation, fire through the city. All classes were thrown into consternation by so foul an act, which seemed to cast a stain on the honor and good faith of the Catalans. Some suspected it to be the work of a vindictive Moor, others of a disappointed courtier. The queen, who had swooned on first receiving in- telligence of the event, suspected the ancient en- mity of the Catalans, who had shown such deter- mined opposition to her husband in his early youth. She gave instant orders to hold in readiness one of 2 Zurita, Anales, torn. v. fol. Abarca, Reyes de Aragon, torn. ii. 15. — Bernaldez, Reyes Catolicos, fol. 315. — Carbajal, Anales, MS., MS., cap. 116. — Garibay, Com- ano 1492. — Oviedo,Quincuagenas, pendio, torn. ii. pp. 678, 679. — MS., bat. 1, quinc. 4, dial. 9.