Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/36

12 CHAPTER XIII. WAR OF GRANADA.— SURRENDER OF VELEZ MALAGA.— SIEGE AND CONQUEST OF MALAGA. 1487. Narrow Escape of Ferdinand before Velez. — Malaga invested by Sea and Land. —Brilliant Spectacle. — The Queen visits the Camp. — Attempt to assassinate the Sovereigns. — Distress and Resolution of the besieged. — Enthusiasm of the Christians. — Outworks carried by them. — Proposals for Surrender. — Haughty Demeanor of Fer- dinand. — Malaga surrenders at Discretion. — Cruel Policy of the Victors. PART I. Position of Velez Mala- ga. Before commencing operations against Malaga, it was thought expedient by the Spanish council of war to obtain possession of Velez Malaga, situated about five leagues distant from the former. This strong town stood along the southern extremity of a range of mountains that extend to Granada. Its position afforded an easy communication with that capital, and obvious means of annoyance to an ene- my interposed between itself and the adjacent city of Malaga. The reduction of this place, therefore, became the first object of the campaign. The forces assembled at Cordova, consisting of the levies of the Andalusian cities principally, of the retainers of the great nobility, and of the well- appointed chivalry which thronged from all quarters of the kingdom, amounted on this occasion, to