Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/38

14 l4 WAR OF GRANADA. PART excited in Granada by the tidings of its danger '- was so strong, that the old chief, El Zagal, found it necessary to make an effort to relieve the be- leaguered city, notwithstanding the critical posture in which his absence would leave his affairs in the capital. Dark clouds of the enemy were seen throughout the day mustering along the heights, which by night were illumined with a hundred fires. Ferdinand's utmost vigilance was required for the protection of his camp against the ambus- cades and nocturnal sallies of his wily foe. At length, however, El Zagal having been foiled in a well-concerted attempt to surprise the Christian quarters by night, was driven across the mountains by the marquis of Cadiz, and compelled to retreat on his capital, completely baffled in his enterprise. There the tidings of his disaster had preceded him. The fickle populace, with whom misfortune passes for misconduct, unmindful of his former successes, now hastened to transfer their allegiance to his rival, Abdallah, and closed the gates against him ; and the unfortunate chief withdrew to Guadix, which, with Almeria, Baza, and some less consider- able places, still remained faithful. ^ Ferdinand conducted the siege all the while with his usual vigor, and spared no exposure of his per- Narrow Ea- son to pcrll or fatiffuc. On one occasion, seeing; cape of Fer- -^. ° ... ' O diimnd. a party of Christians retreating in disorder before a squadron of the enemy, who had surprised them 2 Cardonne, Hist. d'Afrique et supra. — Vedmar, Antiguedad de d'Espagne, torn. iii. pp. 292-294. Velez, fol. 151. — Pulgar, Reyes Cat61icos, ubi