Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/41

17 CONQUEST OF MALAGA. 17 with a second fortress impregnable from its posi- chapter tion, denominated Gebalfaro, which stood along the '■ declivities of the bold sierra of the Axarquia, whose defiles had proved so disastrous to the Christians. The city lay between two spacious suburbs, the one on the land side being also encircled bj a for- midable wall ; and the other declining towards the sea, showing an expanse of olive, orange, and pomegranate gardens, intermingled with the rich vineyards that furnished the celebrated staple for its export. Malaga was well prepared for a siege by supplies of artillery and ammunition. Its ordinary garrison was reinforced by volunteers from the neighbouring towns, and by a corps of African mercenaries. Go- meres, as they were called, men of ferocious tem- per, but of tried valor and military discipline. The command of this important post had been intrusted by El Zagal to a noble Moor, named Hamet Zeli, whose renown in the present war had been estab- lished by his resolute defence of Ronda. ^ Ferdinand, while lying before Velez, received intelligence that many of the wealthy burghers of Malaga were inclined to capitulate at once, rather than hazard the demolition of their city by an ob- stinate resistance. He instructed the marquis of Cadiz, therefore, to open a negotiation with Hamet Zeli, authorizing him to make the most liberal of- fers to the alcayde himself, as well as his garrison, ' Conde, Dominacion de los El Nubiense, Descripcion de Ea- Arabes, torn. iii. p. 237. — Pul- pana, not., p. 144. gar, Reyes Catolicos, cap. 74. — VOL. II. 3