Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/45

21 CONQUEST OF MALAGA. 21 The old chronicler Bernaldez warms at the as- chapter XIII pect of the fair citj of Malaga, thus encompassed — ^ — '- — by Christian legions, whose deep lines, stretching ^peciacie. far over hill and valley, reached quite round from one arm of the sea to the other. In the midst of this brilliant encampment was seen the royal pavil- ion, proudly displaying the united banners of Cas- tile and Aragon, and forming so conspicuous a mark for the enemy's artillery, that Ferdinand, after im- minent hazard, was at length compelled to shift his quarters. The Christians were not slow in erecting counter batteries ; but the work was obliged to be carried on at night, in order to screen them from the fire of the besieged." The first operations of the Spaniards were di- rected against the suburb, on the land side of the city. The attack was intrusted to the count of Cifuentes, the nobleman who had been made pris- oner in the affair of the Axarquia, and subsequently ransomed. The Spanish ordnance was served with such effect, that a practicable breach was soon made in the wall. The combatants now poured their murderous volleys on each other through the open- ing, and at length met on the ruins of the breach. After a desperate struggle the Moors gave way. The Christians rushed into the enclosure, at the same time effecting a lodgment on the rampart ; and, although a part of it, undermined by the ene- ^^ Pulgar, Reyes Cat<51icos, ubi supra. — Bernaldez, Reyes Cat61ico8, MS., ubi supra.