Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/50

26 26 WAR OF GRANADA. PART L Altempt to assassinate the sover- eigus. prince consent to stay his arm, at the only moment when it could be used effectually for his country. " More serious consequences were hke to have re- sulted from an attempt made by another party of Moors from Guadix to penetrate the Christian lines. Part of them succeeded, and threw themselves into the besieged city. The remainder were cut in pieces. There was one, however, who making no show of resistance, was made prisoner without harm to his person. Being brought before the marquis of Cadiz, he informed that nobleman, that he could make some important disclosures to the sovereigns. He was accordingly conducted to the royal tent ; but, as Ferdinand was taking his siesta, in the sultry hour of the day, the queen, moved by divine inspiration, according to the Castilian histo- rian, deferred the audience till her husband should awake, and commanded the prisoner to be detained in the adjoining tent. This was occupied by Doiia Beatriz de Bobadilla, marchioness of Moya, Isabel- la's early friend, who happened to be at that time engaged in discourse with a Portuguese nobleman, Don Alvaro, son of the duke of Braganza. " 16 Pulgar, Reyes Cat61icos, ubi supra. During the siege, ambassadors arrived from an African potentate, the kin{? of Tremecen, bearing a magnificent present to the Castil- ian sovereigns, interceding for the Malagans, and at the same time asking protection for his siibjects from the Spanish cruisers in the Mediterranean. The sovereigns graciously complied with tlic lat- ter request, and complimented the African monarch with a plate of gold, on which the royal arms were curiously embossed, says Bernaldez, Reyes Catolicos, cap. 84. ^7 This nobleman, Don Alvaro de Portugal, had fled his native country, and sought an asylum in Castile from the vindictive enmity of Julin II., wlio had put to death the duke of Braganza, his elder brother. He was kindly received by Isabella, to whom he was near-