Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/87

63 SIEGE OF BAZA. G3 During the five months which the siege had now ciiA}'TEr. lasted, the weather had proved uncommonly pro pi- '. L_ c^. . ~ ^11 Heavy tem- tious to the Spaniards, being for the most part of a p^^*- bland and equal temperature, while the sultry heats of midsummer were mitigated bj cool and moderate showers. As the autumnal season advanced, how- ever, the clouds began to settle heavily around the mountains ; and at length one of those storms, pre- dicted by the people of Baza, burst forth with incredible fury, pouring a volume of waters down the rocky sides of the sierra, which, mingling wdth those of the vega, inundated the camp of the be- siegers, and swept away most of the frail edifices constructed for the use of the common soldiery. A still greater calamity befell them in the dilapidation of the roads, which, broken up or worn into deep gullies by the force of the waters, were rendered perfectly impassable. All communication was of course suspended with Jaen, and a temporary inter- ruption of the convoys filled the camp with con- sternation. This disaster, however, was speedily repaired by the queen, who, with an energy always equal to the occasion, caused six thousand pioneers to be at once employed in reconstructing the roads ; the rivers were bridged over, causeways new laid, and two separate passes opened through the mountains, Garibay, Compendio, torn. ii. p. good faith, religion, and virtue, ban- 667. — Bleda, Coronica, p. 64. ished the contagion from their army, The plague, which fell heavily where it must otherwise have pre- this year on some parts of Andalu- vailed." Personal comforts and sia, does not appear to have at- cleanliness of the soldiers, though tacked the camp, which Bleda not quite so miraculous a cause, imputes to the healing influence of may be considered perhaps full as the Spanish sovereigns, " whose efficacious.