Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/96

72 72 WAR OF GRANADA. PART vailed on him to remount, and then rode by his '. side towards Almeria. ^^ Occupation This citv was one of the most precious jewels ofElZagal'B -^ t J domain. jj^ ^j^g diadcm of Granada. It had amassed great wealth by its extensive commerce with Syria, Egypt, and Africa ; and its corsairs had for ages been the terror of the Catalan and Pisan marine. It might have stood a siege as long as that of Baza, but it was now surrendered without a blow, on conditions similar to those granted to the former city. After allowing some days for the refresh- ment of their wearied forces in this pleasant re- gion, which, sheltered from the bleak winds of the north by the sierra they had lately traversed, and fanned by the gentle breezes of the Mediterranean, is compared by Martyr to the gardens of the Hes- perides, the sovereigns established a strong garri- son there, under the commander of Leon, and then, striking again into the recesses of the moun- tains, marched on Guadix, which, after some op- position on the part of the populace, threw open its gates to them. The surrender of these princi- pal cities was followed by that of all the subordi- nate dependencies belonging to El Zagal's territo- ry, comprehending a multitude of hamlets scattered along the green sides of the mountain chain that stretched from Granada to the coast. To all these places the same liberal terms, in regard to personal rights and property, were secured, as to Baza. 21 Peter Martyr, Opus Epist. , lib. p. 340. — Pulgar, Reyes Catolicos, 3, epist. 81. — Cardonne, Hist. loc. cit. — Conde, Dominacion de d'Afrique ct d'Espagne, torn. iii. los Arabes, torn. iii. cap. 40