Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. III.djvu/334

308 SOS AFRICAN EXPEDITION OF XIMENES. PART nobis," while he gave his benedictions to the sol- . '. dierj. He was then conducted to the alcazar, and the keys of the fortress were put into his hand. The spoil of the captured city, amounting, as was said, to half a million of gold ducats, the fruit of long successful trade and piracy, was placed at his disposal for distribution. But that which gave most joy to his heart was the liberation of three hundred Christian captives, languishing in the dun- geons of Oran. A few hours after the surrender, the mezuar of Tremecen arrived with a powerful reinforcement to its relief; but instantly retreated on learning the tidings. Fortunate, indeed, was it, that the battle had not been deferred to the suc- ceeding day. This, which must be wholly ascribed to Ximenes, was by most referred to direct inspira- tion. Quite as probable an explanation may be found in the boldness and impetuous enthusiasm of the cardinal's character.'^ Opposition The conquest of Oran opened unbounded scope of his gen- 1 • • r V l ... "■«'• to the ambition of Ximenes ; who saw in imagina- tion the banner of the Cross floating triumphant from the walls of every Moslem city on the Medi- terranean. He experienced, however, serious im- pediments to his further progress. Navarro, accus- tomed to an independent command, chafed in his present subordinate situation, especially under a spiritual leader, whose military science he justly 15 Bcrnaldez, Reyes Catc^licos, Ilistorias, torn. i. lib. 1, cap. 22. MS., cap. 218. — Robins, Vida de — Oviedo, Qiiincua<Tenas, MS. — Ximenev., cap. 22. — Gomez, Dc Sandoval, Hist, del Enip. Carlos Rebus Gcstis, fol. 113. — Lanuza, V., torn. i. p. 15.