the
faith of Mohammed ever founded.

But the evil star of Boabdil prevailed. The news of the insurrection in
the city reached him. Two aged men from the lower city arrived at the
Alhambra--demanded and obtained an audience; and the effect of that
interview was instantaneous upon Boabdil. In the popular frenzy he saw
only a justifiable excuse for the Christian king to break the conditions
of the treaty, rase the city, and exterminate the inhabitants. Touched
by a generous compassion for his subjects, and actuated no less by a
high sense of kingly honor, which led him to preserve a truce solemnly
sworn to, he once more mounted his cream-coloured charger, with the two
elders who had sought him by his side; and, at the head of his guard,
rode from the Alhambra. The sound of his trumpets, the tramp of his
steeds, the voice of his heralds, simultaneously reached the multitude;
and, ere they had leisure to decide their course, the king was in the
midst of them.

"What madness is this, O my people?" cried Boabdil, spurring into the
midst of the throng,--"whither would ye go?"

"Against the Christian!--against the Goth!" shouted a thousand voices.
"Lead us on! The santon is risen from the dead, and will ride by thy
right hand!"

"Alas!" resumed the king, "ye would march against the Christian king!
Remember that our hostages are in his power: remember that he will
desire no better excuse to level Granada with the dust, and put you and
your children to the sword. We have made such treaty as never yet was
made between foe and foe. Your lives, laws, wealth--all are saved.
Nothing is lost, save the crown of Boabdil. I am the only sufferer. So
be it. My evil star brought on you these evil destinies: without me, you
may revive, and be once more a nation. Yield to fate to-day, and you may
grasp her proudest awards to-morrow. To succumb is not to be subdued.
But go forth against the Christians, and if ye win one battle, it is
but to incur a more terrible war; if you lose, it is not honourable
capitulation, but certain extermination, to which you rush! Be
persuaded, and listen once again to your king."

The crowd were moved, were softened, were half-convinced. They turned,
in silence, towards their santon; and Almamen did not shrink from the
appeal; but stood forth, confronting the king.

"King of Granada!" he cried aloud, "behold thy friend--thy prophet! Lo!
I assure you victory!"

"Hold!" interrupted Boabdil; "thou hast deceiv