d be met with on the spur of the occasion, divided
them into parties, each of a certain force, and dispatched them on
their errand, which was, to enter the houses of the infidels, and to
intimate to the principal families the behest of the prelates, requiring
them by break of day, to abjure the errors of their creed, and to
undergo the ceremony of baptism.

But in order that so meritorious a work should meet with the least
possible delay, all the children under a certain age were to be conveyed
instantaneously to the house occupied by the Archbishops, in order that
they might be baptised at once.

The agents opened the campaign, and had already made away with a certain
number of terrified infants, whose souls were destined to be saved thus
unceremoniously, when the alarm began to spread; and, at the moment when
the two dignitaries, impatient to commence operations, were inquiring
for the first batch of unfledged heretics, an unexpected confusion of
sounds was heard to proceed simultaneously from all sides of the house,
and to increase rapidly in clearness and energy: and some of the
attendants, entering, with alarm depicted on their countenances,
announced that a few hundred armed Moors had surrounded the house, and
were searching for an entrance.

It now, for the first time, occurred to the confederates, that
difficulties might possibly attend the execution of their project; and
their ardour having had nearly time to cool, Archbishop Ximenes, a
personage by no means wanting in prudence and energy, during his moments
of reason, employed the first instants of the siege in taking what
precautions the circumstances admitted. He next proceeded to indite a
hasty line, destined for the sovereigns Ferdinand and Isabella, who were
journeying in the province, to inform them of his situation, and request
immediate assistance. A black slave was selected to be the bearer of the
letter: but, thinking to inspire him with greater promptitude and zeal,
an attendant thrust into his hand a purse of money together with the
document.

The effect of this was the opposite to that which was intended. The
negro treated himself at every house of entertainment on his road;
until, before he had half accomplished his journey, he was totally
incapacitated for further progress. This circumstance could not,
however, influence the fate of the besieged prelates; who would have had
time to give complete satisfaction to the offended Moors before the