as impregnated with a
terrible poison, which caused the death of the unfortunate Joseph by
the most horrible torments. The peculiar effects it produced was that
of detaching the flesh from the bones, the misery of the wretched
sufferer enduring for the protracted period of thirty days.

Mohammed IX., the second son of this hapless monarch, who, even during
the lifetime of his father, had excited commotions in the realm,
usurped the crown that of right belonged to his elder brother Joseph,
whom he caused to be confined in prison.

Mohammed was courageous, and possessed some talents for war. Allied
with the King of Tunis, who joined his fleet with that of Grenada, he
broke the truce maintained with Castile during the two preceding
reigns, and at first gained some advantages over his adversaries, but
the Infant Don Ferdinand, the uncle and tutor of the young king John
II., was not long in avenging the cause of Spain.

Mohammed IX. died in the year 1408, {177} Heg. 811. When the expiring
monarch became conscious that his end was rapidly approaching, desirous
of securing the crown to his son, he sent one of his principal officers
to the prison of his brother Joseph, with orders to cut off the head of
the royal occupant. The officer found Joseph engaged in a game of
chess with an iman:[15] he sorrowfully announced the mournful
commission with which he was charged. The prince, without manifesting
any emotion at the communication, only demanded time to conclude his
game; and the officer could not refuse this slight favour. While the
philosophical Mussulman continued to play, a second messenger arrived,
bearing the news of the death of the usurper, and of the proclamation
of Joseph as his successor to the throne.

The people of Grenada were happy under the rule of the good King Joseph
III. So far was he from avenging himself upon those who had aided his
brother in depriving him of his rights, that he lavished favours and
offices on them, and educated the son of Mohammed in the same manner as
his own children. When his councillors blamed him for a degree of
indulgence {178} which they regarded as hazardous, "Allow me," replied
the sovereign, "to deprive my enemies of all excuse for having
preferred my younger brother to me!"

This excellent prince was often obliged to take arms against the
Christians. He was so unfortunate as to lose some cities, but he
preserved the respect and affection of his subjects, and died l