led sovereign, advancing openly to her purposes, and marching
directly to honourable conflict and generous triumph.

No sooner had these distinguished individuals secured possession of
their respective kingdoms, suppressed all domestic disturbances, and
effected peaceful arrangements with foreign powers, {183} than they
mutually resolved to concentrate all their efforts for the annihilation
of the Mohammedan dominion in Spain.

This century seemed destined to be marked by the glory of the
Spaniards. In addition to the immense advantages afforded them by the
union of their forces, Ferdinand and Isabella were surrounded by the
wisest and most experienced advisers. The celebrated Cardinal Ximenes,
at one time a simple monk, was now at the head of their councils; and
that able minister "_led_," as he himself averred, "_all Spain by his
girdle!_" The civil wars with which the Peninsula had been so long
disturbed, had created among the Christian powers a host of brave
soldiers and excellent commanders. Among the latter were particularly
distinguished the Count de Cabra, the Marquis of Cadiz, and the famous
Gonzalvo of Cordova, whose just claim to the surname of _the Great
Captain_, given him by his countrymen, the lapse of time has only
served to confirm. The public treasury, which had been exhausted by
the lavish prodigality of Henry, was soon replenished by the rigid
economy of Isabella, aided by a bull from the pope, permitting the
royal appropriation of the {184} ecclesiastical revenues. The troops
were numerous and admirably disciplined, and the emulation which
existed between the Castilians and Aragonians redoubled the valour of
both. Everything, in short, prognosticated the downfall of the last
remaining throne of the Moors.

Its royal champion, Mulei-Hassem, was not dismayed, however, even by
such an accumulation of danger. He was the first to break the truce,
by taking forcible possession of the city of Zahra, A.D. 1481, Heg.
886. Ferdinand despatched ambassadors to the Moslem court to complain
of this breach of faith; with orders, at the same time, to demand the
ancient tribute which had been paid by the kings of Grenada to the
sovereigns of Castile.

"I know," replied Mulei-Hassem, when the envoys of the Spanish prince
had delivered their message, "I know that some of my predecessors
rendered you tribute in pieces of gold; but _this_ is the only metal
now coined in the national mint of Grenada!" And,