icted by Gomez Arias, his fortunate rival in the affections of
Leonor de Aguilar.

The members of the council, with this solitary exception, being
assembled, the queen rose to address them.--"Noble Christians," she
said, "my friends and brave defenders! You are no doubt already aware of
the important motive which summons you to our presence. Unless a speedy
remedy be applied, we are threatened with the loss of those territories
for which we have so long toiled, and which have been purchased with the
dearest blood in Spain. Again the noble patriotic fire which animates
you must be called forth, and the redoubled strength of your arms be
displayed against the enemies of our faith and native land. Scarcely had
you, by courage and perseverance, reduced this last strong hold of
Granada, and compelled the Moors to surrender the inheritance of our
forefathers, when the seeds of discontent were sown, and sprung into
open rebellion. Whatever may have been the complaints of the inhabitants
of the Albaycin, it was by calm remonstrance, and by applications to
our throne of justice, that they ought to have sought redress; not by
the force of arms, in which they have had but too many occasions to
acknowledge our superiority.--Our officers of justice have been
insulted, and one of them has been murdered in the discharge of his
duty. The prudent and active conduct of the Count de Tendilla succeeded
in putting down the first commotion, but the leaders of the outrage have
sought, in the wild passes of the Alpujarras, to conduct by stratagem a
war which they are not able to sustain against us in the field. Let us
then hasten to chastise their insolence before the evil gain ground. Not
that I entertain any doubts of success, but for the purpose of saving
the valuable lives which such procrastination might endanger. Amongst
the rebel chiefs, who appear to possess in the greatest degree the
confidence of their comrades, and most resolutely to defy our power, are
el Negro,[2] of Lanjaron, and el Feri de Benastepar. The former,
blockaded in the Castle of Lanjaron, will not long brave a siege; but
the latter is a more formidable enemy, and being well acquainted with
the innermost passes of those wild mountains, will offer a greater
resistance. Against this man, therefore, our chief efforts must be
directed."

She then took a banner, on which was splendidly emblazoned the arms of
Castile and Arragon.--"To thee, Don Alonso de Aguilar," she said,