umult and
bloodshed, had not Count de Tendilla speedily resorted to measures of
precaution to insure public tranquillity. Various bands of veteran
soldiers patrolled the streets, where the confused murmur of discontent,
or the whispering group of sedition, was heard on all sides.

The queen was highly incensed at this fresh instance of the refractory
and turbulent disposition of her new subjects. Her former edicts were
again proclaimed through the city, not only against the aiders and
abettors of the rebels, but even against such as should hold communion
with them, howsoever slight or incidental.

The indignation of Alonso de Aguilar was strongly depicted on his noble
and manly features, when in the presence of the assembled court he
grasped the standard of the cross, and in a tone of resolution and
enthusiasm--

"By the holy sign on this banner," he cried, "and by all the honors of
my house, I swear not to return to Granada until this accursed rebellion
is rooted out, and the promoters brought to punishment. Ere this month
be past, El Feri de Benastepar, or Don Alonso de Aguilar, shall be
numbered with the dead."

A shout of enthusiasm answered the noble sentiments of the warrior,
whilst the queen issued orders that the next day all disposable forces
should depart for the Sierra Bermeja, under the command of Aguilar, his
son, Count de Urena and Don Antonio de Leyva. The troops of Jaen and all
Castile were likewise ordered to hold themselves in readiness to march
under the Alcayde de los Donceles and Count de Cifuentes.

Gomez Arias seized with avidity the opportunity which fortune thus
offered him to signalize himself, and found stronger claims to the
esteem and regard of his sovereign, on whose features he had lately
observed a degree of coldness which little accorded with her former
cordiality. He did not regret his being excluded from the number of
chiefs under Aguilar, though his pride might feel a temporary wound. For
he considered that his reputation would not be materially increased
whilst acting in subordination to such a chief as Aguilar. His gigantic
fame would engross almost all the glory, and its splendour would
naturally throw into shade the lesser stars of his unequal rivals. He
rejoiced, therefore, that his exertions were unfettered by a superior,
and his ardent and ambitious mind soon worked out a plan of operations
against a quarter of the revolted territory which had been neglected in
the hasty