tions to
insure the safety of his men, in case of treason, now entered the town
of Alhaurin amidst the acclamations of his late foes; the chiefs of the
rebels had already been secured, and the disorderly multitude taking
advantage of the proffered pardon, soon evacuated the place, and
dispersed in every direction.

Meantime the Alcayde, having left a garrison in the town to prevent any
further trouble, proceeded towards the Sierra Bermeja, the last and only
refuge of the Moors; for the little villages where the fire of sedition
yet burned, were too insignificant to engross his attention. The
Christians therefore continued their march towards the dreadful spot,
where the spirit of the noble Aguilar seemed to hover, in expectation of
redress, and where the terrible El Feri, the most valiant of the Moors,
still kept his ground.

CHAPTER IX.

Cuan breve y cuan caduca resplandece
Nuestra gloria! Cuan subito, en el punto
Que deleita a los ojos, desparece!

_Herrera._

Che piu si apera, o che s'attende omai?
Dopo trionfo e palma

* * * *

Luto e lamenti, e lagrimosi lai;

_Tasso._

Granada, lately the seat of mourning, was again converted into a scene
of indiscriminate joy. The recent victory obtained by Gomez Arias, and
the defeat of Caneri which had so closely followed that advantage, awoke
the most pleasing sentiments in the minds of the inhabitants. They
almost considered the rebellion as at an end, assured by the late
successes, and awaited with impatience the triumphant entry of Gomez
Arias and his conquering band, now rapidly approaching towards the city.
The court was assembled, and displayed the heroic Isabella in all the
insignia of royalty. Surrounded by all the principal personages in
Spain, she awaited the arrival of the victor, anxious to offer him her
congratulations and to bestow upon him adequate marks of her royal
favor.

The grand saloon of the Alhambra, where formerly the Moorish sovereigns
dictated their laws, now afforded a different, though no less striking
display. The dazzling glitter of armour and the sumptuousness of
official dresses, blended with the gay and richly ornamented attires of
the ladies of the court, presented a picture at once beautiful and
imposing.

At this moment a rumour was heard at the extremity of the long hall. It
proceeded from the guards, who appeared anxious to