agreed to surrender his territories to the enemies of his faith； rather than suffer them to augment the Moslem power under the sway of his nephew。
Cid Hiaya now returned to Baza； empowered by El Zagal to treat on his behalf with the Christian sovereigns。 The prince felt a species of exultation as he expatiated on the rich relics of empire which he was authorized to cede。 There was a great part of that line of mountains extending from the metropolis to the Mediterranean Sea； with their series of beautiful green valleys like precious emeralds set in a golden chain。 Above all； there were Guadix and Almeria； two of the most inestimable jewels in the crown of Granada。
In return for these possessions and for the claim of El Zagal to the rest of the kingdom the sovereigns received him into their friendship and alliance； and gave him in perpetual inheritance the territory of Andarax and the valley of Alhaurin in the Alpuxarras； with the fourth part of the salinas or salt…pits of Malaha。 He was to enjoy the title of king of Andarax； with two thousand mudexares； or conquered Moors； for subjects； and his revenues were to be made up to the sum of four millions of maravedis。 All these he was to hold as a vassal of the Castilian Crown。
These arrangements being made； Cid Hiaya returned with them to Muley Abdallah； and it was concerted that the ceremony of surrender and homage should take place at the city of Almeria。
On the 17th of December； King Ferdinand departed for that city。 Cid Hiaya and his principal officers； incorporated with a division commanded by the count de Tendilla； marched in the van…guard。 The king was with the centre of the army； and the queen with the rear…guard。 In this martial state Ferdinand passed by several of the newly…acquired towns； exulting in these trophies of his policy rather than his valor。 In traversing the mountainous region which extends toward the Mediterranean the army suffered exceedingly from raging vandavales； or south…west gales； accompanied by snow…storms。 Several of the soldiers and many horses and beasts perished with the cold。 One of the divisions under the marques of Cadiz found it impossible to traverse in one day the frozen summits of Filabres； and had to pass the night in those inclement regions。 The marques caused two immense fires to be kindled in the vicinity of his encampment to guide and enlighten those lost and wandering among the defiles； and to warm those who were benumbed and almost frozen。
The king halted at Tavernas； to collect his scattered troops and give them time to breathe after the hardships of the mountains。 The queen was travelling a day's march in the rear。
On the 21st of December the king arrived and encamped in the vicinity of Almeria。 Understanding that El Zagal was sallying forth to pay him homage according to appointment； he mounted on horseback and rode forth to receive him； attended by Don Alonso de Cardenas； master of Santiago； on his right hand； and the marques of Cadiz on his left； and despatched in the advance Don Gutierrez de Cardenas； commander of Leon； and other cavaliers to meet and form an honorable escort to the Moorish monarch。 With this escort went that curious eye…witness； Peter Martyr； from whom we have many of these particulars。
El Zagal was accompanied by twelve cavaliers on horseback； among whom was his cousin； the prince Cid Hiaya （who had no doubt joined him from the Spanish camp）； and the brave Reduan Vanegas。 Peter Martyr declares that the appearance of El Zagal touched him with compassion； for； though a 〃lawless barbarian； he was a king and had given signal proofs of heroism。〃 The historian Palencia gives us a particular description of his appearance。 He was； says he； of elevated stature and well proportioned； neither robust nor meagre； the natural fairness of his countenance was increased by an extreme paleness which gave it a melancholy expression。 His aspect was grave； his movements were quiet； noble； and dignified。 He was modestly attired in a garb of mourninga sayo； or loose surcoat； of dark cloth； a simple albornoz or Moorish mantle； and a turban of dazzling whiteness。
On being met by the commander； Gutierrez de Cardenas； El Zagal saluted him courteously； as well as the cavaliers who accompanied him； and rode on； conversing with him through the medium of interpreters。 Beholding King Ferdinand and his splendid train at a distance； he alighted and advanced toward him on foot。 The punctilious Ferdinand； supposing this voluntary act of humiliation had been imposed by Don Gutierrez； told that cavalier； with some asperity； that it was an act of great discourtesy to cause a vanquished king to alight before another king who was victorious。 At the same time he made him signs to remount his horse and place himself by his side。 El Zagal； persisting in his act of homage； offered to kiss the king's hand； but； being prevented by that monarch； he kissed his own hand； as the Moorish cavaliers were accustomed to do in presence of their sovereigns； and accompanied the gesture by a few words expressive of obedience and fealty。 Ferdinand replied in a gracious and amiable manner； and； causing him to remount and place himself on his left hand； they proceeded； followed by the whole train； to the royal pavilion pitched in the most conspicuous part of the camp。
There a banquet was served up to the two kings according to the rigorous style and etiquette of the Spanish court。 They were seated in two chairs of state under the same canopy； El Zagal on the left hand of Ferdinand。 The cavaliers and courtiers admitted to the royal pavilion remained standing。 The count de Tendilla served the viands to King Ferdinand in golden dishes； and the count Cifuentes gave him to drink out of cups of the same precious metal； Don Alvaro Bazan and Garcilasso de la Vega performed the same offices； in similar style and with vessels of equal richness； to the Moorish monarch。
The banquet ended； El Zagal took courteous leave of Ferdinand； and sallied from the pavilion attended by the cavaliers who had been present。 Each of these now made himself known to the old monarch by his name； title； or dignity； and each received an affable gesture in reply。 They would all have escorted the old king back to the gates of Almeria； but he insisted on their remaining in the camp； and with difficulty could be persuaded upon to accept the honorable attendance of the marques of Villena； the commander； Don Gutierrez de Cardenas； the count de Cifuentes； and Don Luis Puerto Carrero。
On the following morning （22d December） the troops were all drawn out in splendid array in front of the camp； awaiting the signal of the formal surrender of the city。 This was given at mid…day； when the gates were thrown open and a corps marched in； led by Don Gutierrez de Cardenas； who had been appointed governor。 In a little while the gleam of Christian warriors was seen on the walls and bulwarks； the blessed cross was planted in place of the standard of Mahomet； and the banner of the sovereigns floated triumphantly above the Alcazar。 At the same time a numerous deputation of alfaquis and the noblest and wealthiest inhabitants of the place sallied forth to pay homage to King Ferdinand。
On the 23d of December the king himself entered the city with grand military and religious pomp； and repaired to the mosque of the castle； which had previously been purified and sanctified and converted into a Christian temple： here grand mass was performed in solemn celebration of this great triumph of the faith。
These ceremonies were scarcely completed when joyful notice was given of the approach of the queen Isabella with the rear…guard of the army。 She came accompanied by the princess Isabella； and attended by her ghostly counsellor the cardinal Mendoza and her confessor Talavera。 The king sallied forth to meet her； accompanied by El Zagal； and it is said the reception of the latter by the queen was characterized by the deference and considerate delicacy which belonged to her magnanimous nature。
The surrender of Almeria was followed by that of Almunecar； Salobrena； and other fortified places of the coast and the interior； and detachments of Christian troops took quiet possession of the Alpuxarras mountains and their secluded and fertile valleys。*
*Cura de los Palacios； cap。 93； 94； Pulgar； Cron。； part 3； cap。 124； Garibay； Comp。 Hist。； lib。 18； cap。 37； etc。 etc。
CHAPTER LXXXIII。
EVENTS AT GRANADA SUBSEQUENT TO THE SUBMISSION OF EL ZAGAL。
Who can tell when to rejoice in this fluctuating world？ Every wave of prosperity has its reacting surge； and we are often overwhelmed by the very billow on which we thought to be wafted into the haven of our hopes。 When Yusef Aben Comixa； the vizier of Boabdil； surnamed El Chico； entered the royal saloon of the Alhambra and announced the capitulation of El Zagal； the heart of the youthful monarch leaped for joy。 His great wish was accomplished； his uncle was defeated and dethroned； and he reigned without a rival； sole monarch of Granada。 At length he was about to enjoy the fruits of his humiliation and vassalage。 He beheld his throne fortified by the friendship and alliance of the Castilian monarchs； there could be no quest