History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic, of Spain (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1842 Excerpt: ... were borne down, steed and rider, promiscuously in its waters. Many more, scarcely making show of resistance, were cut down on the banks by the pitiless Spaniards. The young king Abdullah, who had been conspicuous during that day in the hottest of the fig-lit, mounted on a milk-white charger richly caparisoned, saw fifty of his loyal guard fall around him. Finding his steed too much jaded to stem the current of the river, he quietly dismounted and sought a shelter among the reedy thickets that fringed its margin, until the storm of battle should have passed over. In this lurking place, however, he was discovered by a common soldier named Martin Hurtado, who, without recognising his person, instantly attacked him. The prince defended himself with his scimitar, until Hurtado, being joined by two of his countrymen, succeeded in making him prisoner. The men, overjoyed at their prize (for Abdallah had revealed his rank, in order to secure his person from violence, ) conducted him to their general, the count of Cabra. The latter received the royal captive with a generous courtesy, the best sign of noble breeding; and which, recognised as a feature of chivalry, affords a pleasing contrast to the ferocious spirit of ancient warfare. The good count administered to the unfortunate prince all the consolations which his state would admit; and subsequently lodged him in his castle of Baena, where he was entertained with the most delicate and courtly hospitality. Garibay, Compendio, torn. ii. d'Afrique et d'Espagne, torn. iii. p. 637.--Pulgar, Reyes Catolicos, pp. 271--274. ubi supra.--Bernaldez, Reyes The various details, even to the Cat61icos, MS. cap. 61.--Conde, site of the battle, are told in the Dominacion de los Arabes, tom. usual confused and contradictory iii. c...