Almoravides entered sword in hand. They made a cruel slaughter among the people who still remained faithful to Alcadir, and that prince himself perished with many other noble cavaliers, all fighting with the bravery of lions.

To the Cadi Ahmed Ben Gehaf there was given as the reward of his service the government of the place he had betrayed, and from being its Cadilcoda he rose to be the Wali of that important city. But how just is the Divine Providence! How inflexible is that law which ensures the accomplishment of its eternal decrees! This we shall more clearly set forth hereafter, when we come to relate the death of the treacherous Cadí.

The General Davoud Aben Ayxa wrote an account of his conquest to the King of the Moslemah, Juzef Ben Taxfin, who replied by commanding him to continue his aggressions until he had subjugated all Spain.

Now the King Abu Giaffar of Saragossa, of the illustrious race of Aben Hud, was all this time maintaining the whole eastern border of Spain with the noble uprightness and heroic valour which formed the distinctions of his character. Guadir Higiara, Medina Celi, Helga, Daroca, Calatayub, Huesca, Tudila, Barbasta, Lerida, and Fraga, were all in his command; and he was equally powerful on the sea which lies to the south of the Pyrenees, sending his ships to Alexandria and the coast of Africa, all richly laden with the products of Spain; and these returning, brought him the merchandize of Syria and of other provinces situate towards the east. He was the most wealthy of all the kings of Spain, and being very liberal, moreover, as well as just and humane, he was so much beloved by his people, that he might be said to hold their hearts in his hand.

For this cause, Juzef Ben Taxfin did not venture to attack the King of Saragossa, nor had he declared war against his states; but the prudent Abu Giaffar, fearing to see the King of the Moslemah become his enemy, and perceiving the victories which he had obtained over the other Ameers, thought it best to yield to the necessities of the time, and prepare for the storm by which he was threatened. therefore wrote a letter to King Juzef, desiring his alliance and a treaty of defence against the Christians: this letter he sent by the hands of his own son, Ima Dolah Abu

He

Meruan Abdelmelic, charging that prince at the same time with very precious gifts for the Ameer of the Moslemah, to whom, among other things, he wrote as follows:

66

:

My states are the wall which stands between thyself and the enemy of our Law; this wall is the shelter and defence of the Moslemah: nor have my forefathers ceased to guard these frontiers from the first moment of their reign in the land, resolved that the Infidel should not enter the other provinces of Spain by our borders. The assurance of thy friendship will be a satisfaction to me, and thou mayst rely upon the sincerity of my alliance. My son Abdel

melic will declare to thee the intentions of our heart, and our earnest wishes for the defence and propagation of Islam."

To that letter Juzef Aben Taxfin replied in the following words::

"From the King of the Moslemah and Protector of the Faith, Juzef Aben Taxfin, to the Confident in God, Ahmed Abu Giafar Aben Hud, whose potency may God the Omnipotent perpetuate and increase.

"From our court of Morocco-may God have it in his keeping-whither thy letter hath arrived, giving clear evidence of the nobility and valour of thy forefathers.

"We give thanks to God and the perfection of praise, imploring him to direct and guide us in the path of uprightness, and to lead our thoughts to salutary ends. We pray to God for our lord Muhamad his servant, with whom, may the Divine grace, which exalts to perfection, be ever abundant.

Respecting the things which we have to say to thee— to whom may God add strength-and in regard to thy sublime generosity, know that in us there is nothing less than a sincere friendship for thee, proceeding entirely from our natural disposition which God hath given to us.

There hath also come to our presence the honour of

* Abcodal has recorded that a portion of these presents consisted in fourteen Arrobas (three hundred and fifty pounds, Gen. 3) of silver in solid masses, each marked with the seal of his grandfather, Almutamen. He adds that Juzef received these gifts, and having coined them into Kirates, distributed them among the populace of Cordova on the day when he took possession of that city.-Condé.

greatness and the sublimity of understanding, which is Abu Meruan Abdelmelic, thy son by descent, but one also to us, for our love and good-will that we bear to him. May God increase in him His love to thee, since he is the light of thine eyes and the gladness of thy heart! With him have also arrived the two honourable Viziers Abu Lasba and Abu Amir, to whom may God accord the mercy of His holy fear, as well as to all your servants, to all and each of whom we have done honour according to his quality. They brought to us thy esteemed letter, which we have received with honour, and from this we have understood thy desires, as well as from the relation by words which thy son and Viziers have made to us with much discretion. We on our part have replied, in conformity with thy demands, and in communications with them have spoken to them once and again, so that they understand well what is contained in the convention of our reciprocal friendship and alliance, which shall be wholly directed towards the preservation of the greatness and sovereignty of the State, in so far as it shall be for the service of God. Farewell."

CHAP. XXII.-INCURSIONS OF THE INFIDEL ON THE LAND OF FRAGA. OF THE CONQUEST OF BADAJOZ BY THE ALMORAVIDES. UNION OF THE CID WITH THE MOORS AGAINST THE ALMORAVIDES, FROM WHOM THOSE ALLIES TAKE THE CITY OF VALENCIA. THE ALMORAVIDES OBTAIN POSSESSION OF THE BALEARIC ISLES.

ABU Giaffar was highly satisfied with the alliance thus formed; and in the year 486, the Almoravides did afford him effectual aid against the Christians, who had fallen like a whirlwind upon his territories, and assisted by those of Afranc with the Erdomanos, had made themselves masters of Fraga and Barbaster, devastating the fields, burning the towns, and plundering the flocks and herds of such of the inhabitants as they did not slay or carry into captivity. Nay, it hath been computed that in those incursions there perished no less than forty thousand persons, to say nothing of the many women, damsels, and children, who were carried away captives.

There then proceeded to the aid of the King Almustain Abu Giaffar of Saragossa, six thousand Almoravide crossbowmen, with one thousand horse; when that force, having joined those of the King, made fearful reprisals on the Christians, and recovered the fortresses which had been taken by them. The Moslemah likewise retook Barbaster by force of arms, and having gained possession of the place, they left but few in life of all that they found therein. The city of Fraga was recovered in similar sort, the Infidels having been defeated in many well-contested and sanguinary conflicts. After these things, King Almustain returned to Saragossa, bringing five hundred Christian damsels in his train, with a thousand suits of armour taken from the Christian warriors, and many other spoils of great value, from which he sent rich gifts to the King of the Moslemah, and confirmed their reciprocal friendship anew.

While these things were passing in the eastern parts of Spain, Syr Aben Bekir, the most crafty of the Almoravide leaders, had taken his way with a powerful army towards the land of Algarve, to occupy the kingdom of Badajoz, which was then held by Omar Ben Muhamad Ben Alaftas, called Almetuakil Billah. Syr Ben Bekir took the cities of Algarve with but little difficulty, and made himself master of numerous fortresses; he also occupied Xelb and Evora; having effected which, he fixed his camp before Badajoz, that city being defended by the King Aben Alaftas himself, and maintained with much bravery.

But Fortune had turned her back on the Andalusian princes; there was a commonly accredited report then current, which found especial credence among the populace, to the effect that a prophecy had announced the irremediable destruction of the Kings of Spain, all of whom were predestined to be defeated and deposed by certain Ameers of Africa; and that persuasion being universally entertained by the people, was of so fatal an effect in those days, that the facility with which the Almoravides made themselves lords of Spain may be attributed in great measure to its effects. Nay, the very princes themselves were influenced by that belief, and thence it was that none of them did any thing truly effectual in defence of the country.

In a battle of terrible obstinacy fought between the troops

of Aben Alaftas and the Almoravides, the former were defeated, and two sons of the King, who had led the host, were taken prisoners: these were the Princes Alfadil and Alabas, who would not yield until, abandoned by their people and grievously wounded, they fell into the hands of the Almoravides. The inhabitants of Badajoz, discouraged by these continual losses, and intimidated by their last battle, then compelled the king to make conditions for the surrender of the place.

The general Syr Ben Bekir gave the king assurance of a safe departure from the city, with his children, his household, and all the treasures he yet retained; but after having possessed himself of Badajoz on that condition, and permitted the king to leave it, with his sons, his wives, and his slaves, he sent a troop of the Lamtuna cavalry in pursuit of the travellers, when those assassins, overtaking the unhappy family while still in the neighbourhood of the capital, inhumanly put the King Almetuakil to death with their lances, as they did the two wounded princes, Alfadil and Alabas. This deplorable tragedy was accomplished on a Saturday, which was the 7th day of the Moon Safer, in the year 487, and all was done by order of Juzef Aben Taxfin, King of the Moslemah.

The misfortunes of the family thus treacherously destroyed were sung by the most renowned poets of that time; and the elegy composed by the prefect of the palace, Abu Muhamad Abdelmegid Ben Abdun, was in the mouths of all

men.

The King Almetuakil was a very learned man; he was the friend of all the wise and distinguished persons who frequented his court, with whom he passed his time, enjoying their society to a degree which caused him to forget all other affairs. His secretary, whom he always had with him in his palace, was that Vizier Abdelmegid already mentioned, an illustrious poet, who was the competitor of the renowned Cordovan, Abdallah Ben Zeidun, the friend and secretary of Aben Abed, King of Seville, whose canzonets were perfect as the songs of the Muses themselves, and formed the enchantment not only of Spain, but of Africa and the East. The Cadilcoda of that accomplished Court was the wise and learned Aben Mocama.