They dragged their victims from the presence of the king, and a few minutes later were found to have hewed them into a hundred pieces.

No long time after this event, King Edris returned to Andalusia, taking with him his younger son, but leaving the elder in Africa as his Wali for Cebta and Tangier.

In the year 452 died Abdelaziz Almanzor, King of Valencia, when he was succeeded by his son Abderahman Ben Abdelaziz, who was son-in-law to the King Dylnoun of Toledo, and called himself Almudafar. It was much against his will that he had sent his people to take part in the wars of Andalusia, but being commanded to do so by the authority of his father, as we have related above, he could not refuse to obey while that sovereign was in life.

CHAP, IV.-OF THE WAR BETWEEN THE KINGS OF TOLEDO AND CORDOVA, AND OF THE DARK TREACHERY COMMITTED BY THE KING OF SEVILLE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING ACCESS TO CORDOVA.

ISMAIL Ben Dylnoun Ben Ahmed, King of Toledo, entered the territories of Cordova with a very powerful host, and defeated the troops of Muhamad, King of Cordova, as well as those sent him from Seville and Badajoz, in many encounters, finally putting them to a total rout in a sanguinary battle which was fought on the banks of the river Algodor, or Water of the Surprises,-so called from the many statagems and deceits which had been practised by the experienced generals who had led the opposing armies in that struggle.

The forces of Cordova were commanded by Hariz Ben Alhakem Alcasha, one of the most valiant generals in Andalusia. The battle continued through the whole day, and the conquerors, who were those of Toledo, Valencia, and the land of Azahila united, pursued their retreating enemies even to the mountains that border on the Campagna of Cordova.

The news of this defeat carried dismay into the Mezuar or council of the King of Cordova, while they caused heavy fears in the city, and brought confusion to the face of the

hitherto thoughtless Prince Abdelmelic, who, instead of marching in the front of his father's troops, was amusing himself in all security amidst the delicious gardens of Medina Azahra, where he passed his hours in casting the Gereed with the youths of Cordova, who were his companions, and thought only of his sports. But the above described intelligence infused anxiety even into his heart: and the sportive Gereed was changed for the lance of war. The face of all things in the country appeared to suffer change,—the people themselves began to resign their spades and sickles for the sword of combat; and Prince Abdelmelic departed to Seville, there to entreat the further and immediate aid of Mohamad Ben Mohamad Ben Ismail Almoatedid Aben Abed, to whom he did not fail to represent the urgency of the danger which was indeed menacing the head and heart of the state.

The King of Seville, who, though but of equal years with Prince Abdelmelic, was an astute and crafty man, instead of granting him at once the assistance he had come to seek, detained him with great compliments and honours, wasting his time with exaggerated displays of courtesy, and quietly occupying his days in the gradual exhibition of his armouries, his jewels, and the other valuables of his palaces. He made Abdelmelic, meanwhile, the most flattering offers and promises; but it was not until after the lapse of much precious time that he finally wrote to his Alcaides, commanding them to assemble the cavalry of the land, and finally he dismissed the Prince Abdelmelic with a troop of two hundred horse, assuring him that he might confide in his promises, and begging that he would consider himselt under the protection of his good faith.

When Abdelmelic arrived in the vicinity of Cordova, he found the city to be closely besieged by the King of Toledo, and saw that it would not be possible to enter without fighting his way through the victorious troops of that Sovereign. He thus resolved to pass round by Medina Azahra with his small band of cavaliers, hoping that the succours promised by the King of Seville might yet arrive in time to be useful, although their appearance was delayed much beyond what he would have desired.

In the city, meanwhile, the inhabitants were now be

ginning to find themselves in the utmost need, having been totally unprepared for the calamities which had so suddenly fallen upon them. The king was very ill, and the cares pressing upon his thoughts increased his malady to such a degree, that the physicians and all the court were thrown into great alarm, and large rewards were offered to any who would venture to be the bearers of letters which the council had determined on sending to Prince Abdelmelic and the King of Seville, that monarch having now become the sole hope of Cordova. Certain messengers were accordingly found, who contrived to cross the enemy's camp, and carried the letters which the king and council had written to the Prince Abdelmelic and Aben Ahed, King of Seville, to whom they made known all their perils, declaring that they had no other chance for safety than that of the succour which he should bring them.

Aben Abed took care to lose no time when so opportune an occasion for the fulfilment of his ambitious purposes was presented to him; he therefore instantly despatched his son Muhamad with his general, Aben Omar, to whom he gave minute instructions as to all that he desired them to do. Everything being perfectly understood, he dismissed them with a powerful host both of horse and foot.

The Sevillian army arrived before the beleaguered city or Cordova accordingly, where they encamped in sight of the besiegers, and while the infantry were preparing to attack the camp of the enemy, the cavalry instantly engaged in skirmishing with the valiant troops of Ismael Ben Dylnoun and his allies. These last, on their part, received the attacking force with so much steadiness, and were encountered by the men of Seville with such determined bravery, that the skirmish was prevented from becoming a general battle only by the intervention of the night, which put an end to the conflict.

But although darkness divided the combatants, it did not bring sleep to the eyes of the Sevillian general, Aben Omar, who passed the whole night in reviewing the various divisions of his army, and in giving the needful directions to the Alcaides and captains. To ensure the success of the coming battle, he took council with the Prince Muhamad Aben Abed, and with other generals, as to the best methods of

attack, and concerting the plan of battle, they took care to provide for all the various incidents that might occur. The moment having arrived when the first light of dawn appeared, Aben Omar put his cavalry in motion, and the same being done by the generals of Ismael Ben Dylnoun, the two hosts went forth to the encounter with indescribable fury, each inspired with equal valour, and both alike confident of victory. The battle then commenced, and was a very sanguinary one, but the force of the Sevillian cavalry, joined to that of Cordova, prevailed against the advanced guard of Valencia, whom they routed and put to flight, when the whole of the besieging army fell into disorder; and although the troops of Ayahila did for some time restrain the impetuosity of the victors and protected the retreat of their allies, yet before the fall of evening the Toledan army was in full flight, being hotly pursued by the flower of Aben Abed's cavalry and that of Cordova, led on by the son of the Sevillian monarch, Prince Muhamad Aben Abed, Infant of Seville, and by Prince Abdelmelic of Cordova. Nor did the brave cavaliers then in Cordova itself remain idle spectators of the battle; large numbers of them having joined the fight, now took part in the victory, and] were among the foremost in pursuit.

The crafty general, Aben Omar, then saw that a good part of what his master had committed to him was accomplished, and next considered how he might best ensure the success of what remained to be done. Large numbers of the people of Cordova had come forth from its walls, some to take part in the battle, and others to plunder the camp of the defeated Toledans; they had thus left the city without guards of any kind, as fearing no injury from their allies, whom they beheld so earnest in their defence, and at whose hands they expected nothing worse than benefits. Aben Omar now perceived, therefore, that his opportunity had arrived, and availing himself thereof, without the loss of a moment he entered the capital with the whole force of his infantry, occupying the gates and forts, taking possession of the Alcazar, and placing a guard of such men as were most firmly seated in his confidence over the person of the unhappy king, who lay grievously sick in his bed. He was but too soon made aware of what had happened, and when

he saw that his city and Alcazars were in the hands of the King of Seville, the whole extent of his people's misfortune lay clear before him. Deep affliction then took possession of his heart, and the pain of that grief bore the sufferer to the point of death, by which means he escaped from his misfortunes, and departed for the justice of Allah some few days thereafter.

The son of the betrayed king, even Prince Abdelmelic, returning from the pursuit of the common enemy, also discovered the black treachery of his allies, and filled with a just indignation, he advanced towards the gates of the city, but found that all were closed against him. Whilst still undecided, and knowing not what steps to take in a calamity so little looked for, he found himself surrounded by the cavalry of Seville, whose officer gave the astonished Prince to understand that he had no choice but to surrender himself, while his followers were commanded to leave their horses and lay down their arms.

Revolted by the nameless treachery and baseness of this demand, the unfortunate Abdelmelic placed himself in an attitude of defence, attacking those who surrounded him in desperation, and with no other thought than that of dying with his sword in his hand rather than resign himself to the mercies of so treacherous a foe. More than once did his captors open their ranks in such sort that he might well have passed through them and fled, but he was at length struck from his horse by a troop of lancers, and being previously wounded, was then imprisoned in a strong tower, where he died, rather of the grief he felt than from the hurts he had received, although these last were also many and serious.

The writers of the period relate, that among the last words of Abdelmelic were a lamentation for the treachery of his false friend, and a prayer to the God of vengeance that equal measure might be meted out to the son of him who, under the mask of affection, had concealed the face of so deadly a foe. The death of the hapless Abdelmelic took place on the very day when the traitorous King of Seville made his public entrance into the city of Cordova, and the betrayed friend expired as the voice of acclamation with