The Black Disc: a story of the conquest of Granada, etc

Front matter

THE BLACK DISC ' I PLUNGED MY SWORD INTO THE LION'S CHEST AND REACHED HIS HEART.' Frontispiece. ' The Black Disc. THE BLACK DISC $ as t\t Conquest fff iranato BY ALBERT LEE Author of Ka ' The Prince's Messenger, etc. with a frontispiece by Harington Bird Honbon DIGBY, LONG & CO., PUBLISHERS 1 8 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, E.C. CONTENTS CHAP. PAGE I. AN EMBASSY TO GRANADA ... I II. THE PRICE OF LIBERTY . . .12 III. THE MOORISH TRIBUTE . . .20 IV. TREACHERY . . . .25 V. ' THE MOOR ! THE MOOR ! ' . -33 VI. THE FIGHT FOR THE CITY . . 41 VII. ENSLAVED . . . . .49 VIII. A MESSAGE FROM VALADATA . . 57 IX. A BID FOR LIBERTY . . .JO X. THE GYPSY WITCH-WIFE . . .78 XI. THE SECRET PASSAGE . . . 90 XII. THE CAPTURE OF THE CASTLE . . IO3 XIII. TRAPPED . . . . .IIO XIV. A WAY OF ESCAPE . . 1 23 XV. THE CASTLE OF CARNERO . . 1 29 XVI.

A COMMISSION FROM THE MARQUESS OF CADIZ ..... I34 XVII. SEALED INSTRUCTIONS . . . I43 XVIII. MOORISH TRADERS .... I47 XIX. IN THE SULTAN'S CAMP . . • x57 XX. UP THE BARRANCA . . 1 68 XXI. IN LUCENA . . . . 1 CONTENTS VIII CHAP. PAGE XXII. THE CAPTURE OF THE SULTAN . 1 86 XXIII. TWO BELTED KNIGHTS . . .197 XXIV. ON THE WAY TO GRANADA . . 209 XXV. IN THE METAMORA . . .220 XXVI. IN GRANADA .... 23O XXVII. BAD NEWS CONCERNING VALADATA . 238 XXVIII. FACE TO FACE WITH IBN HUD . . 24S XXIX. LIBERTY ..... 255 XXX. MERIDEH ..... 263 xxxi. 'death to abdallah!' . .271 XXXII. VALADATA AND HER FATHER . . 283 XXXIII. THE CUBE-ROOM .... 29O XXXIV. THE ALBAYCIN AGAIN . . . 305 XXXV. THE CHAMPIONS OF THE SULTANA . 313 XXXVI. THE SPANISH CAMP . . . 325 XXXVII. WHAT DON PEREZ TOLD THE KING A.ND QUEEN . . . . .332

Chapter I An Embassy To Granada

We were a gallant company of Spanish noblemen, clad in coats of linked mail, with breastplates, plated gauntlets, targets, helmets, hauberks, all of steel, everything that warriors in Spain's best age of chivalry could need. With us were our esquires, and a strong escort of mounted men-at-arms. If I might exclude myself — not having, as yet, won my spurs — we were the very flower of the Spanish army. On that winter's day in the year of our Lord, one thousand four hundred and eighty one, just as the Festival of the Most Blessed Nativity was approaching, we were riding up to the gates of the far-famed city of Granada. Our journey had been through mountain passes, down which the wild cold winds had rushed ; but as we came into the glorious plain, which Spaniards called the Vega de Granada, the change from winter cold and naked mountain sides, to warmth and fertility was startling.

For thirty miles we traversed a land dotted with villages and gardens, and around these were meadows, rivers, forests, and woods, which made it difficult for one to realise that it was winter time. On the slopes of the distant hills were vineyards, olive, citron, and mulberry A trees, a fruitful scene, and beautiful beyond anything that I had ever witnessed. Yet as we drew nearer to the city I was indignant, being a faithful son of the Church. ' It is a burning shame that the Arab should desecrate the spot where the Cross of Christ once stood ! ' I cried ; for I saw the Crescent on the noble domes of the city, where the Cross itself should be. ' True, Don Salazar,' said a grey-haired warrior who commanded this little force. ' But take heart, my young lord ; for Alfonso, the Queen's astrologer, told me, ere we left Vitoria, that the days of the Kingdom of Granada were numbered, and that the stars portend the speedy possession by Ferdinand and Isabella, of the throne so long and proudly filled by these unbelieving Moslems.' ' But, my lord, how is that likely to be ? ' I asked, in some surprise. ' We are at peace with the Sultan Alboacen, and are even now riding to the Alhambra, for the very purpose of receiving the tribute money.' ' Say, rather, to demand it, Don Salazar ; whether we shall receive it, is quite another matter.

The tribute — as you know — is already three months in arrear, and it was whispered to the King, that the fiery Sultan may refuse it blankly, and order us to quit the city without delay.' The old warrior did not show much anxiety in view of such a possibility. Indeed, as he looked at the city we were fast approaching, and saw its double circuit of massive walls, with no fewer than a thousand and thirty towers, he exclaimed : ' I would surrender a full third of my broadlands, to see Spaniards behind those walls, instead of turbaned Moors.' I answered nothing, and presently Don Enrique Enriquez de Guzman — as the ambassador was called added : ' I devoutly trust that the Sultan may refuse the tribute.' Years before, the Moors had harried the lands of Spain ; yet, notwithstanding that the Sultan commanded the services of three hundred thousand warriors, the lion hearted ancestor of King Ferdinand saw his opportunity, and swept into the very heart of the Moorish territories, compelling Ibn-al-Ahmar to pay a yearly tribute to Spain of twelve thousand golden ducats.

The Sultan and his successors had paid it, grudgingly, but always on the appointed day, until now. This time, however, the Spanish treasurer had looked in vain for the arrival of the mules that bore the annual burden. Hence this embassy to Granada, the errand of the ambassador being to demand instant payment. At last we halted at one of the city gates, and called for admission, which was granted with scant courtesy — an ominous promise of ill-success, as the ambassador said in a low voice. There were sullen looks on the faces of the soldiers, as the iron hoofs of the Spanish chargers clattered upon the stones of the narrow streets. 'Methinks, my lord,' I exclaimed, as we rode onwards, ' that the city's beauty is best witnessed at a distance.' After such a glorious view of the Sultan's capital, closer acquaintance was grievously disappointing.

The streets were narrow and dirty. The houses that shone out white, and almost marble-like from the distance, when the bright sunshine played upon them, were, on close examination, shabby and dilapidated. They were each surmounted by a flat mud roof, which, as a rule, was not more than ten or twelve feet above the roadway. The dazzling walls, which a stranger at a distance justly thought betokened delicate embellishment, proved to be of unburnt brick, worn, and cracked, and crumbling. Distance had indeed lent enchantment to the view. De Guzman smiled when at last I exclaimed, ironically : ' Beautiful Granada ! Queen of Cities ! Damascus of the West ! ' for such the Sultan's capital was called by Moslems. ' Wait a while, my lord,' he said, ' and you will alter your mind. This is the quarter where the poorer citizens live.' Even as he spoke, the street broadened, and a view presented itself that made me cry out in admiration.

As we rode on, we passed market-places, gardens, and houses beautifully ornamented with damasquina work, such as the old Damascenes had covered their walls with. Here were granaries with grain enough to supply the city for a year. At intervals were gardens, planted with lemon, citron, orange, myrtle and laurel trees, and plants that spread their odours everywhere. In the streets we saw fountains, the waters of which plashed refreshingly on the cool stones beneath. ' What say you to this, Don Salazar ? ' asked the ambassador. 'It is indeed most glorious ! ' I responded, as my eyes met fresh objects of beauty. ' But what is that ? ' I asked a moment later, as I caught sight of a vast building, a white array of stuccoed walls, from which rose embattled towers in glowing orange and red, and many a gilded cupola from which the sun flashed richly. ' That is the Alhambra — the Red Palace — where, if we are suffered to go so far, we shall find the Sultan.' De Guzman had scarcely spoken, when a horseman, followed by a score of turbaned Arabs, galloped towards us.

They were a company of Moorish Guards, mounted on Andalusian horses, and armed each with a short coat of mail, a light helmet, a leathern buckler, and a slender spear. At the belt they carried scimitars, embossed with silver. Drawing up suddenly, so that his horse went well nigh on his haunches, the Emir, in an imperative tone, called upon us to halt. The Sultan, he said, was occupied with important business, and could not see the ambassador that day ; but meanwhile the Spaniards were welcome, and would find all hospitality at the Generalise, a palace on the other side of the ravine that split the city in two halves. Then turning his handsome Arab steed, he led the way across the Los Molinos, and along a road which, even in winter was charming, but which, in all the glory of summer, was lined with laurels and roses, and leafy screens, that sheltered the passers-by from the glaring heat of the southern sun.

That same afternoon I wandered into the Garden of the Surveyor — for so the beautiful grounds about the Palace of the. Generalise were called. As I strolled on, I gazed at the glorious scene that spread before me. The sun was shining, and winter though it was, the light dazzled the eyes, as it reflected from the stuccoed walls of the Sultan's country palace, outside the city. To stand and look around upon the fountains, whose waters sparkled in the sunshine, or watch the green grass that covered the gardens everywhere, was very restful after a long and wearisome journey. A dreamy feeling stole over me as I moved onwards. Presently an exclamation of wonder burst from my lips. Away in the distance were the rich plains that spread on and on, until the giant mountains, capped with snow, ended an expanse of country fully thirty leagues in circuit.

The plain was traversed by streams, and dotted with thriving villages, and busy little hamlets. Close at hand was the city itself, and in the open spaces here and there, I could see the Moors, and almost fancied that I heard them chaffering, as they wrangled over their bargains. Beyond all else in Granada for beauty, was the Alhambra, its cupolas, minarets, and arches blazing with gold, or embellished with all the colours of the rainbow. While I gazed on this entrancing scene, my thoughts were arrested by a cry of terror, and turning quickly round, I was thrilled with what I saw. A maiden stood close by, in all the extremity of fear, gazing with startled eyes at a lion, whose tail lashed his gaunt sides angrily. He was crouching, in readiness to spring upon his affrighted victim. The lion was a huge creature, a match for many a well tried hunter ; but I had no time to think of odds, or danger.

This poor maiden was in deadly peril, and if I stayed to consider myself, her death was certain. Draw ing my sword, I rushed across the greensward, shouting as I went, hoping to draw the lion's attention to myself ; and in this I was successful. The hungry beast, hearing my cries/ turned in my direction, and faced me. His eyes gleamed like balls of fire, and his tail lashed to and fro with renewed fury. For a moment the creature hesitated. Then, as if he considered the maiden an easier victim than an armed man, he swung round to her once more. It was his own undoing ; for by that time, even while he was in the act of making his fatal spring, I had reached his side, and plunged the blade of my Toledo sword into his body. Roaring with rage and pain, the lion turned, and striking out with his paw, tore my left arm terribly with his claws.

Nothing daunted by this, for my spirit was up, I drew back my sword, plunged it into the lion's chest, and reached his heart. In his death agony the brute sprang full upon me. The ponderous weight bore me to the ground, where I lay, crushed and bleeding, and covered with the dying creature's blood. For a while I was helpless. My left arm smarted pain fully; and when at last I essayed to move, I had great difficulty in drawing myself from beneath the dead beast that lay prone upon me. It was only with the maiden's aid, that I presently stood upon my feet. Even as I did so, my strength forsook me. My head reeled, the ground on which I stood, appeared to move, and I fell down senseless. How long I lay there I did not know; but when con sciousness returned, I looked up into the soft, lustrous* eyes of the maiden, who had her arms around me, so that my head rested on her bosom.

She had bound up the wounded arm with her scarf, and was now seeking to restore me to my senses, with the rich perfume with which she moistened her kerchief. The odour, refresh ing and reviving, served its purpose well, and ere long I was gazing into the face of one so rarely beautiful, that I was well content to lie where I had found myself. Although in pain, and weak from loss of blood, I did not fail to notice that she was fairer than the dark-skinned Moorish women I had seen in the streets. She was so fair, indeed, that I wondered whether she was not rather a daughter of Spain. Never had I seen anyone so lovely. Her eyes were large and dark ; her mouth was softly curved ; and when she smiled, I could have sworn that she had the face of an angel. ' Is my lord better now ? ' she said, when she saw my eyes open ; and there was a rare sweetness in her voice. ' Yes, maiden,' I answered, loth to move from such a pleasant resting-place.

But it dawned upon me that it was scarcely worthy of a Spanish don, who sought to win his spurs in battle, that he should be reclining in a woman's arms, and she a daughter of the Moors. And so I added : ' I am ashamed to be lying here.' ' Ashamed ! ' she cried, her face radiant with smiles. ' Nay, rather should you be proud of so brave a work as this ; and Valadata thanks you with all her heart.' She said this in the language of Spain, speaking as purely and elegantly as the most cultured Spaniard. Struggling to my feet with her assistance, I drew out my sword from the lion's breast ; but still feeling some what dazed, sat down on the carcase, content to gaze again on the maiden's face. ' Valadata,' I said, half audibly. ' I have heard that name before.

My father spoke of it more than once, I know.' She answered nothing, and we lapsed into silence, she looking to my bandages, to discover whether by any means she could add to my comfort. ' Can you tell me how a lion could be ranging free in this garden ? ' I said, breaking the silence. ' My lord, it was Boabdil, the Sultan's favourite, and he has in some way escaped from his cage in the Los Molinos.' Scarcely had she spoken when there were loud cries in a distant corner of the garden, and before long, a dozen well-armed Moors appeared from behind the leafy screen, and hurried down the arcade of cypress trees, to the spot where we were well content to linger. ' Come hither,' cried Valadata, as she caught sight ol them ; and then espying one who was habited as a Moorish Emir, she cried again — ' Come hither, Ibn Hud ! here is Boabdil ! ' The Emir, as he came forward, panting with his run, stood and gazed in astonishment at the carcase of the dead lion, and as the others joined him, looked to Valadata for an explanation. 'Boabdil overtook me here, cousin, and was about to spring upon me.

Then had I surely been dead ; but in the mercy of God, this brave young Spaniard was near and saved me. See ! that is his doing, and unaided ! Truly these Spaniards are wonderful men ! ' she exclaimed, pointing to the dead creature, but glancing into my face with a look that set my heart beating. Ibn Hud, a Moor of giant frame — a man of forty-five, or thereabouts — saw her glance, and his face, already sinister, grew fierce with jealous anger. ' But know you not that this Spaniard has killed the Sultan's favourite, and that is death ? ' said he savagely. A look of terror came into Valadata's face when she heard these words, and as she looked up, and saw the Emir's passion, she realised the jeopardy in which her preserver — as she called me — was placed, and forthwith became my intercessor. ' Cousin, surely you would not say that this young Spaniard has done wrong, when, by his bravery, he saved my life ?

You must deliver him from peril, if there be any.' And stepping forward, she took the Moor's hand in hers, and gazed into his face beseechingly. ' Valadata, do you plead for a Spaniard ? ' he cried, with still greater anger, and shaking off her hand. Turn ing to me, he exclaimed roughly : ' Who are you ? What is your name ? ' ' I am Don Salazar de Balta, Seigneur of Carnero, and a member of the Spanish Embassy,' I answered proudly. Without deigning any response, the Emir turned to his attendants, and commanded them to arrest me. ' Ibn Hud, what are you doing ? ' cried Valadata. ' Know you not that I owe my life to this brave young lord ? And yet you deem his courageous deed a crime, and would arrest him ! You must be mad ! ' And she stepped before me, as if she would hinder the men from obeying the Emir's orders. ' Shame on you, Valadata !

A Moorish maiden plead ing for an enemy to Granada ! Stand back at once.' But she did not move. She stood where she was, her eyes flashing fire, her chest heaving with emotion, and her whole form quivering. ' Ibn Hud, hear me, I entreat you. The Spaniard saved my life — the life of an enemy, if you must needs have it so ; and for that reason I beg you to exercise your authority, and let him go free. What would you have had him do ? — stand by and see that savage brute devour me ! Are men, when death stares a woman in the face, to pause and consider consequences ? Is not my life as valuable as that dead beast's ? ' And her lip curled with scorn, for she saw — as I did — that it was jealousy, mad jealousy, that moved the Emir, and not a desire to serve the Sultan. The glance from the Moor's eyes was enough to show that there was nothing to hope for from him.

He had seen Valadata's look of gratitude, and her praises of the man who had done so much for her, made Ibn Hud resolute to set aside all thought of mercy. Even while she spoke, he stepped forward and drew her away, leaving me to my fate. I stood irresolute. At first the impulse came to me, to keep back the men with my sword. But had I dared such a thing as that, I could not hope to do more than find my way out of the garden. The Moors had but to raise the hue and cry, and before I could reach the city gates, a thousand swords would be ready to cut me down. Valadata resisted the Emir's attempt to draw her away by force, and renewed her pleading. But when she saw that Ibn Hud was unrelenting, she became wroth. Her eyes blazed with resentment, and her scorn and contempt were withering. 'Be it so,' she cried. 'But I will go at once to the Sultana, and tell her the story.

And think you, cold, cruel-hearted man, that she will refuse me ? ' And with one more look of gratitude, she turned from me, and hurried down a leafy arcade, in the direction of the palace. it ' You will die at sunrise, dog of a Christian ! ' cried the Emir savagely, as his men thrust me into a foul den, full of noisome vermin, and emitting a stench that was fit to lay one down in fever, long before the executioner could do his work.

Chapter II The Price Of Liberty

It was little to wonder at that I gave myself up for lost, and the thought was maddening. I had sought to render service to a maiden in the very extremity of distress and peril, and now was to pay the heaviest price a man can pay — with my life — where I might well have looked for reward, had I been so disposed. Yet had I not received such reward in the brave pleadings of Valadata ? I consoled myself that she might even yet succeed with the wife of the Sultan. But suppose that her hope of success with the Sultana was a vain one, and that I must die ? In the flush of my young manhood, life was very precious. I had set out with the ambassador, joyous at the thought of seeing something of the world, and something, too, of a people who, sooner or later, must be driven out of the land which only belonged to them by right of conquest.

All through the many leagues of travel, weariness had never once damped my spirits, and visions of battles some day, glorious, knightly deeds, participation in famous victories, the winning of my spurs — everything, in fact, that would be worthy of the noble house of which I was now the sole representative — all these had risen before me on the way to Granada. I had sung the songs of the troubadours, out of pure elation and confident hope. But now, by reason of my wounds, faint with thirst and loss of blood, I lay in pain in this dungeon, the foul air of which bade fair to poison me. It would be an inglorious end to so many hopes and expectations. The night passed on — the hours like months — and hope died away slowly. There was nothing for me but to prepare for death, which I trusted would be speedy.

Once the sentinel — a huge, strong-built man, who had been tramping to and fro along the corridor outside the cell — looked to see that his prisoner was within. I had been so silent, and so still, that possibly he thought I had escaped. ' Friend,' said I, as I caught sight of his dark face ; ' let me go, and I will pay you well.' ' No, Spaniard, I dare not, even if I would ; and what is more, I would not ; for as a Moor I hate you and all your race, and pray that Allah may confound you ! ' ' Then go, Moor, and tell my countrymen, who are in the palace, that I am here. I will pay you well for that.' ' Cease, Spaniard ; ' answered the man with an irresolu tion that made me think that, hateful as everything Spanish was to him, he was not beyond corruption. The man's hesitation assured me that liberty was obtainable, if the price named was large enough.

I began, therefore, to consider how much gold I had with me, and counted in my mind, that I had at least three hundred Spanish ducats in my belt and bosom. ' Friend,' said I presently, ' I am a Spanish dog, you say ; but I think that Spanish gold will buy much, even in Granada. What say you ? Will you set me free for fifty ducats ? ' The man paused in his ceaseless tramp, and looked at me earnestly, his eyes gleaming with greed. ' Fifty ducats, said you, sefior ? ' ' Yes, and golden ones. Think of it ! You are poor — you must be ; for a Moorish soldier gets but small pay, THE BLACK DISC 14 and even a few maravedis would be welcome. Much more then, fifty ducats ! Were you a slave, they would purchase your liberty. They would buy you an olive yard, and leave you something even then; something to spend on your wife and children.' ' Allah be praised, I have none ! ' said the man. ' But you said fifty ducats !

Fifty, was it not, senor ? ' ' Yes. Fifty.' The man paused a while. ' Yet,' he proceeded again, ' if I set you free, I dare not stay here. My head would be forfeit, if, when the captain of the guard came hither, he found you gone. And what good would fifty ducats do me then ? ' Once more the Moor resumed his weary tramp, while I threw myself back upon the floor of the foul den, quite hopeless, waiting for death. Yet it was surely possible to buy my life, which was worth more than fifty ducats to me. I would try the jailer again. ' Friend,' said I, when the man passed by the open door ; for, being chained, my escape was impossible, and therefore bolts and bars were needless. ' Yes, senor,' said the man, halting instantly, as if he expected a fresh offer, and was disposed to listen to it. ' What say you to a hundred ducats ?

They would enable you to fly to the mountains — to go even to Madrid and live, as many of your countrymen do, on Spanish soil. And trade,' I added, as I saw the Moor's eyes glisten with the greed of gold. ' A hundred ducats ! ' almost whispered, for I saw that hard words would not avail with this jailer. ' You could even marry one of the beautiful women of Spain.' ' And barter my soul ! ' the man interrupted, and then passed on. But there was not the same decision in his voice that there had been, and I knew that I was pressing the man very closely. When next he came to the door he halted. ' Let me see the hundred ducats, senor.' ' I am free ! ' said I to myself, exultantly; and thrusting my hand into my bosom, I drew out a purse in which there must have been two hundred ducats, and opening it, began slowly to count out the coins that glittered in the moonlight, which made the prison cell nearly as bright as day. ' There, Moor,' I exclaimed, taking up the gold in two handfuls ; ' all that shall be yours, as soon as you shall stand with me in safety in the Vega, a league away from the city gates ! ' Then I slowly returned the coins to the purse, which I placed once more in my bosom.

But even as I did so, the man made a dash forward, and the next moment I fell back. The jailer's mailed hand crashed in upon my forehead, a thousand stars danced before my eyes, an overpowering sense of pain came upon me. And then oblivion. When I opened my eyes, groaning by reason of the pain I felt, the night had gone. Struggling to my feet, I essayed to cross the narrow cell by the help of the dim twilight, but everything swam before my eyes, and I was compelled to lean against the wall, holding on by an iron ring within reach. Putting one hand to my forehead, I found that it was clotted with blood, and blood had run down my face, making a small pool at the spot where I had been lying. The glove of the Moor, studded with knobs of steel, had bruised and cut me terribly, and the loss of blood had robbed me of so much strength, that, stalwart though I was, and a match for many a man, I felt now as helpless and weak as a little child.

After a while I crawled across the floor of the cell, and tried the door. It was barred and bolted from the outside. Then I thought of my gold ; not that it would avail me, since death was certain, but I should know what had become of it. Thrusting a hand into my bosom, I found that the purse was gone. Yet I was careless then as to money ; for Ibn Hud had declared that at sunrise I should die. It was already morning, and the orb of day was flooding the earth with his splendour. I was no coward, but a chill was at my heart, to think that my life was so soon to be cut short, and that, too, not for any wanton crime, but for what many would have termed an act of chivalry. The extent of my wrong was, that I had saved the life of a beautiful Moorish maiden, by slaying a savage brute that chanced to be a favourite of the Sultan.