Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. I.djvu/475

SURPRISE OF ALHAMA. 329 IX. The intelligence of the conquest of Alhama chapter diffused general satisfaction throughout Castile, and was especially grateful to the sovereigns, who welcomed it as an auspicious omen of the ultimate success of their designs upon the Moors. They were attending mass in their royal palace of Me- dina del Campo, when they received despatches from the marquis of Cadiz, informing them of the issue of his enterprise. " During all the while he sat at dinner," says a precise chronicler of the period, " the prudent Ferdinand was revolving in his mind the course best to be adopted." He reflected that the Castilians would soon be be- leaguered by an overwhelming force from Granada, and he determined at all hazards to support them. He accordingly gave orders to make instant prep- aration for departure ; but, first, accompanied the queen, attended by a solemn procession of the court and clergy, to the cathedral church of St. James ; where Te Deum was chanted, and a hum- ble thanksgiving offered up to the Lord of hosts for the success with which he had crowned their arms. Towards evening, the king set forward on his journey to the south, escorted by such nobles and cavaliers as were in attendance on his person, leaving the queen to follow more leisurely, after having provided reinforcements and supplies requi- site for the prosecution of the war. ^^ 11 L. Marineo, Cosas Memora- 34. — Carbajal, Anales, MS., aiio bles, fol. 172. — Conde, Domina- 1482. — Mariana, Hist, de Espaila, cion de los Arabes, torn. iii. cap. torn. ii. pp. 545, 546. VOL. I. 42