Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. I.djvu/517

ROUT IN THE AXARQUIA. 371 as to whether they had fallen in the field, or were chapter still wandering in the wilderness, or were pining '- — away existence in the dungeons of Malaga and Granada.^^ Some imputed the failure of the expedition to treachery in the adalides, some to want of concert among the commanders. The worthy Curate of Los Palacios concludes his narrative of the disaster in the following manner. " The number of the Moors was small, who inflicted this grievous defeat on the Christians. It was, indeed, clearly miracu- lous, and we may discern in it the special inter- position of Providence, justly offended with the greater part of those that engaged in the expedi- tion ; who, instead of confessing, partaking the sacrament, and making their testaments, as be- comes good Christians, and men that are to bear arms in defence of the Holy Catholic Faith, ac- knowledged that they did not bring with them suit- able dispositions, but, with little regard to God's service, were influenced by covetousness and love of ungodly gain." ^^ 33 Zuiiiga, Annales de Sevilla, of Los Palacios, from the proxim- fol. 395. — Bernaldez, Reyes Ca- ity of his residence to the theatre tolicos, MS., ubi supra. — Pulgar, of action, may be supposed also to Reyes Catolicos, p. 206. — Oviedo, have had ample means for obtain- Quincuagenas, MS., bat. 1, quinc. ing the requisite information. Yet 1, dial. 36. — Marmol, Rebelion their several accounts, although de Moriscos, lib. 1, cap. 12. not strictly contradictory, it is not 34 Reyes Catolicos, MS., cap. always easy to reconcile with one 60. another. The narratives of com- Pulgar has devoted a large plex military operations are not space to the unfortunate expedi- likely to be simplified under the tion to the Axarquia. His intima- hands of monkish bookmen. I cy with the principal persons of have endeavoured to make out a the court, enabled him, no doubt, connected tissue from a compari- to verify most of the particulars son of the Moslem with the Cas- which he records. The Curate tilian authorities. But here the