confidence man-is a smart man; in fact, something of an honorable man; and, in fact-if he take care not to be found out-he may be one of the most remarkable men of his age and country." 30. DEATH OF ALONZO DE Aguilar. PRESCOTT. WM. H. PRESCOrr a distinguished American historian, born in 1796 While all due praise is given him for the merits of his two great works, "Ferdinand and Isabella," and the "Conquest of Mexico," it is much to be regretted that religious prejudices have in many instances betrayed him into grievous error, as well as into gross injustice. "We say it the more freely, as it is almost the only stain on an otherwise faultless book—a dark spot, or rather a collection of spots, on the sun. We regret this fault the more, as such prejudice is wholly unworthy the enlightened and moderate mind of Mr. Prescott."-Rt. Rev. Dr. Spalding. 1. For a long period, the south of Spain was occupied by the Moors, the city of Granada being their capital. They were finally conquered by Ferdinand the Catholic, to whom Granada was surrendered on the twenty-fifth day of November, 1491; but many of the inhabitants of the mountain regions received with great reluctance the Christian yoke, and in December, 1500, an insurrection broke out among them. 2. Orders were issued to the principal chiefs and cities of Andalusia to concentrate their forces at the city of Ronda, in the south of Spain, and thence to march against the insurgent Moors. Several distinguished noblemen and officers of Spain accordingly assembled with their troops at the city. Among them were Alonzo de Aguilar, the Conde de Ureña, and the Conde de Cifuentes. The historian's narrative then proceeds as follows: 3. It was determined by the chiefs to strike into the heart of the Red Sierra, as it was called, from the color of its rocks rising to the east of Ronda, and the principal theatre of insurrection. On 18th March, 1501, the little army encamped before Monarda, on the skirts of a mountain, where the Moors were understood to have assembled in considerable force. They had not been long in these quarters before the enemy were seen hovering along the slopes of the mountain, from which the Christian camp was divided by a narrow river -the Rio Verde, probably, which has gained so much ce lebrity in the Spanish song. 4. Aguilar's' troops, who occupied the van, were so much ronsed at the sight of the enemy, that a small party, seizing a banner, rushed across the stream, without orders, in pursuit of them. The odds, however, were so great, that they would have been severely handled, had not Aguilar, while he bitterly condemned their temerity, advanced promptly to their support with the remainder of his corps. The Count of Ureña2 folDwed with the central division, leaving the Count of Cifuentes,' with the troops of Seville, to protect the camp. 5. The Moors fell back as the Christians advanced, and retiring nimbly from point to point, led them up the rugged steep far into the recesses of the mountains. At length they reached an open level, encompassed on all sides by a natura rampart of rocks, where they had deposited their valuable effects, together with their wives and children. The latter, at sight of the invaders, uttered dismal cries, and fled into the remoter depths of the sierra. 6. The Christians were too much attracted by the rich spoils before them to think of following, and dispersed in every quarter in quest of plunder, with all the heedlessness and insubordination of raw, inexperienced levies. It was in vain that Alonzo de Aguilar reminded them that their wily enemy was still unconquered, or that he endeavored to force them into the ranks again and restore order. No one heeded his call, or thought of any thing beyond the present mc ment, and of securing as much booty to himself as he could carry. 7. The Moors, in the mean while, finding themselves n longer pursued, were aware of the occupations of the Christia, whom they, not improbably, had purposely decoyed into the snare. They resolved to return to the scene of action and surprise their incautious enemy. Stealthily advancing, therefore, under the shadows of night now falling thick around, 1 Pronounced A·ghe-lar. 'U-rane'-ya. Thee-fuen'-tes. they poured through the rocky defiles of the inclosure on the astonished Spaniards. 8. An unlucky explosion, at this crisis, of a cask of pow der into which a spark had accidentally fallen, threw a broad glare over the scene, and revealed for a moment the situation of the hostile parties-the Spaniards in the utmost disorder. many of them without arms, and staggering under the weight of their fatal booty; while their enemy were seen gliding, like so many demons of darkness, through every crevice and avenue of their inclosures, in the act of springing on their devoted victims. 9. This appalling spectacle, vanishing almost as soon as seen, and followed by the hideous yells and war-cries of the assailants, struck a panic into the hearts of the soldiers, who fled, scarcely offering any resistance. 10. The darkness of the night was as favorable to the Moors, familiar with all the intricacies of the ground, as it was fatal to the Christians, who, bewildered in the mazes of the sierra, and losing their footing at every step, fell under the swords of their pursuers, or went down the dark gulfs and precipices which yawned all around. 31. DEATH OF ALONZO DE AGUILAR-continued. 1. AMIDST this dreadful confusion, the Count of Ureña succeeded in gaining a lower level of the sierra, where he halted, and endeavored to rally his panic-struck followers. His noble comrade, Alonzo de Aguilar, still maintained his position on the heights above, refusing all entreaties of his followers to attempt a retreat. "When," said he, proudly was an Aguilar ever known to fly from the field?" His. eldest son the heir of his house and honors, Don Pedro de Cordova, a youth of great promise, fought at his side. He had received a severe wound on the head from a stone, and a Javelin had pierced quite through his leg. With one knee resting on the gro and, however, he made a brave defence with his sword. 2. The sight was too much for his father, and he implored him to suffer himself to be removed from the field. "Let not the hopes of our house be crushed at a single blow," said he. "Go, my son; live as becomes a Christian knight: live, and cherish your desolate mother!" All his endeavors were fruitless, however; and the gallant boy refused to leave his father's side till he was forcibly borne away by the attendants, whe fortunately succeeded in bringing him in safety to the station occupied by the Count Ureña. 3. Meantime, the brave little band of cavaliers who re mained true to Aguilar had fallen one after another; and the chief, left almost alone, retreated to a huge rock in the middle of the plain, and, placing his back against it, still made fight, though weakened by a loss of blood, like a lion at bay, against his enemies. In this situation, he was pressed so hard by a Moor of uncommon size and strength, that he was compelled to turn and close with him in a single combat. 4. The strife was long and desperate; till Don Alonzo, whose corselet had become unlaced in the previous struggle, having received a severe wound in the breast, followed by another on the head, grappled closely with his adversary, and they came rolling on the ground together. The Moor re mained uppermost ; but the spirit of the Spanish cavalier had not sunk with his strength, and he proudly exclaimed, as if to intimidate his enemy, "I am Don Alonzo de Aguilar!" to which the other rejoined, "And I am the Feri de Ben Estepar !" -a well-known name of terror to the Christians. 5. The sound of his detested name roused all the vengeance of the dying hero; and, grasping his foe in mortal agony, he rallied his strength for a final blow. But it was too late; hi hand failed, and he was soon dispatched by the dagger of his more vigorous rival. Thus fell Alonzo Hernandez de Codova, or Alonzo de Aguilar, as he is commonly called, from the land where his family estates lay. 6. "He was of the greatest authority among the grandees of his time," says Father Abarea, "for his lineage, personal character, large domains, and the high posts which he filled both in peace and war. More than forty years of his life be served against the infidel; under the banner of his house in boyhood, and as leader of that same banner in later life, as viceroy of Andalusia and commander of the royal armies. 7. "He was the fifth lord of his warlike and pious house who had fallen fighting for their country and religion against he accursed sect of Mahomet. And there is good reason to elieve," continues the same orthodox authority, "that his soul has received the reward of a Christian soldier, since he was armed on that very morning with the blessed sacraments of confession and communion." 32. GENTLE RIVER. The sad death of Alonzo de Aguilar and his brave companions, as related in the foregoing lesson, fell mournfully upon the national heart of Spain, and was kept in fresh remembrance by the many expressions of sympathy and admiration which it called forth from the popular literature of the country. The following poem is a translation by the Rev. Thomas Percy, Protestant Bishop of Dromore, in Ireland (born 1728, died 1811), of one of the ballads in which the fate of the hero is conmemorated. The translation is found in the "Reliques of Ancient English Poetry," a work edited by Bishop Percy with great taste and judgment, and originally published in 1765. It has since been frequently reprinted, and has exerted a most favorable influence upon English poetical literature of a date subsequent te its publication. 1. GENTLE river,* gentle river, Lo, thy streams are stain'd with gore; 2. All beside thy limpid waters, 3 Lords, and dukes, and noble princes The original is Rio Verde, that is, River Verde. But verde in Spanish also means green; and the translator, not being aware that it was a proper name, substituted gentle;-an epithet not well suited to a mountain stream. до |