glance upon the fatal pile, the
bystanders saw the large tears rolling down his swarthy cheeks.

Slowly that coal-black charger wound down the hillock, crossed the quiet
and lovely garden, and vanished amidst the forest. And never was known,
to Moor or Christian, the future fate of the hero of Granada. Whether he
reached in safety the shores of his ancestral Africa, and carved out
new fortunes and a new name; or whether death, by disease or strife,
terminated obscurely his glorious and brief career, mystery--deep
and unpenetrated, even by the fancies of the thousand bards who have
consecrated his deeds--wraps in everlasting shadow the destinies of Muza
Ben Abil Gazan, from that hour, when the setting sun threw its parting
ray over his stately form and his ebon barb, disappearing amidst the
breathless shadows of the forest.

CHAPTER VI. THE RETURN--THE RIOT--THE TREACHERY--AND THE DEATH.

It was the eve of the fatal day on which Granada was to be delivered
to the Spaniards, and in that subterranean vault beneath the house of
Almamen, before described, three elders of the Jewish persuasion were
met.

"Trusty and well-beloved Ximen," cried one, a wealthy and usurious
merchant, with a twinkling and humid eye, and a sleek and unctuous
aspect, which did not, however, suffice to disguise something fierce
and crafty in his low brow and pinched lips--"trusty and well-beloved
Ximen," said this Jew--"truly thou hast served us well, in yielding
to thy persecuted brethren this secret shelter. Here, indeed, may the
heathen search for us in vain! Verily, my veins grow warm again; and thy
servant hungereth, and hath thirst."

"Eat, Isaac--eat; yonder are viands prepared for thee; eat, and spare
not. And thou, Elias--wilt thou not draw near the board? the wine is old
and precious, and will revive thee."

"Ashes and hyssop--hyssop and ashes, are food and drink for me,"
answered Elias, with passionate bitterness; "they have rased my
house--they have burned my granaries--they have molten down my gold. I
am a ruined man!"

"Nay," said Ximen, who gazed at him with a malevolent eye--for so
utterly had years and sorrows mixed with gall even the one kindlier
sympathy he possessed, that he could not resist an inward chuckle
over the very afflictions he relieved, and the very impotence he
protected--"nay, Elias, thou hast wealth yet left in the seaport towns
sufficient to buy up half Granada."

"The Nazarene will seize it all!" cr