d, at the same time, to
deliver to the horror-stricken Mussulman the dead body of his son, whom
the stranger had just assassinated. Still the aged father would not
give up his guest. When the guard, however, were gone, he entreated
the assassin to leave him. "_Depart from me_," he cried, "_that I may
be at liberty to pursue thee!_"

These Moslems were but little known to the historians by whom they have
been so often calumniated. Polished, enthusiastic, hospitable, {200}
brave, and chivalrous, but haughty, passionate, inconstant, and
vindictive, their unfortunate fate entitles them, at least, to
compassion and sympathy, while their virtues may well excite respect
and interest.

After their final defeat, many of the followers of the Prophet retired
to Africa. Those who remained in Grenada suffered greatly from the
persecution and oppression to which they were subjected by their new
masters. The article in their last treaty with the Spaniards, which
formally ensured their religious freedom, was grossly violated by the
Catholics, who compelled the Mussulmans to abjure their national faith
by force, terror, and every other unworthy means.

At last, outraged beyond endurance by this want of good faith, and
wrought to desperation by the cruelties they were compelled to endure,
in the year 1500 the Moors attempted to revolt against their
oppressors. Their efforts were, however, unavailing: Ferdinand marched
in person against them, repressed by force of arms the struggles of a
people whom he designated as rebels, and, sword in hand, administered
the rite of baptism to more than fifty thousand captive Moslems.

{201}

The successors of Ferdinand, Charles V. and especially Philip II.,
continued to harass the Moors.[20] The Inquisition was established in
the city of Grenada, and all the terrors of that dreaded institution
were added to gentler means for the conversion of the infidels to
Christianity. Their children were taken from them to be educated in
accordance with the precepts of that religion whose Adorable Founder
enjoined peace, mercy, and forbearance upon his followers, and forbade
the practice of injustice and cruelty in every form.

Yielding to the promptings of despair, this crushed and wretched
remnant of a once powerful and glorious nation again flew to arms in
the year 1569, and executed the most terrible vengeance upon the
Catholic priesthood. Mohammed-ben-Ommah, the new king whom they chose
to di