SURPRISE OF ALHAMA. 323 Here the marquis first revealed the real object of chapter the expedition to his soldiers, who, little dreaming of any thing beyond a mere border inroad, were transported with joy at the prospect of the rich booty so nearly within their grasp. ^ The next morning;, beine: the 28th of February, surprise or o^ o J ' the fortress. a small party was detached, about two hours before dawn, under the command of John de Ortega for the purpose of scaling the citadel, while the main body moved forward more leisurely under the mar- quis of Cadiz, in order to support them. The night was dark and tempestuous, circumstances which favored their approach in the same manner as with the Moors at Zahara. After ascending the rocky heights which were crowned by the citadel, the ladders were silently placed against the walls, and Ortega, followed by about thirty others, suc- ceeded in gaining the battlements unobserved. A sentinel, who was found sleeping on his post, they at once despatched, and, proceeding cautiously for- ward to the guard-room, put the whole of the little garrison to the sword, after the short and ineffectu- al resistance that could be opposed by men sudden- ly roused from slumber. The city in the mean time was alarmed, but it was too late ; the citadel was taken ; and the outer gates, which opened into the country, being thrown open, the marquis of Cadiz entered with trumpet sounding and banner 5 Bernaldez, Reyes Catolicos, at 3,000 horse and 4,000 foot. MS., cap. 52. — L. Marineo, Co- Reyes Catolicos, p. 181. — Conde, sas Memorables, fol. 171. — Pul- Dotninacion de los Arabes, torn, gar computes the marquis's army iii. cap. 34.
