SIEGE OF BAZA. 59 concerted. Indeed, El Zagal was kept in check chapter . , XIV. bj the fear of leaving his own territory open to his '■ — rival, should he march against the Christians. Ab- dallah, in the mean while, lay inactive in Granada, incurring the odium and contempt of his people, who stigmatized him as a Christian in heart, and a pensioner of the Spanish sovereigns. Their dis- content gradually swelled into a rebellion, which was suppressed by him with a severity, that at length induced a sullen acquiescence in a rule, which, however inglorious, was at least attended with temporary security. ^^ While the camp lay before Baza, a singular Mission from ^ •/ ' O the Sultan mission was received from the sultan of Egypt, "'^^ypt. who had been solicited by the Moors of Granada to interpose in their behalf with the Spanish sove- reigns. Two Franciscan friars, members of a re- ligious community in Palestine, were bearers of despatches ; which, after remonstrating with the sovereigns on their persecution of the Moors, con- trasted it with the protection uniformly extended by the sultan to the Christians in his dominions. The communication concluded with menacing a retaliation of similar severities on these latter, un- less the sovereigns desisted from their hostilities towards Granada. From the camp, the two ambassadors proceeded to Jaen, where they were received by the queen with all the deference due to their holy profession, 12 Conde, Dominacion de los 25, cap. 12. — Pulgar, Reyes Ca- Arabes, torn. iii. cap. 40. — Mari- toiicos, cap. 111. ana, Hist, de Espafia, torn. ii. lib.
