Had this unlucky prince been left in the hands of his enemies, the war might have had a different result, but his mother and followers at once made proposals for his release. This was finally effected by a most dishonourable treaty. Boabdil was accorded a two years’ truce, covering all places that acknowledged his authority, and in return bound himself, not only to pay a tribute of twelve thousand golden ducats, but to assist with supplies the Spanish troops passing through his dominions to attack his own father. Having thus exchanged his honour for his liberty, the miserable Sultan returned to his capital, to find that the old King had possessed himself of the Alhambra. A collision between the two factions deluged the streets of Granada with blood. The alfakis and ancients at length arranged an armistice, and Boabdil was suffered to retire to Almeria, which was assigned to him as capital and residence. For the next four years, the Catholic sovereigns abstained from any important military demonstration, contenting themselves with ravaging the wretched country and harrying its frontiers with incessant forays and marauding expeditions. Meanwhile, a strong man appeared on the scene in the person of Abu-l-Hassan’s brother, Abdullah Az-Zaghal. Determined to put an end to the divisions which, more than the prowess of the Spaniards, were bringing about the ruin of his country, this prince swept down upon Almeria, slew the governor, took prisoner Zoraya, but failed, alas! to secure the person of Boabdil, who fled to Cordova and placed himself under Ferdinand’s protection. Not long after, Abu-l-Hassan, aged and worn out, abdicated in favour of his warlike brother, and died at Mondujar. This event strengthened Boabdil’s claims upon the tottering throne; and he entered into a compact with his uncle, whereby both were to reign in Granada, the one in the Albaicin, the other in the Alhambra. Anxious to redeem his reputation, the newly restored monarch attacked the Christians near Loja with vastly inferior forces. He was soundly beaten and forced to take refuge in the Alcazar of Loja, whence he was only allowed to emerge on renewing the humiliating treaty he had concluded at Cordova. He was not, however, disposed to yield the crown to his rival, and returning to Granada, surprised and seized the Alcazaba. One of the most desperate conflicts recorded in the history of the city then occurred between the partisans of the rival sultans. Further bloodshed was at last averted by the intervention of ambassadors sent by Ferdinand. The old dual arrangement seems to have been temporarily resumed. Meanwhile, Ferdinand and Isabel once more took the field, and, in 1487, they invested and captured Velez-Malaga and the important city of Malaga, notwithstanding Az-Zaghal’s efforts to relieve both places. The brave Sultan now abandoned the capital to his nephew, and established his headquarters at Almeria. He succeeded throughout the year 1488, in repelling an invasion