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