THE CITY OF THE MOOR 3 



of humouring and conciliating the irresistible 

 Castilian. He negotiated an alliance with Fer- 

 nando III., binding himself to attend the Cortes 

 (a curious stipulation for a Mohammedan) and 

 to attend the king in his wars with 1500 lances. 

 This latter part of the bargain he was speedily 

 called upon to fulfil, and against his own co- 

 religionists of Seville. It seemed an unnatural 

 warfare, but, to palliate the iniquity, let it be said 

 that Ibn Al Ahmar probably looked upon the 

 Almohade citizens of Ishbiliah as heretics. At 

 all events, whether his conscience approved his 

 action or not, he contributed in no small measure 

 to Fernando's success, and was hailed enthu- 

 siastically as a conqueror upon his return to 

 Granada. That the assistance he rendered was 

 not looked upon as altogether voluntary by the 

 people of Seville is shown by the fact that 

 thousands of them migrated to his dominions 

 and settled there. 



Ibn Al Ahmar dreaded the might of Castile. 

 The only hope for the Mohammedans of Spain 

 lay, he knew, in rest and consolidation. Careful 

 not to give offence to his dreaded neighbour, 

 he courteously received the revolted and exiled 

 Infante Don Enrique when he sought refuge at 

 Granada, but sent him on to Tunis with letters 

 recommending him to the Sultan of that country. 

 All his diplomacy, however, could not avert a 



