THE BLACK. PRINCE'S RUBY. 151
but Burmah is the home of the true ruby, a region that has just been added to the widely-spreading empire of the British Queen.
In
the middle of the fourteenth century Spain was ruled by a number of
petty kings whose wars, assassinations and executions leave a general
impression of bloodiness upon the mind by which all distinct detail is
engulfed. It is essential however to remember that Granada was ruled by
a Moorish prince, Mohammed by name, and Castile owned for Lord Don
Pedro, the Cruel by title. The Moorish Mohammed, an easy-going
personage, was dethroned by his brother-in-law Abu Said. Flying for his
life, he escaped to Seville and threw himself upon the mercy of this
Pedro the Cruel. This monarch espoused the cause of his kingly
neighbor, and after several defeats the usurper thought it best to come
to Seville and arrange a peace with his foe. Abu Said accordingly
repaired to the capital of Don Pedro accompanied by a numerous and
most magnificent suite. He was politely
