Abdoulmoumen had rendered himself redoutable by his victories, and the
whole of northern Africa trembled before this terrible and fortunate
leader. Tunis alone was free; it seemed to brave the conqueror, who
threatened its ramparts. The Arab monarch was anxious to subdue this
proud city. As, in order to approach it, it was necessary to cross vast
deserts, he gathered together great masses of corn, which he caused
to be buried in wells upon the route he was to take. He left Morocco
at the head of a hundred thousand men, and summoned the governor to
surrender. This nobleman, faithful to the king of Sicily, his master,
replied by a vigorous sortie, in which the barbarians were repulsed.
This first success announced a continuation of triumphs; but, in the
night, seventeen of the principal inhabitants escaped from the city,
and offered to open the gates to Abdoulmoumen. This infamous treachery
rendered that prince master of a place which might have defied all his
efforts.