[Illustration:  With A shout the earl turned, followed by Cuthbert, and dashed to the assistance of the king.]

In an instant the Earl of Evesham had leaped from his horse and with his broad triangular shield extended, sought to cover him from the press of enemies.  Cuthbert imitated his lord, and strove to defend the latter from attacks from the rear.  For a moment or two the sweep of the earl’s heavy ax and Cuthbert’s circling sword kept back the foe, but this could not last.  King Richard in vain strove to extricate his leg from beneath his fallen steed.  Cuthbert saw at a glance that the horse still lived, and with a sudden slash of his sword he struck it on the hind quarter.  Goaded by the pain the noble animal made a last effort to rise, but only to fall back dead.  The momentary action was, however, sufficient for King Richard, who drew his leg from under it, and with his heavy battle-ax in hand, rose with a shout, and stood by the side of the earl.

In vain did the Bedouins strive to cut down and overpower the two champions; in vain did they urge their horses to ride over them.  With each sweep of his ax the king either dismounted a foe or clove in the head of his steed, and a wall of slain around them testified to the tremendous power of their arms.  Still, even such warriors as these could not long sustain the conflict.  The earl had already received several desperate wounds, and the king himself was bleeding from some severe gashes with the keen-edged scimiters.  Cuthbert was already down, when a shout of “St. George!” was heard, and a body of English knights clove through the throng of Saracens and reached the side of King Richard.  Close behind these in a mass pressed the British footmen with bill and pike, the enemy giving way foot by foot before their steady discipline.

The king was soon on horseback again, and rallying his troops on, led them for one more great and final charge upon the enemy.

The effect was irresistible.  Appalled by the slaughter which they had suffered, and by the tremendous strength and energy of the Christian knights, the Saracens broke and fled; and the last reserves of Saladin gave way as the king, shouting his war-cry of “God help the holy sepulcher!” fell upon them.  Once, indeed, the battle still seemed doubtful, for a fresh band of the enemy at that moment arrived and joined in the fray.  The Crusaders were now, however, inspired with such courage and confidence that they readily obeyed the king’s war-cry, gathered in a firm body, and hurled themselves upon this new foe.  Then the Saracens finally turned and fled, and the Christian victory was complete.