For a time the terror which he inspired put to flight all opposers, but when at last it came to be known that few or none of his followers had effected an entrance with him, the fugitives rallied and surrounded him on all sides.  While he was thus apparently reduced to the last extremities, he was saved by the very circumstance which threatened him with destruction.  The soldiers of Angelica, closing upon him from all sides, deserted their defences; and his own besieging army entered the city in a part where the wall was broken down.

In this way was Agrican rescued, the city taken, and the inhabitants put to the sword.  Angelica, however, with some of the knights who were her defenders, among whom was Sacripant, saved herself in the citadel, which was planted upon a rock.

The fortress was impregnable, but it was scantily victualled, and ill provided with other necessaries.  Under these circumstances Angelica announced to those blockaded with her in the citadel her intention to go in quest of assistance, and, having plighted her promise of a speedy return, she set out, with the enchanted ring upon her finger.  Mounted upon her palfrey, the damsel passed through the enemy’s lines, and by sunrise was many miles clear of their encampment.

It so happened that her road led her near the fatal bridge of Oblivion, and as she approached it she met a damsel weeping bitterly.  It was Flordelis, whose lover, Florismart, as we have related, had met the fate of Orlando and many more, and fallen a victim to the enchantress of the cup.  She related her adventures to Angelica, and conjured her to lend what aid she might to rescue her lord and his companions.  Angelica, accordingly, watching her opportunity and aided by her ring, slipped into the castle unseen, when the door was opened to admit a new victim.  Here she speedily disenchanted Orlando and the rest by a touch of her talisman.  But Florismart was not there.  He had been given up to Falerina, a more powerful enchantress, and was still in durance.  Angelica conjured the rescued captives to assist her in the recovery of her kingdom, and all departed together for Albracca.

The arrival of Orlando, with his companions, nine in all, and among the bravest knights of France, changed at once the fortunes of the war.  Wherever the great paladin came, pennon and standard fell before him.  Agrican in vain attempted to rally his troops.  Orlando kept constantly in his front, forcing him to attend to nobody else.  The Tartar king at length bethought him of a stratagem.  He turned his horse, and made a show of flying in despair.  Orlando dashed after him as he desired, and Agrican fled till he reached a green place in a wood, where there was a fountain.

The place was beautiful, and the Tartar dismounted to refresh himself at the fountain, but without taking off his helmet, or laying aside any of his armor.  Orlando was quickly at his back, crying out, “So bold, and yet a fugitive!  How could you fly from a single arm and think to escape?”