The soldiers at the outer gate flew at once to quench the flames, and the three Englishmen, hidden by the smoke, darted to the now unguarded gate, and began to unbar it.
But just as they thought themselves already safe, one of the Moors happened to look round, and, seeing what they were about, came hastily back, saying—
“What do ye? No man opens these gates after dark, save at our captain’s bidding.”
One moment more and all would have been discovered; but just then a trampling of hoofs was heard outside, mingled with the Moslem war-cry, “Allah Ackbar!” (God is victorious), and the Moor, supposing that Suleimaun and his band had returned, opened the gate himself.
In poured a long line of riders in Moorish garb, whose white dresses, emerging from the gloom into the glare of the fire, gave them the look of rising ghosts. But hardly had they entered, when they flung off their disguise and appeared in Spanish armour, while a shout of “St. James for Spain!” made the air ring.
Alured’s plan had succeeded beyond his hopes. Warned by the traitor Yakoob of Ali Atar’s death and Suleimaun’s intended sally, he and Don Alvar had fallen on the rash young leader unawares, cut off him and all his men, and entered Tormas in the clothes of the slain!
The garrison fought fiercely, but they had not a chance of success; and ere the moon rose, the Christians were masters of Tormas. Yakoob was paid for his villainy as he deserved, being murdered by the enraged Moors in mistake for their prisoner; and Hugo was free at last.
“Now I know that God has forgiven me,” said Alured, solemnly, as he and his brother stood hand in hand on the captured fort at daybreak, with the banner of Spain waving over them. “Canst thou forgive me too, Hugo?”
“I have nought to forgive, brother,” cried Hugo, laying his hand lovingly on the other’s shoulder. “Let all the past be as an ill dream, and let us thank God that He hath given us a chance to do some little good.”
“And that we may lose no time in doing it,” cried Alured, “let us now hie home to England; for it fits us not to forget, while upholding God’s cause abroad, the true vassals whom He hath given into our care at home. Our noble master, the Black Prince, hath cared for our lands in our absence, and we shall doubtless find all in good order.”