But there was no time for grief. Springing from the cover of a shallow trench, above which the smoke of the volley still rose idly in the calm air, there came a body of at least thirty Arabs, who, with brandished weapons and loud shouts of fierce joy, bounded swiftly towards the astonished Croixilians and their English comrades.
CHAPTER XVI
Sir Jehan's Successor
"To horse!" shouted Reeves, seeing that the assailants had dropped their firearms and were preparing to use cold steel.
Swiftly the Croixilian knights vaulted into their saddles, still undecided how to act. They scorned to flee from the threatened danger, and leave Sir Jehan's body to the insults of their barbarous foes; but, on the other hand, they were outnumbered by at least three to one, while some of their horses had been either killed or maimed by the one and only volley.
Meanwhile Hugh had taken advantage of Gerald's offer, and had perched himself behind his comrade, who was bestriding a tall and powerful hunter; while, with the greatest devotion, two of the Croixilians lifted the body of their late overlord and placed it across the back of one of their chargers.
"Ride as fast as you know how," exclaimed Reeves to the two lads. "That brute will bear you both quite easily. Bring help, and be quick about it, for we shall require it, by Jove!"
Although loath to desert their comrade, the lads obeyed, fully realizing that they could be of more service in bringing aid than in remaining by their threatened friends.
Then the two knights guarding Sir Jehan's body made their way towards the city as fast as they could walk, attended by four more, whose chargers had already been put out of action. Reeves, Garth, and four others, with drawn swords, prepared to hold the horde of Arabs in check.