“It joins the greater road, some distance below.”
“Then, in God’s name let us enter it, trusting to heaven for escape. If it comes to the worst I can defend it against all comers, provided there is any part of it too narrow for two to attack me abreast.”
“There are many such spots!”
“Then the saints be praised. In, in, dear lady—in all.”
Their pace was now equally rapid until they reached a narrow gorge, overhung by high and inaccessible rocks, and opening behind into a wide highway, bordering upon a plain below.
“Here will I take my position, and await their attack,” said de Guiscan. “How far is the nearest Christian outpost?”
“A league beneath.”
“Hie, then, away to it, and tell them de Guiscan escaped from a Saracen prison, awaits succor in this pass. We cannot all go, else we may be overtaken. Besides, you may be intercepted below. If you live to reach the crusaders, I will make you rich for life. By sundown I may expect succor if you succeed. Till then I can hold this post.”
The man made an Oriental obeisance, and vanished, like lightning, down the acclivity.
“Here they come,” said de Guiscan, “they have found us out, and are swooping like falcons from the heights.”