"But the peril was very great!" protested the lady, while Richard did as he wished, and kissed a hand very small and white.
"But the joy of peril is greater in such a cause!" he flashed back, rising. There was a shadow flitting across that bright face.
"My father?" the question came slowly. "He is—safe?"
"I saw him released; have no fear. I swore to him I would save you." And the flush of pleasure was Richard's tenfold payment.
"Let us go to him," said the Norman, as he bade one of the men-at-arms arrange a pillion and ride back with the Greek toward the scene of the first battle.
"Ah! may all the dear saints bless you and your good men—I would give my life for my father!" said she.
So while the lady rode ahead, Richard galloped stirrup to stirrup with the Spaniard. He had needed no words to tell him that the Moslem was a notable cavalier, and the Spaniard had dispelled all doubts by a frank declaration of his name and position.
"Know, O Frank, that you have this day won the eternal gratitude of Musa, son of Abdallah, the late Vizier of Al'mu'tamed, King of Cordova, though I am better known as 'the Sword of Granada,' for in that city have I spent much of my life."
And the Christian bowed his casqued head in humblest reverence, asking:—
"Then truly have I saved that famous knight, who, they say, held the lists at Toledo, during the truce, against the Cid Campeador and all his cavaliers?"