The maneuver was successful.

The rush of horsemen fairly carried away the Christian knights, and one or two alone were able to make their way through.
Amid the wild confusion that raged, where each man was fighting for his own life, and but little view of what was passing could be obtained through the barred visor, the fact that the king was separated from them was known to but few.

Sir Walter himself was engaged fiercely in a hand-to-hand fight with four Bedouins who surrounded him, when Cuthbert shouted,-- "The king, Sir Walter! the king! He is cut off and surrounded! For heaven's sake ride to him.

See! the royal standard is down." With a shout the earl turned, brained one of his foes with a sweep of his heavy axe, and, followed by Cuthbert, dashed to the assistance of the king.

The weight of his horse and armour cleft through the crowd, and in a brief space he penetrated to the side of King Richard, who was borne upon by a host of foes.