Just as they reached them a Bedouin who had been struck from his horse crawled beneath the noble charger of King Richard, and drove his scimiter deep into its bowels.

The animal reared high in its sudden pain, and then fell on the ground, carrying the king, who was unable to disengage himself quickly enough.
[Illustration: WITH A SHOUT THE EARL TURNED, FOLLOWED BY CUTHBERT, AND DASHED TO THE ASSISTANCE OF THE KING.] In an instant the Earl of Evesham had leaped from his horse and with his broad triangular shield extended, sought to cover him from the press of enemies.

Cuthbert imitated his lord, and strove to defend the latter from attacks from the rear.

For a moment or two the sweep of the earl's heavy ax and Cuthbert's circling sword kept back the foe, but this could not last.

King Richard in vain strove to extricate his leg from beneath his fallen steed.