Cuthbert saw at a glance that the horse still lived, and with a sudden slash of his sword he struck it on the hind quarter.
Goaded by the pain the noble animal made a last effort to rise, but only to fall back dead.

The momentary action was, however, sufficient for King Richard, who drew his leg from under it, and with his heavy battle-ax in hand, rose with a shout, and stood by the side of the earl.
In vain did the Bedouins strive to cut down and overpower the two champions; in vain did they urge their horses to ride over them.

With each sweep of his ax the king either dismounted a foe or clove in the head of his steed, and a wall of slain around them testified to the tremendous power of their arms.

Still, even such warriors as these could not long sustain the conflict.

The earl had already received several desperate wounds, and the king himself was bleeding from some severe gashes with the keen-edged scimiters.