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27 upon frenzy, when he was suddenly roused by the loud shouts of those who surrounded the castle; while the Moors, grasping their arms, flew to its defence. It was hemmed in on all sides by a large party of Spaniards, who furiously assaulted it.

Alvar, fired by the occasion, longed to join his countrymen, but this was at present impossible. On the first alarm he therefore made a show of engaging on the side of the Moors; but while doing this, he eagerly sought an opportunity of taking his advantage for executing what he had resolved upon.

The Spaniards had by this time gained the ramparts, where the conflict became desperate. The determined valour of the Moors, however, was such, as at length to repulse their enemies in every attempt to enter the castle; and now Alvar judged the time to be arrived for striking a decisive blow.

Hastening therefore to the dungeon, he undrew the bolts, and called the prisoners forth; and then leading them to the armoury, bade them arm themselves. The prisoners, in fearful amazement obeyed; while he, placing himself at their head, displayed the brilliant cross upon his bosom, which he had so long concealed, as the pledge of his superior birth. With these, his desperate countrymen, he charged upon the rear of the infidels, just as Alphonso and his old friend the Spaniard, who headed the attack, were on the point of giving way.

The Moors were astonished, and confounded at this unexpected assault, which thus placed them in the midst of their fierce assailing foes. The Spaniards at their front seeing this timely aid, and being hailed, with loud shouts, by their long suffering countrymen, who, struggling for freedom, had