e we meet, thou shalt not escape me thus."

Then having with promptness secured all her means of evasion, he
hastened to join El Feri de Benastepar and his companions.

The feelings of Theodora at this unexpected event were thrown into the
highest excitement. Hope now resumed its sway, though mingled with doubt
and fear, for the sudden transition from a state of hopeless despair to
that of comparative safety, is ever attended with a misgiving of its
reality. Her deliverance from the power of the Moors appeared almost
certain; the name of Aguilar was the harbinger of victory; yet the
anticipation of her rescue caused so powerful a revulsion of feeling,
that Theodora nearly sunk under its pressure. When she had a little
recovered, she perceived, however, more clearly, that her destiny was
still involved in threatening clouds. The Christians came, but they
might be vanquished. The name of Alonso de Aguilar conjured up the
brightest hopes, but that of El Feri gave rise to as many fears.

Thus the heart of the afflicted girl fluctuated between pain and
pleasure, when the clangor of trumpets, the tramp of horses, and all the
imposing sounds of military preparations, announced to her the speedy
arrival of the eventful crisis.

In that awful moment her ideas piously reverted to heaven. She fell
prostrate on the ground, and while her countrymen were fast approaching
to join in terrific conflict with their enemies, she prayed fervently
for the assistance of her God in favor of the Christian arms.

CHAPTER IV.

Le desordre partout redoublant les alarmes,

* * * *

Les cris que les rochers renvoyaient plus affreux,
Enfin toute l'horreur d'un combat tenebreux;
Que pouvait la valeur en ce trouble funeste?
Les uns sont morts, la fuite a sauve tout le reste.

_Racine._

Morir famosos o vencer valientes
Pompa triunfal o decorosa pira
Solo os aguarda.

_Ercilla._

Great was the confusion into which the Moors were thrown by this sudden
alarm: the appearance of El Feri, however, partially succeeded in
restoring order amongst the panic-stricken inhabitants, and revived the
fainting courage of the soldiers. In a short time, all the Moors capable
of bearing arms were ready for defence, whilst the old and infirm, the
women and children, busied themselves in collecting their scanty goods,
and placing them securely on their