Of my army not more than five hundred in all lived to enter them
again, and perchance there were as many left within the city.
The heavy gates swung to, and scarcely were they barred with the massive
beams of oak, when the foremost of the Spaniards rode up to them. My bow
was still in my hand and there was one arrow left in my quiver. I set it
on the string, and drawing the bow with my full strength, I loosed
the shaft through the bars of the gate at a young and gallant looking
cavalier who rode the first of all. It struck him truly between the
joint of his helm and neck piece, and stretching his arms out wide he
fell backward over the crupper of his horse, to move no more. Then they
withdrew, but presently one of their number came forward bearing a
flag of truce. He was a knightly looking man, clad in rich armour, and
watching him, it seemed to me that there was something in his bearing,
and in the careless grace with which he sat his horse, that was familiar
to me. Reining up in front of the gates he raised his visor and began to
speak.
I knew him at once; before me was de Garcia, my ancient enemy, of whom I
had neither heard nor seen anything for hard upon twelve years. Time had
touched him indeed, which was scarcely to be wondered at, for now he was
a man of sixty or more. His peaked chestnut-coloured beard was streaked
with grey, his cheeks were hollow, and at that distance his lips seemed
like two thin red lines, but the eyes were as they had always been,
bright and piercing, and the same cold smile played about his mouth.
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