Whilst the defenders were thus engaged with the fire that spread rapidly in the strong wind, the Earl of Rosworme’s party completed their causeway without interruption and his fighting men gained within the walls and opened one of the gates before they were discovered. The besieging army poured into the doomed town and a fearful carnage ensued. The Turks fought like demons and neither asked nor received quarter. Hardly a man of the garrison escaped. A last remnant of five hundred made a stand before the palace with the Turkish commander in their midst. He counselled them not to surrender and himself determined to die fighting. His men were cut down one after another and he, sorely wounded, was about to be slain by the infuriated soldiers, when the Earl of Meldritch rescued him and made him prisoner despite his protests. Alba Regalis, one of the most valued strongholds of the Turks, was in the possession of the Christian army but sixty thousand Moslems, determined to retake it, were approaching by rapid marches. VIII. THE DIN OF BATTLE The battle of Girkhe--The Duc de Mercœur pits twenty thousand Christians against sixty thousand Turks--The conflict rages from morn till night--Meldritch’s men do valiant service--John’s horse is killed under him--He is rescued by Culnitz and saves the latter’s life in turn--Duplaine dies fighting one to ten--The Earl’s fearful plight--Seven hundred against three thousand--“For faith and Meldritch!”--The Earl is cut off--“Culnitz! Vahan! Follow me! To the Chief, my men!”--Count Ulrich turns the scales--The Turks break and flee from the field--Victory and night.