Renaud, who had captured Des Rives, would have then and there slain him, but Maugis dissuaded him. Then being made aware how Des Rives had volunteered to perform a cowardly action so unworthy of knighthood, he ordered him to prepare himself for his final punishment. In vain the coward threw himself at his feet and begged for mercy. Maugis was unpitying, and Des Rives was forthwith strung from the very gibbet that was destined for Richard. Before re-entering the fortress Maugis wished to see his Cousin Oger, but found he had returned to the imperial camp. Then Richard, so recently freed, smarting from the indignities offered him, volunteered to make a sortie into the camp of his unsuspecting enemies, and penetrate even to the tent of Charlemagne. Maugis, thinking this possible, consented, and gave him an escort of five hundred men, and he also hung about his brother’s neck his own horn, at a signal from which he promised to come to his rescue, if necessary, with the main body of his troops. By means of a more direct route, Richard and his company were enabled to arrive at the camp of the emperor before the fugitives of Des Rives’ escort could arrive. Stationing his troops at some little distance away, mounted on the horse of Des Rives, disguised by his armor, and holding in his hand the banner of the traitor, Richard penetrated boldly into the camp as far as the tent of the emperor, who, mistaking him for the villain, had no doubt but that the execution had been accomplished. Naimes, who had remained at the camp, did not doubt that it was really Des Rives. Oger, Turpin, and Olivier, who had retreated when Maugis surrounded the imperial escort, thought it might be Pinabel, who, having escaped, was returning. A perfect storm of insult was then hurled at the head of the supposed Des Rives. In a paroxysm of rage, Oger rushed forward, grasped the bridle of his horse, drew his sword and threatened him with death. It was in vain Charlemagne tried to calm him, and Richard was finally forced to speak, saying, as he raised the visor of his helmet: “All is well, my dear cousin; it is not the coward Des Rives whom you address; it is your cousin, who once more exposes his life to render to you his thanks for the great service you would have rendered him.” Transported with joy, Oger was hastening to embrace him, when Charlemagne interposed himself between them; flying into violent rage, he pushed his horse against that of Richard, and he aimed at Richard a violent blow with his sword, which the latter succeeded in parrying, then put himself on the defensive. Now, thoroughly furious, the emperor cried: “Montjoie!” in stentorian tone. At the sound of this famous war-cry, the camp was aroused, and the imperial soldiers came rushing toward the tent, but Richard had by this time given the signal from his horn and his nine hundred men came upon the scene, precipitately to the rescue.