he church. The front ranks gave way in terror
at his unexpected onset but at once an advancing brigade made up of
Ali Pasha's chosen Mamelukes, brought the fugitives to a stand. A
giant Moor stood at the head of the troops. His horse too was an
unusually tall one, sixteen hands high. He himself was seven feet
tall; his great swollen muscles shone like steel in the fiendish light
of the burning hay-ricks; his broad mouth bled from the blow of a
stone and the whites of his eyes shone in a ghastly fashion from his
black face.

"Halt, Giaour!" roared the Moor, with a voice that sounded above the
thunder of battle, and made his way toward Banfy. In his clenched fist
shone a broad scimitar that seemed too heavy even for him.

Two hussars riding before Banfy fell at one blow from the monster; one
to the right, the other to the left of his horse. As he raised his arm
for the third blow the Moor rose in his saddle and shouted: "I am
Kariassar, the Invincible! Thank God that you fall by my hand." And
with that he threw his sword backward and dealt a frightful blow in
the direction of Banfy's head. The Baron drew his sword coolly in
front of his face and when Kariassar struck, made a very skilful
movement at the hand of the Moor and struck off four fingers at once
from Kariassar's hand, so that they fell noiselessly to the ground. An
expression of terror and rage overspread the dark features. He threw
himself quickly with a frightful roar at Banfy, and paying no heed to
the wounds received on face and shoulders, with his left hand grasped
the Hungarian's right and gave him such a push that, had not Banfy
been firm in his saddle, he must have fallen from his horse. It seemed
as if the Moor were still able with one hand to crush him. As Banfy
was a good rider he used his spurs, and while the giant struggled with
the master, pulling at his lacerated arm with lion strength, the
battle-horse turned himself suddenly against the Moor, dealt him a
blow in the thigh with his hoof, bit his breast with his foaming mouth
and pushed against him with his teeth. Kariassar cried out with the
maddening pain and letting go the Baron suddenly, reached for his
dagger with his left hand and drew it from its sheath. Just at this
moment Banfy struck at the giant's neck and the monstrous head rolled
to the ground. While the blood gushed out in a threefold stream, the
headless figure remained seated upon his unguided horse,--a terrible
spectacle! At sig