mercy which God had shown him, and how he was at his service with
Valencia and with all that he had. Moreover he bade them take a
thousand marks of silver to the Monastery of St. Pedro de Cardena, and
give them to the Abbot, and thirty marks, of gold for his wife and
daughters, that they might prepare themselves and come in honourable
guise. And he ordered three hundred marks of gold to be given them, and
three hundred marks of silver, to redeem the chests full of sand which
he had pledged in Burgos to the Jews; and he bade them ask Rachel and
Vidas to forgive him the deceit of the sand, for he had done it because
of his great need: and he said, You, Martin Antolinez, were aiding and
abetting herein, but praised be the name of the Lord for ever, he hath
let me quit myself truly; tell them that they shall have more profit
than they asked. And he bade them each take with him his whole company,
that they might be better advised and accompanied, and that Dona Ximena
might come with the greater honour: and the company was this: two
hundred knights who were of Don Alvar Fanez, and fifty of Martin
Antolinez: and he ordered money to be given them for their
disbursement, and for all things needful, in abundance.

XIV. Alvar Fanez and Martin Antolinez went their way, and they found
the King in the city of Palencia. When they arrived he was coming from
mass, and seeing this goodly company of horsemen he stopped in the
church porch, and asked who they were. And it was told him that they
were people of the Cid, who came to him with a full great present. And
Alvar Fanez and Martin Antolinez alighted, and came to the King, and
kissed his hand; and he received them right well, and said, What
tidings bring ye me of the Cid, my true vassal, the most honourable
knight that ever was knighted in Castille? Well was Minaya pleased when
he heard this, and he said, A boon, Sir King Don Alfonso, for the love
of your Maker: My Cid sendeth to kiss your hands and your feet, as his