of the Cid, and of the licence which the King gave to as many as should
chuse to join him; and for this reason full sixty knights came to St.
Pedro de Cardena, and a great number of squires on foot. Don Alvar
Fanez was well pleased to see them, and he promised them that he would
obtain the Cid's grace for them, and would befriend them all he could.
Great dole did the Abbot make when they departed; and he said, As God
shall help you, Minaya, kiss the hand of the Campeador for me. This
Monastery will never forget him, to pray for him every day in the year.
The Cid will alway prosper more and more. Minaya promised to do this,
and dispeeded himself, and they went their way. Five days they
travelled, and then they came to Medina Celi; and alway the porter of
the King was with them, and made all that they wanted be given unto
them, even as the King had commanded.

XVI. Now the three knights whom Alvar Fanez had sent, came to the Cid
and delivered their message. When my Cid heard it his heart rejoiced
and he was glad, and he spake with his mouth and said, He who sends
good messengers looks for good tidings. Blessed be the name of God,
since King Don Alfonso rejoices in my good fortune. And he called for
Muno Gustios, and Pero Bermudez, and the Bishop Don Hieronymo, and bade
them take a hundred knights least there should be need to fight, and go
to Molina, to Abencano, who was his friend and vassal, and bid him take
another hundred knights, and go with them to Medina Celi as fast as
they could go. There, said he, ye will find Alvar Fanez and my wife and
daughters; bring them to me with great honour: I will remain here in
Valencia which has cost me so much; great folly would it be if I were
to leave it: I will remain in it, for I hold it for my heritage. And
they did as he commanded them. And when they came to Molina, Abencano
received them right well, and did them great honour; and though the Cid
had bidden him take only one hundred horse, he took two. On the morrow