none was allotted him, declared war in his turn. In this campaign
Sancho proved victorious only when the Cid fought in his behalf, and
the struggle resulted in the imprisonment of Alfonso, who would have
been slain had not his sister asked that he be allowed to enter a
monastery. From there Alfonso soon effected his escape, and hastened
to seek refuge among the Moors at Toledo.

Don Sancho, having meantime assumed all three crowns, became anxious
to dispossess his sister of Zamorra. But the Cid refused to take part
in so unchivalrous a deed, and thereby so angered the king that he
vowed he would exile him. When the Cid promptly rejoined that in that
case he would hasten to Toledo and offer his services to Alfonso to
help him recover all he had lost, Sancho repented and apologized. He
did not, however, relinquish his project of despoiling his sister of
Zamorra, but merely dispensed the Cid from accompanying him.

Because Zamorra was well defended by Vellido Dolfos,--the princess'
captain,--King Sancho was not able to take it. He so sorely beset the
inhabitants, however, that Vellido Dolfos resolved to get the better
of him by strategy. Feigning to be driven out of the city, he secretly
joined Don Sancho, and offered to deliver the city into his hands if
the king would only accompany him to a side gate. Notwithstanding
adverse omens, the credulous Sancho, believing him, rode off, only to
meet his death at the postern gate, inside of which his murderer
immediately took refuge.

On learning that his master has been slain, the Cid hastened to
avenge him, and, as Sancho had left no heir, proclaimed Alfonso his
successor. We are told that this young prince had already heard of his
brother's death through a message from his sister, and, fearing the