midnight
His arms were raised aloft , and tied up so cunningly that he held the sword straight and even . When bound strongly upon his good horse , Babieca , any man not knowing the truth would have sworn the knight to be alive . At last all things were in readiness . And at midnight a strange procession rode through the silent , deserted streets of the city . First went forth Pero Bermudez , bearing aloft the great green banner of the Champion , that had never yet failed to strike terror into the hearts of his foes . Then all silently , in battle-array , the warriors of the Cid passed through the gates of Valencia ; and with them , as of old , rode their dead leader , Ruy Diaz de Bivar . A hundred chosen knights pressed close about the Champion ; and before him , with breaking heart , but tearless and quiet as her lord had commanded , rode the high-hearted Ximena .