The King's Talisman — page 35: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

26 THE KINGS TALISMAN. «Yes, Modad has agreed to send to the Khaibarite king two camels’ loads of gold, and one of amethysts, pearls, ru- bies, and diamonds; but the most villainous part of the compact is, that our monarch gives to his Hastern enemy one of our fairest virgins as a slave. Selina, the daughter of Al-Bassa, the counselor, is to be the victim, and the old man dare not oppose Modad’s will. The king of Khai- — bar has asked this latter sacrifice only to humble the pride of our people by holding one of their noblest-born’ maid- . ens at his pleasure. But to carry out this plan, without exposing to the people the disgrace that was being cast upon them, was noeasy matter. Modad dared not in- trust the business to any of the officers of the city, for in such case his villainy would become known; so he has been for the last five days seeking for a youth whose parentage was obscure, and whose loss would create no noise or ex- citement, and who, at the same time, was well educated, brave, and of good address. Such a one, you must be aware, was hard to find; but at length his emissaries brought him intelligence of you, and he at once set about finding you. ‘l’o you, then, he intends to intrust the business, and a party of some twenty eunuchs, besides a number of his trusty slaves, are also to accompany you.” ‘“ Whose loss would create no noise!” thoughtfully mur- mured Noureddin to himself, as his companion ceased speaking. ‘‘ ‘Then he does indeed meditate my speedy ex- it from earth.” ‘‘ Your fears are well-grounded, my young master.” ‘“ My fears, say you? The God of my fathers alone I fear —not man.” — ihe eunuch gazed with a sort of wondering admiration upon the noble features of the young man, and at length said: ‘Perhaps there is no occasion for fear, for you may easily escape the danger which threatens you. Of one thing GEomicbooks (Eo)