The King's Talisman — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

THE KINGS TALISMAN. 45 The young leader halted his train, and he found that the eunuchs were all aware of the strangers, for they had loosened their spears and javelins, and cast off their shields from their backs. The horses themselves understood the movements, for they braced themselves proudly up and curved their graceful necks for the onset. ‘The maiden’s pavilion was placed in the rear, with the Nubians still by its side, while the remaining followers were drawn up in order of defense. Noureddin chose not to move forward, for his present position afforded him the best means of safe com- bat. On one side arose a towering rock which jutted out some rods behind them in a craggy kind of wall, thus affording a good depository for the camels and pavilion; but beyond this the way was open on all sides. The Bedouins understood the nature of this movement, and with their spears at rest they dashed madly on toward our hero and his band. The eunuchs sat firmly in their saddles, and they re- ceived the shock without flinching, The king had been wise in selecting the men who were to protect the wealth he sent, and Noureddin found that his followers were as brave as he could desire. At first the Petrans only acted on the defensive; but as this could not be carried on with safety, Noureddin cried out to his followers to charge their enemies, and settling his long spear back into its, socket, he drew his heavy sword and led on the attack. ‘T'wo of the Bedouins fell beneath his strokes, and he had just cleft in twain the spear of ‘a third, when the HKgyptian -eried sharply in his ear: «« See! the Nubians do not fight!” Noureddin drew back his steed, and an exclamation of indignation burst from his lips as he saw the ten stalwart Nubians stationed inactively by the side of the pavilion. Casting a hasty glance at the enemy to see that they were gaining no vantage, he galloped up to the spot where (Efe) Gomicbooks