The King's Talisman — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

THE KINGS TALISMAN. 63 CHAPTER IX. A MYSTERIOUS INCIDENT. It was after midnight ere Noureddin fell asleep, but even then his senses were not entirely locked up in slumber, for not a long time had elapsed before he was aware of some one about him. He had been careful to lay himself in such a position as to be able to command a view of his whole train without moving; and as soon as he was assured that his first waking suspicions were correct, he slightly loosed his eyelids and peeped cautiously out. <A stealthy, cat-like tread fell upon his ear, and he could plainly distinguish adusky form _ just bending from the other side of his horse. Nota move- ment betrayed his knowledge, but keeping his eyes fixed upon his, mysterious visitor, he narrowly watched his motions. As soon as Noureddin’s sight became more inured to the darkness, he had no difficulty in making out his neighbor to be one of the Nubians, and of course he failed not to com- prehend the purpose of the black’s visit. Gradually the fellow raised himself over Nouréddin’s horse, and eagerly lis- tened, but the young man’s breathing was deep and steady, and in a moment more the Nubian reached his hand over and began to fumble about the saddle. Once or twice he drew his hand back and listened’ more anxiously ; but at length, seeming to feel assured that the youth slept soundly, he drew forth the water pouch, into which he put some kind of powder from asmall box which he carried, and haying placed the pouch carefully back into its place, he lowered his head behind the horse and stealthily crept away. Noureddin now saw the full scope of his present danger, — Gomicbooks: (Ef)