The Armourer's Apprentice — page 34: what you’re looking at

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

: we , f Siheevor. Giatfa seemed to be able to tell when any of these roving warriors were - near, and knew-how to avoid them, so that our hero and his guide arrived quite safely atthe shepherd’s hut, where the disguises Were concealed, and where they received @ humble but hospitable welcome. Here Sir Stephen changed his armour for i, long gown or gaberdine, bordered with hieroglyphics, & deep collar of purple silk, wrought with gold, and a scart round his ‘Waist. _- On his head he fastened a wig of long, y black hair which met a false pair of jet black whiskers, moustache, and beard. _ Acuriousiy-shaped hat covered his head, - and in his hand he held an ebony wand, tipped with gold. ~ Yomake his disguise more-complete his _ eyebrows were stammed quite black, An ex- tract was dropped into his eyes to make them of unnatural brilliancy, and his face and hands were washed with some solution - which mads them almost copper colour. _ With the greatest care Giaffa stained the whole of his person nearly black, bound his head with 3 white turban, and wrapped a skirt of linen round his waist, fastening -. it by s gaudily-coloured sash. hen he finished he turned towards Sir ee ‘Stephen, pointed to his face, and said— “Think you J am like him ?” “Indeed, thou art so like that the sight — might stir me to rage.” ‘Hush! be cool. ” Remember, one hasty word, and he will triumph—-we die.” Be sean True; but fear not, z will remember my s character,” YT believe so, or I moll not have trusted you. This is my only chance.” | And we maust—we wll succeed. Have you all ready?” “I have. See here. ‘Their prophet 7 would not be able to detect the juggler.” __ As he spoke he took up what appeared to % be a rather large but otherwise ordinary _ Syrian drum, in shape much like a gaudily- ss ~ painted barrel with both ends knocked _ out, and with thick parchment stretched — over the openings, and fastened down by | “Hoare corded to each other, so as to keep the skins distended. - * Well, I see it, and what does that _ show?” asked Sir Stephen. ) ‘ “Much—all, In this drum lies our success or death.” “Explain yourself,” said Sir Stephen, as epee he took the drum in his hands. “Ah! it SS ae Yes; “pat the hoops which hold down Me te - the skins are of copper.” | “True,” - Giaffa broke into a strange grin as he _ took tie drum and said— ae 7 ‘ i“. e ; A ; ver” 3 of? ae ap y ; ; f : “f- \ THE ARMOURER'S APPRENTICE. a a a Le a ss ‘ ; mie el rr : or mad Ne ee eR “ eh ’ ra « Look!” a First he beat the drum ‘aia it ‘dbp a” the same as 8 common deum. Then he ¥ . touched a spring, and instantly one of th De. copper bands divided, so that it made two hoops, the top one of which came off wit h. E; the top parchment, leaving the inside o : the barrel of the drum exposed to view, a : in é Inside this was a small box made of : plaited grass, and supported in the centre ™ of the barrel by fine silken threads,so that — it did not touch either side or ends of the: J drum, but was suspended as it were in mid-air, In this manner it did Be interfere with the sound of the drum when a beaten. vat Then he removed the lid of the box rag another clever contrivance, and showed ir Pe Stephen that it contained many articles of — 3 jugglery, such as bladders, mirrors, lenses, — a a large scimitar, and one or two other — things, all of which were as well-known — : by conjurors hundreds of years before the a date oF which we write as they are nowa- ns days. et, * Are you sure you can work this magic” demanded our hero, ‘IT never fail; he shall be deceived. See, I have them all to hand, ready at moment’snotice. I know the character on Sheik Mahomed Abu; he believes in magic, | and this foretelling the future. Play your part well, and fear not for me, No sooner shall you arrive at the city in the moun- ae tains over which he rules than you will ‘es sent for.” yy “Then let us start at once, for foun all anxiety to see how well -we can come through this business, and to attempt the” rescue of Alice.” Dey Seeing that their horses, and ams were well, and carefully put in a place of con- ~ cealment, cur hero and his companion too ca leave of their host, whom Sir Stephen well | rewarded, and started on their sree up ag | _Almostim silence was the journey con- | ducted, only now and then the Saracen Ay would put some question to Sir Stephen as — if to find out if he knew his part, and being satisfied with him, at once relapsed in 2 ue silence, and in this manner they ney ae the city of the Sheik Mahomed sun Mis ie micb