The King's Talisman — page 109: what you’re looking at

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

100 THE KINGS TALISMAN. and placed their shields upon the guard. By the time Noureddin had arranged his scanty band in order of defense, the enemy were hard upon them. ‘Stand firm, my men,” he shouted, ‘‘and let each blow be well aimed and strong. Be the Nubians your first marks. There are but eight of them, and if we can manage to put them out of the way we have hopes of quarter from the others.” , Hardly had Noureddin ceased speaking, when the power- ful Nubians, and their still more powerful allies, came dash- ing upon them. ‘The leader of the mountain Arabs was a sinewy, stalwart fellow, with a most savage expression of countenance, and his followers, to the number of thirty- five, were in good keeping with their leader. On they came, and the Egyptians received their shock bravely, and not one of them was unhorsed, while Noureddin’s good sword had found the life of another of the Nubians on the first blow. At first the Egyptians tried to aim all their blows at the blacks; but the Arabs pressed them so hard that they were forced to give up the purpose, and letting go their spears they dwew their heavy swords and defended themselves with the strength of madmen. ‘They knew they must fight till they died; there was no alternative; and with a fury almost superhuman they dashed among the foe. Thick and fast fell the blows upon the shield and sword of Noureddin, but as yet, no steel had touched him. Once he cast his eyes round toward the pavilion, and he received a fresh impulse from the view. Selina was gazing forth upon the scene of conflict with a tearless eye and marble face; in her right hand she held the dagger, while the left was pressed firmly upon her heart. Again the youth swept his sword above his head, and a powerful Arab fell beneath its stroke. Five of his faithful Egyptians were stretched upon the sand, while one or two of the others were also severely wounded. Eomicboo SS (Eo)