The King's Talisman — page 125: what you’re looking at

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

116 THE KINGS TALISMAN. upon her. ‘Go, dastards, and ask your king if he dares © swear by that sacred jewel!” ‘Then changing her tone toa deeper meaning, she continued: ‘Go, now, while you may goin peace, for I come not upon my errand unprepared.” Again the leader of the king’s party laid his hand upon the woman’s arm, and with a rough push he thrust her from the path, while, pulling Al-Bassa with more vigor along, he essayed to pass on; but he soon found that he had counted without his host, for at a sharp clap from the hands of the seeress, half a score of men rushed forth from the deep shade of Merolboth’s mausoleum, and in a moment more, two of the captors lay stunned upon the pavement, while the third fled hastily away toward the royal palace. For a moment Al-Bassa comprehended not what had taken place, but as his scattered senses came back to his aid, he found himself surrounded by his own servants, while the two prostrate men, who had now recovered from the blows which had felled them, regained their feet and fled. ‘‘How is this? Who has thus rescued me from thelion’s jaws?” asked Al-Bassa, as he cast his eyes in wonder upon the strange woman before him. He knew that he was rescued, for his most trusty servants were gathered about him. ““Qne has rescued thee,” replied Ossifrage, “‘ who will yet protect thee. I watched thy steps as you entered the temple of the censors, and I marked the three men who followed thee. I knew them for Modad’s servants, and hastening to thy house I secured assistance in season. But you must not go back to thy dwelling, for there is no safety for thee there at present. Let your servants go back and protect your property, while you follow me.’ ’ Al-Bassa gazed upon the old woman with marked wonder, and for the moment he seemed puzzled how to act. Eomicbooks. con