The King's Talisman — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

THE KINGS TALISMAN, 13 ‘“ Now, I see, good Abdah, what you mean by plucking the flowers of life; and I see, too, how men must learn their duties from the casual events of existence. But now I would have thee tell me why it is that thou hast ever shown such solicitude for me, who am but a poor corn-seller’s son?” ‘“'T'he cause is simply this, my child,” returned the old dervise: ‘‘ At your birth the stars combined to fix the des- tiny of the new-born infant, and to me it was revealed that Heaven’s fayor was intended for you. How I gained that revelation I cannot now tell thee, but can only inform you that it became my imperative duty to bestow upon you the best instruction. As far as my lessons can avail, I believe I have done all that is required of me; but yet you shall re- ceive such further wisdom as I may from time to time find opportunity to bestow. As for your education in the more manly exercises—in the use of the steed, the sword, and the spear, I have procured the best tutors that I could find, and I believe that few men can excel you. Your destiny is yet to be written out in history. The mountain of life is before you, and to you it belongs to carve out the foot-holds that shall support you to the top. But come, the sun is already past the meridian, and you have a toilsome journey before you reach the city. I shall see thee again ere long.” Noureddin stooped over and buckled his hight sandals upon his feet, and then arose from his seat. He would have liked to ask his tutor further questions, but he knew that the old man never spoke save when he shose. What Abdah Nazor once pronounced a secret was sure to re- main so. The youth took acooling drink from the dripping spring, received the parting embrace of his kind preceptor, and then drawing his sword-belt more tightly around his loins, - he started to descend the mountain. Eomichbooks: co