Among those whom accident rather than choice had attached to the
interest of ALMORAN, were Osmyn and Caled: they were both distinguished
by his favour; and each had conceived hopes that, if he should possess
the throne alone, he would delegate his authority to him. ALMORAN now
ordered them to take the command of the troops, that were appointed to
attend his person as their peculiar duty, with as many others as had not
declared for HAMET, and to secure all the avenues that led to his
seraglio.
OMAR and HAMET were now on horseback, and had begun to form the troops
that had joined them, and as many others as were armed, which were
before mingled together in a confused multitude. An account of this was
brought to ALMORAN by Osmyn; and threw him into a perturbation and
perplexity, that disgraced his character, and confounded his attendants.
He urged Osmyn, in whom he most confided, to dispatch, without giving
him any orders to execute; then turning from him, he uttered, in a low
and inarticulate voice, the most passionate exclamations of distress and
terror, being struck with the thought that his guard might betray him:
when he recollected himself, and perceived that Osmyn was still present,
he burst into a rage, and snatching out his poignard, he swore by the
soul of the Prophet, that if he did not instantly attempt something, he
would stab him to the heart.
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