About midnight
Saladin charged all his domestics to be vigilant this night , because he had money to a great amount by him , and there had been frequent robberies in our neighbourhood . Hearing these orders , I resolved to be in readiness at a moment 's warning . I laid my scimitar beside me upon a cushion , and left my door half open , that I might hear the slightest noise in the ante-chamber or the great staircase . About midnight I was suddenly awakened by a noise in the ante-chamber . I started up , seized my scimitar , and the instant I got to the door , saw , by the light of the lamp which was burning in the room , a man standing opposite to me , with a drawn sword in his hand . I rushed forward , demanding what he wanted , and received no answer ; but seeing him aim at me with his scimitar , I gave him , as I thought , a deadly blow . At this instant I heard a great crash ; and the fragments of the looking-glass , which I had shivered , fell at my feet .