THE EXCELLENCE OF THE ARAB HORSE 117 



could do any such journey — I believe he could not 

 — if the latter, I set against their opinion that of 

 General Daumas who thoroughly believed the story, 

 relates other instances supporting his belief; and 

 has had a lifelong practical knowledge and experi- 

 ence. 



Another instance that he gives is of an Arab, 

 named Mohammed-ben-Mokhtar, upon whose people 

 a raid was made, with, says the General, ' all the 

 atrocities customary in such cases.' The Arab 

 threw himself on the bay mare, placed one of his 

 children on the saddle before him, and another, 

 aged six or seven, behind him, holding on by the 

 troussequin, and was about to place the youngest in 

 the hood of his burnous, when his wife stopped him, 

 exclaiming that she would not let him have this one, 

 as the enemy would not dare to slay an infant at its 

 mother's breast. Mohammed-ben-Mokhtar, being 

 hotly pressed, travelled all that day and the following- 

 night until he reached Leghrouat, where he could 

 rely upon being in safety. 



General Daumas gives an instance where, in 1837, 

 an Arab was sent to procure news of the greatest 

 importance, who set out at four in the morning, and 

 returned at the same hour on the following day, 

 having travelled seventy leagues. 



General Daumas then says that, to finish with 

 the Barb, and to give, over and above the other 

 qualities he possesses, an exact idea of his strength 

 and spirit, he cannot do better than state the weight 



