38 Zeyd Purchases a Horse [1890 



him — he did not bring him to sell, but, as the custom is with strangers, 

 that I might see him. He stood tethered outside the tent, but I did 

 not even turn his way. Only lifting up my eyes stealthily, I saw him, 

 and the sight of his forehead and of his eyes gave me joy. For you 

 know the Seglawi's face is of those which, if a man, a sorrowful man, 

 sees, he needs must rejoice. Only it made my heart beat terribly, and 

 I said to myself, ' Zeyd must never more return to the Bey — he must 

 die — if he do not obtain that horse.' Then, after we had eaten, I 

 arose as one who wishes to go outside for a private purpose; and I 

 walked past the Seglawi with my face to the ground as though I did 

 not see him, and hardly putting one foot before the other, like a thief. 

 And when I returned Mishlab was alone with his son Sakr in the 

 tent, and we talked of the buying of horses. And I told them of my 

 desire of tall horses for the Indian market. 



: ' And after a while I said to the father that I had something that I 

 should wish to speak to him of in private — for I knew that his son 

 would not consent to the sale, seeing that it was he who received the 

 money of the Arabs when their mares were served, and I knew, too, 

 that the father was displeased at this. All that is customary is that 

 those who bring mares should also bring flour for the stallion, and it 

 may be a kiswah (a complimentary robe), but not money. But Sakr 

 had taken money, to his father's displeasure. So I said to the young 

 man, when we had gone outside, ' On Salameh, stay you here on one 

 side, for I have something to speak of with your father. And you may 

 watch us, and, if you see me strike your father, then come to his as- 

 sistance, but if I do not raise my hand to him, then wait till we have 

 finished, for it is not necessary you should hear.' And to my friend 

 who was with me, I told him to take his spear, and sent him on another 

 errand to fetch my dromedary. 



" Then when we were alone, I said to Mishlab : ' O Mishlab, it is 

 time I went on my business, for I am engaged in the purchase of horses. 

 But before I go I would see your horse. I cannot buy him, for I am 

 looking only for horses from the North at a low price, but yours, the 

 Seglawi, would I see. For I am of the Muteyr and you are of the 

 Sebaa, and I am a master of fortune (sahib el bukht), and you are a 

 master of fortune, and it would be a shame that I did not name a price 

 or put a value on him, for otherwise, you might think that I did not 

 know his worth.' And Mishlab said, ' So be it.' And I named £100, 

 as if it were a great price. And when I had named it, I saw that 

 Mishlab put his hand under his kefiyeh to scratch his head and stroke 

 his beard. And at last he spoke : ' Nay, it would be a sin.' And I 

 pressed him, for I saw by his manner that he was in doubt, and I 

 could hardly believe in my fortune that there should be a hope of his 

 consenting. And again my heart beat so that you might hear it. And 



