54 HISTORY OF THE 



Major Denham, the intelligent African tra- 

 veller, thus expresses himself on the death of 

 his favorite Arabian horse, in the deserts of 

 central Africa : 



*' There are a few situations in a man's life, 

 in which losses of this nature are felt most 

 keenly ; and this was one of them. It was not 

 grief, but it was something nearly approaching 

 to it ; and though I felt ashamed at the degree 

 of derangement I suffered from it, yet I was 

 several days before I could get over the loss. 

 Let it, however, be remembered, that the poor 

 animal had been my support and comfort, nay, 

 I may say, companion, through many a dreary 

 day and night, had endured both hunger and 

 thirst in my service ; and was so docile, that 

 he would stand still for hours in the desert, 

 while I slept between his legs, his body affording 

 me the only shelter that could be obtained 

 from the powerful influence of a noonday sun ; 

 he was yet the fleetest of the fleet, and ever fore- 

 most in the chase." 



Nothing can exceed the attachment that exists 

 between the poor Arab and his horse, often his 

 whole stock of wealth. The mare and her foal 

 inhabit the same tent with his family, and are 

 caressed by all. The body of a mare is often 

 the pillow of her master, and more frequently of 



