io THE FIRESIDE SPHINX 



more courage than to face an enemy. Moreover, 

 the Persians could hardly have done their own share 

 of fighting very effectively while they were clasping 

 legions of pussies to their bosoms. Perhaps the 

 ruthless disregard evinced by Cambyses for all his 

 fellow-men held dear and sacred may have given 

 rise to this once popular tradition. 



There are others less well known, but much pret- 

 tier, as that of the Persian monarch, Hormus, who, 

 finding his kingdom invaded by a mighty army 

 under Prince Schabe, his own unworthy relative, 

 was warned by a soothsayer that he could never 

 conquer this enemy until his troops were led to 

 battle by a general having the face of a wild cat, — 

 "qui eut la physionomie d'un chat sauvage," says 

 Moncrif, who tells the story with delight. After 

 searching far and wide, Hormus at last discovered 

 this treasure in the person of a rude mountaineer 

 named Baharan, or, as some say, Kounin, to whom 

 he joyfully gave the command of all his forces. The 

 result justified the prediction. The Persians, though 

 few and ill-trained, were yet so animated by the 

 assurance of victory, so exultant when they beheld 

 the fear-inspiring countenance of their leader, that 

 they easily routed the foe, and carried Schabe's 

 head back to their royal master. 



In India the house cat was known from a very 

 early period, and was called by several composite 



