36 MY HORSE ; MY LOVE 



the kntes very slender, and round like a finger when 

 viewed from the front ; from the side it appears wide and 

 muscular. Hoofs very small, hard and polished. Height 

 from fourteen to fifteen hands. Gait an even stretching 

 gallop, which never trembles and never tires, sure-footed 

 as a mule, and tender-tempered as a baby.' 



Your description is enchanting, but only convinces me 

 that I have never seen a thoroughbred Arab. Is there no 

 more to be told of the Dzigguetai, Count ? 



' I had a convincing experience that they can travel from 

 one to two hundred miles in twelve consecutive hours, in 

 order to drink from a certain clear cold spring in one of the 

 oases, and to feed on the dainty nourishing grass there.' 



Oh, Count, that seems incredible ! 



' I realise that the statement sounds most exaggerated, 

 and I myself could hardly believe that flesh and blood 

 could equal the locomotive's speed. I have lain concealed 

 with the Arabs behind the rocks, and buried up to my neck 

 in sand, hoping they might thus approach us more nearly. 

 Stationed at a certain oasis in the desert, over seventy-five 

 miles distant, were men to note the time of their arrival 

 there. How they flew past us in the half-mile distance ! It 

 was like watching an express train disappearing from view, 

 while the thunder of their many hoofs scarce lasted longer 

 than the roar of a passing train ! They had method in 

 their going, and a leader whom they followed. Their 

 bellies hugged the ground as their slender legs carried 

 them on with long strides and an easy motion, in which 

 there was no haste, but immense untiring speed, and 

 infinite lightness and grace. For twelve hours we waited 

 and watched for their return, and were finally rewarded by 

 hearing approach the sound of their many hoofs, and could 



