CHAPTER XXIV 



ABDALLAH 



Has the importation of any other Arab a similar history, 

 Count? 



' I remember talking with an old sea-captain somxe twenty 

 years ago, and he related these facts : Many years before, 

 he had been in command of a trading schooner plying 

 between New York dnd Morocco. As he was about to 

 set sail from the latter port on his return voyage, he had 

 been very busy all day superintending the shipping of the 

 cargo. The darkness fell early, and the night was black 

 with threatening clouds, so that the sailors had quit work, 

 had eaten their rations, and were about to turn in, when 

 the ship was signalled from the shore. Soon a boat lay 

 alongside, and a voice from it desired speech of the captain. 

 After a few moments' conference, he decided to go ashore. 

 As he landed, there stood impatiently waiting a Moor. 

 Beside him, pawing the ground and snififing the salt air, 

 was a horse of the most beautiful proportions, and with 

 every mark of the finest blood. The Moor wasted no 

 words in explanation, but requested the captain to take 

 the horse aboard his schooner, carry him to New York, 



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