210 MY HORSE; MY LOVE 



Together they all returned to the rendezvous ; the Baron 

 who had come to buy determined on the purchase, and 

 keeping close to Khan Ali, said, — 



' You are willing to sell this mare ? ' 



'Yes, Effendi.' 



' How much do you want for her ? ' 



' As much gold as a man can lift ! ' 



A strong bag was brought, and the servants of the Baron 

 were beckoned to approach. They began to empty their 

 saddle-bags, and the gold coins were poured, clinking and 

 tinkling with a merry sound, into the bag held open to 

 receive them. When it was nearly full, the Arab lifted it, 

 but it came off the ground too easily. Shaking his head 

 with dissatisfaction, he again opened the bag, and held 

 it toward them. More gold was piled into its capacious 

 mouth, and now, with all the Arab's strength, he could 

 barely lift it from the ground — so he was satisfied. Then 

 the Governor of Trebizond said to the Arab, — 



' Khan Ali, you give this mare, Ansha, in exchange for 

 this bag of gold, to the Baron ? ' 



' By the beard of Mahommed ! I do vow that I give my 

 mare, Ansha, in exchange for this bag of gold, to the 

 Baron.' Repeating 'By the beard of Mahommed' three 

 times, he picked up the bag, and staggering under its 

 weight, walked off. The gate clicked to behind him, and 

 the mare, standing quietly, held by the Baron's groom, 

 lifted her head high at the sound. With deepest interest 

 and admiration, the group of men surrounded her, com- 

 menting upon her extraordinary beauty — for now she stood 

 erect, with her ears pointed forward and her nostrils 

 quivering. Suddenly a sharp, shrill whistle was heard, 

 when, in the twinkling of an eye, the mare had wrenched 



