58 THE PEKCHEROI* HORSE. 



combining with the strength and docility of the dams the 

 style, spirit, and intelligence, of the sires. For, it must not 

 be forgotten, work requires intelligent horses ; the more 

 they are gifted with this quality, the longer they last and 

 the more useful their services. 



If the drunken driver of the Lyons Railroad, whose ad- 

 venture is known the world over, had not had for his work- 

 ing companion a brute as nobly intelligent as the old horse 

 Lapin, employed in hauling dirt carts, he would surely 

 have perished. The driver having fallen in a state of in- 

 toxication on the railroad, before a train descending a 

 grade, was on the point of being run over, when the horse, 

 seeing him in this perilous situation and at the risk of be- 

 ing himself crushed, seized him by the waist and lifted 

 him off the track. This deed, performed under the eyes 

 of several squads of workmen, was soon known over the 

 whole line, and won for Lapin the title of The (in'fralidi's 

 and workingmeri's) Adopted Son, a nobly gained title and 

 well-merited reward, if ever there was one. 



In the legends of all times are to be found examples of 

 the intelligence of the oriental horse ; but I have never 

 heard quoted a single one in regard to the English thor- 

 oughbred, which seems only formed for pride, gluttony, 

 and brutality. As an example of the sagacity of the Arab, 

 I will limit myself to mentioning a fact witnessed by all 

 the officers of the school of Saumur. At this school there 

 was an old Arabian known to the whole army. One day, 

 a lady having her handkerchief scented with,- 1 know not 

 what perfume, passed in front of the veteran, caressing 

 and feeding him with dainties. From that time on, the 

 officer who accompanied the lady could never enter her 

 parlor, although the odor of the perfume was impercepti- 

 ble to all, but the horse, on his return, was aware of the 

 fact, and bore witness to it, each time, by neighing and by 

 a hundred expressions of pleasure. 



The vigor and pluck of the oriental horse have passed 



