230 THE SPAHI 



larly, and is two inches higher than the pommel, really 

 above the small of the back. Saddle-cloths are used by 

 the Spahi ad libitum, and woven girths and leathern fit- 

 tings finish this singular saddle. The stirrup-leather 

 hangs from the middle of the tree, and the foot is thrust 

 way into a huge metal stirrup with a foot-piece square 

 and big as a platter. A breast-strap holds the saddle in 

 place for lack of ribs to keep it where it belongs, and the 

 horse is bitted with a gag hung in a peculiar bridle with 

 large square blinders. The Spain's sword rides under his 

 left leg, like the Mexican swell's ; his carbine he carries 

 in his hand or slings from the shoulder or saddle ; he has 

 revolvers in his holsters, and all his weapons are of the 

 best make and pattern. 



He is quite a stunning fellow this same Spahi, with his 

 turbaned head and flowing red, white-lined burnoose, his 

 light-blue baggy leg-gear, dark-blue jacket, and generally 

 dramatic manner. That he feels his own importance is 

 manifest. His face is bronzed, his eye flashing, and his 

 manner quick and decisive. He is deferential to his 

 superiors, haughty to all he considers beneath him. From 

 a glance at his saddle one may readily see how it is that 

 he can stand so high in his stirrups as he sometimes does 

 when he gallops past you. He mounts as we do, though 

 one would scarcely imagine that he could get his foot up 

 to his short-hung stirrup, or throw his leg across his ex- 

 traordinary peaked cantle; but he mounts indifferently 

 from either side. The fact that his tall-appearing horse 

 averages barely f ourteen-two accounts for his mounting so 

 easily. The Arabian is very deceptive in looks. One feels 

 tempted when you know him to refer to him as a pony 

 a term, indeed, commonly employed in Egypt though at 

 a distance he looks tall. 



The Spahi's seat is peculiar. It is, from the side view, 



