^8 THE AKT OF TAT^IING HORSES. 



him to do in the midst of the desert, his faithful steed 

 will watch over him, and neigh to arouse him if man 

 or beast approaches. The Arabs frequently teach theu' 

 horses secret signs or signals, which they make use of 

 on urgent occasions to call forth their utmost exertions. 

 These are more efficient than the barbarous mode of 

 urging them on with the spur and whip, a forcible 

 illustration of w4iich will be found in the following 

 anecdote : — 



" A Bedouin, named Jabal, possessed a mare of great 

 celebrity. Hassad Pacha, then governor of Damascus, 

 wished to buy the animal, and repeatedly made the 

 owner the most liberal offers, which Jabal steadily 

 refused. The Pacha then had recourse to threats, but 

 with no better success. At length, one Gafar, a Be- 

 douin of another tribe, presented himself to the Pacha, 

 and asked what he would give the man who should 

 make him master of Jabal's mare? 'I will fill his 

 horse's nose-bag with gold,' replied Hassad. The result 

 of this interview having gone abroad, Jabal became 

 more watchful than ever, and always secured his mare at 

 night with an iron chain, one end of which was fast- 

 ened to her hind fetlock, whilst the other, after pass- 

 ing through the tent cloth, was attached to a picket 

 driven in the ground under the felt that served himself 

 and his wife for a bed. But one midnight, Gafar crept 

 silently into the tent, and succeeding in loosening the 

 chain. Just before starting off with his prize, he caught 

 up Jabal's lance, and poking him with the butt-end, 

 cried out : ' I am Gafar I I have stolen your noble 

 mare, and will give you notice in time.' This warn- 

 ing was in accordance with the customs of the Desert ; 

 for to rob a hostile tribe is considered an honourable 

 exploit, and the man who accomplishes it is desirous of 



