THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 145 



people, they were as insolent, turbulent, prodigal, and 

 rapacious as any soldiery that ever existed ; but, at 

 least, they were brave, and excellently skilled in the 

 use of their weapons, which constituted the sole busi- 

 ness of their lives. Their martial exercises are thus 

 described by Volney: "Every day, early in the 

 morning, the greater part of them resort to a plain, 

 outside of Cairo, and there, riding full speed, exer- 

 cise themselves in drawing out their carbine expedi- 

 tiously from the bandalier, discharging it with good 

 aim, and then throwing it under their thigh, to seize 

 a pistol, which they fire and throw over their shoul- 

 der, immediately firing a second and throwing it "in 

 the same manner, trusting to the string by which they 

 are fastened, without losing time to return them to 

 their place. The Beys, who are present, encourage 

 them ; and whoever breaks the earthen vessel, which 

 serves by way of butt, receives great commendations, 

 and a reward in money. They practice also the use 

 of the sabre, and especially the coup de revers, which 

 cuts upwards, and is the most difficult to parry. Their 

 blades are so keen, and they handle them so well, that 

 many of them can cut a clew of wet cotton like a 

 piece of butter. They likewise shoot with bows and 

 arrows, though they no longer use them in battle. 

 But their favourite exercise is throwing the djereed. 



