200 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 



other, so that the sleepers made room for him right and 

 left, neither of them doubting that the pressure came 

 from the other. This being done, Jafar slit the felt 

 with a sharp knife, drew out the picket, loosed the 

 mare, and sprang on her back. Just before starting 

 off with his prize, he caught up Jabal's lance, and 

 poking him with the butt end, cried out, "I am 

 Jafar ! I have stolen your noble mare, and I give you 

 notice in time." This warning, be it observed, was 

 in accordance with the usual practice of the Desert on 

 such occasions : to rob a hostile tribe is considered an 

 honourable exploit, and the man who accomplishes it 

 is desirous of all the glory that may flow from the 

 deed. Poor Jabal, when he heard the words, rushed 

 out of the tent and gave the alarm ; then mounting 

 his brother's mare, and accompanied by some of his 

 tribe, he pursued the robber for four hours. The 

 brother's mare was of the same stock as Jabal's, but 

 was not equal to her ; nevertheless, she outstripped 

 those of all the other pursuers, and was even on the 

 point of overtaking the robber, when Jabal shouted to 

 him, " Pinch her right ear, and give her a touch with 

 the heel." Jafar did so, and away went the mare 

 like lightning, speedily rendering all further pur- 

 suit hopeless. The pinch in the ear and the touch 

 with the heel, were the secret sign by which Jabal had 



