8 INTRODUCTION. 



end of which was fastened to her hind fetlock, whilst 

 the other, after passing 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 

 succeeded in loosening the chain. Just before start- 

 ing off with his prize, he caught up JabaPs lance, 

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

 Gafar ! I have stolen your noble mare, and will 

 give you notice in time." This warning 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 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, 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 he outstripped those of all the 

 other pursuers, and was even on the point of over- 

 taking the robber, when Jabal shouted to him : 

 " Pinch her right ear and give her a touch of the 

 heel/' Gafar did so, and away went the mare like 

 lightning, speedily rendering further pursuit hope- 

 less. The pinch in the ear and the touch with the heel 

 were the secret signs by which Jabal had been used 

 to urge his mare to her utmost speed. Jabal's com- 

 panions were amazed and indignant at his strange 



