A NIGHT WITH THE ARABS. 419 



" ' You haven't hit it at all, Master Lion, though you are so 

 wise. What do you want of the seed of the woman ? If you 

 will heed the advice of a stranger, who has known him a long 

 while, you will keep the greatest distance from him you can. 

 Look at me — are you able to bend my knees to the earth, to 

 bind pack after pack on my back, and then mounting your- 

 self on the top of all, to guide me and drive me over the des- 

 ert ? That is what the person you seek does to me every 

 day, and if he chooses to cut my stomach open to find water 

 for his children, I cannot resist. Now, then, do you fancy 

 the acquaintance ? If so, you have only to go ahead, and you 

 will find him.' 



"' You are a poltroon, you cowardly camel !' retorted the 

 lion in a disdainful tone. ' Your old woman's tales and the 

 stories of the bull on the plain above, only enter one ear to go 

 out of the other. I will continue my road.' 



" In a few minutes he saw a horse coursing the fields like 

 the wind ; his neigh was music on the air, and his breath was 

 white like smoke. 



"'Holloa!' called the lion from afar, 'I am looking for 

 the seed of the woman — are you not he V 



" ' Are you speaking to me V said the horse. 



" ' Who else is there to speak to V 



" 'Then please to go somewhere else with your jokes, for I 

 have never found any joking in connection with that name. 

 The seed of the woman, prithee ! He has saddled and bri- 

 dled me, though I am swift on the foot, and curbs me to his 

 will.' 



" ' Indeed !' said the lion, as his eyes began to open 

 visibly. 



" ' Indeed, it is true ; and then he sits on my back, and carry 

 him as fast as I may, he drives his spurs into my side till the 

 sands are dotted with my blood !' 



