152 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 



his bright eyes that looked into mine, as if he would 

 speak to me. I shall die, Kasbitch, if you will not let 

 me have him." 



Asamat's voice faltered, and I fancied I heard 

 him crying. Now I must tell you Asamat was a 

 most hardened and vicious chap, from whom there was 

 no forcing a tear, even when he was a nursed child. 

 A scornful laugh was the only answer to his tears. 



" Hear me," said Asamat, with a firm voice : " My 

 mind is made up for anything everything ! Shall I 

 steal my sister for you ? How she dances ! How 

 she sings ! and she embroiders in gold, that it is a 

 wonder to see ! The Turkish padisha hardly possess- 

 es such a girl. Well ! Only say the word. Wait 

 for me to-morrow night in the glen yonder, by the 

 waterfall ; I will take her that way as if to the neigh- 

 boring hamlet, and she is yours. What say you, is 

 not Bela well worth your courser ? " 



Kasbitch was silent for a long, long while ; at last, 

 instead of replying, he began to chant an old ditty 

 half aloud : 



" Down in our hamlet many are the beauteous maidens, 

 Stars are gleaming in the dark heaven of their eyes. 

 Sweet it were to own their love, a lot, indeed, to envy ! 

 But sweeter still than this is young and lusty freedom. 

 For gold you may buy beauties, ay, as- many as yoa will. 

 But a steed of highest mettle is a treasure beyond price, 

 Swift as the wind he flies over the Steppes, 

 And fickleness and falsehood have no place in him." 



