THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 177 



fondled almost like children. Judges, indeed, objected 

 that they were somewhat ticklish to the stirrup, apt 

 to swerve aside, and hard-mouthed ; this, however, was 

 rather the fault of the riders, who used severe bits, 

 and short stirrups ; otherwise the animals were docile, 

 serviceable, as well on mountainous and stony ground, 

 as on the plain ; indefatigable, and always full of 

 spirit. The most accomplished riders were furnished 

 from many a district. It was surprising to see them 

 hurl their maces before them, gallop after them, and 

 catch them again ere they fell. Turning half round, 

 and the horses at full speed, they would discharge 

 their arrows backwards, with unerring aim. Next to 

 these the Porte sent forth its paid Spahis, and its 

 Janissaries. The former, in addition to their scymitars, 

 were armed with lances, bearing small flags ; some 

 were also furnished with bows. A few were equipped 

 with coats of mail and morions, but rather for show 

 than for service ; their round shields, and their turbans, 

 seemed to them defence enough. The Janissaries, 

 lastly, marched in long flowing garments, armed with 

 scymitars and arquebus ; in their girdles the handjar, 

 and the small hatchet ; dense in their array, their 

 plumes like a forest. It was as though the camp was 

 the true home of this people. Not only was it kept 

 in admirable order, so that not an oath or altercation 

 was to be heard, no drunken man, no gambling was 

 to be seen in it, nor anything to be found that would 



