

CHAPTER X. 



Arabian Horses. 



THE modern Arabs have three breeds of horses, the At- 

 terbi, the Kadishi, and the Kohlani. The two former 

 are drudges, or hackneys ; the Kohlani is the thorough- 

 bred race; and, according to the popular legend, is 

 descended from the favorite mares of the prophet. 

 Mahomet, as the story runs, was once engaged in battle 

 for three days, during all which time his warriors never 

 dismounted, nor did their mares eat or drink. At last, 

 on the third day, they came to a river, and the pro- 

 phet ordered that the animals should be unbridled, and 

 turned loose. Mad with thirst, the whole ten thousand 

 rushed headlong to the river, and just as they were on 

 the brink the prophet's bugle sounded their recall. 

 Ten thousand mares heard the call, but five only obey- 

 it ; and, leaving the water untasted, returned to their 

 standard. Then the prophet blessed these mares, and 

 adorned their eyelids with kohl, after the manner of 

 the women in the East ; hence they were called 

 Kohlani, which means blackened. They were ridden 



