188 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 



who should make him master of JabaPs mare. " I 

 will fill his horse's nosebag with gold," replied Hassad, 

 whose pride and covetousness had been irritated to 

 the highest degree by the obstinacy of the mare's 

 owner. The result of this interview having gone 

 abroad, Jabal became more watchful than ever ; and 

 always secured his mare at night with an iron chain, 

 one end of which was fastened round her hind fetlock, 

 whilst the other, after passing through the tent cloth, 

 was attached to a picket driven into the ground under 

 the felt that served himself and his wife for a bed. 

 But one midnight Gafar crept into the tent, and, in- 

 sinuating his body between Jabal and his wife, he 

 pressed gently now against the one, now against the 

 other, so that the sleepers made room for him right and 

 left, neither of them doubting that the pressure came 

 from the other. This being done, Gafar slit the felt 

 with a sharp knife, drew out the picket, loosed the 

 mare, and sprang on her back. Just before starting 

 off with his prize, he caught up Jabal's lance, and 

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

 Gafar ! I have stolen your noble mare, and I give you 

 notice in time." This warning, be it observed, was 

 in accordance with the usual practice of the Desert on 

 such occasions : to rob a hostile tribe is considered an 

 honorable 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 



