-0^ 



Bcdoiiin Tribes of the Euphrates, [ch. sxvin. 



grass. Yet lie does not lose heart or condition, and 

 is always ready to gallop at the end of the longest 

 march, a thing we have never ventured to propose 

 to our horses on any previous journey. 



In disposition the Arabians are gentle and affec- 

 tionate, familiar indeed almost to the extent of being 

 trouljlesome. They have no fear of man whatsoever, 

 and will allow anyone to come up to them when 

 grazing, and take them by the head. If they happen 

 to be lying down, they will not move though you 

 <-ome close to them. They are not to be intimidated 

 .1)y any lifting up of hands or sticks, for they do 

 not understand that you can hurt them. It often 

 amused us in the desert to see the mares come up 

 to their masters and use them, as they would one of 

 themselves, for a rubbing-post. This extreme gentle- 

 ness and courage, though partly the effect of educa- 

 tion, is also inherited, for a colt born and brought 

 up in the stable is just as tame. It never thinks, as 

 Eno;lish colts do, of runnino- round behind its dam 

 for protection, but comes at once to anyone who 

 enters the box. 



I have never seen an Arabian vicious, shy, or 

 showing signs of fear. They do not wince at fire- 

 arms, though they are not at all accustomed to 

 them ; and in England no railway train or sudden 

 noise gives them the least alarm. In this they are 

 veiy different from Barbs, Turks, and all other 

 foreign horses I have had to do with. 



There is among English people a general idea that 



