314 STALLIONS. 



at that period he resolved to form a neAV dynasty in the future 

 generation of Roxana and Hobgoblin. 



" M. Sue then gives the liaisons of Roxana and Scham ; how 

 Roxana refused the caresses of Hobgoblin, and, when she 

 neighed indignantly at the approach of the Lord of the Harem, 

 she was answered by one so loud and shrill that the hills re-echoed 

 the sound ; that Roxana, recognizing the impassioned cry, expressed 

 the most lively astonishment and delight, and at the moment 

 Hobgoblin was brought into the paddock, Agba opened the door 

 of the stable, and Scham rushed in frantic energ}^ upon his rival. 

 A tremendous battle ensued, Hobgoblin being eventually driven 

 from the field, and Scham triumphed both in love and victory. 



"Lord Godolphin, exasperated at the defeat of his project, im- 

 mediately ordered the culprit off to a stud-farm at a distance of 

 sixty miles, where he was turned out to seek his food on an almost 

 barren common. 



"Two years had elapsed, when Agba was aroused from the 

 most painful reflections by approaching sounds, and was no less 

 surprised than gratified by a courier announcing his lord's com- 

 mands to return to Gogmagog; and in less than one hour, Agba, 

 Scham, and the cat were on their way to the Hall. 



" The cause of this recall is explained in a few words. Lath, 

 the produce of Scham and Roxana, showing some fine racing 

 points, the prejudices of Lord Godolphin and his stud-groom began 

 to subside. With a force and vigor beyond his years, he excelled 

 all his rivals in their exercises; and the progeny of the Darley 

 Arabian, brought from Aleppo in 1717, having proved successful 

 in all their contests with the indigenous breed, people began to 

 wonder that they had so long neglected the source of so much 

 beauty, and purity of blood. In addition, Lath had beaten all the 

 descendants from the hitherto renowned Hobgoblin. 



"The author then jumps over four years, and, in 1738, three 

 sons of Scham, which had beaten everything opposed to them, 

 were engaged in influential stakes at Newmarket Lath in one 

 for five-, Cade in one for four-, and Regulus in one for three-year- 

 olds. Lord Godolphin, partaking of the now generally prevailing 

 opinion in favor of the Arabian blood, which in every instance had 

 defeated all competitors, felt so confident that the three descendants 

 of Scham would carry off the respective stakes, that he resolved 

 that the sire should partake of the triumph of his sons; and the 

 formerly despised Barb was led on the heath, arrayed in purple, 

 and mounted by Agba in magnificent Oriental costume, two 

 grooms on each side (for safety) holding him by silken cords at- 

 tached to his golden bridle. On his appearance, the air resounded 

 with acclamations. The predictions of Lord Godolphin were 

 realized; and each of his horses having won the prizes for which 



