THE HORSE. 43 



hearts of my children." As he pronounced the last 

 words, he sprang upon her back, his sense of poverty 

 was gone, and he was out of sight in an instant. 



The following is another instance of attachment, but 

 of a different character. When an envoy was en- 

 camped near Bagdad, an Arab rode a mare of extra- 

 ordinary shape and beauty before his tent, until he 

 attracted his attention. On being asked if he would 

 sell her, the reply was, " What will you give me ? " 

 " That depends upon her age ; I suppose she is past 

 five 1 ?" "Guess again," said he. "Is she four 1 ?" 

 "Look at her mouth," said the Arab, with a smile. 

 On examination, she was found to be rising three j and 

 this, from her size and symmetry, greatly enhanced 

 her value. The envoy said, " I will give you fifty 

 tomans," a coin nearly of the value of a pound sterling. 

 " A little more," said the Arab, apparently amused. 

 " Eighty." " A hundred." He shook his head, and 

 smiled. At last the offer came to two hundred tomans. 

 "Well," said the Arab, "you need not tempt me 

 further ; it is of no use ; you are a rich elchee," 

 (meaning a nobleman,) "you have fine horses, camels, 

 and mules, and I am told you have loads of silver and 

 gold. Now," added he, " you want my mare, but you 

 shall not have her for all you have got." 



