82 THE WONDER-BOOK OF HORSES 



any note in all Spain who had not fallen into the 

 snare. 



It so happened one warm day in summer that 

 a famous English traveler named Astolpho 

 stopped at the spring to rest and to bathe his hot 

 face in the flowing stream. He rode a beautiful 

 black horse named Rabican, which the King of 

 Cathay had lately given him as a token of his 

 esteem. This horse he left in the shade of some 

 trees at a little distance from the road, while he 

 returned to the spring to quench his thirst. He 

 laid his spear and shield down upon the ground, 

 and by them placed the heavy helmet that he 

 had lifted from his head. Then, on hands and 

 knees, he leaned over to drink. But scarcely had 

 his lips touched the water, when a noise caused 

 him to look around. 



A gawky countryman had loosened Rabican 

 and was in the act of leaping upon his back. 

 Astolpho quickly seized his spear and ran to save 

 his horse and take the thief. I3ut the rogue was 

 not so easily captured. He entered the bridle- 

 path and urged the horse up the steep ascent. 

 Astolpho followed, always upon the point of lay- 

 ing hold of the horse, but always just a little too 

 far behind. Soon he was surprised to find him- 



