228 THE WONDER-BOOK OF HORSES 



of the Arabic magicians, and hence would better 

 not be tampered with by ignorant hands. 



Cambuscan, when he had done feasting, went 

 out into the courtyard, with all his lords and 

 ladies, to look at the wonderful gift which the 

 king of Araby had sent him. 



" I pray you," said he to the knight who had 

 brought it, " tell us how to manage this strange 

 creature." 



" There is but little to tell," said the knight, lay- 

 ing his hand upon the horse, which began to skip 

 and prance in the strangest manner possible. 

 " When you wish to ride anywhere you have 

 simply to remove this peg which you see between 

 his ears, mount him, and name the place. He 

 will carry you thither by the shortest route, and 

 without ever missing his way. When you wish 

 him to stop, or to descend to the ground, turn this 

 wooden pin half way round, and he will do your 

 bidding. Or, if you wish him to leave you for a 

 time, turn this iron pin, and he will vanish out 

 of sight, and come to you again when he is called 

 by name. Ride when and where you please, he 

 will always be ready to obey." 



The king was wonderfully pleased, and re- 

 solved that on the morrow he would ride out to see 



