232 THE WONDER-BOOK OF HORSES 



a palm-tree, the leaves of which are different from 

 any others in the world. Suppose you mount 

 your horse, and, if he can do what you claim, 

 bring me within an hour one of those palm 

 leaves." 



" It shall be as you desire," cried the Hindoo, 

 leaping into the saddle. The horse rose swiftly 

 into the air, and then soared away in the direction 

 of the distant mountain. 



In less than a quarter of an hour the Hindoo 

 stood before the king, with the palm leaf in his 

 hand. 



" Have I not proved the truth of my words 

 concerning the horse ? " he asked. 



" Most certainly you have," answered the king; 

 " and I rather think that I should like to own such 

 a horse myself." 



" It would, indeed, be very convenient for you," 

 answered the Hindoo. " For whenever you 

 wished to see what was going on in the remotest 

 corner of your kingdom, you would have nothing 

 to do but mount your steed, and he would carry 

 you whithersoever you bade him." 



" What is the price of the creature? " 



"The price? Ah, your majesty, he is so in- 

 comparable a steed that I dare not name the price 

 — it must necessarily be so great." 



