1855.] Account of a visit to the Shrine of Sakhi Sarwar. 339 



Sakhi Sarwar, who was remarkable for his piety succeeded to the 

 religious honors of his parent. 



" After some time, Sultan Sakhi became desirous of travelling 

 and wandering about the world, as is the custom of such devout 

 persons, in order that they may confer the benefit of their sanctity 

 and piety on others. One day he was seated near the banks of a 

 river (the Chinab probably) when he saw a mare, very thin and 

 weak from great age, grazing at a short distance from him. Per- 

 ceiving the emaciated state of the animal he said unto her, ' Graze 

 and become fat ;' and by the favour of the Almighty, after a few 

 days the old mare had improved so much in condition and appear- 

 ance, as to be even preferable to a younger animal. After some 

 time a water horse came out of the river and copulated with the 

 mare, and from this connection she brought forth a aammand, or 

 dun-coloured female colt. Subsequently a person of the neighbour- 

 ing village happened to discover the mare in the jungle, not only 

 exceedingly sleek and in good condition, but also with a fine colt at 

 her side. On his return home he lost no time in mentioning the cir- 

 cumstance to the owners of the animal, two brothers by name Ahmed 

 and Mahmiid, who also resided in the village. They were much 

 astonished at what he told them, for the mare had become so very 

 weak and thin from extreme old age, as to be useless to any one ; 

 and disbelieving what he had told them, they said the beast must 

 have been devoured long before by the wolves and jackals. The man 

 persisted that what he had said was true, and swore by the Pro- 

 phet's beard to the truth of his statement. The brothers being now 

 somewhat convinced went along with him, and found that the man's 

 statement was perfectly correct ; and they returned home, bringing 

 the mare and foal along with them. The account of this remarkable 

 occurrence spread far and near, and astonished every body. 



"At length Sultan Sakhi himself expressed a wish to purchase 

 the colt ; and requested some of his disciples, of which he had now 

 gained a great number, to mention the same to the owners, and say 

 that he would give them whatever price they might ask for it. 

 They went accordingly, and expressed the holy man's wishes to the 

 brothers ; but the uufortunate wretches would not consent to part 

 with this foal under any terms. At length, however, calamity betel 



2 Y 



