Sm ^ AFGUOX. 
I 
who were galloping about and skirmishing with each other, after 
the manner of the country. Their style of riding differs materially 
from that of the Arabs, owing, in a great measure, to their using 
long stirrups, and to their taking a larger sweep for their ma- 
noeuvres. Their horses are generally strong, of a beautiful make, 
and ill very high condition ; but the latter part of the description 
could not be very correctly applied to the riders^ who, from the 
long continuance of the fast, looked, for the most part, terribly 
thin and emaciated. The Abyssinians^ in general, are well 
skilled in horsemanship, and exceedingly graceful in their move- 
ments, managing their arms with great dexterity, and at the 
same time never for an instant losing the perfect command of 
their horses. The lightness of their accoutrements is particularly 
advantageous, and gives them such a scope for the free exercise 
of their limbs, as would, in my opinion, render them superior to 
an equal number of Arabs. Their bridle, called legaum,'' 
consists of a coarse Mameluke bit, a plain head-stall, and a 
neatly-wrought chain, answering the purpose of reins. The 
saddle is very simple in its form, but of an excellent construction, 
consisting of two thin pieces of wood, fastened together by 
thongs of leather, with a high pommel in front, and a kind of 
back to lean against, the whole of which is covered with an orna- 
mental piece of red leather, manufactured in the country in imi- 
tation of morocco ; under this is placed a ' marashut,' or ' cloth of 
quilted stuff/ which is doubled in fronts in order more particularly 
to preserve the shoulders of the horse : the whole of these accou- 
trements being exceedingly light, and strongly fastened on the 
animal by a girth, a broad breast-band, and a crupper, which is 
