TIMUR BEG. 
11 
brink ; the animal made a desperate bound, but did 
not clear it. Clinging for a moment to the opposite 
bank, Timur sprang from his saddle, and reached the 
firm earth in safety ; but the horse, after a few strug- 
gles, fell back into the chasm, and was disabled. His 
friends, who now came up, were afraid to attempt a 
leap which their heroic leader had not been able to 
accomplish. They congratulated him upon his escape ; 
but he replied, “ It was God, the bestower of my 
fortune, who preserved me !” 
Upon this occasion, his eagerness in pursuit of his 
favourite sport had withdrawn the prince far into the 
wilderness. He and his followers were overtaken by 
the night, and knew not where to seek a shelter. Rob- 
bers were numerous in the neighbourhood. Timur 
and his companions had no tents to protect them 
from the inclemency of the night, for in Eastern 
countries the dews fall heavily, and, towards the 
north especially, the nights are sometimes exceed- 
ingly cold. The prince had been used to privations of 
this kind, and was not, therefore, much disquieted by 
the perplexity to which he was reduced. He was 
preparing to halt, until morning should enable him to 
proceed with his retinue, when some of them unex- 
pectedly perceived several huts, which they at first 
took for hillocks of sand. Upon a nearer approach, 
a light appeared shining through one of the doors. 
Timur determined to enter, though there was a great- 
er prospect of peril than of security. Unused to weigh 
hazards, he boldly advanced to the entrance of the 
hovel through which the light gleamed. The in- 
mates, supposing him and his companions to be rob- 
