Others joined in the same language, and the opinion appeared general, when an Arab, called Gherreeba,[11] whose pay was only four piastres[12] a month, whose chequered turban and cloth round his middle were not worth one, and whose occupation was sitting all day exposed to the sun, watering some grass screens that were placed against the door of the house to exclude the heat--darted up, and, with an eye of fire and the most marked energy, exclaimed, "By the all-powerful God, the Arab dog will triumph."[13] Gherreeba was for the moment the representative of the feelings of his country. The parasites around stood watching the Elchee, and were not a little mortified when they heard him applaud the honest warmth and manly independence of the poor Arab, who was invited to witness the trial. It ended, like most similar trials, in each party being convinced that their own favourite was, or ought to have been, the winner. The dogs ran as usual beautifully: Venus was by far the fleetest; but the chase, which was after a half-grown antelope, proved long, and the strength of the Butcher prevailed towards the close. It is however, justice to the deer species, while we are praising the canine, to add, that the antelope beat them both. FOOTNOTES: [6] Firdousee is the first of the epic poets of Persia, and few countries can boast of a greater genius. His chief work, the Shâh-nâmeh, or Book of Kings, contains, mixed with allegory and fable, almost all the Persians know of their ancient history. [7] Abusheher is the proper name, but it is better known to Europeans by the abbreviated appellation of Bushire. [8] "Hissab," the Persian word, literally means an account; metaphorically, "correct, or according to a just account." [9] Elchee means ambassador, or representative of a foreign nation. [10] Alou, e, Malcolm. [11] Gherreeb means poor--this man was really so; but it is not unusual to meet Mahomedans, who are remarkable for their rank, pride, or wealth, with names of similar character, that have been given by their mothers in a spirit of religious humility. [12] The value of a piastre is about twenty pence. [13] Billâh il azeem yadhfar al Arab. CHAPTER IV. Camp at Abusheher--Horses--Abdûlla Aga--Anecdote of Arab. Soon after we arrived at Abusheher our camp looked like a fair for horses and mules. It was necessary to mount, not only the Elchee and his suite, but his escort of English and Indian cavalry, and all the servants, public and private; for in Persia nobody walks. To suit the different persons of our party, animals of different descriptions were wanted; from the coarse Persian galloway[14] to the Arabian of pure strain,[15] many of which are bred on the Persian shore, with as much attention to preserve the original blood, as imported from Arabia, as could be shown in the first race-studs in England.