The Horses of the Sahara and the Manners of the DesertDaumas, E. (Eugène)
History
The Horses of the Sahara and the Manners of the Desert
Daumas, E. (Eugène)
Arabian horse; Sahara
Preserves from the fire and belongs to man the horse reared for the
purpose of reproduction, to save his owner from poverty, and to be
useful to him in his personal affairs, without his wandering from the
way of God.
Lastly, draws down rewards and belongs to Allah the horse destined
exclusively for good works, in the interest of religion. The grass eaten
by such a horse in the field or the garden, his evacuations, the water
he drinks with his master on his back while crossing a river, without
even any intention on the part of the latter to give him to drink, are
inscribed by Allah in the register of good works.
Remonstrate with your horses, and they will avoid the faults which have
brought down your anger upon them, for they understand the wrath of man.
Treat them, however, habitually with great gentleness; and when you
mount them, fear not to guide them into the midst of a crowd or of
uproar. Let them hear the report of fire-arms, the _guellal_ (the
tabour), the shouts of men, and the cries of camels; let them see
everything, too, which appears strange to them, and in a short time they
will manifest neither surprise nor terror.
A man of a noble family of the Oued-Shelif[42] setting out for Mecca,
started in company with a few friends who wished to do him honour. He
was riding a blood mare, still in the possession of the family. Suddenly
she stumbled, and to punish her he gave her a smart cut with his bridle
end, which put her into such a state of agitation that for some minutes
she did nothing but rear and jump about from right to left. On his
return from Mecca he rode the same animal, and the friends who had
accompanied him on his departure went forth to meet him and give him
welcome. Scarcely had they reached the spot where the mare was beaten
than she began to rear and caper about, going through absolutely the
same movements as on the day she was struck. Every one was astonished at
this proof of extraordinary memory in an animal that had preserved for
a whole year the recollection of a punishment, and of the place where
she received it.
"Our noble coursers pass their time in vying with each other in
swiftness."
"The women wipe off with their veils the sweat that runs down their
faces."
"They balance their heads as if they would free themselves from the
fastenings that hold them captive, and are attentive to the slightest
command."
"On their backs are mounted fierce lions."
DIET.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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