Part 24

"May Allah grant unto him the happiness of dying a martyr upon my back!"

The tuft on the chest, zeradya, fills the tent with plunder.

The tuft where the saddle-girths pass, nekhlet el hazame multiplies the flocks.

The tuft on the flank, nekhlet eshebour, "the tuft of the spurs." If it is turned towards the back, it preserves the rider from misadventure in war: if it is turned towards the belly, it is a sign of riches for its master.

The following white tufts bring misfortune:

Netahyat, a tuft over the eyebrows: the master will die, shot through the head.

Nekhlet el nâash, the coffin tuft, grows close to the withers and goes down towards the shoulder. The rider will not fail to perish on the back of such a horse.

Neddabyat, the mourners; a tuft on the cheek; debts, tears, ruin.

Nekhlet el khriana, the thieves' tuft. It is close to the fetlock joint, and night and morning it prays: "O Allah! grant that I may be stolen, or that my master may die!"

The tuft by the side of the tail announces trouble, misery, and famine.

The tuft on the inner part of the thigh: women, children, flocks, all will disappear.

Such is the classification generally adopted. It is not, however, absolute, for it varies according to localities, each tribe increasing or diminishing the number of its lucky and unlucky tufts. It will be seen that I have alluded only to the principal coats without entering upon the gradation of shades, which would have carried me too far astray. Making every allowance for prejudice and superstition, it is clear that the Arabs are fond of dark and decided colours, while they look upon light and faded colours, as well as white spots upon the head, carcase, and limbs, if broad or long, as signs of weakness and degeneracy of race. Every Arab has his own favourite coat. Some like black horses and others gray, while others again affect bays or chestnuts. Their preferences and antipathies are usually based on family associations. With such a coat their ancestors achieved a brilliant success—with such another they encountered a grievous calamity. They will thus often refuse a good horse, without giving any other reason than "It is not my colour."

REMARKS BY THE EMIR ABD-EL-KADER.

The horse the most esteemed is a black one with a star on his forehead and white spots on his feet. Then comes the blood-bay, and after that the dark chestnut. Horses of other coats are placed on the same line with the exception of the piebald, with which the Arabs will have nothing to do.

The Prophet has said: "If thou wouldst go to the war, purchase a horse with a star on the forehead and stockings on all his legs with the exception of the right forefoot."

A horse with white feet, his off foreleg being alone of the colour of his coat, resembles a man who carries himself gracefully in walking, with the sleeve of his cloak floating in the air.

The Prophet has said: "If I were to gather together in one spot all the horses of the Arabs, and make them race against one another, it is the chestnut that would outstrip the rest."

According to the traditions of our Lord Mohammed the black horse is superior in the beauty of its mould and in its moral qualities, but the chestnut in fleetness. The Arabs have a saying: "If thou hast a chestnut, bring him along. If thou hast only a sorry chestnut, still bring him."

In a spacious arena constructed for races, cast thy eyes over the assemblage of noble coursers.

Thou wilt see the one who, arriving the first at the goal, has removed his master's anxieties.

Then the second who followed close at hand;—they both reached the goal without slackening their speed.

Every horse of noble race fascinates the eyes and rivets the gaze of the enthusiastic spectator.

One of a rose colour, whose coat resembles the red tints which the setting sun leaves on the horizon.

Another of a white colour, like to a shooting star hurled against the evil genii.

A third, a blood-bay, of incomparable beauty and tall stature, in whom may be recognized traces of his paternal and maternal uncles, famous in the annals of racing.

There may also be seen a bright bay with a skin like gold.

And then a chestnut that pleases the eye with its shining mane.

Or another, black as night, adorned only with a white star on the forehead, that shines like the first light of dawn. Oh! blessed is the horse with white stars and stockings!