Part 28

The spurs have only one spike, and are clumsy, solid, and long. They are kept in their place by a simple leather strap crossed, and are attached very loosely.

Every Arab carries as a complement of his equipment, suspended from the kerbouss of his saddle, a kind of sabretache called djebira or guerab. It contains several compartments, for the purpose of carrying bread, biscuit, a mirror, soap, cartridges, shoes, a flint, writing materials, etc., etc., according to the calling of the owner. Some djebiras are extraordinary rich. I am convinced that the sabretaches of our Hussars must have come to us from the East. The common people on an expedition carry also suspended from the troussequin of their saddle a kind of wallet, which they call semmâte. They are shorter than ours, so as not to irritate the animal's flanks.

With the exception of the great chiefs, the Arabs have no holsters to their saddles. They carry their pistols in their girdles, or in a heart-shaped case that rests on the left side, and is held in its place by a leather strap over the shoulder and another round the body. They prefer this latter mode, because they are sure of having them on their person if they chance to be separated from their horse.

Those who do not put a throat-band to their bridle generally adorn their horses with boar's tusks or lion's teeth, or with talismans which they attach to their necks by means of silk or woollen cords.

To our taste, the less covered a thoroughbred horse may be, the better are the beauty and elegance of his form displayed. The Arabs think differently. They say:

Kohol embellishes the bearer of babes, A tribe embellishes a defile, And the saddle embellishes horses.

During my residence in Africa, I have seen so many horses that it was impossible to dispose of when girt with an English saddle, bought up with avidity when caparisoned with an Arab one, that I am much inclined to adopt the native prejudice. Many a time also I have observed that when an Arab, who had purchased a horse from an European, had covered its back with his own saddle, the vendor was seized with regret, being struck with a beauty he had never before noticed. It is true, the only extravagance indulged in by the Arabs is in their harness; for the Prophet, while proscribing the use of gold in their garments, authorised and even enjoined it, in respect of arms and horses. He said: "Whoso fears not to spend money on the maintenance of horses for the holy war, shall be considered, after his death, as the equal of him who has always been open-handed." It is therefore no uncommon sight to see, even in these times of trouble and misery, an Arab chief treat himself to a saddle worth from £80 to £120, and on days of feasting or on solemn occasions, cover the croup of his horse with shelil, a silken stuff of brilliant hues.

MAXIMS OF THE ARAB CAVALIER.

When thou mountest a horse, first pronounce these words: Bi es-sem Allah, "in the name of Allah." The grave of the horseman is always open.

The cavalier of Truth should eat little, and, above all, drink little. If he cannot endure thirst, he will never make a warrior—he is nothing but a frog of the marshes.

Purchase a good horse. If thou pursuest, thou attainest: if thou art pursued, the eye presently knoweth not where thou hast passed.

Prefer a horse from the mountain to a horse from the plain, and the latter to one from the marshland, which is only fit to carry the pack-saddle.

For the combat mount a horse with a trailing tail [that is, one at least eight years old]. In the day when the horsemen shall be so crowded together that the stirrups knock against one another, he will save thee from the thick of the fight and bear thee back to thy tent, though he were pierced by a ball.

When thou hast purchased a horse, study him carefully, and give him barley more and more every day until thou hast ascertained the quantity demanded by his appetite. A good horseman ought to know the measure of barley suited to his horse, as exactly as the measure of powder suited to his gun.

Suffer neither dogs nor donkeys to lie down upon the straw or barley you intend to give to your horses.

The Prophet has said: "Every grain of barley given to your horses shall secure you an indulgence in the other world."

Give barley to your horses; deprive yourself to give them still more; for Sidi-Hamed-ben-Youssouf has remarked; "Had I not seen the mare produce the foal, I should have said it was the barley." He has also said: "Superior to spurs there is nothing but barley."

Do not water your horses more than once a day, at one or two in the afternoon; and give barley only in the evening, at sunset. It is a good practice in wartime, and, besides, it is the way to make their flesh firm and hard.

To train a horse that is too fat for the fatigues of war, reduce him by exercise, but never by lowering his keep.

So long as your horse, when at work, sweats over his whole body, you may say that he is not in good wind. But you may count upon him as soon as he sweats only on the ears and chest.

Leave not thy horse near others that are eating barley, without he has some likewise, for otherwise he will fall ill.

Never water your horse after having given him barley. It would be the death of the animal.

Never give water to a horse after a rapid gallop, for here is danger of checked perspiration.

After a rapid gallop, water him with the bridle on, and feed him with the saddle-girth on, and thou wilt not repent of it.

Be clean, and perform your ablutions before mounting your horse, and the Prophet will love you.

Whoso is guilty of an impropriety on the back of his horse is not worthy to own him. Moreover, he will suffer for it, for his horse will do himself a hurt.

Never fall asleep upon thy horse. The sleep of the rider wounds or wearies the animal.

When you put a horse to his speed, husband his strength for the time of need. He must be treated like a goat-skin water-bag, which if you open gradually, keeping the neck nearly closed, you will easily preserve the water. But if you open it hastily, the water will rush out all at once, and not a drop will remain to quench your thirst.