The Sun.
London, England, 1846-09-21 00:00:00

ARAB MILITARY SPORTS.

At' a signal from the Sheik, one of his troop, an Arab,
spurred forth frown the line, and turning his horse sud
denly, shook his !ance over his shawl helmet, and seemed
to defy an adversary. Another hint from the Sheik, and
a great negro, the most powerful of the band, sprang
forward, poised his long lance, and approaching within
a few yards of the other, seemed about to hurl it with
unerring aim, but his lighter adversary brought his
horse so suddenly on his haunches that he must un-
doubtedly have escaped the blow. The negro, mean-
time, was at top speed, and before he could turn
in the saddle or bring his lance to the rear
parry (which is a skilful feat, the arm twisted round,
and the lance trailing along, a perfect de`ence to the
rear); before he could do this the active Arab had
driven his pointed stirrup into the side of his steed, and
dashed with uplifted lance upon his enemy. Escape was
impossible, and the negro was vanquished; he accord-
ingly took hii place in the march, and another Arab
darted out to the play. The activity of the horses, and
the perfect seat of the riders, were beautiful. This time
they galloped at first easily along, and parallel with each
other, making feints with their lances, and parrying with
equal skill; suddenly the last conqueror wheeled his
horse, twirled his lance over his head, spurred across and
behind his fellow, and aimed the spear head at the shoul-
der; the other darted as suddenly away, inducing his
enemy to follow at full speed, when, by the same feat of
checking suddenly his horse, he in turn became pursuer.
The trick was less successful than with the negro, for
the cunning victor of the last trial dropped his
lance, and quick as thought his cyineter glittered in
the air, the blow was parried, and, closing in, he
would have cleft the turban of his enemy in a trice
This second victory seemed to rouse the Sheik, who,
patting the neck of his noble horse, settled himself in the
saddle, and rode quietly out of the road towards the
conqueror. The latter, meantime, had recovered his
lance, and stood motionless on the defensive. The Sheik
approached cautiously, and trotted round his opponent,
who kept his front carefully toward him, and avoided
two or three thrusts. Presently he appeared to weary
of playing the defensive, and he darted at the Sheik ;
but the horse of the chief was unmatched in speed and
activity ; he easily saved his rider, who immediately after
whirling suddenly, became again the assail int. The
Arab was taken unawares, failed to parry his ene-
my's lance, and the Sheik won the fight. After
several such combats, they performed a melee, and
nothing could be more animated. The attack, retreat,
pursuit, dashing to and fro, the active horses straining
every nerve, and the showy riders cxerting their dearest
skill, wheeling, flying, halting as by magic, in " all the
current of a heady flight." Suddenly there was a pause,
and they formed together, as though uniting their
forces ; several planted their long lances in the ground,
unslung their carbines, and, dashing away, turned in
their saddles at full speed, and gave their fire as at some
pursuinc, enemy. The reports of the fire-arms, the
wild shouts, the flying figures, now confused together, ,
and again in fierce pursuit, the furious gestures, and
the noble bounds of the horses—indeeed, the picture
was grand be)ond all imagining.—Schroeder's Shores of
the Mediterranean.