Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-11-23
GALLANTRY OF ARABIAN HORSES.

That horses should be susceptible of the
charms of the gentle sex, is no more than might
have been expected from their noble bearing and
intelligence Read the following extract from
a lady's letter written in the East:
~ 4" | fear you may deem me rather boastful of
my horsemanship, when tell you the two Arab
horses which threw their cavaliers. did not throw
me- The cause of the exception was not how
ever, in me or my skill. 1t was in the very re-
markable prediction those intelligent animals
feel toward individuals Of the weaker SEX Let
the widest, the fercest Arabian, be mounted by
woman, and you will see him grow suddenly
as mild and obedient as q lamb. had plenty
of opportunities to make the experiment, and in
my own stable there is beautiful gray Arab
which nobody else dares to ride, though he is
my daily bearer. He knows me- my wishes, the
degree Of fatigue | can bear without inconven-
ence and behaves in concurrence 1t is really
curious to see him manage 10 quicken without
shaking me, and the different sorts of steps he
has invented to realize those contradictory pur-
poses. Horses are as liable to forgefulness as
any other organized being; and my incompara-
Die gray, sometimes when other horses threaten
to pass him, or are once in advance, forgets ev-
cry consideration and starts off, more like
whirlwind than anything else. Woe TO me, if,
in such circumstances, were to contide in the
strength Of my arm or of the bride. But
know better Leaving my hand quite loose,
abandon all thoughts of compulson; take to
persuasion-pat him on the necli-call him by
his own name-beg him to be quiet, and to de.
serve the piece of sugar waiting for him at home
Never have these means failed. Instantly he
will slacken his pace, prick up his ears, and come
back to soft amble, while with Il gentle neigh
he seems to crave my pardon for his momentary
offence. Such instances of the tender penchant
of Arab horses for the weaker part Of creation
are quite common, and are generally explained
not poetcal explanation after abby the
circumstances that the Arab women are the nat
ural and only grOomS of their lords stables
When the horse is still colt he is reared in the
back part of the tent,-the movable harem of
the Arab. In the third year of his life, he is
raised to the honor of carrying his master, and
when he brings him home, he is instantly delv-
cred TO the womans hands, who wash his eyes,
walk him up and down till the foam is fallen
from his mouth, and the perspiration from his
limbs. Il is the masters wife that disencum-
bers him of the heavy saddle the complicated
and adorned bride, the embroidered and gded
covering. She fas!ens cord to his foot and
takes him first to drink, and then to feed himself
with the best bit of grass to be found in the bar
rem country. This puts me in mind of story
which was related to me by Bedoun of Cali
lee, very fond and very proud, not only Of his
own horses, but of the whole Arabian breed. A
young chief had Il precious mare and plenty of
enemies. Once he went to a place three days
distant from his own residence TO fetch some
money that was due to him. His enemies being
apprised of his purpose, determined to take him,
or perhaps kill him. Knowing, however, of the
swiftness of his mare, they divided themselves
in groups of ten persons, and took their stations
at three hours distance from each other. The
first group was to pursue him during three hours
and when he thought himself safe, then the Sec
ond group of ten would start and begin fresh
race and so on till his mare would fail from ex-
haustion. All was done as they had designed,
but the mare never gave way; the three days
distance was travelled in day, and more Than
forty-eght hours before he was expected, his old
blind father, who sat smoking at the entrance
of his tent, recognized the well known tramp of
his sons mare. "Thcre is my son coming
back" said the old man, and he had scarcely'said
the words, ere his son dismouhted, and throw
ing the reins to his wife, laid his bag of gold
dust ut his fathers feet. But the old man thot
more for his mare than Of his son himself
"Why did You over-fatgue the mare!" exclam-
ed he in n reproachful voice; "bring her to me"
Ii was done the old man patted her head and