Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-28
The Greyhounds Of Africa.

Nothing evinces more the aristocratic tastes
of the Arabs of Sahara, than their treatment of
their greyhounds. Here, as in all other Arab
countries, the common dog, whatever the utility
Of his employment in protecting the tents and
focks, is still regarded a contemplate and
troublesome servant disagreebe necessity.
The greyhound alone, as the companion of his
chivalrous pastimes, is treated by the Arab
with affectionate attention and respect. While,
therefore, the faithful watchdog is driven forth
from the tent, treated as a vulgar brute, and
allowed to seek his food among the offal and
bones that have been thrown out, the grey
hound sleeps in the mems apartment, on car
pet beside his master, or even on his bed. He
is abundantly but carefully fed with kooskoos ;
and in the summer, cakes are made for him of
milk and stoned dates, which are said to be
highly tonic. If thoroughbred animal, be
will not drink out of dirty vessel, nor will he
taste milk in which any one has put his hands.
He is defended from the cold with coverlets
like the horse, the Arabs having no objection
TO his being sensitive in this respect-it is an
evidence Of hign blood. They delight in deck
ing him with ornaments, and make for him col
lars Of cowry shells, 10 which they attach tai
ismans to secure him from the blight of an evil
eye.
At the age OF forty days the pups are re-
moved from the mother, and fed with goats
or camel's milk, mixed with dates and koos-
koos.
At the age Of three or four months, the edu-
cation Of the greyhound is begun by the chill
dren starting jerboas, or small deer, and Undue
ing him to give chase. He soon becomes SO
fond Of this pastime, that he will bark round
the holes, to induce the youngsters to renew
the sport. The next game on which he is tried
is the hare; then the young gazelle. At the
end Of year he has attained his full strength,
and is advanced TO become the companion Of
the master Of the tent, who teaches him 10 hunt
the full sized pazelle. The Arab talks TO him
as a human being, "Listen TO me, friend; thou
must bring me some venison; am tired of
eating nothing but dates" Whereupon the dog
leaps, wheels about, and intimates, as plainly
as possible, that he understands his masters
wish, and is abundantly willing to comply.
When the dog perceives herd of thirty or
forty eazelles, he trembes with Joy, and looks
wistfully at his master. "Hai young jew
says the Arab, thou wilt not say this time that
thou hast not seen them" He then unties an
ox-skin, and refresbes the body of the dog with
a sprinkling of water The impatient animal
turns on him an imploring eye he is leosed
on the game, and bounds away; but yet con-
ceals himself, crouches down if he is perceived ;
makes zigzag course; and it is not till fairly
within reach that he darts with all his strength
choosing the finest Of the herd as his victim.
When the hunter cuts up the gazelle, he gives
the dog part Of the loin; if he were offered any
refuse, he would reject it with disdain.
A thorough bred hound will hunt with no one
but his master; and he manifests due selfre.
spect in his choice Of prey. IL on loosing
L. loc tad NH G,xo Ill
and he has succeeded only in taking small
and middling looking one, he seems to feel the
reproach that attaches TO the failure, and sinks
away ashamed instead Of claiming his accus-
toned share. He always accompanies his
master when visiting, and shares whatever hos
pitalities he receives. BY his extreme cleanli.
ness, the kindness Of his manners, and his re-
spect for the usages of society, he shows him.
| self worthy of the attentions thus bestowed on
| him. When the Arab returns home after q
somewhat prolonged absence, his dog makes a
single bound from the tent to the saddle, and
welcomes him with caresses.
The greyhound Of Sahara is very superior to
that Of the coast. lie is tall and fawn-colored
has thin muzzle, black tongue and palate
large forehead, short ears, muscular neck, very
soft hair, no paunch, dry limbs, and the mus
cles Of the Group we'll marked. A pretty good
one is considered worth o ine camel but those
which take the largest gazeles will bring as
much as n horse. A family hunter, however
is never sold; an Arab would almost as soor
! think Of selling one Of his sons. When he
dies, it is a time Of mourning in the tent; the
women and children weep and lament as for q
member of the family.
| -
THE CAUSE OF MANY DEATH AND MANY !