The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-09-06
srcllal.eons.
Horse Stealing in Algeria.

The Arab who is projecting master
stroke and intends selecting the hand
soonest out of u thousand steeds, usually
comes in the course of the day to inspect
the bvouac although be is obliged %
make his preliminary observations from
dstance-from a very considerable dis
tauce, it may be! Thc natives, in fact,
are allowed % penetrate easily into the
middle OF an encampmeut, but they are
almost always people Of the nclghbor-
hood, vino form part of the expedi ionary
columns-such as camel-drivers, herds
men, and pack horse dealers, who have
been hired for the transport of provisions.
In the latter case the Arab thief will be
mistaken for one of the men employed.
He will take good care tia no ono shall
see him enter. His choice being made,
the rogue disappears till night. In
order to return to the middle OF the
blvouac, he hnbitually dives,s himself of
every Item of clothing. and retains no
other arm than a well-sharpencd knife,
IN leather sheath, sIung with rap
across his body. He is also provided
with long rope Of cancels hair, which
Is twisted round his bead like turban.
AS soon as he has passed the first sen
irlos the thief is metamorphoscd into
serpen:; he crawls continually without
hurry, without noise, without any per-
cep:iblc rustlng. With his eyes fixed
on the living objects whom he wishes to
avoid, he stops short, if he perceives in
the scntncls the slightest sign that heir
attention has been attracted. He will
take ;hree hours, if needs be, to clear
distance of one hundred yards. A last
hc gets near the coveted object, he
horse intended o be stolen There his
movements arc more deliberate than ever,
in order not to brighten the animal, who
must not be allowed for several minu es
to perform any but natural mo ions,
capable Of deceiving the eye Of the most
vig!lant sen incl.
AT first he cuts the shackles with
which the horses fore feet arc tied
together; he flstens the rope to one of
the horses feet, and rc:ircs, crawling all
the while, as far as the leng of the
rope allows him. The distance between
himself and the animal hen varies from
twelve to fifteen fee Ii durin. these
prepara ions the lorsckeepcrs appear to
have heard any noise, the tlief again
remains motionlcss the horse remaining
quiet, and the sen inels rcsumlng their
former tranquil y, the process of steal
ing is continued. The Arab slich "
pulls the rope solicited by his mute
appeal, the horse rises and sets step :
but the movement is so perfectly similar
to that which the animal is in the hubi,
OF making when he wants to reach IL wisp
OF hay or a blade of grass Il Ii tie way
OFT the axe which he Is fas ened, that,
by night, nine sentiucls GU OF ten would F..
be deceived. The robber repeats he |
same man~nvrc as long as possible. As
he has carefully studied the ground, he
will continue it while no alarm is given;
but generally, once out Of the imncdia
reach of the men whose duty it is to keep
special watch over The olcn horse, he |
leaps on the animals back aud sets off
at full gallop, we'll knowing that gun
sho by night are only dangerous to the
comrades Of those who fire hem. Some
times the thief covers his entire person
with leaves, bu he will commit no such |
foolish act in country dcnuded of
Shurbs and bushes. On naked ground |
he is as snake i'll bushy country he
Transforms blnsclf iuto living bush in
short, he assilnilatcs his person 10 the
aspect OF the coun ry he is travcrsing.
All The Year Round.