St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-01-10

hue, was lit up ny the nreO tWoeyeS
as black as hell. He carried neither
lance nor gun. but wore only little
dagger at his belt, whose sheath was
set with uncut diamonds, rubies and
emeralds. Everything about him
bespoke the chief; his gesture, his
bearing, his look.
When he drew near us, Ishmael-
for it was hc-sprang lightly to the
ground, tossed the lines over his
horses head, tied them to his right
leg, and whispered something in his
ear which | did not catch.
From that time on the horse re-
NAMED mute and immovable as ifthe
wand OF magicians had turned him
suddenly into stone.
Ishmae surveyed us all with a SOM
Der glance and waited.
The Jew, who had acted as 60 be-
tween in the negotiation, now draw
ing to its close, came at once to receive
his orders. He spoke Arabic and
Italian equally well, and was to serve
as interpreter to the sheik and the
prince.
Ishmael spoke few words to him.
Your Highness," said the Jew i'm
mediately, "Ishmael says his mare is
ready, and he asks if the money is
ready too"
The prince had no need to utter
word; he merely glanced at the two
moujcks who opened the casket and
began to count the gold whose glis-
tening heaps were soon piled up upon
the table.
Ishmael, on his side, turned to his
men, and at that moment, two tiny
memberships is the name given to
Oriental grooms-approached, lead
ing by the bride, which each one held
three inches from the bit, one of the
most ravishing four-iooted creatures
ever animated by the breath of life.
When she was so near us that we
could appreciate her in all her perfec-
ton, an exclamation broke from
every breast; the most vehement APP
plauded, and the prince, though so
completed master of himself (being a
diplomat of long standing), could
not prevent slight culver from play
ing over the features of a countenance
usually so impassive.
Here is Peach Blossom" said Ish-
mael, fixing upon the prince his black
and piercing eye.
This poetic name must have come
at once to the mind of whoever con-
templated the beautiful creature who
bore it. Her fine and almost trans.
parent coat, as soft and glossy as
satin, was white, and so tinged by
the rose-color beneath it. thatit had,
indeed, the delicate, charming velvety
hue of it's beautiful namesake. This
indeterminate and exquisite tint
seemed to invite the touch, while it
caressed the eye. Before even having
examined the details of form, one
was, so to speak. seduced by this
magic of color.
All the princes friends drew uear,
the better to admire his new con-
quest, and | followed.
The mares head was incompara-
bly, beautiful-beautiful in lines and
expression. The forehead was wide
and square, and its iulness entailed
that relative shortness OF the lower
part OF the head that is esteemed so
highly in horses of noble race. The
brow was slightly concave, and it
gave a proul and naughty express
sion to the nostrils, which palpitated
and quivered with singular mobility.
The lips seemed thin and even
shrunken, by comparison with the
upper part OF the face; and it would
have taken but a slender hand to
imprison her mouth. The wide
opened eye, with its sweeping eye
lids, was prominent and brilliant; it
spanked with intelligence and dar-
ing. A delicate black band followed
the line OF the lashes like a perfect
circle, and gave to her look the mild
ness of a gazelle's. The whole head
seemed enlaced by anetwork oflarge,
full veins, which stood out in bold re-
lief. The long neck, naturally arched.
was joined to the body with IRE
proachabe delicacy. The structure
of the shoulder seemed a marvel.
The high wither and sloping Shout
der-blade revealed the suppleness
and strength of the levers that give
movement, and assured its lightness
and ease and grace. The leg was
slender, and the pastern was set at
such an angle as to strike all con-
noisseurs, while the tendons stood
out sharply. The breast was full
and large; the TANKS short; the
sides long and curved, and the rump
very wide. In short, everything in
her rounded and compact body
seemed made to attain the double
perfection TO be sought for in horse
-rapidity and strength.
The two little mouckres, who had
doubtless received their instructions
beforehand, led the mare, step by
step, in and out among the groups
OF spectators to give everyone a
chance to see and to admire.
Peach Blossom, like the good prin-
cess she was, let herself be gazed at;
but now and then a shudder would
pass over her beautiful skin, and she
would shake herself with little
brusque movements which threw her
flo wing name over her head. cover