Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-09-06
THE BAGDAD RAILWAY.
May Change Century old Mark of
Arab Horses.

seven centuries has flowed down the
Persian Gulf to Bombay? asks writ
er In the London Graphic. In olden
| times they were brought to India in
quaint native vessels with elaborate
ly carved prows, together with dates,
Persian cats and other products; to-
] day they are carried in the up-to-date
steamers of an English company. Dur
ing the monsoon the ships receive q
severe buffeting from the winds and
the waves, and it would be impossible
% land the horses without consider
able injury and loss, so the dealers walt
until the fair season sets in, about the
end Of September, when the shipping
of Arabs begins, and continues until
January or February, by which time
the supply Is exhausted and the hot
| weather approaching.
These beautiful animals are bred on
the long sandy plains Of the Arabian
desert, and their Bedouin owners are
SO careful to preserve the pure breed
in their own country that no mares
are allowed to be exported. The horses
selected for sale are bought by Arab
dealers, who collect them in large
herds and drive them down to the sea-
ports riding behind and around them
to keep the drove together.
Some are embarked at Bussorh and
others at Mahommerah, on the Shatel
/ ytx OF ha af H. In,
gulf. On arrival at the place Of ship
ment they are put into large lighters
holding about twenty ponies each, and
taken out to the steamer lying in the
harbor. The boat is brought along
side, and then broad canvas sling is
put round the animals body with a
rope attached at the top. Into this q
hook at the end Of a strong chain Is
put and the pony is hoisted on board
by means Of derrick and winch.
The majority Of the animals are very
| docile, and submit patiently to the
process, for they are accustomed to be-
ing handled, and have been brought up
in close company with their masters.
AS soon as all are safely on board they
are taken out Of the sling and led along
the deck, where they are tied In rows
The method Of stabling them is very
simple. First, two lengths of cocoanut
mating are laid along the whole length
| Of the deck on either side and secured
by strips of wood nailed firmly down.
This serves a double purpose, keeping
the floor covering firmly In place, and
providing a foothold for the animal
when the ship is rolling. The ponies
stand in two long rows facing inwards
while under their heads long pole Is
stretched and secured to the ship at
either end. To this the head-stalls
are attached, the animals legs being
also tethered and tied to a small chain
that runs along the ships side.
The horse dealer travels in the ship
with his ponies, and carries with him
a number of native "syces," or grooms,
in the proportion Of one man to every
three horses. 1t Is their duty to feed
and water the animals twice q day
their chief food while on the voyage
being a coarse kind Of straw called
"boosa"-and to. cover them with rugs
If the weather Is cold. These attend
ants are also deputed to go round the
horses night and day. beating the
poles under their heads and shouting
with hoarse cries in Arabic to keep
them awake. This Is done to prevent
their falling down, for 30 closely are
they crowded together that should one
drop 1t would be trampled to death by
the others; but 80 great is the vigi-
| lance exercised that this accident sell
dom occurs.
1t seems that the animals must un-
dergo a great deal Of discomfort in
being kept in the same position, and
not allowed to lie down during the five
days of the voyage, but they are very
hardy, and bear the journey we'll in
spite Of this apparently harsh treat
ment, the deaths being about two in
a hundred, and injury almost un-
known.
The popular idea Of the Arabs love
for his steed Is exaggerated, for II In
some instances he is genuinely attach
ed to the animal, he regards 1t chiefly
from a mercenary point Of view, and
though a good horseman, Is a cruel
| one, and unsparing in the use Of the
| whip.
The Arab horse dealer is such an in
teresting character in himself that he
deserves brief description. His dress
Is the most picturesque in the world,
loose flowing garment confined at the
waist by handsome girdle in which
weapons are tucked, and a headgear
| flowing out widely at the sides. Where
the wearer is wealthy this costume Is
! carried out in costly materials, the ef-
feet of which Is very rich and striking
| and as a race they are fine and ath-
letic, with handsome features, and do
justice to their picturesque garb. Thy
it is an impressive sight when they
spread their prayer-mats on the deck,
and with one accord PROSTATE them
selves in devotion at sunrise and sun
set.
1t Is we'll If the ships officers are ex-
ponents of the art Of self defense, so
that they can check fight II needful,
for quarrels are constantly arising be-
tween them when on board, which
might lead to disastrous results If not
stopped in time.
Yet, in spite of his lawless ways, the
Arab has his own code Of honor, and
makes a loyal friend If you can once
win his heart. He is an inveterate
coffee -drinker, and whiles away the
time on the journey by making strong
black coffee over charcoal stoves,
which is drunk from fiat cups without
handles. Should one Of the ships Of
fcers have been fortunate enough to
gain his approval, he is fond Of pre-
senting him with a cup Of this bever-
age as a special mark Of favor, and