ABSTRACT
After much picking and choosing, however, Wilfrid was fortunate enough to secure, for a very moderate sum, one of those mares, rare enough, as we found out afterwards, even among the Anazeh, which make one understand the relationship existing between our English thoroughbred and the Arabian horse. She was not remarkably handsome, being ewe-necked, and having a strange, wild head; but her depth of girth and her long muscular hindquarters gave promise of what she really possessed in a wonderful degree, speed and staying power. These we might find very necessary in our adventures. Endurance of fatigue on the road and hardiness under want of food are qualities that may always be reckoned on in buying an Arab horse, no matter what his looks or what his pedigree; but speed is exceptional, and confined to the best strains of blood. Hagar, as we called her, was of the Kehllan-Ajuz breed, the fastest, the stoutest, and the most English-looking of them all. "When purchased, she was in very poor condition, having just gone through the severe training of a campaign. She was bred by the Gomussa, the most notable of the horse-breeding
and Seb&a together now turned upon the Koala, put the soldiers to flight, and captured twenty of their enemies, whom Jedaan at once treated as they had treated the five Seb&a. He then returned to the neighbourhood of Deyr, where he still is, while the Eodla have fled south into the Hamdd. This is an ugly story in every way, but it need not have any effect upon our own proceedings. The Eo&la will naturally keep clear of their offended kinsmen, and will not go with them to Jebel Shammar this year; and it may even be fortunate, as their being all in trouble may make Jedaan still more anxious to do a service to so powerful a friend as Mr. S. The ijiazeh, however, are likely to hasten their journey southwards, and we must start immediately if we wish to find them still within reach. "Wilfrid sent at once for Hadji Mahmoud, and agreed that he should take us, with five baggage mules, to Deyr, and that we should start on Wednesday . . .
