Chinese and Arabian Literature - E. Wilson - The Search For Mecca

THE ABSIANS AND FAZAREANS 29
befall him, or he might be killed. One of the slaves who had
been left in the encampment, and had been among the first to
see the approach of the Absians, went up to Daliir for the purpose
of breaking the line by which he was hobbled. This he
failed to accomplish, but mounting him, and digging his heels
into his flanks, he forced the horse, although he was hobbled,
to rush off prancing like a fawn, until he reached the desert.
It was in vain that the Absians pursued him ; they could not
even catch up with the trail of dust that he left behind him.
As soon as Cais perceived Dahir, he recognized him, and the
desire of possessing him became intensified. He hurried on,
but his chagrin was great, as he perceived that, do what he
would, he never could catch up with him. At last the slave,
perceiving that he had quite out-distanced the Absians, dismounted,
untied the feet of Dahir, leapt again into the saddle,
and galloped off. Cais, who had kept up the pursuit, gained
ground during this stop, and coming within ear-shot of the
slave, shouted out, " Stop, Arab, there is no cause for fear
you have my protection ; by the faith of a noble Arab, I swear
it." At these words the slave stopped. " Do you intend to
sell that horse ? " said King Cais to him, " for in that case you
have the most eager buyer of all the Arabian tribesmen." " I
do not wish to sell him, sire," replied the slave, " excepting at
one price, the restoration of all the booty." " I will buy him
then," the King answered, and he clasped the hand of the
Arab as pledge of the bargain. The slave dismounted from
the young horse, and delivered him over to King Cais, and the
latter overjoyed at having his wish, leapt on to his back, and
set out to rejoin the Absians, whom he commanded to restore
all the booty which they had taken. His order was executed to
the letter. King Cais, enchanted at the success of his enter-
prise, and at the possession of Dahir, returned home. So great
was his fondness for the horse that he groomed and fed him
with his own hands. Soon as Hadifah, chief of the tribe of
Fazarah, heard that Cais had possession of Dahir, jealousy
filled his heart. In concert with other chiefs he plotted the
death of this beautiful horse.
Nov/ it came to pass that at this time Hadifah gave a great
feast, and Carwash, kinsman of King Cais, was present. At
the end of the meal, and while the wine circulated freely the
course of conversation turned to the most famous chiefs of the
;