"They buy, but can they ride?" asked the Arab."These horses are not for children or pilgrims.Unless they can ride well they shall not have them--no, not even if you ask it of me."Godwin said that he thought so--at least, they would try.Then the Arab, leaving the horses standing there, went into the stable, and with the help of two of the inn servants, brought out bridles and saddles unlike any they had seen.They were but thickly-quilted pads stretching far back upon the horses' loins, with strong hide girths strapped with wool and chased stirrups fashioned like half hoofs.The bits also were only snaffles without curbs.
When all was ready and the stirrups had been let down to the length they desired, the Arab motioned to them to mount.As they prepared to do so, however, he spoke some word, and suddenly those meek, quiet horses were turned into two devils, which reared up on their hind legs and threatened them with their teeth and their front hoofs, that were shod with thin plates of iron.
Godwin stood wondering, but Wulf, who was angry at the trick, got behind the horses, and watching his chance, put his hands upon the flanks of the stallion named Smoke, and with one spring leapt into the saddle.Masouda smiled, and even the Arab muttered "Good," while Smoke, feeling himself backed, came to the ground again and became quiet as a sheep.Then the Arab spoke to the horse Flame, and Godwin was allowed to vault into the saddle also.
"Where shall we go?" he asked.
Masouda said they would show them, and, accompanied by her and the Arab, they walked the horses until they were quite clear of the town, to find themselves on a road that had the sea to the left, and to the right a stretch of flat land, some of it cultivated, above which rose the steep and stony sides of hills.
Here on this road the brethren trotted and cantered the horses to and fro, till they began to be at home in their strange saddles who from childhood had ridden barebacked in the Essex marshes, and to learn what pressure on the bit was needed to check or turn them.When they came back to where the pair stood, Masouda said that if they were not afraid the seller wished to show them that the horses were both strong and swift.
"We fear no ride that he dares to take himself," answered Wulf angrily, whereon the Arab smiled grimly and said something in a low voice to Masouda.Then, placing his hand upon Smoke's flank, he leapt up behind Wulf, the horse never stirring.
"Say, Peter, are you minded to take a companion for this ride?"asked Masouda; and as she spoke a strange look came into her eyes, a wild look that was new to the brethren.
"Surely," answered Godwin, "but where is the companion?"Her reply was to do as the Arab had done, and seating herself straddle-legged behind Godwin, to clasp him around the middle"Truly you look a pretty pilgrim now, brother," said Wulf, laughing aloud, while even the grave Arab smiled and Godwin muttered between his teeth the old proverb "Woman on croup, devil on bow." But aloud he said, "I am indeed honoured; yet, friend Masouda, if harm should come of this, do not blame me."" No harm will come--to you, friend Peter; and I have been so long cooped in an inn that I, who am desert-born, wish for a gallop on the mountains with a good horse beneath me and a brave knight in front.Listen, you brethren; you say you do not fear;then leave your bridles loose, and where'er we go and whate'er we meet seek not to check or turn the horses Flame and Smoke.Now, Son of the Sand, we will test these nags of which you sing so loud a song.Away, and let the ride be fast and far! ""On your head be it then, daughter," answered the old Arab.
"Pray Allah that these Franks can sit a horse! "Then his sombre eyes seemed to take fire, and gripping the encircling saddle girth, he uttered some word of command, at which the stallions threw up their heads and began to move at a long, swinging gallop towards the mountains a mile away.At first they went over cultivated land off which the crops had been already cut, taking two or three ditches and a low wall in their stride so smoothly that the brethren felt as though they were seated upon swallows.Then came a space of sandy sward, half a mile or more, where their pace quickened, after which they began to breast the long slope of a hill, picking their way amongst its stones like cats.
Ever steeper it grew, till in places it was so sheer that Godwin must clutch the mane of Flame, and Masouda must cling close to Godwin's middle to save themselves from slipping off behind.Yet, notwithstanding the double weights they bore, those gallant steeds never seemed to falter or to tire.At one spot they plunged through a mountain stream.Godwin noted that not fifty yards to their right this stream fell over a little precipice cutting its way between cliffs which were full eighteen feet from bank to bank, and thought to himself that had they struck it lower down, that ride must have ended.Beyond the stream lay a hundred yards or so of level ground, and above it still steeper country, up which they pushed their way through bushes, till at length they came to the top of the mountain and saw the plain they had left Iying two miles or more below them.
"These horses climb hills like goats," Wulf said; "but one thing is certain: we must lead them down."Now on the top of the mountain was a stretch of land almost flat and stoneless, over which they cantered forward, gathering speed as the horses recovered their wind till the pace grew fast.
Suddenly the stallions threw themselves on to their haunches and stopped, as well they might, for they were on the verge of a chasm, at whose far foot a river brawled in foam.For a moment they stood; then, at some word from the Arab, wheeled round, and, bearing to the left, began to gallop back across the tableland, until they approached the edge of the mountainside, where the brethren thought that they would stop.
