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    Oct. 26, 1850.] ®f)$ Stlftftir* 739

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  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

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    The Berber. The Berber; Or, The Mountain...

    did was to feel for the gun , which he noiselessly emptied of the ball , and replaced in its position . He then drew his knife , and stretching himself by the side of the sheik , deliberately began cutting through his woollen sash , first on one side and then on the other . The slumbers of the sheik were far from sound , but so quietly and skilfully was the operation conducted that he was not awakened , nor any alarm given to the other inmates of the tent . " The front turns of the sash were lifted from the sleeper . Upon running his hands through the folds Casbin lighted at once upon the key . The most difficult part of the adventure was achieved . Casbin stuck his dagger in the ground in front of the sheik ' s face , and as slowly and as noiselessly as before crept under the door curtain of the tent .

    " There stood the noble animal El Hassaneh , the Beautiful . The rain had ceased ; the clouds had suddenly broken away , and the bright starlight , mingled with the first faint sheen of dawn , revealed her beautiful proportions to the young prince . But not long did he tarry to admire . He took one look to make sure that it was indeed she , the much . praised and oft-described beauty , and then applying the key to the padlock , liberated her foot from the chain . He threw over her head a hempen bridle . He freed her fetlocks from the cords by which she was picketed . He vaulted on her back . " 'Oh , sheik AH ! ' shouted the youth , ' Come forth , and bid adieu to your favourite !'

    " No answer was returned , and Casbin , springing lightly to the ground , seized the end of the chain , and giving it a vigorous shake , vaulted again to the back of El Hassaneh . "' Come forth , oh , most arrogant sheik of Arbazza !' shouted Casbin . * Your mare will not leave you without returning you thanks for your favours . * " The curtain of the tent was thrown violently aside . One glance showed to the horror-stricken sheik his favourite freed from her chain , and with some one on her back . He hesitated not an instant . With a groan of rage he raised his gun to his shoulder and fired . What was his astonishment to find that the audacious rider still preserved his seat .

    " The report of the gun and the burst of boyish laughter that followed it , aroused all the inhabitants of the douah . The Arabs came pouring out of their tents . " ' Oh , most renowned sheik ! ' cried the prince . ' Thou former master of El Hassaneh ! Disturb not thy soul with passion , and be not above listening to advice from the beardless . Never , oh sheik ! attempt to shoot any one without a ball in your gun . Ha ! ha ! ha ! And as to your mare , comfort yourself . I have taken her , but it is merely an exchange . I leave you a very good horse . The thousand metcals you offered as a reward you can keep to make up the difference between him and the mare . A beautiful day to you , oh , sheik ! and may the Lord guard you with better care thau you have bestowed upon El Hassaneh . '

    " The young prince wheeled his well-won treasure , and , giving her the rein , was off like a bolt from a bow . Terrible were the shouts of rage that arose behind him , and then a sudden volley sent the bullets flying after him ; but what with the distance and the darkness they flew wide of the mark . " And then such a saddling of horses , and such a mounting in haste . The only hope , of course , was to catch him by tiring the mare down by relays of horses , picked up at the different douahs that should be passed . But it was in vain . The horsemen of village after village , with fresh steeds , joined in the chase ; but El Hassaneh carried light weight , and at a steady pace , that equalled the full speed of the freshest of her pursuers , she winged her way ere midday across the plains , and paused for breath only amid the thickets on the slopes of the mountains . "

    A MOORISH BEVIEW . tf ' Come to prayers ! Come to prayers ! ' drawled the mueddins from the tops of the minarets . The first flush of dawn rapidly diffused itself over the eastern sky . The gates were thrown open , and through the gaping portals poured a stream of turbaned heads , citizens and soldiers , horse and foot , young and old , all rushing to the plain of El Sakel . Outside the walls numerous parties of tentdwellers , indifferently mounted on camels , horses , and donkeys , might have been seen coining from their scattered douahs , all wending their way to the scene of the expected Lab el Barode .

    •• And well worth a walk of ten or twelve miles was the sight of El Sakel on that morning , as twenty thousand men rose from their night ' s bivouac , and mounting their horses , began careering across the plain—the only attempt at order being an effort on the part of each troop to keep as close as possible to its own particular kaid . As the sun rose fresh bodies came pouring in from the country around , until full thirty thousand were present . By eleven o'clock in the day , an equal number , composed of mounted Moors from the city , and Arabs from the tents , had assembled , and besides these there were countless hosts of pedestrians .

    *? No spot of ground could have been found better adapted to the review and exercise of a large body of cavalry than the plain which had been selected . Three or four miles in length by one in breadth , and perfectly level , it presented a fine , hard , tufty surface . At the eastern side it was crossed by a slender tributary of the Ordom , beyond which the country stretched in an open plain , but comparatively broken and rough , at the foot of the hills . At the western extremity was a gentle elevation , surmounted by several large tents , in the centre of which , and conspicuous above all , stood the royal marquee , with its silken curtains , and its banners of crimson and green . 44 The sun was within an hour of the meridian before

    any degree of order began to be evolved from the apparently inextricable confusion prevailing over the ground . The discharge of a small field-piece gave the signal . Furiously the kaids rode up and down , screaming their

    orders at the top of their lungs . Gradually the black troops began to arrange themselves in compact masses on one side , while the Moorish horsemen and populace occupied the other . " Suddenly the roar of artillery , a grand flourish of trumpets , and the crash of a thousand cymbals and kettle-drums announced the approach of the Sultan . Mounted upon a horse magnificently caparisoned , and surrounded by a small body of richly dressed negro slaves on foot , he issued from the curtained enclosure of the royal tent , and wheeled into the broad avenue formed by the masses of soldiers , citizens , and Bedouins . " The Sultan himself was habited very plainly , in his

    usual garb , a fine white haick and a monstrous turban ; but gorgeous were the garments of his attendants . The caftans of the body slaves and executioners were thickly encrusted with the richest gold lace , while their bare necks and arms were loaded with jewelled chains and bracelets . Two bearers on either side supported , by long poles , a large crimson umbrella over the monarch ' s head . Slowly , and with as pleasant a smile as it was possible for his toothless mouth to assume , he paced adown the lines . Two favourite kaids of the Soudan troops , with hands upon the bit , restrained the impatience of the fiery steed ; while at every three or four steps , the slaves on either side , turning to the soldiers and the populace , and bowing

    low , exclaimed—••« Sidi is well to-day !' " * Sidi is well to-day ! ' repeated the crowd , in slow and measured tone . ' Sidi is well to-day ! Thank God ! God preserve Sidi ! ' at the same time bending the body , and placing the hand upon the head . " The Sultan gave the signal for the game to begin . Separating themselves from a body of picked horsemen , a small party of five or six , all of whom were captains in either the black or Moorish troops , dashed forward at full speed . Their generous chargers , urged to the highest exertion by the strongly aspirated' Ha , ha ! Ha , ha ! ' of the riders , and the free use of the cruel Moorish spur , an instrument having for rowel a large iron spike of from five to eight inches in length , strained every

    muscle . Twirling their long guns round their heads , the horsemen brought them down with the butt resting squarely against their breasts , and the barrels inclined downward over the heads of their steeds . Upon reading the spot where the Sultan was seated , and just as they were about to dash by him , their pieces were simultaneously discharged , and , each man drawing rein , the course of their horses was instantaneously checked . With haunches almost touching the ground , and quivering through every fibre , from the intense exertion of the sudden check to which they were forced by the powerful Moorish bit , they rested a moment ; the horsemen threw their muskets with a whirling motion into the air ; recovered their horses with a single demivolte , and , wheeling slowly , walked them back to the place from whence they started .

    " Another party succeeded , going through the same evolutions , ana then giving place to others who rapidly followed . Now and then a single horseman darted forth , and varied the monotony of the game by some extraordinary display of equestrian skill , which was always liberally rewarded with shouts of applause . Jumping to the ground , and again vaulting to the saddle ; bending down and touching the ground , and standing up in the saddle at full speed , were severally attempted . These feats—comparatively easy in the circus , where the motion of the horse is perfectly true , and where the rider can oppose centrifugal force to the attraction of gravity—are known to be extremely difficult in a straight course , especially the latter one ; and it was only for a moment

    that the boldest and most dexterous of those who attempted it could retain their balance . They were no sooner on their feet than they were compelled to sink again to their seats in the saddle , or , as happened in two or three instances , be pitched headlong to the ground . Still , every attempt to ride standing up in the saddle , even at half speed , if successful only for a moment , received the loudest plaudits of the multitude . The same feat by two horsemen riding together seemed to be much more easily performed . The reins being intertwined so as to connect the horses by the head , the riders stood up and succeeded in balancing each other until they reached the carpet of the Sultan . They were two well-known Arab kaids from the province of Darah , celebrated for its horses , and the most noted equestrians of their tribe .

    Their performance was greeted with shouts of applause . Again and again they ran a course , introducing a variety of novel and difficult feats ; changing horses at full speed ; lifting each , other from the saddle ; stooping to the ground ; vaulting from side to side ; throwing themselves under the bodies of their horses , and riding in all manner of positions , which , in a straight wide course , with the common saddle , is , as we have said , incomparably more difficult than the most striking triumphs of the amphitheatre . " Of the performers , none seemed to enjoy the excitement more than the horses themselves , and nothing could be more striking than the contrast between the languor with which , when the course was run , they returned to the starting point , and the fiery impatience evinced in every motion when preparing for the start . "

    Suddenly a single horseman appears in the arena , and , of course , all eyes are directed towards him , for he is the hero , though the eyes do not see it ; having described some feats of horsemanship which amazed tho crowd , the author then proceeds to tell us

    HOW THE HERDER STOLE THIS SULTAN ' S CHILD . " Once more all sounds were hushed . The horses even , seemed to partake of the sensation and ceased their champing and pawing . Again the strange horseman commenced a career , but not with the same reckless impetuosity . It was observed that his steed , although plunging furiously , was kept well in hand , and all eyes followed with intense lintcrest , his every movement . lie

    passed his gun without stooping to pick it up . What could he be going to do ? Silence!—hush !—not a whisper ! His horse swerved violently from side to side . Expectation was excited to the utmost . He was evidently preparing for something desperate . Some daring feat ; and novel , too , thought the crowd ; else why move so slowly ? and wh y such an air of preparation ? The course was almost finished . He was nearly abreast of the seat of the sultan , when suddenly his horse swerved

    violently to one side , bringing his hands on to the very edge of the imperial carpet . At this moment it was observed that the horseman held a paper , which , bowing himself from the saddle , he threw into the lap of Muley Istnael . At the same instant , with a rapid sweep of his arm , he seized the young Muley Abderrhaman . Clutching the child by the clothes , the horseman swung him to his saddle-bow ; growling , while bending over him in the act , almost in the ears of the astonished father , in the deep guttural of the

    Arabic" ' Look to the paper , and when you want him , send to Casbin Subah !' " Wheeling his horse short round , the Berber leaped a corner of the royal carpet , knocking over one of the umbrella bearers , and dashing through the shrinking slaves in the rear of the Sultan . In a moment he was at the banks of the shallow stream , down which his steed scrambled with cat-like agility . A few jumps cleared the narrow bed ; and then , breasting him by main force through a thicket of oleanders , the other bank was trained , and

    the gallant animal , with loosened rein , was skimming the plain in the direction of the hills , with a stride as steady , and almost as rapid , as the sweep of an eagle . " For a few minutes the Sultan , his officers , and slaves were lost in astonishment . Stupified at the audacity of the act , they stood as if doubting the evidence of their senses . In sixty thousand minds arose , simultaneously , an idea of djins , or of Ebliss himself . The sultan was the first to recover himself . He knew that tho daring rider was no djin , and he bounded to his feet convulsed with rage and fear .

    " It is impossible to describe fullv the scene of confusion that followed . The whole field was in commotion . Troop pressed upon troop . The masses swayed backward and forward , and orders , execrations , and cries of pain made a terrible chorus with the stamping and snorting of steeds , and the clashing of muskets and sabres . Muley Ismael , crazy with passion , drew his scimitar , and for a moment laid about him in every direction . He vociferated for his horse ; tore his beard ; dashed his turban to the ground , and shouted , like one possessed , his orders for instant pursuit .

    *• The very ardour of the troops prevented these orders from being early obeyed , and befcre the masses of cavalry could extricate themselves from the confusion into which they had been thrown by the effort of all to be first in the chase , the Berber had been able to gain a start of more than a mile . " At length the Moors and blacks got under way . The little stream was something of an obstacle , but at various points it was quickly overcome . Over it poured the excited crowd , until more than thirty thousand horse thundared over the plain , gradually extending themselves in long lines , as the relative difference in the speed of their horses began to exhibit itself .

    " Soon those who lagged the most began to rein up , until ere two leagues had been passed the body of the pursuers were reduced to a few score of the best mounted , whose pure blooded , thorough-bred steeds , enabled them to keep together , and also to slowly , but certainly gain upon the Berber , whose horse laboured under the terrible disadvantage of the additional weight of the child . " [ The scene then changes , and we are introduced to some other friends who witness the conclusion of the Berber ' s flight . ]

    " The sun had declined several hours from , the meridian . The eyes of the party were directed down the declivity , and across the level country towards the field of El Sakel , when suddenly an exclamation from Xaripha called attention to a body of horsemen , which , in straining their sight to the distant camp , the rais and his brother had overlooked . Appearing at first like diminutive specks , they each moment grew larger and more , distinct , an indication to the brothers of their course , and the speed with which it was pursued . A short half-hour

    brought them fully into view , when the rais , with the long and trained sight of the sailor , could plainly perceive a single horseman bearing something in his arms , and urging his steed to the utmost , followed , at a distance of a few hundred yards , by a dozen others , who were slowly gaining upon him , " Isabel sprang to her feet , and seized the arm of the rais . ' 'Tis the Berber , ' she exclaimed , * and he is bringing my sister with him ! Say , is it not so ? Oh , merciful God ! they will overtake him !'

    " ' No , returned the rais , straining his eyes , * it is not—it cannot be your sister . The burden he bears is too small ; and , besides , there never lived a horse that could carry such a weight in such a race . What can it be ? 'Tis the Berber surely . By Allah , they gnin upon him ! They arc bold riders and good horses behind him !' " ' But they are nearly blown , ' exclaimed Edward . ' See ! their riders lift them over the ground by main strength . Let us to horse and make a diversion . Perhaps our appearance will frighten them off . ' at the unsaddled

    " The rais glanced and picketed horses , and , shaking his head , turned again to the chase . The ascent began to he more ntccp , and the difference in weight , between pursuers and pursued to tell still more fearfully against the latter . " * Santa Maria purissima ! he can't escape ! ' exclaimed Isabel , sinking to the ground , and covering her face with , her hands . « Oh , Prophet of God ! shouted the rais . « Ho can't escape ! Why don ' t he throw away his load ? The man is mad ! Hal I see ! 'J ? is a child . ( Spur ! epur !

    Oct. 26, 1850.] ®F)$ Stlftftir* 739

    Oct . 26 , 1850 . ] ® f ) $ Stlftftir * 739

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 26, 1850, page 19, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_26101850/page/19/