Meeting VI

In one of the districts of Anatolia lives a great tribe of wandering nomades, known by the name of Haniss. It is composed of thirty thousand families, who are all rich, and reside in a beautiful country. Ever}’ one of its elders devotes his life to some favourite object: one of them is fond of fine clothes, another prefers women, and another, again, is fond of greyhounds or hawks. Their chief, Hassan Pasha, was fond of horses beyond anything in the world. Whenever he heard of a fine horse he spared neither money nor trouble to procure it.

One day Hassan Pasha went to his stable, and, after having examined several of his horses, he said to his vizier, “Surely no king of any of the five climates of the w orld can boast of a stable like this.” The vizier replied, “True, no king has a stable like this, but Kurroglou has a horse at Chamly-bill, of the name of Kyrat, the like to which is not possessed by Keyvan himself, the ruler of the seven heavens.”

“O, my vizier, I am ready to give all I have to possess this jewel.” “Pasha, it is not an easy task. Kurroglou is not in want of money, and there is no possibility of taking it from him by force.” “My vizier, to the man who shall bring this horse to me I will give half my power If he should say, it is not enough, I will give him half my riches; and, should even this appear too insignificant to him, I have seven daughters, he shall be at liberty to choose the most beautiful of them for a wife Go, and let this order be trumpeted, in the direction of all the four winds, to all the encampments of our tribe. Be he a Beg or a beggar, old or young, he shall be my son-in-law if he only brings Kyrat to me.”

There was amongst the tribe of Haniss a certain scullion, Hamza by name, whose head and eyebrows were bald, and he was marked with the small-pox. This man having heard the proclamation, hastened to the vizier, barefooted, and having no trousers on. “What proclamation is it, vizier?” he inquired. “What is that to thee, thou bald-headed ugly cur?” “1 only ak to know what it is about?” The vizier then informed him of all the details, and added, “The man who will be successful will be rich.” “What need have I of money?” replied Hamza, “a dozen pounds or so of the water melon’s peel, which is given me in the kitchen to masticate every day, is sufficient to gratify my palate.” “The pasha promises to divide his power and riches, and to give one of his seven daughters as a wife to the man who will bring Kyrat to him.” As soon as Hamza had heard this last proposition, he stood erect and raised his ears. “Vizier, I have seen all the seven daughters of the pasha, but if he should consent to give me the youngest of them.” “Whoever brings the horse will be allowed to choose amongst the seven the one he likes best.” Hamza struck his breast with both hands, and said: “Look upon me, look upon me; I am the man to do it.” “Indeed? tell me how for instance.” “The pasha shall have Kyrat, but thou must first conduct me to his presence.” The vizier thought: “We have been proclaiming it for so many days, no one has been found as yet willing to undertake this expedition. He is the first and the last. I must let the pasha see him.”

Hamza was introduced to the presence of the pasha. “Is it thee, thou bald-pated one, that hast promised to bring Kyrat to me?” “Myself, but what wilt thou give me for it, pasha?” “I shall give thee half my riches.” “I want no riches.” “1 will present thee with half of the pasha’s power” “I want not that power of thine; what should I do with it?” “Thou shalt have whichsoever of my seven daughters thou pleasest.” “Pasha, I cannot believe those words.” “What else am I to do to convince you of my sincerity V’ “Swear, by kissing the Koran, that, in case of breaking thy word, thou mayest divorce every one of thy seven wives” The pasha took the oath. Hamza then said, “I have been long enamoured of thy youngest daughter; if I forfeit my life in this expedition, I shall not regret it at all: if on the other hand, I should bring the horse with me, 1 shall then have thy youngest daughter for myself.” The pasha said, “Thou shalt have her;” and kissed the Koran.

Hamza set out for Chamly-bill without loss of time; and the arrival of such a poor wretch could hardly attract any attention. After a month’s residence at that place, he thought in his heart: “Let me fish for Daly Ahmed with the bait of acquaintance and friendship. I shall thus, perhaps, contrive to creep into the stable.” He then entered the stable-yard cautiously, with a slow pace; and after having torn the shirt off his breast, he gathered in one heap the horse-dung that lay scattered about, and having seated himself upon it, he began to weep and wail aloud. Tears were pouring from his eyes like rain from a cloud. Daly-Mehter, Kurroglou’s equerry, was just passing that way; he saw a naked wretch in tears, sitting on a heap of horse dung. His heart was impressed with pity. It is well known that madmen are much given to pity. “Bald-pate, why dost thou cry so?” Hamza answered, “May I fall a victim to thee! I am an orphan and a foreigner; thanks to the ugliness of my bald forehead, no man will take me to be his servant. I should like to find a master who may give me a piece of bread.” Daly-Mehter thought: “All the world lives on Kurroglou’s bread; I will take this man to the stable and give him food.” He then raised the weeping man by his hands, and took him into the stable. Daly-Mehter pulled his sleeves up to the elbows, and filling a can made of brass with warm water, he washed the bald man’s head, and after cleansing him all over, gave him his old clothes to put on.

The bald Hamza showed so much zeal and practice in his service about Kurroglou’s horses, that Daly-Mehter’s reason escaped from his head from astonishment. One of the two best horses that were in this stable was Kyrat, who was attached by one of his legs with a chain, the lock of which Kurroglou himself always carried in his pocket. The other horse usually mounted by Ayvaz, was called Durrat. This horse was also locked separately, and the key of its lock was in Daly-Mehter’s pocket.

All the above circumstances were soon known to Hamza, who began to despair of the possibility of getting at Kyrat at any time. Kurroglou came one day to the stable and found Daly-Mehter fast asleep. He looked, and beheld a ragged and bald-pated fellow. who was currying Kyrat with a currycomb, and a piece of horse-cloth in his hand. Kurroglou as well as Hamza had never seen each other before that time. Kyrat was bent like in a bow under the pressure of Hamza’s powerful hand, and his skin was all shining from excellent grooming. Kurroglou trembled in all his limbs, and thought in his heart: “The man under whose arm Kyrat is bent in this manner, cannot be an ordinary man.” He then called out, “Thou bald-pated cur, thou wilt make the horse’s skin come off. Is this the way to curry him?” Hamza snatched a large iron hammer from the niche, and raising it on Kurroglou, exclaimed, “What is thy business in this stable? begone, thou vagabond.” For he had been enjoined long before by Daly-Mehter not to allow anybody to enter the stable. Kurroglou said, “Fool, how darest thou to raise thy hand upon me?”

Daly-Mehter was aroused from his sleep by this noise. He sprang up from the ground, and saluted his master. “Who is this man whom thou hast engaged in the stable?” 4 May I fall a victim to thee! Thousands of people are living upon thy bread. This bald pate is very clever and active, he might as well as others be fed by thy bounty.” “I grudge my bread to no one. Give it to him as thou hast given before, let him eat of it as much as he likes; but judging from his limbs and movements I cannot expect anything good from him; he looks like a thief of horses.” “Oh 1 no, my lord, if he were of iron one could not make as much as five needles of him. Such a poor devil!”

Hamza then became aware that this was Kurroglou himself; he dropped the hammer on the floor, and in his great fear, ran to hide himself under a mule’s pack-saddle. Kurroglou before he left the stable said to Daly-Mehter, “Keep a sharp eye on the horse and trust no man too far.” He made no further inquiries.

The longer Hamza remained attached to the stable, the more he was convinced that it would be impossible for him to carry Kyrat away. He therefore said in his heart, “If not Kyrat, it must then be Durrat at least. The former is the father of the latter, and his mother was an Arabian mare. Hassan Pasha has never seen either of them before- He will believe me, be will give me his youngest daughter for a wife. And if even he should ever know the truth, he will not take away his daughter when she is once married.”

During the night he got ready Durrat’s saddle as well as all the trappings belonging it. Daly- Mehter was drunk when he returned from Kurroglou’s palace, and seeing Hamza was crying with bitter tears, with his face leaning upon both his palms, as if he were a widower, he inquired, “What is that, Hamza?” “My lord, how can I help weeping? Every night thou goest to Kurroglou to drink red wine, and yet thou hast never said to thyself, ‘Let me take a few drops for the poor orphan.’ What stuff is this wine? I have never seen it. Is it sour or sweet?”

Daly-Mehter rose from his place, took the stable can with him and went to Kurroglou’s wine-cellar. After having filled the can, he brought it back and placed it before Hamza. He then said, “Drink, bald-pate.” Hamza filled a basin to the brim and handed it to Daly-Mehter, “My lord, thou must try it first; let me see how thou drinkest.” Daly- Mehter emptied the basin at a draught and giving it to Hamza, said, “This is the way to drink it.” Hamza then filled the basin to drink in his turn and having approached it to his lips, he shook it so cleverly that all the beverage was thrown by the movement over his shoulder, without Daly-Mehter seeing it. In this manner he made the equerry so completely drunk, that the latter, at last, dropped senseless on the floor.

Hamza said in his heart, “It is not becoming for me to show myself in these rags.” He therefore pulled off his old clothes and having unrobed Daly- Mehter, put on the latter’s dress, and arrayed the drunken sleeper in his cast-off clothes. He then took from the pocket the key belonging to Durrat’s stall, led the horse out of the stable, put a saddle upon its back, and flew like a shooting star along the road that led to the camps of the tribe of Haniss.

Kurroglou came to the stable early in the morning, having no girdle on, as he had just left the harem. He looked and saw Kyrat standing in his place, but Durrat had disappeared. He thought, at once, that bald-pate must have stolen him. He then called for the equerry. Daly-Mehter jumped up from his place, rubbed his eyes and made a bow. “Villain! what is the meaning of these rags I see upon thee; what juggling trick is this?”

The poor equerry looked on his dress and could not believe his eyes. “Where is Durrat?” “My lord, Hamza must have taken him for a walk, or to water him.” “Well, villain, did I not tell thee he was a thiever of horses. Quick, let Kyrat be saddled.”

Kurroglou, duly armed, rode to the top of the nearest mountain upon which his outposts were stationed. He examined the country all round through a telescope, until at last he caught sight of the runaway. He saw him flying along like an arrow to its goal.

He was transported with terrible rage, and roared from the mountain, “Cowardly ruffian, whither fliest thou, whither? Thou mayst run as far as Stambul itself, but 1 shall follow and seize thee even there.” Kurroglou’s voice, when he was angry, could be heard at a farsakh’s distance. He then gallopped on in pursuit of the runaway.

Hamza recognized Kurroglou’s voice from afar, and said, “O! heavenly father, life is sweet; woe! woe tome!” He looked before him and saw a village that lay at a short distance. He said in his heart, “If I could reach this village my soul may still be saved.” A deep ravine was seen in front of the village. “Who can tell,” thought Hamza, “before I reach the village Kurroglou may burn my father.”

At the bottom of the ravine stood a water-mill, but the miller himself was absent, and the wheels remained idle. Hamza rode to the mill, fastened Durrat’s bridle to the door, and rushed into the deserted building; there he found the miller’s fur, which he immediately put on, and rubbed himself from head to foot with flour.

It is well known that when a man has a rapid ride of a dozen farsakhs his eyes become as it were covered with mist, and his sight is not very clear for some time. Kurroglou did not recognize Hamza, and inquired, “Miller, where is the rider of the horse that stands fastened here? “O my Agha! the rider rushed into this place, and whether from fear or for some other reason, he ran to hide himself under the wheel.”

Kurroglou all trembling with rage dismounted from his horse; “Hold my horse!” He then drew is poniard and hastened in search of the runaway. Kyrat had this quality, that he was obedient in all things to the man to whose hands he happened to be entrusted by Kurroglou. Having been this time given over by his master’s own hand, he allowed himself to be guided like a child. Hamza, who was not a fool, threw the miller’s fur off his back, jumped on the stirrup, and then on Kyrat’s saddle. He tried him at a gallop and came back again to wait quietly and in perfect safety. Kurroglou having turned upside-down all that the mill contained, and finding not a soul in it, came out and saw Durrat standing by himself at the door. At Durrat’s feet the miller’s fur was thrown on the ground; a little further the victorious Hamza was seen in his own shape sitting on Kyrat; he thought in his heart, “I have made a capital bargain, would to God that I may not regret it when too late.” Kurroglou then exclaimed, “Hamza-beg!” “What is thy pleasure, noble warrior?” “We shall go home, but let us ride apace, the horses are fatigued.” “Whither wouldst thou go?” “We shall ride to Chamly-bill. Thou hast taken offence at me without any reason, and therefore, I came here to thee in person.” “No more of thy witticisms, Kurroglou. I have been seeking the horse in the heaven, but thank God I have found him on earth. Thou hast deigned to make a present to me of Kyrat with thine own hand. Mayst thou enjoy life and happiness for ever and ever! only thou must not desire me to go with thee.” “I conjure, I pray thee, Hamza-beg, I shall fall a victim to thee! Say, is it riches, a horse, or a girl, that thou covetest; in a word, warrior, I swear to thee that thou shalt have plenty of every thing. Thou hast the choice; all I possess is thine.” “I shall not be deceived by thy cunning. What I desire to have does not belong to thee. I shall let thee know the truth. I am in love with Hassan Pasha’s youngest daughter, who has promised to give her to me to wife in exchange for thy Kyrat. For the last six months and upwards I was withering from despair in Chamly-bill. Now look, I have carried Kyrat away and thou art thyself the cause of my happiness Mayst thou live long and happily! I am going away to take a wife.” “Hamza-beg! give but the horse back to me and I shall bring to thee on my sword the head of Hassan Pasha.” “It would be base conduct on my part. What proof of courage shall I show before the eyes of my bride?”

Kurroglou’s prayers and promises were of no avail. Hamza swore by the most pure essence of God that he would not give back the horse. Kurroglou heaved a sigh from the depth of his breast, and said, “Hamza-beg! allow me to sing an air that comes to my memory.”

Improvisation.—“Without Kyrat, life and the world is but a sin to me. Poor Kurroglou! Now, when Kyrat has left thy hands, thou must strike with sorrow thy head, Kurroglou!”

Hamza-beg looked on, whilst Kurroglou continued to sing as follows:—

Improvisation.—“Thou must demand Kyrat of God himself. Kyrat’s tail was a nosegay of flowers. To ride on him was to bestride happiness in person. O Kurroglou! may God restore him to thee. I am drowning in a deep sea; grief for Kyrat’s loss lies like a stone on my soul and drags me down. I am a clown, a miller, away with the sword. Kurroglou, thou must now call wheat, wheat.”

Kurroglou looked like a madman and said, “Without Kyrat I do not deserve to be a warrior, 1 shall now turn miller. He then sang:—

Improvisation.—“I started from Chamly-bill. T came here. I have given Kyrat away. I have taken Durrat. Go home, Kurroglou, and do not regret when it is too late.”

Hamza said, “O Kurroglou! thy words have burnt through my liver. Go to Chamly-bill and keep thyself quiet during six months. At the end of that time thou must assume the Aushik’s dress and come to the camp of the tribe of Haniss. During that time I shall lead Kyrat thither, and then marry the Pasha’s daughter. But 1 swear to thee, that as I have just now received Kyrat from thy hands, even so shall I return with my own hands the reins and the horse to thee.” “How can I understand, Hamza-beg, whether thou art sincere in thy speech or not.” “I swear by God’s most pure being. I have a noble soul, and 1 repeat it again, I will lead Kyrat by the bridle with mine own hand and restore him to thee.”

This said, he turned Kyrat’s head and rode away towards the camp of the tribe of Haniss. Kurroglou gazed on his beloved horse until the latter disappeared from his sight in the distance. Sad, and with his head downcast, he retraced his steps, mounted on Durrat. The whole of the banditti had issued from Chamly-bill in order to see how f Ilamza would look upon his being brought home by Kurroglou, and they felt great astonishment when they perceived that their chief was not mounted on Kyrat. They said amongst themselves, Kurroglou must surely have been taken-in by the cunning bald-pate. They were afraid of Kurroglou’s anger, and dispersed in every direction. Every} one of them, like a rat, hid himself in some hole or other. Ayvaz alone was bold enough to speak, and said, - Agha, thou hast made a capital bargain, Durrat for Kyrat. Thou hast taken the scoundrel?” “Away with thee, fool, stripling!” The boy was frightened, and ran away.

Kurroglou then went to the harem, and during the entire six months that followed did not stir from Nighara’s room. After that time had elapsed he said, “Nighara, Hamza has made me a promise: I must go, and either die there, or return with Kyrat. He got up, put on an aushik’s dress, and after taking leave of his wife, proceeded on the journey.

Nothing remarkable happened to Kurroglou on the road, until he reached the camp of the tribe of Haniss. When he prepared himself to cross a large river, he remarked on its sandy shore the footmarks of a horse who had jumped at one leap from one side to the other. He said in his heart: No horse in the world, except my Kyrat, is able to accomplish such a task. Hamza must have been here with him. Having entered the camp, he took a long time in going round its numerous tents and the outstretched ropes that belonged to them. Faithful to his assumed character, he was singing all the time with the best of his voice, exciting the hilarity of every person he met with } and all his songs were in praise of the horse.

The news soon reached Hassan Pasha’s ears. This nobleman was in a bad humour, because from the day in which Kyrat had been brought by ll uuza, the pasha had not once been able to ride on that horse, who was kept fastened in the stable, and suffered no one to come near him except Hamza-beg. The Pasha ordered Kurroglou to be brought into his presence. He gave Kurroglou a gracious reception, and allowed him to be seated in his tent. “I have been told thou art well skilled in the art of praising horses. Thou hast just arrived at a place where thou canst see my stable, the equal of which does not exist in the whole world.” Kurroglou was afraid lest Hamza-beg should betray \ him. He looked round, and seeing that the latter was absent, sang an eulogium as follows:—

Improvisation.—“Let me sing the praise of an Arabian horse. His mane ought to be as if made of silken thread. His feet which must not be fleshy ought to be highly compassed with skin; his hoofs must look as if they were turned; his shoes must not weigh more than one okka of silver. He ought to be stout and of moderate size ( mahmidy ). His neck should be long, slender, and smooth like a ribbon. When he is led out of the stable, he should be playful in a thousand ways. He must eat like a hungry wolf. His belly should fill the girth exactly.” “Bravo, aushik,” exclaimed the pasha. “I have never before heard the horse praised with so much lore. The celebrated Kyrat whom Hamza-beg had brought for me, possesses all the qualities thou hast just mentioned. But what is the use of him, he is mad and wicked, I cannot even now get on his back myself.” Kurroglou said, “Long life to the pasha! a mad horse is the best to ride upon.” “For what reason?” Kurroglou sang as follows:_

Improvisation.—“A noble horse walks boldly, as if he were anxious to overthrow his rider. He stirs his ears, and pulls so hard on the reins that the rider must hold him tightly, and let his hand have no rest. The horse of a ram-warrior ought to be as mad as his master.”

The pasha called to his servants, “Go, and let Hamza-beg come to me. I wish him to listen to these beautiful praises of horses.”

Hamza-beg, after he had brought Kyrat from Chamly-bill, immediately married the pasha’s youngest daughter, and was named to the post of grand vizier. He now appeared in the pasha’s presence, clad in a rich coat of sable, his turban consisted of the finest cashmire, and he was fol-owed by three hundred attendants. He entered, and, scarcely bowing his head before the pasha, took his seat in a chair without being asked to do so, and stretched himself comfortably in it.

Kurroglou was greatly surprised to see so much splendour and gravity in a man who, but six months ago, was nothing more than a scullion. He rose humbly from his place, and made him a low obeisance. A cold shiver ran over his skin, and in bowing, he placed his hand on his heart. The meaning of this gesture was, “Hamza-beg! be merciful,-and do not betray me! M Hamza-beg in reply, placed his hand over his eyes, by which he meant to say, “Fear nothing, and have patience.”

The pasha then said, “Aushik, make a praise of the horse; let Hamza-beg hear thee also.” Kurroglou improvised as follows:—

Improvisation.—“Kurroglou says, ‘When a man has a good horse under him, and a jarid of the King of the Brave in his hand, let him raise the sword above his head, and let him on! Mohammed and Ali will assist him.’”

The pasha said, “Vizier, canst thou tell me why the aushik has made mention of Kurroglou at the beginning of his song?” Hamza-beg replied quickly: “It is because he intended to praise the horse 1 have brought for thee, and which, as thou art aware, belonged once to Kurroglou.” The pasha said, “No doubt the aushik himself must be a good horseman.” He then turned towards Kurroglou, and said, “Aushik, wilt thou be able to mount my horse?” Kurroglou began to weep and complain, that they wished perhaps to give him some mad horse, who might kill him and make his children orphans. The pasha said, “Be not afraid. Thou shall have two hundred tumans from me. If the horse should kill thee, the money will be forwarded to thy widow and orphans, as a remuhim two, three, and so on, but he did not obtain his pardon till he promised to pay ten tumans. The sum was soon given. neration for thy blood. If thou shalt be able to get off his back alive, I will give thee the money as thy reward. Kurroglou said, “May the pasha wallow in happiness, and may his reign he long! I am content. If I should die, mayst thou live long, my lord!” The pasha then gave orders to the vizier to fetch Kyrat.

The cunning Hamza-beg had provided everything necessary, being aware that Kurroglou had no weapons with him; he contrived, at the time of saddling Kyrat, to conceal a club under the housings, and had a sword suspended from the knob fixed in the front part of the saddle. When he had prepared everything, he then bridled Kyrat, and had his tail tied in a knot. Six men were scarcely sufficient to lead Kyrat out from the stable, so fat and wild had he become, after six months’ repose. Foam was sparkling from the comers of both his nostrils. Kurroglou saw 7 it all, and sang:—

Improvisation.—“O thou whom I got first into my hands in Turkestan, come Kyrat, come, darling of my life! Thou hast fallen into the hands of a villain; come Kyrat, thou dearest to me of all things in life, come! I had a bit made for thee of fifteen pounds of iron. When thou art angry, thou wilt not touch food for three days. Thou wilt not stumble once in a race of forty farsakhs. O! Kyrat, thou dearest of all things to me in life, come!”

The pasha said, ‘I am out of patience, aushik.

I command thee to mount the horse this minute.” Kurroglou said, “I am confident the horse will kill me. Bless the salt thou gavest me, and be a protector to my poor orphans!” “Thy mind may be easy, he will not kill thee. I recommend thee to the protection of the first four khalifs.” With these words the pasha placed in Kurroglou’s bosom the promised purse with two hundred tumans. The latter said, “Long life to the pasha!” and then went up to Kyrat. Hamza-beg reached him the reins with his own hands, and whispered, “Warrior, a warrior’s word is a word, the promise I made thee six months ago has been fulfilled to the letter.” Kurroglou whispered in reply, “For this generous conduct on thy part, I swear that as long as I have a piece of bread I will divide it with thee to the last.” Hamza-beg whispered, “Take the sword suspended at the saddle and tie it on to thy girdle, thou wilt also find a club under the housings.”

Kurroglou jumped on Kyrat’s back, tied the sword on, and, drawing the club, whirled it above his head. Hamza-beg fell back, as if he, were frightened, and hid himself in the crowd of the spectators. When Kurroglou felt that Kyrat was under him, he-was,so overjoyed that he lost his reason and presence of mind. He made the horse trot in all directions. The pasha then called out, “Aushik, give me the horse, he appears very mild today, let me try to mount him.” Kurroglou said in his heart, “I will sooner let thee mount on my own neck,” and added aloud, “Pasha, allow me to sing an air first, and I will get down afterwards.”

Improvisation.—“This horse can run in one day from Ardebil to Ivashan. What cares he for the sultan, who is mounted on this horse, what cares he for any pasha? This horse who stops but once in every thirty farsakhs! O thou darling of my life, thou art mine again.”

Kurroglou thought of Kyrat’s foot-marks which he saw on the bank of the river, which had been cleared by Hamza six months ago. He determined to describe it, to tell Hamza-beg of it, and sang as follows:—

Improvisation.—“He has cleared a broad river, I have recognized his foot-marks. Oh! I shall kiss every one of his hoofs, I shall kiss each of his burning eyes. I would thank God that I snatch one glance of thee; O my Kyrat, darling of my life, thou art my own again.”

The pasha said, “Aushik, make him gallop once more, I like to look upon a skilful horseman.” Kurroglou passed twice in a gallop, close to where the pasha was standing. “Well done! Now give him to me, I must try him myself.” “Pasha, thou shalt not ride on him.”

The pasha turned to Hamza-beg, and said, “This Nut le>9 than 350 English miles! madman will not give me the horse. What if it should be Kurroglou himself?” Hamza-beg answered, " IIow can I tell?” “Didst thou not see the robber during thy stay at Chamly-bill?” “I did not see him. My eyes as well as my mind were occupied all the time in finding some means of stealing Kyrat. That man Kurroglou has many thousands of brave warriors like himself; who would be able to know them all?” The pasha turning his face towards Kurroglou’s, said, “Halloa! come here with the horse, I will mount him now.” Kurroglou said, “Health to the pasha! An air has come into my head; listen to me.”

Improvisation.—“A ride on a bay horse is sure to bring good luck. The rider’s heart takes delight in him. His knees are black, his neck puts you in mind of the neck of the camel titggar. The heart takes delight in him. When he walks, his step is like the step of the camel koshak\. When he is high in flesh, his back ought to be of the same breadth with his breast, and the distance between his hind legs is such that a bowman can sit between them on the ground, when bending his bow. The heart takes delight in him.”

The pasha said, “Thou art growing too familiar, aushik. I told thee already we had had enough of this; get thee down. I wish to mount Kyrat myself?” Kurroglou laughed scornfully, and said, “Thou hairbrained pasha! I shall bespatter thy turban with mud! How canst thou think of climbing upon this steed. He has more wit than thyself.” The pasha said, “Hamza-beg, tell him to get down. I have told him, but he refuses to obey. I am afraid this man is Kurroglou, in good sooth. Why didst thou give the horse to him?” The pasha said, “Quick, Aushik, get down, art thou deaf?” Kurroglou said, “Pasha, I recollect an air, listen to me —

Improvisation.—“Mine is the horse! I will have his precious back clothed with silken housings. I will let him have a bath in a whole river of red wine. He is the chosen one of Kurroglou’s from amongst five hundred horses. The heart takes delight in him.”

The pasha said, “No more of this. Get down immediately!” “He will not allow thee to mount on his back unless I hold him by the head. “What is that to thee? the horse is mine.’ “Pasha, T recollect some verses, listen to me:—”

Improvisation.— Let me sing the praises of an Arabian horse. In his third year, all the external features of the horse can be distinctly traced. The skin is drawn tightly over his legs. The hoofs look as if they were polished on purpose. The ribs are like the ribs of a bullock; the fore legs like the stag’s. When he is between four and five years <>ld, a man standing at the saddle will not be able to reach his head with his hand. In the day of battle his head is turned towards the troops, his eyes are raised to heaven, and he scents the wind with his wide-open nostrils.”

The pasha now saw clearly that Kurroglou would not dismount. He motioned to his servants, and the latter immediately surrounded Kurroglou, who looked like a small stone set in a ring. Kurroglou seeing himself surrounded on every side was greatly rejoiced, and exclaimed, “Thou heretic! How canst thou think of hunting down a mastiff a hundred years old, with a pack of spaniel puppies? Let me finish my lecture to thee upon the qualities of a truly noble horse.” He then sang as follows:—

Improvisation. —“When the horse is between seven and ten years old, his coat becomes smoother and smoother; at last, in his tenth year, the proper colour of the horse appears, to remain for ever. Whenever the head groom, Daly-Mehter, comes near him he rears himself up on his hind legs, and the groom, to manage him, must strike him on the mouth with a club.”

The pasha said, “Aushik, thou hast confiscated my horse! This is my horse, not thine. Have I insulted thy mother, thou scoundrel? Because thou hast been able to ride on him, does it follow that the horse belongs to thee?” “Well, pasha, if you like, let us go to the Mufti’s court, that he may judge between us two; I can prove that the horse is mine.” He sang again:—

Improvisation.—“I started from Chamly-bill and arrived here. I had heard that Kyrat was here. Kurroglou is not a liar; he tells thee, this horse is his own. I was able to mount him. This is the way to take in a fool.’

“Then thou art Kurroglou,” exclaimed the pasha; “I thank God for it! I sought thee in heaven, I have found thee on earth. I shall have thee quartered in pieces here, so that no trace may remain of thee on earth.”

Hamza-beg seeing that the quarrel was growing, too hot, and that matters were likely to become still worse, drew aside to see from a distance what would be the result. The pasha shouted, “Hamza-beg, come here, this is Kurroglou!” Hamza-beg replied, “Yes, it is as you say, but what, can I do against him? did 1 not advise thee not to give the horse into his hands?” The pasha was frightened, but he continued calling to Kurroglou, commanding the latter to dismount. “A song is just come into my head, listen, pasha!” He then sang as follows: — Improvisation.—“Hassan Pasha, rely not too much on thy power. I have many a servant who is as good as thee. What will it avail thee to climb and stones? Believe me, thy horse’s foot cannot pass over my roads. Aghas, sultans! look upon the vast desert. I will have your bodies clothed in blood’s own scarlet, from head to foot; I will kill all of you before I see Ayvaz again. Ponderous jezza irs are carried on my servants’ shoulders. Show me the hero who can bend my bow. Come forward, battering-ram heroes, let us see whether you can batter a shield with your heads. I can chew iron and then spit it towards heaven. I am a lord of Chamly-bill and of its mountains covered on their crests with variegated snow.”

The pasha said, “Give me back the horse. I will give thee another in exchange, and let thee go! In the contrary case I will slay thee, which would be a pity indeed.” Kurroglou replied with the following song:—

Improvisation.—“Kurroglou says to you. My army has started from its place. Men, like rams, are animated with fresh vigour on the day of battle. I reckon one thousand men of every tribe under my banner. I can show alone a hundred thousand cunning devices. The pasha then commanded his men to seize him. Kurroglou upon this called out, “O Aly!” and, drawing the sword from the scabbard, rushed on the nomades as a hungry wolf on a flock. Here and there heaps were soon raised of their dead bodies, and the pasha took to flight. Kurroglou said in his heart, “Hamza-beg has rendered me such services, that I ought to show him my gratitude in a substantial manner. I will kill Hassan Pasha, and invest Hamza with the dead man’s office. Let him henceforth reign over the Haniss tribe. Then, giving a spur to Kyrat, he soon came up with the runaway, and, at one stroke of his sword, crushed his skull like a poppy-head.

Hamza-beg saw his master’s fate, and taking off his turban, he threw it under Kyrat’s feet. The meaning of it was,—we surrender; we are thy prisoners. Kurroglou said, “Hamza-beg, if I have killed the pasha it was only to make thee his successor. If in thy heart thou hast some other wish besides, tell it, that I may fulfil it.”

Kurroglou having firmly established his friend s authority over the Haniss tribes, left him to return to Chamly-bill. In his passage through the outermost encampment he peeped into the interior of some of the tents. The eunuchs rushed from them, and upbraided him for the boldness with which he presumed to examine the interior of the tents which formed the harem of Hassan Pasha. Kurroglou asked whether Hamza-beg’s wife was there. “She is here,” was the reply. “How many daughters had Hassan Pasha?” “Seven;—one is married to Hamza, the other six are spinsters.” “Let them all be brought here, and placed in a row, I wish to look at them.” When his orders had been fulfilled, he said, “This one can depart; she is Hamza-beg’s wife, and, therefore, she is a daughter—a sister to me.” And he thought in his heart, “I have but lately wounded Daly-Mehter’s heart on account of the loss of Kyrat. I cannot console him with money or gifts, for he is rich enough, and wants for nothing. The only, and the surest way for me to do it, is to select the handsomest of the pasha’s daughters, and carry her to him as a present, that I may thereby conciliate his affection.

He therefore made choice of the prettiest of the seven sisters, and placed her behind him on the saddle. He then said to the eunuch, “If Hamza-beg should inquire what has become of the pasha’s daughter, thou must say, that Kurroglou has taken her to Chamly-bill for a former master of his, Daly- Mehter.”

And thus he rode, from one menzill to the other, until at last he arrived at home. All the banditti went out to meet him. Kurroglou told Ayvaz to summon Daly-Mehter to him, and sent the pasha’s daughter to his own harem. As soon as Daly- Mehter appeared, Kurroglou said, “Hear me, equerry. I have been angry with thee because of Kyrat. Let us now make our peace. I. have brought Hassan Pasha’s daughter for thee.” Then, turning to Ayvaz, he said, “Let no expense be spared. Thou must prepare a splendid wedding, for she is a daughter of a man of rank, and ought, therefore, to be duly honoured.”

The ceremonies and the illuminations lasted for seven days in Chamly-bill. At the end of the seventh day, Daly-Mehter s new wife was conducted to his residence, and given over to him.