ENTITLED _AL-HISĀN_, OR THE HORSE
When the nephews of Mahmoud once again attended their uncle at the
hour of public executions he gazed at them in his benevolent fashion,
again stroking his long beard, the better to expose the jewels upon
his fingers, and continued the tale of his fortunes.
“You left me, my dear children, at the end of my last recital in
a very deplorable condition. You will remember that through the
superior business ability of a merchant renowned for his organizing
power, grasp of detail, sense of affairs, etc., etc., etc., I had
been reduced in property to a few camels and their attendants, and
that even this poor remainder of my fortune I had lost through a
miscalculation of the camel market on the eve of war.
“Your filial affection will also recall the bitter mood in which I
hesitated whether to precipitate myself from a minaret or to hang
myself from a beam.
“Advantages and disadvantages appeared equally balanced between these
two courses; and though my long training in commerce had led me to
make rapid decisions (as being the most certain way of forestalling
competitors), yet I confess that in this debate I stood uncertain for
nearly half an hour.
“It was well I did so; for in that half-hour was manifested in a
triumphant manner the Mercy of Allah to them that fear Him.
“As I stood there, among strangers, without one single coin left in
the world and utterly devoid of credit, with no knowledge even of
how I should get food upon the following day, I heard cries and a
confusion of horses’ hoofs, and saw galloping down the street towards
me a very finely-bred grey horse, with flowing mane and a loose
bridle. It bore a noble saddle of Indian workmanship, but no rider;
while, some hundreds yards behind, impotently ran and gesticulated
a corpulent man who, from his dress, seemed of some wealth and
consequence. My first instinct was to catch the runaway like any
beggar and restore him to his master in hope of some small reward;
a few pence that might buy me food that evening and lodging for one
night.
“But the beneficent Creator soon put other thoughts into the mind of
his servant. I had caught the horse indeed. Its panting owner had
slackened his pace and was coming towards me in a more dignified
manner--when it struck me that the animal (which was restive) could
be better controlled were I in the saddle.
“I am, my dear nephews, as I have told you three times, no horseman.
My more habitual steed is the donkey and though I have, since my
attainment to high rank, taken part in ceremonial processions, and
even in the hunting to which His Majesty so kindly invites me, yet I
must confess to you that whenever I have to ride _now_ I take care
to be provided with an animal not only trained in the most exact
manner, but also previously soothed with drugs.
“I had, however, taken to the saddle when necessity drove me, as you
have seen. And on this occasion, although the beast was infinitely
more mettlesome than any I had yet dared to face, I took the risk.
Courage was granted to me from on High. I scrambled into the saddle,
but found that my control of the creature was no better than it had
been when I stood at his head.
“I cannot swear that, in the bewilderment of the moment, I kept a
sufficiently tight rein. I will not even swear that the value of the
opportunity was lost on me. I certainly remember delivering several
violent kicks with either heel into the ribs of the unquiet brute.
There followed a few minutes in which (under my direction, I must
admit) he seemed to be galloping farther and farther away from his
original master, and at full speed down the main street of the town.
I heard cries arising behind me on every side, and upon attempting
to look round (a difficult feat for one so unused to the saddle) I
was aware of a now considerable mob, in the midst of which I saw the
distant figure of the horse’s wealthy owner frantically exclaiming
and gesticulating.
“Nothing, my dear nephews, is more foolish than to treat generously,
or even rationally, an excited crowd of human beings. All historians
and philosophers will tell you that man in this state is but a wild
beast, to be fled or mastered according to our abilities.
“As I had not ability to master them, then it was clearly my duty to
flee them. Moreover, even as I urged the horse to further efforts, I
confusedly appreciated what difficulty I should have in explaining my
position, were I to attempt to return. We thundered through the open
gate into the country outside, and by that time I had no course but
frankly to take the track across the plain and shake off my pursuers
for ever.
“Admire, my dear nephews, the steps by which Providence, when It
desires to succour one of Its favourites, will lead him through
one consequence after another until at last he stands secure in
the possession of some considerable sum of money! Here was I, not
ten minutes before, contemplating death as the only issue from my
poverty, and now mounted on a fine steed, seated in a saddle of
price, and free to try any new adventure.
“I kept my handsome mount at the gallop until the gates were far
behind me and all echo of the confused cries of my pursuers was lost.
I checked him to a sharp trot until we had passed the first low rise
of rolling land which hid my movements from the city. I then judged
it reasonable to proceed at a pace less trying to the poor animal
who had so befriended me. I noted from his freshness that he could
but recently have left the stable. I did not hesitate, though with
intervals of repose, to continue all day long to put a greater and
greater distance between myself and that unfortunate misunderstanding
which I had left behind me.
“By evening my many hours’ acquaintanceship with my horse had
increased my pride in his possession, and I turned my mind away from
all morbid considerations of his former owner. My only anxiety was
for the night. Judge therefore of my satisfaction when, a full hour
before the setting of the sun, I found myself, on emerging from a
considerable wood, facing the walls of a new city, the gates of which
stood about a league away from the spot whence I had first caught
sight of it.
“I lingered in this pleasant pasture at the edge of the wood,
loosening my horse’s girths, unbridling his bit, and letting him
graze at large on the delicious herbage.
“I reclined myself, for repose, upon that same grass, and mused upon
the distant prospect of domes and minarets under the mellow light, my
thoughts naturally turning to conjecture what sums I might acquire
in cash from the citizens within those walls during my enjoyment of
their hospitality.
“The sun was barely set when I rode into the town; noting on the
walls the usual proclamation against the eating of dates and
receiving, as was due to one riding so well-accoutred and so fine
a horse, the respectful looks of the passersby, and the humble but
prolonged gaze of the guard at the gate. As I noted their attitude
I could not but thank heaven for one more mercy which was now
revealed to me. Had I happened to find this horse after some days
of misfortune my own outward appearance would have ill consorted
with his. How manifest was the dispensation of Providence whereby
I came upon him within an hour after losing my other property, and,
therefore while I was still in my decent merchant’s dress, cleanly,
well-shaven, and groomed!
“There was in the central square of this town a runnel specially
disposed for watering beasts of burden, and my horse (we had forded
but one stream in all that day’s journey) eagerly approached it.
I fondly patted his neck and thought with pleasure of how noble a
friend I had acquired; for as you must have read, there is a sort of
affinity between man and the horse which readily makes them intimate
after even a short acquaintance: especially if the man be of a
business turn of mind and the horse of considerable value.
“From this mood into which I had fallen while my handsome mount was
taking his simple refreshment, you may guess the perturbation caused
me when I heard at my side an eager voice deliberately pitched in a
low key so that it might be heard by none but myself. That voice was
full of passionate necessity, and was asking me whether it would be
possible _now_--_here_--_at once_, for me to dispose of my mount to a
man whose life depended on it.
“I turned and made out in the dusk under the shadow of his cowl (part
of which he had pulled over his features to make a sort of veil) a
young man whose agitation made me yearn instinctively to take some
advantage of him.
“‘Sir,’ he whispered hurriedly, ‘my request is not only impertinent
but extraordinary. I know that you will not understand it. I can
only implore Heaven for a miracle. My time is very short. I know not
how far my pursuers may be. My life is dear to me and still dearer is
my honour. The night is falling. Here is my opportunity, which, if I
do not take, all is over with me.’
“He thereupon passed up to me a leather bag upon opening which I
could see in the fading light a quantity of gold pieces, and he
accompanied the gesture with so imploring a look as explained the
vastness of his offer.
“Had I passed through any series of adventures less astonishing than
those of the last day and night, I would not have listened for a
moment to a first proposal. I would have attempted, as was indeed my
duty, to raise his price, to obtain immediately some of his apparel
as well as his purse; and if possible a written promise of further
payment as well. For he was distraught with fear and men in that
condition are easily squeezed. But the rate at which I had been
living, the perpetual succession, first of unfortunate and then of
fortunate accidents, showed the manifest finger of God in all that
had so far favoured me since the morning, and strangely convinced me.
Without another word I took the bag of gold and dismounted.
“The young man, with a new expression such as I had never yet seen
upon anyone’s face, said not a word, no, not even of gratitude to his
benefactor; turned the horse’s head down the main street of the town,
wisely refraining from too rapid an exit lest his passage should be
remembered, and went at no more than a sharp trot through the gate
into the falling darkness without. The last I saw of him he appeared,
a dark figure rapidly dwindling against the darkening sky, framed in
the tiled horseshoe of the Bab-El-Soued.... But even as I gazed a
troop of mounted horsemen thundered past me and passed through that
same gate into the night.
“For my part I thought no more of him, but turned back to the centre
of the town. There I was, with three times the price of my horse
in my pocket, and thus with solid ground on which to stand for the
future.
“My first care was to make an excellent meal, my next to discover
a good lodging for the night. In both I was fortunate. But before
reciting my last evening prayers I took the precaution of informing
a passing patrol that I had had a horse stolen from me; for, in
business, no opportunity should be neglected. I then recommended
myself to the Divine protection and fell into a sweet repose.
“Next morning, after I had humbly and devoutly recited my early
prayers, I thought I would, before proceeding to any lucrative
task, divert myself a little so that I might later approach serious
business with a more open mind.
“It is my custom, when I am in need of recreation from the cares of
commerce, to frequent the criminal courts and to attend the sentences
passed upon those brought before them, as well as to be a spectator
of the ensuing executions. No pastime affords greater relief from
the dull, everyday round of buying and selling; while the contrast
between one’s own pleasant position and that of the pauper who is to
be beheaded, adds a zest which I recommend to all men of affairs.
“I strolled, therefore, to the court in which I had heard that
certain criminals were to be that morning briefly examined and
presumably dispatched.
“Great was my surprise upon entering to find that I had come just in
time to hear the last evidence given and sentence pronounced upon
the same young man who had so imprudently bought my horse the night
before! Did I say ‘imprudently’?--Well! The designs of Providence are
hidden from us, and it is not for me to judge another!... While I
pitied him, therefore, I had nothing to reproach myself with, for I
had fulfilled in the most honourable fashion the only contract with
which I was concerned in the matter. The pursuers had arrested him
before he had left the city more than a mile. He stood accused of
eating dates: a practice (you will remember) forbidden throughout all
those dominions. He had been seen in the act by the Sultan’s officers
a week before and his name and description had been sent round to
every city. Indeed a troop was hot upon his trail at the moment he
had come up the night before imploring for my mount. Sentence was
pronounced, and the unfortunate young man was led out to execution.
“My natural love of such sights would have led me to follow him, when
one more act of Heaven (I dare not ascribe the inspiration to my
poor unaided soul) suddenly put an exceedingly valuable thought into
my mind. I addressed the judge in a loud voice, complaining in the
matter of my horse. At first he was disturbed and inclined to silence
me, not understanding what plea I could have in this particular
case; but I made bold to arrest his attention and told him that the
evidence I had chanced to hear proved clearly that the horse on which
the unfortunate young man had tried to escape was one stolen from me
but a few hours before. This I was prepared to prove. The officers of
the court were examined and admitted my description to be exact as
to the horse, and, what was a clinching piece of evidence, as to the
details of the saddle, the workmanship of which they had noted.
“I informed the judge further that I had ridden into the town the
evening before. I was prepared to bring witnesses from the guard at
the gate who had seen me pass. And when these were summoned they
agreed that I had entered riding a horse of the description I had
just given. I could see that the judge inclined to the justice of my
plea; the officers of the court naturally fell in with his mood; I
made him, I think, the more gracious by my assurance that I would not
dream of making too exact a claim. If the animal were but restored to
me I should be satisfied, nor would I ask anything for dilapidation
or loss of time. I was only too glad (I said) to have been of the
most insignificant service to the court.
“The judge now smiled upon me with evident approval, and was further
confirmed in his decision by remembering that even if I claimed any
compensation it would not come out of his pocket but the public’s;
and I have no doubt that this argument, though not explicitly put
forward, was present in the minds of all the officers of the court as
well. The judge therefore ordered that the animal should be restored
to me, and was pleased to use the following words. They are not my
own. I am not responsible for them. But I am glad that he used them.
“‘This honest merchant,’ said he, ‘who has given a very clear account
of his movements, we are in some fashion beholden to, on account of
the temporary loss which he has suffered in the filching of his mount
by the criminal with whom we have just dealt. He was indirectly the
cause of that criminal’s arrest. The least we can do, therefore,
is to give him his property back with the least possible delay. I
order that the animal with all his accoutrements, having first been
properly fed and groomed, shall be restored to him.’
“I very humbly bowed and thanked the court for its just decision. But
a new complication arose.
“The chief officer of the court, the captain of those who had
arrested the young man (he had by this time lost his head, so that
there was no trouble to be feared from _that_ side), conferred with
his colleagues and then prostrated himself upon the earth before
the judge, begging to be allowed an explanation. The judge assumed
a disturbed expression and bade him be brief. He arose and admitted
with evident grief that the horse, in the excitement of the arrest,
and in the darkness of the moment (for all this had passed in the
night), had got loose and was lost.
“Seeing the rising anger of the judge I hastily intervened. I said
that I yielded to no one in my admiration for the Mounted Police of
the Anti-Date force, the renown of whose efficiency had reached me
even in my own distant land. I said that I would be the last to cause
the least injustice or even pain. I begged that his Importance (for
such was the simple title of a judge in that country) would overlook
the unfortunate accident whereby my horse had been lost. I concluded
by saying that I would be perfectly content with what we merchants
called ‘a minimum valuation,’ that is, a payment of the price the
horse would have fetched from what we merchants also call ‘a willing
seller.’ In a phrase of which I confess I was secretly proud, I
hinted that the doing of justice in this matter would not only be of
no charge to the court, but even of some profit to them, seeing that
there were certain to be fees of transfer, registration, and what
not. As a layman I was ignorant of their amount, but I knew them to
be attached to such affairs--all out of the taxes.
“The judge, the officers of the court, and every lawyer present,
the very sweepers were moved to action. Sundry papers were signed
(to which I put the name of Ali--it was the first that occurred to
me). I was paid the sum of thirty pieces of gold, and after profound
obeisances to all present, and especially to my benefactor the judge,
I left the court, yet richer than I had entered it.
* * * * *
“My children, what next?
“It is a universal rule in commerce to follow your profits and cut
your losses, and men of my profession have a sort of instinct which
tells them how long the tide will be flowing with them and when it
will turn. I decided that there was yet one more step for me to take.
“The arrest had taken place not far from the edge of the wood whence
I had first perceived the city. There my horse, the evening before,
had found good pasture. There had I loosened his saddle. There had
he known an excellent place of repose. Thither did I wisely suppose
my lost friend to have repaired. I sauntered therefore out of the
city as though engaged upon no more than a stroll, and sure enough,
a league away, under the trees which afforded a grateful shade, the
noble beast was reclining, hampered only by his saddle.
“I loosened the girths. He was grateful, and our friendship was
renewed. But though my affection was increased by such a recovery, I
steeled my heart for what I purposed next to do.
“It is a maxim of all sound business that a thing should be sold as
often as possible, and it was clear that I now had an opportunity of
selling this charming creature for the third time. It was equally
clear that, if I delayed, the opportunity would pass; for the story
of my appearance in court would spread through the city, the officers
would talk with their friends about the saddle and the description
of the animal; I might even get into a difficult tangle with the
authorities.
“But the whole of this propitious day was in the hand of Heaven. For,
while yet the sun was high, there came upon me through the pasture a
shepherd driving his sheep, and to him I told a tale that I had been
sent by my master to sell the horse I was leading, and his saddle,
to a certain dealer, who had already seen them and bargained for
them. I had been given a writing with the name of the dealer in the
neighbouring city, but I had lost the writing and could not remember
the name or direction.
“The shepherd told me that he only went to that city from time to
time, but he was well acquainted with it; the purchaser could be none
other than Abd-ul-Eblis.
“The moment he pronounced this name I clapped my hands together and
said: ‘Abd-ul-Eblis! That was the name!’ I thanked the shepherd for
thus refreshing my memory, and I carefully walked by the beast’s
side as should a mere servant by his master’s precious possession. I
avoided the main gate (which I had now passed twice and where I might
be too well known) and entered the city by a little postern. I found
from inquiry of a blind man--which was the more prudent--the way to
Abd-ul-Eblis’s stables.
“I made no plan of what I should do, for on those days when I am
specially favoured by the Most High I leave His Power to guide me ...
and to guide also those with whom I do business. I went no farther
than to tell the groom that I had come to find a purchaser for the
horse--not indeed in this city, where I had been told the market was
poor, but in a place two days’ journey away, where the news of the
famous beast’s coming had already been spread. I then wandered out
into the streets to take the cool air of the evening. It was as I had
expected. When I returned to see that my horse had been well fed,
Abd-ul-Eblis was present in the stable and eager to deal.
“He pointed out to me the advantages he enjoyed for disposing of
horses, the dangers of the distant journey of which I had spoken to
the groom, the possibility of what is called in the language of that
country ‘a proposition.’ He showed me what, in my innocence, I might
have forgotten, that it was not as though the horse was my own. That
_I_ could only be a gainer. That my master would be none the wiser.
That I might pretend any accident to have taken place (for indeed
such an accident was likely if I went on farther). He also was at
the pains of repeating what I might have forgotten, that I was free
to retain for myself some portion of the price, assuring me that he
would keep silent upon the matter. In the end I promised to hand him
over the horse for sixty pieces of gold.
“There are some men, my dear nephews, who even in these circumstances
would have begun bargaining for a higher price. These are men who
love the making of small sums and who do not understand the enormous
weight of caprice and chance in human affairs. So far from attempting
to get a higher price, I expressed my gratitude and said that for my
part I was quite willing to take less, but that I somewhat feared my
master’s anger and could not return to him without at least fifty
pieces of gold, adding that I considered ten pieces a sufficient
reward for myself. At the same time I advised Abdul not to sell the
saddle _with_ the horse, nor did I omit to remind him that horses of
a light colour are more easily dyed than those of a darker hue.
“At these suggestions of mine he looked upon me mournfully for a few
moments and then slowly counted out sixty pieces of gold. I took a
long farewell of the kindly, patient, and beautiful animal, which
had borne me to this fortune in the short space of one day, and then
walked forth through the city into the evening, preferring the chance
of a lodging in the forest to tempting further the singular Fate that
had so far befriended me.
“The weather was warm, the neighbouring wood, as I knew by
experience, hospitable. There would I spend the few hours of
darkness, building myself a small fire to keep off the beasts and to
cherish me. Thence, I did not doubt, I could the next morning, with
now so satisfactory a capital, proceed to the re-edification of my
fortune.
“I reached the wooded hill which overlooked the city. I recited my
third night prayers. Before building my fire and disposing myself to
sleep, I looked at the outline of the walls and domes and graceful
minarets against the last of the evening, and I revolved in my mind
that thought which shall ever be mine on my departure from any town.
Let it also be yours, my dear children, in all your travels.
“For just as when you come to a new city of a morning, before
you enter it, and after having prayed God, you should muse
within yourself what sums of money you may hope to lift from its
inhabitants; so when you leave any city at evening, never omit (after
due thanks to your Creator!) to calculate what sums you have indeed
subtracted from those to whom you bid farewell.”
As the old merchant ceased it was like the ending of a strain of
solemn music, the echoes of which linger and continue in the memory.
The strangely moving words he had uttered stirred a profound in the
depths of their young souls, and they sat with bowed heads until the
horrid outrage of the Muezzin’s call murdered that sacred silence.
At the signal the lads rose and filed out on tiptoe leaving their
uncle with his eyes closed and his lips murmuring in prayer.
الولىّ
AL-WALI
That is:
THE HOLY ONE