Part 19 (1/2)
However these things might be, this Thomas proved of service to them, since, although he was but just landed, he seemed to know all that had pa.s.sed in Syria since he left it, and all that was pa.s.sing then. Thus he told them how Guy of Lusignan had just made himself king in Jerusalem on the death of the child Baldwin, and how Raymond of Tripoli refused to acknowledge him and was about to be besieged in Tiberias. How Saladin also was gathering a great host at Damascus to make war upon the Christians, and many other things, false and true.
In his company, then, and sometimes in that of the other guests-- none of whom showed any curiosity concerning them, though whether this was from good manners or for other reasons they could not be sure--the brethren pa.s.sed the hours profitably enough.
It was on the third morning of their stay that their hostess Masouda, with whom as yet they had no further private talk, asked them if they had not said that they wished to buy horses. On their answering ”Yes,” she added that she had told a certain man to bring two for them to look at, which were now in the stable beyond the garden. Thither they went, accompanied by Masouda, to find a grave Arab, wrapped in a garment of camel's hair and carrying a spear in his hand, standing at the door of the cave which served the purpose of a stable, as is common in the East where the heat is so great. As they advanced towards him, Masouda said:
”If you like the horses, leave me to bargain, and seem to understand nothing of my talk.”
The Arab, who took no notice of them, saluted Masouda, and said to her in Arabic:
”Is it then for Franks that I have been ordered to bring the two priceless ones?”
”What is that to you, my Uncle, Son of the Sand?” she asked. ”Let them be led forth that I may know whether they are those for which I sent.”
The man turned and called into the door of the cave.
”Flame, come hither!” As he spoke, there was a sound of hoofs, and through the low archway leapt the most beautiful horse that ever their eyes had seen. It was grey in colour, with flowing mane and tail, and on its forehead was a black star; not over tall, but with a barrel-like shape of great strength, small-headed, large-eyed; wide-nostriled, big-boned, but fine beneath the knee, and round-hoofed. Out it sprang snorting; then seeing its master, the Arab, checked itself and stood still by him as though it had been turned to stone.
”Come hither, Smoke,” called the Arab again, and another horse appeared and ranged itself by the first. In size and shape it was the same, but the colour was coal-black and the star upon its forehead white. Also the eye was more fiery.
”These are the horses,” said the Arab, Masouda translating. ”They are twins, seven years old and never backed until they were rising six, cast at a birth by the swiftest mare in Syria, and of a pedigree that can be counted for a hundred years.”
”Horses indeed!” said Wulf. ”Horses indeed! But what is the price of them?”
Masouda repeated the question in Arabic, whereon the man replied in the same tongue with a slight shrug of the shoulders.
”Be not foolish. You know this is no question of price, for they are beyond price. Say what you will.”
”He says,” said Masouda, ”that it is a hundred gold pieces for the pair. Can you pay as much?”
The brethren looked at each other. The sum was large.
”Such horses have saved men's lives ere now,” added Masouda, ”and I do not think that I can ask him to take less, seeing that, did he but know it, in Jerusalem they could be sold for thrice as much. But if you wish, I could lend you money, since doubtless you have jewels or other articles of value you could give as security--that ring in your breast, for instance, Peter.”
”We have the gold itself,” answered Wulf, who would have paid to his last piece for those horses.
”They buy,” said Masouda.
”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.”
G.o.dwin 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 fas.h.i.+oned 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.
G.o.dwin 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 G.o.dwin 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 Ess.e.x 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?”