AN EXQUISITE STORY BY LAMARTINE.
By Lamartine
In the tribe of Neggedeth, there was a horse whose fame was spread far and near, and a Bedouin of another tribe, by name Daher, desired extremely to possess it. Having offered in vain for it his camels and his whole wealth, he hit at length upon the following device by which he hoped to gain the object of his desire. He resolved to stain his face with the juice of an herb, to clothe himself in rags, to tie his legs and neck together, so as to appear like a lame beggar. Thus equipped, he went to wait for Naber, the owner of the horse, whom he knew was to pass that way. When he saw Naber approaching on his beautiful steed, he cried out in a weak voice: “I am a poor stranger; for three days I have been unable to move from this spot to seek for food. I am dying; help me, and Heaven will reward you.” The Bedouin kindly offered to take him upon his horse and carry him home; but the rogue replied:— “I cannot rise; I have no strength left.” Naber, touched with pity, dismounted, led his horse to the spot, and with great difficulty, set the seeming beggar on its back. But no sooner did Daher feel himself in the saddle than he put spurs to the horse and galloped off, calling out as he did so:— “It is I, Daher. I have got the horse and am off with him.” Naber called after him to stop and listen. Certain of not being pursued, he turned and halted at a short distance from Naber, who was armed with a spear. “Since Heaven has willed it, I wish you joy of it; but I do conjure you never to tell any one how you obtained it.” “And why not?” said Daher. “Because,” said the noble Arab, “another might be really ill, and men would fear to help him. You would be the cause of many refusing to perform an act of charity, for fear of being duped as I have been.” Struck with shame at these words, Daher was silent for a moment, then, springing from the horse, returned it to its owner, embracing him. Naber made him accompany him to his tent, where they spent a few days together, and became fast friends for life.