SLATIN BEY. 249 oasly caparisoned horses pranced and curveted as we proceeded at a hand-gallop.

Under a shady tree we halted and dismounted ; a cloth was speedily laid on the ground, and a lunch of cold fowls, bread and butter, and a bottle of wine, was prepared for us, by two gaily-dressed pages. While enjoying it, Slatin Bey gave us some of the latest news from Europe.

The ride thence to Dara was most amusing ; we soon reached a sandy plain without any vegetation, and this afforded space for the evolutions of the horsemen, who dashed off in all directions, charging back at full speed, and performing feats of horsemanship which can only be executed by Arabs on thoroughbreds. Sometimes the whole cavalcade, with the Bey at its head, would gallop forward for a mile or so. It was not etiquette to outride the Governor, and really would have been a hard task to do so ; but our horses did not make us ashamed, for though Slatin's steed could ride down an ostrich, I always drew rein with my horse's nose at his stirrup.

The soldiers, 600 in number, were drawn up at the entrance of Dara, with a splendid band of thirty- two performers at their head, who welcomed us with the lively strains of " Salaam Effendina."