Page:The red book of animal stories.djvu/338

 coat, so that no cold wind may touch him, and if he is cross, everyone declares it is a sign of high birth. No finery is thought too good for him; necklaces and shells are hung round his neck, and he wears a talisman to preserve him from the evil eye. His diet is a matter of careful consideration, and no man would dream of giving his greyhound anything but the dainty bits he has kept for himself.

No well brought up greyhound would ever think of hunting with any man but his master, and indeed his affection and his clean habits amply repay all the trouble spent upon him. If his master is absent for a few days, the greyhound nearly goes out of his mind with joy at his return. He jumps right on to the saddle itself, and almost smothers the man with his caresses. And the Arab understands all he is feeling, and says to him: 'Friend, forgive me, I had to leave you. But now, come with me. I am weary of dates, and need meat, and I know you will be so good as to get me some.' And the dog takes him at his word, for he knows he is worthy of his trust.

When the greyhound dies, the whole tent mourns for him. The women and children weep, as they would for one of themselves, and indeed he is often a greater loss than a member of the family might be. A 'slugui' who hunts for the poor Bedouins is never sold, and only very rarely given away in return for some great benefit. The value of such a 'slugui,' who is a successful hunter of gazelles, exceeds that of a camel; the worth of a greyhound who can capture antelopes is equal to that of the finest horse.