, horses, a proud spirit, and he is the owner of this Dahir, who is
always first on the day of a race, whether he is resting or
running--this Dahir, a steed whose feet even appear through the
obscurity of night like burning brands." "Ayas," replied Hadifah, "do
you think I would break my word? I will take the camels of Cais, and
will not permit my name to be inscribed among the number of those who
have been vanquished. Let things run their course."

As soon as King Cais had regained his tents he hastened to tell his
slaves to begin the training of his horses, and to pay especial
attention to Dahir. Then he told his kinsmen all that had taken place
between himself and Hadifah. Antar was present at this recital, and as
he took great interest in all that concerned the king, he said, "Cais,
calm your fears, keep your eyes well open, run the race, and have no
fear. For, by the faith of an Arab, if Hadifah makes any trouble or
misunderstanding, I will kill him, as well as the whole tribe of
Fazarah."

The conversation on this subject continued until they reached the tents,
which Antar declined to enter before seeing Dahir. He walked several
times round this animal, and saw at a glance that the horse actually
possessed qualities which astonished any one who saw him.

Hadifah quickly learned the return of Antar, and knew that the hero was
encouraging King Cais to run the race. Haml, Hadifah's brother, had also
heard the news, and in the distress which he felt remarked to Hadifah,
"I fear lest Antar should fall upon me, or some one of the family of
Beder, and kill us, and thus render us disgraced. Give up this race, or
we are ruined. Let me go to King Cais, and I will not leave him until he
promises to come to you and cancel the contract." "Do as you please,"
answered Hadifah. Thereupon Haml took horse, and went immediately to
King Cais. He found him with his uncle Assyed, a wise and prudent man.
Haml approached Cais, saluted him by kissing his hand, and after saying
that he was the bearer of an important message, added: "Kinsman, you
know that my brother Hadifah is a low fellow, whose mind is full of
intrigues. I have spent the last three days in trying to persuade him to
cancel this wager. At last he has said: 'Very good, if Cais comes to me,
and wishes to be released from the contract, I will annul it; but do not
let any Arab think that I abandon the bet through fear of Antar.' Now
you, Cais, are aware that the greatest pro