[Illustration:  Dog children of the regiment.]

TRUE TO HIS WORD.

At the conquest of Susa, Harmozan, a Persian prince, the satrap of Ahwaz, was taken prisoner by the Arabs.  When about to be taken before Omar, the Commander of the Faithful, he arranged himself in his most gorgeous apparel, wearing a crown on his head, and his embroidered silk robe being confined by a splendid jeweled girdle.  When his conductors brought him to the mosque he saw Omar stretched on the ground, taking a mid-day sleep.  When he awoke he asked their business, and they replied, “We bring you here the king of Ahwaz.”

“Take hence the infidel,” said Omar, averting his gaze.  “Strip him of his robes, and array him in the garb of El Islam.”

This was done, and when Harmozan was again brought into the presence of Omar he wore the striped garments of the Arabs.  After conversing a while he complained of being thirsty; but when a cup of water was brought he expressed a fear that he might be killed while drinking it.

“Be of good courage,” said Omar! “your life shall be safe till you have drunk this water.”

Harmozan instantly dashed the cup on the ground, claiming fulfillment of the Caliphs word.  Omar declared that this conduct deserved punishment as deceitful, but out of regard for his word he pardoned the Persian, who became a convert to the faith of El Islam.

[Illustration:  “Take hence the infidel,” Said Omar]

HUNTING A LION.

Some hunters near the Cape of Good Hope went in search of a lion which had carried off a number of cattle from the neighborhood.

They discovered him in a thicket or jungle, and at once proceeded to pepper him with slugs and bullets.  Regardless of the shower of balls the lion bounded forward, and in an instant turned the chase upon them.  All took to their horses or their heels.  One huge fellow, not nimble enough to mount his horse in time, was left in the rear, and was speedily run down by the rampant lion.  He had the prudence to fling himself flat on the ground and lie quiet as a log.  The lion sniffed at him, scratched him with his paw, and then quietly sat down upon his body.  His routed companions, collecting in a band, took courage at length to face about; and, seeing the lion on the prostrate body of the hunter, they imagined that their comrade was killed, and began to concert measures for avenging him.  After a short pause, however, the lion resigned of his own accord his seat of triumph, relieved his panting capture, and retreated towards the mountains.  The party, on coming up, found their friend shaking his ears, unharmed, except what he had suffered from a very ungentlemanly piece of conduct on the part of the lion.

[Illustration:  The lion sits down on the hunter.]