140 STORIES ABOUT HORSES.

ceiver of the still was entirely covered by a
coating of wet clay. ‘The brandy had already
passed over, The woman who had the ma-
nagement of the distillery, wishing to give us a
taste of the spirit, thrust a stick, with a small
tuft of camel’s hair at its end, through the ex-
ternal covering of clay; and thus collecting a
small quantity of the brandy, she drew out the
stick, dropped a portion upon the retort, and
waving the instrument above her head, scattered
the remaining liquor in the air. I asked the
meaning of this ceremony, and was answered,
that it is a religious custom, to give always the
first drop of the brandy which they draw from
the receiver to their god. The stick was then
plunged into the receiver a second time, when
more brandy adhering to the camel’s hair, she
squeezed it into the palm of her dirty hand,
and having tasted the liquor, presented it to
our lips.’”

“ That was very nasty, Uncle Thomas

“We must not expect, Harry, the same

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