In the middle of the night he woke , feeling that he had been disturbed , and putting his hand under his pillow found to his horror that his bag of money had been stolen . He jumped up quietly and began to prowl around to see whether anyone seemed to be awake , but , though he managed to arouse a few men and beasts by falling over them , he walked in the shadow of the archways round the whole serai without coming across a likely thief . He was just about to give it up when he overheard two men whispering , and one laughed softly , and peering behind a pillar , he saw two Afghan horsedealers counting out his bag of money ! Then Moti went back to bed ! In the morning Moti followed the two Afghans outside the city to the horsemarket in which they horses were offered for sale . Choosing the best-looking horse amongst them he went up to it and said : ` Is this horse for sale ? may I try it ? ' and , the merchants assenting , he scrambled up on its back , dug in his heels , and off they flew . Now Moti had never been on a horse in his life , and had so much ado to hold on with both hands as well as with both legs that the animal went just where it liked , and very soon broke into a break-neck gallop and made straight back to the serai where it had spent the last few nights . ` This will do very well , ' thought Moti as they whirled in at the entrance . As soon as the horse had arrived at its table it stopped of its own accord and Moti immediately rolled off ; but he jumped up at once , tied the beast up , and called for some breakfast . Presently the Afghans appeared , out of breath and furious , and claimed the horse . ` What do you mean ? ' cried Moti , with his mouth full of rice , ` it 's my horse ; I paid you fifty pieces of silver for it -- quite a bargain , I 'm sure ! ' ` Nonsense ! it is our horse , ' answered one of the Afghans beginning to untie the bridle . ` Leave off , ' shouted Moti , seizing his staff ; ` if you do n't let my horse alone I 'll crack your skulls ! you thieves ! I know you ! Last night you took my money , so to-day I took your horse ; that 's fair enough ! '
Now the Afghans began to look a little uncomfortable , but Moti seemed so determined XXXXX keep the horse that they resolved to appeal to the law , so they went off and laid a complaint before the king that Moti had stolen one of their horses and would not give it up nor pay for it .
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