Polo was like a battle, fast and dangerous. Many horses
fell, men were hurt, and one died when a horse ran over
him, but Yusuf rode wonderfully. He stayed out of trouble
and, by hitting clever shots, he helped Nuradin and his
players to win.
‘How can you play polo so well?’ the governor asked the boy.
‘I learned it in Damascus, sir. I have a wonderful horse there.
My father says that he’ll send him to me when General Shirkuh
says that I can fight with the army.’