thinking too much of Gil Vincent--when I was brought back to the present
by Brace.

"Look at them," he cried. "They are going through that movement
remarkably well. Be careful, and don't show yourself."

I shrank back a little among the trees, and for a few minutes we watched
the troop go through some of the regular evolutions, passing us on their
way down the plain, at a distance of about two hundred yards, and I
trembled lest our horses should select that moment for whinnying or
trying to break away. But they were quiet, and the cavalcade went
slowly on at a walk towards where our men ought to be in ambush.

Then I turned to look at Brace, whose left hand was fidgeting with the
hilt of his sword, lifting it nervously, and dropping it again as he
watched the guns; and I could see the veins in his temples throbbing
heavily.

"Why does he not act?" I said to myself. "We shall lose our chance."

And on went the troop till they were nearly half a mile to our left, and
I was in despair.

"If all has gone right, they will soon be abreast of our men," said
Brace, as if thinking to himself. "I hope they are all well hidden."

"And so do I," I thought. "But why have you let the chance go by?"

"Look at them, Gil, lad," he said, more loudly. "Doesn't it make your
heart beat to hear the rattle of the wheels and the snorting of the
horses? Bah! it seems an insult to the poor brutes to have them mounted
by that cowardly mutinous crew."

Just then we heard an order given, and could we see the rajah seated
alone with his sword flashing as he held it high in air; and I was
obliged to own myself that he looked a noble specimen of a barbaric
chief, sitting his horse as he did to perfection.

Then, as we watched, the troop wheeled to the right, went forward for a
hundred yards, and then wheeled again, and advanced at a trot, their
course taking them back in a line parallel to that they had followed in
passing us at first.

The trotting fell far short of the walk past; and, as they were abreast,
on their way back toward the town, Brace muttered, but so that I could
hear--

"If they would only leave the horses alone, they would keep the line far
better!"

I looked at him in astonishment, for his conduct seemed in dead
opposition to our plans, and still he made no sign; and at last,
flushed, excited, and angry with him for losing what I looked upon as
splendid opportunities, I said aloud--

"Isn't it time to act