his horse, I stared at him in amazement, he
looked such a magnificent object glittering in the sun.

Upon one other occasion he had been splendidly dressed, and the precious
stones he wore must have been of great value; but now the display was
wonderful, and at every movement the rays of light flashed from him, and
I could not help thinking that he must be a prince of vast wealth.

Directly after, though, it struck me that all this show was to impress
me, and I smiled to myself as I thought that he could not have chosen a
worse time for trying to convert me. For the piece of paper was within
touch, and, though I could not read it, I felt sure that it meant help
and freedom.

He dismissed his followers before coming up to me smiling, and as I
advanced to meet him I could not, suspicious as I was, doubt for a
moment the look of pleasure that came into his face as he took my hand
and held it firmly.

"Hah!" he cried; "this is more like my young officer. What a great
change for the better! You feel much stronger?"

"Oh yes," I said. "I think I could ride now."

"I am sure you could--a little; but you must not try much yet. We must
not have the wound reopened by too much exertion. Let us sit down. It
is hot."

We went to the temporary divan beneath the tree, and as soon as he was
seated he said, smiling--

"It is time you dressed better, more like my officer. You must not play
the sick man any longer."

My cheeks felt a little warm for the moment. Up to that time I had not
given a thought to my costume, which was simple--a shirt and trousers,
the former clean and white enough, thanks to Salaman; but I must have
looked a very pitiable object by the side of the gorgeous prince at my
side.

He was keen-witted enough to see the effect of his words, and he laid
his hand on my arm.

"It is not this I mind," he said quietly. "I do not judge one by his
dress. I know you; but I want to see my friend, who is henceforth to be
a great chief, held in reverence by the people. My subjects are not
like your English, who care so little for show; they judge a man by his
appearance."

"Yes; I know that," I said, warming toward him, for his words were
kindly meant.

"I don't care for all these that I wear. They are tiresome, hot, and in
the way. But I am the maharajah, and if I did not impress my subjects
by my dress and grandeur, as well as by the strength of my arm and the
sharpness of my sword, they would des