irmly. "I shall try to escape, and as soon as I possibly
can."

He held out his hand again, and I gave mine reluctantly to be held in a
firm grip.

"You make me like you, Gil," he said, "even when you cause me most
anger. I like that; it is so frank and honest. You must come to me. I
shall never meet with another whom I can trust as I do you."

I shook my head, but he smiled. "It is your fate," he said. "Now come
and see some of my men. They are drawn up outside. You shall see then
what stuff there is for making good regiments when you begin."

He glanced at my dress and saw that I noted it. "It does not matter,"
he said; "you are my friend. They will not think of your dress.
Englishmen are careless, and do not mind how they look. Come."

I hesitated, but his will was stronger than mine, and I gave way,
following him through the opening, and passing the twelve fierce-looking
troopers who had formed the advance, and one of the men who was holding
the beautiful Arab, which looked so perfect in its rich trappings that,
lover of a horse as I was, I could not help going up to caress it, and
pat its graceful arched neck, and pass my hand over its velvety nose.

"Mount," said the rajah, who had followed me. "You will like his
paces."

"You wish it?" I said eagerly.

"And so do you," he said, smiling. "Mount; and as a gentleman, I ask
you to remember your honour to your host. You will not run away. It
would be useless. You would surely be captured again."

"I give you my word," I said coldly.

"Then mount."

I hesitated for a moment or two, and then mounted, for a thrill of
delight to run through me as I felt the quivering muscles of the
beautiful beast, and its eagerness to be off.

"Now try a short canter," he said; and at a touch the graceful,
thoroughly docile beast moved off, and my pulses began to bound as the
wind played round my cheeks; for it was glorious. There was the open
country before me, and I had but to slacken the rein, and the spirited
Arab would have borne me off, far beyond pursuit; but I had given my
word, and I turned just as we were increasing our speed, and I saw that
the rajah was watching me intently.

"Wondering whether he can trust me," I said to myself, as we rapidly
approached.

Then, all at once, I found that I had overtaxed my strength. There was
a curious mistiness before my eyes which blotted out the rajah and his
men, and two companies of troops which I saw