n, till he began to alter them himself, when the
second man grasped what was wanted, and smiling rather contemptuously,
made the alteration.

Frank was modest enough in his self-estimation, and as he saw the
restless movements of the beautiful little highly bred creature his
first thought was, "I hope I shall not be thrown." For his experience
of riding was connected with ordinary, tamely disposed English hacks and
cobs, and his opportunities had been infrequent. Still he had been
taught, and as soon as the stirrups were properly adjusted he took the
reins, checked with a touch on the off side the horse's disposition to
edge away, and mounted, the beautiful animal making a quick bound as
soon as its new rider was in the saddle.

But Frank was not unseated, and to his great delight he found his
steed's motions easy in the extreme, as it ambled along by its
companion's side, while to the young man's profound satisfaction his new
friend led him in quite a fresh direction to any in which he had
previously been.

They were in a far more important part of the city, passing better
houses, some with fair gardens; palm and mimosa trees overtopped walls.
Here and there the houses had rough balconies, and he caught a glimpse
of the Mahdi's tomb, a white-topped domed building looking like a
gigantic egg set on end, with four small ones to form corners, some
attempt at ornamentation, and for apex what appeared to be a great
gilded spear thrust through a couple of brass balls.

To his great surprise they passed a busy marketplace and rough-looking
shops, the dwellings of traders and makers of horse trappings and camel
saddles; others displayed cotton fabrics, some even with ornamentations
of silk; then makers of brass work, swords, and spears with the round
shields carried by so many of the fighting men; and as they rode on
through crowds of busy people he found that his companion was evidently
noting his surprise and ready to smile with satisfaction at the interest
he displayed.

In his other excursions he and his companions had been the observed of
all, and at every turn those they passed had turned to gaze, generally
with scowls, at them and their protecting guard, and he had often felt
that it was to the latter that they owed their safety. But now it was
different: his black face and the company he was in made him seem one of
the people, so that his appearance caused no surprise, and he was able
to ride on perfectly unno