eaned from his saddle and laid his hot hand upon the poor
fellow's shoulder.

Fortunately he was given no time to think, for the chief came alongside
and signed to him to dismount.

Feeling as if it were all a dream from which he must awake the next
moment, Frank threw himself lightly from his horse, handed the rein to
the Sheikh, and then stood while the chief's barb was led up to him,
striving successfully not even to glance at the leader; but taking up
the reins he thrust a foot into one stirrup, and sprang up, fully
expecting a repetition of the battle through which he had already
passed. But the beautiful creature stood perfectly still until the
slave dropped back, and then, in response to the slight pressure of its
strange rider's heel, started off at a slow walk, Frank sitting up
proudly, but breathing hard, for he was panting with excitement on
finding that something which he had foreseen would be the case was just
as he wished, for it had everything to do with the _ruse_ he had
planned.

A fresh burst of cries arose as the beautiful barb paced along past its
master, then at a touch began to amble and curvet, tossing its beautiful
head, while Frank gave and bent to its various motions, feeling
perfectly at his ease, for the springy movements were delightful.

He passed the chief twice, and he could see that the Baggara looked as
proud as a boy of his splendidly caparisoned horse. He saw, too, in one
quick glance that his brother had gone back towards the shed-like place
from which he had brought the mount, while the Emir's followers had
gathered to one side of the court, everyone taking the most profound
interest in the equestrian display, while the other side of the court,
opposite to the house near which the chief stood, was vacant.

Now was the time if the _ruse_ was to be attempted, and Frank drew a
deep breath as he advanced towards the Emir, while as he passed him he
made a quick, hurried gesture to the assembled followers, waving his
hand to them to give way and leave him room to have a gallop round the
court, at the same moment pressing the barb's sides so that it broke
into a canter at once, careering along with the scarlet plume sweeping
out, and once again there was a loud, eager cry.

Frank felt that he was riding well, and the horse sped along till the
last of the mounted men were passed, and directly after he was riding
along the vacant side of the court, on and on till he was about fifty