scussing and arranging some matter of
importance. But while I noted this, I also noted that one of them who
stood facing toward us lifted his hand in salute, and then moved it
toward us in a less formal gesture, and, again to my surprise, my
companion lifted his hand and returned the salute in kind. Before he
could look at me I had turned my eyes away and was watching with
evident interest the manoeuvres of the cavalrymen.

They had mounted their animals and were beginning to put them through
their paces, and presently they began the drill known as throwing
their horses.

Galloping the animals to a certain point, they were brought to a short
and sudden stand, and then by a quick tug upon the bit, the animal, if
well trained, allowed itself to fall upon one side, the rider
instantly slipping from the saddle to a position half concealed by the
body of the horse from an imaginary enemy in front, and gun in hand,
ready to take aim across the saddle.

There was one man who did not at first go through this evolution with
the others, but set his horse near the rest looking on. When the
others had gone through the exercise, this man rode forward, put his
horse at a gallop, stopped him splendidly, and attempted the fall; but
the animal was obstinate or only half broken, and began to show signs
of both fright and fight.

As his rider turned the excited creature about, and sent him at a mad
gallop across the arena, one of the troopers came at an easy trot
directly toward us, and drawing rein beside us, with a lift of his
hat, said respectfully:

'Good-morning, sir. I hope you are well, sir.'

'Good-morning, George,' replied Lossing easily. 'What is the matter
with that horse?'

''E's a new one, sir, and not quite broke; though I do think, sir, as
he 'asn't the best and kindest of riders, sir, and that makes 'im
worse.'

'Yes,' said Lossing absently, with his eyes following the horse, which
was a really fine animal, one to attract a horse-lover.

'Hit's too bad,' went on the trooper. 'Diggs will 'ave to ride 'im
this hafternoon, and it'll bait the cap'n horful; for one of our
'orses come a fluke last hevenin'. I be sorry for Diggs!'

'I'm sorry for the horse! George, go and ask the captain to send Diggs
and his horse to me.'

No doubt my face showed my surprise as the trooper rode obediently off
to do his bidding; but Lossing only smiled and moved a step or two
away from the rail where we had been standing.

'Diggs