which the horses ran was scarcely half a mile in diameter,
and they appeared to be approaching nearer to the centre. In fact, they
were not following the circumference of a circle, but a spiral curve
that contracted gradually inward.

The boys had now a fair view of them, and a beautiful sight it was.
There were about two hundred in all, but they were of different
colours--scarcely two of them being marked alike. There were black and
white ones, and bay and roan. Some were brown, some sorrel, and some of
an iron-grey; and there were others--many of them--mottled and spotted
like hounds! All had flowing manes and long waving tails; and these
streamed behind them as they galloped, adding to the gracefulness of
their appearance. It was, in truth, a beautiful sight, and the hearts
of the boys bounded within them, while their eyes followed the moving
troop as it circled round and round.

But the eyes of all three soon centred upon one--the leader, and a
fairer object none of them had ever beheld. Basil, who loved a fine
horse more than any living thing, was in an ecstasy as he gazed upon
this beautiful creature. It was no wonder, for a more perfect-looking
animal could hardly have been conceived. He was larger than any of the
herd, though still under the size of an English horse. His full chest
and prominent eye-balls--his well-bound flanks and quarters--his light
cylindrical limbs and small finely-shaped hoofs, showed of what race he
was--an Arab of the Andalusian breed--a descendant of the noble steeds
that carried the first conquerors of Mexico. His proportions were what
a judge would have pronounced perfect; and Basil, who, in fact, _was_ a
judge, had already said so. He was white all over--white as the
mountain-snow. As he galloped, his nostrils appeared open and red, his
eyes stood prominently forth, his mane was tossed on both sides of his
neck from his crest to his withers, and his long tail streamed
horizontally behind him. His free, graceful movements--like that of all
his followers--showed that no saddle had ever been laid across his back.

As Basil gazed upon this noble creature, he became imbued with an
irresistible desire to possess him. It is true he already had a horse,
and as fine a one as ever wore saddle; but it was Basil's weakness to
covet every fine horse he saw; and this one had inspired him with a most
particular longing to become his owner. In a few seconds' time, so
eager had grown