orses' tails closely and neatly plaited. Leather might
snap, there was no fear of breaking such cords as these.

The saddle now had its turn. Passing from side to side, Carlos tried
both stirrup-leathers, and examined the great wooden blocks which formed
the stirrups. The girth was the last as well as most important object
of his solicitude. He loosed the buckles on both sides, and then
tightened them, using his knees to effect his purpose. When drawn to
his liking, the tip of the finger could not have been passed under the
strong leathern band.

No wonder he observed all this caution. The snapping of a strap, or the
slipping of a buckle, might have hurled him into eternity.

Having satisfied himself that all was right, he gathered up the reins,
and leaped lightly into the saddle.

He first directed his horse at a walk along the cliff, and within a few
feet of its edge. This was to strengthen the nerves both of himself and
the animal. Presently the walk became a trot, and then a gentle canter.
Even this was an exhibition fearful to behold. To those regarding it
from below it was a beautiful but terrible spectacle.

After a while he headed back towards the plain, and then stretching into
a fair gallop--the gait in which he intended to approach the cliff--he
suddenly reined up again, so as to throw his horse nearly on his flanks.
Again he resumed the same gallop and again reined up; and this
manoeuvre he repeated at least a dozen times, now with his horse's head
turned towards the cliffs, and now in the direction of the plain. Of
course this gallop was far from being the full speed of the animal.
That was not bargained for. To draw a horse up at race-course speed
within two lengths of himself would be an utter impossibility, even by
sacrificing the life of the animal. A shot passing through his heart
would not check a racer in so short a space. A fair gallop was all that
could be expected under the circumstances, and the judges expressed
themselves satisfied with that which was exhibited before them. Carlos
had put the question.

At length he was seen to turn his horse towards the cliff, and take his
firmest seat in the saddle. The determined glance of his eyes showed
that the moment had come for the final trial.

A slight touch of the spur set the noble brute in motion, and in another
second he was in full gallop, and heading directly for the cliff!

The gaze of all was fixed with intense earnestne