the rush war to New Mexico."

Grace explained to Jordan that they were going down to Sussex to visit
some relatives of Rose, and begged him to go along, and bespoke for him a
hearty welcome.

"I'm greatly obleeged, Miss," said Jordan, "but I must beg yo' ter 'scuse
me. I must see my hoss home. I've been ridin' him and teachin' him a few
things, like startin' and stoppin', for a month. He war wild when I tuk
him fust, but since he and I got 'quainted, we agree zactly, and I told
ther men as own him he should be home ter night, and I must take him. I
wouldn't send him by the are-apparent hisself. Besides, my society
accomplishments war neglected some'at when I war young, and I would
rather break y'r heart, Miss, by declinin' ter go, than hev it broke by
my arkerdness 'mong y'r friends."

But he told Sedgwick where he was stopping in London, and it was agreed
that on the return of the party to the great city they should see more of
each other. So Jordan returned to London, and the young people took the
train for a little town on the coast, not far from Brighton, in Sussex.

They found the uncle and aunt of Rose. A great welcome was given them,
and four or five days were delightfully whiled away.

A regiment of English regulars was stationed there. Our party made the
acquaintance of the officers and their families, and one day a horseback
ride into the country was proposed for the next morning.

It taxed the capacity of the place to supply the necessary animals, and
one of the horses brought up, though a magnificent and powerful fellow,
was but half broken at best, and he snorted and blowed, and reared and
pawed, and took on a great deal.

The company were looking at him, and each selecting the horse that suited
him best, when Miss Rose said: "What a pity that Mr. Jordan did not come
along! He would have selected that wild horse."

The colonel of the regiment, a portly man, and a little inclined to be
pompous, in a peculiarly English tone said: "Possibly, you know, our
young American friend would like to mount him."

Sedgwick affected not to notice the tone or the accent, and answered
simply: "I have ridden worse-looking horses. If I had a Mexican saddle,
or one of your military saddles, I believe I should like to ride him; but
I am a little afraid of these things you call saddles."

Strangely enough, the officer thought the objection to the saddle was
meant merely as an excuse to avoid riding the horse, and so he