e sport for the day," observed the
khan, in a tone which at once raised Reginald's suspicions, and
instantly the warning he had received from Buxsoo flashed into his mind.

The same thought occurred to Burnett, who replied:

"I cannot allow my friend to exert himself further, as, slight as his
injuries may appear, a fever might be brought on; so I must insist on
his returning to the house."

"As the sahibs think fit; but they will take some refreshment before
they start," observed the khan.

Rich viands were placed in the centre of the tent, around which the
party seated themselves. Sambro appeared among the attendants. As he
passed behind Reginald and Burnett he whispered, "Take only what I give
you." Neither of them had any great appetite. Reginald, indeed, even
without Sambro's warning, had no inclination to eat, and after partaking
of a dish the faithful slave placed before him, declined all other food.
He likewise simply drank a glass of sherbet which Sambro poured out for
him.

Immediately the repast was over, Burnett desired that the horses might
be brought up, and declining the pressing request of their entertainer
that he would hunt for a short time while his friend rested in a tent,
he rode off with Reginald, the natives being compelled to follow. Well
accustomed to traversing a wild country, even without a guide, Reginald
had taken careful note of the way they had come, and was thus able to go
ahead without waiting for the rest of the party. They reached the
khan's house in safety, where they found a party of horsemen arrived
from the city, with a despatch from the rajah to Reginald, highly
praising him for his conduct, and expressing a desire that he would at
once assume the costume becoming his rank, with which he had sent an
officer of state to invest him. Though Reginald, whose notions were
very far from Oriental, would much rather have retained his unassuming
dress, he felt that it was right to obey his grandfather. Burnett being
of the same opinion, he therefore submitted to being rigged out, as he
called it, in the jewelled turban and rich robes which had been prepared
for him.

"I hope, sir, as how they don't want me to dress up in petticoats?"
observed Dick, with a comical twist of his features. "I'd rather be as
I am, unless you order me."

"No, Dick; I think that will not be necessary except on state occasions,
when, if I want a henchman, I would rather have you than any native."