to sit, until you are
able to ride any horse in the stable, bare backed. Murad is to be your
own property, as long as you are out here."

A syce led the horse out. It was bridled but unsaddled, and Anwar gave
a few instructions to Dick, and then said:

"I will help you up, but in a short time you will learn to vault on to
his back, without any assistance. See! you gather your reins so, in
your left hand, place your right hand on its shoulder, and then spring
up."

"I can do that now," Dick laughed, and, placing his hand on the
horse's shoulder, he lightly vaulted into his seat.

"Well done, Dick," the Rajah said, while the two boys, who had been
looking on with amused faces, clapped their hands.

"Now, Sahib," Anwar went on, "you must let your legs hang easily.
Press with your knees, and let your body sway slightly with the
movement of the horse. Balance yourself, rather than try to hold on."

"I understand," Dick said. "It is just as you do on board ship, when
she is rolling a bit. Let go the reins."

For half an hour the horse proceeded, at a walk, along the road that
wound in and out through the park-like grounds.

"I begin to feel quite at home," Dick said, at the end of that time.
"I should like to go a bit faster now. It is no odds if I do tumble
off."

"Shake your rein a little. The horse will understand it," Anwar said.

Dick did so, and Murad at once started at a gentle canter. Easy as it
was, Dick thought several times that he would be off. However, he
gripped as tightly as he could with his knees, and as he became
accustomed to the motion, and learned to give to it, acquired ease and
confidence. He was not, however, sorry when, at the end of another
half hour, Anwar held up his hand as he approached him, and the horse
stopped at the slightest touch of the rein.

As he slid off, his legs felt as if they did not belong to him, and
his back ached so that he could scarce straighten it. The Rajah and
his sons had returned to the palace, and the boys were there waiting
for him.

"You have done very well, cousin," Doast said, with grave approval.
"You will not be long before you can ride as well as we can. Now you
had better go up at once and have a bath, and put on fresh clothes."

Dick felt that the advice was good, as, bathed in perspiration, and
stiff and sore in every limb, he slowly made his way to his room.

For the next month, he spent the greater part of his time on
horseback. For the fir