the capital, they passed through
cultivation and rode by green fields irrigated from deep wells, by
hamlets of palm-thatched mud huts where no one yet stirred, and on to
where the high embrasured walls of the city rose above the plain. Under
the vaulted arch of the old gateway the ponies clattered, along through
the narrow, silent streets of gaily-painted, wooden-balconied houses, at
that hour closely shuttered, until the Palace was reached as the rising
sun began to flush the sky with rose-pink.

The guard of sepoys at the great gate saluted as the two officers rode
into the wide, paved courtyard lined by high, many-windowed buildings.
In the centre of it a group of horsemen, nobles of the State or
officials of the Palace in gay dresses and bright-coloured _puggris_, or
turbans, with gold or silver-hilted swords hanging from their belts, sat
on their restless animals behind the Maharajah, a pleasant-faced,
athletic man in a white flannel coat, riding-breeches and long, soft
leather boots, mounted on a tall Waler gelding. He was chatting with
four or five other officers of the Punjaubis and raised his hand to his
forehead as the newcomers rode up and lifted their hats to him.

"Good morning, Your Highness," said Raymond. "I hope we're not late. Let
me present Mr. Wargrave of our regiment, who has just returned from
England."

With a genial smile the Maharajah leant forward and held out his hand.

"I am glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Wargrave," he said, "and very
pleased to see you out with us to-day. Are you fond of pigsticking?"

"I've never had the chance of doing any before, Your Highness," replied
Frank, shaking his hand. "I'm awfully anxious to try it; but, being a
novice, I'm afraid I'll only be in the way."

"I'm sure you won't," said the Maharajah courteously. His command of
English was perfect. "Pigsticking is not at all difficult; and I hear
that you are a good rider."

He looked at his watch and then, turning in the saddle, addressed
another officer of the regiment who was chaffing Raymond for being late:

"Are we all here now, Captain Ross?"

"Yes, sir. These two lazy fellows are the last," replied Ross
laughingly.

"Very well, gentlemen, we'll start."

He waved his hand; and at the signal two black-bearded _sowars_, or
soldiers of his cavalry regiment, dashed by him and out through the
Palace gates at a hard-gallop, leading the way past the guard, who
turned out and presented arms as the M