without apparent
provocation, presented first its tail and then its nose to the sky. The
Inca princess patted the playful creature approvingly, and induced it to
adopt a bounding, indiarubber-like pace. In a few minutes this was
reduced to a springy walk.

Lawrence could not resist the temptation to ride forward and offer his
own horse, although Colonel Marchbanks rode alongside of his daughter
like an inflexible guardian.

"You will find my horse much easier to manage, Miss Marchbanks," he
said, "and quite as strong and fleet as your own."

The colonel frowned, and his daughter said, "No, t'ank you, senhor,"
with a little bow and a brilliant smile.

It was one of Manuela's little fancies to revert sometimes to the broken
English peculiar to her colour and costume. This was not at all
relished by Lawrence. It seemed to argue a want of earnestness, which
was not at all in harmony with the tremendous depth of his love for her!
He drew rein immediately and fell behind, but at that moment Manuela's
horse put its foot in a biscacho-hole and stumbled. Evidently it had
received a violent surprise, for, after having a second time presented
its tail and nose alternately to the skies, it gave vent to an indignant
snort, performed what seemed to be a pirouette on one leg, took the bit
in its teeth, and bolted.

Of course the colonel put spurs to his steed, and gave chase. Instantly
Lawrence did the same. As a consequence Quashy followed, and, not
wishing to be left behind, the whole cavalcade went after them at full
speed. The thunder of numerous hoofs acted as a sharp spur to the wild
runaway. At once it became a fair race, in which each gradually took
his place according to ability. The course was clear--from the Andes to
the Atlantic, almost, and horses and riders were fresh!

In a remarkably short time the party straggled, and the line extended.
Soon it became evident that the colonel, Lawrence, Pedro, and Quashy
were the best mounted of the troop, for these four drew far ahead of all
the others; yet the runaway kept its advantage, despite the utmost
efforts of Manuela's fair little arms to check it. Gradually Pedro and
the colonel were left behind. Despite the utmost application of voice
and spur, Quashy also dropped to the rear, and the race lay at last
between our hero and the Inca princess!

Mile after mile was passed as they flew like the wind over the rolling
plains, scarcely impeded at all by the Pa