There was a long pause, during which he was almost constantly watching the place with his glass. And how that scene is imprinted in my mind; the beautiful fringe of green trees, where we stood in the shade, and before us the broad plain bright in the fresh morning sunshine, and wreaths of mist still floating over it, but being rapidly dispelled by the sun, though the distance still looked hazy and of a delicious blue. There on the right was the village or town, dotted with the figures of the white-robed Hindus, whose arms flashed now and then, as they moved here and there. "If they will only give us a full hour, Gil," said Brace. "How long have our men been gone?" "Not a quarter yet," I said. He uttered an ejaculation full of impatience, and began watching again. "I'm between two fires," he said at last. "I am eager for them to come out before those scoundrelly sepoys give the rajah warning; and I am longing for them to stay for a full three-quarters of an hour yet. What a dilemma. It is terrible." Just then there was the sound of a horse plunging and squealing, and we turned to where the trumpeter held the three. "That would ruin us if they were passing," muttered Brace. Then aloud, "Keep them quiet, my lad. What are you doing?" "Beg pardon, sir; did not move. Mr Vincent's horse, sir, a bit playful. They're all so fresh." We patted and quieted the beautiful animals, and left them again to resume our old place, to find that all remained still. There was no excitement, and we could see nothing to suggest that there had been an alarm, and men were coming out to attack us or a retreat had been ordered. But as we watched, we suddenly saw a man in white riding the beautiful gaily caparisoned Arab, which even at that distance I recognised as the rajah's charger. He was passing along in front of some buildings, and my heart beat faster as I felt that at last the time was rapidly approaching for action. "How long do you think it is now since they started?" said Brace, in a hoarse voice. "Half an hour," I replied; and I did not recognise my own voice, it sounded so husky. "Hah!" sighed Brace, still using his glass. Then, after a few minutes-- "They're turning out," he said. "Yes; and there is no sign of hurry;" and he kept on telling me as, by the help of the glass, the confusion I could see was cleared; and the leading out of horses, and falling in of men, was described, "They're going through it all exactly as if they were our troop," said Brace, bitterly. "We've let them see our training, and trained them, too, to some purpose. Hasn't another quarter of an hour gone yet?" "No," I said; "not more than ten minutes." "It seems like ten hours. Hah! Trumpeter, keep those horses quiet, on your life." There was a neighing and stamping and trampling mingled with the breaking of bushes, and then all was quiet again; while I felt an intense longing to mount my Arab, and gallop as hard as that beautiful creature could go.