"Guineas. Call down to-morrow forenoon at Piershill, and you shall have delivery. Now, Miss Bogle, what do you say to a canter on the sands?" I took my leave rather satisfied than otherwise with the transaction. Edith evidently took a warm interest in my welfare, and her suggestion as to future expeditions was quite enchanting. Seventy guineas, to be sure, was a deal of money, but then it was something to be assured of safety for life and limb. On the street I encountered Anthony Whaup. "Well, old fellow," quoth Anthony, "how are you getting on? Pounding away at drill, eh?" "Not yet." "Faith, you had better look sharp about it, then. I've been down twice at Canonmills of a morning, and I can tell you the facings are no joke. Have you got a horse yet?" "Yes; a regular dragoon charger--and you?" "A beast from Wordsworth. He's been out regularly with the squadron for the last ten years; so it is to be presumed he knows the manoeuvres. If not, I'm a spilt yeoman!" "I say, Anthony--can you ride?" "No more than yourself, but I suppose we shall contrive to stick on somehow." "Would it not be as well to have a trial?" said I, with considerable intrepidity. "Suppose we go together to the riding-school, and have an hour or two's practice." "I have no earthly manner of objection," said Anthony. "I presume there's lots of sawdust there and the exhibition will, at any rate, be a private one. _Allons!_" and we departed for the amphitheatre. We inquired for a couple of peaceable hacks, which were forthwith furnished us. I climbed up with some difficulty into the saddle, and having submitted to certain partial dislocations of the knee and ankle, at the hands of the master of the ring (rather a ferocious Widdicomb, by the way), and having also been instructed in the art of holding the reins, I was pronounced fit to start. Anthony, whose legs were of a parenthetical build, seemed to adapt himself more easily to his seat. "Now then, trot!" cried the sergeant, and away we went with a wild expenditure of elbow. "Toes in, toes in, gentlemen!" bellowed our instructor; "blowed but you'd drive them wild if you had spurs on! You ain't been at the dancing-school lately, have you? Steady--steady--very good. Down your elbows, gentlemen, if you please! them bridles isn't pumps. Heads up! now gallop! Bravo! very good. Screw in the knees a little. Hold on--hold on, sir, or damme you'll be off!" And sure enough I was within an ace of canting over, having lost a stirrup, when the sergeant caught hold of me by the arm. "I'll tell you what, gents," he said, "you'll never learn to ride in this 'varsal world, unless you tries it without the irons. Nothing like that for giving a man a sure seat So, Bill, take off the stirrups, will you! Don't be afeard, gentlemen. I'll make riders of you yet, or my name isn't Kickshaw."