Ted heartily returned the handshake of his brother's friend, and muttered something to the effect that the horse should be given all the credit, not the rider. So great a triumph he had never before known, yet he bore his honours modestly. Colonel Woodburn, Major Munro, Captain Markham, and other mess-mates were quickly on the spot, patting and praising both horse and rider. The thumps on the back given to Ted were rather more vigorous than those awarded to "The Padre", and the ensign had little breath wherewith to make suitable reply to the shower of congratulations. Pir Baksh, the subadar, waved his sword wildly and led the sepoys in their volleys of deafening applause. There was one jarring note. A brother ensign who was strolling moodily past the group moved a step nearer to Ted and snarled in an undertone: "I've dropped two hundred rupees to-day, thanks to you." It was Harry Tynan--a tall, handsome lad with dark hair inclined to curl, and big brown eyes; the type of boy who from childhood is petted and spoilt by mothers and aunts. Unless such an one possesses an exceptionally strong character the result is fatal, and Tynan showed a weak mouth and chin. "The Padre's" owner caught the whisper. "More fool you, you young idiot!" Markham genially observed, as the silly youngster turned away with a muttered curse. Miss Woodburn's congratulations were even more welcome than the praises of his comrades. "I'm proud of my future brother," she said. "You rode just splendidly. Oh, it was exciting! I gave up all hope at the last water-jump.... And then when you began to overhaul him down the incline! Didn't the shouting affect your nerves?" Ted shook his head. "I don't remember hearing anything. For all I knew there might not have been a single person within miles except me and Spencer--I mean Spencer and I--Spencer and myself, I should say." "I could hardly hold myself in," went on Ethel. "I was dancing up and down--screaming, I'm afraid." "You were indeed, madame," interposed Jim. "You were making a most discreditable exhibition." "Ted," exclaimed the girl, "will you marry me? I'm tired of your brother." "That I will!" replied Ted. "To-morrow if you like. I never could imagine what you could see in that chap, you know." "Very well, I'll abandon him to his fate. He was actually cheering on that Guide fellow during the last hundred yards." "The brute!" "Isn't he?" "Who--the Guide fellow?" With this embarrassing query Lieutenant Spencer joined the party. Ethel blushed crimson, and for once in her life was at a loss for a remark. Jim chuckled away to himself at his sweetheart's discomfiture in most brutal fashion. "That's right, Spencer," said he. "Come and back me up, I'm in a minority here." Miss Woodburn recovered from her confusion. She had already been introduced by Jim to "that Guide fellow".