waists. What do you say, girls? With our dress it would be natural for us
to be on horseback, and no one would ask any questions. We are pretty
safe, because if they come out there are but two of them, and we are more
than a match for them with our pistols."

"It seems a terrible risk to run, Ned; but I do think it would be our best
plan. What do you say, Rose?"

"I think we had better try, Kate."

"Now let us settle everything before we start," said Ned. "We must mount
first, I think, that we may be able to help you more easily; and you would
have less risk of falling off if you get up in front of us. We can change
when we have gone half a mile. Will you stand close to Dick, Kate, when he
mounts; Rose, you keep close to me. The moment we are fairly in the
saddle, and have got the reins in our hands, you put your foot on mine,
and take hold of my hand, and climb up in the saddle in front of me. Put
your arms round our necks and hold us, because we shall want one hand for
the reins, the other for a pistol."

"Let us cut a stick, Ned, to give them a lick and make them start at a
gallop."

Very gently, and with bated breath, they stole up the village. The horses
were still standing with their reins thrown over a hook in the wall. Very
quietly the boys unhooked the reins, but the horses moved uneasily, and
objected to their mounting them, for horses accustomed to natives dislike
to be touched by Europeans. However, the boys had just managed to climb
into their seats when a shutter of the house opened, and a voice said in
Hindostanee, "What is fidgeting the horses?" Then a head looked out.