"Some one is stealing the horses," he shouted.

"Quick, girls, up with you," Ned said; and the girls, as light as
feathers, sprang up. "Go along," the boys cried, bringing down their
sticks on the animals' sides. Dick's at once leaped forward, but Ned's
horse only backed. Ned gave his stick to Rose and seized his pistol, which
was cocked and ready for use. As he did so a native trooper rushed from
the house. As he came out Ned fired, and the man fell forward on his face.

Startled by the shot, the horse darted off after his companion. For a few
minutes they went forward at a gallop, the boys holding on as well as they
could, but expecting every moment to be thrown off. For awhile shouts and
cries were heard from the village, and then all was quiet again. The two
boys reined in their horses.

"That was awful," Dick said; "I would rather sit on the yardarm in a storm
than ride on that beast any further at the pace we have been going."

The girls had not spoken a word since they started, and they now slipped
to the ground. It was not an easy thing for them to get up behind, and
several slips were made before their attempts were successful. Once
seated, they were more comfortable, and they again went on, this time at
an easy canter. After half an hour's ride they came to a crossroad, and
turned up there, going now at a walk. After awhile they took a well-marked
path running in a parallel direction to the road; this they followed for
some time, passing fearlessly through one or two small villages.

Then, feeling by the flagging walk of their horses that they were becoming
fatigued, they plunged deep into a thick wood, dismounted, and prepared