Belmont gave a short gruff laugh.

"It seemed all right in the saloon of the _Korosko_, but now that we are
here we _do_ seem rather up in the air," said he. "Still, you know, a
party comes here every week, and nothing has ever gone wrong."

"I don't mind taking my chances when I am on the war-path," the Colonel
answered. "That's all straightforward and in the way of business.
But when you have women with you, and a helpless crowd like this, it
becomes really dreadful. Of course, the chances are a hundred to one
that we have no trouble; but if we should have--well, it won't bear
thinking about. The wonderful thing is their complete unconsciousness
that there is any danger whatever."

"Well, I like the English tailor-made dresses well enough for walking,
Mr. Stephens," said Miss Sadie from behind them. "But for an afternoon
dress, I think the French have more style than the English. Your
milliners have a more severe cut, and they don't do the cunning little
ribbons and bows and things in the same way."

The Colonel smiled at Belmont.

"_She_ is quite serene in her mind, at any rate," said he. "Of course,
I wouldn't say what I think to any one but you, and I daresay it will
all prove to be quite unfounded."

"Well, I could imagine parties of Dervishes on the prowl," said Belmont.
"But what I cannot imagine is that they should just happen to come to
the pulpit rock on the very morning when we are due there."