to her cavalry cap. Colonel Fortescue stood up and returned the salute
as the riders passed, two by two. Next began the scene of beautiful
horsemanship, pure and simple, winding up with the Virginia reel, done
by the riders on horseback, as the band played the old reel, "Billy in
the Low Grounds."

Then came the last feature of all; the ride formed again, and, suddenly
quickening their pace to a full gallop, started upon the circuit of the
hall. They swept around the circle at a sharp gallop, the clanking
spurs and rattling sabres keeping time to the roar of the music. Anita
was riding like a bird on the wing and Pretty Maid, who had behaved
with her usual grace and decorum, opening and shutting her stride like
a machine. Just as she got in front of the C. O.'s box the mare
suddenly lost her head. She hesitated, bringing her four feet together
in a way that would have thrown over her head a rider less expert than
Anita. Behind her the line of riders was thrown into slight confusion
with the unexpected halt.

The movements of animals are so much quicker than those of men that the
eye can scarcely follow them. One instant Anita was in her saddle; the
next Pretty Maid stopped, crouched, gave a wild spring, fell prone on
her knees, and rolled over, struggling violently. Anita, half thrown
and half slipped from her saddle, was on the tanbark, directly in front
of Gamechick.

She straightened out her slim figure full length, and closed her eyes.
Broussard's horse was then not six feet away from her and coming on as
if the trumpeters were sounding the charge.

A great groan rose from the floor and the galleries; the band played on