When the horses were saddled, Dick rolled two of these up, strapped one on the high peak, and the other on the cantle of the saddle upon which the girl was to ride.
"That will wedge you in pretty tightly," he said.
"Now, Ibrahim, put the things into the saddlebag, and then we shall be ready." When this was done, the two horses were led outside.

The farmer had gone back into the house, and Dick, helping the girl into her seat, arranged the stirrups the right length for her.
"Now," he said, "you must keep your knees pressed against the roll of blankets in front, and hold on as well as you can with them; but the principal thing is for you to balance yourself with your body.

Don't sit up stiffly, but as if you were in a chair.
"Now, we will start at a walk.

Ibrahim will keep quite close to you, so as to be able to catch hold of your rein, should there be any occasion for him to do so." Then, mounting, he and Surajah rode off at a walk, the others following a length or two behind them.

Dick looked round, from time to time, and saw that Annie exhibited no signs of nervousness.
"I am quite comfortable," she said, in reply to one of his glances.
When they got into the road again, Dick said: "We will go at an easy canter now, Annie.