/CRY
:10LOGY
IGRARY
FOREST AND JUNGL
OR
THRILLING ADVENTURES
IN
. " x ALL QUARTERS OF THE GLOBE
AN
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM
BY
- P. T. BARNUM
Written in Easy and Instructive Form
FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
Embracing Vivid Descriptions of the Manner of Capture and Taming
of Wild Beasts, Birds and Reptiles for the Menageries
and Zoological Gardens of the World.
CHICAGO NEW YORK :
THE WERNER COMPANY
1897
COPYRIGHT, 1896,
THE WERNER COMPANY.
L
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER.
I. DANGEROUS GAME,
II. A WEAPON OF NATURE,
III. How CURIOSITIES ARE CAPTURED,
IV. MY AFRICAN EXPEDITION, .
V. THE CAMP IN BECHUANA LAND,
VI. A STARTLING VISIT, .
VII. AN ATTACK IN THE REAR,
VIII. THE CHAMPION OF STUPIDITY,
IX. AN OVERTHROW, . . .
X. A DARING EXPLOIT,
XI. A WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE, .
XII. THE WILD MEN,
XIII. THE HUMAN BUCKLER, . .
XIV. AFRICAN VERSUS AMERICAN,
XV. A MASTERLY RETREAT, . .
XVI. IN THE TREE TOP, .
XVII. A TIMELY ARRIVAL, . .
XVIII. A STRANGE SCENE, . .
XIX. IN THE NICK OF TIME, .
XX. A DISCOVERY,
XXI. ON THE CREST OF THE HILL, .
XXII. A MISCALCULATION, .
XXIII. THE HORNS OF A DILEMMA,
XXIV. THE WHIZZ OF A BOOMERANG,
XXV. TURNING ABOUT, . .
XXVI. ALL TOGETHER," .. .
XXVII. THE FRETFUL PORCUPINE, .
XXVIII. THE SECRETARY-BIRD, ,;,
XXIX. A STRANGE SCENE, . ,
XXX. A FRIEND IN NEED, .
PAGE.
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I 5 6
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER.
XXXI. "ONE, Two, THREE!" .
XXXII. CONCERNING SNAKES, . . <
XXXIII. A REMINISCENCE, . .
XXXIV. BEARS AND KANGAROOS, . . ,
XXXV. A THIEF OF THE NIGHT,
XXXVI. As IN THE OLDEN DAYS,
XXXVII. "GooD-BY, SWEETHEART!"
XXXVIII. FUNNY VISITORS,
XXXIX. "I'VE GOT HIM!"
XL. As TO BABOONS, <
XLI. SOME WONDERS OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM,
XLII. THE DARKENING SKY,
XLIII. OUT IN THE NIGHT,
XLIV. PEERING OUT INTO THE GLOOM,
XLV. ON THE TRAIL, ....
XLVI. THE GLIMMER OF A CAMP-FIRE, . ,
XLVII. A CLEVER STRATAGEM, . . .
XLVIII. THE CAPTIVE AND HIS CAPTORS, . .
XLIX. AT THE VILLAGE, . . .
L. LIVELY TIMES,
LI. THE RHINOCEROS-HUNTERS, . .
LII. THE BUPHAGA AFRICANA, . . <
LIII. TURNING THE TABLES, . . .
LIV. A LOST HOTTENTOT, . .
LV. DIEDRICK'S VICISSITUDES, . .
LVI. A WHOLE ARMFUL,
LVII. THE BEHEMOTH, . . .
LVIII. THE CRASH OF SPLINTERING WOOD,
LIX. A STROKE OF FORTUNE, . .
LX. THE GUNS OF BURRISAUL, .
LXI. AN UNPLEASANT BEDFELLOW,
LXII. BANG ! BANG ! BANG ! BANG ! BANG 1
LXIII. BUILDING BETTER THAN HE KNEW, .
LXIV. THE TIGER-HUNTERS, ~. .
LXV. THE TIGER,
LXVI. A FORTUNATE SHOT, . .
PAGE.
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. 286
291
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CONTEXTS.
CHAPTER.
LXVII. A FRIGHTFUL OCCURRENCE,
LXVIII. CAUGHT IN THE ACT,
LXIX. Two CURIOSITIES, . . . .
LXX. ATTACKED IN FRONT AND REAR,
LXXI. JUMBO AND TOUNG TALOUNG,
LXXII. AN INTERLOPER, ....
LXXIII. A FLYING SHOT OR Two,
LXXIV. A STRANGE EXPERIENCE,
LXXV. ANOTHER "CLOSE CALL,"
LXXVI. DICK BROWNELL'S LAST EXPLOIT IN INDIA,
LXXVII. IN THE LAND OF THE GORILLA,
LXXVIII. ON THE EDGE OF THE POOL,
LXXIX. A STRANGE BATTLE, ....
LXXX. A BATTLE OF GIANTS, .
LXXXI. A CAMP-FIRE VISITOR,
LXXXII. THE KING OF THE JUNGLE,
LXXXIII. HOME AGAIN, .....
LXXXIV. THE REASON WHY IN NATURAL HISTORY,
PAGE..
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37 1
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380
39 1
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408
412
418
4 2 3
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448
454
462
469
475
482
489
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
INITIAL VIGNETTE TROPICAL LANDSCAPE,
EAGER TO ATTACK, BUT AFRAID,
" HE LET FLY THREE TIMES IN SUCCESSION,'
LEOPARD,
VIGNETTE "WAITING," ....
BY THE STREAM,
LEOPARD, . .
SHIPS OF THE DESERT,
A TROUBLESOME CAPTIVE
THE JUNGLE AND SOME OF ITS DENIZENS, .
JACK HARVEY AND APACHE, ....
AFRICAN Ox,
THE CAMP IN BECHUANA LAND, .
HARTBEEST,
ONE OF THE NATIVES
A RUSTLING IN THE GRASS, .
LION,
A STARTLING VISIT,
THE DEATH SHOT,
" WHAT THINK OF HIM ?"
TRIUMPHANT,
OSTRICH HUNTING,
AN OVERTURN
TURNING THE TABLES,
A WONDERFUL FEAT,
HOTTENTOT INGENUITY,
THE RHEA, OR AMERICAN OSTRICH, .
THE WILD BUSHMEN
AN EFFECTIVE SHIELD,
THE POISONED ARROW, . . . . .
IN COWBOY STYLE,
AN AFRICAN TOBOGGAN SLIDE, .
GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS,
SKELETON OF THE GIRAFFE, . ...
AFRICAN BUFFALO, ......
THE BISON, . .... , .......
BUFFALO AND LION, . . . .
INGRATITUDE,
AN UNEXPECTED ATTACK
AN EARNEST CONFERENCE,
PAGE.
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no
112
THE SPRING-BOK,
BLACK AND WHITE ANTELOPES,
THE GNU,
THE SABER ANTELOPE,
ZEBRA ANTELOPE,
THE ELAND, .
THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT, ...
ORYX,
THE KOODOO,
"' DOWN !' WHISPERED DICK,"
IN HOT PURSUIT,
THE SPOTTED HYENA,
A WARM RECEPTION,
THE STRIPED HYENA,
AN UNEXPECTED RECEPTION,
GONE CLEAN DAFT,
THE ADDAX,
" LOOK OUT ! HE'S GOING TO STRIKE ! "
THE BOSCH VARK
ETHIOPIAN WART HOG, ....
THE BABIROUSSA,
" HE FELL FROM THE BACK OF HIS STEED,'
THE QUAGGA,
BURCHELL'S ZEBRA,
" ME SHOW SOMETHING,"
THE TREE PORCUPINE,
THE TUFTED-TAIL PORCUPINE,
AN AWKWARD PET,
"I'LL LEAVE YOU HERE, APACHE," .
THE SECRETARY-BIRD,
A STRANGE COMBAT,
A DISMAL REGION,
A FRIEND IN NEED,
THE ORNITHOLOGIST,
VIGNETTE CHAMELEON, .
"THIRTY-ONE FEET, THREE INCHES," .
VIGNETTE SNAKE,
BOA-CONSTRICTOR, . . . . . .
A PRODUCT OF OUR OWN COUNTRY, . .
THE COBRA DE CAPELLO, . . . V
THE HORNED SNAKE,
PAGE.
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182
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184
185
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
ANOTHER SPECIMEN,
A PIT VIPER,
VIGNETTE A TREE-TOP FROLIC, .
THE GRIZZLY BEAR,
"OLD EPHRAIM HAD COME TO TOWN," .
INITIAL KANGAROO,
COMMON BROWN BEAR, ....
BLACK BEAR, .
KANGAROO FAMILY,
THE MALAY BEAR
POLAR BEARS
THE BADGER,
ELEPHANT SHREW MOUSE, ....
THE KANGAROO MOUSE,
THE DUCK-BILL, OR ORNITHORHYNCHUS,
EMU,
A LEAP FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP, .
MEN HUNTING THE EMU, ....
"THE OUTLINES OF A MAN'S HEAD ROSE,"
As IN THE OLDEN TIME,
THE TEST
VIGNETTE SPIDER MONKEYS,
THE GENET,
" SOMETHING OUT THERE IN THE GRASS," .
A SLY THIEF
A SECOND Too LATE,
" I'VE GOT HIM ! "
A FAMILY PARTY,
ORANG-OUTANG,
HEAD OF ORANG-OUTANG, . . . .
A CONCERT,
CHACMA,
GELADA
THE DRILL
MANDRILL, . '
GROUP OF HOWLERS,
LONG-NOSED MONKEYS, ....
VIGNETTE THE TARANTULA,
THE ANT-LION,
THE ANT-LION'S TRAP,
THE CHAMEI.F.ON,
THE BELTED ARMADILLO,
THE BALL-SHAPED ARMADILLO,
THE TAMANOIR,
THE AYE-AYE,
MARTENS,
" WE ARE READY !"
AN AFRICAN TEMPEST, ....
" IT VANISHED IN THE GLOOM,"
THE LIGHTNING'S FLASH, .
" HE ALMOST FELL HEADLONG," . . ,
PAGE.
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26l
" THE THREE LOOKED LONG AND CLOSELY,"
A STARTLING DISCOVERY, ....
" HE CAUGHT THE STAR-LIKE TWINKLE," .
" HIS ARMS WERE SUDDENLY SEIZED," .
CAPTIVE AND CAPTORS,
HUNTING FOR POISON,
THE PARLEY, . . . . .
" ' I SAW HIM ! ' EXCLAIMED BOB," .
LIVELY TIMES
RHINOCEROS OF INDIA,
" HE CAUGHT SIGHT OF THE VAST BEAST,"
A SUDDEN ATTACK,
" HE SEES ME,"
TWO-HORNED RHINOCEROS,
A DOUBLE CHASE,
PONDEROUS GAME,
A TROUBLESOME CAPTIVE, ....
THE HIPPOPOTAMUS,
A RESISTLESS ATTACK,
"COME! HELP! "
" I PULLED TRIGGER,"
THE SACRED Cow,
THE GAYAL,
Music's CHARMS,
" FIVE REPORTS RANG OUT," .
TIGER
A SERPENT-CHARMER,
TIGRESS AND CUBS
WHITE-TAILED ICHEUMON, .
IN A TIGHT PLACE
TIGER AND DEER
A STRIKING TABLEAUX, ....
WARM WORK,
DEATH OF THE POSTMAN, ....
CAUGHT IN THE ACT,
IN THE NICK OF TIME,
MOUNTAIN DOVES AND LIZARDS,
ARARA KAKADU
CRESTED HAWK PARROT
HYACINTH ARARA,
THE GORAL,
PROUGHON ANTELOPE,
THE NYLGHAU, . . . ....
GOAT,
THE PANDA, . . . . . .
IN AMBUSH, . .......
AOUDAD,
SACRED OR INDIAN ANTELOPE, .
ELK, ..........
FALLOW DEER,
JUMBO, . . . ... . . . .
PAGE.
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389
390
392
393
394
395
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
MY FAMOUS WHITE ELEPHANT,
A BATTLE IN THE JUNGLE,
HUGE SPORT, . . * .
AN INTRUDER,
" ROYAL SPORT, INDEED," .
BY A HAIR'S BREADTH,
" BUT IT WAS TOO LATE," .
" HE LAID HIM DOWN," .
GOLDEN TROGONS,
THE CRITICAL MOMENT, .
THE SATIN BOWER BIRD,
THE SOCIABLE WEAVER BIRD,
PARADISE WHIDAH, ....
THE LYRE BIRD,
AFRICAN BARBET,
THE HORNBILL,
THE TAILOR BIRD, . . . .
THE OVEN BIRD
THE STORMY PETREL
PANTHER,
THE LAUGHING KINGFISHER,
THE DINORNIS,
THE BRUSH TURKEY OF AUSTRALIA,
THE APTERYX,
GREAT BIRD OF PARADISE, =
THE PELICAN, f
PAGE.
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401
403
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421
423
424
425
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427
427
428
428
429
430
431
432
433
433
434
435
435
436
SCISSOR BIRD, 436
THE EAGLE Owi 437
THE EARED GREBE, 438
THE ADJUTANT BIRD, 439
COMMON OCTOPUS, 441
INHABITANTS OF THE DEEP, .... 443
HEAD OF THE GORILLA, 445
DISCOURAGED, 447
CROCODILE AND YOUNG, 451
"HE JERKED WITH MIGHT AND MAIN," . . 455
THE CHIMPANZEE, 456
CHIMPANZEES, 457
GORILLA, 459
THE CHIMPANZEE - . . 460
THE CAPTURE, 463
MIGHT is RIGHT, 464
BONNET MONKEYS, 465
ELEPHANT AND RHINOCEROS 467
CONTENTMENT 470
BULKY BATHERS, 471
LEOPARDS, 476
GORILLA, 478
A LITTLE FURY, . 479
JUST TOO LATE, 483
DICK, 485
DICK AND His PET, 487
INTRODUCTION.
living man has ever known, and none will ever fully know, the bosky realms
wnere the wild beasts live and roam in natural freedom.
But they wish to know. There is no more fascinating study, and the sa-
vant and the child pursue it with equal pleasure. In the menagerie and zoological
garden, wherever "the animals" are, there may be found a crowd of those who
watch and study the captives with unfailing interest.
The world they once lived in is a realm of the imagination ; a land of wild glens,
and deep thickets, and wide sluggish streams, where it is never winter, and where
man is only an intruder and was never owner or master. Here and there the mind
sees the palm-thatched huts, or the little squalid mud-built villages whose inhabi-
tants pass each night in half-waking fear of the tiger, strong, beautiful and treacher-
ous, whose padded feet give no sound when he comes to select his victim. One
watches the spotted leopard as he walks back and forth in his cage, and tries
to picture him as he lay prone on the branch of a roadside tree, his yellow eyes
gleaming as he waits for the unsuspecting traveler to pass beneath.
And as the lion looks out upon the crowd one recalls the tales of Livingston, the
devoted missionary, who has told us how he felt when those strong jaws closed in
his shoulder. And one remembers Speke, and Grant, and Du Chaillu, and Stanley,
and with what eagerness he read the stories of their travels in the great Dark Con-
tinent whose interior is even yet unknown to civilized mankind. The elands, and
gnus, and zebras, which once sped across the African plains one sees before him, and
he wonders if they can have entirely forgotten all that he would so much like to
know.
And the huge elephant stands there, chained by his hinder foot, his small eyes
scanning the passing crowd, and his wonderful finger-pointed proboscis extended as
far as it will reach for a single peanut. The creature seems too huge and strong
to have been captured by puny man. He has a \vonderful history which he prob-
ably remembers; a history which he cannot tell, and which we will never fully know.
Once the night of the jungle was around him, and the feathery palm was above his
huge head, and he went to a stream to drink and bathe where the huge and thick-
skinned rhinoceros quarrelled with him and was defeated. He was the master, and
we long to know how he met the hunter and was defeated, conquered and enslaved.
The interest dwells largely with the greatest, but there are smaller though not
less interesting animals on every hand. They also are the spoil of the hunter for
INTRODUCTION.
the entertainment of the public; for the gratification of the natural and intense in-
terest which is felt alike by both sexes and all ages, and equally by the child and
the scholar.
To gratify this taste immense sums have been expended in the establishment of
those free exhibitions of animals which are called zoological gardens. Every en-
lightened country has them, and they are deemed indispensable to the amusement
and instruction of the people. Notable instances are found in the famous " Zoo"
of London; in a similar one at Berlin; in one at Paris, France; in that corner of Cen-
tral Park, New York, which is rarely without an interested crowd; in Lincoln Park,
Chicago; and in the traveling menageries of the United States, some of which have
in recent years grown into colossal proportions like that which Mr. Barnum gath-
ered before his death, and carried from place to place by means of the unequaled
transportation facilities of modern times.
All these beasts and birds and reptiles are cared for by men who understand
them. All the peculiar traits and appetites they possess, all unknown to the animals
native to our zone, are understood. When winter comes they are housed in an at-
mosphere as warm as that in which they were born. But even the most expensive
and skillful care does not save them, they continually die and are continually re-
placed, and the supply does not noticeably diminish.
It follows, then, that they must be continually caught anew. Where do they
come from ? How are they taken ? These are the questions that are rarely answered.
Wild, fierce, treacherous, exceedingly strong, most of them members of the cat family
and practically untamable, the adventures and experiences of those who capture
them in their fastnesses must be among the most remarkable that can be told.
Such adventures are described in the following pages. They are often startling,
but they contain within themselves the evidences of substantial truth. The stories
of wanderings in strange lands are always interesting. When such wanderings in-
clude days of watching and nights of peril; the tracking of the beast to his lair in
the jungle, and the placing of human nerve and cunning against animal instinct,
activity and enormous strength; then the story is captivating.
Without question such an one is here told. The most acute naturalist will fail
to find an error in statement in regard to any wild animal mentioned. The writer
knew them as a man knows his friends. An immense sum of information is em-
bodied in the form of hunter's tales, and it finally remains to be added that the
characters are real, that the journeys were actually made, and that thousands of per-
sons in the United States have seen the very animals whose capture is described.
young friend Bob Marshall was picking his
way through the South African jungle, when
he paused to look upon a striking but charac-
teristic scene.
A beautiful leopard had run a short distance
up the sloping trunk of a fallen tree, and then,
turning about on a large projecting limb, faced a pack of hyenas that were eager to
attack him, but afraid to do so. One rash fellow ventured nigh enough to receive
a cuff from the defender's paw which knocked him a dozen feet away and caused
him to keep a safe distance thereafter, while the others were equally careful to
avoid those sharp claws and teeth.
EAGER TO ATTACK BUT AFRAID. Page n.
DANGEROUS GAME. 13
Bob was inclined to raise his Winchester and fire upon the cowardly assailants,
but he finally moved off without doing so.
" The leopard wouldn't appreciate my interference," was the thought of the
youth, "and I don't believe he needs it anyway."
Bob was on his way back to camp, as the sultry day was drawing to a close, and
he kept a close watch for danger.
" I can't see anything," he said to himself, holding his rifle ready for instant use,
" but I have been in the Dark Continent long enough to know that that is no proof
I am not in peril."
The listening ear caught the sounds of the myriad birds flitting among
the exuberant branches overhead, and now and then the deep, resonant roar
of some animal warned him that he was liable at any moment to be brought
face to face with some of the fierce denizens of the wilds, always eager to fly
at any intruder.
It was the growing conviction that something was stealthily following him which
tried the nerves of Bob Marshall, for it is the unseen that tests one's bravery, since
so long as it remains unseen it is unknown, and imagination gives it a form and
substance ten-fold more fearful than reality.
He was sure that the limbs in the immediate vicinity contained no hideous
python or boa-constrictor, for those reptiles must of necessity wind themselves
around the trunk or branches of a tree, where the quick eye of the hunter readily
detects them. And Bob was equally positive there was none of those frightful
serpents approaching him through the jungle, for his hearing, trained to marvelous
nicety, was sure to catch the soft rustling that invariably betraysthe approach of a
large snake.
" It must be some beast crouching so flat on a branch that his body is entirely
hidden helloa ! there he is, sure enough ! "
Barely thirty feet above the head of the youth, an immense limb put forth from
a tree whose trunk was no more than a rod from where he stood. The diameter of
the branch was sufficient to hide the body of a large animal, when stretched along
its length, and such concealment it did afford to a brute whose ears, glowing eye-
balls and open mouth protruded just far enough over the support to enable the
young hunter to identify him as an enormous leopard.
So skillfully had the beast disposed himself on the limb that more than likely Bob
would not have detected him, but for the low, threatening growl which he emitted.
Had the leopard held his peace and kept his head lowered, the youth would have
walked directly beneath him, giving the treacherous animal a chance to bound
down upon his shoulders with the irresistibility of a thunderbolt. But the leopard
did not know enough to take that precaution.
His species, however, is among the most cunning of the animal kingdom, and,
though it is probable that this specimen was now brought face to face with a Cau-
casian for the first time, he had sufficient subtlety to keep himself well shielded by
the solid branch along which he was extended.
DANGEROUS GAME. 15
" I think there is enough of your head in sight to make a pretty fair target,"
muttered Bob, bringing his rifle to his shoulder and sighting at the skull.
The distance was so short that there was hardly an excuse for missing, and yet
that is just what Bob Marshall did do, though we can hardly censure him because
of the failure.
By one of those rare coincidences that occasionally take place, the leopard,
from some cause, which cannot be explained, ducked his head almost at the instant
the weapon was discharged, the bullet cutting its way through the dense vegetation
beyond and above the limb.
Keeping his weapon elevated, Bob instantly shoved another cartridge into place,
and, as the threatening head rose to sight, he let fly three times in quick succession.
Bob did not score a " bull's eye" each time, but all the same, he hit the leopard,
the balls ploughing their way through the outer portions of his head, and inflicting
wounds which roused him to fury.
Confident that he had killed the beast, Bob lowered his gun and looked to see
him fall. The leopard came down, but not as the youth expected.
Instead of tumbling from his perch, limp and lifeless, he emitted a snarling
screech, and sprang from the limb straight at the astounded youth, who was almost
paralyzed by the sight of the terrible head, streaked with blood, the ears lying flat
and the jaws extended to their widest extent. The sharp, carnivorous ^teeth and
needle-like claws were eager to rend the lad to shreds.
Had Bob Marshall stood motionless in his footsteps, nothing could have saved
him, but, in obedience to what may be termed instinct rather than reason, he sprang
back several feet, just as the leopard dropped lightly to the ground, and, crouching
low, gathered his muscles for a second leap that was to land him on the shoulders
of the youth.
It occurred to Bob that no more appropriate moment for shooting off a gun
could be thought of, and I need not tell you that he was not long in acting upon
this decision. The style in which he began pumping Winchester balls into the
snarling leopard was enough to stampede a drove of elephants.
But it must not be supposed that the recipient of this bombardment remained
quiescent. Hardly had Bob pulled trigger, after the beast landed on the ground,
when the dreaded leap was made.
It was a moment of such fearful excitement that it was impossible for the lad
to make his aim as unerring as it would have been had the animal remained sta>
tionary for a second or two. Almost before he was aware, the leopard bounded at
him with a ferocity that can exist only when the fiercest of wild beasts is in his
death-throes.
Bob had no time to recoil as he did in the first instance, but with admirable
presence of mind, and with inimitable dexterity, he dropped to a crouching posture
and darted a single step forward. As a consequence, the leopard went clean over
him. Bob wheeled and again brought his gun to his shoulder; in fact, hunter and
beast had exchanged positions.
i6
DANGEROUS GAME.
The leopard must be kept off for a moment, for if those frightful claws were given
but a single chance, they would play mortal havoc with the handsome face and ath-
letic frame of the youth.
Three shots still remained in the magazine of the Winchester, and no three cart-
ridges were ever discharged with more celerity. Every one, too, found a lodgment
in the body of the beast, and they settled the business.
Deprived of the power of assault, and mortally wounded in half a dozen places,
the brute rolled upon his back, with a rasping snarl, his claws beating the air like
lightning for a few seconds, and then he became still and motionless.
LEOPARD.
With the coolness of Gordon Gumming himself, Bob Marshall stood aside and
calmly surveyed his game, after all semblance of life had departed.
"That's the biggest leopard I ever saw," said he, "though Mr. Godkin tells me
that he has seen larger in India, the home of the tiger. The usual length of the
animal is four feet, with its tail a little more than half as much, but this fellow is
fully five feet long, and he would have been a terrible foe if I had allowed him to
close in with me."
I am quite sure all my readers have seen specimens of the leopard, which, like
the cat, belongs to the Felts species. You have admired his rich, yellowish fawn
DANGEROUS GAME. 17
color, paler on the sides and losing itself in the pure white of the belly. He is cov-
ered with numerous annular or oval black spots, the sides and part of the tail
showing distinct roses, made by the near approach of three or four elongated small
dark spots, which surround a central area, an inch in breadth, somewhat deeper in
color than the ground on which it is placed. You may have noticed, too, that there
are a few black lines on the lips, and bands of the same color on the insides of the
legs.
The leopard is one of the most skillful climbers, and few animals can escape him
by taking refuge among the tree branches. When wounded, he is a demon, and
hundreds of people are annually slain by the species in India and Africa.
" I wonder how the rest have made out," muttered Bob Marshall, referring to
his friends; " I have heard the reports of their guns more than once, and I suppose
they have brought down something, but I don't believe there has been anything
shot finer than this."
The youth noticed that the afternoon was wearing away, and, as he was a con-
siderable distance from camp, he decided to set out on his return without delay.
He looked longingly at the huge body, and, when he reflected what a handsome
trophy the skin would make, naturally regretted leaving it behind.
" I promised to send Mr. Barnum something of the kind," he said, as he was on
the point of turning away, " though I know he has more such presents than he
knows what to do with, but I can't afford the time to skin him, and it may be that
Mr. Godkin or Dick or some of the rest will bag something better."
And with this philosophical reflection, Mr. Robert Marshall slung his Winches-
ter over his shoulder and set off for the encampment of his friends.
A goodly distance remained to be passed, and, since night was approaching, he
thought it likely he would encounter more game before joining his companions.
This expectation received a startling confirmation within the succeeding quar-
ter of an hour.
CHAPTER II.
A WEAPON OF NATURE.
As NEARLY as Bob Marshall
could recall, he had to make his
way for about a mile, in order to
reach the camp where all mem-
bers of the hunting party ex-
pected to pass the night. Or-
dinarily the task of traveling this
would not be worth mentioning,
but a portion of it led through
the jungle, and he was obliged
to make quite a circuit to avoid
those exasperating thorny shrubs
which travelers have named
"wait-a-bit" bushes, and he
knew that in that tropical coun-
try, where the twilight is so short, darkness was likely to
descend before he could join his friends.
Not far from the spot where he shot the leopard it
was necessary to cross a deep stream, too broad for him to
leap, but it was bridged
by a fallen tree, which he
had used on his way into
the jungle and which, of course, he expected
to utilize on his return.
A less experienced hunter than Bob
would have been almost certain to lose him-
self, because of the man/ changes in his
course, but with the aid of the little com-
pass which he wore as a watch charm, and
by keeping his bearings in mind, he was
generally able to avoid the dangerous blunder
of going astray.
There was the stream, whose waters looked
of inky blackness, which he came upon at
the very moment he expected, and he had but a little way to go, when he
caught sight of the fallen tree that had served him so well on his tramp thither.
18
A WEAPON OF NATURE. ig
" If nothing unexpected happens, I shall not be the last one to reach camp," he
reflected, as he placed his foot on the trunk and began picking his way across, with-
out paying heed to a sluggish snake twisting among some rotten sticks on the edge
of the stream near by.
The base of the tree was several feet beyond the edge of the opposite shore,
while the branches projected fully a rod behind where Bob began crossing, that
part of the trunk which he used as a bridge being free from limbs.
LEOPARD.
The youth had passed about one-third of the distance, with no thought
of molestation, when, to his amazement, a leopardess issued from the un-
dergrowth, and stepping upon the larger portion of the trunk, advanced to
meet him.
This was a surprise indeed, and Bob stopped, in doubt for the instant what was
the best thing to do. It flashed on him at once that this was the mate of the leopard
he had shot, and whether she had learned the truth or not, it was manifest from her
action that she was in a fighting mood. Indeed, the fierceness displayed by the two
animals was exceptional, for, as a rule, leopards are not likely to disturb a man unless
he first molests them.
2O A WEAPON OF NATURE.
The female advanced with the slow, cautious movement of her species, her head
held low between her shoulders, which lumped up in a peculiar way as she walked,
her jaws slightly parted, her eyes fixed upon the youth, while an occasional growl
and her whole demeanor proved that she did not mean to give the road to him who
stood in her way.
Bob saw the decayed bark of the tree crumble and break under the sharp claws
that pierced it, as she approached, and none knew better than he what the result
would be of a hand-to-hand encounter with such a ferocious foe.
But what cause had he to fear with his formidable Winchester, which he
knew so well how to handle ? A minute or two must pass before the brute could
approach nigh enough to attack and that gave him abundant time in which to aim
and fire.
The plan of turning to flee never once entered his mind, for such a course, in the
presence of a wild animal, inevitably hastens its assault.
With that coolness which was one of the lad's most remarkable traits, he
brought his rifle to a level, and was taking aim at a point midway between the
glaring eyes, when he recalled that the magazine of his gun did not contain a single
cartridge !
Bob had disregarded the fundamental rule of the hunter, which is, after
discharging his gun, instantly to reload, so as to be ready for any emergency.
True, the task of preparing his breech-loader was so slight that this rule lost
half its force, when the modern weapon was compared with the muzzle-loader of
our fathers' days, but the youth felt he had no time in which to get his favorite
weapon ready for the charge of the beast.
He was the owner of a fine, five-chambered Colt's revolver, thrust in his hip
pocket, not to mention the knife at his waist; but he might well distrust the effect-
iveness of those weapons after his experience with the male leopard.
It was useless to regret his thoughtlessnesn, for at the moment he recalled it, it
may be said the peril was upon him. He had not time to prepare his gun, nor did
he wish to appeal to the revolver, though he hastily drew it, meaning to empty
every chamber into the front of the leopardess, before she could fasten her claws
upon him.
At such times a person thinks fast. Bob was handicapped by his position on
the tree, and wished so strongly for more space in which to maneuver, that he
began moving backward, trying to do so with such deliberation that his foe would
not notice it.
But this was extremely difficult, as you can readily understand, because of the
straitness of his support. It was necessary to step with the utmost care, and since
he was not a trapeze performer, he found himself unable to retrograde, keeping his
eyes on the beast at the same time, without imminent danger of being precipitated
into the deep waters beneath.
At this moment, when it may be said matters had reached a crisis, a discovery
flashed upon Bob with the suddenness of inspiration.
A WEAPON OF NATURE. 21
The leopardess looked up in his face, two or three times, with her body seem-
ingly flattened along the log, and then darted her gaze away, as a child will do
when it unexpectedly glances at the sun.
" I'll try it," thought the youth; " strange that I didn't think of it before ! "
Bob now stood stationary on the log, but crouched in the attitude of a leaper,
preparing for a standing jump. He stooped so low and his head was thrust so far
forward, that, had you seen him, you would have felt sure (though wondering much
thereat) that he was about to spring upon the head of the leopardess.
But I need not tell you that the wise youth never dreamed of throwing away his
life in any such fashion as that.
What, then, was he seeking to do ?
Assuming the fiercest expression at his command, he stared straight into the
eyes of the beast. The latter met his gaze for an instant, as though she expected
to look him out of countenance, but she was unequal to the test.
She kept up her snarling, while her extended claws showed a peculiar nervous
twitching, the nails causing the crumbling bark to fall fast into the water, while she
cast furtive glances at the rigid youth who seemed determined to look her through
and through.
Again and again she looked at him, only to dart her eyes aside as if in actual
fear, but she not only refused to retreat, but continued slowly advancing upon her
enemy.
There could be no question that the female was clear grit.
Fully comprehending the situation, Bob Marshall now called into play his last
resource.
With his head thrust forward, his rifle grasped in his left hand and his Colt in
his right, he raised one foot and set it down several inches further along the log, his
purpose being to give the step as much significance as possible.
It looked, for all the world, as if he had resolved to become the aggressor and
assail the leopardess, instead of waiting for her to attack him.
Had he removed his glance but for a moment, while taking this bold step, the
brute would have bounded forward and fastened teeth and claws in him, for beyond
a doubt she was fully as courageous as her mate.
Such evidently was her intention, when, with a sharper growl than before, she
partly rose to her feet and glanced at that terrible human countenance now so close
to her own.
The battery of those burning eyes was more than she could stand, and turning
nimbly on the log, she made a tremendous bound, which carried her back to the
side from which she started.
Instead of running away, however, she crouched in the thin, tall grass near the
trunk, with the evident intention of awaiting the advance of the young hunter, when
she would try it again.
You will remember that night was closing in, darkness having actually begun,
and, while there is no animal known that can be so easily subdued by the human
22 A WEAPON OF NATURE.
eye as the leopard (especially the cheetah or hunting leopard), yet nothing is mor
evident than that the strange power cannot be exerted in gloom or darkness.
"I see you mean that I shall not use the log for a footbridge," said Bob Marshall,
straightening up, "while I'm determined that I shall, and since I forgot to reload
my gun, now is a good time to do so."
And balancing himself carefully on his narrow support, he took nine cartridges
from his belt and placed them in the magazine. Then, bringing his weapon to his
shoulder, he sighted at the velvety front of the beast just below her head, and drove
three shells into the fatally weak spot with a quickness that could not have been
surpassed.
They were more than enough.
The leopardess bounded several feet straight up in the air, just as if thrown by a
powerful spring-board, making a complete somersault, or rather half a somersault,
for she fell on her back, dead, almost as soon as she struck the earth.
"That teaches you that it's risky business to dispute the way with a young
American gentleman when he has the latest pattern of the Winchester at command.
The lesson comes too late to do you any good, but it couldn't have been better timed
to suit me, and if some of your surviving kindred will read aright the moral of what
they discover, it may serve them well."
As if to make amends for his former forgetfulness, Bob thrust three more cart-
ridges in the magazine of his gun, so that as he moved across the stream, and stepped
ashore on the same side with the carcass of the leopardess, his weapon was fully
charged.
HOW CURIOSITIES FOR THE
GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH
ARE CAPTURED.
" HELLOA, Bob ! where are
you?"
"I will be with you in a
minute."
Bob Marshall recognized
the call as that of his cousin,
Dick Brownell, who, like sev-
eral other members of the
hunting party, was out alone
for game. The youths, who
were about the same age, were
not far apart, and, a few min-
utes later, they met in th
gloom of the gathering night-
Bob quickly related his ad-
venture with the two leopards.
"That's lucky," said his
friend, "for I am interested
in them, or rather I was be-
fore they were shot."
" How is that ? "
"The two kittens of the
mother are tumbling about in
HOW CURIOSITIES AKw CAPTURED.
the grass by a rock just off yonder, and I've been waiting two hours \o get *
chance to shoot the parents before making off with the youngsters."
The reader will readily understand the methods by which the professional
hunters secure most of the wild animals for the menageries. They have sent some
of the most experienced sportsmen living, into the heart of the least known and
most inaccessible regions of the globe, where they have been lost to their own kind
for months. Sometimes, sad to say, they are lost forever.
Two of the best hunters ever known penetrated the dismal wilderness of interior
Australia, mainly in
quest of the kanga-
roo, which is found
there or in the neigh-
boring islands. This
was more than
twelve years ago,
since which time
nothing has been
heard of them, and
there is little doubt
that they fell victims
to the many dan-
gers that proved
fatal to scores
of explorers be-
fore them.
SHIPS OF THE DESERT.
Parties have gone into the mountains and table lands of Thibet, and hardly a
year has passed for a generation that a company has not departed from Suakem
or Massowah for the more salubrious climate of interior Abyssinia. These hunters
always use camels, for it is impossible to employ any other means of conveyance.
The young that are captured are brought back on these " ships of the desert."
Many of you remember the young hippopotamus which was on exhibition some
years ago. It was secured in the Upper Nile region and carried all the way to
Suakem, on the African coast of the Red Sea, suspended in a hammock between
HOW CURIOSITIES ARE CAPTURED. 25
two camels, the weight of the young monster being too much for a single beast of
burden.
Many fine hunters have gone to India, where many of the fiercest animals abound
(and which is the home of the royal Bengal tiger, the most fearful of all creatures),
not to mention Ceylon, Farther India and many other portions of the earth.
Africa, however, is the great source of supply, and many a hundred thousand
dollars of capital has gone to the Dark Continent, that it might bring you curi-
osities that are interesting, entertaining and instructive. There are now agencies at
Port Natal, Cape Town, on the gold Coast, at Cairo and other points, and the pages
of this book give the history of the most famous expedition ever sent into Southern
and Central Africa, India, or indeed into any part of the world. The story will be
told further on.
One simple rule governs the hunters who are in quest of wild animals. You can
understand that it is impossible in most cases to capture the full grown tiger, leop-
ard, giraffe, ostrich, lion, and indeed any large quadruped except, perhaps, the
elephant, which can be readily brought under subjection. Most of these beasts, in
their savage state, will fight to the death before yielding. At any rate, the difficulty
of securing them shuts out most attempts to do so.
The rule of the hunters, therefore, is to seek the place where the young are
receiving the attention of the mother, and then, lying in wait, shoot her, and quite
often the father, too, when he is in the neighborhood.
The parents being disposed of, the helpless offspring are taken from their quar-
ters, carefully looked after, and sent to the sea coast, where they are kept until strong
enough to be shipped across the sea to England and thence to this country.
Now, you will see that Bob Marshall, when he shot the two leopards, to use a
common expression, builded better than he knew. Beyond a doubt, they were the
parents of the kittens of which his cousin spoke, and the way was thereby opened
to carry off the valuable young.
That was what the two youths and their companions were in Africa for, and
they lost no time in following instructions. Dick Brov/nell led the way through
the tall grass to an immense rock, at the base of which was a cavity partly filled
with dead vegetation, arranged with some system by the mother of the leopards.
Enough light remained for the cousins to observe two forms, resembling chunky
dogs, nosing around in the grass, emitting strange mewing sounds, as they vainly
groped for their mother. They were hungry and could not understand why their
usual supper was denied them.
" That's a piece of good luck," said Bob, stooping down and griping one of the
kittens by the loose skin at the back of the neck, which, as you know, is the spot
where the Felts species seizes their young when they wish to carry them any distance.
Dick Brownell did the same with the other kitten, which was a solid fellow
indeed. The baby leopards were quick to learn that it was not their mother that
Was handling them, and they began fighting with a vigor which gave a vivid idea
of what they would be able to do a few months later.
26 HOW CURIOSITIES ARE CAPTURED.
However, they were too infantile to cause much harm, and soon ceased their
struggles.
When one of the cat kind is obliged to carry its young an unusual distance, it
frequently sets it down for a few minutes on the way. I suppose this is not for the
purpose of resting the mother, but to relieve the little one from the discomfort of
being transported for a long time by the neck. How much better the arrangement
if the parent would carry its young on her back, like the hippopotamus, but it is
not for me to find fault with the wonderful provisions of nature.
The youths grasped the little leopards, and strode off rapidly in the direction of
camp. But it was not long before the kittens began to squirm with discomfort and
the boys set them on the ground.
" My gracious ! " exclaimed Bob, " that youngster is heavier than I thought ; my
fingers and arm ache."
" So do mine ; let's try another plan, for it seems to me their necks must feel
uncomfortable."
So they shoved their prizes under their right arms, just as I have no doubt you
have done when trying to carry a large watermelon, which, I believe, is the most
awkward thing in the world to transport in that fashion.
Of course each held his rifle in his left hand, so as to leave his other free to
manage his prize, and they soon found it was needed.
The young leopards ought to have been grateful for the change, but, somehow
or other, it did not seem natural, and they twisted about with a vigor that was
astonishing.
" Look out ! there goes your chap ! " called Bob, with a laugh, to his cousin, as
he noticed the youngster wriggling his way forward.
Hardly were the words uttered when the uneasy captive plumped to the ground
like a huge doughnut at the feet of Dick Brownell, despite his frantic efforts to
check the fall.
" Confound him ! why don't he know when he is well off and keep still ? " mut-
tered Dick, stooping down to recapture the fellow.
Bob Marshall broke into merry laughter.
" If I couldn't manage a baby leopard I'd give up all pretension of being a
hunter OAGH ! "
Bob was so interested in the dilemma of his companion that he failed to give
proper attention to his own prize, which, instead of working to the front, shoved back-
ward with such deftness that it slipped from the lad's grasp before he suspected it.
^ith a seeming knowledge of the state of the case, the young brute had no
sooner landed than it leaped upward and buried its sharp teeth in the leg of Bob
Marshall, above his boot. The lad, with a howl of dismay, sprang several feet in
air, kicking his limb forward as if to free himself from some venomous serpent that
had fastened its fangs in his flesh.
" Why can't you behave yourself ? " he demanded, angrily catching up his tor-
mentor and raising his hand to give it a cuff.
HOW CURIOSITIES ARE CAPTURED.
But the blow did not descend, and he
joined in the laugh of Dick, who was cer-
tainly warranted in turning upon him in that
fashion.
It is not to be supposed that the young
creatures knew enough to mourn the loss of
their parents, could they have been made to
comprehend that they had actually lost them;
they were simply hungering for their usual
evening meal, and had it
been in the power of their
captors to supply that want,
they would have been as
docile as lambs.
"I don't
think you will
starve before
we get you
A TROUBLESOME CAPTIVE.
28 HOW CURIOSITIES ARE CAPTURED.
back to camp," remarked Bob, picking up his prize more carefully than before;
" and when we once land you there, we'll stuff you to your ears."
It was not to be expected that such addresses would exert a very soothing effect
upon the captives, and the youths were not long in finding they had essayed any-
thing but an easy task in carrying them to headquarters.
Before half the distance was passed the night was fully come; the faint moon in
the sky gave all the light needed, for they had left the dense jungle behind and
were pushing through a portion of the country so open that no trouble was ex-
perienced in keeping the right course.
But you must bear in mind that they were in a part of the world where they
were continually exposed to danger. While guarding their treasures, therefore,
with such care, it was necessary to keep their senses on the alert for other forms of
peril.
Several times Dick, who was in advance, stopped and listened, fancying he
detected something threatening; but fortunately they were not molested, and finally
the end of their somewhat laborious journey was reached, without any mishap
either to themselves or the prizes in which they were so much interested.
MY AFRICAN EXPEDITION.
THERE may now be given some information
about the expedition whose adventures in
Southern and Central Africa and India we have
set out to tell.
The rule with the hunting parties which leave Suakem for the interior of Abys-
sinia is to take thirty days for the journey into the desert and forty days to return,
the greater period being necessary to transport the captures made.
29
MY AFRICAN EXPEDITION.
This expedition which was sent to Southern Africa, however, was much more
elaborate in its make-up and more ambitious in the results sought.
It consisted of ten natives, respectively known as Pongo, a Bushman (whose
people show some resemblance to the Chinese); Diedrick, a Hottentot; Abdallah,
from Senaar, and Govozy, Wart, Adz, Bormo, Divak, Valmur, Orak and Gooboo,
gathered from the wild tribes near the south-eastern coast. The first three could
talk English quite well, the others having such an imperfect knowledge of the
language that they rarely attempted to make their meaning known, except by a
gibberish that was as hard for Pongo, Diedrick and Abdallah to understand as for
the American members of the company.
The three of whom I have particularly spoken were experienced hunters, Pongo
having been acquainted with Gordon Gumming and the lamented Livingstone,
while Diedrick was with the famous missionary when he died. The others were
simply servants who were counted upon to do what may be called the menial labor
of the expedition.
Carl Godkin was the director. He was a good hunter when a boy, and was sent
to India before he reached his majority, which was thirty years previous to the most
important enterprise in which he engaged and of which, as promised, we have set
out to give you the history.
Although nearly fifty years old, he was so toughened by his many years of ex-
posure that he seemed proof against the frightful African climate, which proves fatal
to so many foreigners. He was intelligent, well educated, possessing great re-
sources and knowledge of natural history, and was one of the most successful
sportsmen that ever lived. When I add to this that he was an American, thoroughly
honest and devoted to my interests, you will approve of my course in placing him
in charge of the expedition.
In addition to the natives named, Mr. Godkin took with him three other Ameri-
cans as his main assistants. The first of these was Jack Harvey, a Texan cowboy,
ten years younger than himself, but his equal in many and his superior in other
respects. He was a consummate horseman, could throw the lasso with the skill of a
Comanche chieftain, was a wonderful shot with his Winchester and revolver, and
went into danger from pure love of the excitement it afforded.
Jack's qualities were known in San Antonio, ten years previous to the time we
introduce him to you. His handsome, manly appearance, and his extraordinary
coolness and courage, rendered him famous among those whose chief claims to ad-
miration lie in that direction, and when he announced his wish to enter this service,
room was readily made for him.
Jack's first ambitious attempt was in New Guinea, where he secured two kangaroos
and acquitted himself so well that I was pleased to send him into Africa with Mr.
Godkin and his party.
I should mention one peculiarity of Jack : in all the enterprises in which he en-
gaged, he stuck to his cowboy costume, refusing to accommodate himself to the
particular country where his duty led him. So you will picture him always as a
MY AFRICAN EXPEDITION.
sinewy, athletic cowboy, with a Roman nose, big mustache, chin whiskers, broad
sombrero, rattlesnake band, flowing hair, thick flannel shirt, belt around the waist,
containing cartridges, bowie-knife and two revolvers, while his Winchester was
hardly ever absent from his strong right hand.
You have had a partial introduction to the remaining members of the expedition
Bob Marshall and Dick Brownell cousins and both slightly more than seventeen
years of age. These young gentlemen have made me promise not to give much in-
formation about them, though I can't understand why they should feel any objection,
since all that I could tell would be to their credit.
I will say this, however:
they were strong, athletic
youths, belonging to good
families, bright, honest,
manly, and relatives of one
of the dearest friends I ever
had. It was their intention,
should they be spared to
return from the perilous
enterprise on which they
entered with such zest, to
become students in Yale
College, where they were
sure to make a creditable
record for themselves.
There is considerable
more interesting informa-
tion that I could give about
these young men of whom
I am so fond, but they
won't let me. They are un-
willing even that I should
mention the commendable
fact that neither has ever
JACK HARVEY AND " APACHE."
tasted liquor, smoked or chewed tobacco, and that a profane word has never polluted
their lips; that they are affectionate and dutiful sons but really I must proceed no
further, or I shall have an account to settle with them when my good publishers
place this volume before you.
Bob and Dick followed the advice of Mr. Carl Godkin, the leader of the expe-
dition, in all things. Like him, they wore the hunting costume most sensible for
Southern Africa, consisting of the helmet hat, the light but serviceable hunting coat
and trousers, which, like those of Jack Harvey, were thrust in the top of their cavalry
boots. The latter were not the most comfortable for that climate, and many hunters
use only sandals, without stockings, while others go entirely barefoot, like the natives,
J2 MY AFRICAN EXPEDITION.
But the tough leather had saved every one of the four more than once from the
bites of venomous snakes, and we cannot help thinking they were wise in retaining
them. At any rate, it is a safe conclusion that if ever one goes on a similar hunting
jaunt, he shall adopt a similar costume.
The party took with them three wagons, all of which, as some would say, had
been "salted," that is, they were seasoned by service under the naming sun of
AFRICAN Ox.
Africa, and were not liable to break down until thoroughly worn out, when, like the
Parson's famous " one-hoss shay," it might be expected they would go to pieces all
at once.
The latter half of these wagons was covered with canvas, and the front
open. Each was drawn by two span of oxen, there being two extra span tor
emergencies.
MY AFRICAN EXPEDITION. 33
There were also a half dozen goats to furnish milk for such animals as required
nursing before being able to digest their natural food. The supply from the goats
proved a blessing many a time to the hunters themselves.
Attached to the expedition were six fleet, active, intelligent ponies for the use
ot the four Americans, two being extra. It was characteristic of Jack Harvey that
he took his mustang, which he called " Apache," from Texas, with him. Carl
Godkin assured him that it would succumb in the trying climate of Africa, but the
Texan replied that in that case he would be no worse off than if he hadn't taken
him, since the company was furnished with two extra animals.
Up to the date of which I am writing, Jack's steed was as vigorous and service-
able as when bearing his rider across the Llano Estacado in pursuit of the mur-
dering Apaches, and his owner was confident that, barring accident, he would take
him safely through his campaign in the Dark Continent.
All were armed with Winchester repeaters, beside which there were two double-
barrel shot-guns, full choke, intended for use in shooting birds and smaller game,
especially for the pot. Each man also carried a five-chambered revolver, Colt's
pattern (Jack Harvey being the only one who used two), and a long, keen knife,
indispensable in that country.
Of course there was a full supply of cooking utensils, a number of simple
medicinal remedies and articles which it is not necessary to particularize. One of
these, I may say, however, was a Texan lasso that Jack Harvey carried with him
when careering across the country in search of animals. You shall speedily receive
proof of his skill in the use of this peculiarly American contrivance, so popular on
the Southwestern border.
The natives expected to do little hunting and generally traveled on foot or took
turns in riding in the lumbering wagons. They were armed with spears and
knives only, there being one notable exception in the case of Pongo, who carried a
boomerang, or rather three of them.
He could throw those singular weapons with the skill of a native Australian,
though where he got them and by what means he acquired his dexterity were a
puzzle which neither Mr. Godkin nor any of his friends was ever able to understand,
since that most remarkable implement is almost unknown outside of Australia.
Such is a general description of the party which entered the wilds of Africa in
quest of curiosities for The Greatest Show on Earth, and whose adventures,
exploits and achievements form one of the most romantic episodes in the history oi
marvelous enterprise.
The company made its start proper from Port Natal, which, as you may know, is
on the eastern coast of Africa, in latitude 30 south. Moving northwest to Peter-
maritzburg, they made their way through the Drakenberg mountains, which form
the boundary between Natal and the Orange Free State, and thence through the
southern part of the Transvaal into Bechuana Land.
This of itself was a great journey, the history of which would be interesting, but
the real work of the expedition did not open until they were several hundred miles
34 MY AFRICAN EXPEDITION.
from the coast, and the space at my command will not permit me to give in detail
the adventures of my friends on their way thither. Mr. Godkin, Bob Marshall and
Dick Brownell kept full journals of their doings, from which 1 have been enabled to
write this history. Had I left that work to any one of the three individuals, his
modesty would have prevented him appropriating full credit for his own exploits;
but, possessing, as I do, the narrative of all, and, intimately acquainted, as I am, with
the excellences of each, I am quite sure I have placed the credit where it properly
belongs.
Then, too, it must be borne in mind that many portions of Natal, the Orange
Free State and the Transvaal Republic have been settled and developed to such an
astonishing degree during the last few years that the laborious journey of our friends
lacked the stirring features which awaited them further in the Dark Continent.
CHAPTER V.
THE CAMP IN BECHUANA LAND.
T was a merry party which formed the camp in Bechuana Land, near the
Kalihari Desert, and almost under the Tropic of Capricorn. It was the most
favorable season of the year, and every member of the original company had
reached this distant point without serious accident. Naturally, therefore, all were
in good spirits and full of high hopes. Ah, if I could but say the same a short
time later !
What was still more remarkable, not a horse or ox had been lost, and the wagons
proved they had been thoroughly "salted." One of the goats wandered too near a
boa-constrictor one day, and the reptile darted his head from the limbs of a tree in
which he was coiled and gathered in the poor capricornus with the quickness of
lightning.
The indignant Jack Harvey put a bullet through the eyes of the enormous ser-
pent and gave him his quietus, but that didn't bring the goat back to life. As it
was, however, our friends could not but admit they had been extremely fortunate
thus far, and they prayed heaven that their good fortune might continue.
The camp was on one of the many tributaries of the Hart River which ulti-
mately finds its way, by means of the Great Orange, into the South Atlantic Ocean.
The wagons were placed near the bank of the stream, which was several rods wide,
the animals collected in an irregular circle within them, while two large fires were
kindled with the intention of keeping them burning until daylight. The horses and
oxen had become so accustomed to the perils of the country that they required
little attention, except when actually threatened by the attack of wild animals.
The natives busied themselves by attending to the fires and preparing the even-
ing meal. The abundance of dry grass and wood near at hand rendered the gather-
ing of fuel a comparatively easy matter, while one of the double-barrel shot-guns
had been turned to such good account by Mr. Godkin that there was a full supply
of palatable antelope steak.
The animals had advanced to this point at such a leisurely pace, and had been
given so many opportunities to crop the luxuriant grass on the way that they lacked
nothing, and the oxen contentedly chewed their cuds as they lay on the ground,
before sinking into slumber.
The evening meal being finished, the natives sat apart, where most of them could
chatter in their own peculiar fashion and see that the fires were not allowed to die
out. The four Americans, having looked after their ponies, also assembled in a
group by one of the fires, to engage in conversation as was their custom at the close
of each day.
35
THE CAMP IN BECHUANA LAND. 37
Before doing so, however, the boys surrendered the leopard kittens to Pongo and
Diedrick, who declared them to be two of the finest specimens they had ever seen.
They were given a hearty meal of goat's milk, after which they curled up in the strong
cage brought for such purposes in the rear of one of the large wagons, and sank
into dreamland, pictures of contentment and peace.
Jack Harvey had been off on a ramble with his mustang, and had twice started
in pursuit of ostriches, but found it impossible to get near enough for a successful
shot. Consequently, he came back empty-handed, and, since Mr. Godkin hadn't
tried to capture anything, it will be seen that the success of the party for the day
was attained by Bob and Dick alone.
The first thing done by Mr. Godkin, after the conclusion of the meal, was to
light his pipe, for he was an inveterate smoker. Jack Harvey did the same, since
he was also fond of the weed, while Bob and Dick lolled in lazy attitudes, which
were very restful after their long tramp.
"We've made a pretty good beginning," remarked Mr. Godkin, " for I agree with
Pongo that we have two fine specimens of leopards which I hope will safely reach The
Greatest Show on Earth, though the voyage is a long and trying one to the animals."
" I don't think we ought to call this a beginning," said Dick Brownell, " for Jack
lassoed a fine young hartbeest further east and we got an, eland last week."
The hartbeest, as you may not be aware, is found in the flat wooded districts
of South Africa, the eland also belonging to that part of the continent. The latter
is one of the largest and heaviest of all antelopes, and its flesh is excellent eating.
My friends disposed of many of them while pushing their way through South Africa.
Some years ago one of the Earls of Derby attempted to domesticate the eland
in England, but I believe he did not meet with encouraging success.
"We caught them so easily," said Mr. Godkin, replying to the remark of Dick,
"that I hardly count them."
" But they are valuable none the less."
"Yes, and they, too, are doing well. I hope we shall be equally fortunate with
what else we secure."
"I had an easy job with that hartbeest," said the Texan; "the little fellow
started to run off, and I lassoed him as easy as if he had been a child. Then he
gave up right away and hasn't made any trouble, I believe."
" He make no trouble he good," remarked Pongo, walking over from the other
group and joining his employers; "wait till we cotch oders then they not so good."
" I think we shall have some fun to-morrow," observed Jack, removing his pipe
from his mouth and sending several rings of smoke toward the stars.
The others looked inquiringly at him, but he smiled grimly and shook his head
with the remark:
" I ain't going to give anything away; there may be a slip-up, but whether there
is or isn't, you've got to wait and see for yourselves."
It was useless to question him when he spoke that way, and no one did so. The
cousins were all eagerness, for, truth to say, though they had fully entered one of
38 THE CAMP IN BECHUANA LAND.
the wildest regions of the globe, where the largest animals known abound, they had
not encountered as many as they anticipated.
"Have patience," said Mr. Godkin, when they referred to this fact; "you will
get your fill of adventure, and probably more too, before you see salt water again."
" That may be," replied the sprightly Dick, in a tone which implied that he
doubted whether it was possible for him and his cousin to obtain more than they
desired, " provided we push northward through the Congo State into the Gaboon
country, the home of the chimpanzee and gorilla."
HARTBEEST.
The boys and Jack looked at the director of the expedition to observe how he
received this feeler. The sagacious fellow shook his head.
" I'm afraid you don't understand what you say. We shall find all we can attend
to in this part of the world. To travel from the Tropic of Capricorn, through the
heart of Africa, to the Equator, is a task which I don't believe was ever accomplished
by mortal man, though a great deal of the country has been explored. We are here
to hunt curiosities for the shows, not to penetrate unknown regions, and, if we un-
dertake what you seem to favor, they would not only lose the money that has been
invested in this enterprise, but we should lose our lives."
THE CAMP IN BECHUANA LAND. 39
"But," Bob Marshall hastened to say, "no one has any idea of attempting the
journey you speak of, though Dick has referred to it."
" What, then, is your plan ? "
" It seems to me that after we have captured about all we came for in this part
of the world, we shall be as near the Atlantic as the Indian Ocean coast. Instead
of going back to Port Natal, it will be as easy for us to journey to the western
shore."
" I hadn't thought of that," replied Mr. Godkin, after a moment's pause, " though
I am better acquainted with the country through which we have come than that to
the westward."
"I don't see that that makes much difference," observed Jack, "for we can't
know much about a region that we've been through only once, and, as long as
we're in the same latitude, it isn't likely we shall find many changes in the country
itself."
" After reaching the Atlantic coast," said Dick, " we can take sail to Loango and
get to the Gorilla country without trouble."
"You've put the matter in a shape that will bear thought," replied Mr. Godkin.
"I suspect," he added with a smile, " that you two young gentlemen have been dis-
cussing the matter when I wasn't present."
The boys laughed and admitted that the project was a favorite one with them.
They had informed themselves, so far as they could, before leaving home, as to the
habits, peculiarities and home of the wonderful gorilla, and they had talked to Jack
Harvey so long that he was won over.
While those three would not have hesitated to plunge northward tLrough
the heart of the Dark Continent to the Gaboon country, under the Equator,
I am glad to say that Mr. Carl Godkin was immovable in the sensible position
he took.
Not to mention the peril from wild men and beasts, this journey would have
taken them into regions as pestilential as the famed valley of the Upas tree, ard
from which they would have stood no more chance of emerging than if flung over-
board in the middle of the Atlantic.
But the plan, as outlined by the cousins, was not without its possibility of suc-
cess. The powerful motive with Mr. Godkin was that of securing some specimens
of the chimpanzee, but especially of the gorilla, and there was hardly a danger he
would not have faced for the purpose of obtaining them for me.
No doubt many readers of these pages have seen one or more chimpanzees, but I
am quite sure that few have ever gazed upon a gorilla, because no one has lived to
be brought to this country. By special invitation, I spent considerable time in in-
specting the male gorilla that was on exhibition some years ago in London, but he
died shortly after, and it seems impossible to preserve them for any length of time,
after removal from their native haunts. Large sums of money have been expended
in the attempt to secure one of the pets, which we consider as more interesting and
valuable than the famous white elephant of Siam, which cost over two hundred
,J.O THE CAMP IN BECHUANA LAND.
thousand dollars, and whose death by fire at Bridgeport in November, 1887, didn't
cause the public a pang of regret.
However, the time hasn't come just yet to talk about the Gorilla country, but I'll
have something interesting to tell you of that region and those strange creatures
beiore you finish these pages.
CHAPTER VI.
A STARTLING VISIT.
custom adopted by Mr. Godkin, after entering fairly upon his work in Africa,
was to place himself or one of his friends on guard during the first half of the
night, with two of the natives as assistants. At midnight a change was
made, another American and a couple of servants assuming care of the camp until
daylight.
ONE OF THE NATIVES.
Such an arrangement was easily carried out, and caused little discomfort to the
sentinels, who, if they felt the call for extra sleep, had opportunity to secure it during
the day.
It fell to the lot of Dick Brownell, Pongo and Diedrick to look after themselves
and the rest during the first portion of darkness, after which Jack Harvey, Abdallah
and Govozy were to take their places.
41
A STARTLING VISIT.
RUSTLING IN THE GRASS.
The conversation around the camp
fires did not last long, for our friends
had learned the wisdom of regularity
in their habits. It was quite early
when Mr. Godkin and Bob Marshall
stretched themselves out in one of the
wagons and sank into the deep, restful slumber which always waits on
health. The Americans made it a rule to slumber in the wagons, where
they felt safer, but the natives preferred to lie on their blankets on the earth,
sometimes dispensing with the covering altogether.
Two hours, therefore, before midnight, Dick Brownell, with his Winchester over
his shoulder, was pacing back and forth near the animals and wagons, and within
the circle of light thrown out by the camp fires. Pongo and Diedrick sat a short
distance off, smoking their pipes and occasionally talking in low tones. They did
not feel it necessary to keep in motion to preserve their wakefulness, and probably it
was not always needed in the case of the Americans. Some nights before, however,
Bob Marshall, while standing guard, had sat down for a few minutes, fallen asleep
and endangered the safety of all, for the native assistants, supposing him to be
awake, left a part of the duty to him. After that, it was understood that the practice of
sentinels elsewhere, and of the watch on board ship, would be strictly followed.
Everything went well until near midnight. The servants, stretched upon the
ground, were asleep, and there could be no doubt of the unconsciousness of the
Americans in the wagons. The animals were equally oblivious to their surround-
ings, and the glance which Dick cast in the direction of the Bushman and Hotten-
tot caused a suspicion that they were also taking an excursion into the land of
dreams.
He walked over to where he had heard the murmur of their voices.
"Just as I suspected," he said with a smile; "the camp, therefore, is under my
A STARTLING VISIT. 43
charge and I ought to feel the responsibility, as I think I do. Pongo and Diedrick
have done unusual work to-day and were more tired than they thought. I'll let
them sleep till it is almost time to change the guard, Und then wake them up so as
to save their reputation, unless some danger appears
The thought had hardly found expression, when a rustling in the tall grass, just
LION.
beyond the area of illumination, warned Dick that the utmost watchfulness was
required. By this time, the moon was so low in the heavens that it gave scarcely
any light at all.
In the direction of the stream was a rank growth of high grass, which offered
the best of hiding for wild animals. This fact had been so apparent to the party,
when forming camp, that they had moved several rods back from the water, where
A STARTLING VISIT. 45
the ground was more open. That in the opposite direction contained nothing
more than a stunted growth of vegetation, only a few inches in height.
Instantly Dick was on the alert, and, holding his rifle ready for immediate use,
he peered toward the water.
He could see nothing, but he was none the less certain that some kind of animal
was there. More than that, he was almost positive as to its species.
In the repressed excitement of the moment, the youth forgot about awaking the
natives. His whole anxiety was to learn the nature of the danger that threatened
himself and companions.
Suddenly two small, round circles of light flickered in the grass and then van-
ished, almost before they were seen.
Dick knew they were the eyes of a huge lion, whose orbs at that instant reflected
the light of the fire, the head immediately shifting its position, so as to hide the
phosphorescent glow from the watchful youth.
The cunning beast did not growl, and was evidently trying to steal upon the
camp unawares. But for Dick's vigilance the king of beasts would have accom-
plished it without detection.
The gloom in the grass was too deep for the lad to locate the massive head of
lithe body, and, uncertain whether he had changed his position or not, he dared not
fire. He was standing in this attitude of doubt when the lion did an astounding
thing.
He had not changed his position, but, crouching low in the grass, where he was
invisible, he gathered his mighty muscles and made a prodigious bound upon the
one marked for his victim.
This was not Dick Brownell, as you might suppose, but the native called Orak,
who lay sleeping the farthest from one of the fires and the nearest to the beast.
It was while the youth was trying so hard to penetrate the gloom, that he sud-
denly saw the lion rise from the grass, as if he were lifted in air, and then come
over in his terrible parabola toward the unconscious African, who was slumbering
less than a dozen feet from where Dick was standing.
The lion did not utter the slightest roar, seeming to know that prudence forbade,
for he was too intelligent to attack such a large company when on their guard.
It seemed singular that the beast did not assail one of the oxen or ponies or
goats, but it is a strange fact connected with the lion, that he generally prefers to
attack a native African, even when other game is more convenient.
At the instant the beast was at the highest point of the appalling arch, Dick
Brownell let fly with his Winchester. A horrible growl left no doubt that his bullet
had found its mark, but, the enormous animal having started, nothing could check
his prodigious bound while in air. He landed astride the sleeping Orak, and, drop-
ping his massive jaws, fastened them in his shoulder, whirled about and galloped
off in the darkness, as lightly as if carrying a kid.
His action was as quick as a cat's, but as he wheeled, Dick continued firing,
sending two more shots into him before he passed beyond reach.
46 A STARTLING VISIT.
Poor Orak uttered a piercing screech as the teeth of the beast sank in his
shoulder, and he was lifted from his feet and borne off with his knees dragging
along the ground.
The report of the rifle, the cry of the native and the shout of Dick roused every
one in camp. Jack Harvey, who had learned the need of awaking like a flash, on
the plains of Texas and New Mexico, bounded from the wagon, gun in hand, while
Mr. Godkin and Bob Marshall were at his heels.
The natives leaped to their feet, as if the ground had suddenly become red hot,
and stared bewildered around them.
" Where is he ? What is it ? " demanded the Texan, dashing after Dick, who
had started to overtake the lion.
" It's a lion ; he's got Orak ! look out or you'll kill him instead of the beast."
"Which way did he go?" asked Jack, staring into the gloom without catching
sight of the monster.
His question was answered by a wail from the poor African, struggling vainly in
the grasp of the merciless beast.
All four Americans and most of the servants ran at their highest speed in the
direction of the cry.
Mr. Godkin seized a brand from one of the fires, and, swinging it above his
head, took the lead, the others seeing the indispensable advantage the torch gave
him.
" He is badly hurt," called Dick, " and I don't believe will run far."
" Look out ! we're close on him ! " called Jack, in a warning voice, fearful that
Mr. Godkin's haste would lead him into inextricable peril.
But the veteran knew what he was doing. Holding the torch above his head,
he circled it swiftly, so as to add to its flame, and, bending his head forward, stood
still and peered into the gloom beyond.
" Here, Jack ! " he called in a low voice ; " I see him ! Fire quick ! "
It was important to keep the torch aflame, since an unerring shot could not be
made without it. Mr. Godkin, therefore, though he held his gun in one hand, made
no attempt to fire, since to do so successfully he would have had to cast aside his
torch or pass it to some one else.
There were too many good marksmen at his elbow to render this necessary.
" Hold your light a little higher," said Jack Harvey, bringing his rifle to his
shoulder and striving for a better view of the lion.
" Be careful you don't hit Orak," admonished Dick, who had restrained his own
fire through the fear of injuring the native.
The lion, as he frequently does under such circumstances, had run but a short
distance, when he crouched on the ground to devour his victim.
He had halted near a clump of bushes, wheeling about so as to face his
pursuers, who approached within fifteen or twenty yards. The native had been
laid on the ground between his paws, where he had almost fainted from the pain
of his wounds.
A STARTLING VISIT.
47
But the lion had also been badly hurt, and, as Orak lay in that frightful
position, he felt the warm, crimson drops from the king of beasts, as they dripped
upon his breast and shoulders, while the muttering growls proved that he had his
share of pain.
Orak did not dare move, for he knew the instant he made the attempt he would
be crushed by a blow from one of those paws that were powerful enough to smash
the skull of an ox, as though it were a rotten apple.
He remained motionless, aware even in that awful situation that his friends had
rushed to his help and that his only hope was in them ; if they failed, he was doomed.
CHAPTER VII.
AN ATTACK IN THE REAR.
|ACK HARVEY, the Texan, formed a striking figure, as, with his left foot
thrust forward, he brought his Winchester to his shoulder and aimed at the
massive front of the lion.
Mr. Godkin stood at his elbow with the flaring torch above his head, striving to
give him all the light necessary, while Dick Brownell, Bob Marshall and the terrified
natives were grouped just back of the couple, intently watching the exciting scene.
Jack was cool and meant that the single shot when fired should be all-sufficient.
The couchant lion held his paws, so as to inclose his motionless victim. With
his dripping head raised and staring at the hunter, he gave utterance to threatening
growls, as if daring the avenger to do his worst.
Suddenly the bony finger pressed the trigger, a sharp report rang out, and the
sphere of lead, entering midway between the blazing eyes, plowed its path through
bone, muscle and brain into the vitals of the beast, which sprang convulsively to
its feet, whirled around like lightning and rolled over as dead as Julius Caesar.
Then the whole group ran forward and bent over the prostrate Orak. A groan
showed he was conscious, and while Mr. Godkin held the torch, he was tenderly
lifted from the ground and borne to the camp, apparently more dead than alive.
Half the distance was passed, when an outcry from the three natives that had
stayed behind proved that some new danger had burst upon the camp.
"What's up now?" demanded Jack Harvey, breaking into a run.
"Wild animals seem to travel in couples in this part of the world," replied
Bob Marshall, who had caught a glimpse of a second beast by the light of the camp
fires.
He was right, as the others saw before he uttered the words. The lioness had
been lurking in the vicinity at the time of her mate's daring charge. Taking ad-
vantage of the diversion created by him, she made a foray into camp, where she
caused indescribable consternation.
The horses, oxen and goats were roused by this time, and were so frightened
that there was danger of them breaking into a stampede, in which many would be
irrecoverably lost.
Like the lion, his mate fixed her attention upon one of the natives, this time it
being Divak, the smallest and most insignificant member of the party.
He had just risen to his feet, when the female was upon him. Though he was
armed only with a spear and knife, he made the best defense possible.
Confronted by the raging beast, he let drive with his javelin, which he handled
with the deftness of a Zulu warrior. He aimed at the center of the animal's breast,
48
AN ATTACK IN THE REAJl.
49
but she turned slightly aside at the moment of his effort, and the point sank several
inches in her shoulder, inflicting a maddening wound which intensified his own
peril.
Had his companions shown equal bravery, all might have been well with Divak,
but they were overcome by terror, and instead of rallying to his help, ran shouting
after those who had gone to the aid of Orak.
The Americans saw the situation, and lost no time in hastening to the assistance
of the servant, who was confronting, single-handed, the enraged lioness.
The latter made such a fierce leap to one side, when the spear entered her body,
that the weapon was wrenched from the grasp of Divak, who was left only with his
long-bladed knife.
This was whipped from the upper part of his breech-cloth, where he carried it,
and he struck desperately at the animal as she bore him to the ground. Like the
former weapon, it inflicted a bad wound, but not a mortal one, and, sad to say,
everything done by the brave fellow really added to his own peril.
Instead of carrying off the prostrate native, as the lion had done with his victim,
the female struck him a blow which shattered his skull as though it were an egg-
shell, the fellow dying with a suddenness almost like that caused by a lightning-
stroke.
But, if it was the last fight of Divak, so was it the last stroke of the lioness' paw.
Hardly was the fearful blow delivered, when the crack of a rifle sounded above the
tumult, and the stricken beast, with a wild struggle, rolled over in the agonies of
death.
It was Dick Brownell, who had outrun his friends, and, pausing at the moment
he saw the native borne to the earth, gave the finishing blow to the raging beast.
Alas! that it came just an instant too late to save her victim.
As may be supposed, all was excitement for a few minutes, though the elder
members of the party retained their presence of mind.
The chattering and affrighted natives flocked to the spot, Pongo and Diedrick
devoting themselves to soothing the animals and preventing the dreaded stampede,
while the Americans, seeing that Divak was past help, placed Orak in one of the
wagons, where he received all possible attention.
"Watch for more lions," admonished Mr. Godkin; "I will attend to him. We
may receive another visit."
The advice was good, though the danger was an improbable one.
A few minutes later, something like quiet was restored. The rush was averted,
and the natives regained something of the self-possession that had left them so sud-
denly a short time before.
Convinced that all peril for the time was past, the members gathered around the
vehicle where Mr. Godkin was attending to the wounded native.
By the aid of the torch, he had effected a careful examination of the hurts of his
patient. Jack Harvey now took charge of the light, leaving both hands of the
director free to complete the work of the good Samaritan.
THE DEATH SHOT. Page 48.
AN ATTACK IN THE REAR. 5!
Greatly to the relief of all, Mr. Godkin said that, though Orak had been badly
hurt, he was likely to recover. No bones were broken, though his shoulder was
shockingly mangled and he was weak from the loss of blood.
From the stores of the expedition were brought bandages and an excellent medi-
cated wash, which were applied by Mr. Godkin with a skill acquired by practice in
India and other parts of the world. Then a gentle stimulant was administered to
the sufferer, who was assured that if he remained quiet and kept a brave heart, he
would soon be himself again.
Having done all that was possible for him, Mr. Godkin descended from the
wagon and approached the still form around which the rest were collected, silent
and awed by the sudden death.
"All that we can do is to give him decent burial," he remarked, looking down
on the body, "and we may as well do it without delay."
A couple of the natives were set to work, the soft soil requiring the use only of the
shovel, though among the supplies were several picks that could have been employed
if required.
The grave was made deep, to protect the remains from being dug up by hyenas
and other wild beasts, and into this cavity the remains of poor Divak were tenderly
lowered, there to remain until summoned forth by the last great trump which
shall call us all to judgment.
The terrifying incidents of the evening drove off all disposition to sleep on the
part of our friends. In the discussion that followed, Dick Brownell was obliged to
make known the fact that Pongo and Diedrick had so far forgotten themselves as
to fall asleep when it was their duty to keep awake, but the generous youth insisted
that the censure should be visited upon him, since he ought to have awakened them.
Jack Harvey, Bob Marshall and Mr. Godkin assured him, however, that no blame
could attach to him, since he had acquitted himself manfully, and he had done much
to save Orak from the frightful death that at one time seemed certain to overtake
him.
Several times during the remaining hours of darkness, the roar of lions was
neard, and you need not be told that a keen lookout was kept for another visit from
tne dreaded beasts; but the sounds in every case were distant, and the animals, if
they ventured nearer, did not disturb any of our friends or their property.
A probability naturally suggested itself to the hunters : since the male and female
lion were slain, and since an examination of the latter showed that she had been
nursing young, a chance to obtain one or two specimens was at the command of the
hunters. The attempt was to be made at daylight.
Pongo had displayed a remarkable aptitude in tracing the dens and lairs of wild
beasts, his long experience as a hunter having given him a skill not possessed by
the rest. A few trained hounds would have been of great assistance, but since they
were liable to be devoured by some of the game they set out to find, none had been
brought with the party.
At the earliest streakings of light, the Bushman, without waiting for his morning
52 AN ATTACK IN THE REAR.
meal, walked along the bank of the stream, until he reached ths highest point,
when he paused and scrutinized the surrounding country.
Dick and Bob watched him with no little interest.
"He knows so much about the habits of wild animals," remarked Bob, "that he
can easily locate their dwelling-places."
" I suspected he possessed some secret of tracing them, but I guess you are
right ah ! he has discovered something."
The next moment Pongo broke into a loping trot, like that of an American
Indian, taking a course that led him farther up stream.
His shoulders were seen regularly rising and falling, until the slope of the
ground shut him from sight. He had left his spear in camp, but he carried his
three boomerangs, the longer portions of which had been thrust in his clothing at
his waist, where they could be withdrawn the instant needed.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE CHAMPION OF STUPIDITY.
A HALF hour later, the
Bushman was seen ap-
proaching camp, where
the members
i
were engaged
at breakfast.
"By grac-
ious! he's got
something,"
aid Bob Mar-
"-
" WHAT THINK OF HIM."
shall, springing to his feet, his cousin doing the same. " Yes, and it's some kind of
animal," added Dick.
54 THE CHAMPION OF STUPIDITY.
" It looks to me," added Jack Harvey, " as if he'd found a baby that has lost its
mother."
"That's just what he has got," said Mr. Godkin, who identified the prize before
any of the others.
Pongo, instead of carrying his captive by the nape of the neck, as the boys had
done most of the distance with the young leopards, held it in his arms, where, pos-
sibly because of some skill he possessed, it did not struggle or give any trouble.
"What think of him ?" he asked, stooping over and placing it on the ground.
All were delighted, for the baby lion was a vigorous specimen that would have
pleased the heart of any showman. When put on its feet it looked like a bull pup
or chunky kitten, and was not without a certain incipient majesty, as it raised its
head and peeped inquiringly around in the faces of those that were surveying it
with so much interest.
Pongo had an interesting story to tell. He had found the " lion's den " without
trouble, among a mass of rocks a short distance up the stream. There were two
young ones, or rather had been, for one was dead.
I must tell you a singular fact regarding lions. From one to three are born at
a litter ; if three, two are males, and if two, there is one of each sex. Out of every
four females born, one dies in infancy from teething, while the male has iittle if any
difficulty from that source. As a consequence, in countries where lions abound, the
males greatly outnumber the females.
The young one of that sex which Pongo saw had succumbed to the impossibility
of cutting her teeth, and had been flung out of her quarters by the mother, while
the brother was in prime condition, suffering only from hunger, as had been the
case with the leopard kittens the evening before.
For several days after her young are born the mother never leaves them for an
instant. It is not long, however, before they are able to trot by her side, and then
she takes them out for a walk. Before their return she furnishes them a dainty
meal of some kind of tender flesh, which is carefully shredded so as not to hurt
their gums.
It is said that the owners of domestic animals in South Africa know when the
young of lions are born by the havoc their mothers make among the youngest of
their flocks.
This animal, known as the king of beasts, is nocturnal in his habits, keeping his
lair from sunrise to sunset, unless drawn out by thirst. He is indisposed to attack
when the moon is shining, so much so indeed that at such times the oxen are not
generally tied up. When there is no moon, however, look out !
Faint as was the orb on the night of the visit I have just described, the lion and
lioness would not attack until it had almost entirely disappeared.
The strength of the lion is amazing. The blow which crushed the skull
of Divak was only an ordinary one. A male has been known to seize a
buffalo, after disemboweling it, and trot off with only a portion of it dragging on
the ground.
THE CHAMPION OF STUPIDITY. 55
His teeth, like all the carnivora, the quadrumana and man, are composed of bone
and enamel, the entire crown being covered with the latter. His tongue, as is
the case with the tiger, is so rough that a few licks will scrape the skin from your
hand.
Pongo gave it as his belief that the specimen captured by him was three or four
weeks old old enough to care nothing for babe's food. This was proven when
some of the uncooked antelope was dissected and placed in front of him. He ate
with as much zest as my young friends devour pies and puddings.
The arrangement was now made for a hunt by Jack, Bob and Dick, each mounted
on his horse. Mr. Godkin was invited to go along, but he did not feel easy about
Orak. The fellow had a high fever, and the crisis in his condition was evidently at
hand. The director said they would stay in camp until the following morning, since
all their surroundings were favorable and to move the native in the wagon would
increase his peril. It was characteristic, therefore, of the kind-hearted Mr. Godkin
that he should remain with the sufferer, so long as there was a prospect of helping
him by doing so.
The rest of the natives of course stayed behind, for it was impossible for them
to appreciate the eager enjoyment with which the Americans entered upon a hunt
that promised to be spiced with personal danger.
Mounted on their fleet, tough ponies, and keeping well together, the three friends
galloped at an easy pace in the direction of a ridge of hills which the Texan had
passed just before dusk the day before, and, in crossing which he had observed
something that induced him to take his companions to the spot in the hope of
showing them a species of sport which they had not yet enjoyed.
He persisted in refusing to give them any inkling of its nature, and they were
left to indulge in all sorts of surmises, Jack simply smiling and replying with some
remark that bore no relation to their questions.
Good as well as ill fortune seemed to wait on our friends, for the game that Jack
was seeking was found awaiting him and his comrades.
Riding up the first slope, they looked down in a valley about half a mile
wide and three or four times as long, the hills which formed its boundary sloping
away at each end until they sank to the level of the plain. Halting their animals
at a point about midway between the ends of the valley, and, gazing before them,
they saw five ostriches quietly plucking the grass.
The " camel birds," as they are sometimes called, were within a third of a mile
of the northern opening of the valley, and consequently much nearer it than were
the hunters.
You will naturally conclude that the huge birds were not in any danger, for the
way of escape was open and the speed of the ostrich is so great that in a fair,
straight-away chase, no horse can run him down.
But of all fools that were ever created, I think the ostrich is the champion.
Among birds and beasts I have never met any with such monumental stupidity.
Were it otherwise, I don't see how so many of your sisters and lady friends would
THE CHAMPION OF STUPIDITY.
57
be able to wear the glossy plumes that we all admire so much, for it would be almost
impossible to secure them.
You have read accounts of the manner in which the Bushman hunts the ostrich.
He gets himself up so as to resemble, when viewed from the side turned toward the
bird, the ostrich itself, and manages to insinuate himself among a herd, when he
clubs his victims to death.
Such zanies deserve to be clubbed.
The plan of Jack and the youths was to ride down the hillside into the valley,
taking care that the ostriches should see them. The horsemen would head toward
the opening furthest removed from the game. Then the latter had only to turn
OSTRICH HUNTING.
about and run out of the egress near them into the broad, level country beyond,
where they could laugh at every effort to overtake them.
But what do you suppose they did?
The hunters had no more than fairly started down the slope, when one of the
ostriches threw up his head and stared at them. Then a second, third, fourth and
fifth did the same. Standing motionless a few seconds, they deliberately started
on a swift trot in the direction of the outlet which was a mile beyond the horsemen
and nearly two miles from themselves.
I have asked many of my hunters for their explanation of this stupidity on the
part of the bird. Carl Godkin probably states the truth when he repeats the general
belief of hunters, that the action of the sportsmen, when they head toward the
58 THE CHAMPION OF STUPIDITY.
avenue of escape which is the hardest for the ostrich to reach, leads the bird to
think there is some trap or snare at the other opening into which the sportsmen are
trying to drive him. He therefore runs the opposite way, even though it is certain
to bring him in collision with the very enemy he seeks to escape.
Thus Jack, Bob and Dick were galloping toward the same outlet of the valley
which the ostriches were seeking to gain, with the distance nearly twice as great
for the game as for the hunters. The routes must of necessity converge, but the
birds were sure to keep straight on, though they saw the foes rapidly nearing them,
and when, too, they had only to turn about and take the opposite direction to insure
their safety.
"There they come!" called out Bob, hurrying his horse through fear that the
great speed of the birds would carry them to the outlet before he could reach it.
"The ostrich is the biggest fool that goes on legs," remarked the disgusted Jack,
"but, all the same, don't you forget that when you get him into a corner, he will
fight like fury."
"I suppose these are too big to capture," observed Bob, "so we can only try to
bring down two or three."
"I've a notion to try an experiment," said the Texan.
"What's that?"
" Fling a lasso over the head of one, yank him 'round, and see whether I can't
persuade him to sheer off on another route."
" I don't believe you can do it, and it will be a good deal like lassoing a loco-
motive."
" I ain't afraid on that account," replied Jack, with a confidence which promised
ill for his enterprise, since he had never hunted ostriches, though, like his young
comrades, he had informed himself as thoroughly as he could concerning their
habits.
Pongo was an old hunter of the birds, and had told them so much that the three
felt something of regret because they had not persuaded him to join them in what
promised to be a most exciting experience.
CHAPTER IX.
AN OVERTHROW.
most of the distance down the slope, the ponies kept well together, but,
before reaching the southern outlet, the Texan began to draw away from his
companions. His mustang was one of the fleetest of his kind, and, when
given free rein, as his rider gave him now, he never failed to prove his superiority.
He steadily forged ahead of Dick and Bob, who could have remained side by side,
had they wished, but they deemed it best to separate.
The cause for this parting was the action of the ostriches, which showed a differ-
ence of speed that was as marked as it was unexpected.
One of the immense birds took the lead, gaining so fast that by the time he
reached the opening he was fully a hundred yards in advance of the others. The
latter were also scattered, the flock streaming through the valley in Indian file, with
the rear nearly a furlong behind the leader.
"You're my game," muttered Jack Harvey, fixing his eye on the foremost, a huge
male, and, therefore, the most formidable of the group.
You have all seen an ostrich, and can easily picture the fellow that knew no
better than to run into a trap with his eyes open, and to lead the rest of his friends
thither. With his comparatively small head thrust far forward, not with his neck
curved, but straight and leaning like a post out of plumb, his short, stumpy wings
partly outspread and his muscular legs doubling swiftly, he gave a display of fleet-
ness that would have made the chase hopeless, had he but possessed enough sense
to use the advantage at his command.
Now, I don't wish you to form a poor estimate of the sense of the Texan cowboy,
for he is to-day, as he always was, among the coolest and most level-headed gentle-
men I ever knew, but we are all liable to make blunders, and one of the greatest of
his life was committed when on his ostrich hunt.
He was in earnest, at the time he assured his young friends that he meant to
lasso one of the birds, and, by way of experiment, seek to reverse his line of flight.
It cannot be said there was anything specially foolhardy in this, since he pos-
sessed admirable means for making the test, but, when he displayed his contempt
for the ostrich, by declining to take the precautions he showed in lassoing wild horses
and other animals, he was guilty of an indiscretion for which he deserved to suffer
discomfiture.
Instead of securing one end of his lasso to the support on his saddle (as he could
have done either before or after flinging it), he wound it around his left arm. Jack
was proud of his horsemanship, and spurned the thought that any ostrich was able
to unseat him.
59
60 AN OVERTHROW.
As was his custom when he required the use of both hands, he slung his Win-
chester over his back, whence he could bring it with the same amazing quickness
with which a Texan secures the "drop " on an enemy by whipping out his revolver.
Jack's mustang was not only swift, but intelligent. He needed no prodding to
understand that his rider wished to be brought within lasso distance, as it may be
called, of the giant ostrich that was leading the herd. The steed proceeded to do
so with the skill that he had displayed in placing the cowboy many a time along-
side of a plunging buffalo bull. The reins lay on his neck, and Jack held himself
ready for the hazardous exploit.
Our friends were "making history" with a rush. The mustang and the leading
ostrich were converging with a mathematical surety that, if continued, was sure to
bring the two in collision, but at the moment when such a meeting seemed inev-
itable, the steed, of his own accord, swerved slightly to the left, so that the lines of
flight immediately become parallel. The fugitive did not vary an inch to the right
or left. Had a stone wall suddenly risen in front of him, more than likely he would
have dashed out his brains against it.
That is, if it can be believed the ostrich is the owner of any brains to dash out.
The mustang was slightly in advance of the bird, which was where his rider
wished him to be. He was still on a dead run, but the game was steadily gaining.
Already Jack Harvey was circling the loops of the lasso above his head, just as
one does when preparing to cast it around the neck of a fleeing fugitive.
Swifter and swifter hummed the loops until they resembled the misty spokes of
a rapidly revolving wheel. Then, like the coiled serpent, they shot forward, straight
at the projecting head of the king ostrich.
The aim was unerring, but the bird ducked and escaped the loop by a hair's
breadth, the rope dragging along the ground as the Texan hurriedly gathered it in,
knowing that, with the astonishing speed of the bird, it was impossible to secure
more than a second chance to lasso him.
Now, don't make the mistake of supposing it was the sagacity of the ostrich that
led him to dodge the whizzing coil. The sudden lowering of his head was an
instinctive movement, caused by the sight of the arrowy rope shooting toward him.
It was Jack Harvey that showed his mental keenness by reading the act aright.
He meant to take that into calculation when making his second throw.
I need not tell you that no time was lost. The ostrich had come abreast of the
mustang and passed beyond, before Jack, with all his dexterity, could gather in the
rope and fling it again.
The pony was running for all he was worth. He must have experienced an
emotion of wonder when he entered into a contest of speed and saw that his
antagonist could outrun him, but, with a pluck characteristic of the gallant steed,
he strained every muscle, as though there was a fighting chance of reaching the goal
first.
As I said, Jack Harvey, when throwing a second time, took into calculation the
probability that the ostrich would duck his head as in the first instance.
AN OVERTHROW.
61
Now, if the fugitive had held his neck motionless, the lasso would have failed
once more, but, just as the Texan expected, he ducked and thereby brought about
his own overthrow.
Having displayed his stupidity by his peculiar flight, it was eminently proper
that he should sustain that reputation by inserting his head into the snare that was
dangled in front and above it. In it went, very much as you thrust your hand into
a hollow tree to draw out a shrinking squirrel.
In accordance with his training, the mustang, the instant he saw the success of
his rider, threw himself on his haunches and braced himself for the shock that was
AN OVERTURN.
meant to bring down
the ostrich, or instantly
check his flight. Jack,
as I told you, had
wound several feet of
the tenacious rope a-
round his left arm, so
that he, too, was pre-
pared for the shock.
It was terrific. The
ostrich was brought up with such suddenness that he fell on his side, where,
struggling savagely for a second or two, he scrambled to his feet again.
In the general smash-up it so happened that he rose with his head turned pre-
cisely the opposite way from that which he had been following. He started back-
ward a step or two, then stopped and stared around, in a bewildered manner, and,
all at once, wheeled and resumed his flight in the same direction he was following
when so roughly interrupted.
Jack's experiment, therefore, had answered the question that was in his mind
when he set out on his hunt after the idiotic birds
62 AN OVERTHROW.
But the end was not yet.
When the crisis of the collision came, and the bird tumbled to the earth, Jack
Harvey thought his arm was jerked from the shoulder, and had not his sagacious
mustang yielded a little ground, the rider would have been snatched from his stir-
rups.
As it was, he recovered and sustained himself by a skill which not one horseman
in a thousand possesses.
Unfortunately, Jack did not heed the lesson, and, instead of coiling the other
end around the knob of his saddle, he still relied on his arm to withstand the
second wrench, which he believed could not be as powerful as the first.
But never did a man receive a ruder awakening.
It was not the ostrich that was overturned this time, though he was almost
whirled off his feet, but before the Texan knew what was coming, he was roughly
snatched out of his saddle, as if by the hand of a giant, and sprawled headlong on
the plain.
Not only that, but the ostrich continued its flight as though unconscious of the
drag weight he was drawing, and Jack went bumping and bounding over the ground,
like an anchor thrown out from the rear of an express train.
It took him but a moment, however, to unwind the rope that held his arm, when
he lay still, and the ostrich serenely continued his flight, with the lasso trailing after
him.
" Well, I'll be hanged," muttered the Texan ; " I thought the ostrich was the
biggest fool on earth, but he aint, there's another whose name is Jack Harvey,
from San Antonio, Texas."
Without stirring or attempting to rise, the cowboy drew his rifle around in front,
it having suffered no injury during the owner's rough usage. Still lying flat on the
ground, he raised his shoulders just enough to give him the needed room, and aimed
at the author of his discomfiture.
The distance was considerable, and, since the Texan scorned to shoot at any
part of the bird except its head, the shot was a difficult one, that is, difficult for
most persons.
But when Jack pressed the trigger, the bullet sped true to its aim, and went
through the skull of the ostrich with the accuracy and fatal effect of a stiletto.
The elevated head instantly dropped, and, resting on the ground, while the legs
continued their motion, the ostrich resembled some strange-fashioned plow, ripping
up the soil at locomotive speed.
But not for long.
You can understand how a plow, driven at such prodigious rate, is liable to take
a header, on striking some immovable obstruction. That is just what the ostrich
did. Actually turning a half somersault, and kicking his legs for a minute or two in
air, he departed this life.
Jack's mustang, reading aright the stirring incidents, trotted toward his master
and waited for him to remount.
AN OVERTHROW. 63
The action of the pony seemed to say :
"I'm ashamed of you for such work as this."
" I don't feel very proud myself," remarked the Texan, rising slowly to his feet
and moving toward the fallen bird for the purpose of recovering his lasso ; " but
I've learned a lesson to-day which I won't forget very soon. 1 wonder how Bob and
Dick are making out."
Aye indeed, how were they making out ?
CHAPTER X. ,
A DARING EXPLOIT.
is not necessary to tell you that in the ostrich hunt there was no intention of
trying to capture any one of the gigantic birds as a curiosity for The Greatest
Show on Earth.
Such an exploit would have been almost impossible : the creatures can be
secured only when young, or hatched from eggs.
Our friends aimed to have some exciting sport, and it proved, in the case of each,
far more so than any anticipated.
As they galloped down the slope, Dick and Bob, like Jack, selected the particular
bird to which he meant to give his undivided attention. Bob fixed upon the second,
which, as I told you, was about a hundred yards behind the leader.
The youth was not in the lasso business, and, while galloping toward his victim,
he decided to try his revolver instead of his rifle upon him.
It would seem that the smaller weapon ought to have been sufficient, since the
fight was sure to be at close quarters.
Recalling the remark that Jack had made about the impossibility of changing
the line of flight of a frightened ostrich, Bob made up his mind to test it, though
necessarily in an indecisive way.
Instead, therefore, of galloping up beside the ostrich, as the Texan had done, he
forced his pony directly across the course of the bird and brought him to a stand-
still.
But the horse was uneasy, as any animal would naturally be when halting in
the course of a charging enemy of the size of the ostrich. He snorted, reared, and
finally, despite all the rider could do, made a tremendous bound that carried him
far to one side of the line of flight.
Bob whirled him about so as to face the bird, and, afraid that it would escape
him altogether, whipped out his revolver and discharged all the chambers in rapid
successioa.
Fearful that he would miss, because of the restlessness of his pony, the youth
did a thing which was as reckless as the conduct of Jack Harvey.
Leaping from his saddle, he ran forward, so as to place himself in front of the
approaching ostrich, which showed no evidence of having been struck by the pistol
balls, brought his gun to his shoulder and aimed at the small head which was
bearing down upon him like a cannon ball.
Now, Bob knew better than to keep precisely in the path of the game, since a
dangerous collision would have been sure to follow, but he placed himself just far
64.
A DARING EXPLOIT. 65
enough to one side to allow the bird to pass him, his intention being to give him the
fatal shot at the moment he came opposite.
The plan was not without its good features, and, had the ostrich done what was
expected, the result would have been all that the youth desired. But, unfortunately
for Bob, it did the unexpected thing.
Unlike Jack's game, the bird changed the line of flight.
One or two of the pistol balls fired by the lad had really wounded the ostrich,
whose native stupidity did not prevent him comprehending that an enemy was on
the ground within reach.
At the instant, therefore, that Bob brought his rifle to a level, the bird swerved
to one side, and, before the lad could understand what was coming, delivered a
kick which sent him sprawling a dozen feet away.
Bear in mind that the ostrich kicks forward, just the same as you do. 'The pro-
digious muscularity of the bird enables it to do this with a force sufficient to break
the ribs of a lion or smash the breast of a hunter.
It was a wonder that Bob Marshall was not killed outright. All that saved him
was his gun leveled in front. That acted like a shield, parrying the full force of
the kick, which, however, was sufficient to make the recipient feel as though he had
been struck by the lightning-express, when striving to make up lost time, on a
descending grade.
A million stars danced before his eyes, everything turned of inky blackness, and,
falling outstretched upon the ground, with his gun knocked out of his hands, he
lay for a minute or two senseless.
When he recovered and rose on one elbow, the game that had knocked him out
so scientifically was nowhere in sight. It had disappeared through the southern
opening of the valley, very little if any the worse for the pistol balls, which had drawn
but a few drops of blood.
" I've had enough ostrich hunting for one day," concluded Bob, climbing to his
feet, with a dozen aches and pains in different parts of his body. " I hope Jack and
Dick have done better than I, though it looks to me as if matters haren't gone just
right with them."
Dick Brownell picked out the ostrich at the rear of the flock as his special prize,
and, withdrawing all attention from what his companions were doing, centered his
energies on bringing down this bird, which, despite its slowness of gait, was fully
the equal of the leader that had given Jack Harvey such a tough tussle.
It really seemed as if each of the three hunters had determined on risking
their lives in the most reckless fashion while engaged in the ostrich hunt. I
have told you what Jack and Bob did, but Dick surpassed them all in daring
hardihood.
Unlike his companions, he remained undecided as to his line of action until, it
may be said, it was forced upon him.
He noticed the size of the rear ostrich, and wondered why his speed was less
than his companions', though he was rather glad of the fact, since it gave him better
66
A DARING EXPLOIT.
opportunity to arrange for the combat, which he meant
should take place before the bird joined the rest.
Dick reached a point directly in front of the os-
trich, while he was still several rods distant, and, like
Bob, he decided to try to compel him to head the
other way.
The result in every respect was surprisingly dif-
ferent.
Dick's pony held his ground, as immovably as a
veteran, and the ostrich, instead of coming straight on and banging
against him, suddenly checked himself, when no more than a dozen
feet distant, wheeled squarely about, and, contrary to all laws that
govern his species, headed toward the northern outlet, through
which he might have fled on the first appearance of the hunters.
Dick was astonished, and, determined that the game should not
escape, he spoke sharply to his pony, which made a tremendous
TURNING THE TABLES.
bound that landed him alongside the ostrich, the latter not having time to strike hi?
pace before the leap of the steed.
A DARING EXPLOIT. 67
Bird and horse were now almost close enough to touch. This proximity, how-
ever, could not continue more than a few seconds, since the game, though slower
than his companions, was sure to draw away from the horse, even though the latter
should run at his topmost bent.
A strange impulse seized Dick Brownell at that exciting moment. Had he pos-
sessed one minute for reflection, he would have dismissed the thought before it was
fairly formed, but, unfortunately for him, that minute was not his.
Freeing his feet from the stirrups, he flung one leg over the front of the saddle,
and, while both pony and ostrich were on a full run, he took a flying leap from the
back of the former to the latter.
The daring bound was executed with wonderful dexterity, and he landed with
his legs astride of the bird, which no doubt was never so amazed in all his life.
Feeling that he must retain his seat at every hazard, the youth dropped his rifle,
threw both arms around the neck of his steed and held on for life.
It is hard to imagine the sensations of the pony, which witnessed the action of
his master, but probably he was disgusted, for he emitted a snort, and, trotting after
the couple a few paces, flung up his head with another whinny, and galloped toward
Jack and Bob and the rest of the ostriches.
Dick was no more than fairly in his seat, with his arms about the neck of the
bird, when he realized what he had done, though his whole body was still thrilled
by the. excitement of the novel ride.
The ostrich was heading in the opposite direction from that taken by his com-
panions, and, terrified by his burden, he struck a pace greater than he had yet
shown, and fully the equal of that of the leader who had met his fate a moment before.
"I wonder how long he will keep this up," reflected Dick, when he was able to
look about him, and saw that he was swiftly nearing the northern outlet of the
valley; "if he don't give out, he will land me in the Congo State, where I can join
Stanley, if we ain't stopped by the mountains and rivers in the way."
Now an ostrich cannot run forever, though he possesses great endurance, and,
no doubt, Dick's steed would be compelled, in time, to drop to a slower pace, which
would allow the lad to leap to the ground without danger from the fall; but, in that
event, it is more than probable the bird would have attacked and killed him, before
he could bring him down with his revolver.
But the conclusion of this adventure was more startling than Dick Brownell
dreamed.
CHAPTER XL
A WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE.
F you have ever enjoyed the thrilling sensation of sitting on a locomotive engine,
and thundering across the country, at the rate of a mile a minute, you can
understand the emotions of Dick Brownell, when seated astride the front of
the ostrich, that was careering across the plain at such a tremendous rate. I do not
mean to say that its speed equaled that of the engine, for no animal lives that can
hold its own with the iron horse, but it seemed as great, for the smoothness of the
Wonderful machine far surpasses that of any living creature's gait.
The wind swept by the face of the lad in a gale, and he dared not release his
grasp, through fear of losing his hold, and going to the earth with a violence that
would have broken his neck.
The only thing possible to do was to hold on until the ostrich exhausted himself,
then to take a flying leap, and, in case of an attack by the bird, to defend himself
with his revolver.
Dick had hardly reached this decision, when he saw a man standing at one side
of the opening of the valley through which his winged steed was carrying him.
A second glance showed that it was Pongo, the Bushman, who must have come
from camp to observe what the horsemen were doing. He seemed to be transfixed
with wonder at the sight of a lad riding a terrified ostrich.
Dick uttered a shout, and saw Pongo trot briskly down the slope, as though he
intended to head off the bird, but that could not have been his purpose, for his gait
was not rapid, and he was too far off. The native did not speak, but, when a hun-
dred yards separated him from the lad, he stopped suddenly and faced partly away
from him. As he took this singular position, Dick observed a sudden sweep of his
right arm, as though he had struck a violent blow at some object behind him. A
second or two later, came an indescribable whizz and zip-like sound, and he knew
that something extroardinary had taken place. With an amazement beyond
description, he saw the next instant that the ostrich was as completely decapitated
as if his neck had been held beneath the descending blade of a guillotine !
A glimpse of an odd-shaped implement whirling end over end at one side of the
line of flight, the head itself having vanished under the feet of its owner, told the
story.
The Bushman had hurled his boomerang, with such marvelous precision that it
clipped off the head of the ostrich as smoothly as the sword of a Crusader ever clove,
at a single blow, the neck of a Saracen.
Now, it is not to be supposed that even so stupid a creature as the African
ostrich can make out very well without its head, even though that head contains
61
A WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE.
but a modicum of brains. The bird's
pace suddenly slackened, became wabbly,
and then down it went, just as Dick was
able, in a slight degree, to prepare for
the shock.
With the extaordinary advantage given
him, the youth went over on the plain,
very much as many of you have taken a
header from your bicycles when indulging
in a spin over a country road.
By the time Dick had climbed to his feet,
Pongo was at his side, his sallow face show-
ing the solicitude he felt. His counten-
ance lighted up when he saw that Dick
7O A WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE.
was not seriously injured, while Jack Harvey and Bob Marshall, who had re-
mounted their ponies, the lad having gathered up the gun and horse of his cousin
on the way, galloped up, relieved beyond measure to find how well the whole party
had escaped the serious peril that threatened them.
Mutual congratulations followed, and Pongo fairly blushed at the compliments
of his deftness in throwing the singular Australian weapon. The modest fellow
trotted some distance away to recover the boomerang, which he valued too highly
to lose.
"It's my opinion," remarked the Texan, when the native returned, "that we've
all got a better opinion of the confounded ostrich than ever before. I was never
yanked out of the saddle till now, though I came pretty near it once."
" When was that ? " asked Bob, who, like his cousin, was always interested in
the reminiscences of the Texan.
" The time I was out with General Crook after Geronimo and his murderers.
One moonlight night, when I was scouting in the Mogollon Mountains, an Apache
whirled a lasso over my head and had me half out of the stirrups, before I could
cut the rope and let moonlight through him with my Winchester."
"The ostrich beat the Apache," remarked Bob, with a smile.
"You may well say that : it was lucky I hadn't on my Sunday clothes, for they
would have been ruined, though I settled with him for the way he used me."
"You seem to have had your hands full," remarked Dick, looking at his cousin.
" Yes ; my customer let me have a kick that a mule would envy ; if it hadn't been
for my gun, that parried the blow, he would have staved my breast in."
" Never forget, ostrich kick M/.rway," said Pongo, striking forward with his foot;
" don't get before him."
" I don't think I'm ever likely to forget it," replied Bob, rubbing his shoulder ;
" the fact of it is I knew it before, for one day, last summer, when Mr. Barnum was
telling me something about his largest ostrich, the fellow kicked at us in the same
way, and Mr. Barnum referred to the peculiarity."
While this conversation was under way, our friends had adjusted themselves in
their saddles, and " taken an account of stock," so to speak, while Pongo stood
near, ready to accompany them to camp.
But the horsemen noticed that he was gazing off over the plain as though he
saw an object which interested him.
Peering in the same direction, all observed something whose nature neither of
the three could determine. It resembled a curiously formed animal, approaching
at a moderate gait, evidently with th'e purpose of joining them.
" What in the name of creation is it any way ? " asked Jack, who, shading his
eyes with his hand, looked long and earnestly at the remarkable creature.
" I can't guess," replied Dick, who, like Bob, was gazing across the plain, which
was quite sandy, at a distance of less than a mile. " It looks like an animal with a
humped back that is walking on its hind legs."
It was evident, from the peculiar smile on the face of the Bushman, that he pene-
A WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE. Jl
trated the mystery, though he chose to wait the few minutes before it would become
clear to his comrades.
Suddenly the horsemen broke into hearty laughter, and well they might.
Diedrick, the Hottentot, was the only African belonging to the expedition who
sported the European luxury of trousers. He had received a present of a pair of
coarse canvas ones from Mr. Godkin, who saw the longing looks he cast upon them
while at Petermaritzburg.
Diedrick was as proud as a child over his present and wore them continually.
He had left the camp that morning earlier than the horsemen, unnoticed by them.
He had been born and reared in the home of the ostrich, and the signs which he saw
the previous day told him the birds were in the vicinity, even though, unlike the
Texan, he had not been able to catch sight of any one of them.
When he departed, it was not to hunt ostriches, but their eggs, of which he was
very fond.
I have expressed a poor opinion of the intelligence of the ostrich : let me give
you another illustration.
When a Bushman discovers one of their nests he steals all the eggs but one or
two, taking care to leave no other evidence of his visit. Even though, when the
mother went off for a time, she left a dozen, she has not enough sense to compre-
hend that nearly all have been abstracted, but resumes laying, only to have her nest
depleted by regular visits from the Bushman, who watches for her departure.
The native keeps this up for weeks and months, and the stupid bird continues
laying from June to October, never suspecting that all the time she is steadily con-
tributing to the support of a thieving Bushman and his family.
While the hunters were having their own sport with the ostriches, Diedrick was
despoiling a nest that he found without difficulty. In it were more than a score of
eggs, which he resolved to take into camp.
But how to carry them was the question. A single one is considered the
equivalent of two dozen ordinary hen's eggs, so you can easily see that the task was
considerable.
But Diedrick was equal to the emergency. In a twinkling, he had doffed his
beloved trousers, and, tying the bottom of the legs in a knot, he deposited the
plunder within, the space required being all that could be spared in the legs and
some of the portion above the bifurcation of the garments.
Then, slinging his odd load over his shoulders, he started back. Catching sight
of the horsemen, he changed his course so as to join them, when, as I have told
you, he was received with much merriment, which was increased by the solemnity of
the Hottentot's visage. He had never been known to smile, and seemed to be
mystified by the high spirits of his companions.
But he was complimented on his achievement, and the party set out on their re-
turn to camp. When they arrived, their pleasure was heightened by learning from
Mr. Godkin that the wounded Orak was much better, and, in all probability, would
recover in a brief while.
A WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE.
'
The ostrich, when full grown, is eight or nine feet tall, and I have known some
to weigh between three and four hundred pounds. Its only weapon of defense is
its powerful legs, about which I have al-
ready told you. Its eye-sight is very keen,
and its elevated head gives it a wide range
of vision.
The ms-.'.e is of a glossy black color,
with the exception of the large plumes of
the wing-feathers, which are a pure, rich
white. These are the chief objects of
ostrich hunting.
In the female, the feathers are of a
grayish brown, fringed here and there
with white. The cry of the bird is coarse
and gruff, its legs are strongly jointed,
and its hide is capable of being tanned
into strong leather.
The nest of the ostrich is of the sim-
plest description, consisting of a rude
cavity in the sand, five or six feet wide
and twenty inches deep. The eggs are
packed on end, so as to economize space,
as many as fifty having been found in a
single nest. These are the product of several birds, which take turns in sitting
HOTTEXTOT IXGEXUITY.
A WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE.
73
upon them, the male standing guard at night, to fight off the jackals, which are
among its numerous enemies. The average weight of an egg is about three pounds,
and, as I have said, it is con- l _._ t
sidered the equivalent of two
dozen hen's eggs.
The young, as soon as they
emerge from the shell, are about
the size of pullets, and are able
at once to follow their parents.
They quickly acquire an aston-
ishing capacity for speed, pre-
vious to which, if frightened,
they will squat down and re-
main immovable until the dan-
ger is past. At such times, the
parent bird having them in
charge sometimes displays un-
expected cunning, by feigning
lameness, with a view to draw-
ing pursuit to himself or herself
and away from the helpless
ones.
The ostrich is easily domesti-
cated, and I am sure you have
heard of the attempts in that
direction in this country. In
the southern part of Africa are
many ostrich farms, whose own-
ers have done well in rearing
the birds and selling their
plumes.
Their voracity is not their
least remarkable characteristic.
Gravel, stones metal keys,
knives, and, I have been told,
horse shoes, have sometimes
formed a few of their articles
of diet.
It is the feathers of the bird
that constitute its chief value. THE RHEA OR AMERICAN OSTRICH.
It requires seventy of these to weigh a pound, and, since twenty or twenty-five
marketable feathers is the largest number that can be plucked from a single
ostrich, you will appreciate the difficulty of supplying the demand for these luxuries.
74 A WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE.
But the price (from ten to fifty dollars a pound) is enough to spur the native
of Damara or Bechuana to his utmost to procure them.
March and April is the principal feather season, the birds having then recovered
from their moult, while their plumage is vigorous and elastic. In order to preserve
their value, they are plucked from the ostrich, immediately after it is brought down
by the artifice already described, and while the body is still warm.
Despite the speed of the bird, it is so worn out and spiritless on the approach
of the rainy season that a single horseman can easily ride it down. Its energy is
insufficient for it to fight, and it often stands still until brained by the native's
shambok or knobby stick.
The rhea, or American ostrich, is a native of South America. Three species are
known, and the male is sometimes kind enough to arrange the eggs and perform
the whole duties of incubation. Their favorite home is along the La Plata River,
where they are generally seen in pairs, though sometimes associating in flocks.
They are timid and fleet-footed, but, when hunted, show little more intelligence than
their African relatives, running aimlessly in different directions until the natives
bring them down with their "bolas," which consist of a cord with a ball at the end,
which is thrown at the bird, and coils around its neck and legs, so that it stumbles
to the ground.
CHAPTER XII.
THE WILD MEN.
DISAPPOINTMENT awaited our friends on reaching camp. The eggs
captured by Diedrick had been sat upon so long by the parent birds that
they were unpalatable. Diedrick and Pongo, however, found several of the
latest laid, that were acceptable to themselves and the other natives. The best of
these were cleverly prepared for the suffering Orak, who relished them greatly.
But the suspicion of staleness ruins an egg for eating purposes with most of us
and not one of the Americans would so much as taste them. The eggs of the
ostrich are naturally strong, and, even had these been perfectly fresh, I doubt
whether our friends would have partaken of them. Several of the shells were
preserved for use as cups.
By the time the eggs were disposed of, it was near noon, and, although Mr
Godkin deemed it safe to move Orak, yet he decided to adhere to his first resolu
tion of remaining where they were until the following day. The rest thus secured
was as grateful to the animals as the men. The natives showed their appreciation
of the indulgence by climbing into the wagons and spending most of the hours in
sleep, of which it seemed impossible for them to secure a surfeit.
The oxen and horses were so well trained, that, when turned out to graze, they
never wandered off. At night, of course, all were gathered close to camp, where
their owners could defend them against wild beasts.
The temperature was oppressive during the middle of the day, at which time
the train often paused for several hours' rest. Had the season been the hot one,
it would have been almost intolerable.
The situation of the camp was such that an extended view was afforded north
and south, but it was shortened to the westward on account of the hills beyond
which occurred the encounter with the ostriches. To the east, also, it was inter-
fered with by the bank of the stream, which rose to a height of a couple ot rods
before sloping down to the water.
Mr. Godkin, who took in all the points of any business in which he was engaged,
referred to this curtailment of their vision as a disadvantage.
"We are in the land of the Bechuanas and Bushmen, who are as treacherous as
the American Indian," said he in explanation; "and we must keep a lookout for a
visit from them."
"What reason have you to fear that?" asked Jack Harvey, while Bob and Dick
were on the alert.
" Pongo saw signs, when he went out to watch your sport with the ostriches;
the fact is," added the director, " I suspect that was his purpose, instead of taking
a hand in clipping off the heads of camel birds."
75
bo
a
a.
THE WILD MEN. 77
The listeners looked Inquiringly at the Bushman, but, instead of replying, he
walked over to the wagon where Orak was lying. The fellow had many peculiarities,
and one of them was, at times, a dislike to exchange words with his employers.
"What did he tell you?" asked Bob Marshall.
"Nothing, except that when he stopped on the slope of the hill, he learned that
a large party of mounted Bushmen were hovering in the neighborhood. He gave
no particulars, for I don't suppose he had much more to tell."
"That's curious," remarked the cowboy, "for I took a good look 'round the
country for more game, and I didn't catch a glimpse of any two or four-legged
creatures."
"There's nothing strange in that, for, if you and Pongo were on the plains of
New Mexico or Arizona, it would beyvu, and not he, who would be the first to dis-
cover the approach of danger."
Jack, however, was not prepared to admit that his skill was any the less because
he happened to be in the Dark Continent, instead of galloping over the prairies of
his own glorious land.
But the declaration of the director of the expedition received a striking confirma-
tion before the Texan could say much in the way of protest.
Naturally, while the Americans sat on the ground, discussing the situation,
their eyes turned toward the range of hills where Pongo had detected signs of
the presence of his warlike countrymen. Along the crest of the nearest range,
fully a score and a half of Bushmen suddenly appeared, rising to view as simul-
taneously as if they formed a line of trained cavalry that had come up the slope
on a walk.
Every one of the hunters seemed to detect them at the same moment, several
expressions of surprise being uttered. All, with the exception of Orak, instantly
sprang to their feet and stared wonderingly at the savage horsemen.
The latter formed a picturesque sight. Their animals were small and of a dark
color, their riders being naked, with the exception of a kind of breech-cloth of
sheep-skin. Their heads looked large, because of the spread of bushy wool above,
and the only armament of half of them was a single long spear, while the rest
carried bows and arrows. The bows of the Bushmen are small, and they carry their
arrows thrust in their head-dress, from which they can snatch and fire them so
rapidly that one of the insignificant warriors often has two or three missiles in the
air at the same time.
These did not seem to be formidable weapons, but, when you learn that each
spear and arrow was tipped with deadly poison, you will understand the dread in
which they are held by their enemies.
The bows were short and sturdy, but the Bushmen who use them do so with
surprising accuracy, while those who throw the javelins display a skill hardly less
than that of the warriors of antiquity.
Certainly there was no such emotion as fear among the American members of
the hunting party when they surveyed the row of native horsemen on the crest of
78 THE WILD MEN.
the hill. Fully armed as were the whites, with their modern, improved weapons,
they could afford to despise a native force three times as numerous.
" I wish the ragamuffins would attack us," said the Texan, who, to show his
contempt for the party, deliberately brought his gun to his shoulder and fired at the
group.
The distance was too great to do any execution, and it is not probable the Bush-,
men knew the meaning of the demonstration, for they kept their places, moving
their heads and arms in a way that showed they were holding a vigorous conver-
sation, of which, no doubt, the hunting party was the subject.
All at once, the war party moved forward down the slope in the direction of the
camp. Their horses walked slowly, and Mr. Godkin, who brought his binocular to
his eyes, said that there was not the most primitive bridle or saddle in the whole party.
The Bushmen needed nothing of the kind to hold perfect control of their steeds.
" I wonder whether they mean to attack," was the inquiring remark of Bob
Marshall, as he looked at Mr. Godkin, who still held his glasses before him.
" They may, but not in that shape. They know better than to charge upon the
camp, where they are sure to receive a welcome that will tumble half to the ground
before they can come within striking distance. Nevertheless, we will be ready for
them."
Little was needed in the way of preparation. The natives showed some trepi-
dation, and, with the exception of Pongo and Diedrick, wanted to crawl into the
wagons, after the manner of a child who draws the bed-clothes over his head when
scared.
A sharp sentence, however, from Mr. Godkin, prevented any such exhibition of
cowardice, which was likely to encourage the Bushmen to attack the camp. He
ordered them to be ready with their javelins to help repel an assault, while Mr.
Godkin and the other whites looked to their own weapons to make sure they were
in shape for any emergency. Pongo and Diedrick, who possessed some experience
in the use of fire-arms, would have done good service with the shot-guns in case of
a fight.
The Bushmen advanced with a slow regularity that aroused the admiration of
the spectators. The thirty-odd kept side by side, the ponies stepping with an even-
ness that was not without a certain element of majesty.
While the hunters, including Pongo, were wondering as to the cause of this
singular demonstration, the wild men halted.
They were within about two hundred yards, and stood absolutely motionless for
a full minute, during which the curious sounds meant for words could be plainly
heard by the hunters, who disdained to seek shelter against such a force.
The language of the Hottentots sounds like the clucking of hens more than any-
thing else, and there is some resemblance between it and that of the Bushmen.
It was easy to single out the leader of the party, for he was not only of larger
stature than the others, but showed, by his manner, that he controlled them. While
they held their places in a mathematical line, he rode several paces in front, and
THE WILD MEN. 79
began swaying his arms in such a peculiar way that the whites looked to Pongo for
an explanation.
The friendly Bushman, however, said nothing, but, standing erect beside his
friends, looked fixedly at the chief, as if he was also at a loss to interpret the
gestures.
" I believe he wants to hold a parley with us," remarked Mr. Godkin, lowering
his glass and looking also at Pongo, as if he meant him to understand that he must
give an opinion.
"Yes, that is it," replied the native.
"Why doesn't he speak?"
" He don't know we understand him ; he don't know me Bushman, like him."
"Call to him in your native tongue, and ask him what he wants."
Pongo did so, to the evident astonishment of his fellow-countrymen, who had no
suspicion that any member of the company could talk by means of words with them.
Pongo was right; the leader of the Bushmen desired to hold converse, though it
is hard to guess how he expected it to be done without an interpreter.
" Let him say what he has to say," remarked Mr. Godkin.
" He asks me to go out, so that me and him talk alone."
"You don't think of running such a risk, Pongo?" asked the director.
" Yes, me do it," was the startling reply.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE HUMAN BUCKLER.
NOTHER characteristic of Pongo, the Bushman, was his obstinacy. Ordin-
arily he was quite amenable to discipline, but when he set his mind upon
some course, it was useless to try to change it.
The fact that he belonged to the same tribe with the wild men may have been
some reason why he decided to gratify the wish of the chieftain, and there was a
possibility that such a meeting would accrue to the benefit of the hunting party,
though Mr. Godkin did not believe it.
"Go ahead," said he in his quiet way, "and pay the penalty with your life."
Pongo uttered no reply, but went forward, as calmly as he would have gone to
the edge of the stream, to help himself to a drink of water, by tossing it from the
palm of his hand to his mouth, a foot away, in a style which no white man can imitate.
"You can make up your mind there's going to be trouble," said Jack Harvey in
a low voice; " let's be ready to give him help when he needs it."
The distance was not too great for the Texan to bring the chieftain from his
pony, in case of treachery, though the savage might manage to place Pongo in peril
from the same shot intended to bring him down.
The chief carried a long spear instead of bow and arrows, and the moment he
saw one of his countrymen advancing, he settled down into a stationary position to
await his approach.
The spectators on both sides fixed their attention upon the couple, or rather
upon Pongo, who, by his own act, had become the object of solicitous interest.
Our friends felt that, whatever the issue of the extraordinary interview, it de-
volved upon Jack Harvey to take care of their native servant in his own peculiar
way. His skill in marksmanship fitted him pre-eminently for the task.
Meanwhile, Pongo walked out on the plain with the same even step he had
shown at first. He left his spear behind him, but in the girdle at his waist was
thrust a single boomerang, the same with which he had decapitated the running
ostrich. His deftness in handling that peculiar weapon made it as dangerous at
short distances as when separated a long way from his enemy or intended victim.
The course of Pongo was foolhardy from the beginning, and it must have been
that the sagacious fellow was deceived by the protestations of the leader, whom he
had met before and who knew him well.
Understanding, as he did, that the Texan was covering him with his rifle, and
that he would not hesitate to shoot the savage from his horse, on the first sign of
treachery (and possibly before), Pongo made known that fact, while yet a full rod
from the Bushman.
80
AN EFFECTIVE SHIELD. Page 82.
Si
82 THE HUMAN BUCKLER.
It would seem that this ought to have been sufficient to defeat any scheme of
betrayal, but, unfortunately, the only purpose it served was to place the horseman on
his guard against the single real danger that threatened him.
He was unusually large and powerful for a native, being fully six inches taller
than Pongo, who was of the ordinary size.
It may be interesting for you to know that, until lately, there were only two
known races with a mean height below five feet, the Negritor, of the Andaman
Islands, and the Bushmen of South Africa. There has been another race discov-
ered, however, which is still smaller, the Akkas, of the Monbuttu country, Central
Africa. Emin Pasha obtained two of the skeletons, and Schweinfurth discovered
them in 1870. They are the smallest people upon earth, their height being less
than four feet.
The party of Bushmen which confronted our friends were, on the whole, above
the average in height, the leader especially being almost equal to a Caucasian in
stature, and, therefore, a giant among his own people.
When several paces separated the friendly African from the savage, a misgiving
came over him. He saw he had committed a mistake that was likely to cost him
his life ; but it was too late to retreat. If he should turn about, and dash back
toward his friends, he would be 'filled with poisoned javelins and arrows, any one
of which was sufficient to cause death. Nothing remained, therefore, but to put
the best face possible on the matter and suppress all evidence of distrust, while
taking every possible precaution against the peril that threatened him.
Within two minutes after the meeting of Pongo and the chief, Jack Harvey
exclaimed :
" By gracious ! Pongo is gone ! The scamp has outwitted us all ! "
With every seeming of friendship, his ugly countenance made still uglier by a
vast grin, the chieftain leaned over the side of his horse, and extended his hand to
his fellow-countryman after the most approved civilized fashion.
Our friend was surprised, knowing that his people are not addicted to that style
of greeting ; but, being familiar with it himself, he reached up his right hand, with
no suspicion of the real meaning of the salutation.
The fingers of the chieftain closed about those of the footman with a grip like
iron, and, in a twinkling, Pongo was lifted clear off the ground and forced upon the
back of the pony, directly in front of the savage, who thus made a shield of his
body.
Quick as was the Texan to catch on to all such deviltry, he was not quick enough
to prepare Tor this daring perfidy. By the time he could bring his Winchester to
his shoulder, the whole front of the leader was covered by the form of Pongo, who
did not struggle, knowing that instant death would follow any such act on his part.
" Never mind," muttered Jack, " I'll let him have it when he turns with his
horse."
But he didn't turn with his horse. No more striking proof could have been
given of his control over the animal, for, without anything bearing the slightest
THE HUMAN BUCKLER. 83
resemblance to a rein, and by the mere sound of his voice, he caused the steed to
step backward keeping his head turned toward the hunters, and thus enabling the
chief to guard himself effectively with his human buckler.
Jack Harvey uttered an expression too forcible for me to record.
" If the grinning imp would only show his head, I'd let daylight through him,
but he's too cunning ; well, I ain't done with him yet," he added, keeping his rifle
at his shoulder, and on the watch for the first chance to get in his work, as the
expression goes.
The steed of the chieftain retrograded until he had taken his place among the
others. Then, at a word from him, the whole party wheeled about and dashed
toward the hills whence they came.
"I'll be hanged if I can stand that!" exclaimed the Texan, with the old thrill
which had nerved his arm many a time on the South-western prairies; "I'll make it
lively for them if I can't do anything more ! "
Leaping to where his saddled and bridled mustang was standing, he vaulted into
the seat, and, facing the Bushmen, started in furious pursuit of the whole party.
"He goes to his death," said Mr. Godkin, "but I cannot desert him."
" And we can't desert either of you," added Bob Marshall, echoing the senti-
ments of his cousin, who was equally prompt in making a break for his pony.
Jack Harvey did not expect the help of his friends, in the daring effort to save
Pongo, nor did Mr. Godkin, in his chivalrous essay to aid the Texan, look for the as-
sistance of the youths; but, all the same, it was given as eagerly in one case as the
other.
Jack's horse was the only one that was ready for the brush, but the rest were
prepared in a twinkling. Before the Bushmen had passed over the ridge, with Jack
Harvey close behind, the other three were stringing after them.
Had the wild men divided their party, and sent one portion, by a roundabout
way, to the camp, they would have had little trouble in destroying every native left,
and driving off or killing the stock.
Mr. Godkin thought of this danger, but he felt it more important to save the life
of the Texan than to stay behind to defend the natives and the property.
Exasperated as was Jack, he did not lose his presence of mind, and he under-
stood the difficulties that confronted him. He had just seen an evidence of the
cunning of the Bushmen, and he meant that, whatever took place, he would not run
into such a trap as had ensnared Pongo.
The wild men went over the hills just as he started up the base. He saw sev-
eral glance around at him, and the instant they vanished, he changed the direction
of his mustang, so that, instead of coursing to the top where the Bushmen expected
him to appear, he reached the crest more than a hundred yards away.
Not only that, but he decreased the speed of his pony, so as to be prepared for
any sudden movement on the part of his enemy.
Well, indeed, was it for him that he did so.
CHAPTER XIV.
AFRICAN VERSUS AMERICAN.
, LL three of the Texan's friends had their gaze fixed on him the moment the
Bushmen vanished. They noted the abrupt slackening of the mustang's
pace, and how, before attaining the top, he stopped short, while Jack rose
in his stirrups and peered over uie crest.
The moment he did so, his friends saw him duck his head, and caught a glimpse
of an arrow which sped, with almost invisible swiftness, over the back of the mustang,
apparently cleaving the very spot where the sombrero of the cowboy had been but
an instant before.
Discharged from a lower point, and aimed upward, the missile shot high in
air, like a rocket, the youths noticing its course, as it curved far above them, turning
and falling several rods beyond where they had also slowed their steeds.
It seemed as if it had been driven with enough force to pass entirely through
the body of a man, though a puncture of the ?kin would have been all-sufficient
to cause death.
"I'm afraid Jack has undertaken a bigger contract than he can carry out," said
Dick Brownell, as he and his companions drew their horses close together and con-
tinued their cautious advance.
" The Bushmen have halted in the valley beyond," remarked Mr. Godkin, " and
are waiting for him."
"Why don't they kill Pongo and have done with It?" asked Bob.
" They may prefer to keep him prisoner awhile, but you can depend upon it,
they will punish him for joining those whom they look upon as their enemies."
"I don't suppose they have any fear of losing him "
"Look ! " interrupted Dick.
Jack Harvey had given the spurs to his mustang and was going over the hiH
as if shot from a catapult.
We all despise cowardice in any one, but there is sometimes equally great dan-
ger in over-confidence. The Bushman leader, after galloping beyond sight with
his prisoner, and surrounded by "his own warriors, seemed to conclude that it was a
work of superfluity for him to make such haste to get beyond reach of his single
pursuer.
Hardly had the first elevation been placed behind them, when, at a single word,
the entire party halted and wheeled about, so as to face the rash horseman that was
dashing so ardently in pursuit.
The best archer of the company took his place, bow and arrow ready, to launch
a. shaft at the white man the instant he came in sight, for, though they might de-
84
AFRICAN VERSUS AMERICAN.
spise a solitary foe, they were ready to use any treacherous means to bring about
his downfall.
You will see, therefore, that if Jack had dashed up and over the hill, he
would have been met by
a poisoned missile, which,
with all his dexterity, he
could not have dodged.
As it was, his
head appeared
at a totally un-
expected point.
The dusky bow-
man made in-
stant shift of aim,
THE POISONED ARROW.
and was so quick, indeed, that the Texan had no time to spare in giving it
room to pass.
I have referred to the quiescence of Pongo, the prisoner, and explained the reason,
86 AFRICAN VERSUS AMERICAN.
Had he been alone with the chieftain, he would have given him lusty battle, but,
knowing that the least advantage on his part, over his much more powerful country-
man, would be met by an attack from the warriors, he was only prudent in refrain-
ing from anything of the kind.
He knew that Jack Harvey was trying to do his utmost for him, and, though he
did not see how any possible help could be afforded, yet his faith in the American's
amazing prowess was so deep that he was not without hope.
The Texan was astonished, on peering over the hill, immediately after the shot,
to see that the leader had actually challenged him to battle.
His warriors were drawn up in line, beyond the base of the hill, and Pongo was
standing motionless, a short distance in front, while the Bushman was riding his
horse at a deliberate walk, to meet the approaching white man.
Need I tell you how eagerly Jack Harvey accepted the gauge of battle thus
thrown down ? Could he have been assured of the least resemblance to a fair
contest, nothing would have delighted him more than to engage the chieftain
single-handed.
He was none the less ardent because he knew he was confronted by subtlety
and cunning, but he must needs be more on his guard.
The Bushman held a spear in his hand, that being the only weapon he wished,
though he also carried a curved knife at his waist, the handle, of elephant-ivory,
plainly showing.
The Texan could have brought him down with his Winchester, or, indeed, with
one of his revolvers, before drawing near enough for the savage to use his javelin,
but there was something unfair in taking such an advantage, and Jack refused it.
In fact, it was not the chieftain he had so much to fear as the warriors behind
him. The white man was compelled to advance so far that he must be dangerously
close to the horsemen, who would be quick to seize every possible advantage.
It was with this knowledge that Jack strove to equalize, to a slight extent, the
chances of the two, by bringing his mustang down to the slowest possible walk.
Besides inspiring his antagonist with the suspicion that he held him in fear, he
hoped it would draw him farther from his supports.
But the Bushman was shrewd, and probably read aright the purpose of his foe,
for he, too, moderated the gait of his steed, until to have made it less would have
brought his animal to a standstill.
Before the moment came for a demonstration on the part of either, Jack Harvey
had decided what to do.
" If that confounded spear wasn't poisoned," he said to himself, "I'd close in
on him and settle up this business in the style of one of our Kansas cyclones
helloa!"
A slignt twitch of the Bushman's right hand indicated that he was about to call
his javelin into play. Possibly it was merely a feint, but Jack could not be too
careful.
All at once, and, while both horses were slowly approaching each other, up went
AFRICAN VERSUS AMERICAN.
the dusky arm, and the javelin was poised over the
shoulder of the sinewy Bushman. Jack dodged his
head, apparently as if in a panic, and the pleased
savage grinned with pleasure.
But, rather singularly, this time it was a feint
on the part of both. The Bushman did not mean to
throw his weapon, and Jack's movement was only
a pretense of terror.
Hardly had the enormous grin bisected the face
of the warrior, when he observed his white antago-
nist circling a serpent-like loop, with bewildering
swiftness, around his head.
He had never seen a weapon of that kind, and
did not know what it
meant. He learned
right away. Flinging
back the hand which
grasped the javelin,
the savage pre-
pared himself
with incredible
quickness to drive
IN COWBOY STYLE.
88 AFRICAN VERSUS AMERICAN.
the poisoned missile through the chest of the Caucasian. But, on the point of
launching the spear, the upper part of his arms was griped by a ring of fire that
seemed burning its way through flesh and bone.
Jack Harvey meant to coil the loop about the neck of the savage, but the leveled
shaft interfered to that extent that the rope enclosed the shoulders. The instant it
did so, it was jerked taut with the quickness of lightning.
No doubt the Bushman was accustomed to think fast; but, before he could grasp
matters, he was jerked off the bare back of his steed, sprawling like a frog on the
ground, with his legs beating the air, the shock of the fall being so violent that, for
a few seconds, he lay motionless and stunned.
His horse was bewildered by what took place, and, flinging up his head with a
whinny, started back to his companions.
In doing this he headed toward Pongo, whom he must have mistaken for one
of his own people.
Pongo saw that his chance, desperate though it was, had come. With a couple
of bounds, he met the animal, and a single leap landed him on its back. In a twink-
ling, he headed it the other way, and, understanding so well how to manage its
kind, he sent it flying at headlong pace up the slope toward the encampment of
his friends.
Expecting to be filled with arrows and javelins until he resembled a porcupine,
Pongo flung himself forward on the neck of his new steed, and shut his eyes, while
the throbbing animal beneath him thundered up the hill with the speed of the wind.
Two singular causes intervened to help him.
The fall of the Bushman leader filled his followers, for the moment, with conster-
nation. Seeing him motionless on the ground, they seemed to think he had been
slain by some new and mysterious weapon in the hands of the white man With
cries of rage and grief the party galloped toward him, while several, noting the
thief making off with the best steed of the tribe, despatched a number of arrows in
that direction.
In doing so, however, they were handicapped by the fear of killing the noble
animal, which they hoped yet to recover for their leader, provided the latter was
alive. These factors in the problem, appearing at the critical moment, saved
Pongo, who passed beyond reach of his infuriated countrymen, not only without a
scratch, but the owner of the finest native horse he had ever bestrode.
But as for Jack Harvey, as he expressed it, he was not yet out of the woods; in
fact, he had only fairly entered them. He had unhorsed his opponent in emphatic
style, and nothing would have been easier than to despatch him, as he lay on the
ground; but the Texan's chivalrous nature recoiled from such a summary course
toward a foe that had not only shown a certain bravery in sallying forth to meet
him, but at that moment was helpless.
CHAPTER XV.
A MASTERLY RETREAT.
|T was a time for coolness and nerve, and no man possessed more of those de-
sirable qualities than Jack Harvey, the Texan.
Quick to learn from the example of the Bushman chieftain himself, he
spoke a few words to his mustang, and the sagacious animal instantly began
retreating up the slope which he had descended but a short time before.
Jack had managed to draw the noose from the shoulders of the savage, and he
rapidly hauled in his lasso, while his pony withdrew, with his face toward the enemy.
That done, Jack coiled the rope loosely over the hook on his saddle, and brought
his rifle to the front.
He knew the leader was only stunned and would quickly be himself again. His
own escape must be effected during the few brief moments of the Bushman's un-
consciousness.
Had he wheeled about and dashed up the hill, he would have brought a shower
of arrows after him, with the chances all in favor of receiving a number in his body.
His purpose, as you will see, was to get as far off as possible, before the Bushmen
could recover from their flurry, and then, at the critical moment, spur away at head-
long speed.
Everything went with a rush. Like a trained circus horse, the mustang walked
backward up the incline one of the most difficult of all tasks for a horse, while
his rider held his rifle prepared to shoot, and with his eyes fixed on the wild men,
all of whom were in his field of vision.
Jack had retreated several rods when he detected a threatening movement. It
was at the moment when the war party were grouped around their fallen leader,
and the two that helped him to his feet saw he was not dead nor even seriously in-
jured.
On the outer edge of the party, one of their number, seated on his horse, began
carefully adjusting a poisoned arrow to his bow.
It was the same archer that had launched a missile at the Texan when his head
first showed over the crest of the hill. He was an expert, and the distance between
him and the white man was so much less than before, that he was sure to impale
Jack if allowed to fire a single arrow.
" Hands up ! "
There was something so absurd in the command, under the circumstances, that
Bob, Dick and Mr. Godkin, who were watching the thrilling scene, smiled, the latter
remarking:
"A man's early training is sure to show itself."
The savage to whom the order was addressed could not be expected! to grasp
89
go A MASTERLY RETREAT.
the meaning of the peculiar border command, and he continued his preparations
for shooting.
While the rest of his companions were interested in their chieftain, who was
still somewhat groggy on his feet, the bowman was the only one disposed to attend
strictly to business.
It took him but a few seconds to make ready, when he extended his left hand,
grasping the middle of the bow, and began sighting carefully at the horseman, whose
steed had now backed a considerable distance up the slope.
But before the Bushman could complete his aim, Jack Harvey had pressed the
trigger of his rifle, and you need not be told that he made no miss.
That which followed seems incredible. The Bushman archer uttered a rasp-
ing shriek, and went over backward from his pony. In the act of doing so, he in-
stinctively discharged the arrow, but it was aimless, and, instead of speeding in the
direction of the white man, it bounded straight up in air with diminished mo-
mentum, turning, at a height of less than a hundred feet, and descending among
the startled group, where the point punctured the shoulder of one of the Africans,
who, for the moment, could not understand whence came the deadly hurt.
This was the crisis for which Jack Harvey had been waiting, and, wheeling his
mustang around, he sent him toward the crest of the hill like the arrow discharged
toward him a few minutes before.
The fugitive expected several of the venomous shafts, and threw himself forward
on the neck of his horse, keeping his gaze on his enemies, so as to dodge their
missiles if necessary; but, extraordinary as it may seem, not a single one followed him.
The death of the archer, taking place before the party had fully recovered from
the mishap of its leader, rendered the confusion, for a moment, greater than before,
and, ere the Bushmen could understand all that had taken place, the Texan's
mustang had whisked over the hill and joined the other ponies.
All three felt that duty did not require them to wait longer in that neighborhood,
and they lost no time in riding back to camp and joining the sorely frightened
natives, whose fears had been increased, rather than diminished, by the arrival of
Pongo on his captured steed : for the latter, thinking he might be of some service
to his chivalrous rescuer, had immediately wheeled about and rode back, meeting
and joining the three friends on their return.
Hardly had the five horsemen reached camp, when the Bushmen reappeared on
the hills as before, and looked down upon the hunting party that had given them
such a chastisement. But they had learned an important lesson : it was perilous
to trifle with men who owned such mysterious and awful weapons.
The leader of the Bushmen was compelled to share a seat with one of his war-
riors, where he looked far less impressive than when he bestrode his own steed. He
had lost his valued horse, not to mention his best bowman and another warrior, and
was sure to suffer still more if he attempted further molestation.
The natives had had enough, and, after indulging in a number of peculiar cries
and gestures, wheeled about and disappeared.
A MASTERLY RETREAT. gi
" Are we likely to be bothered any more with those tenderfeet ? " asked Jack
Harvey of Mr. Godkin.
" Not during the daytime, for the lasso and Winchester have filled them with a
healthy fear of us. The chief may attempt to revenge himself by stealing up to
the camp at night and sending in a few shots, but I think even that is doubtful."
Pongo, being appealed to, was of the same opinion as the director. The fellow
was so grateful to his friends, for their help in getting him out of the clutches of his
countrymen, that he was ready to give them any information at his command.
He said that he and the chieftain were old acquaintances, and that the latter was
uttering words of friendship when he griped his hand and violently lifted him upon
the horse, in front. Pongo knew the mistake he had made before he reached the
leader, but it would have been fatal to turn back, and he therefore went forward, as
I have already described.
"You acquitted yourself nobly," said Mr. Godkin to Jack Harvey, who, like the
best specimens of cowboys, was always modest when his own exploits were re-
ferred to.
" I don't see that there was anything so wonderful about it, but I was uneasy
because of the poisoned arrows. I thought, when I rode over the hill, Apache would
catch some of the confounded things, even if / didn't."
" Pongo has learned something as well as his countrymen," ventured Bob Mar-
shall ; " he deserved bad usage for his foolishness in walking into such a trap."
The Bushman grinned and nodded his head to signify that he agreed with the
sentiments just utte. ed.
" It strikes met here is no company in the world," said Dick Brownell, " in which
it is plainer that strength lies in union."
" Not merely strength," observed Mr. Godkin, " but safety. We must separate
at times, while hunting, but it won't do to wander too far from each other to be unable
to yield mutual support."
" Good advice," replied Jack, " but I know it won't be followed by any one of us.
We're in a country where there are enough birds, beasts and reptiles to stock all the
shows in creation, and it's our business to scoop in what we can for Mr. Barnum.
When we get fairly at work we'll be sure to forget all about the confounded wild
men."
"But they won't forget about us, you may depend on that."
The site of the encampment, as I have stated, was not favorable in all respects,
for it offered too good an opportunity for their enemies to steal upon them during
the darkness. It would seem an easy task for one of those sallow warriors, creep-
ing up the bank of the stream, to hurl a poisoned javelin or arrow into the group,
inflicting a mortal hurt, and getting off before a return shot could reach him.
It will be understood, therefore, that our friends were in anything but a comfort-
able frame of mind when night shut in, though the closest watch they had been
able to keep tnrough the day failed to disclose the first sign of the Bushmen.
Jack Harvey, Bob Marshall and two of the natives took charge during the first
Q2 A MASTERLY RETREAT.
half of the night, with the intention of alternating with Mr. Godkin, Dick and two
others for the remaining hours of darkness.
The Texan's experience in Indian campaigning in the Southwest convinced him
that if any demonstration was made, it would be from the direction of the stream
flowing near the camp.
Accordingly, he located himself in the grass on that side. He did not hesitate
to lie on his face, for he had learned long before to do that through the entire night
without falling asleep. The confidence of his friends in him was such that they
felt that, despite the peculiar peril to which the approach was exposed, it was really
the safest spot while under his guardianship.
Sure enough, just before the turn of night, Jack detected several dusky figures
stealthily moving along the stream, close to the water, and he knew they were his
old enemies. The instant he was able to locate them, he opened with his repeater,
launching the whole nine shots in such rapid succession that the recipients must
have believed an old-fashioned bombardment had opened.
This volley of Jack's accomplished its purpose. The terrified Bushmen skurried
out of reach with the utmost precipitation, and, though Jack remained on guard
till morning, he saw nothing more of them.
CHAPTER XVI.
IN THE TREE TOP.
the coming of day our friends were in high spirits, for the repulse oi
the skulking Bushmen was complete. They were invisible, and all felt
that no further thought need be given them.
Orak was doing so well that he stepped down from his couch in the wagon, and
announced, as best he could, his intention of walking several miles for the purpose
of stretching his legs. His fever was almost gone and he possessed an excellent
appetite, the best evidence that he was rapidly recovering from the rough usage
received from the lion a couple of nights before.
The specimens in natural history were lively, and promised to survive the long
journey before them, provided no untoward accident occurred. The natives under-
stood the nature of the curious little pets, and could be depended upon to give them
all possible care.
It was yet early in the day when the train took up its lumbering course, it being
the intention of Mr. Godkin to trend toward the Atlantic coast, with a view of ulti-
mately striking it south of the Congo State. Although he made no mention of his
purpose, he meant that a part of the expedition should enter the Gaboon country
in search of the chimpanzee and gorilla.
Noon had not yet come, when Pongo, who rode in advance, on the horse cap-
tured from the Bushman leader, made known that giraffes, or camelopards, were in
the neighborhood. He pointed out several well marked spoors, though nothing of
the animals was seen.
One of the curious facts connected with this creature is the difficulty that hunt-
ers experience in identifying it at even a moderate distance. Its peculiar shape
renders a sportsman liable to mistake a tree or high stump for it, such errors being
common with those that have spent years in Southern Africa.
The temperature was uncomfortably high, when Mr. Godkin brought the train
to a halt, intending to resume the journey toward the middle of the afternoon. The
stop was near a stream of water, broader than that from which they had drawn
their supply the preceding night. It. was believed to be a tributary of the Zam-
besi, whose delta is on the shore of the Mozambique Channel, in latitude 18
degrees south.
The stream was fully an eighth of a mile wide, winding and sluggish, with a
growth of tall, rank weeds on both sides and with the shores so level that little fear
was felt of the stealthy approach of wild men, despite the shelter afforded by the
growth alongshore.
The parties who set out to hunt giraffes were the two youths, Jack Harvey,
93
gs IN THE TREE TOP.
Cad Godkin and Pongo. Diedrick staid behind to look after the camp, agreeing
that, if anything should rise to demand their presence, he would signal them by
firing both barrels of one of the shot-guns. It was not believed, however, that any
such emergency was likely to occur, since no Bushmen or wild men had been seen
since the previous night.
The hunters were mounted on their own animals, Pongo carrying his three
boomerangs, while the Texan, as a matter of course, took his lasso, which had done
such good service more than once before.
Mr. Godkin consented, after they had ridden some distance across the level
plain, that they should separate and enter the extensive jungle in front at different
points, insisting, however, that they should not allow their interest in the chase to
lead any one beyond reach of the support of his friends, whose help was likely to
be needed in securing some of the specimens for which they were searching.
The jungle was found to be so open that their horses made their way through it
without difficulty, and the plainly marked spoor of the giraffes was seen so often
that each member of the party was confident it would be his good fortune to dis-
cover one or more of the coveted animals before the rest came up with them.
It was Bob Marshall's luck to secure the first meeting with several of the most
extraordinary members of the animal kingdom.
He had picked his way but a short distance among the tall, column-like trees,
when he observed that the ground was slightly rising and the trunks were becoming
more scattered. If this continued, he must soon enter an opening, or natural
clearing.
Sure enough, that was what followed. Within fifteen minutes after parting with
his comrades, he found himself on the edge of a comparatively open space, several
acres long, and about half as wide. The surface was covered with a stunted, yellow
grass, that seemed to have been withered by the flaming African sun. Near the
middle stood a tall cameeldorn tree, the species being abundant in the wood
through which the youth had reached the spot.
Beyond this tree were others of smaller growth. Dismounting, Bob examined
the ground with the closeness of an Indian scout, and became convinced that the
impressions which he saw had been made by the feet of giraffes. He was filled with a
strong hope by the fact that some of the tracks were quite small, suggesting that
young ones were among the old.
If this should prove the case, it was encouraging, for it promised a chance of
obtaining some of them to add to the menagerie they were gathering in the Dark
Continent, to be sent to the other side of the world.
But it was annoying, after such a long ride and search, and after reaching this
clearing, where the animals had passed so recently, that he was unable to catch
sight of a single one.
"They can't be far off," was the conclusion of the lad, who, leaving his pony on
the edge of the jungle, walked to the green cameeldorn tree, with the intention of
making use of it to help him extend his survey over the surrounding vicinity.
IN THE TREE TOP. 95
Instead of carrying his rifle at the side of the saddle, as is sometimes done by
hunters, Bob followed the custom of his friends, who slung their weapons over
their backs, by means of a strap, whence it could be quickly brought to the front in
case of need. Thus he would have the full use of both arms when he wished it,
and, in climbing a tree, could carry his chief weapon with him.
That was what Bob did. It took but a few minutes to ensconce himself among
the branches of the cameeldorn, whose leaves were as green and cool-looking as
though the roots were perennially supplied with moisture.
The youth ascended until the strength of the limb on which he rested permitted
him to go no farther, when he paused, to take a survey of the neighborhood.
The result, at first, was disappointing. His vision extended less than he ex-
pected, though it swept over considerable space; but it showed nothing of what he
hoped to see.
"It must be," he thought, "that the giraffe holds its head so high and has such
sharp eyes, like the ostrich, that it discovers the hunter long before he can detect
the animal. There may be a herd of them that have observed us long ago, and are
keeping out of our way. Helloa ! somebody is luckier than I."
This exclamation was caused by the sound of a gun, a short distance to the left.
He suspected the weapon was Dick's, though, of necessity, it was guesswork on
Bob's part.
Suddenly, the latter's heart gave a throb. Two hundred yards off, in a direction
opposite to that where he had left his horse, he saw something moving. It was at
the farther end of the clearing, where all became jungle again, and the objects were
so hidden by the vegetation that, for some minutes, it was impossible to identify them.
By and by, however, a male giraffe, fully eighteen feet high, and two females,
three or four feet less in stature, moved into plainer sight and began cropping some
of the acacias that were plentiful in that section.
The youth debated with himself what he should do. The animals were too far
off to risk a shot from his perch, and he hesitated to shoot them down in mere sport,
when there were no young in their company. The spoor convinced him that some
infant camelopards were not far off, and it was important that the older ones should
not be scared into fleeing with them.
Bob was indeed in a quandry, and he ardently wished that his friends were
within call, so that some plan for making the important capture could be agreed
upon. But he was afraid to signal them, lest he should frighten off the animals.
He therefore waited and cogitated over the matter, hoping all the time that the
giraffes would come closer.
While still attentively watching them, he made the discovery that fully half a
dozen others were near. He could catch glimpses of their long, awkward necks
now and then, as they thrust their heads hither and thither among the acacias,
while cropping the succulent leaves; but they persisted in keeping so obscured that
he could not learn whether or not they were accompanied by any young, the proba-
bilities, however, being that more than one baby giraffe was in their company.
06 IN THE TREE TOP.
" I can't see why Dick and the rest don't work their way over nere," thought he,
*' for most of the animals must be near me, though I know they sometimes travel
in herds of thirty or forty. We could surround the whole lot, and Jack, with his
lasso, would be able to gather in one or two of the young "
At that moment he heard a slight rustling, and turning his head, was so startled
by what he observed, that he came within a hair of losing his balance and falling to
the ground.
The most extraordinary object he had ever beheld was moving among the
leaves. It showed no legs or arms, but from the front was thrust a tongue, fully a
foot long, that, wrapping about the green leaves, tore them off in handfuls and
shoved them into its capacious mouth. The oblique and narrow nostrils were pro-
tected by strong hairs, and surrounded by muscular fibers that could close the
organs of smell against the entrance of the sand dust which sometimes sweeps,
with fatal effect, over portions of the Dark Continent. A pair of beautiful eyes were
so placed that the owner could gaze in any direction without moving his head.
This remarkable object was gliding here and there among the leaves of the
cameeldorn tree, with a certain smooth grace that proved it was controlled by
some power beneath. Those lustrous eyes could not fail to see the lad, crouching
on the other side of the trunk, and peering around, as though in doubt whether he
ought to appeal to his weapons or drop from his perch and run for life. But no
notice was taken of him. The object, whatever its nature, glided hither and thither,
sometimes approaching and sometimes receding from the boy, and acting all the
while as though it cared naught for him or anything else.
CHAPTER XVII.
A TIMELY ARRIVAL.
THE second glance of the affrighted Bob enabled
him to identify the strange sight : it was the head of
an immense giraffe, that was cropping the leaves of
the cameeldorn tree in which he had perched.
Since this animal is one of the most timid that
is hunted, it was singular that he did not instantly
flee on catching sight of the young hunter. It must
have been, as Bob suspected, that he had never looked
upon a human being before, and, therefore, did not
understand that he was ten-fold more dangerous than
the cheetah or lion.
Wondering at his temerity, Bob ven-
tured to move a few inches toward him.
Instantly the head became stationary, and
the long tongue motionless, while the fine
eyes contemplated the stranger with an
inquiring stare, not unmixed with fear.
Evidently the creature was on the point of
fleeing, though the lusciousness of
the leaves tempted him to remain.
Bob kept still, and the giraffe re-
sumed feeding, though, for a few
minutes, he did not approach any
nearer the lad. The latter, watch-
ing him closely, was able now and
then, when the head parted the
branches, to follow the long neck, as
it sloped downward to the ground
where the body was standing. Bob was sure, too, that others of the kind were
there, though the thick growth of leaves prevented him seeing plainly, and he was
afraid that if he shifted his position, he would drive off the male which showed
such confidence in him.
By and by the latter edged over to where the astonished youth was holding to
the limb. Bob felt just enough misgiving of the extraordinary head to wish to
avoid too close company with it. Of course, he could have shot the beast, but,
before doing that, he wished to satisfy himself that such an act would not shut out
all chance of capturing some of the young.
AN AFRICAN TOBOGGAN SLIDE.
gS A TIMELY ARRIVAL.
Still closer came the head until it was so nigh that Bob shoved himself further
out on the limb, intending to swing his arm and frighten the animal into preserving
a respectful distance ; but the youth forgot that the branch on which he was rest-
ing was already taxed to its utmost.
The consequence was, that it snapped off like a pipe-stem, close to the trunk,
and, in an instant he began his descent through the limbs, to the ground.
The flurry startled the giraffe into an awkward leap, directly under the descend-
ing lad, who struck the giraffe's neck just back of his head, and shot down the whole
length of the animal, from head to tail, with the velocity of a sled going down a
toboggan slide.
Bob realized instantly what was coming, and, dropping his gun, instinctively
threw out his arms to grasp the neck and stop his accelerating descent. Had it
been any other animal, he must have succeeded, but the inclination of the giraffe's
body, from his head to his switch of a tail, approached too nearly the perpendicular
to permit.
Faster and faster went the youth, despite his efforts of resistance, until he shot
off the spine of the startled animal with such momentum as to strike the ground a
dozen feet distant, where he made a backward somersault, just in time to escape
the vicious kick of the giraffe's hind foot, which, had it landed, would have done
serious damage.
Before Bob could clamber to his feet, the sharp crack of a Winchester sounded
on the air, and the huge giraffe made a frantic lunge forward, falling dead on his
face, his brain pierced by a shot from the rifle of Jack Harvey, who dashed forward
the next moment on his mustang, and with his lasso whizzing about his head.
For Bob was not mistaken in believing there were others of the same kind be-
neath the tree which he had climbed. There were a female and two young, the
mother grazing from the branches so much lower down that the youth had not seen
her head. The young were feeding still lower, that is, they were imbibing their
mother's milk, while she was helping herself to the vegetation.
Even in that exciting moment, the hunters were touched by the sight. The mother
stared around in a bewildered way, and then, with a vague consciousness of her
danger, started off, with her offspring trotting at her side.
But she went only a few paces, when the merciless coil settled round her neck,
and she was jerked backward with such force that she fell on her side, where she
kicked and struggled violently for several minutes.
" Don't kill her ! " called Bob, his heart full of pity for the young ones, too much
Stupefied by the calamity to flee.
" I don't want to," replied Jack, leaping to the ground, " but we've got our hands
full. Where the deuce is Pongo ? "
The Bushman at that moment bounded from among the trees on foot. He ran
forward to the struggling giraffe, and, halting by its head, jumped up and down,
swung his arms, and emitted a series of the most hideous sounds that can be im-
agined.
A TIMELY ARRIVAL.
99
These were intended to frighten the captive, and accomplished that purpose.
Either from exhaustion or fright, she became still. The pleading expression in her
large soft eyes, as she looked up at her captors, would have touched a savage.
" I'll be hanged if I can kill her, though I expected to do it," said Jack Harvey;
" them eyes are too human. If she'll behave herself, and let us lead her back ta
camp, I'll spare her." ;
The flurry caused by this incident started the other giraffes in the vicinity, and
they went skurrying away at their highest bent. No attention was paid to them, for
our friends had all they could attend to in looking after their captives.
GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS.
It seemed a pity that the male had been killed, but it was impossible to capture
him. He was so large and strong that he would have continued fighting for free-
dom, while there was promise that the mother could be managed through her affec-
tion for her young.
While she lay on the ground, the two babies stood quietly by her side, looking
down in such a wondering way that it was plain they were grieved and unable to
understand the meaning of the sad sight.
Finally, at the suggestion of Pongo, the mother was allowed to rise. She came
to her feet in a hurry, and immediately started off again, but was checked without
any help from the mustang, to whose saddle the end of the lasso was still secured.
" Do you think you can lead her?" asked Jack, of the Bushman.
" Me can," he replied, with a nod of his head.
100
A TIMELY ARRIVAL.
" I guess I'd better keep her tied to the saddle for a
time; I don't think she can run away with me and
Apache. Bob, warn't you trying to slide down the
back of the male when I came in sight ? "
" No ; I was trying to keep from sliding down it,
but I couldn't help myself, because the roof was
too steep."
" He is got up in curious style," remarked
the Texan, surveying the inanimate figure on
the ground. " I saw one of the critters in
Barnum's show, when it was in Texas, and
tried to study out what sort of joke na-
ture was trying to get off when she shaped
him up in that fashion,
but I couldn't make
it out.
SKELETON OF THE GIRAFFE.
Pongo, you and Bob
will mount again, and
we'll start for camp,
without waiting for God-
kin and Dick, who are
having some fun of their
own."
The native's horse was
a short distance off, and he
vaulted upon him in a twink-
ling, Bob doing the same with
his own animal, while Jack be-
gan the delicate task of leading
his captive away from her former
companions and the body of her
late consort.
This would have been quite easy
on the open plain, for the captive was
so subdued that, after a few minutes,
she offered no resistance at all. She
walked obediently after her master, her
young keeping near her, but, despite
the care of the horseman, the trees in-
terfered in an annoying way, the lasso
frequently catching against the trunks
and limbs. The difficulty was almost
overcome by shortening the halter so
as to bring the beast near the haunch
of the mustang, who showed nearly as
great dislike to such close acquaint-
anceship as did the prisoner.
Everything, however, went along
swimmingly on the arrival of the
party in the open plain. Jack
allowed the prisoner all the
rope she wanted, and no one
would have judged, from her
A TIMELY ARRIVAL. IOJ.
demeanor as she followed her captors, that she was an unwilling member of the
company.
Bob and Pongo rode at the rear of the strange procession, studying the animals,
which, you will admit, are among the most interesting of those found in the Dark
Continent.
I am quite sure you have formed the opinion that the fore legs of the giraffe are
much longer than the hind ones, when, in truth, they are about the same in length,
as you can see from the representation of a skeleton of one of them. In walking,
the neck is stretched in a line with the back, and the animal looks very awkward,
but this disappears when it runs. It lifts its hind legs alternately with the fore,
and they are carried outside and far beyond them. Under a full gallop, the fore
legs are stiff in rising and falling. It prefers the open country, and loves to wander
in large herds over the plains of Nubia, Abyssinia and South Africa.
When he wishes to eat something on the ground, his posture is the most awkward
imaginable. He spreads his fore legs far apart, his hind ones retaining their usual
position, and thus manages to grasp the twig, or grass, in front of him.
The giraffe is the sole living representative of the Camelopardalida family, and,
unlike the deer, has no supplementary hoofs on its feet, nor has it any canine teeth.
The male and female have each two short frontal horns, covered with hairy skin,
ending in a tuft of hairs. Their color is a light yellow, with large brown spots.
The tallest specimen I ever saw was about eighteen feet, which is a third higher
than the late lamented Jumbo, the largest animal ever known.
CHAPTER XVIII.
A STRANGE SCENE.
LTHOUGH it fell to the lot of Bob Marshall to have the most resultant
meeting, as it may be called, with the giraffes, yet, Dick Brownell was really
the first member of the party to catch sight of the interesting animals.
I have told you that the camelopard is fonder of the open plain than the wooded
sections, but they frequently enter the groves, in quest of the succulent leaves, of
which they are fond. It so happened that fully a score were engaged in feeding
in the jungle into which the five men rode at different points.
Dick was advancing slowly, his senses on the alert, and in the momentary
expectancy of catching sight of one of the creatures, when his horse suddenly
pricked his ears and stopped short.
The young rider instantly saw the cause of his alarm. A huge male giraffe was
standing a short distance off, with his head thrust among the lofty branches, and
gathering in the leaves, just as was the male which so startled Bob Marshall a few
minutes later. Had not the animal been so much engaged, with the leaves rustling
about his ears, he would have discovered the approach of the hunter before the lat-
ter could have seen him.
Dick was so flustered by the sight, that he hurriedly brought his rifle to his
shoulder and fired. Inasmuch as he could not see the head, hidden among the
vegetation, he aimed at the point where he supposed it to be, but where it was not.
The report roused the animal, which withdrew his head like a flash, and, observ-
ing the horseman, turned in the other direction and made off at a speed that was
astonishing.
Dick galloped after him, and once more raised his gun, but lowered it without
pulling trigger. He was confident of his ability to bring the tall creature to the
ground, but, knowing its gentle disposition, he felt little desire to do so. He con-
tinued his pursuit a short distance, when the fugitive disappeared, being able to
make better time through the jungle than could his fleeter-footed pursuer.
Dick felt little regret over its escape, and, checking his pony, he turned the
other way, with the intention of rejoining his companions, when he was mystified
by a series of sounds which he could not understand.
They seemed to consist of a number of short, thunderous bellows, mingling with
the brief roars evidently uttered by another kind of animal, and were so near that
he looked in the direction, knowing he would catch sight of the beasts, whatever
they might be.
An immense buffalo bull was standing at bay, with his back toward a large rock,
and facing a couple of male lions, that were evidently resolved to make a meal of
A STRANGE SCENE.
103
him, but, at the same time, were well aware that it could be done only by a des-
perate fight with the magnificent fellow that defied them.
The African buffalo is one of the most dreaded animals that roam the plains
and jungles of the Dark Continent. He is the true buffalo, the name being a mis-
nomer as applied to the species, now nearly extinct, on our Western prairies, and
AFRICAN BUFFALO.
which are properly called bisons. He is of great size, very powerful and active,
courageous, swift of foot, with an enormous spread of horns, that curve outward and
upward to sharp points, which, backed by the prodigious strength of the animal,
become the most formidable of weapons.
It has been said by more than one native of South Africa that one should rather
104
A STRANGE SCENE.
stand fifty yards in front of a rifle, aimed and fired at his breast, than to hold the
same position, unarmed, in front of a buffalo; for, in the former instance, the weapon
might miss, but, in the latter, death is inevitable.
From this statement you can form an idea of the beast, which, finding itseli as-
sailed by a couple of lions, coolly backed against a rock and faced them.
Now and then the bull flirted his head in a savage way, with a short, muttering
bellow, to which the lions answered with a somewhat similar cry. Then the assail-
ants began creeping stealthily forward, their bodies close to the ground, and the
ends of their lashing tails thumping angrily against their ribs.
Either could have made a leap that would have landed him on the shoulders of
the bull, but, though they seemed to meditate an assault of the kind they hesitated
to attempt it.
The bull, as is a favorite custom with his kind, had been wallowing in the mud
until his entire body was coated. This coating had been baked by the sun, and,
since his violent movements had dislocated many of the flakes, his appearance
could not have been more unsightly. But he was " game " all the way through.
The first glance that Dick Brownell obtained of the stirring sight showed that
the bull was attended by a small bird, which, unmindful of the peril of his huge
friend, kept industriously garnering the insects that swarmed along his spine.
When the latter charged, the bird rode with him, more interested in obtaining his
own meal than in the strange combat going on.
It is claimed by some that the textor erythrorhynchus, as scientists have named
this bird, warns the bull of the approach of danger, but I believe the weight of
authority is against the assertion.
The strange contest (if at this stage it could be called a contest) had probably
continued some time when Dick Brownell arrived on the scene, though he saw no
proof of any wounds having been given or received by any of the combatants, not
one of which paid the least heed to him.
The larger of the assailants appeared to be growing impatient. While his com-
panion was darting forward, and then quickly retreating a few paces, he stood erect,
as if debating whether the best thing was not io him to dash in, and, with a short
struggle, end the business.
His decision seemed to be hastened by the retreat of his comrade, for, with an-
other threatening growl, he trotted straight toward the bull. The latter, instead of
awaiting his assault, advanced to meet him.
This, evidently, was more than the lion had counted on, for, standing his ground
but a moment, he dropped his tail, and ran back, afraid of the frightful horns that
were coming toward him with the momentum of a battering-ram.
The bull was too wise to be drawn far from the rock and placed at a fatal dis-
advantage. Having followed the lion, therefore, a short distance, he trotted swiftly
back to his first position, holding his head high, so as to be prepared for any dem-
onstration of his foes. Then he instantly wheeled and faced them, defiant as ever.
The smaller of the lions was more cunning than the other. Leaving the latter
A STRANGE SCENE.
105
to confront the bull, he began sneaking around to one side of the rock, with the
manifest intention of assailing the brave fellow from the rear. This could be easily
done, for the rock was not high, and, while the bull was engaged in fighting his more
chivalrous foe, the other could pounce down on his shoulder, and, clinging fast, keep
free of his dreaded horns and kill him.
THE BISON.
In making this flank movement, the beast approached the side of the rock near*
est Dick Brownell, whose sympathies, naturally, were with the bull. The lion did
not notice him, the chief cause lor the oversight being his interest in the singular
struggle for a dinner.
"That ain't fair ! " muttered the youth, reading the meaning of the course of the
king of beasts : " I won't allow anything of the kind."
io6
A STRANGE SCENE.
And, without hesitation, he deliberately raised his Winchester, and drove a
bullet back of the fore leg of the beast, who was killed instantly, so that he had
barely time to make a single leap.
Dick expected the report of the gun to draw the attention of the other lion to
him and his horse, and he held himself ready to meet him with the remaining cart-
ridges in his rifle ; but, to his surprise, both the lion and bull acted as though they
had not heard the sound, nor witnessed the downfall of one of the assailants.
In fact, the larger lion and bull had feinted and faced each other so long that
they were rapidly becoming infuriated. They cared nothing for what was going on
around them : they
had only eyes for
each other.
" Now matters are
on a fair basis,"
BUFFALO AND LION.
thought Dick, observ-
ing that he was re-
ceiving no attention
from either of the
combatants, " and may the best fellow win." The
savage brutes did not delay in getting down to
business.
Once more the lion trotted toward the bull, who, as before, eagerly advanced to
meet him. As he did so, he again lowered his head, turning it sideways, so as to
present one of the magnificent horns to his assailant.
The latter halted suddenly, when a few paces distant, and, dropping part way to
the ground, made a quick jump, meant to carry him over the lowered head and
upon the body of the buffalo. Had he done so, and the plan was feasible, nothing
could have saved the brave old fellow ; for, unable to use his horns upon his
clinging enemy, he would have been at his mercy.
A STRANGE SCENE. IO7
But the bull read aright the purpose of his foe, and met it in a singular way.
Instead of throwing up his head, as Dick expected him to do, he leaped lightly to
one side, and, the instant the lion landed, went at him like a demon.
The brute had no time to gather himself for effectual resistance. While striving
to do so, he was shoved on his side and knocked over again, still snarling and striv-
ing desperately to regain his feet.
Seeing the lion was helpless, the bull jammed his side a third time with such
fury that one of the long horns was driven almost through the body.
It was a fatal wound, but the king of beasts in his dying struggles inflicted more
than one serious hurt on his conqueror, who, drawing back his massive head,
rammed him again, even after all semblance of life had departed, until, with a fierce
snort, he flung the senseless body a dozen feet away, as though it were a bundle of
rags.
"Hurrah !" shouted the excited Dick, swinging his hat; "you made a gallant
fight, and I feel as though I would like to shake hands with you "
The youth's congratulations were cut short, for, at that moment, he became
aware that the buffalo appeared to have made up his mind to " shake hands " with
a vengeance.
CHAPTER XIX.
IN THE NICK OF TIME.
tHE bull, having vanquished his foe, seemed fired with the resolve to reconstruct
the neighborhood.
Dick Brownell was swinging his hat, and giving utterance to his con-
gratulating shouts, when the snorting animal lowered his head, and came for him
and his steed like a cyclone.
"Confound you !" muttered the youth; "if that's the way you treat a friend,
I'll turn enemy."
And drawing up his rifle, he pulled the trigger. The aim was perfect, the ball
entering the lower part of the skull, and tearing its way along the spine.
The bull took a single bound forward, staggered like a drunken person, went
down on his knees, and then over on his side, where, with a single bellow, he died.
" I would have been glad to spare you," said Dick, " but I couldn't see my way
clear to do it."
The youth observed Mr. Godkin approaching among the trees. The reports of
the gun had brought him to the vicinity, and he arrived in sight at the moment the
bull was shot.
"You ought not to have killed him," said he, jocosely, "for he would have been
a valuable curiosity for Mr. Barnum."
"Yes; I should like to see the man, or party of men, who could make him
prisoner ; it would be like trying to chain a blizzard."
"Jack Harvey is an expert in the use of the lasso."
" He does seem to have an itching to try it on every wild animal he sees. It
would be just like him to drop the coil over a buffalo's horns, but I don't think he
would do it a second time."
" No ; the African buffalo is among the most dangerous game in the country.
To me he always seemed as bad as the Asiatic tiger."
At Mr. Godkin's invitation, Dick seated himself on a fallen tree beside his
friend, who, it was evident, had something to say to him. Dick was always glad
o/ the chance to talk with the gentleman.
"I haven't had a shot," Mr. Godkin remarked, "since we parted company,
though I got near enough to three giraffes to bring one or two down. But there is
something so innocent and helpless about the animals that I dislike to kill them."
" I feei the same ; I fired in such a hurry that I missed, but I didn't try a second
shot. But," added Dick, " you would have been interested had you seen the buffalo
gore that big lion to death."
"I've seen it done/' quietly replied Mr. Godkin; "a lion is a fool that, single-
handed, attempts to bring down a t>ull buffalo."
1 08
INGRATITUDE. Page 108.
109
no
IN THE NICK OF TIME.
"But there were two of them."
"At first j but, if I'm right, you shot one."
"Yes ; I wanted to make the fight more even."
"A cow buffalo, defending her young, is fiercer, if anything, than a bull," re-
marked Mr. Godkin.
AN UNEXPECTED ATTACK.
" I don't see how that can be," said Dick, with a look at the prostrate foe that
had assailed him so savagely.
" I hope you will never have the chance of seeing it. I have known a cow to
fight two lions, save her young, and finally drive off both her assailants. The bulls,
IN THE NICK OF TIME. IH
as they grow older, are inclined to wander off by themselves into the swamps and
jungles, and the hunter who meets them must be on his guard. Do you note that
bird ? "
The little feathered friend of the buffalo was industriously hopping about the
inanimate form, in its never ending hunt for food. During the charge upon Dick it
had kept its place on his back.
" I noticed it on my fkst glance at the bull."
" They seem always to be in attendance on their fierce majesties, but are not
like the birds that warn the rhinoceros and hippopotamus of the approach of
danger. Do you know," continued the director, rousing to animation, "that I have
seen a buffalo whip an elephant ? "
"It seems incredible."
" It's a fact, nevertheless. I was once riding a medium-sized elephant, with
Pongo, when we routed a bull from a thick clump of bushes, where he seemed to be
fighting off the insects, rather than seeking food. He came at our steed with a
rush, and, striking his shoulder, knocked him to his knees."
" Didn't he gore him ? "
" That was the strange part of it. You know the horns spread so far apart
that there is a good deal of space between. It must have been that the ends of the
horns thus missed wounding the elephant, while the impact of their bony base was
enough to capsize him."
" What were you doing all this time ? "
" I had my rifle, of course, but I told Pongo that if the elephant couldn't save
himself from an animal so much less in size, I didn't feel like helping him. The big
creature trumpeted with terror, and, getting to his feet, wheeled about and lumbered
off like a whipped dog."
" He must have run fast to get away from the bull."
" He made good time, for an elephant can travel rapidly, but he wouldn't have
done so well but for the help of the buffalo. He delivered his second charge
against the hindquarters of the bulky fellow, who was pushed forward so violently
that he came near being thrown to his knees again, with us flying over his head.
By this time the elephant was in a panic. He trumpeted so pitifully that I knew
the horns had inflicted a hurt the second time ; so, to save our steed and ourselves*
I sent a couple of bullets from my unsteady perch, which ended the matter."
" You make me quite proud of my achievement in bringing down such a dreadful
fellow," said Dick, with a smile and another glance at the lifeless form.
" You may well boast of it ; had you missed killing him the second time, there
is a certain young gentleman in South Africa, of whom Mr. Barnum thinks a great
deal, that would never shake his hand again. But," added Mr. Godkin, coming to
the matter of which he intended to speak in the first place, " I have done more
thinking than hunting during the last hour or two, and have come to the conclusion
to make a permanent camp where we have now halted."
The youth looked at his friend, as if uncertain of his full meaning.
112
IN THE NICK OF TIME.
"We are in the heart of the best hunting region of South Africa," he explained,
"and we cannot improve our situation by penetrating farther, while to do so makes
the return the more laborious, and dangerous for the young that we hope to take
EARNEST CONFERENCE.
back to the coast. By making our camp permanent, that
is, during our hunt for curiosities, we can be secure against
the attack of wild men and beasts, can give our oxen and
horses abundant rest, and, when we have gathered all that we can well take care
of, we shall be in good form for the long journey to the sea coast. That, after
IN THE NICK OF TIME. 1 13
all, is the most trying ordeal before us. If we can reach port with our prizes I
snai 1 feel that nine-tenths of the real work is successfully finished."
4 Then, from the camp, we will make excursions through the surrounding coul
try, in search of what we want ? "
"That is my plan; what do you think of it?"
"It strikes me 3s good, since, as I understand it, we cannot hope to find any
more desirable prizes farther north, nor, indeed, in any direction, without traveling
much farther than you ever intended to go."
" You are right. Then, too, we can give the young better care in camp than
while dragging them across the country."
" There is enough in South Africa to keep us busy."
" I rather suspect so. The list is a long one, embracing, as I am sure you know,
hyenas, rhinoceroses, monkeys, zebras, porcupines, wild boars, koodoos, the secre-
tary birds, hornbills, ichneumons, elands, hippopotami, not to mention the leopards,
lions, antelopes, and giraffes, and other animals with which we have already come
in collision."
" You have omitted one," said Dick, significantly.
" If my list were twice as long, it would omit scores."
" But I conceive this to be the most important of all."
" What is that ? "
" The gorilla."
Mr. Godkin smiled in return, and said:
" We shall see."
CHAPTER XX.
A DISCOVERY.
was not wise to press the matter too far, much as Dick Brownell and Bob
Marshall desired to enter the gorilla country; but Mr. Godkin had given them
reason to hope, and, when Dick told his cousin what the director had said, the
enthusiastic youth declared that, barring accidents, the question was already settled
in their favor.
Mr. Godkin was delighted, on reaching camp, to learn of the important captures
that had been made, thanks to Jack Harvey's skill in handling the lasso. If the
female giraffe and her young could be transported safely to the coast, they would
form valuable prizes for the Greatest Show on Earth.
But a good deal remained to be done, and all saw the wisdom of the director's
decision. They might hunt a good while without finding so favorable a spot for a
long halt. Grass was abundant for the animals, while the stream, flowing near, pro-
vided water for all. Besides, the country was so open on every side, that if only
ordinary vigilance was used, it would be almost impossible for any of the wild men
to steal upon them, either by day or night.
The decision having been made, no time was lost in the preparations. The
three wagons were placed so as to form part of a large circle, the property carefully
stowed away under the strong canvas covers, and everything made as secure as
possible against those tremendous storms which sometimes devastate the African
plains.
One of the most important steps was the preparation of new quarters for the
young animals they had captured, as well as for those that they expected to secure.
The cages, with which our friends were well provided, being intended for use in
transportation, were necessarily small, and the active young were sure to suffer
from their cramped quarters. Strong stakes were therefore driven into the ground,
so as to inclose a fourth of an acre, and this was subdivided into what might be
called apartments, each embracing a square rod, more or less. These stakes were
so tall, and pointed at the top, that a lion could not have leaped within the inclosure.
They were therefore, sure to keep the captives safe inside, while affording room
for exercise.
The section devoted to the giraffe and her young needed to be lofty to hold her
secure. As it was, her small head, with its odd horn and bristling hairs, was often
seen roaming along the upper end of the stakes, like some creature creeping un-
steadily over an uncertain pathway.
Had you been a member of this expedition, you would have appreciated the
services of the natives at this time. The stockades for the captives were mostly
114
A DISCOVERY. 1 1 5
made by them, and it now became their duty to look after the wants of the wild as
well as the domestic animals. It was their province, as they understood it, to keep
watch of the grazing oxen, and prevent them wandering too far from camp ; to look
out for wild beasts and men ; to provide grass and leaves for the giraffe, flesh for
the young lions and leopards ; to take care of the goats, and furnish their milk for
the table, and such of the captives as might need it ; to provide fuel, attend to the
cooking, and, in short, to do everything except hunt.
SPRING-BOK.
In other words, since the four white men meant to devote their energies to that
business, they arranged that all other work, in and about camp, should be done
by the natives, who had been brought along for that purpose.
Two exceptions should be named, in the persons of Pongo, the Bushman, and
Diedrick, the Hottentot. They were more intelligent than the others and their
previous experience in these wilds rendered them valuable assistants. The extra
ponies were intended mainly for their use, though the prize Pongo had secured in
that line left another spare horse for future contingencies.
H6 A DISCOVERY.
It was a cause of thankfulness on the part of all that the wounded Orak mended
so rapidly. Even Mr. Godkin, with his slight knowledge of medicine, would not
have dared to prophesy such speedy recovery as the African showed. Orak offered
to give help in building the stockade, but that could not be permitted.
Respecting Pongo and Diedrick, the arrangement was that one of them should be
in camp during the absence of the hunters. The servants needed some one to
direct them; and especially if any unexpected danger should threaten, either the
Bushman or Hottentot was competent to assume charge of matters until the return
of one or all of the white men.
The only weak point about the encampment lay in the tall grass which I have
told you skirted both banks of the stream running near. These offered the best of
concealment for wild beasts or men that might try to steal within striking distance
of the party at night.
Mr. Godkin's uneasiness was such that most of the second day was spent in
cutting off the grass nearest the camp, and between it and the river. It was a
relief when so much had been removed that they felt tolerably secure against the
descent of any poisoned missiles in the night time.
During the afternoon following the capture of the giraffes, and the next day,
none of our friends engaged in hunting, but they gave their help to the erection of the
stockade, and to putting everything in good form against the descent of the storm
that was liable to come up at any time.
The feeling of security which diffused itself in camp was somewhat shaken at
the close of the second day, by a discovery of Abdallah, the native from Senaar.
He was wandering along the bank of the stream, where he was quite sure several
hippopotami had been but a short time before, when he stumbled over a raft,
drawn against the bank at a point precisely opposite the camp.
This structure consisted of a dozen or more large logs, from which the branche
had been partly cut, bound together by ropes of twisted grass, which covered tht
top like the thatched roof of some humble dwelling. Its buoyancy was sufficient
to float several men.
The party would have been glad to believe the raft had lain where it was found
since some date previous to the arrival of themselves, but that was impossible. Mr.
Godkin, as well as Jack Harvey, had made careful examination of the shore im-
mediately after the halt, so careful, indeed, that they could not have overlooked
such a large object. Failure to discover it was proof that it had not been there.
Pongo explained that the Bushmen, Bechuanas, and other native tribes, some-
times used such craft in descending rivers, even for short distances. They rarely
constructed them for the single purpose of crossing, and never attempted to employ
them against a strong current, since they were too unwieldly for that purpose.
They were handled as we handle similar structures that is, by means of long
poles, pressed against the bottom of the stream on which they were floating.
It was noticeable that there were no poles on or about the raft, the meaning
of which no one for a time guessed.
A DISCOVERY.
117
"It must be," said Mr. Godkin, "that, in spite of our watchfulness, a party of
natives have come down the river and landed here."
"And, inasmuch as the raft is on this side," added Bob Marshall, "they must
also be here."
BLACK AND WHITE ANTELOPES.
"Undoubtedly."
" And where are they now ? "
" That is what I should very much like to know ; but it was easy for them to
steal up or down stream, through the tall grass, without any of us detecting them."
Pongo and Diedrick had hastily examined the surroundings, but were unable to
identify anything that looked like the footprints of natives. They attributed theil
A DISCOVERY.
failure to do so to the tracks made by themselves in tramping back and forth, while
the wet ground, for some feet from the shore, so quickly filled all indentations that
it was impossible to tell whether they were caused by the feet of men or animals.
" Nothing is to be feared from an open attack," remarked Mr. Godkin, after con-
siderable discussion, "but it is these sneaking scamps that will crawl just nigh
enough to launch one of those pestilent arrows, and then scoot off before the shaft
comes down on your head."
"We have been exposed to that risk before entering Bechuana Land, and even
while we were in the Transvaal," said Dick Brownell.
"That may be," replied his cousin, "but I suppose Mr. Godkin means to say
that the danger he speaks of is one of those we can never become used to what's
the matter with Jack ? "
The Texan had walked apart from his friends, and was prosecuting an investi-
gation independent of them.
The fact was, the cowboy was utilizing his experience on the plains of the South-
west when campaigning against Geronimo and his miscreants. The occasion was
one which called for that sort of knowledge, and the sagacious Texan was turning
it to good account.
First, he went some distance up stream; then, turning to one side, so as to pass
clear of the party near the water, he returned to the bank at a point below. Thus,
it will be seen, he followed a line which, at some point, must have been crossed by
the wild men, after disembarking from the raft.
While thus engaged, he scrutinized the damp ground with the penetrating eye
of a Kit Carson. He detected no trail beside that of his friends, whose footprints
he was able to identify, because of the peculiar footgear they wore.
Returning to Mr. Godkin and the others, he observed the absence of poles from
the raft, besides which, it lay so lightly against the bank that a slight push would
have set it free.
It was enough : Jack Harvey had formed his conclusion.
" That raft has drifted down stream ; there wasn't a rascal on it ; the current
carried it against the bank, where it caught fast."
THE GNU.
CHAPTER XXI.
ON THE CREST OF THE HILL.
WHEN Jack Harvey explained the
reason for his conclusion, his friends
were satisfied, only wondering that they
had failed to note the signs that guided
him so well.
It followed, therefore, that while no
immediate danger from the source threat-
ened, there were wild men not far off,
and no precaution against a visit from
them was to be neglected.
The following morning, the four
white persons, accompanied by Pongo,
the Bushman, rode to the top of an ele-
vation, about a half mile from camp, to
gain a survey of the surrounding country,
and to settle upon their plan of campaign, as it may be termed. Reaching the
crest of the circular hill, covered only with grass, the view was most extended
and interesting.
They found themselves in the center of a genuine South African landscape.
Far to the northward rose a ridge of mountains, whose crests almost pierced the
snow line, while the scores of square miles in other directions were broken by
winding streams, jungles, broad sweeping plains, swamps, and groves that gave a
variety to the scene that would have delighted the heart of a painter.
While the rest employed their eyes in the pleasing task of surveying this de-
lightful picture, Mr. Godkin made good use of his glasses, which had served him on
former occasions. He possessed more experience than any of his companions in
hunting wild animals, and few points escaped him. It may be said that his view
was a business one, for, in spite of the sport and adventure that must of necessity
accompany their stay in the Dark Continent, the expedition had its definite purpose
in coming so far, and there was no time to be thrown away in diversions or side
issues.
The most interesting feature of the landscape was the animate portion which
gradually impressed itself upon the vision of the spectators.
It would be impossible to enumerate the different animals which, at various
times, were discerned from this elevation. From the accounts sent me by Dick
and Bob I name the following :
"9
I2O
ON THE CREST OF THE HILL.
The spvvng-bok; hartbeest; black and white antelopes; saber antelopes, whose
horns, indeed, resemble formidable weapons; the koodoo, with its long, spiral
horns ; the curiously marked animal called the harnessed antelope ; the eland, oi
which you have already learned something ; and the gnu.
To the north, in the direction of the high mountains, and near the edge of a
grove, standing close to the bank of the stream which passed by the camp, was a
THE SABER ANTELOPE.
herd of elephants, evidently feeding. Still farther off could be discerned a half
dozen small animals in the middle of a grassy plain, which the glass proved to be
elands, a graceful species of antelope, many of which had been previously met on the
way to this point.
Far beyond these, so far, indeed, that the glass failed to identify them of a
certainty, were several moving specks, which it was generally agreed were horse-
men, probably the party of Bushmen with whom our friends had had such a
ON THE CREST OF THE HILL.
121
stirring encounter a short time before. Inasmuch as they were receding, and must
soon pass out of the field of vision, no uneasiness was caused by sight of them.
To the east and west, at varying distances, were other antelopes, while, as Mr.
Godkin declared, the thick grass along the streams and the muddy waters was likely
to give shelter to hippopotami, rhinoceroses and crocodiles. It was not likely,
either, that much of a search was required to beat up lions, panthers, hyenas and
leopards from their hiding-places.
THE HARNESSED ANTELOPE.
That which specially interested the hunters, at the conclusion of the general
survey, was five animals, grazing less than a mile off, near the stream that wound
around the foot of the elevation. The spot was comparatively free from the tall
weeds so abundant in the vicinity of the camp, and evidently afforded excellent
pasturage.
"What the mischief do you call them ?" asked Jack Harvey, handing the glasses
to their owner.
" Oryxes ; if you propose to make a capture of any, you will find it no easy task.'*
"Why?"
122
ON THE CREST OF THE HILL.
"The oryx is the fleetest quadruped in South Africa," said Mr. Godkin. "With
the exception of Apache, my mustang," said the Texan.
"I am not so sure about that, when you are upon his back. But he is a beauti-
ful creature, and I wish we could secure one or two."
"He is the animal that is sometimes called the gemsbok ? " was the inquiring
remark of Bob Marshall.
THE ELAND.
"That is because of his resemblance to the chamois or gemse of Europe," re-
marked Dick Brownell.
The director nodded his head to signify that his young friend was right, and added.
" The oryx is found in the central and western parts of South Africa, being rare
even so far east as this. The male is not quite four feet high, and is of a pale buff
color. You can notice their peculiarities by aid of the glass."
ON THE CREST OF THE HILL.
123
Further inspection showed that the head of the animal was shaped like that of the
wild ass, while his mane and tail were those of the horse. Several black bands
about the head suggest that the oryx continually wears a stall-collar.
One of the most notable characteristics of the oryx is its horns, which are a yard
in length, ringed at the base, curving very slightly backward, and of a glossy black
color. These constitute the most effective of weapons, as our friends were destined
to learn sooner than they anticipated.
The female's appearance differs from that of the male only in height, which is a
few inches less, and in the horns, which are more dainty and tapering. These are
THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT.
so exactly similar that when the oryx is viewed from the side, it appears to have
but a single one.
"I am going for them," JacI; abruptly declared ; "they are so slight in size and
strength that the question of danger doesn't enter into the business."
" You will think different if you run against those horns, which are as bad as the
tusks of the wild boar."
" I don't see any need of running against them," quietly replied the Texan, "for
I judge the critters won't attack us."
"They are not apt to unless driven at bay."
Although the elevated situation of the party rendered them conspicuous, there
were no evidences that they had attracted the attention of any of the animals in
sight.
124
ON THE CREST OP THE HILL.
"You see that grove of timber, about a fourth of a mile to the north of where the
oryxes are feeding," said Jack; "well, I'm going to make a circuit, so as to enter
from the other side. As soon as I get beyond the wood, I want you, Bob and Dick,
to ride toward the critters from this side. They'll be likely to make for the grove,
and I'll wait till they enter or start to turn off, when I'll bring the old lasso into usa
once more."
ORYX.
Looking upon tne matter as settled, Jack started off, circling so far to the left
lhat a ride of several miles was necessary before the youths could leave their position.
Mr. Godkin smiled. " He hasn't left anything for you and me to do, Pongo,"
he said to the Bushman, " but I don't think we need remain idle. Let's take a
turn to the southeast, where I suspect we shall find something worth attention."
ON THE CREST OF THE HILL.
125
Pongo was glad to hear this, for nothing displeased him more than to remain
inactive, even during the sultry hours of midday. He nodded his head to signify
he was waiting his employer's pleasure.
Wishing his young friends success in their enterprise, the director bade them
good-by, and the next minute the boys were left alone on the crest of the elevation.
THE KOODOO.
" I think," said Bob, " that it is best to move a little farther back, so as to run
no risk of being seen by Jack's game."
The suggestion was followed. The youths slipped from the saddles, after
moving their ponies so far down the slope behind them that they were out of sight
of everything on the plain to the north. Then they seated themselves in the short
126
ON THE CREST OF THE HILL.
grass, where it would have required a wonderfully keen eye to discern them from a
point a few hundred yards away.
The objects which interested them to the exclusion of everything else were the
orxyes and the Texan, since those parties promised to become involved within a
comparatively brief space of time.
The animals were still cropping the grass, some of the number occasionally raising
their heads and looking around. The action, however, was due to a habit of pre-
caution, and not because they suspected the presence of any danger.
The lads wondered that they had not detected the hunters on the elevation, for
the oryx, like all the antelope kind, is a suspicious animal, some of the family being
extremely difficult to approach, even by the most experienced sportsmen.
"DOWN!" WHISPERED DICK.
The Texan formed a picturesquely graceful figure as he galloped away on his
beautiful mustang. The animal rose and sank with an even motion, which he was
able to continue for hours without fatigue, while Jack's body swayed in unison with
that of his steed. His broad-brimmed sombrero, the rifle slung over his shoulder,
and his athletic figure, would have awakened admiration anywhere, though it is
safe to say that he was the introducer of the cowboy costume in South Africa.
He steadily bore to the left, for the success of his plan depended on preventing
the oryxes taking alarm before he reached the shelter toward which he wished them
driven.
At the moment when he was at the farthest point west of the game, and was
beginning to bend his course around and beyond the grove, the whole five gems-
boks suddenly threw up their heads, and looked so fixedly at the hill on which the
lads were sitting, that they believed, for the moment, they were discovered.
ON THE CREST OF THE HILL. 127
" Down ! " whispered Dick, sinking lower in the grass, " or we shall scare them
away."
The two almost lay on their faces, holding their heads only high enough to keep
the animals in sight.
Gazing toward the hill for a half minute or so, the creatures next stared so earn-
estly in the direction of the distant horseman that there could be little doubt they
observed him.
" I wonder what they think of Jack," said Bob, unconsciously lowering his voice,
as though he feared that any tone above a whisper would betray them.
" If they're capable of thinking, they can't help admiring the handsome fellow."
" That is well enough, if they are not frightened off."
"Jack is so far away that they must believe there is no cause for fear. There I
that's what I suspected."
The oryxes resumed grazing, and, a few minutes later, the Texan passed out
of sight beyond the grove.
CHAPTER XXII.
A MISCALCULATION.
'HE disappearance of Jack Harvey, beyond the grove, was the signal for the
lads to start the oryxes in his direction. Since they were liable to move to
the west in their flight, Bob Marshall headed his pony to the left, following
a course parallel to that of the Texan, though not so far westward, while Dick moved
directly upon the creatures.
By this action, the game's most natural line of flight would be toward the timber,
because the stream was on their right, and they were not likely to swim it, unless
hard pressed.
Such was the calculation of our young friends, brt, as is often the case in this
world, the result proved very different from what was anticipated.
Dick adopted a slower pace than Bob, because he had less distance to go, and
he did not wish to start the animals too soon, but he had hardly reached the base
of the hill, when the oryxes threw up their heads with such manifest alarm that he
stopped.
The moment he did so, the five began running 'round in short circles, as though
bewildered. Then, instead of fleeing toward the grove, where Jack Harvey was
awaiting them, the herd broke for the west.
Dick uttered a shout, to warn his cousin, but he had already observed the move,
and tried to check it, by swinging his hat, throwing up his arms, shouting and gal-
ioping toward them.
His success was less than expected. Three of the oryxes dashed off at their
highest speed, taking a course neither toward him nor the grove of trees, but mid-
way between, there being abundance of room for such maneuvering.
The other two, after making several feints at Dick and the river, finally headed
for the grove, thus giving a pleasant expectation to the Texan, who was attentively
gazing out upon the plain from among the trees.
Bob Marshall was surprised by the obduracy of the three, who acted as if they
had some suspicion of the trap laid for them, though that was hardly possible. He
determined to force them to do as he wished, and, putting his pony to a dead run,
he aimed to intercept the trio.
Despite what he had learned of the fleetness of the oryx, he was confident of his
ability to do thisj since he had much the advantage, on account of the shorter dis-
tance to travel.
But the fugitives mixed matters once more by separating. At the first, they
ran in Indian file, a large male at the head, and formed an exceedingly pretty
A MISCALCULATION.
I2Q
picture, skimming, with the speed of the wind, across the plain. Two, after edging
farther and farther from the horseman, finally circled still more, so as to double on
their own trail, and ran back toward the spot where they had been grazing a short time
before, only to be still further terrified by Dick Brownell, who sent them skurrying
down the stream on a line which, if followed, must carry them clear of the
grove.
But the male, who was evidently the leader of the small family party, showed an
unwillingness to be driven in that fashion. He bent his line of flight, to keep out
of the way of the horseman trying so determinedly to head him off, but he would
neither turn back nor veer so much as to follow the other two, that were making for
the grove.
" I'll see whether you can't be stopped," muttered Bob, compressing his lips
and urging his steed to the utmost.
Never was the lad more astonished at the speed of any animal than at that of
the oryx. With his head thrown back, so that the points of his long horns seemed
to be resting on his haunches, he fairly flew over the ground, his graceful legs
doubling beneath his body with a swiftness that rendered it almost impossible for
the eye to perceive them.
Since his course converged with that of his pursuer, the male steadily bore to
9
13
A MISCALCULATION.
the right, while Bob pushed his pony still harder. He was confident of interposing
himself across the path of the game, ifiitil he found that, despite his desperate ex-
ertions, he was bound to fall short after all.
When fifty feet separated pursuer and fugitive, the oryx shot by, like an arrow
discharged from a bow.
Immediately the course of the youth became parallel to that of the fleeing
animal, and, though his steed was doing his best, he steadily fell to the rear.
" I could shoot you easily enough, but I won't," said Bob, slackening his pace,
THE SPOTTED HYENA.
"for you are too pretty to harm. I wonder whether Jack could overhaul you with
his mustang."
The lad kept up the pursuit a short distance farther, more to compel the oryx
to continue its astounding speed than with any idea of running it down; but the
pony, seeing the idleness of pursuit, voluntarily slackened its pace, until it drew
down to a moderate gallop, which soon ended in a halt.
The fugitive ran but a short distance farther, when he came to a graceful stop,
broadside to his pursuer, at whom he looked with an exultant air, as if to say:
A MISCALCULATION.
13*
" Well, young man, if you think
you've got an animal there that
knows anything about running,
I'm ready to give him another
A WARM RECEPTION.
lesson." " I salute you," said Bob, raising his hat in mock homage, " for you have
done what I didn't believe possible. But," he added, the next minute, "look out,
or you will get into trouble that you don't dream of."
The flight of the male had carried him into taller and ranker vegetation, that
rose to his head. A short distance beyond the stationary animal, Bob detected a
movement which showed that some other creature was in the grass.
He could not see distinctly enough to identify it, but it was evident that it had
fixed its attention on the oryx, and meant to attack him. The strange beast looked
like a large dog, and was creeping so stealthily forward that the oryx appeared to
be unaware of his danger.
Bob's sympathies were entirely with the graceful creature, and he was on the
point of raising his rifle to venture a shot in his behalf, when he saw it was too
late. The beast that was stealing upon the oryx was a spotted hyena, such as are
found only in South Africa. But a few paces separated it from its intended victim,
when Bob descried the animal, crouching low in the grass to escape observation.
He wondered that the gemsbok failed to see his danger, though, judging from
what followed, it is not improbable he had descried it before the horseman.
At the moment the latter was in the act of raising his rifle, the hyena moved for-
ward several paces with extraordinary quickness, and leaped at the oryx, which
was standing with his head turned away.
Escape was impossible, but, at the instant the hyena rose in air, the oryx seemed
to brace his legs firmly, and, without shifting his position, gave a single backward
flirt of his head. The hyena landed on the points of both horns, which slid into ita
body as if they were daggers, as indeed they were.
132
A MISCALCULATION.
Before the assailant could make use of his claws, the oryx, by a dexterous flirt
shook him off his crimsoned horns, and, leaping back a few feet, lowered his head,
and, with one bound, drove the fearful weapons again into his side.
The hyena was dying before the second stroke was delivered, though he struck
venomously at the oryx, which easily avoided him, and, standing back, lowered his
head once more. But he did not advance again, seeing there was no call to do so.
Bob Marshall's admiration deepened. It seemed to him, when the oryx was in
full flight, that he was the most harmless of animals. So, indeed, he was, but he
^ ^
>a
7
f~~
THE STRIPED HYENA.
had proven what he could do when forced to defend himself. Standing erect, with
the blood dripping from his graceful horns, towering so far above his head, he
became an object of respect.
Bob could now appreciate Mr. Godkin's remark about the skill of the gemsbok
in using the weapons with which nature provides him. Gifted with such extraor-
dinary speed, in addition to his means of defense, the exploit of bringing down or
capturing his kind is one worthy of a veteran sportsman.
It is a fact that an oryx and lion have been found dead together, mutually slain,
the king of beasts by his impalement on those sharp-pointed horns, and the gemsbol'
AN UNEXPECTED RECEPTION. Page 134.
134
A MISCALCULATION.
by the shock of the collision. Our representation of the reception of a leopard by
one of the plucky animals has been verified more than once in the Dark Continent.
As the animal confronted Bob Marshall, he saw a danger which he had not sus-
pected up to that moment. What would become of him, or rather his steed, if the
beast should charge ?
The antelope had already demonstrated his superiority in speed, so that the
pony could not escape by flight, and a single thrust of those bony swords would be
fatal.
"There's one weapon, however, that beats his," added the youth, following his
train of thought. " If he attacks, I will meet him with a few charges from my gun,
and they will stop him before he can reach us."
It was fortunate, therefore, for this particular oryx, that, though his bfood was
roused, and he was quite ready to assail the hunter, from whom he had fled in such
fright a few minutes before, he decided to leave him and his animal alone, provided
they returned the compliment.
Bob, however, kept an eye to windward, as he rode off to join his friends, not
feeling secure against a demonstration until a long distance separated him from the
oryx. But the latter, after holding his ground a few minutes, turned away, as
though he had forgotten the recent stirring incidents as well as the fact that the
members of his family had become pretty well separated during the flurry.
Looking toward the grove, Bob descried Dick, who had halted a short distance
from it, and was evidently awaiting him. Nothing of the other oryxes was seen,
and the youth was uncertain whether they had plunged into the grove, to stir up
matters with Jack Harvey, or had made their escape long before.
Dick, as may be supposed, was deeply interested in the story his cousin had
to tell.
"Something has taken, or is taking place in the wood," remarked the former,
"and, from what you have related, I shouldn't wonder if Jack has found his con-
tract bigger than he thought. Let's find out."
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE HORNS OF A DILEMMA.
'HE young hunters struck an easy gallop toward the grove of timber, whither
they had driven a couple of oryxes for Jack Harvey to capture.
Despite their confidence in the Texan's bravery and skill, they were not
without some misgiving, based on the natural mistake any one was liable to make
respecting the graceful, fleet-footed animals that know how to use their horns
so well.
This uneasiness was suddenly increased by what took place while they were yet
some distance from the timber. One of the creatures dashed into sight, leaping
and cavorting in the most extraordinary manner. It seemed to be standing on its
hind legs, then balancing itself on its front ones, whirling around, darting hither
and thither, and, in fact, disporting itself like an oryx gone clean daft.
There was a hint of the cause of this frantic performance, for the sombrero of
Jack Harvey was pierced through the top by both horns, and it had slid down to
their base, where it had settled over the pretty eyes of the creature.
The oryx was in the situation of a man that has a hat jammed inextricably over
his face, and its wild performances were with a view to relieving itself of the exas-
perating annoyance, which seemed to baffle its frantic efforts.
About all it could do was to strike at it with its fore feet, and flirt its head. Sev-
eral times the hat, with its rattlesnake band, appeared to rise a short way up the
supports, as if about to part company with them, but settled back in place, and
resisted every attempt to dislodge it.
But for the serious phase of this performance, the boys would have made the
wood ring with laughter, for a funnier exhibition cannot be imagined; but they were
too much alarmed about the Texan.
" I am afraid he has been gored by the gemsbok," said Bob, in a scared voice,
" and is in need of help, if indeed he is not killed."
" There is little time to lose," added Dick, as much terrified as his cousin ; "we'll
leave our ponies here, and stop just long enough to capture this animal, which looks
like a female."
On reaching the other side of the grove, where he had stopped to secure one of the
oryxes, Jack Harvey had dismounted and left his mustang at the farther boundary.
The intervening trees and vines were sufficient to shut out all view of the plain on
which the animals were feeding. Knowing the timid nature of the antelope kind,
he deemed it necessary to keep himself and horse out of sight as long as he could.
By leaving his steed, he was invisible to the approaching creatures, until they
should penetrate the grove for at least half its width. The density of the timber
136
THE HORNS OF A DILEMMA.
rendered it almost impossible to use the pony to advantage in capturing any animal
within the wood. Consequently, it was wise, in more than one sense, to follow the
course he adopted.
The Texan paused, lasso in hand, with rifle slung over his back, about a dozen
yards from the edge of the timber which the gemsboks were approaching. He stood
GONE CLEAN DAFT.
behind the trunk of a tree, which hid his entire body, and peeped out at the plain
where the game were feeding.
He saw the scattering of the drove, and followed Bob Marshall with his eyes as
he chased the large male to the westward, and noted the break that two others made
for the strip of land between the grove and the river. The next minute, he per-
THE HORNS OF A DILEMMA. 13?
ceived that a couple were heading toward the spot where he was standing, and were
quite sure to pass within reach.
" That suits me," he said to himself ; " I only wish they would come close enough
to lasso both at the same time."
The Texan had not long to wait. The pretty creatures approached at a swift
gallop, the male leading the dainty female by a few paces, and entered the grove at
a point which would bring both within a biscuit's toss of where he was standing.
Whizz !
At the critical moment the loop dropped ever the long horns of the male, and
Jack quickly coiled the other end round a sapling at his elbow.
The oryx was checked so suddenly that he was thrown to the ground with con-
siderable force. Before he could rise, his captor was kneeling over him with one
of the horns grasped in either hand. He was afraid the noose would slip along the
smooth length, and allow the animal to free himself and dash off.
The instant his muscular hands closed around the glossy horns at the base, Jack
gained a vivid idea of the capacity of those weapons to do harm. They felt warm
at the base, as though throbbing with the vitality of the owner, which continued his
fierce effort to rise to his feet. Not only that, but he tried to strike his enemy with
the horns, curving his nose between his fore legs and flirting the weapons outward.
His position, however, prevented any effectiveness, and Jack found no difficulty in
holding his advantage.
That his precaution was wise was proven by the fact that, the moment he seized
the horns, the noose, which had closed tightly around the base, slipped 'ialf way to
the tips. Had the horns been spiral, like those of the koodoo, or had th y spread at
the top, they would have formed an excellent support for the lasso, bu. I have re-
ferred to their perfect similarity and evenness, which would have made it easy for
the oryx to slide the rope off, had he been free to make the attempt.
Holding the beautiful head flat against the earth, Jack whipped th 3 noose over
the fore leg of the prisoner, where, by drawing it taut, he could hold him fast against
all struggles. The flesh was yielding, and the irregular contour of the limb pre-
vented the rope being shaken off.
The task would have been simple for the cowboy, but for an unexpected inter-
ruption.
At the moment the male was thrown, the female whisked by in full flight. The
sight of the mishap of her mate, however, brought her to a sudden stop, and,
wheeling about with her head aloft, she stared wonderingly at the scene.
With more devotion than most animals would have shown under such trying cir-
cumstances, she rushed to the help of her overturned lord. Jack noticed her danc-
ing around and preparing to gore him. He saw that she must be given attention,
if he wished to save himself from exceedingly unpleasant consequences.
But he did not dare rise from the ground until he had the male fast, for he was
determined to hold him at all hazards. The necessity of keeping an eye on both
made this difficult. He could have ended the trouble by killing the female with
1 3 8
THE HORNS OF A DILEMMA.
one of his revolvers, but her affection for her companion gave him the hope that he
might also secure her. At the moment the latter lowered her head with the inten-
tion of goring him, he snatched off his sombrero and tossed it toward her, intending
to bewilder her until he could secure the male. His skill with the lasso enabled
him to drop the hat in place, and the upward flirt which she gave at the same
moment sent the points of the horns through the crown, the hat sliding down to
the base and veiling the lustrous eyes of the lady.
"That's rough on my old sombrero," said Jack, laughing at the success of his
essay, "but I don't believe she will hurt it past mending, which wouldn't be the
case with me, if she should jam those confounded horns through my body."
THE ADDAX.
Instantly the female forgot her helpless partner, and began frantic efforts to dis-
entangle the hat from her horns. She pranced about, now on her hind feet and
then on her fore ones. She inflicted more than one severe bruise on herself, by
striking the trees and branches about her, and quickly emerged on the open plain,
where her grotesque performances attracted the wonderment of Bob Marshall and
Dick Brownell.
It took Jack Harvey but a few moments to secure the male, when he stepped
back and allowed him to rise. He bounded to his feet as nimbly as an acrobat, and,
THE HORNS OF A DILEMMA. 139
dropping his head, plunged at the astonished Texan, who leaped behind the large
trunk, just in time to escape the charge.
Instead of giving up the effort, the oryx followed Jack, who never traveled
around a tree so quickly in all his life.
Fortunately, this performance speedily "wound up" the animal, else the Texan
might have received more than one sharp puncture.
"While you're unwinding," he said, "I'll take a look at my sombrero that is,
if enough is left to look at."
Reaching the edge of the wood, he saw that Bob and Dick had also dismounted,
and, leaving their horses free, were trying to capture the cavorting female.
" Look out for her horns ! " he called, observing that they were trying to get
near enough to seize her.
" Don't fear for us," replied Bob, who, like his companion, was immeasurably
relieved to see their friend unharmed.
" I'm obliged to you for your efforts to save my hat, but I don't want you to run
too much risk : shall I lend a hand ? "
"Attend to your own animal and leave us alone "
While the words were in the lad's mouth, he made a sudden bound and grasped
one horn of the female, Dick instantly doing the same on the other side.
It was no easy task for their united strength to hold her captive, and, had she
not been well-nigh exhausted from her struggles, she might have escaped.
Dick whipped off the troublesome hat, and flung it aside for its owner. The
instant the female saw her captors, she renewed her resistance, and for a minute or
two it was an even thing ; but the youths were plucky, and held on till she surren
dered.
Jack ran forward, picked up his hat, and went back to his own prize.
He found him pretty well subdued, though he stamped and lowered his head in
a threatening manner for some minutes. Finally, seeing he was worn out, the captor
released him from the fastening, and whistled for his mustang to follow him.
The steed came forward, causing another panic on the part of the oryx. He
made no move, however, against Jack, who speedily led him out on the plain, where
a brief consultation was held with the youths, who were grimly holding fast to their
prize.
It was decided to leave the ponies to follow them to camp, while the three gave
their undivided attention to the prisoners. Bob walked on the right, grasping one
horn, while Dick did the same on the left. Jack Harvey kept close to the head of
the male, so as to seize his weapons should he become obstreperous.
The return to camp was tiresome, but it was reached without mishap, and the
two prizes were safely placed in a portion of the stockades reserved for captives.
I may state just here that the addax of North Africa, as you will observe from
the illustration, bears some resemblance to the oryx.
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE WHIZZ OF A BOOMERANG.
| ACK HARVEY and his young friends having selected their field of operations,
Mr. Godkin did the same for himself and Pongo, the Bushman.
Fully a mile southwest of the elevation where they had parted company,
stretched a jungle several miles in extent. Most of it appeared to be on higher
ground than the rest of the plain, and within its gloomy depths were sure to be
found birds, beasts and reptiles without number.
" We'll go there," was the decision of the director, who struck his horse into a
brisk gallop, closely followed by his assistant. A short distance passed, and they
came abreast, continuing thus until close to the jungle, where they meant to make
their investigations.
" Now," said Mr. Godkin, when they drew up their ponies, for a moment, on the
margin, " the trees are too close together, and there are too many vines for us to
ride in there. We will dismount and look around on foot. Do you think your horse
will stand ? "
"Yes he stand," replied the Bushman, who had learned enough of the saga-
cious animal to feel full confidence in him.
" Provided he isn't disturbed by some wild beast or reptile, when we would ex-
pect him to take care of himself."
Numbers of birds, with brilliant plumage, were seen hopping among the branches
overhead. It was noticeable that those with the most gorgeous dress possessed
voices of hideous harshness. To have sat within the hearing of their discordant
screeching would have driven a person almost wild.
But the hunters had no special interest in them, though they expected to obtain
some valuable specimens before their return.
The horses, being left free, began cropping the grass, which was green and suc-
culent, close to the margin of the jungle, where it was partly screened from the
sun's scorching rays. Possibly they incurred some risk in doing this, but, since it
may be said they were always in danger when traversing the Dark Continent, they
had to take care of themselves, at times, as best they could.
The men stepped as guardedly as a couple of Indian scouts in an enemy's
country, peering into the dismal depths of the jungle, on the watch for anything
that promised game or plunder.
" St ! " hissed Pongo, stopping short, directly behind his employer, " me see
somethin' then."
" What did it seem to be ? " asked Mr. Godkin, who had detected a suspicious
rustling. " Snake dere he be ! " said Pongo.
140
THE WHIZZ OF A BOOMERANG. 141
The white man had caught sight of the reptile at the same moment. It appeared
to have been stretched in a small open space, near the plain, where the light could
strike it, for some of the poisonous serpents of Asia and Africa find enjoyment in
the glare of the sun far beyond the power of a white person or ordinary animal to
stand.
The hunters were advancing directly toward the spot where it lay, when it
reared its head a few inches and swiftly crawled into the jungle. Instead, however,
of continuing its flight, it halted on the margin, coiled itself like the American
rattlesnake, and waited for the couple to come nigh enough for it to strike.
Some persons see beauty in snakes, but I confess I never could feel anything
but horror and disgust in looking at them. There is something in the sight of a
crawling reptile which sends a shudder over me, and I believe the feeling is shared
by nine-tenths of mankind.
But those who can find beauty in the creature whose head, the Scriptures say,
the woman's seed shall bruise, would have been charmed with the reptile on which
Mr. Godkin and Pongo gazed.
It was about four feet in length, slender and tapering, with crimson and yellow
bands along its back, which changed to greenish colored spots at the neck and tail.
The belly, as is the rule, was of a whitish tint.
The head was reared nearly a foot, from the center of the coil, and was as broad
and flat as a child's hand. Just back of the small, glittering eyes rose two horny
protuberances, of the oddest imaginable appearance. The mouth was dispropor-
tionately large, and, at intervals, partly opened. From this darted forth a crimson
tongue, or rather a double tongue, for it seemed to be bifurcated at the root. It
curled about hither and thither, with such quickness that, at times, the mouth
appeared to be crossed by several tiny streaks of blood.
" I have seen just such a snake as that in the Deccan," remarked Mr. Godkin,
after studying it a minute," and it is one of the most venomous in the world fully
as bad as the cobra de capello."
"Want to catch him ? " asked Pongo, with a grin.
" No, sir; I ain't hunting snakes for Mr. Barnum; there are plenty of them iu
this part of the world, but I'll let him buy what he wants of Reiche, in New York,
or his old friend Hagenbeck, in Hamburg. But do you think you could catch him,
Pongo ? "
" Yes, me catch him."
"How?"
" Kill him first."
" All right; the best use you can put such creatures to is to kill them; that's
always my motto."
The particular specimen of which I am writing quickly proved its demon-like
viciousness.
Its action in coiling and rearing its head was a challenge to the hunters
to attack it. It made not the slightest sound, but its bead-like eyes scintillated
142
THE WHIZZ OF A BOOMERANG.
with rage, and it plainly wished and expected them to come closer. Mr. Godkin
feinted to do so. Instantly its head rose several inches, and was drawn back, just
as a man does when about to deliver a blow.
"No; I thank you," laughed the white man, recoiling; "I don't mean to give
you a chance to knock me out in that fashion."
The failure of the parties to advance seemed to convince the serpent that they
were afraid of it, and it now endeavored to coax them into coming closer. Uncoil-
ing, it crawled slowly in the jungle, its head i.iised but a few inches, and its whole
manner that of alarm, as if fearful of being pursued.
And yet nothing was clearer than that it was seeking to draw the hunters after it.
Pongo now took a step in advance.
Instantly the reptile stopped, but it
did not resume its coil, afraid that if
it did so, the man would be fright-
ened into retreating again. But
another pace forward and the snake
would have gone into coil like a
flash.
The Bushman took that step,
bringing himself fearfully close to
the little demon, which looped itself
like Jack Harvey's lasso, the head
instantlyrising fullyeighteen inches,
and thrown far back, until it almost
touched the ground on the farther
side of the native.
What a lightning-like blow he
could deliver from that position !
'' Look out ! he's going to strike !
You're too near ! " called the a-
larmed Mr. Godkin.
But the action of the reptile was,
no quicker than that of the Bush-
man, who let fly with his boomerang, clipping off the head of the serpent with such
precision that it followed the implement for a dozen feet, dropping in the bushes,
just before the boomerang struck a tree, a few feet beyond.
The body whipped and threshed the ground for a few minutes, and then became
still.
" Oogh ! " muttered Pongo, with an expression of disgust, as he came back, after
recovering his favorite weapon; "me don't like kill snakes with him don't want
to get him blood on it."
" I intended to practice a little with my revolver, but you took the sport out of
my hands."
"LOOK OUT! HE'S GOING TO STRIKE!"
THE WHIZZ OF A BOOMERANG. 143
The director suggested that the hunt on which they were engaged could be
prosecuted with better success if they separated. That is, while he continued along
the side of the jungle in one direction, Pongo should take the opposite. The chance
of discovering something would thus be doubled, while neither would go too far to
run to the help of the other, if needed.
A sight which pleased each followed this brief parting. The two horses had
been left behind, cropping the grass, but when Mr. Godkin's saw him moving off
alone, he followed him, keeping some distance behind and out on the plain, as
though he knew he ought not to interfere with any plan he had in view.
Pongo did not expect his own pony to show any such regard. He was, there-
fore, interested and expectant as he saw the handsome creature standing, with head
elevated, and watching him approaching, his course necessarily leading him toward
the animal.
Affecting not to see him, the Bushman passed beyond, but had not gone far,
when the sound of hoofs told him he was followed, as though the animal was un-
willing to part company with his new master. The African stopped and awaited
his approach.
The pony came forward without timidity, and extended his nose for his master
to stroke his forehead. Pongo did this for several minutes, adding several playful
pats on the neck, much to the pleasure of the animal.
In a country where man seemed arrayed against, not only those of his kind, but
all the natural inhabitants, as they in turn were arrayed against him, there was
something touching in this exhibition of affection on the part of a dumb animal for
one whom a few days before it had never seen.
The Bushman was not indifferent to such proof of the confidence of the beast,
and he forgot, for a brief while, the duty that had tak^en him hither, and devoted the
time to petting the faithful animal, as he would have done with a member of his own
family.
CHAPTER XXV.
TURNING ABOUT.
ARDLY more than a hundred yards from the spot where Pongo had stopped to
pet his new steed, he came upon a large, branching tree, standing not on the
edge of the jungle, but fully a rod out on the grassy plain. He recognized
it as one that bore a peculiar fruit, something like the hazel-nut of our own country.
But it was not the tree which interested the native so much as that which he
saw under it.
One of the largest wild boars on which he had ever gazed was feeding upon the
nuts, of which he was very fond. Some of the branches of the tree spread so far as
to enter the jungle, and since the animal happened to be browsing beneath this
point, he had been invisible until the Bushman ran almost against him.
There could be no mistaking his identity. He stood as high, almost, as a cow,
was long, gaunt and thin, of a dark brown color, and covered with bristles, which
seemed to stand erect along the spine.
The most noticeable feature of those animals is their immense tusks, which,
curving outward from the lower jaw, reach a length of eight or ten inches. Backed
by the prodigious strength of the brute, they are like a couple of Damascus blades
in the hands of a master swordsman.
The boar is hunted in the forests of Germany and the jungles of India and
South Africa. The favorite weapon is a spear, and the sport should always be con-
ducted on horseback. The hunter of Bengal uses a weapon less than seven feet
long, the shaft being of bamboo, weighted with lead at the upper end and with a
broad, strong blade. It is held firmly, with the point projecting beyond the stirrup-
iron, so that when the boar charges, he runs on the spear. In Bombay and Hydera-
bad, the spear is longer and lighter and is carried underhand. The animals are hard
to kill, and, even when wounded, they often escape the most experienced sportsmen.
The wild boar is afraid of no living creature. He has been seen to refuse to
give the path to the lion or tiger, both of which beasts are generally wise enough to
turn out and let him go by unmolested. With those frightful tusks he can dis-
embowel a panther or bear as easily as you can cut apart a piece of cheese. I have
known one of them to drive his tusk through the middle of a sapling, splitting it
into kindling wood.
A curious fact regarding the wild hogs is that when they are young they are
beautifully striped. These markings entirely disappear as they grow older.
The bosch vark, or bush hog, belongs to Southern Africa, and is a formidable
animal, resembling the wild boar in many respects, but with several points of dif
ference as you can observe from the illustration.
i 44
TURNING ABOUT.
145
The babiroussa belongs to Malacca. Nature is kind enough to furnish him
with four effective tusks. Those of the upper jaw, instead of having their sockets
point downward, are curved upward, so that in filling the curvatures of the socket,
they pass through a hole in the upper lip, curving so sharply over the face that they
are useless as a means of defense.
The wart hog ranges over the tropical regions from Abyssinia to Caffraria. His
appearance is so grotesque that I am sure you have often been amused in viewing
him.
THE BOSCH VARK.
Being well acquainted with the wild boar, Pongo stopped at a respectful dis-
tance to survey him. His more prudent horse halted several rods beyond.
The boar continued crunching the nuts, which were quite abundant, though he
had been engaged so long in feeding that the supply must have been considerably
reduced. You will perceive that Pongo was not loaded for boar, and he did not
care to open fight with this one, though confident he could turn his boomerangs to
account against him.
10
1^.6 TURNING ABOUT.
The hog was in continual motion. At first his haunches were turned toward
the native, then his side and next his head. The tough snout occasionally plowed
up the earth, which was ridged in many places, but he showed no interest in any-
thing except the delicious food with which he was rilling himself.
Suddenly he threw up his snout, and holding his jaws motionless, with the dirt
dropping from his nose and the partly crushed nuts from his jaws, he stared at the
man, whose presence he seemed to discover for the first time.
"
ETHIOPIAN WART HOG.
Pongo laid his hand on one of his boomerangs, for he felt the situation was be-
coming interesting. None knew better than he the power of those beasts, for the
long, ridged scar on his hip was made by the tusk of a boar that clove the body of
the horse he was riding half asunder.
It seemed to the Bushman that the tusks before him were fully a foot long.
White, solid and gleaming, they were embedded in bone that was backed up by
irresistible muscle.
A brief survey was enough for the brute to take in all the points of the intruder
upon his domain, and, without lowering his head, and emitting only a slight snort,
TURNING ABOUT. 147
he started on a moderate trot toward the presumptuous hunter. The latter thought
it & good time to make a change of location, and he proceeded to do so, without
lingering on the way.
Pongo's first impulse was to take to one of the trees, into which he was confident
of clambering before the tusks could reach him. But, observing that his pony was
near, he started for him. Before, however, he could come up with the steed, he
perceived that the boar had given up the pursuit, and had returned to crunching
nuts beneath the tree. It looked as if he was afraid the visitor meant to root out
the food from under his nose, and he only cared to keep him at a distance.
Pongo walked slowly back, stopping farther away than before. Had he possessed
a gun, he could have brought down the hog without trouble. He could use the
boomerang with effect against him, but you can understand that it was an awkward
weapon to be employed for such purpose, since there was too much neck to be
cloven in two, as he had done with the ostrich and serpent.
All at once, the boar stopped eating, and, without looking at the native, began
walking along the side of the jungle, in the direction that Pongo had been fol-
lowing when he came upon him.
The Bushman now ran out to where his horse was grazing, and, springing upon
his back, started after the boar, not directly behind him, but a short distance away
from the trees, the courses of the two being parallel. The animal was on its return
to his lair, which could not be far off. A rocky portion of the jungle, a furlong
ahead, most likely was the location.
The Bushman was at a loss what to do. He was eager for a bout with the hog,
but he held him in considerable awe, and Mr. Godkin was too far off to be summoned
to the spot. A few minutes more would be enough for the fugitive, if he may be
called such, to reach his home, from which it would be impossible to dislodge him.
At such times, when the boar is worried, he will make a sudden dash out upon
the dogs, rip several of them to death, maiming a horse, perhaps, and then dart
back to cover before any of the hunters can drive a spear into his body.
Astride of his fleet steed, Pongo felt safer than when on foot. Determined to
give the animal a bout, he whipped out one of his boomerangs and let fly.
True to its aim, the weapon circled around in air, as though aimed at any point
except the one where it was intended to strike, but turned as intended, and landed
against the ribs of the hog with a thump which gave out a sound like that of a bass
drum.
It was so violent, indeed, that it jarred him perceptibly, though it inflicted no
cut, nor was it meant to. The boar never stopped, but glanced around, as if to
determine the point whence the blow came. He did not diminish his speed, acting
as if he would like to suggest to the hunter to try something better if he hoped to
annoy him.
Pongo now urged his horse, and he broke into a gallop. Before the intervening
distance was much lessened, the boar also increased his pace.
He did not gallop, but trotted with astonishing swiftness, and with the smooth-
I 4 8
TURNING ABOUT.
ness of a dog following his master's carriage. The pony, realizing what was wanted,
let himself out, and the fugitive did likewise, his pace quickly becoming an amazing
one.
A moment later, the horse was on a dead run, and the distance between him
and the fugitive diminished sensibly.
Pongo did not stop to recover his boomerang, intending to do that on his return,
nor did he throw a second one, for nothing was to be gained by pounding the hog.
Possibly he might have hewed off a leg, but, I am glad to say, the hunter, even
though a native African, was not inclined to mutilate a creature in that fashion.
Such a race must, of necessity, be brief. The boar speedily reached a point
opposite the rocks which the pursue ^ad fixed upon as containing his lair. That
THE BABIROUSSA.
he was right, was shown by the action of the brute, which came down to a moderate
trot, with his snout groping along the slightly worn path, as if searching for tiw
door to his dwelling.
From some inexplainable cause, he seemed to have lost his bearings for the
moment, for he turned about and came back several yards, then wheeled, and re-
sumed his advance, with as little regard to the horseman seeking to harass him,
as though he were a hundred miles away.
The Bushman could not help reflecting on the splendid opportunity that a prop-
erly-armed hunter would have seen in the bewilderment of the hog. Indeed, the
chance was so good that he decided to give him another whack with a boomerang,
just to keep things moving.
TURNING ABOUT. 149
He was in the act of drawing the weapon from his waist, when a faint shout
caused him to turn his head. Looking around, he saw that Mr. Godkin had mounted
his horse, and was galloping toward him.
The native wondered whether, with the aid of his glasses, he had learned what
was going on, or whether he wanted assistance in some emergency that had arisen.
Although the boar had made one demonstration against him, Pongo was not
looking for anything of the kind, since his whole purpose seemed to be to find the
entrance to his home. The native was still gazing inquiringly at his master, when
a snort and prancing of his pony brought his attention back again.
The hog seemed to have become enraged at his failure to find the opening for
which he was looking, and, probably, in some dim way, he associated the horseman
with his trouble. Be that as it may, while the latter was looking back, the fierce
brute charged upon him like a hurricane.
When Pongo caught sight of him, he was no more than twenty feet off, and
coming at a terrific pace. His small eyes glowed like fire, his jaws were parted
and dripping with foam, and, altogether, a more fearful object cannot be pictured.
The Bushman had no time to use his weapon, which, as I have said, was an
awkward one for such an emergency, nor had his nimble pony a chance to wheel to
the right or left, nor to turn and flee, as he would have done had his rider discov-
ered h's peri! a second sooner.
"HE FELL FROM THE BACK OF His STEED." Page 151.
CHAPTER XXVI.
"ALL TOGETHER."
^| EFORE the pony could change his direction, the brute was upon him. He
r ^ was the embodiment of fury, as, with his jaws dripping froth, and the fright-
y ful tusks agleam, he charged like a cyclone ; but the steed had seen his peril
before his master, else he would have been ordered to flee in time easily to escape.
At the instant when it seemed that nothing could save him, the horse, squatting
low, made a tremendous leap, which carried him and his rider clean over the head
of the boar that thundered beneath.
The effort of the pony was entirely unexpected to Pongo, who had no time to
prepare himself, and, being without saddle, he fell from the back of his steed, strik-
ing the plain with such force that, for a few seconds, he was stunned.
The pony ran several rods, snorting with terror. Then he circled about, and,
though apparently anxious to give his master help, was afraid to attempt it.
The boar made a vicious upward flirt of his terrible tusks as he shot under the
belly of the steed, and must have grazed the glossy hide of the animal. Then, quick
to realize his failure, and seeing the prostrate form on the plain, he wheeled and
made for that.
The Bushman was not entirely senseless, though unable to rise or defend him-
self. In a vague way, he knew what was coming, and, instead of resisting, lay per-
fectly still.
The scene that followed was extraordinary. The boar, when directly upon him,
stopped as abruptly as if he had run against a stone wall.
He had but to lower his head and give a single upper cut, to cleave the breast
open, or rip the thigh to the bone, but he made no sign. Standing motionless a
second or two, he uttered a sniff as of disgust, and then turned and trotted toward
the entrance to his home, which he had discovered at last.
The wild boar sometimes displays a strange chivalry toward a fallen foe. In
the midst of a terrific fight, when the hunter sinks helpless to the earth, suffering,
perhaps^ from fearfuJ wounds, the brute will halt and wait for him to rise, before as-
sailing him.
He does not always do so, but, aware of his occasional forbearance, and, knowing
he could not resist him successfully, the Bushman lay still. The hog waited a brief
while for his enemy to rise, but, as he did not, he left him.
At the moment of his vanishment among the rocks, Mr. Godkin was close
enough to reach him with his rifle, but he made no attempt. He saw and under-
stood the courtesy, and he would have been less than a gentleman had he refused
to reciprocate.
152
"ALL TOGETHER.'
"You were fortunate," he remarked, halting his pony beside Pongo, who climbed
to his feet, none the worse for his violent fall.
"Yes; he good hog," was the satisfied reply of the native, who remounted his
animal a moment later.
" If it had been any other brute, you would not have fared so well, which inclines
me to remark that a wild boar isn't always the hog that some other animals are."
The face of the Bushman showed that he hardly grasped the full meaning of the
.facetious remark, though it cannot be supposed he failed to appreciate the chivalry
of his foe.
"My gun was at my shoulder when he turned to leave you," added the director,
"but I hadn't the heart to shoot, after seeing how kindly he treated you."
The brisk encounter with the boar did not drive from the minds of the sportsmen
the errand that had taken them thither. They drew their ponies close to the edge
of the jungle, and held them down to a walk, while their eyes searched the gloomy
depths for whatever could be found.
As Mr. Godkin anticipated, they had not gone far when they discerned a denizen
of the most frightful kind, in the shape of an immense boa-constrictor, coiled around
the limbs of a tree so close to the plain that they sheered to the left, to avoid
tempting him to make a dart at them.
The director had no thought of attempting to capture any such specimen as that
for my exhibition, but he paused and debated with his assistant whether they should
give it a shot or two. Standing at a safe distance, the white man could have riddled
its head with balls, without any risk to himself, but he did not care to do so, pre-
ferring that Bob Marshall and Dick Brownell should see the monstrous reptile
before disposing of it.
This conclusion was hastened by the sight of a drove of zebras, grazing and
frisking at the base of the hill from which the party had taken their observation of
the surrounding country. A second glance showed there was at least one colt
among them, and Mr. Godkin was hopeful that, by careful maneuvering, they might
be able to make it and its mother captives, somewhat after the manner of the taking
of the giraffes, though they had no prospect of the use of Jack Harvey's lasso.
You are so familiar with the zebras, that I am sure you will not expect me to
give a description of them. You have seen its black and white stripes, with the
same colored rings around its legs. The quagga is brown, with black stripes, and
with white belly and legs, while the animal known as Burchell's zebra differs from
the ordinary kind only in, having white legs.
There was nothing to be feared in attacking these animals, which are among the
most harmless in South Africa, though almost untamable. Their peculiar appear-
ance renders them interesting members of any exhibition, and Mr. Godkin would
not have felt his work finished until he had secured at least one specimen.
" You see the dam with her foal ? " he said to Pongo, as they drew near the drove,
which did not notice their approach until they were quite close ; " we must separate
her from the rest and drive her to camp."
"ALl. TOGETHER."
153
The Bushman nodded, to signify he understood, and was ready to give all the
help he could. Striking their animals into a sharp gallop, they headed directly for
the drove.
The female zebra, with her young, was at the rear, busily cropping the grass,
while her colt helped itself to maternal nourishment, flirting its tail, jamming its
head, and frisking about the parent in a way that, now and then, called forth a pro*
testing whinny or kick, which, however, inflicted no hurt.
THE QUAGGA.
It was curious that the colt was the first to discover the presence of the strangers.
Suddenly it looked toward them, with the milk dripping from its black muzzle, and
with such a comical expression that even the glum Bushman smiled.
The youngster emitted no cry, probably not knowing enough to give the alarm,
but the whole drove were startled the next moment by the tramp of the ponies'
hoofs and the sight of the horsemen bearing down upon them.
Up went every head, and away they galloped, taking exactly the contrary course
from that desired by the sportsmen-
154
"ALL TOGETHER.'
The zebras showed considerable speed, and would have led the pursuers on a
smart chase but for the colt, which, being unable to run as fast as the others, soon
fell behind. The mother, of course, kept it company, showing a natural solicitude
for its safety.
This was what Mr. Godkin wanted and what he had counted upon. When an
opening of several rods appeared between the couple and the rest of the drove, he
BURCHELL'S ZEBRA.
and Pongo forced their horses between and turned the heads of the parent and colt
in the opposite direction.
This was to the south of the elevation, and, if it could be continued long enough,
would lead to camp. But it was not to be hoped that the zebras would keep the
course after descrying the peril in front ; they could not be taken without the help
of the friends there.
Circling round the hill, the horsemen had to ride but a short distance, v/hen
"ALL TOGETHER." 155
they came in full sight of the camp. By that time the Texan and the lads had
arrived with their oryxes, and were quick to discover the chance to secure new
prizes.
Jack showed an instant perception of what was needed. A large gap was made
in one side of the stockade, at the farthest portion from the camp, the natives mov-
ing hastily from the spot. Then Jack, Bob and Dick vaulted into their saddles and
spread out on the plain to help drive the zebras into the inclosure.
This proved anything but an easy task, for it was not to be expected that any
wild animal would willingly approach a place like the encampment of the hunters.
The mother snuffed the air, pricked her ears, looked right and left, stopped short,
and then started at a brisk trot over her own trail, the colt following closely at her
heels, for, even in her fright, she accommodated her gait to that of her offspring.
But she had time to go only a short distance, when she was confronted by Pongo,
who swung his arms and shouted so hard that she quickly shifted her course, only
to find her path barred this time by Mr. Godkin, who disported himself like a
frantic person.
Once more the zebra headed for camp, approaching quite close, but the sight
was too terrifying and she wheeled with such a determined effort to flank the shout-
ing Bushman that she would have succeeded, despite his efforts, except for the
opportune appearance of Bob Marshall and Jack Harvey, who were riding so near
together that the way was closed.
By this time the zebra was panic-stricken and seemed to forget about her colt,
in her wild desire to extricate herself from the snare into which she had run.
Jack had his lasso in hand, but it looked as if the capture could be completed
without that, though he was ready to use it at any time.
The only way open was that leading to the inclosure, and the mother started
thither with the young one still at her heels. She saw the opening, but showed
renewed misgiving as she neared it. While still several yards off she stopped
short, snuffed and shook her head, as if to say she could not be fooled.
This was a critical moment. " All together ! " called Mr. Godkin, and the five
horsemen bore down on the hesitating animal with such shouts and outcries, that
she bounded forward, and the next minute she .and her little one were safe within
the stockade.
CHAPTER XXVII.
THE FRETFUL PORCUPINE.
GODKIN carefully examined the stockade to make sure the captives
were secure, when he rejoined his friends, highly pleased at the success that
had attended their efforts. He gave it as his belief that if the good fortune
continued for two or three weeks longer, the expedition would be ready to start on
its return to Port Natal, or, possibly, to some point on the western coast.
But he reminded his friends that the work already done was but play compared
with that before them. Although they had had a memorable brush with a couple
of lions, not to mention the encounter with the leopards, there were far more serious
tasks in encountering the elephants, rhinoceroses, hippopotami, " and," he added,
"possibly the gorillas."
When he came to tell about the boa-constrictor discovered in the edge of the
jungle, waiting for prey, the boys were all eagerness to see the reptile, which the
director pronounced the largest of the kind he had ever looked upon, and he had
met some big ones in India.
" We have met plenty of the smaller species," said Dick Brownell, " and I have
wondered why we haven't seen some of the big ones, since we are in a section where
there are plenty."
"They are not so numerous here as nearer the Equator, and I am glad of it : I
would be pleased if there were fewer."
" I suppose you expect me to lasso the critter," said Jack Harvey, with such a
serious countenance that his hearers doubted whether he was in earnest or not.
" I have been thinking about that," replied Mr. Godkin, without the trace of a
smile on his face, "but I'm afraid there will be some difficulty in dropping a coil
over the boa-constrictor's head."
" Of course it would be difficult for you, but what trouble can it be for me ? n
"Suppose the snake should lasso you at the same time? You know he is built
something on the order of a cable rope, and it doesn't take him long to coil himself
around his game."
" In that case I'll give him a few lessons in the business ; I never yet met a
chap that could beat me with the lasso, and I don't propose to knock under to any
snake, if he is as big around as a barrel, and hooks his tail into a tree before he
sends out his noose."
" Of course," said Bob Marshall, perceiving the drift of their friend's remarks,
"you wouldn't need to fasten the other end of the rope to your saddle."
" Certainly not ; I would wind that round my arm, so if the critter tried to get
away, I could draw him to me."
156
THE FRETFUL PORCUPINE.
157
" But if, with you pulling one way and the constrictor the other, the rope should
happen to break ? " suggested Dick Brownell.
The Texan solemnly shook his head.
"No snake is strong enough to break that rawhide : I had it made on purpose
for me by one of Mr. Barnum's friends. After I once get it around the varmint,
he'll be there depend on that."
Yes and that would be the trouble, but to end this jest, of course we'll kill
the constrictor, for I always feel it my duty to extinguish such reptiles at every
opportunity."
" Them's my sentiments," said Jack, so heartily that there could be no doubt of
his sincerity.
" ME SHOW SOMETHING."
While this conversation was under way, Diedrick, the Hottentot, was busy ex-
amining all sides of the inclosure. It will be remembered that the camp had been
left in his charge while the whites were absent with Pongo, and he did not seek to
throw off the responsibility with the return of his friends.
It took some time to replace the stakes that had been removed from one portion
of the stockade, to make wider the door through which the zebras had been driven.
While Diedrick was thus employed with several assistants, the mother showed such
a frantic desire to get out, that, but for her solicitude for her colt, she would have
galloped right over the natives ; but, since the young one declined to take such
risks, she finally huddled in the farther corner, where she stayed until all chance of
escape was gone.
158
THE FRETFUL PORCUPINE.
Mr. Godkin decided to wait several hours before hunting out the boa-constrictor,
which might have changed its quarters since he saw it. The sun beat down with
such power that all were glad to seek the shade within reach.
The cousins had just crawled beneath one of the wagons, when Diedrick
approached, and, with a significant expression, beckoned them to follow him.
" I wonder what's up now," said Bob, with a laugh.
" I've no idea, but it's something worth seeing, or he wouldn't have invited ui
to follow him." The youths lost no time in joining him.
THE TREE PORCUPINE.
"What is it ? " asked Bob.
" Me show something," was the vague reply.
" We don't doubt that, but we want to know what it is."
" Come wid me ; soon see."
" All right; go ahead."
The Hottentot led the way around the large inclosure, and toward the stream
of which I have spoken so many times. He did not continue to the water, nor
indeed to the tall weeds that lined the banks, but, following the course of the
river a little way, and at a considerable distance from it, he paused and pointed to
the ground.
THE FRETFUL PORCUPINE.
159
His companions saw a burrow in the earth, with several openings, but no
evidence of any living creature. "Well, what of it?" asked Bob, looking up in-
quiringly at the native. " There isn't any snake in there, I hope, for if there is he
can stay, for all I care."
"No snake; no snake," replied Diedrick, with several shakes of his head.
" Is there anything at all ? " asked Dick, half suspecting the Hottentot, despite
his glum disposition, was playing some trick on them.
"Yes; you see, you see," replied the native, with some excitement, catching each
by the arm and pushing him back. An agitation of the dirt showed that, whatever
it was that made its home in that place, it had started to come to the surface, doubt-
less unaware of enemies so near at hand.
TUFTED-TAIL PORCUPINE.
The instant it came forth the boys recognized it as a porcupine, a creature that
you have all seen, since varieties are found in both the new and old world. It
bristled with long spines, elegantly ringed with broad bands of black and white,
and its short, muscular limbs carried it over the ground faster than most persons
would suppose it capable of traveling.
It had gone several yards from the entrance to its subterranean home, before it
observed the three figures standing behind it, and watching its movements.
It instantly turned and started to run to its retreat, but Bob stepped forward
and shut it off. Finding itself driven at bay, and believing it was about to be
attacked, it resorted to its peculiar means of defense. Being without teeth or tal-
ons for fighting, the porcupine turned its back to its enemies, and, burying its head
between its fore legs, erected its spines and shook them violently.
i6o
THE FRETFUL PORCUPINE.
You may have heard the belief, common in many quarters, that this creature,
when attacked, defends itself by throwing its quills at its assailant. While
tnis is an error, yet it is a natural one, since there is reasonable ground for the
belief.
Horses that have shown too much curiosity in snuffing about the odd-looking
creature, have come away with a number of the needle-like spines sticking in
their noses, where they were believed to have been thrown by the porcupine.
How this mistake originated was clearly brought out by Dick Brownell within
a few minutes after the discovery of the creature. Understanding its nature quite
well, for he had seen specimens in his own country, he felt no
fear when he stooped down and extended his hand toward the
animated burr.
"Have a care," admonished his
cousin, still acting the part of a guard
over the approaches to the under-
ground home.
"He isn't a very nice thing to
handle, but I guess I can do it," replied
Dick, reaching carefully toward the por-
cupine.
The most venturesome person
might well hesitate as to the best man-
ner of seizing the creature, and the
youth's hand was an inch or two from it,
when he snatched it back with a cry of
pain. As he did so, several of the
spines were seen to be clinging to his
palm. It looked for all the world as
if the porcupine had flung them at him,
but such was not the fact.
At the moment when the hand was closest to its body, the specimen of the
hystrix cristata (whose head, you will remember, was turned away from the
youth) made a sudden leap backward a few inches, bringing its longest spines in
sharp collision with the hand.
These animal javelins are loosely imbedded in the skin, besides which it
probably was on the point of shedding some of them, so that when Dick drew his
hand away, the quills stuck to it.
The wounds inflicted were enough to cause any one to cry out, for the sharp
points brought blood, which trickled from Dick's palm as he gave it such a flirt
that the quills flew a number of feet.
" Confound it," he muttered " I didn't expect him to do business in that style."
"Look out ! he's coming again !"
The porcupine, aware of the effective blow it had struck, was making ready to
AN AWKWARD PET.
THE FRETFUL PORCUPINE. l6l
repeat it. It was cautiously backing toward the youth, so as to get clos enough
to make another retrogressive hitch that would dispose of some more of its spines.
But Dick took care to keep out of the way. Diedrick, who had darted off a mo-
ment before, now reappeared, carrying a strong scoop-net at the end of a pole,
such as are in common use along our sea-coast for crabbing, and the porcupine
was deftly captured, without a chance to inflict any further injury.
The tufted-tail porcupine has shorter quills, which lie flat against the body. Its
tail is scaly, and has a tuft at the end which looks as if composed of narrow strips
of parchment. This animal is found in Fernando Po, and in India and Malacca.
11
CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE SECRETARY-BIRD.
the time had come for hunting the serpent, Jack Harvey, to the sur-
prise of his friends, said he had concluded not to go with them. It was his
wish to make some investigations that he thought advisable, because of
the craft that had floated down stream and lodged near camp.
You will perceive that there was something congenial in this work, for it was on
a line with his training in the Southwestern section of his own country. The Texan
was an Indian fighter who had been on some of the severest campaigns, and he
had learned the art of trailing an enemy and of reading " signs," as they are called,
that are invisible to ordinary eyes.
The hunters had gone into camp in this remote section of the Dark Continent
with the intention of staying several weeks, if not months. They had taken the
utmost precaution against peril, but, after all, the real danger which impended
over them was that from their own kind.
It was for the purpose of learning the truth about the wild men that Jack Harvey
decided to take the time, which his companions devoted to the boa-constrictor, to
delving into the matter. The readiness with which he had solved the cause of the
raft lying against the bank proved his skill in that direction, and inspired his friends
with such confidence, that they were glad, without exception, to learn his purpose
in staying behind, or rather in going off on an expedition of his own.
" I want you to remember one thing," said he, when they were about to separate:
" it may take me not only all the afternoon, but the night; so don't fret if I don't
put in an appearance before some time to-morrow."
His friends opened their eyes. They had not yet been separated a single night
from each other, and the prospect was not pleasant ; but Jack had a reason for
saying what he did, and none was so competent to understand that, in such an un-
dertaking as he was about to enter upon, no calculation could be made regarding
the time required.
So with pleasant words they parted. Jack headed up the stream, mounted on
his mustang, and with his favorite lasso coiled at his saddle. The business on
which he was engaged promised little use for the rope, but it had done him so many
good turns that he was unwilling to go without it.
Avoiding the weeds near the river, the Texan followed its course, keeping far
enougii from the bank to escape entangling himself in any of the natural obstruc-
tions in his way.
Since the ranger had made previous investigations in this section, it was not
until he had gone a half mile that the scenery became new to him.
162
THE SECRETARY-BIRD.
That which first attracted his
notice was the sinuous course oi
the river, its windings being so
many that the wonder was how
the raft had floated so far without
"I'LL LEAVE You HERE, APACHE."
striking the bank. The fact that it had done so caused Jack to fear the wild men
were not so distant as he had hoped.
Within less than a mile from camp, the stream made a regular horseshoe, so
that if one should cross it where the raft had lodged, and go straight westward, he
would meet the same current at no great distance.
It was here, also, that the dense weeds and tall grass merged into dense timber,
which continued indefinitely up the river, much, farther, at least, than the eye of
Jack could follow.
" I wonder if the varmints are in there,'" he said, drawing his mustang ; " they
couldn't get a better hiding-place, but I don't know why they would want to hide
themselves so long."
Reason suggested that if there were any hostile natives in the neighborhood,
they were not likely to stay long in camp ; and if they had been in this jungle, they
must have left long before ; but the Texan had learned, during his stirring experi-
ence on the Southwest border, that it was often more prudent to follow what may
be called instinct than reason. He therefore determined to investigate.
As he had anticipated, his mustang was able to force his way only a short
distance before the vines and trees became so dense that he was forced to stop.
" I'll leave you here, Apache," said he, addressing the steed, " and will expect
you to be near when 1 come back, even if it isn't till to-morrow morning : do you
understand ? "
The face of no animal could have shown more intelligence than that of the mus-
tang, when thus addressed by his master, who felt no doubt that he comprehended
164
THE SECRETARY-BIRD.
the question put to him. Jack did not remove the saddle, lasso, or any of the trap-
pings. He never used a bit with Apache, who was left free to graze or employ
himself as he preferred.
Jack Harvey, therefore, as he began picking his way farther into the jungle,
carried his Winchester, two revolvers, and knife, and was as " well heeled " as any
of his countrymen could desire.
It seemed to him that if any of the savage natives were in the wood they were
likely to be near the river. The fact that they had employed one raft at least, to-
gether with the further fact that it is the custom ot all people, whether barbarous
or civilized, to make all . ,
possible use of water com-
munications, led him to be-
gin working his way toward
the stream.
While thus employed, as
a matter of course, he was
alert. Knowing, as he did,
the number of venomous
serpents and all manner of
savage beasts, he meant
that none of them should
steal a march on him.
Here and there were
beautifully-colored birds,
disporting among the
branches, some with a plum-
age that was bewildering
in its brilliancy. He would
have been glad to capture
a few of them for the show,
but he could conjure up no
means, unless, perchance,
he might come upon some
nest and rob it of its young.
The cries were so discordant that more than once he uttered an impatient ex-
clamation, and was tempted to fire at them; but, since he could have caused no
appreciable diminution in their numbers or harshness, he refrained.
It was this careful scrutiny of the upper branches that disclosed to him a broad
collection of twigs in the tuft of a tree which he thought was the nest of a bird. It
was so well hidden that he would not have discovered it had he not been searching
with such care, and even then he was not sure he was right until he had made a
circuit around the base of the tree, and studied the object from every point of the
compass.
THE SECRETARY-BIRD.
THE SECRETARY-BIRD. 163
"Yes," he said to himself, " it's a bird's nest as sure as my name is Jack Harvey,
but since, as near as I can figure, there are about seventeen hundred million of the
critters in this country, I can't feel sure what kind of a bird this is."
Several times, in peering upward, Jack fancied he saw the parent bird looking
down at him. It was a queer front, as he caught a glimpse of it now and then, the
eyes being very bright, and the head showing a resemblance to a crest.
The size of the nest left no doubt that the occupant was very large ; and, brave
as was Jack, he might well hesitate about climbing the tree and combating it, since,
more than likely, its mate would hasten to its assistance.
Since the bird was sure to keep her place as long as danger threatened her
castle, the Texan resorted to strategy to draw her forth. He turned about
and walked away until beyond her sight, when he came back from another
direction, taking care in doing so, and halting behind a trunk, large enough to
hide his body.
This artifice was successful. He could not see the parent bird, for her head
was turned away from him, and it was not likely she was looking for any danger.
All the same, however, she discovered it with a quickness that amazed the
watcher, especially when he found he was much closer to peril than to the nest.
An enormous bird appeared on the edge of the latter, coming into sight with the
suddenness of a jack-in-the-box. Its head was turned sideways, proving that it was
gazing downward.
Naturally, Jack's first thought was that it had detected him again though that
seemed improbable, but, while he was still puzzling over it, the question was settled
in rather a startling manner.
No more than a dozen feet off was a serpent, some six or eight feet long, quite
slender, brightly colored, and with an appearance that left no doubt of its venomous
nature.
It must have been crawling toward Jack, and it might have come nigh enough to
bury its fangs in his body before he suspected his danger, so absorbing was his
interest in the bird among the limbs above.
As yet, the snake showed no signs of being aware of the man's presence, but it
saw her who had hopped upon the edge of her nest so promptly and was now
gazing down at the reptile.
" By jingo ! " muttered Jack, " there's going to be a fight ! "
Sure enough, the thought was hardly formed, when the huge bird fluttered
downward through the branches, landing on the ground less than a rod from where
the snake prepared tself for the battle that was sure to be to the death.
The presence of the bird so near Jack Harvey gave him a chance to study its ap-
pearance closely, without frightening it away. It bore a likeness to the eagle and
crane, the head resembling the former, and the body the latter, and was fully three
feet tall. Ten or a dozen dark-colored feathers projected from the back of the
head, hanging loosely like a pendent crest, and were erected or depressed at
pleasure.
i66
THE SECRETARY-BIRD.
This bird, as you may have suspected, was the famed secretary-bird of South
Africa, so named by the Dutch because of the fancied resemblance the tuft of
feathers bears to a pen thrust behind the ear.
The Hottentots call it the serpent-eater, its scientific name being the serpen-
tarius reptilivorus, and that the name is an appropriate one, I think can be shown
by what Jack Harvey witnessed a few minutes after its descent from its nest to the
earth.
CHAPTER XXIX.
A STRANGE SCENE.
secretary-bird took but a second or two to scan the serpent, which did not
coil, like the rattlesnake, but reared its head, with its tongue darting back and
forth, its tiny eyes flashing, and its whole appearance showing its intense
rage. It knew that it was to be attacked, and was ready for it.
There was no sign of fear on the part of the bird, but she was cautious, her sit-
uation being something like that of our friends when fighting the Bushmen. They
despised the foe, but dreaded their pestilent missiles.
She stepped slowly toward the reptile, and, before arriving within striking dis-
tance, thrust the point of one of her wings forward. This, as was proven the next
moment, was for the purpose of parrying the blows of her enemy.
Having thrown up her guard, so to speak, the bird pushed farther, for the pur-
pose of drawing the attack of the snake. Sure enough, the horrid head suddenly
shot forward, with a quickness that the eye could scarcely follow, the blow being
twice repeated with the same marvelous swiftness, but each time it was parried by
the pinion, and turned harmlessly aside.
Seeing its failure, the snake crawled slowly toward the bird, so as to secure a
better chance of landing its blows, but the feathers had already caught its spare
venom, and some time was necessary for nature to replenish the supply.
Well aware of this, the secretary-bird promptly met the snake, and, leaping
upon the writhing form, quickly clawed a part of its body to shreds, instantly
driving out all semblance ci life.
This done, the serpent-eater proceeded to make her dinner at leisure, while Jack
Harvey, carefully screening himself from sight, watched the performance with a
profound admiration for the prowess of a bird that could vanquish a large, venomous
serpent in such thorough fashion.
An incautious movement on the part of Jack caused the secretary-bird to turn
like a flash. That she saw him for the first time, was evident from her manner,
which showed, too, that she was as ready to attack him as the serpent.
The Texan smiled at its combative manner, but he chose to use discretion, not
that he felt any fear of the bird, but because he held it in too great respect to wish
it harm.
" There is no need why you and I should have any trouble," he said, carefully
withdrawing, with his face toward her, " but I'll remember this spot, and I shouldnV-
wonder if we saw each other later."
The mother did not follow him, though, if he had ventured to approach, she
would have flown at him with the fierceness of a tigress defending her young. In
167
1 68
A STRANGE SCENE.
a few minutes Jack was out of sight, and once more gave attention to the business
that had led him to penetrate the jungle thus far. Carefully noting his bearings,
he resumed his advance toward the river, which he reached a short time later.
It was a dismal place, rendered more so because the long, sultry day was draw-
ing to an end, and the somber gloom of twilight was closing over jungle and river,
A STRANGE COMBAT.
The trees on both sides grew near the stream, which at this place narrowed to a
width of barely a hundred yards, so that the inky current must have been unusually
The desolation and silence, with the exception of the occasional screeches
of the birds flying overhead, were such as to impress as unsentimental a person as
the Texan, who stood for a minute or two, rifle in hand, gazing on the lovely scene.
A STRANGE SCENE.
Something resembling a decayed
stump could be seen, moving slowly
along the opposite bank. Suspecting
its identity, he watched it until it
paused, as though, like the raft, it had
struck against the bank. The next
minute an immense crocodile crawled
sluggishly from the water and disap-
A DISMAL REGION.
peared among the trees and undergrowth on the edge of the river. He would
have given it a shot as it came into view, but for the fear of attracting the attention
of the wild men he suspected were in the vicinity. He could not afford to allow
any side issues to draw him from the real business of his exploration.
He was standing in this incertitude, when his blood was set tingling by a cry
so sharp and agonizing that he started and glanced around, with a gasp of affright.
The cry came from a point close at hand, slightly behind him and no more than
a few rods up stream.
Possibly it might be that of some wild animal, but to his ears it had the sem-
blance of a man in mortal suffering. Glancing at his weapons, to make sure they
were right, he began picking his way up stream, resolved to penetrate the mystery
without delay.
The solution came sooner than he expected.
170
A STRANGE SCENE.
Peering through the dense undergrowth, he saw fully fifteen of the most savage
beings on which he had ever looked, gathered around a hapless prisoner, whom
they had evidently determined to put to death with great torture.
The main party were not Bushmen, but belonged to another tribe in the vicinity.
They were quite small in stature, with enormous, bushy heads, most of them en-
tirely naked, while a few had the skin of some animal bound around their loins.
Their wrists and ankles were clasped by bracelets, cunningly constructed of ivory,
and the masses of wool were ornamented with long, brilliantly-colored feathers,
stuck in place much after the manner of the American Indian. Huge rings, appar-
ently of gold, hung from their ears, besides which, each bore a similar ornament
suspended from the end of his broad, flat nose.
The bulbous lips, retreating chins, low foreheads, bulging eyes and protuberant
cheek-bones were so marked that it is hard to imagine how any human beings
could be more repulsive in appearance.
Every one of die fifteen carried a long, pointed spear, and they were performing
a wild dance around the prisoner, who lay on the ground, with his wrists and
ankles bound by some vine, as thin, and almost as strong, as iron wire.
As the party moved about the captive in a circle, they stooped down, and now
and then one of the warriors reached forward and pricked him with the point of his
spear. Some of the punctures were so light that the victim bore them in silence,
but now and then the leader gave such a sharp thrust that the poor fellow emitted
a cry of pain. It must have been a particularly vigorous jab that caused the yell
which had startled the listening Texan, a short distance off.
The scene recalled an incident in Jack's career, when campaigning in Arizona.
From a hiding-place where every moment he expected to be discovered, he wit-
nessed the death of a comrade at the hands of Geronimo, that prince of miscreants,
and his warriors. Jack dared not lift a finger to save his friend, for he expected to
share his fate, but the present situation was different, for these savages were not
Apaches, and he felt little fear of them while retaining his magazine-rifle and two
revolvers, the three weapons giving him almost a score of shots.
The prisoner was as swarthy of complexion as his tormentors, but he differed
so much in other respects, that there remained no doubt he belonged to another
tribe. Jack noticed that he had no ornaments in nose or ears, or on his wrists or
ankles.
The Texan's theory, probably, was the right one: he was a member of some
hostile people, and having fallen into the hands of this party, was doomed to suffer
the most frightful of deaths at their hands.
The Texan watched them but a short while before acquiring a knowledge of the
state of affairs.
The savage who bore twice as many feathers in his wool as any of his warriors,
whose breech-cloth was stained of various hues, who carried a longer spear, with a
bundle of feathers tied at one end, and who was of a taller stature than the rest, was
the chieftain.
A STRANGE SCENE. 17!
Furthermore, he had reserved to himself the sweet privilege of inflicting all real
suffering upon the victim. The others were allowed to prick him smartly, but it
was the chief who indulged in a jab, now and then, which forced a cry that the
bravest man could not have suppressed.
" I can't stand that sort of thing," muttered the Texan, compressing his lips ;
" if you would give the poor fellow a show, I would say, ' Let the best man win ;'
but for fifteen knaves to bear down on a tenderfoot who has his arms and legs tied,
why, it ain't the square thing, and I mean to. have something to say about it."
This characteristic decision was no more than formed by Jack Harvey when
the chieftain precipitated the crisis for which the watcher was waiting.
The prisoner must have suffered a good deal before the single spectator arrived.
The grotesque circling and chanting suddenly ceased, and all came to a stand-still.
Every eye was fixed on the poor wretch lying partly on his side, awaiting his doom.
He did not struggle, except to shrink, in a convulsive way, whenever the cruel spear-
points were pressed against his quivering flesh.
It was manifest that the chief was growing impatient, and had determined to
bring the sport to a close, or, at least, to give it a more enjoyable phase.
All at once the suspicion flashed upon Jack that this was a party of cannibals,
and that, after slaying their captive, they would make a feast upon him. There is
reason to believe he was correct in his conclusion.
Standing in front of the prisoner, the rest of the warriors some paces to the
rear, the leader of the savages addressed a few sentences to the victim. What
they were can only be guessed, but his manner indicated they were in the nature of
taunts, another fashion which, as you know, prevails among the American Indians.
The prisoner did not answer, therein differing from one of the American race in
a similar situation, for he would have replied with taunts equally exasperating.
The address lasted but a minute or two, the victim never once parting his lips,
when the chieftain raised his long spear with the intention of giving the finishing
touch to the frightful scene.
CHAPTER XXX.
A FRIEND IN NEED.
T this moment, the sharp crack of the Texan's Winchester rang out, and th
leader, with a frantic shriek, flung up his arms and fell headlong across his
intended victim.
Jack Harvey sprang from behind the tree, and, with a wild shout, dashed at the
natives, who, tarrying only long enough to catch a single glimpse of the terrible
figure, fled into the jungle, as if death itself was at their heels. The rescuer had no
wish to harm any one beside the leader, who was in the act of putting a fellow being
to death, but, had the others shown hostility, he was ready to open on them.
Jack was used to scenes of violence, but it was with a shudder that he drew the
inanimate form from the prostrate figure, which seemed as much terrified as were
his tormentors by the sight of the white man who had interfered in his behalf.
A flirt or two of the keen knife and the prisoner was free, but he lay still, too
much overcome to move. " Come, old chap, it's a good time for you to leave,"
called Jack, seizing his arm and lifting him almost bodily to his feet.
The poor fellow stared at him for a moment, and then, with a howl, ran to the
river, leaped in, and began swimming frantically for the other shore. As he did so,
his friend, who stood on the bank calmly watching him, laughed outright at the
affrighted glances he cast over his shoulder, several times diving beneath the sur-
face, as if he expected that the weapon which had destroyed the chieftain was about
to be turned against him.
" I'm afraid he don't appreciate what I've done," was the conclusion of the
Texan, " and, if that is so, he won't be the first person that has been in that fix."
There was no need of staying in the vicinity, especially since he believed the
savages were likely to rally from their panic and return to the spot, with the proba-
bility of making it unpleasant, to say the least, for him. Accordingly, the Texan
started to return to his mustang.
He had taken but a few steps, when he found himself face to face with two of
the warriors who had fled in such panic but a few minutes before.
They seemed to have recovered from their terror, and become very combative.
Their huge mouths were parted in hideous grins, which displayed their stained
teeth, and one of them brandished his spear threateningly.
"I'm agreeable," called Jack, with another war whoop, making a tremendous
bound toward them. At that moment, the fellow with his uplifted spear flung it,
but he was so disconcerted by the unexpected charge, that the weapon went wide
of its mark, without any dodging on the part of Jack Harvey, who whipped out one
of his revolvers and let drive with a couple of charges.
172
A FRIEND IN NEED.
173
He purposely missed, though he felt some doubt aDout the wisdom of such
leniency toward those who knew nothing of what mercy meant; but the Texan was
not of a cruel disposition, and he wished to injure no one, unless it was clearly his
duty to do so. Whether he would have been attacked again, had he stayed where
he was, can only be conjectured, but he saw nothing more of the natives, and lost
no time in leaving the spot where he had witnessed such a stirring scene.
He had solved the question more promptly than he had anticipated on leaving
camp, and was hopeful of rejoining his friends before night closed in. So he
picked his way as fast as he could through the jungle, returning over his own trail,
which was marked so plainly that it was no trouble to follow it.
A FRIEND IN NEED.
The walk was not long to the tree in which the secretary-bird had its nest. He
approached with much caution, for he was hopeful of finding the mother absent,
and, if such should prove the case, he meant to visit her home.
It was a difficult question to settle, for, if the bird was on guard, it would be
dangerous to disturb her. The hunter would be at much disadvantage while climb-
ing the tree, and, in case the mother attacked (as she was sure to do if she detected
him), he would have to shoot her in self-defense.
He did not wish to do that; so, after looking upward awhile, without seeing any-
thing of the bird, he announced his presence by swinging his sombrero and calling
to her. Since she remained invisible, he broke off a piece ot rotten limb and flung
it aloft, coming quite close to the nest, though branches of the tree prevented an
accurate aim. Still the parent bird made no sign.
174
A FRTEND IN NEED.
"She don't appear to be there,"
muttered the sportsman, his heart
throbbing with hope] "but if she
3 is, I reckon I'll learn it afore I
' reach the nest."
The day was waning, and there
was no time to lose. He was too
cautious to leave his gun on the ground,
and indeed there was no need of it, for
it was readily slung over his shoulder,
as he was accustomed to do when using
his lasso, while riding his mustang.
He feared that some of the natives
might follow to the spot and attack
him while in the tree. He had watched
and listened for pursuit, but discovered
nothing to cause alarm.
However, some risk was inevitable,
and, being convinced that the bird
was absent, though likely to return
any moment, Jack began climbing the
tree with the nimbleness of a monkey.
Having effected the start, he
pushed forward with all the energy
possible. The height was consider-
able, but he soon found himself near
the structure from which the bird had
descended to attack the serpent.
The nest was composed of sticks,
was fully a yard in diameter, and was
lined with wool and feathers. The
most difficult part of the climber's task was when he found himself directly under-
neath the nest, for it covered so large a space that it required considerable skill to
climb around it. He succeeded at last, and gained a peep of the interior. A
pleasing surprise awaited him.
The eggs of the secretary-bird are about the size of those of a goose. There
had been four in the nest, but two of them were hatched, the others evidently
being on the eve of liberating their captives.
It was singular that the mother had absented herself at such a time, especially
as she had feasted so recently, but it may have been she was seeking suitable food
for the little ones. She was certain not to be away long, and Jack had no time
to speculate over the matter.
Parting his shirt in front, he quickly shoved the little ones within, and began
THE ORNITHOLOGIST.
A FRIEND IN NEED. 175
making his way down the tree again. The brave fellow had not been so nervous
in a long while. Having secured the young birds, he was anxious to get away with
them, for to him the species was one of the most interesting curiosities obtainable.
" I wonder whether she can figure any better than the ostrich," thought the
hunter, picking his way to the ground, on his guard against an assault by the
mother he had just robbed. " 'Cause if she can't, she won't be able to cipher out
that two of her beautiful children are missing, though, it seems to me, it must get
through her head that something is wrong.
" I don't care about banking on the idea that she won't smell a mouse helloa !
by jingo ! there she is /"
Jack had reached the ground and moved a few steps, when a whirr and rush
overhead told that the parent bird had returned to her nest. By this time there
was so much gloom in the jungle that the hunter was greatly favored. He was
resolved that, having succeeded thus far, he would not surrender his prizes. If the
parent should attack, he would shoot her,, which would only be in accord with the
hard rule that the sportsmen in search of natural curiosities must follow. In that
event, he meant to climb the tree and take the other eggs.
The bird had not observed the pilferer below, who stealthily withdrew from the
vicinity of the tree, hopeful of eluding her, but it was evident from her manner that
she saw something was amiss. There was a good deal of fluttering, with some queer
squawking, which speedily brought the male bird home to learn the cause of the
excitement.
What followed it would be impossible to say, since Jack Harvey passed beyond
hearing at this stage of the proceedings, and saw nothing more of those whom he
had despoiled.
The felicitation which he felt was marred, on arriving at the margin of the wood,
by his failure to see his mustang. He feared some of the wild men had stolen him,
but this misgiving quickly vanished when, in response to his signal, the pony came
trotting toward him, with a glad whinny.
An instant later the Texan was in his saddle, and once more he felt at home. The
young birds, which he had placed within his clothing, appeared to be well satisfied.
They uttered a tiny squeak or two, fluttered about a little when disturbed by the
motion of his body, but made no effort to free themselves, nor did they protest
against their confinement.
At the moment of taking the saddle, Jack looked across the plain in the direc-
tion of the encampment. There could be no mistaking its location, since its light
glowed like the beacon that tells the sailor of the harbor he is approaching.
His friends were surprised and pleased on seeing their valued comrade, as he
drew up his mustang, sprang to the ground, and asked them not to embrace him
too warmly, since he carried something brittle near his heart.
The tiny birds were produced, and examined by all. Bob and Dick could not
guess their species, and, though Mr. Godkin studied over it for some time, he was
wrong when he gave his opinion.
I 7 6
A FRIEND IN NFED.
But Pongo and Diedrick hit it the fi^st time. Young as were the birds, one of
them showed signs of the picturesque plumes at the back of its head, and it was
this fact that revealed the secret.
Having related his own experience, the Texan was prepared to listen to what
had befallen the others.
CHAPTER XXXI.
" ONE TWO THREE ! "
BOB MARSHALL, Dick
Brownell, Mr. Godkin
and Pongo set off in the
direction of the jungle,
where they had seen
the enormous boa-con-
strictor, and all were in
high spirits.
"How do they catch
the snakes that we see
in museums ? " asked
Dick, while they were
still some distance from
the wood.
" It is not difficult for
those who understand the business," re-
plied the director. "I have taken a hand
in capturing several in India. You have
only to wait until they are in a torpid con-
dition from gorging themselves, then slip
up and fling a blanket over their heads.
At the same time, a strong net can be used,
and a little dexterity will secure the reptile
without much trouble."
" Did you ever try chloroform ? " asked
Bob.
" No ; although I do not see why it
might not be turned to good account."
"Some years ago," remarked Bob,
" when I was in New York, a big snake, that
a man was wheeling in a box, was set free
by the upsetting of the barrow in the City Hall Park. You ought to have seen
the people scatter, though I don't think any of them got out of the way quicker
than I did. There was a panic for a time, until one of the trained men from
Reiche's place, in the Bowery, appeared, threw a blanket over the snake's head,
and then easily lifted him into the box."
11 177
ij8 "ONE TWO THREE!"
I once asked Mr. Reiche the size of the biggest snake he ever had, "said Dick,
"and he told me eighteen feet. I judge, from what you have said, that if we
find the one you saw this forenoon, we shall look upon a much larger one."
"You will, indeed; too large for any company of men to think of capturing,
though I have felt inclined, more than once, despite my dislike of the reptiles, to
secure one. We have no chloroform with us, so we cannot try the experiment you
speak of, and, on the whole, I think we'll give that class of curiosities the go-by."
" I hope so," replied Dick, " for, to my way of thinking, they would form the one
disagreeable feature of our menagerie."
Before reaching the immediate neighborhood of the spot where the constrictor
had been seen, all four dismounted. Pongo took the lead, and, remembering the
place well, went straight to it, but, to the disappointment of all, the reptile was not
in sight.
" He can't be far off," said Mr. Godkin, following the native among the trees,
"and we shall soon find him."
Despite the director's warnings, the Bushman walked so fast that he drew away
from them. Mr. Godkin was on the point of ordering him to return, when a low
whistle was heard, and Pongo came back with P"ch a flurried appearance that all
knew he had located the constrictor.
"Me find him," said he; "big fellow eat horse eat ox eat us!"
" I hope he won't undertake all that," said Bob, with a laugh, glancing at his rifle.
"Since you have found him," said Mr. Godkin, "you may lead the way, Pongo."
This suited the native, who willingly assumed the duty of guide.
Only a short distance had been passed, in a guarded fashion, the three following
close at the fellow's heels, when he paused and pointed up among the branches of
one of the trees. Following, with their eyes, the direction, our friends looked
upon an amazing sight.
The most enormous boa-constrictor on which they had ever gazed was coiled
around the trunk, at a height of less than thirty feet from the ground. He was just
above the spot where a number of big branches put out, in different directions. He
surrounded the tree four or five times, while fully a dozen feet of his neck and head
were extended along one of the limbs.
The reptile was motionless from head to tail, though, if it chose, it could have
unwound itself with great rapidity.
The four sportsmen stood for a minute, gazing in silent awe.
" Did you ever see the like ? " asked Bob.
% "Never," replied Dick, "and I can't say that I'm anxious to see it again."
" And yet there are plenty of them," remarked Mr. Godkin.
"Do you think it sees us?"
" Likely enough, for it is on the watch for game, and they have a keen vision."
"Suppose it should unwind and come for us?"
" It would be a good time to leave," was the half jocular remark of Mr. Godkin;
* but I don't apprehend anything of the kind, unless we venture nearer."
* ONE TWO THREE ! "
17$
The flat, hideous head was far out on the branch, which bowed considerably,
under the unusual weight.
While the party were surveying the vast reptile, the front of the hoad was
observed to rise a few inches, the base remaining on the support.
It looked as if he had espied the parties below, and was saying: "You'll do very
<vell; please come a little closer."
" Well, Mr. Godkin," said Bob, shall we try it ? "
"Yes; the mark is so fair that we can't miss."
" It seems impossible for a single bullet to kill such an enormous creature as
that," said Dick, " but I suppose it will do so, if it is rightly aimed."
" That is at the head ? " asked Bob.
" Yes, though there is the heart,
which would do as well, if we could
only locate it. But we will try the
head, and we must shoot together, so
us to give him a triple dose."
'THIRTY-ONE FEET, THREE INCHES."
The preliminaries were
quickly settled. It was agreed
that when Bob and Dick were
sure their aim was accurate,
they were to utter a slight
exclamation. Then Mr. Godkin would count slowly, and at the word " Three!" all
Would pull trigger.
The boys kept their bodies well hidden behind the broad trunk at their side,
while Pongo watched the hunters with a vivid interest, which possibly may be
imagined.
Carefully and coolly our friends pointed their rifles at the head of the reptile.
Holding them stationary for a few seconds only, the cousins softly spoke:
"Now!"
" One two three! "
The three reports sounded like one, and the bullets tore their way clean through
{he constrictor's head, each taking a fatal course, and only a few inches apart.
The monster did not stir for perhaps five seconds. It must have been that that
length of time was required for it to discover that its "time had come.'*
i8o "ONE TWO THREE!"
All at once, it was seen to be winding and unwinding its body with lightning-
like rapidity, whipping among the branches with a fury that looked as if it must
splinter everything within reach.
" It may come this way," remarked Mr. Godkin, who saw that it was gradually
working toward the ground, where, when it arrived and continued its struggles, it
would be like the piece of pyrotechny known as a " chaser," which darts in the most
unexpected directions. The snake was liable to make a plunge toward the specta-
tors, without meaning it, but, in such an event, the results were sure to be disastrous.
Every one moved nimbly back a couple of rods, where the sight was partly
obscured, observing which, Mr. Godkin again stepped forward, determined to miss
nothing.
The terrific threshing lasted but a few minutes, when it gradually ceased, and
all became still.
" I believe the creature is dead," said the gentleman, stepping a little nearef
and peering carefully through the undergrowth.
" Have a care ! " admonished Bob ; " you can well afford to wait until certain."
The advice was good and was heeded. All, however, went far enough to observe
that the reptile lay on the ground, contorted and partly coiled and as motionless as
when it was first descried in the branches of the tree.
" He dead," said Pongo, who showed his faith by going forward and kicking
the body. A nervous twitching of the tail caused the others some misgiving, but
there remained no doubt that the boa-constrictor was lifeless.
The next wish, after inspecting it, was to ascertain its length. This was rather
difficult, owing to its twisted posture on the ground, but Pongo with some effort
stretched the snake at full length upon the ground, and Mr. Godkin applied his
tape measure, from the tip of the tail to the extremity of the head.
Shall I tell you the precise length ?
" Thirty-one feet, three inches."
CHAPTER XXXII.
CONCERNING SNAKES.
"WOULDN'T the public open its
eyes if it could see that?" said Jack
Harvey that night, as he sat with his
friends, talking over their experience
with the boa-constrictor.
"So would any person," replied Mr.
Godkin : "there are authentic instances
of pythons growing to a length of twenty-
eight and thirty feet, but they are rare."
" I'm glad we have nothing of the
kind in our country," said Bob Marshal],
"though I've heard of some pretty big ones in Jack's State."
"Yes, we have a few healthy rattlers down in Arizona and Texas and around
there, but they are always manly enough to give warning before they strike."
" I've seen a black-snake kill the crotalus horridus" said Dick, " if you will allow
a technical term.'
"How was that?" asked Mr. Godkin; "I have met both kinds, but never
witnessed that."
"The black-snake, you know, is a constrictor, and therefore not poisonous, but
he is a good deal more lively than the rattlesnake. When they go for each other,
the black one easily dodges the blows of the other and soon squeezes him to
death."
"How large a rattlesnake have you seen?"
"None with more than a dozen rattles, which is a pretty good size, but I know
a Mr. Hall, who, when riding through Illinois, many years ago, on horseback,
saw a great snake crawling across the road ahead of him. There was no fence
on either side, but the serpent crept in among some tall dry grass, where his eye
could easily follow him. Mr. Hall dismounted, leaving his horse alone, for there
was nothing to tie him to, picked up a hoop-pole from a pile at the side of the road,
and started after the fellow. He saw that he was a monster and he meant to kill
him.
" Running up as close as he dared, he hit him a smart rap, for a slight blow will
kill a rattler. It instantly coiled to strike, but he jumped back out of the way.
The snake started on and the gentleman ran forward and struck it again. He said
the hoop-pole was so slender that it bent as he brought it down, and the blow was
too weak, therefore, to be effective.
181
BOA CONSTRICTOR.
CONCERNING SNAKES.
i8 3
" The snake repeated its tactics, but it was easy enough to keep out of ', > way.
By and by he caught the white gleam of its belly, and he knew that his blc* & were
telling. So he rained them faster arid faster, and in a few minutes the reptile was
as dead as a door-nail. He said the snake, a short distance below its head, was as
big around as his leg above the knee. He cut off the rattles, and kept them for
many years. I saw and counted them."
"How many?"
"Thirty-two."
[I may state, parenthetically, that the story told by Dick Brownell is strictly
true. Mr. Hall killed a rattlesnake with thirty-two rattles, as described, in the State
of Illinois, in 1842.]
A PRODUCT OF OUR OWN COUNTRY.
"I never saw any as large as that," said Mr. Godkin, "though one of them that
buried his fangs in my finger had half as many rattles."
" What did you do for the bite ? "
" I drank nearly a pint of brandy."
" At what time of the year was it ? "
" Quite early in summer."
" You probably would have done as well without any medicine at all, for the
rattlesnake's bite is not very deadly except between the first of August and the time
he goes into winter quarters. You know how sluggish he is, and that he never bites
without warning, and then only when he is disturbed; but the cobra, for instance,
comes crawling into a hut when its inmates are asleep, and lets fly with that hooded
head and his bursting poison-sacs, the instant he gets a chance, and his bite in
deadly at all times."
CONCERNING SNAKES.
" Yes; he is one of the worst known. How many orders are there of serpents,
Dick ? "
" About a thousand, I believe, which is just a thousand too many."
"Do you know of any method of telling whether the wound of a snake is poison-
ous, since you cannot always identify the species by its appearance ? "
" If the wound consists of numerous punctured orifices placed in two curved
lines, the snake-bite is harmless, but when there are only two punctures, you may
make up your mind that it is a venomous snake that has inflicted them, though
there are some harmless ones whose two long fangs are not perforated in front."
" How many species are there of the viperida family ? "
" About twenty-two;
all have a single per-
forated tooth on each
side of the upper jaw,
and belong to the East-
ern Hemisphere, espe-
cially in Africa."
"Yes," said Mr. God-
kin, " it was one of that
species which is cred-
ited with causing the
death of Cleopatra. The
horned snake of Egypt
is one of the most re-
markable species."
"I saw a specimen in
Mr Barnum's museum.
A little horny spur pro-
jects above the eye, and
the snake was about two
feet long, with a sandy
red color and irregular
brownish markings. They are very fond of the heat, and will luxuriate in the flam-
ing sands of the desert, where almost any other creature would die."
"The European species is the only venomous reptile found in Great Britain,
and even that is not very dangerous. So that England is more favored in the
respect you name than are the United States, while Ireland is ahead of every other
country. Speaking of the rattlesnake, however, can you tell me of how many species
the crotalidce family consists? I will let Bob answer, -if he pleases."
"About forty pit vipers," replied the lad with a laugh, for he, too, had studied
the subject quite fully, " so called from having a deep pit on the side of the snout
They are absent from Europe, Africa, and Australia, but are plentiful in America,
and of course, some of them are found in Asia and the East Indies."
CONCERNING SNAKES.
i8 S
THE HORNED SNAKE.
"The Asiatic species of pit vipers are a good deal smaller in size than the
American species," remarked Mr. Godkin.
"And a great deal more dangerous," added Bob; "they lack the rattle, though
the genus halys comes pretty near it. The genus trimeresurus are so vicious when
aroused, that they will strike at everything within reach and will sometimes bite
themselves, which is a habit to be encouraged. There is a species found in Java
and Siam, a single one of which has been known to kill two persons, who died
within five minutes of each other."
" Hold on ! draw it mild," said the wondering Jack Harvey.
" Did you see any of the hydrophidce on your way here ? "
" No, I wasn't introduced to any of them," replied the Texan.
" I have noticed quite a number between Calcutta and Ceylon," said the director.
"They are abundant in the Indian
and Australian seas, for the whole
distance between Madagascar and
Panama. Those which I saw were
all of the pelamis bicolor species.
None of them was more than three
feet in length, and they never leave
the water.
" I believe there are about a hun-
dred species of the elapidce family, to
which the cobra belongs," ad ted Mr.
i86
CONCERNING SNAKES.
Godkin; " and from the knowledge you boys have displayed of the subject, I don't
suppose it is necessary for me to say that plenty of them are met with in Australia,
and the Egyptian cobra is often seen in Cairo. There is one group which I am
quite sure you have not seen, boys."
"What is that?"
"The acrochoridcz."
"No; we never saw any specimens."
"There are only three or four species belonging to the acrochoridtz or wart
snakes, but, of course, they abound in Southern India."
"Yes; and in Singapore, Borneo and New Guinea."
Bl
A PIT VIPER.
The conversation had drifted into this scientific channel without premeditation
on the part of any one. Mr. Godkin's study and experience had given him a
knowledge of the animal kingdom above the ordinary, and now and then he liked
to quiz his young friends, who showed by their replies that they had given much
attention to the same interesting subject.
During the talk, Jack Harvey quietly smoked his pipe and listened in awed
wonder. He had never heard such terms used, and consequently they were Gree'k
to him. Now and then he uttered a protest, and at the last remark of the director
turned such a reproving look upon him that all laughed.
"I hope you'll catch that critter," said he, "but you'll never be able to get him
across the water alive."
CONCERNING SNAKES. 187
"Why not?"
" His name will be the death of him. What others are there ? "
" There is the acrochordus javanicus"
"What sort of <cus' is that?"
" I never saw one, and indeed but a single person that had looked upon one.
The serpent belongs in Java and is about eight feet long. Its face resembles that
of a thorough-bred bull dog, and it is believed to live on fruit, though very little
is known about it. However," added Mr. Godkin, with a sigh, "we haven't half
exhausted the subject, for there are the other families, including the pythons, boa^.
rock-snakes, blunt-head snakes, whip snakes, tree snakes, desert snakes, dwary
snakes, flesh-eating snakes (found in Penang, Singapore, Gamboja, Sumatra, Java,
Celebes and Borneo), short tails, blind snakes, double-enders and scores of others.
But we have had enough."
"A little too much," said Jack Harvey; "what is the fancy name for a grizzly
bear?"
"Ursus horribilis"
" That ain't right," said the Texan, decisively.
"What is it, then?"
"Old Ephraim."
CHAPTER XXXIII.
A REMINISCENCE.
"ES, sir," added Jack
of the grizzly is Old Eph-
out hunting with any of
wouldn't be well to forget
"Do you know," said
Harvey, "the right name
raim, and, if you ever go
the boys in Californy, it
that fact."
Bob Marshall," that to hear
you speak of the grizzly bear makes me homesick ? It comes like a breath of air
from the Rocky Mountains; no other country in the world can produce the magnifi-
cent grizzly bear, and I am proud of it."
"So am I," added Dick Brownell, with a radiant countenance; "I've heard the
animal called Old Ephraim, and it gave me a pleasant thrill when Jack pronounced
the name. Here we are in the Dark Continent, with a climate that half the time is
like an oven, with snakes and all sorts of horrible creatures around us : how can I
help thinking of my own glorious West, with its snowy mountains, its green, rolling
prairies, and its grizzly bears. Ah, me ! " added the youth with a sigh, which was
shared in spirit by his friends, " I sometimes wonder what possessed us to come to
such a country as this."
" The same reason, or lack of reason, which prompts the arctic explorer that
returns from the land of desolation, broken in health, to sigh to return again,"
replied Mr. Godkin, who repressed the longing that often came over him to hasten
to his beloved America, thousands of miles away.
"Tell us something about the dear old grizzly bears," said Bob, with such a
pleading look at the Texan that he could not resist the appeal.
188
A REMINISCENCE.
i8g
"The only trouble," said Jack, "is that I've been in so many scrimmages with
the Old Ephraims, that it's hard work to pick out the most interesting."
" Let us hear about the first time you met him," suggested Mr. Godkin.
"Well, that's about as entertainin' as any of the other fights, leastways it was
so to me, for it happened a good many years ago, afore I had learned to sling the
lasso, but not afore I thought I knowed a good deal more than I'm sure I know now.
THE GRIZZLY BEAR.
" Me and Bill Lamokin picked up a sick miner in 'Frisco one day, and took the
best care we could of him. He had some sort of fever, that the doctors couldn't
handle, but the main trouble with the poor fellow was that he'd got it into his head
that he couldn't live, and when a sick man is in that shape, he's sure to pass in his
checks, in spite of a cityful of doctors.
" Howsumever, me and Bill done the square thing, and was with him when he
i go
A REMINISCENCE.
died. The chap felt so thankful like, that he give us a slip of paper with a lot of
figgers and marks on it, and explained that if we'd follow the directions there, arter
reaching a certain part of the Sierra Nevada, we'd strike it rich. There was plenty
of gold dust, and it wouldn't take us long to scoop in enough to buy out the bigger
part of 'Frisco.
"Well, arter the poor miner was shoved under ground, Bill and me got ready
to look into the matter. I reasoned that we was so blamed poor that we couldn't
get any poorer, so that if we made a miss of it, we wouldn't be any worse off than
we was afore we started.
" The upshot of all this speculatin' was that at the end of a month we was close
to the hidden gold mine. We each had a mule, but we concluded that, if we struck
a pile of the dust, we'd cache it and then come back with a big enough drove of
mules to carry it to the mint in 'Frisco.
" To tell the truth, Bill didn't seem to have as much faith in the thing as I did,
and he insisted that we should prospect while we was on our way there : that was
the reason why we was so long in getting fairly into the Sierras.
" As near as I can figger, we couldn't have been more than twenty miles from
the spot, when we went into camp, in one of the wildest places I ever set foot on.
" It was early in the afternoon, and we was as hungry as ' get out.' Bill agreed
to start the fire and put the camp in shape, while I set off to hunt supper. Ante-
lope, elk and deer was plenty, and I was sure of shooting all I wanted without long
hunting.
" Howsumever, the animals was so shy that it was a full hour afore I got a shot
at one of the critters, and then he give me such a long run that I got mad and let
him go. He had led me a good distance up among the rocks, into one of the wildest
places I ever seen. It was right on a high precipice that overhung a deep stream,
a long ways below, which made me fairly dizzy when I looked down at the water.
" I wasn't very good-natured, you may depend, when I turned about to hunt for
other game, but all thoughts of my disappointment were knocked out of my head
when, after walking a few yards, I found myself face to face with an Old Ephraim,
as big as Samson, that old grizzly Adams used to show in Barnum's Museum.
" That was the first time I had ever looked on the critter, though I was in a
region where they was quite plenty, and you needn't wonder when I tell you that it
fairly knocked my breath from me for a minute or two.
" He was standing right in my path, as I wanted to leave the high place among
the rocks, though it looked as if there was a chance for an active young gentleman
like me to dash around him.
" I had a good gun with me, but it wasn't a Winchester. It was a single-shot
breech-loader, and I knowed how to handle it pretty well. I reckoned that one
bullet, when I had the chance to take good aim, was enough to settle the hash of
any critter, whether he was Old Ephraim or not, and, as the weapon was ready for
use, I can't say that I felt shaky at looking him in the eye, with only about fifty
yards between us.
"OLD EPHRAIM HAD COME TO TOWN." Page 192
IQ3 A REMINISCENCE.
" The critter seemed as surprised at first as I was. He stood with a stupid,
inquiring look tor a minute, and then rose on his haunches, and began pawing the
air in a playful way, as if to coax me to go up to him, and let him give me a reg'lar
old-fashioned hug.
" Not much, I said to myself, raising my gun, and, sighting at the place where I
'sposed his heart was, I let drive, and then banged the stock of my rifle down
on my foot, and looked up to see him keel over like a meeting-house when its
foundation gives out.
" But he didn't keel. He pawed at his flesh as though the wound was a splintu
which he was trying to pull out. I was sure he would turn up his toes the next
minute ; but, while I was watchin' for it, he dropped down on all fours and lumbered
toward me at a gait that left no time to load my gun again.
" If there ever was a scared young man, it was Jack Harvey about that time.
Right behind me was the precipice, with the deep river far below. The grizzly was
in front, and, coming so fast that I couldn't load up again nor get by him. The only
weapons left was my hunting knife and revolver.
" Yanking out the pistol, I emptied every chamber into him when he was less
than twenty feet away. I'm sure, too, that each bullet lodged in his big body, and
yet, for all the effect they produced, they might as well have been fired against a
stone wall.
" By the time I could get out my knife, Old Ephraim had come to town.
" I knowed it was no use trying to fight him with only my knife, for he could
chaw me up afore I could prick him. Feeling that I had made a mistake in not
jumping over into the water, I started ; but what held me back "was the fear that
the stream was not so deep as it looked. In such a wild place a current is likely to
have all kinds of depths that is, in some places it would take a pole fifty or a
hundred feet to touch bottom, while right alongside it a p'inted rock might push up
within an inch or two of the surface.
" Now, if I should happen to drop on one of them p'ints, you can see that it
would be rather bad for me, and it was that which kept me from jumping until it
was almost too late.
"Just as I turned, Old Ephraim grabbed me, with the intention of crushing my
ribs into a pulp, and I knowed that the question had to be settled in the next
minute or two. I put forth all the strength I had to break loose, but I couldn't.
Howsumever, I done that which was next best. The grizzly was so close that I
upset his balance, and over we both went.
"Well," added Jack Harvey, with a sigh at the recollection, "that was a good
many years ago, but I don't think I'll forget about it if I live to be as old as Godkin
there. It seemed to me that we were about an hour and a half falling through the
air afore we struck the water, and, when we done so, it must have sounded as though
the top of the mountain had tipped over into the stream.
"I remember that at the minute we went off the ledge, I tried to bring Old
Ephraim under me, so that if we did stop too suddenly, he would get the benefit of
A REMINISCENCE.
it, but, lucky for me, the water was so deep that we must have sunk twenty feet
afore I felt my foot touch the rocky bottom.
" I lost my hold of the grizzly when I struck the water, for I had gripped him
by the long hair at the back of his shoulders, and I hoped to get to the surface
again ahead of him. But, when I come up, there he was, and he went for me with a
rush.
" I had a better chance in the water, and, dropping down, I dove under him,
taking care when I came up to grab the hair on his back, and held on with both
hands.
" Wasn't he furious ? He growled and began swimming round and round after
me, but, since it was easy enough to hang on, it was like a kitten chasing its tail,
and he never quite reached me, though he was so close more than once that I
expected he would.
" Well, this thing went on till Ephraim began to get it through his head that he
couldn't draw a hand that would win. Then he headed straight for the other shore
with me towing after him, as though he was playing the part of a steam-tug.
"I wasn't yet out of the scrape, for if we should both land, the grizzly would
have me foul, and I couldn't swim back to the shore behind me, for that was a solid
stone wall where a rat couldn't land.
" So I gently let go, just afore we reached land, took a long dive, only allowing
my nose to come up for a niff of air, went down again, and, when I finally opened
my eyes, I was a dozen yards below Ephraim.
"Would you believe it? There he stood on the shore, with his snout out over
the water, waiting for me to come up within reach. He didn't know enough to look
down stream for me, and, by managing things right, I drifted so far off that, before
long, I was able to leave the stream without danger from him.
" It was a long journey round to the top of the rock where I had left my rifle,
and, by the time I laid hands on it again, it was growing dark, and I had to go baek
to camp without anything for supper."
CHAPTER XXXIV.
BEARS AND KANGAROOS.
'HE gold mine in the mountains what of that?" asked Mr.
Godkin, who, like the boys, was much interested in the
story of the Texan. The latter uttered a sniff of disgust.
"I've no doubt it is there just where the chap said
it was."
"Why, then, didn't you find it? or, perhaps, you
did, and you are a disguised millionaire," remarked Bob
Marshall.
"Remember," added Dick, with mock eagerness, "that
we are your friends, and will stand by you as long as the
money lasts."
"Dc you know," said Jack Harvey, looking up almost angrily, " what that con-
founded Old Ephraim did ? "
" He got away from you."
"Worse than that."
"What was it?"
" He made me lose the paper that had the directions to the gold mine. Some-
how or other, it got out of my pocket during the circus in the water, and I never
laid eyes on it again. Bill and me spent all next day in searching 'round the spot,
and then made up our mind that Old Ephraim found it and chawed it up on purpose."
" I should have thought you would have remembered everything on it from read-
ing it so often."
"That's what we both thought; but, when Bill studied it, he must have held it
upside down, or else I did, for our recollection didn't agree very well. Neither Bill
nor me was much of a scholar, and I suppose the truth of it was we got things
mixed. Buc it's sure that, though we spent weeks in the mountains, we never
found any place that answered the description of the miner, and we come back to
'Frisco the worst-looking tramps you ever laid eyes on."
" It seems to me," said Bob, " that the bear is one of the most widely distributed
of animals."
"Yes," replied the director, "he is found in many different parts of the world,
and you know we have several varieties in our own country, besides Old Ephraim
that Jack has just told us about."
" Bob and I have hunted the black and brown bear," said Dick, " and there are
few sportsmen in the Eastern States who cannot tell you of some adventures with
them."
194
BEARS AND KANGAROOS.
195
"What is there peculiar about the Malay bear?"
" He is called Bruang by the Malays, and is a native of Sumatra, Borneo and
Java and the Malayan Peninsula. He is about four feet long, and two feet high at
the shoulders. He is remarkable for his power of protruding his lips. He has a
long tongue and claws, and is very fond of honey, which is also a weakness of other
bears."
THE BROWN BEAR.
" Why are some of them called sun bears .
" Because of their fondness for basking in the sun instead of keeping in their
dens during the daytime."
"The sloth bear, I believe, belongs to India," said Bob.
"Yes; he is found at Nepaul, Benares and the Southern Mahratta country.
When Vie was first taken to Europe, a good many took him for a sloth. He, too
can protrude his lips to a considerable extent. His muzzle is elongated, and, like
BEARS AND KANGAROOS.
the ends of the feet, is whitish or yellowish. He is fond of fruits, honey and white
ants, and in captivity is mild and melancholy."
"The polar bear seems to be able to stand warm weather as well as cold,"
remarked Dick, "for I know Mr. Barnum has hardly ever been without one in his
show, which does most of its business during warm weather."
[As a proof of the ability of the polar bear to undergo high temperature, I may
add that "Dick," still alive and many years old, was the only bear that survived
the great fire at Bridgeport, in November, 1887.]
"Mr. Godkin," said Bob Marshall, "how long have you been in the employ of
the menageries ? ' '
BLACK BEAR.
"It's along time," he answered, "dating away back from before either of you
were born. It so happened that I landed in India just previous to the breaking
out of the great Sepoy mutiny of '57."
" Were you there through that war ? " asked Dick.
"Through a good deal of it, and I had one of the strangest adventures that ever
befell a person. I won't tell you about it this evening," he added, observing the
expectant looks of his friends, "but some time I'll give you the story."
"You have been in Africa before?"
" Yes, I made a visit to Bechuana Land some years since, and I spent one season
in Australia-"
BEARS AND KANGAROOS.
19?
KANGAROO FAMILY.
" Hunting for kangaroos, I suppose ? "
"That was the principal business, but Australia can furnish a good many
curiosities besides tne kangaroo, though I think that animal leads them all in
BEARS AND KANGAROOS.
interest. However, I suppose you young gentlemen know so much about the
creatures," said the director with a smile. " that you won't care to hear anything
from me."
THE MALAY BEAR.
The boys hastened to protest against any such view, and plied their questions
so fast that Mr. Godkin laughingly waved them back, and made known some facts
which, I think, are new to you.
"The young of the kangaroo are born in an embryotic state, and are placed at
tince in the curious marsupium, or pouch, belonging to the mother, where they attach
BEARS AND KANGAROOS.
199
themselves to the nipples. There they cling till their limbs are gradually formed
and they are able to go alone. It is pleasing to see the odd-looking creatures
hopping about their mother, and, on the first appearance of danger, dodging into
the friendly pouch, where they stay till it is past, perhaps peeping out now and
then to observe how matters are going."
THE POLAR BEAR.
" That certainly is a remarkable provision of nature."
"But not everyone understands the most wonderful features about it. The
embryotic kangaroo at its birth is less than two inches long, and, although it has
the power to grasp the mother's nipple, it isn't strong enough to draw nourishment
therefrom."
2OO BEARS AND KANGAROOS.
" How in the mischief does it get along ? " asked Jack Harvey, " that is, if you
can tell a fellow without the use of any of those big Dutch words."
" You will allow me, however, to say that it belongs to the genus macropus.
Well, since the young one cannot pump her own supply of milk, the mother does it
for it, that is to say, while the little one is simply clinging to the nipple and
unable to do anything else, the parent injects the milk into its tiny mouth."
" It seems to me," said Bob, " that that would interfere with its breathing."
" So it would, except for an astonishing provision of nature. Since the mother
cannot know when the little one is trying to draw sustenance, and is, therefore,
unable to time her injection with that effort, nature has arranged the air passages
of the foetus so that it can breathe and imbibe at the same time."
" How long does the young one stay in the pouch ? "
" At the end of eight months it begins to peep out its head to see what the
world looks like. Now and then it crops the grass, at the same time that the mother
is grazing, and by and by hops out upon the ground, ready, however, at any instant
to rush back to its refuge.
" It relies upon the mother for shelter and supplies, until it weighs nearly a
dozen pounds. Occasionally it thrusts its head into the pouch for its lacteal fluid,
even though another foetus may be inside clinging to the second nipple."
" How does the kangaroo rank as to intelligence ? " asked Dick.
" All marsupiated animals, as you may know, stand at the bottom grade as
respects intelligence. They seem to be incapable of forming friendships, and will
recognize their attendant no more than a stranger. They hardly ever utter a sound,
though I have heard a muttering growl now and then from one of them. But the
giraffe is silent even in its death agonies.
" I believe kangaroos are found in a few other places besides Australia.
"There are plenty in New Guinea, where Jack saw them, and in Tasmania and
the adjacent islands, fully sixty species being known. The great kangaroo was dis-
covered in 1770, during Captain Cook's first voyage, while passing on the coast of
New South Wales to repair his ship."
"How big is he?"
" A full-grown male measures between five and six feet, from the tip of the nose
to the root of the tail, the female being considerably less. When in full flight, they
will jump fifteen or eighteen feet, their bodies and tails being outstretched, the
latter serving as a balance. Its fore legs are so short that they are useless for trav-
eling, but mighty convenient for digging."
" Those that you are talking about," said Jack Harvey, " I believe are the largest
kind."
" Yes; the macropus giganteus heads them all as respects size. Mr. Barnum
was always interested in them, and has six now in his menagerie. Then there is
the antelope kangaroo, with short fur, and stiff hairs, found in North Australia, the
brush kangaroo, so plentiful over all Australia that thousands of its skins used to
be sold at a trifling price; the yellow-legged kangaroo, often met in South Australia,
BEARS AND KANGAROOS.
201
and entirely nocturnal in its habits, and the two species of the tree kangaroo,
natives of New Guinea. Their fore legs are almost the size of the hind ones, and
are furnished with powerful curved claws, which make climbing easy. They have
very long tails and coarse hair."
"What is meant by Le Brun's kangaroo?" asked Dick Brownell.
"It is the animal which Le Brun observed in 1711, and was the first of the
THE BADGER.
family with which naturalists became acquainted. Le Brun saw it in captivity
at Batavia. Its tail is shorter than its body, is thick, ringed with scales and
naked toward the apex. It is not nocturnal, and is found in New Guinea and the
Aru Islands."
"What about the lunulated kangaroo?"
" I consider that the prettiest of all. It is only about two feet high; is slender
and graceful, with short fur, very prettily marked. Then there are the hare kan-
202
BEARS AND KANGAROOS.
garoos, of small size, in Southern Australia, while the Tasmanian rat kangaroo is
more diminutive, but a hardly less interesting animal."
"I believe the badger is an Australian bird," said Jack, who felt more interest
in the conversation than he was willing to admit.
" The Indian badger is met with in Assam and Arakan ; the common badger is
found in the British Islands; the American badger in the western part of our own
country, but the Australian badger, or wombat, is very different from any of them.
He has a heavy body and short legs, and waddles along like a fat bear. You will
find him in almost every part of Australia. He keeps out of sight during the day,
burrowing so deep that few natives have the patience to dig him out."
ELEPHANT SHREW MOUSE.
"I judge the kangaroo rat to belong, also, to the same country," said Dick
Brownell.
" He is very plentiful in New South Wales, but he is small, his head and body
being only fifteen inches long, with the tail about two-thirds as much, and is covered
with scales, with a few stiff hairs forcing their way through, here and there."
" What is the gerboa ? "
" He belongs to this part of the world, upon the sides of the mountains, where
he lives in burrows that he tunnels for himself in the ground. In many places you
will find the earth honeycombed. They hardly ever leave their tunnels until after
sunset. The natives are fond of their flesh, and secure them by drawing them out
of their holes."
" Is the elephant mouse so called on account of his size ? "
BEARS AND KANGAROOS.
203
" Rather on account of his trunk-like nose. We shall probably see some of them
in this part of the world, though they are found as far north as the Zambesi and
Mozambique."
"Australia has one creature," said Dick, "which has awakened more interest
than anything else : that is the duck-bill, or ornithorhynchus."
" It belongs there or in Van Dieman's Land, and is known as the mullingong,
or platypus. It is less than two feet long, and is an aquatic and burrowing animal.
It has a broad, flat bill, thick, soft fur and webbed feet. It can use its fore feet
THE KANGAROO MOUSE.
equally well for digging or swimming, and in digging it employs its bill as well as
its feet. The males are furnished with a flexible spur for their hind feet, which can
be folded up so that it is out of sight."
"Since Australia is the land of the kangaroo," suggested Bob, "I suppose you
had some adventures with those animals ? "
" Plenty of them, though none was so stirring as my experiences in India and
this part of the world. Kangaroo hunting is a favorite amusement of the colonists
and natives. The latter make use of the boomerang, to which Pongo is so partial,
BEARS AND KANGAROOS.
and they tnrow it with the skill he shows. Sometimes they surround a herd of the
animals, drive them together, and then make a rush upon them with clubs and
spears. But the right way is to hunt on horseback, with trained dogs, in regular
fox-hunt style.
" It happened that I was alone, when my two hounds started a large male, which
went bounding over the grassy plain with amazing speed. His course led toward
THE DUCK-BILL OR ORNITHORHYNCHUS.
a stretch of open woods, where he was so hindered that the dogs caught up with
him. What did the animal then do but turn at bay on the edge of a large stream,
seize the first dog that came within reach, and, pushing him under the water, hold
him there till he was drowned ?
" Flinging him aside, he then jumped for the other, which kept out of his way
for awhile. The dog might have dodged the kangaroo altogether, but he was too
plucky for his own good, and, leaping at the throat of the game, was caught, like
EMU.
BEARS AND KANGAROOS.
his predecessor, in those short arms, and ripped to
shreds by the hind legs, that are provided with
> claws as effective as bowie-knives.
"I was somewhat bewildered by the sounds of my
dogs, not feeling sure what they meant. I supposed
they were able to take care of themselves, but thought
it prudent to hurry and learn how they were making out.
" I dismounted, and had penetrated only a short dis-
tance in the timber, when, to my surprise, I caught sight
of the kangaroo, who was returning over his own trail,
by a series of moderate jumps. I stopped short, and he
did not see me until within a couple of rods. Then,
instead of turning aside, as I expected him to do,
he put on more steam and came directly for me,
making a tremendous bound that carried him over
my head. I was so startled that he came near
escaping altogether, but I dropped him just before
he reached the open plain. I might have spared
him, if I hadn't been so angry over the loss of my
dogs.
" Some time later I shot the female, who had two
vigorous, partly grown young ones, which I sent to
Mr. Barnum. They grew into fine large fellows,
which traveled thousands of miles over the country
A LEAP FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP, with him."
The emu is another interesting curiosity whose
home is in Central Australia. It is very fleet of foot and resembles the ostrich in
many respects. The dogs which are trained to hunt it, wait until it is exhausted
before attacking, when they spring at its throat, thus avoiding its dreaded kicks,
which are delivered sideways and backwards, instead of forward, as is the case
with the ostrich.
The height of the emu sometimes exceeds six feet and it is a good swimmer.
It is hunted so persistently that it is dying off rapidly, and in a few years will prob-
ably be extinct, like the famed dodo, and also the bison of our own country.
The fierce native dogs of Australia, known as dingoes, follow the same method
as the trained dogs in running down the emu, which fights them in vain.
CHAPTER XXXV.
A THIEF OF THE NIGHT.
African night wore on. Its mildness was such that there was no need oi
protection, nor of the fire that had been kindled for cooking purposes and
kept going because of the cheerful appearance it gave to everything.
So long as it blazed and crackled, the friends could see each others' faces,
and you who have not been similarly placed cannot realize the pleasure of meet-
ing the kindly countenance of a friend whenever you turn your eyes in a certain
direction.
The moon had grown to proportions that afforded considerable light, so much
so, indeed, that the hunters felt safe from the lions that would have been on hand
except for the orb of night.
But a single fire was burning, and that did not throw out a strong area of illu-
mination. Horses, cattle and goats had been gathered in secure quarters, and
everything made snug for the night. There was some apprehension that the cap-
tured animals in the stockade might be looked upon as legitimate prey by prowl-
ing wild beasts, but in such an event, before the marauders could tear down the
stakes, the prisoners would be sure to give notice of their danger, and the defenders
could rally to their defense.
Orak was recovering so rapidly that he insisted on keeping company with his
friends and in taking his part as sentinel. His comrades did not object, for, as you
will see, it produced a slight but perceptible lightening of their own labors.
It fell to the duty of Jack Harvey and Mr. Godkin to keep guard the first half
of the night, with the two natives, Wart and Adz, as their assistants. They com-
pelled the latter to keep moving about, so as to prevent themselves falling asleep,
but the Americans were confident of their own ability to keep awake while sitting
by the fire, smoking their pipes.
Bob and Dick became so drowsy, despite their interest in the narratives of Jack
Harvey and Mr. Godkin, that they bade them good evening and retired.
You would think that the experiences they had gone through during the day
would have kept them awake. So they would, had that been their first night in the
African wilderness, but you know how readily we can become used to any danger.
Soldiers will lie down and slumber on the battle-field, though not until they have
become accustomed, in some degree, to its horrors.
And thus it was that Bob Marshall and Dick Brownell, after a prayer of thank-
fulness to God for his mercies, and a plea for the continuance of them to themselvei
and their friends on the other side of the world, sank into a slumber as sweet and
refreshing as any they had ever known in childhood at home.
207
208
A THIEF OF THE NIGHT.
Both the youngsters assured me they never once dreamed about the enormous
boa-constrictor they had taken part in shooting, nor indeed could they recall that
their rest was disturbed by any visions at alM-
"Carl," said the Texan, when the two were entirely alone, "I want to come to
an understanding with you on one point."
" It shall not be my fault if we do not."
" You know the boys have set their hearts on making a visit to the Gaboon
country, for chimpanzees and gorillas."
MEN HUNTING THE EMU.
" There can't be and doubt of their wishes on that point, nor," added the director,
"of yours."
" Well, I'm free to say that I feel a good deal as they do; what I want to know,
is what you think about it, for it is yours to decide."
" If we are as fortunate as I hope to be, I shall arrange to go upon a gorilla
hunt."
" How will you fix it ? "
"Well, after we have captured all that we can get in this part of the world, I'll
start the train for Port Natal."
" Will all of us go with it ? "
A THIEF OF THE NIGHT. 2Og
" That's a point on which I haven't fully made up my mind, and I'll be glad to
hear your views. Will it be prudent for me to turn the train over to the charge,
say of Pongo, while you, I and the boys push for the western coast to take ship to
Loango ? "
This was the first time Mr. Godkin had given an intimation of the plan he had
in mind, though it had been suspected by his friends.
"As near as I can judge," replied the Texan, "we're about a thousand miles
from the Atlantic."
" It is not as far as that say, some seven or eight hundred miles."
" Then what is the distance to Port Natal ? "
" Nearly twice as far."
"I hardly thought it stood that way," remarked Jack, as if musing with himself.
"You had a proposition in your mind : let me hear it."
" I was about sayin' that if there wasn't much difference 'atween the roads to
the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean, why not all go back together to Port Natal, see
the animals safe on board ship, and then take Pongo and Diedrick, if you thought
best, with us, and sail from Port Natal for Loango ? "
" I am inclined to think we will do that even as it is the only objection is the
great time it will consume. We could strike the highlands of Great Namaqua
Land, and reach the coast long before the train would arrive at Natal."
" Why not continue to the westward with the train itself, and ship our animals
from an Atlantic port ? "
" I would like to do so, but there are grave objections. In the first place, my
knowledge of Great Namaqua Land is to the effect that it is very rough and moun-
tainous, especially that portion directly west of us. The great Orange River receives
one of its chief tributaries from the mountainous region of Upper Great Namaqua
Land; the country abounds with wild men, and, I am afraid, many parts are impas-
sable for wagon trains."
" It can't be worse than the portion of the Transvaal through which we worked
our way. We hadn't got fairly into Petermaritzburg when we were among the
Drakenberg Mountains. We met little else till we struck Bechuana Land, and
weVe found plenty of them here."
" It is true we have had a rough time of it, though we got through with good
fortune, but the country, bad as it is, is more favorable for traveling than that to the
westward. There is another objection, almost equally serious," added the director.
" What's that ? "
" No matter what point we might strike on the Atlantic coast, it would not be
half so advantageous as Port Natal. I have shipped animals as have others
from there many times. Plenty of vessels are always at the place, and no difficulty
will be encountered in sending off our curiosities. But it is all the other way on
the western shore. I know of no ports between Cape Town and Benguela, or
Angol, where we can count upon obtaining ship, though it might be that a small
party could secure passage northward."
2IO A THIEF OF THE NIGHT.
"You mean to say, then,", said Jack, "that if four or five of us should head
westward, we are likely to reach the Atlantic, obtain ship to the north, and save
weeks and months of time ? "
"That is my view, but I have already named the greatest objection to that
course. We have secured a lot of- valuable prizes for whose care I am responsible,
and, if I turn them over to a party of natives, and calamity should befall them, Mr.
Barnum would never excuse me. No," said the director, with a compression of his
lips, " it will never do."
" You're right," added the Texan, decisively; " we will see the train safe out of
the woods, or, at least, do all we can to see it out, and then we'll look into the
gorilla business."
I may say that I was surprised to learn from Mr. Godkin that there had ever
been any question in his mind as to the proper course for him to pursue. Having
reached a decision, he himself wondered that he had ever wavered on the point. I
suspect that his strong desire to gratify the wishes of his young friends interfered,
to a slight extent, with his natural level-headedness in such matters; for I trust I
have told you enough to make clear his coolness and good sense in such crises as
he was continually meeting.
It was not yet midnight when the director announced his conclusion in such
emphatic language. He and Jack refilled their pipes, and smoked as though they
would never tire. Wart and Adz, the natives, were dimly seen in the faint light of
the fire and moon, as they plodded back and forth on the edge of the camp.
They did not encircle it in their tramping, as they should have done, but their
beat covered a small space at the side and a few yards from where the white men
sat discussing the future movements of the expedition.
The fire had smoldered so low that the two could hardly see each other's faces.
Mr. Godkin stepped forward and stirred the wood with his foot, so that it broke
forth into a large, crackling blaze. There was plenty of wood within reach, and he
flung a lot on the flames.
"We don't need it," he said, resuming his seat on the other side, and facing
the Texan, " but it is so cheerful that I prefer to keep it going. I wonder what
time it is."
He drew out his watch to answer his own question, and found that midnight
was but half an hour distant.
Once more he settled back, but, before he could add anything to what he had
just said, Jack Harvey spoke in the most matter-of-fact tone:
"Don't stir; there's a wild man right behind you; I'll attend to him."
"What do you mean to do ? " asked Mr. Godkin, with the same coolness, as he
deliberately puffed his pipe.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
AS IN THE OLDEN DAYS.
MEAN to steal round behind him and try the lasso."
"Then I think I'd better take my seat by you, so that I'll face him,
instead of having my back toward him: I'd like to have a chance, too, to
see the fun."
" Be careful that you don't scare him away."
" I'll look out for that."
No one would have supposed from viewing the two men, and overhearing, with-
out understanding their words, that there had been the least change in the subject
of their conversation. Both were smoking, and the murmur of their voices sounded
the same as before in the ears of the native guards.
The latter were walking back and forth on the side of the camp opposite the
wild man, who was so cautious in his movements that there was no fear of his being
discovered by either of the other sentinels.
It was at the moment that the fire flamed up so high, under the stirring given it
by Mr. Godkin, that the keen-eyed Texan caught the outlines of a head and shoul-
ders as they dropped down in the shadow behind the director.
The single glimpse was enough to explain the nature of what he saw. It was
evident that the wild man was reconnoitering, or, more likely, seeking a position
close enough to allow him to hurl his spear, or discharge his bow and arrow, and
then make off before he was seen.
Mr. Godkin sauntered to the other side of the fire, and sat down on the ground
beside Jack Harvey.
" How many are there ? " asked the elder.
" I saw only one, but there's no telling how many others are sneaking about in
the darkness."
A
" There can't be many, or Wart and Adz would have learned it. How are you
going to work it ? "
" I mean to steal behind the chap and nab him."
" I don't believe you will succeed, but go ahead; we'll have some sport, anyway."
" I'll leave my gun here," said Jack, laying down his pipe and the weapon, " for
I want the free use of my arms, and I'll take along the lasso."
" You may need the free use of your rifle," suggested Mr. Godkin, " and you had
better do as you are accustomed to when on horseback."
The Texan, however, moved off without his chief weapon. If he ran into any
trouble, he had his revolvers, while he was close enough to friends to call them to
his help.
an
312 AS IN THE OLDEN DAYS.
No one could have understood better than he the care necessary in leaving the
vicinity of the camp fire. No doubt the wild man had his eyes fixed upon him, and
any movement would be watched with suspicious eyes.
Jack Harvey, therefore, sauntered off as though he had no purpose other than
to stretch his limbs. His course led straight away from the interloper, and conse-
quently took him across the beat of the native sentinels.
They looked at him as he approached, doubtless wondering what he wanted.
Since neither could speak English, conversation was out of the question, except in
the most disjointed way.
Still, Jack's purpose was to make the wild man believe he wished simply to say
something to the sentinels, and he, therefore, paused and uttered a few words, to
which the others made the best replies they could, which were not much.
Into the gloom beyond, the Texan strolled, gradually circling toward the river,
until he entered the tall grass that had been the cause of so much misgiving on the
part of all.
Had the wild man undertaken to follow him, he could have done so without de-
tection, since he appeared at a point between the camp fire and the edge of the tail
weeds, and was on the ground where it was almost impossible to see him. On the
other hand, Jack was erect, and the act of stooping was likely to awaken suspicion.
But the gentleman from Texas reasoned that there is considerable difference
between a native African and an American Indian.
Had he taken the course I have described in the presence of an Apache or
Comanche scout, the redskin would not have been deceived for an instant.
The question which bothered the Texan was, whether there was one or a dozen
wild men. If the latter, the case was serious, for they might launch a shower of
poisoned arrows or javelins into camp at any moment, while, if there was but a single
person, he was likely to maneuver a longer time before making any demonstration.
Though he could not be sure he had removed all misgiving the intruder may
have felt on witnessing his movements, Jack was so certain such was the fact, that
he acted on it without hesitation.
Not until he was fairly in the tall grass did the cowboy feel the confidence he
showed on his Indian campaigns. Finding himself in " cover " similar to that
which had often served him so well in his own country, he made no mistake.
He now stole through this grass in a stooping posture, with the purpose of
getting behind the stranger and bringing him in a direct line with Mr. Godkin.
That point gained, he would creep upon the savage, who would have to be an
amazingly spry fellow to escape him.
You will perceive that the Texan was acting on the theory that he had but one
enemy in front of him : should there prove to be more, his plan of campaign must
undergo modification.
No serpent could have moved through the weeds with less noise than he. He
might have passed within arm's length of a watchful redskin without betraying
himself.
AS IN THE OLDEN DAYS.
313
"I guess this is about the
spot," thought Jack, slowly rais-
ing his head above the grass, so
as to get his bearings ; " if that
darkey had half the brains of an
injin, he would have tumbled
before this, but there ain't any-
thing decent in this country,
compared with ours."
Jack ought not to have forgotten that the little enter-
prise on which he had started was not yet concluded.
It was an easy matter for him to reach the edge of the
grass without detection from any one. There he paused,
with a space of perhaps a hundred yards between him and THE OUTLINES OF A MAN'S
the camp-fire that he had left some time before. Most ol HEAD AND SHOULDERS
this had been grown over with the grass that was cut off ROSE SLOWLY TO VIEW."
as a matter of precaution, and somewhere on this space,
he was convinced, the native was crouching, with his baleful eyes fixed on the white
man, who, he little dreamed, knew of his whereabouts.
Jack found the intervening plain shrouded in more gloom than he had antici-
pated. Over most of it the unaided eye could not have detected any person unless
he stood on his feet, so as to be thrown into relief against the light of the camp fire.
It may have been that Mr. Godkin, who could be plainly seen by the Texan,
suspected his embarrassment, for while the latter lingered on the edge of the open
space, he saw him rise to his feet, fling more wood on the. fire, and stir it.
" Good for him ! " muttered the pleased scout ; " he knows just what I want,
and he done it for me."
The increased illumination, however, did not light up every portion of the little
plain, and the keen eyes of the Texan, roaming over the ground, failed to locate his
man.
" I wonder if he's lost," thought Jack, " or has he smelt a mouse and dusted out
afore I could give him a boost. Ah "
In the gloom between him and the camp, the outlines of a man's head and
shoulders rose slowly to view.
Jack had located his fellow at last.
"Yes, he's there," he chuckled, "and the band will begin to play mighty soon."
The savage was crouching at a point about two-thirds of the way between the
scout and the fire. This showed he was moving forward and did not suspect the
meaning of the white man's movement.
Jack felt a tinge of alarm as he realized that the savage was so near Mr. Godkin
that he could easily have launched a poisoned missile before the gentleman could
get out of range.
Should he make the attempt, Jack was without his rifle to anticipate him ; but
214
AS IN THE OLDEN DAYS.
his revolvers were at command, and he reflected that he had learned to use them
with considerable promptness in an emergency.
The question whether there was one or more savages had not yet been solved,
and it was that which chiefly occupied Jack as he began creeping toward the
camp-fire.
Once free of the grass, he crouched lower than the native in front of him. The
Texan had discovered in his Indian campaigns how to move silently over the
ground, with his chin but a few inches from it. By this means, too, he brought his
man into clearer relief against the yellow flame beyond.
"I'm satisfied," he concluded, after progressing someway, "that, no matter how
many darkeys may be in the neighborhood, there's only one atween me and Carl,
and he's the one I've got to deal with ; I'll 'tend to the others afterward."
The savage, having shown himself, now sank down again and became almost
invisible. This meant that he was advancing upon the camp. When he straight-
ened up, it was to note his progress and bearings.
A few minutes later, the head and shoulders reappeared, this time so much
nearer the camp that all doubt of the native's hostile purpose was removed. He
meant to slay Mr. Godkin, and was steadily advancing to do so.
Indeed, he was so near that Jack was sure the director must be able to see every
movement, a fact to which the wild man was singularly blind.
At any rate, he had approached so close that there was no call for him to go
closer, and that such was his own conclusion was proven by the next step he took
CHAPTER XXXVII.
"GOOD-BY, SWEETHEART."
''HE wild man rose higher than before, straightening up until his body was
visible to the waist. The act showed that he was armed with a javelin and
was gathering himself to throw it.
The fire was not burning as brightly as before, though the savage would not
have stood so nearly erect but for the necessity of balancing himself to hurl his
missile.
The opportunity must have been a tempting one to the African, for the only two
sentinels who made a pretense of attending to their duties were still tramping back
and forth without suspicion of his presence. The white man was sitting cross-
legged on the ground, smoking his pipe, and apparently gazing into the fire in a
dreamy reverie, though I need hardly say that he was giving far more attention to
the sneaking native just then than to anything else.
As he afterward said, it seemed to him that Jack Harvey was altogether too
deliberate in his movements, and, in fact, matters were getting into too fine a shape
for him to feel comfortable, knowing, as he did, that the delay of the skulking Afri-
can was solely that he might make his aim unerring.
Strange that the continued absence of the second white man from the camp had
not awakened the suspicion of the native.
Jack Harvey allowed the scamp to raise the javelin over his head, with his arm
drawn slightly back, when he let fly with his rawhide. The whirr of the lasso
alarmed the African, who quickly turned. At the sight of the Texan his alarm
became a wild fright, and he dropped the javelin and ran at full speed. The
noose was true to its aim, however, and in less time than it takes to tell it, the
savage was ensnared so tightly that he almost strangled.
The violent pull brought him over on his back with a force that fairly made him
bounce. Before he could help himself, or utter more than a few gurgling sounds,
the Texan was upon him, angry enough to crush his head under his heel.
" You're a scamp from Scamptown," he exclaimed* catching the bare arm and
jerking him to his feet; " the best use I can put you to is to practice on you with
my revolver."
The wretch was so terrified that he could not offer any resistance. As his
captor loosened the noose he would have gone down in a heap but for the sturdy
Texan, who yanked him to his feet as a pedagogue would handle a snarling
school-boy.
"Stand up, confound you!" called Jack, giving his ears a smart cuff; "if you
don't know how to walk, I'll teach you."
215
" GOOD-BY, SWEETHEART."
The castigation frightened the fellow into obedience, and he trudged beside his
captor as meekly as a lamb, on the watch, however, for a chance to dart off in the
darkness.
" Here he is," said Jack, addressing the interested Mr. Godkin, who had risen
to his feet, and come part way to meet him; " and don't you think he's a beauty
well, I'll be hanged ! "
The Texan recoiled in amazed indig-
nation. By the light of the camp-fire he
recognized the native as
the one he had saved
from death by torture
that same afternoon.
" There's
gratitude for
you," he said,
after explain-
ing the matter
to his friend;
" now, there
isn't any ques-
tion that he
ought to be
knocked in
the head,
though I've
no doubt his
skull is so
thick that it'll
take a pile-
driver to crack
it."
"I don't
see that there
is any ingrati-
tude about it," remarked Mr. God-
kin, seeking to appease the wrath
of his friend, " for it wasn't / who
saved his life."
" But you are my friend."
" How could he know that ? "
"But he saw me sitting with
you when he began crawling up to
camp, and I shouldn't wonder if, after all, it was me that he was after," added Jack,
looking wrathfully at the shrinking native.
Wart and Adz thought the situation warranted them in leaving their posts and
approaching the camp-fire, and Wart became so excited at what he beheld that he
rushed away to arouse the sleeping cousins.
"The poor wretch is entitled to the doubt," said Mr. Godkin with a laugh,
unable to share the anger of his friend. " Who kaows but that if you had stayed
As IN THE OLDEN TIME.
"GOOD-BY, SWEETHEART." 217
where you were, he might have come forward and offered his hand in friendship ? "
Jack Harvey cast such a scornful glance upon the director that the latter came
near waking the camp with his merry laughter.
" Let me look at that spear," said he, reaching his hand for the weapon which
lack had picked up from the ground.
The director carefully examined it. The handle was made of hard, smooth
ttood, resembling bamboo. The head was symmetrical in outline and secured
immovably in place.
"These people have some way of obtaining iron," remarked Mr. Godkin, notic-
ing that the head was constructed of that metal. " It may be they understand how
to make it, or more likely they get it from the traders."
Inspecting the point by the light of the fire, Mr. Godkin fancied he could see a
yellowish substance on the end, though he was by no means certain.
" I know a good way of telling whether it's p'isoned," said Jack Harvey.
"How?"
"Give him a jab with it; if it don't kill him, ;it isn't p'isoned, while, if it does
kill him, you can make up your mind there's been some fooling with it."
Mr. Godkin pointed the weapon at the naked breast of the native, as if about to
make the test Jack suggested. He expected the prisoner to shrink and show every
sign of terror, but there was nothing of the kind. He had been frightened from the
first, but when the point of his own spear almost pricked his chest, he assumed a
smile that was childlike and bland.
"Why, Jack, you have done the fellow an injustice," said Mr. Godkin, handing
the weapon to Wart, who had just returned from a reconnoiter of the camp, " that
weapon is an honest one."
"It does look that way," replied Jack, not fully satisfied, however, that the
director's conclusion was correct; "but, even if the spear isn't loaded, it wouldn't
be a pleasant thing to have run through your body."
" Well, he is our prisoner; what shall we do with him ? "
"Ask them" replied the Texan, pointing to Wart and Adz, who were interested
spectators of the scene.
The question had to be propounded in pantomime, but it was easy to make the
native understand that their opinion was wanted as to the proper way to dispose of
their- captive.
The answer of both was unmistakable. They favored the severest measures
toward the African, who had been arrested in the very act of launching his weapon
at the director of the enterprise, for whom they held a strong affection.
Wart reached out his hand for the javelin, and, gently touching the point with
his finger, shrank back as though it had given him a distressing wound.
"He believes it is poisoned," said Jack, with a laugh; "you can't fool him, for
he is a native of this country."
"They seem to think we ought to punish the fellow, but I didn't agree to follow
their wishes, Jack, I am sure you would not consent to slay the wretch in cold blood."
218
" GOOD-BY, SWEETHEART.'
" No, I confess I wouldn't, though I was mad enough when I flung the lasso to
strangle him."
" You came pretty near doing it as it was."
"We ain't in this country to capture Africans," remarked the Texan thoughtfully,
"though the public is anxious for anything worth seeing in that line. It spent a
great deal in seeing the Siamese twins and the Sacred Hairy Family of Birmah."
" We might exhibit you and this fellow; he as the wild man of Bechuana Land,
and you as the one who prevented him killing me."
" I'm afraid the people wouldn't take much stock in him, and as for me, they
Would set me down as a fraud right off."
THE TEST.
" Well," said Mr. Godkin, with another laugh, " I have made up my mind what
to do."
"What's that?"
" I turn him over to you to do what you please, without hindrance on my part."
The director understood what he was doing. No one knew the nature of the
gallant Texan better than he. He had proven himself a demon in more than one
hand-to-hand encounter with the red men of the Southwest, and in the memorable
campaign against those miscreants, there was no braver scout and soldier in the
commands of Generals Crook and Miles than he.
And yet his was the heart of a woman. No ear was more open to an appeal
"GOOD-BY, SWEETHEART." 2IQ
for mercy, and his adventurous career had never been stained by an act that ought
to bring the blush to his cheek.
Mr. Godkin believed Jack's anger toward the captive was partly assumed, and
it was without the least misgiving that he surrendered the prisoner to him for
disposal.
There was a mysterious smile on the face of Jack as he said : "All right ; let
me have him."
Wart and Adz recoiled a step or two, doubtless convinced that the wild man's
hours were numbered, but the cousins, who, like the director, knew Jack better,
had no such idea.
The javelin was retained, and I may as well state that the investigations after-
ward made proved that it was tipped with one of the deadliest poisons in existence.
Had Mr. Godkin but pricked the wild man's skin with it, he would have died within
a few minutes.
But he was a cunning dog, and knew how to help his own cause by an assump-
tion of innocence at the critical moment.
Taking him by the arm, Jack Harvey walked slowly to the edge of the encamp-
ment, pausing at a point where there was just enough light from the fire to reveal
his actions.
His friends walked a few steps after him, so as not to lose the sight.
" Good-by, sweetheart!"
As the Texan uttered the words, the captive stood directly in front of him.
Simultaneously with the farewell, he delivered a kick which lifted the African from
ihe ground and sent him half a rod forward.
As the wretch landed, he uttered a yell like that which had escaped him when
the native chieftain punctured him with his spear, and vanished in the gloom of
the night at headlong speed.
I think Jack Harvey did exactly right; at any rate, no member of the expedition
ever saw the scamp again.
CHAPTER XXXVII
ALL through this characteristic
incident, not one of the sleepers
would have been awakened but for
Wart's excitement.
It was now considerably past
midnight, and time for a change
of sentinels. Wart and Adz were
directed to crawl into one of the
wagons, while Pongo and Abdallah
were aroused to take their places.
Jack Harvey and Mr. Godkin gave
way to Bob and Dick, who had ex-
pressed the wish that they might
keep each other company.
As the Texan was about to
creep into his quarters, he stopped
FUNNY VISITORS.
221
a minute to admire a small animal, which ran under the wagon and vanished in
the darkness. It was beautiful' and graceful, of a gray color, with an admixture
of yellow, and covered with dark patches, with alternate bands of black and white
on its tail.
The creature is the blotched genet, which has retractile claws, and is found not
only in South Africa, but in the southern part of France.
The investigation of the Texan satisfied him and the director that no other wild
men were in the vicinity, and nothing further was said about the exciting incident
THE BLOTCHED GENET.
Yihich had so recently occurred. The discussion, they thought, would keep until a
more opportune season.
The guards stationed themselves precisely as before, despite the resolution the
lads had previously formed that they would insure wakefulness by keeping in
motion ; but, having had several hours of sound slumber, and being in one another's
company, there certainly was little likelihood of their losing consciousness.
Pongo and Abdallah paced back and forth like professionals, while the boys,
222
FUNNY VISITORS.
after stirring the fire, sat down in the positions occupied by the two men in the
earlier portion of the evening.
"I don't think we are likely to have any more disturbance," remarked Bob,
" since everything appears to be quiet, however, it won't do to take anything for
granted in this country."
"I've no doubt that some of the natives have had a look at the camp, and
probably have made up their minds that we are too well prepared to make it pay
them to attack us."
" I noticed to-day," said Bob, " that the raft which caused so much alarm is still
lying against the bank, where it caught fast the other day."
" From what I heard Mr. Godkin say, I think he means to use it to take us across
the river, so as to hunt in a new section, after we have harrowed over this one
pretty well."
" There is plenty of game left. We haven't had anything to do with elephants,
and I know there are rhinoceroses and hippopotami not far off."
" How can you be sure of that ?"
" Pongo told me this evening that he had seen signs of both, and you know he
isn't the fellow to make a mistake like that."
"The raft is likely, then, to come into use, at any
rate for hunting hippopotami helloa ! what's up? "
The question was caused by Pongo's hurried ap-
proach, his manner showing that he had made an
important discovery. Abdallah remained at his post.
"What is it, Pongo?" asked Bob Marshall, half
rising to his feet.
" Something out there in grass
think they wild men."
" If that's the case," said Dick,
"we must wake Mr. Godkin and
Jack."
"Ain't sure," added the Bush-
man; "come see."
The boys, rifles in hand, fol-
lowed their guide to his station.
As they did so, they reflected
that they were exposing them-
selves recklessly, for the firelight
must have shown them clearly
to any one looking in the direc-
tion of the camp, while the intru-
ders themselves were hidden in
gloom.
The boys noticed that their
"SOMETHING OUT THERE IN THE GRASS.
FUNNY VISITORS.
223
guide led them to the side of the camp facing the tall grass along the river, the
place where the single wild man had appeared some time before, and most likely to
be used as a screen by a party of them.
" Don't go too far," whispered Bob. " for remember we are in plain sight of any
one in the grass."
Pongo halted, and the three stood peering into the obscurity.
Everything seemed quiet and motionless, not the slightest object being in sight,
feut Pongo was not the one to be misled, and the cousins were as certain that
danger lurked in the vegetation as if they beheld it with their own eyes.
The three had stood in the attitude of intense attention but a few minutes, when
a soft rustling in the grass proved that the Bushman was right; something was
ihere.
"It seems strange," whispered Dick, "that the wild men should betray them-
selves like that."
"They haven't betrayed themselves as much as we."
"But they know sh ! see there ! "
The slightest possible glimpse was caught of a head as it rose above the vege-
tation, instantly dropping out of sight again.
There was just enough moonlight to enable the watchers to trace the outlines,
which, dim as they were, awakened the wonder of the three by the fact that, instead
of being covered with a huge mass of bushy hair, the head appeared to be bare
and smaller than one of their own.
Before anything was said about this peculiarity, the head popped up again, then
another and another arose, until fully half a dozen had come to view, all going up
and down like so many jacks-in-the-box.
What did it mean ?
Pongo was heard to laugh softly, and he uttered one word which solved the
mystery:
"Monkeys!"
A party of the creatures appeared to have ventured out from the adjoining
jungles, with the intention of investigating the encampment that had been near
them for several days.
Our friends had seen hundreds of monkeys since entering Bechuana Land, but
gave them little attention, because they considered it more important to capture
other game. Monkeys are plentiful in many parts of the world (even the poor
organ-grinders being able to afford them), and they can be obtained without diffi-
culty.
For this reason, Mr. Godkin decided that none would be captured unless they
came upon some rare specimens.
" I guess it's safe to go back and sit down," remarked Dick Brownell with a
/augh, as he turned about, followed by his companions.
" 1 wonder what has possessed them to pay us a visit ? " said Bob, as they re-
sumed their seats, Pongo returning to his station.
TUNNY VISITORS.
" Mischief ; the monkey is the most mischievous creature in the world ; they
are looking for sport, and will get it, if possible, before they leave."
" Look at them ! "
As suddenly as if they had sprung from the earth, fully twenty of the animals
appeared at the camp-fire. They were on all sides except that under the immediate
protection of Pongo and Abdallah, and some
showed a disposition even to crowd them.
"They are not monkeys," said Dick, after
carefully studying them a minute or two.
"What are they?"
"Baboons; notice how large several of
them are. Their muzzles are elongated
like a dog's, and the hands and feet are
short, with long
thumbs."
"They have
manes, too, and
their tails end in
tufts of long hair.
Yes, they are ba-
boons, but there's
little difference,
after all, between
them and the reg-
ular style ol
monkeys."
" There's a fun-
ny-looking one,"
added Bob.
His friend had
noticed the ani-
mal before his
attention was di-
rected to it. It was unusually large, and the
abundant mane, instead of being of a plain,
dark color, was oddly flecked with white, as
though the creature was becoming gray in
spots.
The baboons were going through all sorts
of performances, hopping over each other, running toward the fire, as if they meant
to jump into it, skurrying off again into, the high grass, where, after being out of
sight for a few moments, they suddenly shot into view once more, and then, standing
still, some of them indulged in the luxury of making grimaces at the amused lads.
A SLY THIEF.
FUNNY VISITORS.
225
Nothing would have been easier than to have opened a fusillade on the funny
creatures that would have quickly decimated them ; but nothing, at the same time,
would have been more cruel, and the youths had no idea of anything of the kind.
Pongo and Abdallah scorned to pay attention to them. The animals were
beneath their notice, and the sentinels had more important business on hand than
to give heed to them.
While the lads were trying to obtain a better view of the odd-looking creature,
he vanished, as if conscious of the notice he had attracted and anxious to escape it
"I wouldn't mind capturing him, if we had a chance," said Bob, peering about
in the gloom ; " but he is so big that I suppose he would fight like a wild-cat."
" If we only had Jack's lasso, and knew how to throw it, it would be easy enough
confound it ! "
The youth made a frantic clutch at his hat, which just then was whisked from
his head as deftly as any school-boy ever performed the trick. Bob broke into
laughter, for he had seen the spotted baboon sneaking up behind his cousin, and,
suspecting his purpose, held his peace.
The look of dismay on his companion's face caused even the glum Pongo to
smile.
" Bring that back ! " called Dick, half amused and half angry ; " that's the only
hat I've got, and we have a hot sun in this country."
The thief, on securing the trophy, had scampered off among his companions, all
of whom now indulged in the liveliest of chattering, as if delighted with the exploit.
" How shall I get that again ? " queried Dick, surveying the fellow, who had
halted a few steps away, as if to invite him to make the attempt.
The lad did not hesitate, but began cautiously approaching the baboon, who
held his ground until he was almost within reach. Then he slowly edged off.
Dick made a quick jump and shot out his hand.
He came very nigh catching the thief, but missed him by a hair's breadth, and
once more Bob and Pongo laughed. Abdallah may have been amused, but he
failed to make it manifest.
"You'll have to run a race with him," remarked Bob ; "I don't think I would
feel very proud of letting a baboon steal my hat hold on ! "
Off went Bob's head-gear, snatched from his possession by another of the
animals as cleverly as the ftrst had performed the feat for his cousin.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
"I'VE GOT HIM."
|T was Dick's turn to laue:h, and you may be sure he did so with as hearty mirth
as he ever enjoyed in all his life.
Both boys were bareheaded, with little apparent chance of recovering their
property.
"That beats everything," was the rueful exclamation of Bob Marshall; *!
expected an attempt of the kind, but was sure I couldn't be outwitted."
" There's one way we can secure our hats," added Dick, who was on the point of
losing his temper; " and that is to shoot the thieves, and I'll do it, too, if we don't
get them pretty soon."
" They only mean it for fun, and we won't shoot them unless we have to. Watch
me while I go for this fellow."
The baboon that had stolen Bob's property was smaller than the other thief, but
seemed more venturesome. Halting less than a rod distant, the impudent fellow
reached out the trophy, chattering and making the funniest of grimaces, as if invit-
ing the owner to try to regain it.
Bob imitated his cousin's tactics, but, taking lesson from his failure, sought to
get closer before snatching it back again.
The creature allowed him to come quite near, and, instead
of making a quick grab at it, the youth slowly extended his
hand, in the hope of throwing him off his guard.
But the animal was not to be deceived
that way. As the hand advanced that of
the baboon receded, and the distance be-
tween the two was not diminished.
Suddenly, as Bob was on the very
point of darting his fingers after it, the
thief had the impudence to turn squarely
around and begin walking off, with a
mincing gait, glancing over his shoulder
at the discomfited youngster, in a way
that tantalized him beyond endurance.
" Take that, then ! "
Bob made one bound, axid, concentrat-
ing all his strength in his righl leg, deliv-
ered a kick which, had it landed, would have lifted the animal several feet in air.
But the creature was too nimble to permit the boot to land. He hopped out of
226
A SECOND Too LATE.
"I'VE GOT HIM." 227
the way, and the kick was so tremendous that Bob's foot shot upward, lifting him
clear off the ground, and dropping him on his back with a resounding thump.
Dick Brownell sank down, so overcome with mirth that, for the moment, he
could hardly stand. ;
I am sorry to say that Bob lost his temper, though 1 think that you or I would
have done the same if in his situation. He brought his gun to his shoulder with
the intention of shooting the animal that was having such sport at his expense.
Before he could aim, however, Dick sprang up, and, grasping the barrel, turned
it aside. --,,.-
" ' They only mean it for fun, and we won't shoot them unless we have to,' " said
he, quoting the remark Bob made only a minute before.
"But this is carrying a joke too far," growled his cousin; "how are we going to
get our hats without shooting the thieves ? And, if we have got to shoot .them,
what's the use of waiting ? "
" You have read the story of the trader, who went to sleep under a tree with a
lot of caps beside him, and, when he awoke, found that a number of monkeys had
stolen them all, and were frolicking among the branches of the trees overhead."
"What did he do?"
" He chased them till he got mad, and then spitefully threw down the only hat
he had left. The monkeys did the same, and he got back all his property." :
" And you propose that we try the scheme ? " *
"Yes." ..,-..,.
" How can we do it, when we haven't a hat left ? "
"Almost anything will answer. I'll fling down my knife as though I am dis-
gusted, which is the fact, and may be they will do the same with our hats."
Drawing his large knife from the belt at his waist, Dick slammed it on the
ground, while the two watched to see its effect on the baboons.
The spotted animal kept his distance, and made no motion by way of imitating
the action. The smaller one, that had removed Bob's hat, ran nimbly forward, as
if he intended to lay the trophy at the foot of Dick.
Such, however, was not his purpose. He meant to secure possession of the
knife also.
But he was just a bit too eager. He ventured so close that, before he could
withdraw, Dick had seized him by the arm.
The captive emitted a number of sharp screams, and began biting and scratch-
ing with such fierceness that Dick administered a couple of sound cuffs and allowed
him to scamper off, though not until he had regained his prize.
The other baboons uttered similar cries, and danced about in such excitement
that it looked as if they were about to attack the youth who had laid violent hands
on one of their number.
The quick release of the captive, however, averted that unpleasant turn of affairs.
" There ' " exclaimed Dick, catching up the hat and throwing it toward his
cousin, " 1 got your property for you, and you ought to get mine for me."
a2 g "I'VE GOT HIM."
"I'll be only too glad to do so, if I have the chance."
" I don't think flinging down anything we can lay hold of will help matters.
The others didn't venture near, and I don't believe that fellow would have tried it,
if he had taken a second or two to consider the matter."
During these stirring incidents, Pongo and Abdallah kept their beat, though
they stopped several times in tramping back and forth to survey the scene.
It is remarkable how closely a lot of monkeys or baboons will imitate the antics
of a number of mischievous boys.
Having failed to catch the spotted-maned thief, Dick Brownell refrained from
repeating his attempt in that form. He stood still, meditating whether any plan,
after all, except the hard one of shooting the pilferer, would answer.
The latter, noticing him standing thus, now began to coax him to venture again.
He walked slowly toward him, holding out the hat, as if saying that the youth need
but to stretch forth his hand to take it.
" Stand quiet," said Bob, in a low voice, "and see how close he will come."
Dick followed the suggestion. The baboon halted a few steps off, but the lad,
looking sideways at him, never stirred a muscle. The creature came still closer,
but remained just beyond reach. Without shifting his feet, he leaned over and ex-
tended his paw a little farther.
Dick was tempted to spring at him, but his cousin warned him to wait.
The baboon seemed to realize he stood on the very " death line," and that it
would not do to venture an inch nearer.
He leaned as far as he could, with the extended hat, grimacing and chattering
in a way that would have exasperated a person less cool than Dick Brownell.
Still, the animal went no nigher, though he seemed on the point, more than
once, of risking it, and still Dick, in obedience to Bob's counsel, stirred not.
At this critical juncture, several of the baboons that were attentively watching
the scene seemed to lose their patience. One of them sneaked behind the spotted
thief, and, with a view of ending the " dead-lock," gave him a slight shove.
It is not easy to push down such a nimble creature as a baboon, but this one
was so nicely balanced that he toppled over at the feet of Dick.
" Now's your time," called Bob.
No need of the cry. Dick pounced upon the knave like a flash, and snatched
the hat from his grasp. Throwing it to his cousin, to guard for him, he hurled the
baboon to the ground and endeavored to pin him fast, as a prize for the Greatest
Show on Earth.
But the contract proved rather extensive.
It was a strong animal, and he fought like a tiger, using his claws with such
rigor that he inflicted considerable damage. But Dick was plucky, and held on.
The other baboons became frantic. Their champion was in the grasp of an
enemy, and fighting, as may be said, for his life. They chattered and ran back and
forth, making demonstrations toward the youth which were sure to turn, very soon,
into a savage attack upon him.
" I'VE GOT HIM.'
229
Events moved swiftly, but it must not be supposed that Bob and the two natives
remained idle during the perilous struggle of their friend. They saw his danger
and lost no time in running to his help.
They were not a moment too soon. The other animals began closing around
the combatants, when the three reached the spot, where they applied feet and hands
with such vigor that the assailants were hurled right and left.
The tumult, by this time, had roused Mr. Godkin and Jack Harvey, who
scrambled from their quarters and rushed for-
ward to take a hand in the disturbance.
Dick Brownell was a skillful wrestler, and
he was making a good fight with
his contestant. They were on the
ground, and the lad had twisted
one leg around the lower limbs of
the baboon, so as to hold them
motionless. He had also secured
a grip about the arms, as they may
be called, which were so impris-
oned that the owner could make
no use of them.
But the lad's danger
was from the teeth of his
fierce foe, which made
such efforts to bite
him that it was hard
work to protect
his face, and, at
the same time,
hold the claws
motionless.
"I've got
him!" called
the brave youth,
seeing his friends around
him, "and he won't get
away either 1 "
"We can leave you
alone, if you enjoy it so
much," said Mr. Godkin
with a laugh, " but I reck-
on we'd better interfere." With the help of the men, it was an easy matter to
secure the obstreperous baboon. His legs, both fore and aft, were tied as though
his captors were handcuffing an ordinary malefactor, and he could only screech hia
"I'VE GOT HIM."
"I'VE GOT HIM."
rage and helplessness. His companions continued running and capering about, but
the company had assumed too formidable proportions for them to assault, glad as
they would have been to help their leader.
"We've got a cage that will just fit this fellow," said Mr. Godkin, "and he is no
insignificant prize."
Five minutes later the big baboon was safely lodged in a strong structure, his
late being another illustration of the truth that the way of the transgressor is hard.
CHAPTER XL.
AS TO BABOONS.
THE baboons continued their ex-
cited demonstrations for some time
after the caging of the big captive, but
finally they seemed to comprehend
that nothing could be done for him,
and that they themselves might be in
danger. They scampered off into tha
tall grass, and, no doubt, soon betook
themselves to the jungle, where they
must have had a startling story to tell
their friends of their experience by the
camp-fire of the intruders.
The flurry drove away what dispo-
sition Mr. Godkin and Jack Harvey
may have felt to sleep, and, lighting
their pipes, they sat down by the fire
to keep company with the boys, to
whom they told the whole story of the
Texan's experience with the wild man
previous to their being aroused.
The cousins laughed as they did
when they recalled their own efforts to
recover their stolen hats.
" I think my tussle with that fellow," said Dick, " gave me good practice for
hunting the genus Troglodytes, which means, Jack, the chimpanzee and the gorilla,"
the lad added, observing the startled look of the Texan.
"Why don't you call 'em by the right name?" growled Jack.
" He is right," remarked Mr. Godkin with a smile, knowing the distaste of their
friend for technical words; " we may as well compare notes when discussing these
matters. You know each show rightly contends that its menagerie is the best
school in natural history, and there is no reason why we shouldn't brush up out
knowledge on the subject. What about the genus St'mt'a, Bob ? "
The latter scratched his head a moment or two, but brightened up.
" I believe there is but a single species of that genus, and he is the orang-outan,
or mias, found in Northern Sumatra and in Borneo."
" Borneo is considered its home, for they are very rare in Sumatra He is a
A FAMILY PARTY.
ORANG-OUTANG.
AS TO BABOONS.
233
terrible brute, and it is said that the only, creatures that dare attack him are the
crocodile and python."
"And how do they make out?" asked Jack Harvey.
"He kills the crocodile by main strength, and doesn't find it hard to do the
same with the python. In fact, he comes closer lo the gorilla, in most of his char-
acteristics, than any animal of which I have knowledge. The next genus of the
ape family is that of Hylobates, so called because of their power of walking nearly
erect. They have several species known as Gibbons, or long-armed apes. They
HEAD OF ORANG-OUTANG.
live in troops among the upper branches oi trees in upland districts, the different
species being found in Assam, the Malay Peninsula, Java, Sumatra, Borneo and Cam-
bodia, Hainan It isn't worth while to discuss them, for we are more interested
in the animals with which we have just had some experience."
" I believe they come under the family of sacred monkeys? " was the inquiring
remark of Dick BrownelL
"No ; there are two genera of that family, but the baboons belong to the family
of cheek-pouched monkeys, the most widely distributed of all the Old "World
monkeys, one variety being found as far north as Gibraltar, and others in North
34
AS TO BABOONS.
China and Eastern Thibet. There are seven genera belonging to the family, with
seventy species."
" Since you have started," said Jack Harvey, refilling his pipe, " go ahead ; 1
can stand it if the rest can."
" I don't want to appear to air my knowledge, and, when I see any weariness, I
will stop. We will drop the monkeys, so called, for, when you come to give the
list found in the New World, it is almost endless. What I have to say, therefore,
will relate to the baboon branch of the family. They are found in every part of
Africa, and one species in Arabia. The latter has a tail ending in a large tuft of
hair, and the neck and shoulders of the male are largely maned. It has long,
slate-colored whiskers and is of an ashy-gray color. They live in large herds, and
A CONCERT.
are met in the mountains of Arabia, throughout Abyssinia, in Senaar, the home
of Abdallah there, in Kordofan and Darfur, sometimes at the height of a mile
and a half."
" I believe the ancient Egyptians considered the baboon sacred ? " said Bob
Marshall.
" The Egyptians worshipped and embalmed the baboon, making him sacred to
Thoth, one of whose characters was the god of letters. It was in Hermopolis, the
city of Thoth, that the baboon was particularly sacred, though he is far from being
so regarded now.
"The genus Gelada contains a species with oblong head, a maned neck and a
short, tufted tail. Its face, hands and callosities are deep black in color; it is
between three and four feet long, and lives among the mountains of Abyssinia.
AS TO BABOONS.
235
The baboon is often tamed and taught to give service to his master. A troop of
them will sometimes act as torch-bearers at a supper party, and you will find them
to-day in the streets of Cairo, performing tricks to the music of drums and other
instruments."
"Of what species are the visitors we had this evening ? "
"The Chacma, which I believe comes from the Hottentot word fchackamma.
It is to your credit, Dick, that you made such a good fight with that fellow, for he
is stronger than the common English mastiff."
"They appear to travel in families, like
the others you have told us about."
"There are large numbers of them in
the mountains of the Cape of Good Hope.
THE CHACMA.
Those in Table Mountain often cause trouble by coming down in such well-
organized droves that the dogs cannot keep them out of the gardens."
"What do they live on?"
"They are fond of bulbous roots, especially the babiana, which is so named by
the Dutch colonists because the baboons are so partial to its subterranean stems.
You will often come upon heaps of peelings, where the animals have been sitting
on the rocks in the sun, stripping them off."
" They don't seem to be very combative," said Dick, " for my customer did not
attack me until I first pitched into him."
"No ; it isn't likely they would have offered you any harm, if you had not first
236
AS TO BABOONS.
disturbed them. Sometimes, in climbing the kloofs, or passes of the mountains,,
travelers will set a troop of baboons scampering before them. If they are fired
into, they will retaliate by throwing stones and rolling down boulders on their
enemies." "What kind of ba-
boons are met with far-
ther north?" asked Jack.
"The drill and the
mandrill belong to the
West Coast. Their faces
are grooved. The drill
is a native of the coast
of Guinea, and has an
erect, stumpy tail, about
two inches long, and cov-
ered with short, bristly
hair."
"I shouldn't consider
that hardly deserving
the name of a tail. What
is their color?"
"There is a mixture
of green in the upper
parts, with a light, silvery
hue beneath. They wear
their whiskers according
to the English fashion
that is, brushed back-
ward, and the slight
beard on the chin is
orange-colored."
" If we catch any of
them," said Jack, " I'm going to recommend the extensive use of some dye on
their beards, for the color don't seem natural."
" How about their faces ?"
" They are naked and black as ink."
" What is the size of the mandrill ? "
" About five feet, when fully grown. They are singular-looking creatures, for
their cheeks, instead of being black, are of a clear violet-blue, with oblique furrows.
Just above the eyes begins a bright red line, and, running down the nose, spreads
over the lip. The eyes are small, sparkling, and of a hazel color. The long hair
on the side of the head grows upward, ending in a sharp point at the crown. When
I add that the long, erect beard is yellowish, and each of the stiff, bristle-like hairs
which cover the body has rings of black and yellow, you'll admit that the mandrill
THE GELADA.
AS TO BABOONS.
2 37
is a curiosity well worth seeing. In Borneo is found a long-nosed monkey who is
about as frightful-looking a creature as can be imagined."
" I hope we shall be able to capture a mandrill when we go north on our gorilla
hunt," remarked Bob Marshall.
" It isn't probable, for they do not frequent the same section of country. But
any subject, no matter how interesting at first, becomes tiresome after a time, so
we'll drop that of baboons."
It still lacked considerable of daylight, and Jack
THE DRILL.
Harvey decided to return to his sleeping- quarters, asking that he should be called
if any more visitors put in an appearance before daylight. The director stayed
with the boys, and made a tour of the stockade to see that all their prisoners
were safe.
So far as they could discover, nothing was amiss. The large giraffe had shown
some excitement during the flurry caused by the baboons, but she quieted down on
the disappearance of the visitors, and, with that docility which is characteristic of
the gentle creatures, seemed to have become quite suited with her novel quarters.
238
AS TO BABOONS.
" I don't know," said Mr. Godkin, looking thoughtfully at the dark line of tall
grass in the direction of the river, " that it is strange that most of our visitors choose
that route. If there is much more of it, I shall move farther back from the stream. 1 *
" Pongo told me to-day, or rather yesterday," said Dick, " that he had seen signs
of rhinoceroses and hippopotami not far off."
" He was right, for I noticed the same thing. Fact of it is, my glass showed me
one of the biggest behemoths I ever looked upon."
MANDRILL.
" Where was he ? "
" A half mile the other side of the stream. He was standing with his side toward
me, so that I had a fair view."
" Why didn't we pay him a visit ? "
" He will keep," was the remark of the director; " he isn't the only one in this
part of the world. They have been pretty well frightened away from the upper
GROUP OF HOWLERS.
239
240
AS TO BABOONS.
regions of the Nile, but there are plenty left in Central and South Africa. I have
some other work I want to finish before we attack them."
" It will be a job to transport a hippopotamus or rhinoceros to Port Natal."
"Altogether too big a job to move one thither unless he is quite small. We
shall have to follow the rule that prevails with other animals kill the parents and
carry off the little ones before they are big enough to cause trouble."
The night continued calm and still, and, after standing on the edge of the camp
for a short time, the three friends sauntered back to where the fire had begun to
smolder again.
They had sat there but a brief while, when the growing light in the east proved
that the eventful night had come to an end, and another day was at hand.
LONG-NOSED MONKEYS.
CHAPTER XLI.
SOME WONDERS OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM.
I AM afraid it w ould be tedious
ticulars that attended many of
the interesting discoveries of our
friends in Southern Africa. They
saw some of the wildest and
grandest scenery on their way
through the Drakenberg Moun-
tains, and encountered storms and
tempests almost the equal of the
appalling cyclones of our own
country. There were times when
it seemed impossible to advance
farther; but, before the point of
despair was reached, some way
opened to push on, until we find
them at the point where they went
into permanent camp, and devoted their entire attention to the capture of curiosi-
ties for the menageries in whose employ they were.
It occurs to me that I ought to have mentioned long ago that the procuring of
wild animals is not always such a difficult task as would seem. It is customary to
have a resident agent in each of the principal cities of Europe. He is on the look-
out for curiosities. Then, all the zoological gardens of Europe act as agents, and
are in constant correspondence with other managers. And lastly are the parties
of men who go out on special elephant-hunting expeditions in India and Africa.
At a certain season of the year, one agent, a white man, mounted on a camel,
will ride through the country, and the news of his approach will quickly be com-
municated to the natives in the interior. When he arrives at some well-known
point of rendezvous, he will be met by hundreds of the black natives, each member
of the party having in charge a camel, a giraffe, a rhinoceros, a party of monkeys,
or a group of wild goats, these having been secured by the natives during their
hunting expeditions.
The sending of the party into the interior of Southern Africa, under charge of
Mr. Carl Godkin, was in the nature of a venture or experiment, and it was a very
successful one, as the succeeding chapters will show.
16
241
242 SOME WONDERS OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM.
No attempt at a history of the enterprise would approach completeness without
a description of some of the marvelous exhibitions of insect life that came under
the observation of the hunters. Bob and Dick took careful notes and received
many suggestions from Mr. Godkin, the result being a record which formed for me
one of the most absorbing parts of the narrative of the enterprise. .
The termites, or white ants, build nests of different forms. Some are found
among the branches of trees, seventy-five feet above the ground ; others build a
round turret of clay, a couple of feet high, with a projecting roof, so that, as it stands
on the earth, it suggests in appearance an enormous mushroom. Within are count-
less cells, of various forms and sizes.
There are other nests in Africa, more curious than these. They are made of
clay, broad, and from twelve to fifteen feet high. It is easy to mistake them for
villages, for some of the structures are larger than the huts of the natives them-
selves.
In building these dwellings, the termites first erect several turrets of clay of the
shape of a sugar loaf, and a foot high. These are rapidly added to, increasing in
height, until they are joined at the top in one dome, and united into a complete
whole by a thick wall of clay. This soon puts on a green coating of grass, so that
the resemblance to a haycock is quite complete. When the structure has assumed
this shape, the insects remove the clay turrets that have served as supports, and
use them in building other dwellings.
Only the lower part of the house is occupied by the inhabitants. The upper
portions, being very strong, serve as guards against the weather and enemies,
besides preserving the moisture required for the hatching of the ants in the lower
part.
In the inhabited part are the apartments for the king and queen, the storehouses
for food, and the nurseries for the young.
There must be hundreds of thousands of ants employed in erecting each of
these buildings, and it is an amazing fact that every one appears to understand
his duty so well that there is never the slightest interference between them as they
rush to and fro in their labors.
If each of these ants were as large as a man, and possessed corresponding energy,
their houses would be several miles high.
Of course the white ants have their enemies, else they would not take such care
in building their houses. The chief of these is the aard-vark, or earth-hog. He has
molar teeth, of a cylindrical form, pierced longitudinally with numberless minute
tubes. Their surface is quite flat, and fitted for the crushing of insects. Their
nails are intended to dig the ground, the head long, the limbs short and strong, and
the tongue extensible. The earth-hog lives wholly upon white ants, which it
devours wholesale.
The animal makes its home in a burrow a short distance under ground. It keeps
out of sight during the day, but at dark comes forth and sets out for the ant-hills.
Digging a hole on either side of them, it startles the community, whose members run
SOME WONDERS OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM.
243
in all directions, when the long tongue is thrust among them, and they are gathered'
in without number. The earth-hog has no tusks, its safety depending upon -its'
effective means of concealing itself.
One of the most destructive of i
flies known in Africa is the tsetse.
It is an extraordinary fact that
while its sting produces no per-
manent ill effects upon man or wild
beasts, it is sure death to horses
and horned cattle. Even the buf-
falo and zebra, closely allied as
they are to the horned cattle and
THE ANT-LION
horses, are not harmed by the
bite. Fortunately, the tsetse is
confined to a distance of only two or three miles from the base of the mountains.
Were it otherwise, such a wagon train as mine would never dare venture into the
interior. Mr. Godkin's knowledge of the dreadful insect enabled him to avoid its
fatal haunts. In the fourth year which Gordon Cumming spent in hunting in
Africa, this insect killed all his draught oxen and most of his horses.
There is another fly, with four long wings, which lays its egg on the surface of
the ground, or just below, in the loose, sandy soil, where the sun hatches it out, in
the form of a caterpillar. You would not think, from its appearance, that it was
calculated to catch its prey, for it has a slow pace, and can only move backward,
but it plays wild havoc among other insects, especially ants.
This ant-lion, as it is called, begins operations by first tracing a circle in the sand,
intended to mark the boundary of its future home. Putting itself inside the circle,
it thrusts its rear portion into the sand, using one of its fore-legs as a shovel, and
places the load on its flat head and then flings it on the outside of the circle. Moving
backward, it keeps this up until it comes around to the point from which it started.
A second and third circle are traced
and filled in the same manner, until it !
arrives at the center. Then a second series
of circles, deeper and of less diameter, are
made, ending when the hole has the ap-
pearance of an inverted cone.
To avoid fatijgue, the insect, after com-
pleting one circle, turns around and moves
so that it uses the other fore-leg. It
snatches out any small stones that may be
in its way. If the stone is too heavy to be
got rid of in this summary fashion, it bal-
ances it on its back, and, carefully carrying
it to the top of the boundary line, tumbles it over. If the stone is too large
THE ANT-LION'S TRAP.
SOME WONDERS OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM.
to remove, the ant-lion abandons the spot and builds its abode somewhere else.
When completed, the pit is about two inches deep, and the ant buries itself in
the bottom, with only its jaws visible. It is now on the watch, and it hasn't long
to wait, before some insect, wandering about, stops on the edge of the pit, probably
to see what has been going on. The treacherous sand gives way under it, and its
struggles only help it to roll down into the jaws waiting to receive it.
Should recent rain hold the particles of sand together, so that the insect can
sustain itself, and should it start to crawl to the top before its descent is completed,
the ant-lion scrambles out and begins flinging dirt on the head of its prey with
such skill, and in such quantities, that it is soon overwhelmed and devoured.
Having sucked the juices from the insect, the shell is flung to a considerable
distance beyond the ramparts, so that other insects, passing that way, will not take
alarm at the sight.
The ant-lion continues business for two years at the old stand, when it sinks
deeper in the sand, spins a silken cocoon, is transformed into a chrysalis, and in
three weeks emerges a perfect insect.
There are many wild bees in South Africa. They make their nests in the clefts
of rocks, and the natives display a good deal of cunning in hunting them out and
extracting the honey, which is carried in leather bags made for the purpose.
A great help to the South African in hunting the bees' nests is the honey-bird.
Haying found the retreat of the industrious insects, the honey-bird knows better
than to disturb them, but looks out for some one to open the way for it. It will fly
in front of the first person it sees, uttering sharp screams, and often pausing, as an
invitation for him to follow. If he is slow, the bird becomes impatient and cries
more excitedly than before.
When the bird has guided the native to the spot, it perches itself on a rock or
bush and quietly waits until the store v of sweets has been removed. The native
does not forget his friend, but leaves the comb with the young bees for its reward,
and you may be sure it enjoys a feast.
Bob Marshall and Dick Brownell were so interested in this bird that they
offered a liberal price for its capture, but Pongo, Diedrick and the rest of the com-
pany were as much opposed as the other friendly natives, whom they occasionally
saw, to its capture. They held it in such high esteem that they were unwilling to
degrade it by imprisonment.
Among the rocks and stones was found an insect so exactly like them in color,
and sometimes in shape, that it never would have been discovered had it not been
in motion a moment before. When the birds alight near it in quest of food, the
insect, which belongs to the Gryllus tribe (including the cricket, grasshopper,
locust and the like), remains motionless. The vigilant bird may be but a few
inches distant, but, with all its keenness of vision, is unable to distinguish the
insect, which is thus saved on the principle of the chameleon, which has the power
of accommodating to a certain extent its color to the object upon which it happens
to have taken refuge.
SOME WONDERS OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM.
245
The mantis assumes the most grotesque forms, resembling something so closely
the plant to which it clings, that only by motion can its real character be ascer-
tained. It lays its eggs upon plants, and covers them with a glutinous substance
which hardens and forms a case around the deposit. This is the insect known
as/ 4 the walking leaf."
CHAPTER XLII.
THE DARKENING SKY.
WHILE my task confines me mainly
to a description of some of the most
striking wonders in the natural history
of the Old World, you must not sup-
pose that the New World is lacking in
that respect. What more odd-looking
objects can be conceived than the
belted armadillo of Central and South
America, unless it is the ball-shaped
armadillo ? They are nocturnal in their
habits, and can ill stand the glare of
sunlight. If detected and shut off from
its retreat, it rolls itself up like a ball,
tucks its head under its chest, draws
in its legs and awaits your pleasure.
Its flesh is too strong for our palates,
but the natives are quite fond of it.
The tamanoir, or ant-bear, is a native of Brazil and Paraguay as well as of
Guinea. The little ant-eater is found among the trees of Central America. It may
be said that the ant-bear always carries its umbrella with it, for its plumy tail
affords it all the shade it wants, and when sleeping it looks like a bundle of hay
flung on the ground.
There is a brown and golden bird in Mexico which has a way of ruffling up its
feathers on the top of its head so that its crest resembles a beautiful flower. So
perfect is the counterfeit that before long a bee comes buzzing along, and, stopping
to sip some honey, is snapped up in a twinkling.
Arizona has a rattlesnake about four feet in length with eyes literally like points
of fire. Once a bird catches sight of those eyes, and it is so fascinated that escape
is impossible.
In Sinalva are gigantic wasps whose sting not only kills tarantulas, but mum-
mifies and preserves them at the same time. The wasps then drag them off to their
holes in the sand-hills, and lay their eggs in them, so that when the young are born,
they feed on the tarantula. The blending of the wasp poison with that of the
tarantula produces nutritious food for the young wasps.
A centipede builds a cactus fence around him when he lies down to sleep, as a
346
THE CHAMKLBON.
THE DARKENING SKY.
247
protection against the tarantula, which will never crawl over cactus, but peeps over
at the sleeper without daring to disturb him.
Even our plants partake of this amazing ingenuity. In Shasta county, Cali-
fornia, grows the pitcher plant. Its pitcher is six inches long, more than an inch
through, and with a lid. The sweet-smelling petals inside tempt bugs and insects,
and down they go, the lid closing over and shutting them in. The little hair-barbs
sticking downward prevent the insects from climbing out, even if it was not for
the lid.
Having caught a good supply of insects, the pitcher plant absorbs them into its
growth, thus proving that inanimate nature is sometimes able to outwit animate
nature.
THE BELTED ARMADILLO.
Although Equatorial Africa, Southern Africa and India are the homes of most
of the wild beasts, birds and reptiles of the world, I must remind you that only a
part of the curiosities of the Greatest Show on Earth come from those countries.
For instance, the odd-looking aye -aye, the sole representative of the chiromyida
family, is a native of Madagascar. In size and shape it bears some resemblance
to the domestic cat. Its teeth are large, and consist only of molars and incisors,
and, I believe, it makes its nest among the trees.
Chameleons are found principally in the African continent, the common
chameleon ranging only as far east as portions of Central Asia and Ceylon, and as
far north as Spain. They are all insectivorous, movp slowly, and possess the
248
THE DARKENING SKY.
remarkable power of changing the color of their skin. This peculiarity depends
partly upon the amount of light to which they are exposed, and partly on the emo-
tions caused by fear or anger.
The martens are so common that I am quite sure you do not need any special
description. I may say, however, that the pine-marten is so called because it is
generally found in places where pine trees abound. It is shy, but is a little fury
when driven at bay. The marten is an inveterate thief and robs every bird's nest
in its neighborhood, frequently killing the old ones as well as the young. The
impudent rogue often takes possession of the nest of a rook, hawk, crow, magpie,
or other bird, and you need not be told that his victims dare not attempt to evict him.
THE BALL-SHAPED ARMADILLO.
Among my curiosities is a musk-ox, of whose peculiarities many people are
ignorant. His chosen home is the frozen regions of the North, and you will find
mention of him in the accounts of the voyages of the Arctic explorers. He is
without a muzzle, rather small in size, low on his legs, and covered with such an
immense quantity of wool and dark-brown hair that he appears to be much larger
than he is. During the depth of winter this hair almost touches the ground.
There is a grayish-white place on his back called the saddle. His large horns
are so flattened at the base that they cover his head like a hat, and sometimes
weigh fifty or sixty pounds.
THE DARKENING SKY.
249
At certain seasons of the year, especially in each spring, the odor of the musk-
ox's flesh is so strong that it can be detected on the knives used to cut its flesh. At
Other seasons the smell is almost absent, and it is excellent eating.
The short legs of the animal are more useful to him than you would suppose.
He can run fast, and is as good a mountain climber as the goat. They gather in
herds in September, for mutual protection against wolves, which are numerous in
their haunts.
When musk-oxen are attacked by hunters they make formidable prepar tions.
'Ine younger animals are put in the center, while all the older ones surround them,
and stand with their heads facing outward. They tear up the earth with their hoofs
and horns, bellow,
and seem eager for
the fray.
Then the oldest
bull of the herd sta-
tions himself at the
head, as if about to
lead a charge. On
the approach of the
hunters, he cau-
tiously advances to
reconnoiter, closely
watching every
movement. That
duty completed,
he saunters back to
his fellows and a-
waits the opening
of battle.
You would sup-
pose, from all this
flourish, that the
musk-oxen are among the bravest of quadrupeds. But at the first volley from the
hunters the magnificent army of warriors wheel and scamper off in a panic, leaving
their dead and wounded to take care of themselves.
However, I have told you enough about the different animals, and it is time I
returned to the account of our friends, who had encamped for an indefinite period
in Southern Africa. Bob and Dick devoted what leisure they gained to the study
of the captives, and to attempt to cultivate their friendship. This was a task which,
if not encouraging at all times, was entertaining.
The hartbeest seemed indifferent to their advances. Ke did not resent their
overtures, but showed no appreciation of them, heedless whether they came near
or not, so long as they did not allow him to want for food.
THE TAMANOIR.
25
THE DARKENING SKY.
The leopard kittens were as frisky as a couple of young domestic cats. They
were continually frolicking, tumbling about and playfully using their teeth and
claws upon each other. They did not object to a little caressing, but occasionally
gave the lads a taste of what they would soon be able to do with the weapons
furnished by nature.
Had the juvenile lion been favored with a brother or sister, he would have
displayed an equal degree of friskiness, but, though alone, he appeared to be
satisfied and comfortable, caring nothing for the loss of his parents, so long as his
rations were forthcoming.
Dick Brownell was sure the little
fellow was beginning to learn to recog-
nize and show him affection, but Bob
scouted the idea. The creature, he
insisted, hadn't enough sense to dis-
criminate, else it would have fixed upon
him as the object of its friendship.
Bob was willing to admit that the
porcupine displayed a partiality for his
cousin, and he urged him to take the
plaything in his arms and fondle it,
with a view of cultivating its lovely
disposition.
It was hard to look upon the mother
giraffe and its young one without being
touched. They showed no fear on the
approach of any of their captors, and
the parent sometimes reached down its
long neck to invite Bob or Dick to pat
its forehead. The little one would have
followed them about the encampment,
had they allowed it freedom. It surely
was as contented as if running with its
mother over the plains or through the
open jungles.
Since there was little expected of the others, our friends were not disappointed.
There was nothing done in the way of hunting on the day succeeding the visit
from the baboons. The captured one was so surly that none of the captors at-
tempted any advances, but he was left to sulk alone until he should recover his
spirits, if indeed he ever would do so.
But the looks of the heavens presaged a tempest, and, as I have already stated,
they are sometimes of the most fearful character in that portion of the Dark Con-
tinent.
Extra care was taken in preparing for it. The stockade was examined at
THE AYE-AYE.
THE DARKENING SKY.
251
every point, and, where there appeared any sign of weakness, it was strength-
ened : the wagons were made secure and the horses strongly tethered, the oxen
being left to themselves, since, the greater the disturbance, the closer were they
likely to cling to camp.
Whatever hopes the hunters may have had that the impending storm would
pass by were removed at sunset, when in the northern horizon arose a black cloud,
which rapidly climbed and overspread the sky. A cool breeze fanned the faces of
all who were watching the coming of the storm, and the animals, as is often the
case, showed alarm at the strange appearance of the heavens.
A big fire had been started near the middle of the camp, though it was expected
that the storm would drench it out or scatter the brands, like chaff, across the plain.
II
MARTENS.
It will be perceived that there never was more need of watchfulness than the
present time. The war of the elements would arouse all the wild animals within its
area, not a particle of moonlight could find its way through the murky atmosphere,
and what light the fire gave was liable to be extinguished from the cause named.
Although Mr. Godkin and Jack Harvey had been on duty a good part of the
preceding night, they decided to keep awake until the storm should exhaust itself.
They had spent a portion of the afternoon in sleep, and, since they were confident
that the tempest would not last more than an hour or two, the task did not promise
to be a severe one.
They had as their assistants Bormo, Valmur and Govozy, who were to do their
best to keep the fire going, and to prevent any stampede on the part of the animals.
252
THE DARKENING SKY.
Bob and Dick wanted sleep, and crept into the wagon where they were accus-
tomed to make their beds at night. The canvas over them was so strong that they
were confident it would not fail them as a roof; it had been through some of the
most violent gales that can be conceived, without suffering damage.
The lads did not withdraw from their friends until the wind was whistling
powerfully through the camp, causing some excitement among the animals, captive
as well as domestic. The horses whinnied and moved around their circumscribed
space, as if seeking for shelter.
It was not any special fear the owners felt of their flight during the night beyond
recall, but it was at such times when there was no moon that they were liable to be
visited by lions. It was the wish of the hunters to keep all the animals within the
area of the camp-fire's illumination, so as to hold them as safe as possible from
tiarauding enemies.
CHAPTER XLIII.
OUT IN THE NIGHT,
AN AFRICAN TEMPEST.
THERE is something soothing
in the sound of the wind at night,
when it moans around your house,
and you hear the snow sifting a-
gainst the window panes, or rust-
ling among the leafless branches.
Little possibility of our friends
being lulled to sleep by anything in the nature of a snow-storm, though the sudden
cooling of the heated air and the violent puffs of wind suggested the thought; but
they had not journeyed all the way from Port Natal to learn the nature of an
African storm.
" We're going to catch it," said Dick, noticing how rapidly the wind was rising.
" I don't think it will be worse than some of those tempests in the Drakenberg
Mountains helloa ! "
Without the least warning a vivid flash of lightning clove the sky from horizon
to zenith, followed instantly by a crashing peal of thunder that shook the ground as
if by an earthquake.
The animals in the camp, young and old, tame and wild, were startled into cries,
making a series of discords which deepened the shock, and brought the boys to a
sitting posture, causing them to look affrightedly around in the gloom.
253
OUT IN THE NIGHT.
The strong canvas cover shut
off their view in most directions,
but through the opening at the
rear they had a view of the camp
as shown by the glare of the fire.
The sight was picturesque
and striking. The wind, which
was blowing more strongly every
minute, had fanned the blaze,
whose reflection showed almost
every member of the camp.
The handsome face of Jack
Harvey, as he stood erect, look-
ing around with an inquiring
expression, as if to make sure
that everything was safe; the
pale, thoughtful Mr. Godkin; the
sallow countenances of the na-
tives, who stared here and there, uncertain from what
point the fatal bolt would come, glancing furtively
now and then at the animals, who were no less
alarmed than they: these were the most prominent
points in the picture which met the eyes of Bob and
Dick, who formed no insignificant part of the scene
themselves, as they peered out from the canvas-
covered wagon.
Naturally, the expectation was that such a prodigious electric explosion would
be quickly followed by others, but the exchange between earth and sky seemed to
have restored the equilibrium for a time, and the darkness remained unbroken by
any blinding flashes.
Suddenly every one was startled by a rattling as of a million bullets. Hailstones
of large size came down with such fury that every person ran for shelter, and the
animals bellowed and whinnied with terror and pain.
Fortunately, however, the flurry lasted but a few minutes, when the fall of hail-
stones ceased as abruptly as it had begun. Mr. Godkin, Jack Harvey and the natives
returned to their stations, while the boys crouched in the wagon and wondered
what was coming next.
The wind blew strongly, and now and then large drops of rain pattered around
them, with a noise like that of the hailstones, which lay in winrows about camp.
"We didn't make preparations for anything like this," said Bob, "and I'm
afraid our captives have suffered. If some of the little ones got pelted on the head
with those stones, they may have had their brains knocked out."
" How about the baboon ? "
" IT VANISHED IN THE GLOOM.'
OUT IN THE NIGHT.
255
" He's too thick-headed to be hurt. I wouldn't care if he did get a rap or two,
it might take some of the ugliness out of him."
"I don't wonder that such a flash of lightning my gracious ! "
At that instant, a volley of wind shot under the wagon cover and whipped it
from its fastenings. The boys made an instinctive grab for it, but were unable to
check its flight. They caught a glimpse of the white sheet, whipping and turning
like a sail in a gale, as it vanished in the gloom.
So strong was the wind that, as the canvas struck the earth, it rolled and tum-
bled and doubled over itself in the oddest way, but all the time skimmed along
the ground with a speed hardly less than the wind itself.
" It'll never do to lose that ! " exclaimed Dick, leaping out of the wagon and
starting on a run after it.
Such was his haste that he never thought of taking his gun along. Fortunately,
Bob was more thoughtful, and, as he sprang from the rear of the vehicle, but a few
paces behind his cousin, he had his rifle with him.
The whole proceeding was reckless and uncalled-for. Had either Mr. Godkin
cr Jack Harvey seen it, they would have ordered the boys back again on the instant.
The roll of canvas had to go but a short distance to pass beyond sight. It was not
likely to be carried far, however, and could be recovered on the morrow.
But you know how impulsive the most sensible boy is at times. It was natural
that they should make the attempt to recover the canvas, though Dick had not run
far before he felt he had committed a mistake.
The gloom around him was so profound that he was literally unable to see a
foot in any direction. The only means of guidance was the glimmer of the camp-
fire behind them, which shone over the plain like the eye of some great ogre.
By and by the electricity began to accumulate disproportionately, either in the
sky or earth, so disturbing the equilibrium that faint flashes appeared, accompanied
by mutterings of thunder.
" The lightning will come," was the thought of Dick, " and then I'll gain a glimpse
of what I'm looking for ; it can't be far off."
Inasmuch as it was evident that it was only a waste of time to continue forward,
the youth came to a halt and waited for the illumination which was to end the wild
hunt. Dick was unaware that his cousin had followed him, for his own flight was so
hurried that he paid no heed to anything except the skurrying canvas, which he
hoped to catch before it went too far.
But Bob was hard after his comrade, though he could see nothing of him, after
his leap from the wagon and dash into the darkness. Not doubting that he was
close at his heels, Bob kept at a brisk trot until he must have gone several hundred
yards, when he stopped.
" Helloa ! Dick," he called, "we may as well give it up and wait till morning ;
don't you think so ? "
To his surprise, there was no answer, and he repeated the call in a louder tone>
keeping it up until his lungs could stand no more.
256 OUT IN THE NIGHT.
It cannot be said that Bob was alarmed, though he was puzzled to understand
how they could have got beyond each other's hearing in so short a time. It is im-
probable that they were far apart at the moment, but the wind was blowing with
great force directly across the space between them, and carried his voice away
from the ears for which it was intended.
Bob was shrewd enough to understand the most likely cause of his failure to
locate his cousin, though even that seemed hardly sufficient, and he thought an
additional reason must exist.
Finding he could not make himself heard, he turned about and looked at the
camp-fire, which was burning at no great distance. He could see figures moving
in front of it, and one of them struck him as being that of his cousin.
" That's it," he said to himself; " Dick has awakened to his blunder and gone
back; I'll do the same."
His situation was such that his view of the camp was unobstructed, the stock-
ade being in another direction. It was therefore " clear sailing," as it may be
called, and the thought that he would experience any delay did not enter his head.
But Bob had walked only a short distance, when he became convinced that
some animal was between him and camp, and that it was moving in the same
direction. Now and then it was like a flickering shadow, disappearing so quickly
that it was impossible to form any idea of its precise form or nature.
Thrown in relief for the moment against the saffron flames far beyond, its form
was of the most shadowy and indistinct character.
" I wonder what it can be," he asked himself a dozen times, while moving softly
forward; " I'm mighty glad I brought my gun along, but as it is, I don't want to
stumble over it. I'm glad, too, that Dick didn't forget his rifle," he added, with
never a suspicion that his friend was abroad in the night unarmed.
The faint flutterings of lightning did little more than make the intense gloom vis-
ible. Bob hoped for a flash that would tell him the precise nature of the danger as
he believed it to be in front of him, and the thought that such an illumination was
likely to come every instant caused him to slacken his pace and advance with the
utmost caution.
It seemed unwise to him, even though well armed, to follow in the track of the
animal, and he, therefore, made a wide circuit to the left, with a view of flanking
the beast. He continued until he had gone so far that the stockade threatened te
interfere with his vision, when he once more started in a direct line, all his senses
on the alert.
In a brief while, the lad feared he had committed^ serious blunder, for so long
as matters kept the form they had a few minutes before, he held the unknown in
front, where he could, to a certain degree, keep it under his eye, but by flanking it f
the probabilities were he had given the beast a chance to get behind him, the very
situation which a wild animal desires when stealing upon its victim.
Bob's discomfort was increased by a distinct growl which came from some point
near at hand, though, for the life of him, he could not make sure of the direction.
OUT IN THE NIGHT.
As you may suppose, the youth, by this time, was thoroughly scared, for he was
in a perilous position indeed. He cocked his Winchester, and braced himself to
receive a charge from some quarter, the feeling being that horrible one that comes
over a man when he is absolutely at a loss to know the point whence a crashing
blow is to descend.
Braced thus, Bob glanced around in the impenetrable gloom, hoping that the
ear, if not the eye, would give him the knowledge on which his life depended.
Peering in the direction of the camp-fire, he was unable to see anything resem-
bling the outlines of an animal, and he could feel no doubt, therefore, that his
enemy was on his flank, or what was more likely, directly behind, and creeping
upon him.
17
CHAPTER XLIV.
PEERING OUT INTO THE GLOOM. %
CANNOT conceive of any situation more trying to the nerves than that of Bob
Marshall. Had it been daytime, when he was able to locate his foe, he would
have been pleased rather than otherwise, for the spice of danger would have
given a pleasant thrill, just as had been the case more than once while on his way
to the camp in South Africa. Now, while his dependence was on his sense of
hearing, he listened intently for the growl that he had caught a few minutes
before. But the warning was not repeated.
I am glad to say that my young friend's nerves were not kept at this painful
tension for any length of time, though the period seemed ten-fold greater than it was.
The flickering lightning suddenly spread into one vivid flame, which illumined
earth and sky with a distinctness greater than that of midday, while the appalling
crash, as before, shook the very earth.
It so happened that at the moment the shock came, Bob had turned half way
'round, and was looking directly behind him. The sight which met his eyes could
not have been more terrifying.
Less than fifty feet off, a huge lion was crouching on the earth, and stealthily
creeping toward him. A few more seconds, and he would be close enough to make
his leap, which would land him upon Bob's shoulders, who would be as helpless as
an infant.
There was the single revelation, and then instantly all became profound gloom
again. Lion, earth, sky, all were swallowed up in darkness.
The distance to camp was short, and the natural instinct of the young sports-
man was to dash thither "at full speed ; but to do so was fatal, since the lion would
have been on him before he could have traveled one-quarter the way.
No; there was but one course to take, and, knowing the value of every second,
Bob Marshall did not hesitate.
Although unable to see the king of beasts, he knew precisely where he was, and
he was so accustomed to handling his rifle, that he could aim without glancing
along the barrel.
It would be too much to say that he was able to fire with anything like the accu-
racy he would have shown in the daytime, but he was confident of " getting there,"
ail the same.
Up went the gun to his shoulder, and Bob let fly with five shots, as rapidly as
he could pump them from his weapon. That number, he felt, ought to be sufficient,
and prudence told him to keep a reserve for other contingencies that might arise
before he could reach his friends.
258
PEERING OUT INTO THE GLOOM.
259
Lowering his rifle, Bob quickly
retreated several steps, and then
listened a full minute, to hear the
dying struggles of his foe.
While engaged in firing, he fan-
cied he detected some unusual
sounds, and he was sure of catching
them again, since the growl that
had reached him proved that the
wind was in the right direction.
To his astonishment, however,
nothing was heard above the
gale roaring about his ears.
" Can it be I missed him ?"
he asked himself with a shud-
der; "he may have changed
his posture ; if so, he'll be on
me right away."
Once again the lightning
came to his aid. The flash
was not as overpowering as
before, but it was enough to
PEERING OUT INTO THE GLOOM.
tell him a most gratifying truth. By one of those strange accidents which now and
then come to us in this world, the first bullet fired by Bob Marshall had penetrated the
brain of the lion and killed him. The four balls cent after the first had all found an
entrance into the immense head, and any one ot them would have been enough
to cause death. So I may say that the youth was guilty of a waste of ammunition.
It was a vast relief, indeed, to him, who was wise enough to improve his chances
at once. There might be other wild beasts near at hand, and it would never do to
count on the aid of the lightning, that had just done him such a good turn.
Without glancing in any direction, Bob broke into a run for camp, his feelings
quickly changing to a panic as is often the case when we start to flee from some
danger.
He almost fell headlong among his friends.
" Where did you come from ? " asked the astonished Jack Harvey.
" If you had been going a little faster you wouldn't have been able to stop yet
awhile," added the wondering Mr. Godkin.
"I think you would run, too, if you found a lion at your heels," replied the
youth, somewhat abashed at the exhibition he had made.
" Was that your gun we heard ? "
" Yes ; didn't Dick tell you wherq I was ? "
" No ; we haven't seen Dick," said Jack; "where is he ? "
" I suppose he is in the wagon," remarked the director, his manner showing hia
uneasiness.
Bob ran thither with little hope of finding his cousin. Of course he was absent,
and Bob came back with the announcement that he had fled, and that his gun had
been left behind, there being enough light from the camp-fire to show that dis-
quieting fact.
Jack Harvey was vexed.
" How long before you tenderfeet will gain enough sense to take care of your-
selves ? "
Bob felt the reproof was deserved, but his whole thoughts now were of his absent
friend. Except for his own experience with the lion, his alarm would have been far
less, but the night, as I have shown, was just such a one as was likely to bring out
the dreaded beasts against which the hunters had taken every precaution at their
command.
The gale had threatened to blow away their fire, but, by heaping on the wood, it
roared and crackled with a vigor that threw out a more extended illumination than
before.
All the oxen, horses and goats were in sight a fact which they seemed to
appreciate, some of them showing a disposition to crowd still closer, as though
well aware that danger was abroad.
The violent tempest had brought each native from his sleeping-quarters, and
they were giving their efforts toward the protection of the property of their employ-
ers. Orak was probably the most active, and he made several circuits around the
PEERING OUT INTO THE GLOOM.
stockade to see that the captives were safe. The inhabitants of the cages, too,
seemed to feel there was security in the glow of the fire, and they crowded as near
as they could get to it.
"HE ALMOST FELL HEADLONG AMONG His FRIENDS."
They formed a singular picture, the older
ones showing by their looks their alarm.
Those whom a short time before they had
viewed as their enemies had been transformed by the
elements into friends, to whom they appealed for
protection.
The younger ones slept in contentment through the fearful turmoil, but the
262 PEERING OUT INTO THE GLOOM.
mother giraffe stood close to the side of her huge cage, her odd head groping along
the stakes, as though seeking some opening through which she might force her way
closer to her friends.
The baboon shared the alarm, and, though he could not quite rid himself of his
surliness, he looked as if he would have welcomed the opportunity to crowd a little
nearer to those who had used him so roughly but a short time before.
Mr. Godkin asked Bob several sharp questions, to make sure that no point was
lost. He, too, was impatient, that Dick, of whose judgment he had formed such a
good opinion, should have forgotten himself in the excitement of the moment.
To him the inexcusable fact was that he had pushed out in the night, when he
must have had time to realize his mistake. But he was a philosopher, and he felt
that it was not the time to scold, so long as the youth was in danger. He would
settle with him when he came back provided he ever did come back.
Now, you will readily understand the bad feature of this business: it lay in the
continued absence of Dick Brownell.
If he were unharmed he could not have gone far, without awaking to the ab-
surdity of hunting for an object which it was impossible to locate.
It occurred to his friends that he might have counted on the help of the light-
ning, which, fortunately, had told Bob Marshall of his danger from the crouching
lion, but, if such were the case, it was no credit to Dick's sagacity.
It was that lion that threw his friends into their distressing misgiving.
They reasoned that, since the absent lad had the ligth of the camp-fire to direct
his return, as did his cousin, he would have availed himself of that means, had he
been in a situation to do so.
That the king of beasts was abroad that night was proven by the experience of
Bob Marshall. If he had come in collision with one of them, what more probable
than that Dick had been threatened by the same danger ? Since, too, the former
would have perished but for his Winchester, what was likely to be the fate of the
other, who was without any fire-arms except his revolver, which was almost useless
in such an emergency ?
These were the grave questions asked by each of his friends who stood in the
light of the camp-fire, discussing the question whether it was in their power to do
anything to aid him.
" I'd mount Apache, and ride all the way to the Congo to help that young tender-
foot out of a scrape," said the Texan, " and after I caught him, I would give him a
trouncing for playing such a trick."
"There isn't anything that all of us would not try to do to benefit him," quietly
added the director, " but that isn't the question; it is whether we have the power to
extend him help."
"Can't you think ot something?" asked poor Bob, almost beside himselt with
grief; " I will die if I have to stay here idle."
" You know how foolish it was for you to hope to find that canvas in the dark-
ness; it is ten times more hopeless for us to think of finding Dick."
PEERING OUT INTO THE GLOOM. &3
But he may not be far off; he may be wounded, and lying on the plain."
" But where?" was the terrifying question.
"Ah ! " muttered Jack, the exclamation caused by the rain which now began to
descend copiously; that isn't going to make it very comfortable for him."
" Nor for us either," added Mr. Godkin.
The three peered out in the gloom, looking, listening, hoping and praying; and
that was all they could do, for an emotion akin to despair was in each heart.
CHAPTER XLV.
ON THE TRAIL.
WHATEVER feeling of resentment or impatience might have been enter-
tained by our friends toward Dick Brownell soon vanished in the anxiety
for his welfare. Sleep was out of the question, until toward morning, when
Bob sank into an unquiet slumber that lasted until daylight.
During the long, dark hours that silence reigned through the camp, Jack Harvey
tnd Carl Godkin smoked their pipes and discussed what they could do, if anything,
for the absent one. So long as night lasted, they must remain idle, the only re-
source being that of heaping fuel on the fire, so that the light should penetrate the
gloom as far as possible, and afford a guide to the youth, if so be it was in his
power to struggle toward it.
The course which Jack and Mr. Godkin had decided upon was the natural one
that would have suggested itself to any person in their situation. As soon as light
came, they would set out to hunt for the absent lad.
The party was to consist of the two gentlemen named, Bob Marshall and Pongo,
the Bushman, all of whom would be mounted and fully armed. During their
absence the camp was to be left in charge of Diedrick and Abdallah, who were not
to go away themselves nor allow any of the other natives to do so.
The director favored leaving Pongo also, but the Texan saw a probable use for
him, and fortunately took him along.
It will be observed that the cowboy had now entered upon a duty similar in
many respects to that in which he had been thoroughly trained in his own country.
The work of capturing wild animals was suspended for the time, while the four
engaged in the hunt for a person, just as he had done when on his Indian cam-
paigns in Arizona and New Mexico.
The attempt was to be made, too, in a country of savages who execrated white
men. Though these natives widely differed from the American Indians, there was
still a resemblance between them: the struggle might take the turn of a contest be-
tween the cunning of the white man and that of the black man.
While Mr. Godkin and Bob Marshall believed that Dick's absence was due to
wild beasts, and while Jack admitted the probabilities pointed that way, he was
still hopeful he had fallen into the hands of a company of natives, from whom he
could be regained by strategy or force. His own experience with the savages was
the main foundation of this hope. Despite the impatience of Bob, Jack would not
allow any departure until all had eaten a substantial breakfast and swallowed a
cup of strong coffee apiece. It was a principle with him never to enter upon such
an enterprise without a hearty meal, if it was possible to secure one.
264
ON THE TRAIL.
265
The sky was beautifully clear, and the coolness of the air, due to the storm of
the night before, rendered the day one of the most delightful they had experienced
since their entrance into the country. It would soon become fervid again, but they
could not have asked for a more favorable morning for their work.
The first proceeding was to ride to the top of the adjoining elevation, from
which they made their survey of the surrounding neighborhood, directly after their
arrival.
" What I want you to do," explained Jack, " is to use your eyes. Scan every part
of the horizon and tell me whether you see anything of a party of men, or any signs
of a camp-fire."
The four engaged in this
task, and for a quarter of an
hour not a word was spoken
'THE THREE LOOKED LONG AND CLOSELY." by any one. Mr. Godkin had
his glass to assist, but at the
end of the time, when the Texan asked each in turn, the same answer was re-
ceived : not the first evidence had been detected of a party of natives in their field
of vision.
"You are sure of that?" asked Jack, with an odd expression, addressing himself
particularly to the director.
"There can be no doubt of it," he replied, puzzled to understand his full
meaning.
" I thought them glasses would help you better, and, as for you, Pongo, I am
disappointed."
266 ON THE TRAIL.
"That seems to be the situation of all of us," remarked Bob, who was in any-
thing but a hopeful mood.
" I s'pose it's all in a chap's training," was the comment of Jack, who now pointed
to the south.
"If you'll follow the way I'm p'inting," he explained, "you'll see a little patch
of jungle, covering only a few acres. It isn't far from the stream which winds close
to it. Now, all fix your eyes on the sky just above it, and tell me what you
observe."
Thus directed, the three looked long and closely, the director once more calling
his binocular into use.
"All that I notice," he said, "is the faintest possible appearance of a tiny cloud,
seemingly resting on the tree-tops."
"Well," said Jack, "that cloud, that I s'pose you all now see, is what is left of
the smoke of a fire that was burning among them trees last night. A party of wild
men was there, and may be there still ; there's where we must go to look for the
youngster." The rest, including Pongo himself, looked admiringly at the Texan,
who had discerned that which was beyond their power of vision, and had read its
meaning aright.
" I don't see why you didn't take his trail from the camp and follow it," said Bob.
But Jack shook his head.
"No living man could have done that, though I s'pose .a bloodhound might. It
rained so hard after the youngster left that there wasn't the least sign you could
have counted on."
There was something in the cool self-confidence of the cowboy which inspired
his friends similarly. The Bushman, though he did not speak, showed something
of it in the glow of his sallow face and the sparkle of his bright black eye, while
Mr. Godkin and Bob did not hesitate to make known their admiration.
But, like those true scouts of the border, Jack Harvey was modest, and the
compliments he received rolled from him like water from a duck's back.
Those fellows lose no time in getting down to business. Almost in the same
breath that Jack announced his purpose, he had turned the head of his mustang
down the slope and was riding, at a swift gallop, toward the patch of jungle, his
companions maintaining their places beside him, and asking him many questions,
which he willingly answered, though he kept his keen eyes fixed, almost continually,
on the wood, as though he suspected some new development would take place
before he could reach it.
The dead body of the lion lay where it had fallen, but the horsemen did not go
near it, for there was no inducement to do so and time was too valuable. But that
glass, as it went from hand to hand, and swept the visible plain, was searching for
another body, which the whites dreaded to find, and which, to their inexpressible
relief, they did not find.
The theory advanced by Jack Harvey was based on sound sense, though he
admitted that it was confronted by some grave objections.
ON THE TRAIL.
267
" In the first place," said the Texan, as they rode at their rapid pace, so close
together that conversation was easy, " that 'ere young scamp has gone so fur that
he passed over that hill right ahead of us."
"What of that ? The distance isn't great."
"I'll show you in a minute," replied Jack, who, when they reached the bottom
of the slope, on the other side, asked his companions to turn their heads and look
at their own camp.
Making the attempt, they found it was not in sight ; the hill shut it from view.
It followed, therefore, that if they were riding in the footsteps of Dick Brownell, he
had reached a point, not far from his friends, where the light of his own camp-fire
could serve him no longer as a guide.
A STARTLING DISCOVERY.
"But, if he looked toward them trees right ahead," added Jack, "he would have
catched sight of the fire burning there."
"But that was in a course opposite to his own camp," said Bob.
" You know how easy it is for any one to get completely turned 'round, so that
he can't get things straight for the life of him."
While this is a truth beyond question, the difficulty lay in the improbability that
Dick Brownell, in the first place, would have gone far enough in the darkness to
take him to the other side of the hill, and that, having gone that far, with the
knowledge that his friends were behind him, he should have formed the belief,
almost on the instant, as he must have done, that a camp-fire in the other direction
was his real destination.
268 ON THE TRAIL.
Jack's explanation, or rather theory, was that the youngster had not held such
belief, but, having caught the glimmer of another light than that of his friends, he
had been led by his own curiosity to go forward and investigate, and, having done
that, he had fallen into the hands of savages.
This presupposed a thoughtlessness on the part of Dick Brownell that was the
main obstacle to the theory. Indeed, it could not, in the nature of things, be satis-
factory to those who knew him so well, but who of necessity were compelled to
hold the supposition until some proof of its falsity should present itself.
Having reached the piece of jungle, it was easy to locate the site of the encamp-
ment held there only a few hours before. There were the ashes, bones and rem-
nants, such as always mark the scene of such a halt.
Jack Harvey was out of his saddle before his mustang came to a halt, and, stoop-
ing down, scrutinized the ground with a keenness of vision which no one of his
company could equal, though Pongo came the nearest to it. He, like Mr. Godkin
and Bob, engaged in the same effort, no one speaking, and often glancing slyly at
Jack, to see how he was making out.
As at the time when all were investigating the cause of the raft lying against the
river bank, he moved entirely around the spot where the fire had been kindled, so
that not a square inch of the circuit escaped him.
Almost at the moment he completed this task, which took several minutes, since
he walked slowly, in a bent posture, he suddenly straightened up and exclaimed:
" Dick came to this spot, and was captured by wild men ! "
CHAPTER XLVI.
THE GLIMMER OF A CAMP-FIRE.
jEANWHILE, let us see how Master Dick Brownell made out. I have said
several times that he did an almost inexcusable thing in starting to regain
the canvas cover that the gale had whisked from over his head.
I am quite sure you will agree with me, and yet I am obliged to say that the
young fellow, almost at the moment he reached the same conclusion, was successful
in finding the missing article.
Of course it was wholly accidental, but it so came about that while he was mov-
ing carefully through the darkness, waiting for a friendly flash of lightning to give
its aid, his boot became entangled in something which threw him forward on his
face.
In his efforts to scramble to his feet, he knew from the feel of the article that it
was the canvas.
" Well, I declare ! " he exclaimed, " but that is what I call a piece of luck. I
don't think Bob will laugh at me when he sees me coming back bearing the wagon-
cover in my arms."
Bending over, he began gathering the awkward bundle together, finding it so
much heavier and more cumbersome than he supposed that his exultation was
considerably modified.
" It would be safe to leave it here till morning," he thought, " but that would
never do so here goes ! "
With no little effort he slung the stuff over his shoulder, and walked some dis-
tance without trouble. Then one end began to drag, and, catching under his feet,
down he went again, half angry, as was natural.
He now began rolling the canvas into a more compact form, helped thereat
by the friendly flash which saved Bob Marshall's life. Of course Dick did not hear
the call of his cousin, and the contrary wind carried the reports of the rifle beyond
reach of his ears. Thus he was altogether unaware of the solicitude of Bob, who,
but for the lion, would have continued his attempts to find him.
Dick tried to keep his bearings, though his annoyance from the awkward bundle
caused him several times to forget the danger of going astray. But he had walked
only a short distance when his foot plunged into an ant-hole, and he was thrown
forward with such violence that he feared for the moment his leg was broken.
"This is a bigger job than I imagined," he said to himself, "but I mean to fight
it out on this line if it takes several weeks."
Up to this moment he had thought nothing of the personal peril involved in a
venture of this kind. Had he brought his gun with him he would have found it a
270 THE GLIMMER OF A CAMP-FIRE.
hard task to carry the weapon and his bundle, but now, after shouldering his load
once more, he suddenly recalled what had been said at the camp-fire about the
expected visit from lions.
"The best thing I can do," he reflected, "is to get home as soon as I can, for
I've wandered some distance from camp."
The thought was still in his mind when he was frightened by the same cause
that gave his cousin such a shock, almost at the same moment: it was the unmis-
takable growl of a wild beast in front of him.
His sense of hearing told him the latter fact, but he was so much farther from
the camp than his cousin that his eyes could be of no help at all.
Dick stood still, with the deliberate conviction that of all the mistakes he had
ever made the present one was the greatest.
He had his knife and his revolver weapons which he knew well how to handle
in an emergency, but they were not likely to be of much assistance in the impend-
ing fight in the dark.
While he was hesitating as to what step he should take, if indeed he could take
any, the same streak of lightning which told Bob Marshall the nature of the peril
that threatened him, made the same revelation to his cousin.
Still worse, the lion that Dick saw was nigh enough to make his spring and was
in the very act of doing so. The youth could not have seen anything more dis-
tinctly than he did that appalling sight.
Instead of drawing his pistol, Dick flung up his arms, so as to spread out the
canvas, and held it before him as a shield against the impending shock. He knew
the lion was coming, and he used the only protection at command.
Now there is nothing so terrifying to a wild animal as a danger which it cannot
understand. You have noticed how the appearance of some uncouth object will
frighten a horse which is gentle in the presence of danger twice as great.
So long as Dick Brownell remained himself in looks, he was just the kind of a
supper to please a large and hungry lion, but when the latter saw him assume the
shape of some mysterious creature, with large, white wings, he was scared almost
out of his senses. Nothing could induce the king of beasts to attack such a frightful
animal, unless he himself were pushed into a corner and forced to fight.
The snarling growl which followed this precaution on the part of Dick apprised
him, for the first time, of his singular success ; he had succeeded in doing that
which seemed impossible : he had frightened the lion.
That certainly was strong reason for satisfaction, but the youth could by no
means feel certain the fright would last. The beast, still muttering, trotted several
rteps, looking back in the gloom, as if he expected pursuit.
Had Dick known it, or rather had he possessed the light to guide him, he could
have completed his work by dashing after the lion, swinging and swirling the
canvas, and uttering frightful cries. The beast would have fled at the top of his
speed, and never halted till a long way off.
But the youth could see nothing of his foe, so long as the Egyptian darkness
THE GLIMMER OF A CAMP-FIRE.
271
lasted ; and the latter, finding he was not pursued, regained enough courage to
stop a short distance, and peering back, as well as his species can in the gloom, he
must have wondered that he was spared by the monster.
Possibly some inkling of the truth entered his thick head, for he not only
remained motionless several minutes, but turned about to renew his attack. Instead
of approaching, however, in a straight line, he circled over the plain, so as to get
to the rear of his intended victim an act that is in accord with the sneaking
nature of the king of beasts.
Fortunately, Dick was not unmindful of this peculiar peril, and was guarding, as
best he could, against it. The beast emitted no growl, but the lightning, which had
done the youth more than one good turn that evening, favored the lad again, by
showing his enemy in the very act of flanking him.
"HE CAUGHT THE STAR-LIKE TWINKLE.'
Dick now did what he
ought to have done be-
fore. Spreading out the
canvas, so as to make it look as strange
as possible, he began napping his
wings, like some immense bird, and,
uttering the most dismal cries, headed
for the animal that was so anxious to dine upon him. That was altogether more
than the lion wanted, and away he scampered.
It was out of Dick's power to learn whither the beast went, but he kept up his
pursuit, knowing it was the wisest thing to do, though he was in constant dread of
colliding with some object, animate or inanimate. He paused at intervals, and
looked and listened, but neither saw nor heard anything.
" I guess it's about time I went back to camp," was his natural conclusion ; " I
expect I will catch it from Mr. Godkin and Jack, for running off in this way, without
my gun."
He was breathing rapidly from his severe exertion, for he had run a long
distance. He recalled that part of it had been up and down hill, and it seemed to
him that once he had splashed through some water.
Be that as it may, Dick Brownell awoke to the unpleasant fact that he had
272 THE GLIMMER OF A CAMP-FIRE.
wandered out of sight of the camp of his friends. He scanned every point of the
compass, but in no direction could he catch so much as a glimmer of a light.
As you may suppose, he was in anything but a comfortable state of mind. It
was alarming enough to learn that he was lost in an exceedingly dangerous country,
with many hours of darkness before him, and without an effective weapon with
which to defend himself.
"Well, I have gone and done it," he muttered with a sigh, conscious of a faint-
ness which made him feel like sitting down until it passed over. " This is about the
worst scrape of my life. I'll hold on to the cloth anyway, for it has proved too
good a friend to cast aside."
It began raining, and he found the canvas was a friend in more than one respect.
By gathering the folds around his shoulders, it served as a protection against the
wet. The air grew chillier, and, but for it, he would have been in anything but a
comfortable state.
This was nothing, however, to compare to his wretchedness over the feeling that
he was lost, and that, in all probability, he would not be able to find his way to
camp until the rising of the morrow's sun.
What should he do ?
He was tempted to lie down, and, wrapping himself as best he could in the
canvas, bear it all in grim silence.
But he was not yet rid of his fear of the lion, and, if the beast was not still
lurking in the neighborhood, others of his kind or of an equally dangerous species
were likely to discover him.
One of the hardest things to do at such times is to sit or stand still, and wait for
the minutes to grow into hours. Dick was unable to do that, so he kept trudging
on, peering in every direction for the welcome glimmer that would prove a beacon
light indeed to him.
The rain soon ceased, but the gloom was, if possible, more profound than ever.
He was literally going it blind, and probably he would have come to a stop after a
brief while, but for the fact that he found himself ascending quite an elevation.
" This must be the hill I came over when chasing the lion," was his thought;
" it hid the camp from my sight and ought to reveal it when I reach the top
helloa ! "
With a thrill of pleasure, he caught the star-like twinkle of a point of light, and
felt that his troubles were substantially ended.
CHAPTER XLVII,
A CLEVER STRATAGEM.
LL of Dick Brownell's miseries and sufferings were forgotten the moment he
caught the glimmer of the camp-fire through the chilling darkness. He
was willing enough to receive the scolding that he knew awaited him, but
never was the glow of a beacon light hailed with greater gladness by the storm-
tossed mariner than was the twinkle which reached him through the dismal night.
It struck the youth that he rrust have followed some strange paths after his
novel attack on the lion, for he had not gone far before he found himself tramping
through a lot of tall grass, apparently of the same kind as that growing along the
stream that had sheltered the wild men and baboons.
The possibility of plunging headlong into the river itself caused him some
uneasiness, but the listening ear could detect nothing of the roar that would have
been present, the gale having entirely died out.
The storm was over. There were faint flickerings of lightning now and then,
but not enough to produce the faintest rumbling of thunder. No rain fell, and,
through the rifts of black, overhanging clouds, Dick fancied he detected the faint
gleam of several stars.
Such storms as I have attempted to describe are violent, but of short duration.
They often inflict great damage, but, fortunately, soon expend their fury.
Dick Brownell underwent every degree of imaginable surprise during his
hunting expedition in Southern Africa, but he agrees with me that none of them
exceeded that which came to him within a half hour after his discovery of the light
of the camp-fire, shining across the plain.
The first occurrence that opened the way to the shock of astonishment was the
knowledge that, instead of tramping across the open country, as he had been doing
all along, he had entered the edge of a jungle.
" What does this mean ? " he asked, as the limbs brushed his face.
The puzzling fact was that the light of the camp-fire was still in plain view.
The next shock was when he saw that the reason for this was that he was
within a hundred feet of the blaze which had seemed until that moment to be at an
indefinite distance. It was in fair view, because it was burning just beyond and
close to the margin of the wood, which was open to an unusual extent, so open,
indeed, that he had not noticed the few intervening limbs until he looked the
second time.
The inevitable corollary of this discovery was that it was not the camp-fire
of his friends that he had approached !
All doubt was removed when he observed eight or ten natives, similar in some
is 273
274 A CLEVER STRATAGEM.
respects to those described by Jack Harvey, gathered around the blaze, which
was burning brightly in a small space. They were naked, except around the loins,
had bushy hair, wore huge rings in their ears and noses, carried spears, and were
as hideous travesties upon the human form divine as can be imagined.
Since the camp-fire of Dick's friends was out of sight of this group, it was
clear that Mr. Godkin and his companions knew nothing of the natives, though
it was not so clear that the latter were not aware of the location of the others.
The wild men, as it seems proper to call them, were lolling on the ground and
smoking, with the exception of two of their number, who were busily employed in
cooking supper. The carcass of some animal was suspended on a strong stick,
which, in turn, was supported by forked supports, so far removed from the flames
that they were safe against being burned apart.
After the carcass had been exposed to the fire until it was affected by the heat,
the two savages turned the stick so as to expose the other side. Inasmuch as the
longitudinal support ran through the middle of the body, it was easy to subject
every part of it to an equal degree of heat.
In short, the process resembled that which is sometimes seen in our own country
when a party of hunters or farmers engage in roasting the carcass of a hog or some
big game.
The other wild men, who were lolling on the ground, seemed to find much com-
fort in smoking their long-stemmed pipes. They showed no impatience for their
supper, though, by this time, the hour had become well advanced.
What produced the awful impression that suddenly flashed upon Dick Brownell,
it is impossible to say, but, all at once, he asked himself the question whether that
body which was being prepared with such thoroughness did not belong to the same
race as those that were turning every side of it so regularly to the blaze.
It was a fearful query, indeed, that rose, unbidden, in the mind of the youth, and,
for the moment, it almost overcame him. He felt faint and leaned against the
nearest tree 'or support.
It would seem that, with the doubt thus formed, the lad ought to have felt that
the last place in the world for him was where he stood. He should have lost no
time in taking himself from the neighborhood, no matter whither his footsteps led
him.
But there was a horrible fascination in the sight, which, for the time, held him
rooted to the spot. Much as he wished to fly, he lacked the power to do so.
" Suppose they discover me," was his thought ; "will they not serve me as they
are serving that thing ? "
Suddenly one of the savages, whose duty it was to attend to the turning of the
spit, raised his face and looked in the direction of the spectator. The firelight,
falling on his countenance, made one of the most hideous pictures it is possible to
describe.
Dick asked himself whether it was possible the native had heard or seen any-
thing to awaken his suspicion. The youth was standing well back in the gloom,
A CLEVER STRATAGEM.
275
and was not conscious of having stirred since leaning against the tree. Neverthe-
less, the fixed stare caused him to shrink farther away, until the trunk of the tree
interposed between him and the camp, and he simply peered around the bark.
Still the fixed look of the wild man continued, until there could be no doubt
that something in the direction of the youth had caught his eye or ear.
Dick was so alarmed that he was on the point of whirling about and making a
break for the depths of the jungle, heedless of what dangers he might encounter in
the form of wild beasts or serpents, when the native who had caused this alarm
said something in a guttural voice to his companion, who also turned and looked
in the same direction.
"By gracious!" thought the
youth, " they have found I am here,
though I can't imagine how they
did it."
But the second wild man made
some reply that appeared to satisfy
the other, for, withdrawing his gaze,
he once more gave his undivided
attention to the task before him.
The time had come to turn the
food again, and a few minutes after
it was done to a turn.
Being removed from its place
over the blaze, each of the cooks
produced a long knife from the cloth
at his waist, and cut enormous slices
from the carcass, tossing one in turn
to the waiting savages, who ate with
the gusto of wild animals.
The same fearful suspicion was
in the mind of the lad, who, know-
ing he was doing wrong in staying,
felt that he must wait until some
turn took place in the extraordinary proceedings. While they were thus engaged,
Dick Brownell counted them. There were just ten, and all seemed on an equality
at least, from their appearance and action, it was impossible to pick out one as
the chief or leader.
Standing thus a few minutes longer our young friend once more counted them
and was astonished to find only nine.
"That's queer," he said to himself; " I was sure I hadn't made a mistake, but
certainly there are but nine. What could have become of the other ? I don't think
they could have eaten him, for 1 am sure I would have seen it."
Despite the ferocity with which the wild men assailed the food when first handed
His ARMS WERE SUDDENLY SEIZED."
276 A CLEVER STRATAGEM.
to them, they had a way of lingering over their mea. which prolonged it indefi-
nitely, until it seemed to the spectator that they must be genuine epicures.
The cooks had helped themselves as well as the rest several times, until but little
remained of the original supply,
"Well, I'll be hanged!"
This muttered exclamation was caused by what was certainly an extraordinary
discovery : Dick counted the savages once more, and this time there were only
eight !
" I haven't seen any of them leave," he thought ; " and yet two have vanished
since I first looked upon them. I wonder if those cooks are running in their fel-
lows on the others so slyly that no outsider can see it. Will they keep it up till
there's only one left, and what then will he do ? "
Had Dick Brownell possessed the acumen of Jack Harvey he would have seen
in this mysterious disappearance of a couple of natives a most significant warning
that would have sent him flying, without an instant's delay, from the spot.
It certainly had a meaning which that veteran Indian campaigner would have
been quick to penetrate.
With a strange feeling of awe the lad counted them once more.
This time there were eight : the ebb of the tide had probably been reached.
" I would give a good deal to know where those others went without any one "
At that moment Master Richard Brownell ascertained whither they had gone.
Without the slightest noise his arms were suddenly seized with a power that he
could not shake off. Uttering a gasp of terror, he turned his head, and found in
the dim light which reached the spot that he was immovably griped by two of the
wild men.
The lad was not mistaken in suspecting that, by some means beyond his power
to understand, one of the cooks learned of his presence near them. He acquainted
the others so quietly that the listener never held a suspicion of the truth.
Then a couple of the warriors, with admirable cleverness, slipped off in the
jungle, and, getting behind him, made him prisoner with a deftness and skill that
eould not have been surpassed by a brace of American Indians.
CHAPTER XLVIII.
THE CAPTIVE AND HIS CAPTORS.
BROWNELL made no resistance, for the reason that it was out of his
power to do so, and any attempt in that direction was likely to bring severe
punishment upon him.
His captors cleverly relieved him of the canvas that still covered his shoulders,
and, at the same time, extracted his revolver and knife from his possession. This
was done, indeed, while they were forcing him forward into the fuller light of the
camp-fire.
The natives may not have shown much interest in him while he was acting the
part of spectator, but they now gathered around, as though he was some wonderful
object, on which they had never looked before. They pinched his arms, passed
their hands over his face, as if unable to understand why the skin should be so
much fairer than their own, felt of his garments, and looked with no little admira-
tion on the boots which encased his shapely feet.
While thus engaged, they expressed their feelings in the oddest clucking sounds,
closely resembling the language of the Hottentots, which, as I have said, suggests
the noises made by a lot of hens more than anything else I can call to mind.
Dick Brownell stood the ordeal well. Despite the trying situation, he could
not help smiling at some of their grotesque actions, while their childish bewilder-
ment would have amused any one.
I suspect that a discovery made by him at this moment had much to do with
his improvement of spirits. He gained a good look of the remains of the carcass
on which the party had been feasting. He saw that it belonged to some animal,
most likely a small antelope. He had done the natives great injustice by suspect-
ing them of cannibalism, and, had he possessed the means of apologizing, I am not
sure he would not have done so.
Whatever disposition the captors might make of him, Dick was immeasurably
relieved to know that he was not likely to form a meal for them to feast upon.
As if with a view of conciliating him, one of the natives handed his long-stemmed
pipe to the lad, who took a few whiffs, through fear of offending them by a refusal,
but the tobacco was so strong that he dare not keep it up long.
No little pleasure was displayed over the canvas covering. It consisted of a
goodly number of yards, was very strong and had suffered nothing from its rough
usage. It was a prize which the wild men knew how to appreciate.
The next proceeding of the latter was to offer Dick some of the meat that had
iurnished them with their supper. He would have preferred to decline, since he
was not hungry, but he ate a few mouthfuls, an act which I need not tell you would
277
2 7 8
THE CAPTIVE AND HIS CAPTORS.
have been beyond his power, but for the removal of the harrowing suspicion that
had almost caused him to faint a brief while before.
The ever-present thought with him was as to the probable outcome of all this.
What did these frightful-looking natives intend to do with him ? Would they per-
sist in keeping him prisoner ? Would they take him far away to their homes, or,
knowing he belonged to a detested race, would they put him to death ? If he was
retained in their custody for some days, would Jack Harvey and his comrades in
camp be able to do anything for his liberation ? Was it not possible that they would
consent to his departure, and, if not, could he effect his own escape in the darkness ?
These and similar questions filled his mind as he sat down on the ground in
the midst of his captors, very much after the manner a friendly visitor would haw
assumed who had called to pay his respects to the natives.
CAPTIVE AND CAPTORS.
At the end of an hour, Dick decided to settle the question whether they meant
to hold him in custody. Rising to his feet, he made a low salaam, and, without
asking for his weapons or the cloth, turned about to walk away.
Whatever hope he had in that direction was dissipated on the instant, by half
the warriors leaping to their feet and brandishing their assagais, or javelins, uttering
excited words, with such an expression of ferocity that he resumed his seat with
more haste than dignity.
It was not the mere failure of the attempt that gave Dick Brownell cause for
disquietude. He had shown his captors his eagerness to part company with them,
and they were certain to guard him more closely than ever.
THE CAPTIVE AND HIS CAPTORS.
2/9
It was unfortunate, but really there was no help for it, since common prudence
suggested the step.
The next plan of the lad was a natural one, even though it gave little promise
of success; he meant to try to throw his captors off their guard, with a view to gain-
ing a chance of escaping in the darkness.
By this time the night was well advanced, and he showed a wish to sleep by
stretching out on the ground with the air of one extremely tired. The natives helped
to oblige him by tossing the canvas to him. Though it still retained a good deal of
its moisture, Dick folded it under his head as a pillow, and acted the part of a
sleeper to perfection.
His situation was not what he desired, for the savages were on every side of him,
but to have tried to improve it would have awakened the suspicion of the natives,
if indeed they were not already awakened.
In due time, the prisoner closed his eyes and breathed slowly and regularly, but,
all the same, he was taking sly peeps from the corners of his eyelids, and watching
those of the natives whom he could see without turning his head.
The outlook was not encouraging. About half lay down to slumber, but the
rest continued smoking their pipes, exchanging their queer-sounding words and
showing no more inclination to sleep than if they had done nothing else for a week.
Still Dick did not yield hope, but kept his eyes apparently closed, while he
looked between the eyelids for a chance to steal away in the gloom.
What might have been anticipated took place. Without a thought of his
liability to do so, the lad fell asleep and never opened his eyes until some one
touched his shoulder. Then when he looked around he saw that daylight had
come.
The natives were ready to move, and their captive was to bear them company.
They evidently considered the meal of the previous evening all-sufficient, for,
though enough fragments remained to form quite a repast, they left them lying on
the ground. These wild men were without any horses, and, when they started off
with the lad, took a southerly course, walking at a moderate pace, which they were
capable of continuing many hours.
" I wonder how far we have to go," was the thought of Dick Brownell; " it is
cool and delightful now, but the African weather will soon be on us again and I
would much rather have my pony."
The ground over which they were traveling was more undulating than that to
which he was accustomed, it being nothing more than a succession of hills, some
of them wooded, while others were covered with the grassy growth peculiar to the
country. Several times the party passed near the river, never quite reaching it,
but at a distance of less than two miles from the piece of jungle where they had
spent the night, they reached a slight elevation from whose summit Dick Brownell
looked down on what proved to be the homes of his captors.
To the unbounded astonishment of the lad,, the end of the journey was reached
within the succeeding half hour.
a8o
THE CAPTIVE AND HIS CAPTORS.
The tribe to which these people belonged was the Corannas or Korahs. When
the Dutch took possession of Cape Colony, they treated the surrounding natives
with great cruelty. The Korahs were so far removed to the northward, that they
were beyond convenient reach, and, therefore, were not much disturbed. As a
consequence, they lived and did as they pleased.
The Korahs, in their habits, resemble in one respect the Indians of our country.
They are migratory, continually shifting their quarters, so that a family that is here
to-day, may be found living a hundred miles away a few months later.
They do not care enough for the land to dispute over it. All they want is water
and pasturage for their cattle, and they go wherever there is the best chance of
finding them.
Dick Brownell, surveying a small, pleasant valley, saw nine native dwellings
before him. They were cones about
six feet high and a little broader in cir-
cumference. Each had a single open-
ing that served as a door and for the
admission of light. The frameworks of
sticks were covered with several folds
of matting, formed from rushes and
coarse grass.
The water or milk vessels of the
Korahs are made of clay, baked in the
sun, or of wood, gourds or ostrich eggs.
Their property consists of horned cat-
tle, sheep, goats and dogs. They have
no vehicles of any kind, and in moving
from place to place, pile their pos-
sessions, including their women and
children, on the backs of their oxen.
The ten Korahs into whose hands
Dick Brownell had run, were prospecting for suitable grounds for pasturage and
their costumes were scantier than is common among their people, who generally wear
the skin-cloaks seen among the Hottentot tribes. The women wear square, orna-
mented aprons hung from the waist, with copper chains and glass beads around
the neck, wrist and ankles. It is believed that these chains are obtained from the
Damaras, who live to the northwest, where copper is quite plentiful.
I have referred several times to the deadly poison used by the Bushmen and
other tribes on their spears and arrows. I may have spoken of it as a vegetable
poison, which is not strictly true, though it contains vegetable elements.
In Southern Africa are some of the deadliest serpents known. A Bushman or
Korah will plant his naked foot on a writhing cobra and extract the bursting poison-
sac from his mouth and eagerly drink its contents, under the belief that it protects
kirn against the fatal effects of a bite from the reptile, or he will carefully save the
HUNTING FOR POISON.
THE CAPTIVE AND HIS CAPTORS.
28l
horrible stuff for his weapons. This animal venom is too thin and volatile to
preserve its power long. It is, therefore, skillfully mixed with vegetable and mineral
poisons until it becomes thick and sticky. This compound is applied to the tips of
spears and arrows, a single puncture from which is enough to cause death with
almost the swiftness of a bite of the dreaded cobra de capello.
CHAPTER XLIX.
AT THE VILLAGE.
| ACK HARVEY, having discovered the footprints of Dick Brownell among those
made by the barefooted Korahs, thrilled his companions by his announcement
of the fact.
The signs, he said, proved that the missing lad, instead of having fallen a prey
to wild beasts, was undoubtedly alive, though a captive, and while there was life
there was hope.
Immediately after uttering the inspiring words, the Texan bent his head and
made another circuit of the camp, with the same care as before. This was with a
view to finding how many composed the party of natives. It was beyond the power
of even so skillful a scout as Jack Harvey to settle this question, though, as you will
observe, he hit it closely when he set down the number as about a dozen.
All the footprints which he saw had been made since the storm of the night
before, and nothing could have been easier than to trace them from the back of his
mustang. Indeed, had the cowboy been alone, he probably would have done so,
while holding his horse at a gallop.
In trailing an enemy, the wise scout does something more than trace his foot-
steps over the ground. If he keeps his head bent and his eyes fixed on the earth,
he is liable to run into the very ambush that may have been set for him. A trained
Indian trailer, like Jack Harvey, scans the country through which the footprints
lead and never forgets the danger from ambuscades and tricks of the enemy.
Nothing was clearer in the present instance than that no ambuscade threatened,
but the veteran of the border often achieves astonishing success by pushing his
pursuit on what may be called general principles.
That is, instead of keeping to the trail, he satisfies himself as to the destination
of the person he is following. If the tracker understands the country, he is quite
sure of some crossing of a stream, some pass in the mountains, or some excellent
hiding-place for which his foe is making by a roundabout course, so as to throw his
pursuer off the track.
Leaving the trail, therefore, the sagacious scout " cuts across " the country, and
probably reaches the goal of the fugitive hours in advance of him.
An old comrade of Kit Carson told me he once rode all night with that fine
scout, in pursuit of some thieving Kiowas. Carson was so well satisfied of the
point toward which the rascals were aiming, that he left the trail at sunset and
took a course almost at right angles. It saved over a dozen miles, provided he
was right, as he said would be proven at sunrise, but if wrong, it insured the escape
of the marauders.
282
AT THE VILLAGE. 283
At sunrise they debouched into the trail again, and, before the forenoon was
half gone, overtook the astonished thieves and recovered all the stolen property.
The pursuit of Jack Harvey was somewhat similar, or, more properly, it would
have been, had he been able to continue it very long. He glanced over the country
in front and asked :
" Carl, where do you s'pose those chaps went ? "
"The trail, so far as I can judge, leads southward."
" But that may be a blind : do you think they crossed the river off there to the
left?"
" I haven't the slightest knowledge upon which to base a guess ; we're in a
business now where you are the leader."
"I'm satisfied the party have set out to go to their home, but whether it is on
this side of the stream or the other, why, we've got to find out."
" Since they cannot have much the start of us," ventured Bob, " why not keep
to the trail and ride fast ? "
" That's sound sense," replied Jack ; " we'll follow the advice."
With his usual promptness, he struck his mustang into a brisk gallop, his com-
panions quickly closing around him, all on the alert for the natives, who they knew
could not be far off.
The surprise of the party was as great as that of Dick Brownell, earlier in the
morning, for, long before they expected to gain sight of the village, it burst upon
their view. There were nine huts, precisely similar to hundreds they had looked
upon in Southern Africa, and there were the native Korahs, moving to and fro,
with their flocks grazing on the large hills beyond.
" I'll be hanged ! " exclaimed Jack Harvey ; " I didn't expect this. I meant to
halt and take a look at things before going so far, but they have seen us, and it
won't do to show any fear."
In addition to the ten natives whom I have referred to as the captors of Dick
Browaell, there was about the same number that remained behind while the party
were prospecting through the country.
Little, half-naked children were running to and fro, women occasionally showing
themselves, for the Korah, like the red man of our own country, never objects to
his better-half performing the greater share of the manual labor.
Near the middle hut, six natives were standing together, evidently discussing
some matter. They looked up almost at the moment the four horsemen appeared
on the top of the hill, ceased speaking, and walked forward to meet the white men,
who had also given rein to their ponies and were coming down the slope in the
direction of the huts.
" Pongo," said Jack, "your turn has come to give us a lift : can you make your-
self understood with them ? "
" Talk much like Hottentot," said he ; " they Korah ain't bad man."
" That may be, but I would like to know what they mean by running off with a
youngster that belongs to us. Have you ever seen any of this party before ? "
284
AT THE VILLAGE.
The Bushman shook his head, to signify they were strangers to him, though he
was quick to recognize their tribal character.
A few moments later the parties met. Jack Harvey and Pongo were allowed to
ride slightly ahead, while Bob and Mr. Godkin fell back, prepared to listen and
watch, and, if necessary, take part in the proceedings.
Since the half dozen natives who advanced were members of the party that
had captured Dick Brownell, you do not need anything more in the way of
description.
But, could you have looked upon them as they met Jack Harvey and Pongo,
you would have found it hard to believe, even with such hideously ugly faces, that
they had ever done anything cruel or specially bad. So far as it is possible for
Korahs to appear innocent, they , ^..^^ pursuers would have thought
were the pictures of innocence. ^ m^^M^^^ ** un J ust to suspect them.
Had not the trail of Dick Brow-
Hell led directly to this spot, his
N
THE PARLEY.
Before anything more than a salutation could take place between the parties,
the Texan seized one of those opportunities which, slight of themselves, still have
an important bearing on impending events.
A large bird was circling overhead, as if waiting a chance to swoc^ down and
secure some of the waste food near the huts. It was sailing, with its wings out-
spread, at considerable height, but, knowing what he could do, Jack brought his
gun to his shoulder, and, taking a quick aim, brought it tumbling to the earth.
His object was to impress the natives with the power of the weapons in the
hands of himself and friends. No doubt they had heard of them, but it was well to
enlighten their minds.
There could be no doubt of the success of the stratagem, the expressions on the
AT THE VILLAGE. 285
faces of the Africans showing their wonderment and awe too plainly to be
mistaken.
"What does he say ? " asked Jack of Pongo, who bowed his head in recognition
of something just uttered by the leader of the six, upon whom and the white men
the women and children of the little settlement were gazing with wondering
curiosity.
"He says he is glad to welcome their brothers from over the sea, and hopes
they will always live with him."
" That's about the size of the usual lie a civilized person tells, when some one
calls that he don't want to see. Well, Pongo, it won't do to slight him by telling a
yarn any smaller than his. Say that that's just what we've been dying to do ever
since we were born ; that we've called to see what arrangements we can make, and
that we love all the Korahs here enough to eat them."
The Bushman indulged in a faint smile and shook his head ; that kind of a
response would not do.
"Well, you know about what should be said ; I'll leave it to you."
Thereupon Pongo turned about and exchanged several sentences with his
countrymen, who were evidently surprised to see one of their own number, as he
might be called, among the visitors.
Turning to the Texan, the Bushman explained that what had passed between
him and the Korah leader was of little real significance, consisting mainly of high-
flown compliments and protestations of friendship, which deceived neither party.
" I guess we might as well come to the p'int," remarked the Texan, glancing
'round at Mr. Godkin and Bob for their approval ; " v tell them, Pongo, that we thank
them for their kindness to one of us, and we have come to take him back to our
camp."
The three whites watched the countenance of the leader as this message was
interpreted to him.
A block of stone could not have been more expressionless. Then, when the
slow-speaking Bushman had finished what he had to say, the Korah looked up and
spoke hastily to the effect that neither he nor any of his people had ever looked
upon a white person until that day.
"Tell him he's a liar and I'll prove it ! " exclaimed the Texan, losing his temper.
" Go slow, Jack," said Mr. Godkin, soothingly ; " we'll be as resolute as neces-
sary, but you know that sort of language is unparliamentary."
"Say to him, then," added Jack, "that we know the young gentleman is here,
that he is in one of those huts over yonder, and that if he isn't produced p. d. q.
I mean within five minutes we'll clean out this whole shebang."
The substance of which was duly translated to the spokesman of the Korahs.
CHAPTER L.
LIVE LY TIMES.
the eagerness of Jack Harvey, and in the face of the impression
he had made by the display of marksmanship, the Korah spokesman con-
tinued to parry his verbal ruses, with a temerity that surprised Bob and
Mr. Godkin.
The Texan was the owner of a fiery temper when aroused, and more than once
he was at the exploding point. When he rested his right hand on one of his revolv-
ers, the temptation to snatch it out and put a bullet through the impudent native
was almost irresistible.
It would have been in keeping with the old hilarious times, had he, holding a
pistol in each hand, galloped back and forth among the huts, firing at a head
wherever it appeared, and " cleaning out " the African town in genuine American
border style.
But his fear of the consequences to Dick restrained him. Convinced that his
young friend was somewhere in that little hamlet, he was yet unable to locate him,
and any sudden dash on his part might precipitate a calamity that would have
been beyond remedy.
While Pongo was interpreting the utterances that were rapidly growing heated,
Mr. Godkin and Bob Marshall allowed not a syllable to escape them. More than
that, the young man was searching through the hamlet with his eyes for some clue
that would tell him the news he was so anxious to learn.
" Mr. Godkin," he suddenly said in a lower voice, " I believe I know where
Dick is."
" What do you mean ? " asked the director.
" Did you notice that hut in front of which these six wretches were standing
when we rode to the top of the hill ? "
"I did."
" They've got Dick in there."
" What's your reason for thinking so ? "
"Jack says there were a dozen in the party; here are only half a dozen; where
are the rest ? "
" I do not see that the answer to that question involves anything, since other
natives are in sight and they may be among them."
" But there are several in that same hut, where these were standing. They are
inside and are trying to keep out of view. I have seen their faces several times at
the door, which is the only opening; I believe Dick is in there and they are holding
him prisoner, so that he dare net show himself."
t86
LIVELY TIMES.
287
This was only a startling assertion, but the director more than half believed
Bob was right.
" I can't understand it," he said; "those people have the reputation, so far as I
have heard, of being on fairly friendly terms with white people."
"But Jack saw a party of them that were torturing a prisoner to death, and he
shot the leader."
" I don't believe they were Korahs, though they corresponded to the description.
As it was, it was not a white man they meant to kill."
"But it was a white man who shot their leader "
" Hark ! " interrupted Mr. Godkin, referring to the words that Jack Harvey
was instructing Pongo to The fact was that the
translate to
chieftain.
the Korah
Texan could control him-
self no longer. His manner
and loud tones proved it.
"I SAW HIM ! I SAW HIM ! " EXCLAIMED BOB.
" Tell the old scoundrel that I know the young man is in one of the huts, and il
he isn't produced, we'll open fire right off." And he handled his Winchester in a
most suggestive manner. At that moment an exciting incident took place.
Bob Marshall still had his eyes on the hut, at whose door he saw the swarthy
faces of more than one native appear and vanish, as though they were trying to keep
watch of the visitors without being seen. Suddenly a pale countenance was thrust
forward, and withdrawn so quickly that, had not Bob been looking at the exact spot,
he would not have caught the glimpse of the face.
"f saw him ! I saw him /" exclaimed Bob.
"Where?" demanded Jack, turning sharply upon him.
288 LIVELY TIMES.
"Yonder, in that hut ! He looked out, and they drew him back again," replied
the youth, pointing at the structure which he had been watching for several minutes.
Without waiting for further questioning, Jack Harvey wheeled the head of
Apache toward the building, and speaking a single word, sent him flying at head-
long speed straight for the prison of Dick Brownell.
" We're in for it now ! " exclaimed Mr. Godkin; " come on and look out for their
poisoned spears."
The two, accompanied by Pongo, tore away at a furious rate after their leader.
The time for words had passed and that for hurricane action had come.
A victory is often gained by promptness and vigor, when a moment's hesitation
would be fatal.
The half dozen Korahs in front of Jack Harvey were stupefied for the moment
by the impetuous rush of the horsemen, but quickly regained their senses, and
started after them on a full run, brandishing their assagais and uttering cries of rage.
The rush of the mounted men carried them beyond reach of their pursuers for
the moment, but directly in front of those crowded into the hut.
Bob Marshall was right; Dick Brownell was in the structure, and, despite the
fearful risk he ran, he managed to catch sight of his friends. Not only that, but,
with a daring dash, he fought his way to the door and reached the outside.
Prompted by some whim which cannot be fully understood, the Korahs had
returned ihe lad his weapons after placing him within the hut under a guard, where
they impressed upon him by gesture that it would be certain death to try to escape,
or even to allow his friends to see him.
But before handing the revolver back to him, the captors had rendered it harmless
by removing the charges. Then, as he dared not attempt to reload it in their
presence, they may have wanted to show him how they despised any demonstration
on his part, by placing his weapons in his possession again.
Dick jammed the pistol in place, and, grasping only his knife, fought his way to
the outside, and ran with might and main to meet the galloping horsemen.
But his situation was desperate. The Korahs were not the ones to stand idle
and allow a prisoner to escape in that manner.
Despite the fact that the four horsemen were thundering down upon the hut,
three of the guards started in hot pursuit of the boy, thereby running straight
toward the white men, who would soon be upon them.
One of them was fully a rod in advance of the others nigh enough to raise his
javelin to hurl with unerring aim at the fugitive, who, in his haste, could not lake
time to glance over his shoulder.
But everything in this direction was under the eyes of the rescuers. Jack
Harvey was expecting something of the kind, and, at the moment the savage lifted
his right arm with the assagai, he threw up his rifle.
He needed but a second to make his aim sure. Before the Korah could launch
his poisoned missile, he plunged forward on his face with a rasping screech, as the
weapon left his hand, the point sticking in the ground a few feet in front of him.
LIVELY TIMES.
289
By this
time Dick
was among
his friends
Reaching
downward,
Bob seized
his hand,
and with
one leap
the athlet-
ic fellow
vaulted
upon the
back of the
pony in
front of his
cousin.
"Off with
you! "cried
Jack Har-
vey, who
saw the
maneuver
and shout-
ed before it
was fairly
completed
"don't wait a single minute,"
The boys would have preferred to
stay and help their fearless friend, but>
when he spoke in such tones', no one
dared disobey him.
Bob wheeled his pony, and, heading
for the point which seemed most free of
ft- enemies, put the animal to a dead run,
he and Dick leaning as far over on his
LIVELY TIMES. neck as possible, to avoid the fatal mis-
siles which were expected to descend in
a shower. But, as you know, none of the Korahs were mounted, and a brief minute
or two was sufficient to carry the cousins beyond reach of the fleetest-footed pursuer.
They did not pause, however, until more than safe, when Bob drew the reir?
and turned about to learn how went the battle.
N
2QO LIVELY TIMES.
With the flight of the boys, all occasion for the men to linger was gone, though
Jack Harvey longed to open on the savages and fight them single-handed.
It was such a vivid reminder of old times with Geronimo, Naiche and then
Apaches, that the impulse was well-nigh resistless.
But Mr. Godkin kept cool and devoted all his energies to extricating his friend
from a situation wherein it looked as if death was inevitable.
"Get away, Jack !" he shouted, he and Pongo being a considerable distance
behind him ; " they will fill you full of their poisoned assagais."
The Texan's headlong impetuosity drew the whole attention of the Korahs, for
the moment, upon him. Mr. Godkin and the Bushman were safe. All they had
to do was to wheel and follow the lads. But they could not desert their brave
friend in his extremity.
At the moment when despair was in the heart of the director, and while Pongo
was balancing one of his boomerangs, uncertain at which particular foe to launch
it, they saw Jack go forward on his horse.
" He is killed ! he is killed ! " moaned Mr. Godkin.
"No ; ain't hurt see ! look ! " said the Bushrnan, forgetting, in his excite
ment, to make use of his novel weapon.
The Texan had wheeled his mustang to one side at the instant he threw him
self forward, and, before even his friends suspected his purpose, he seized a Korah
child and raised it in front of his body as a shield.
The chief uttered a cry of anguish ; it was his own daughter, and he read the
meaning of the action.
At that cry, every upraised arm was lowered, and the assagais that were about
to be hurled at the body of the brave white man were suspended motionless.
Jack spoke to his horse, which turned in the direction of his friends, and broke
into a gallop. The intrepid rider leaned over, but held the child with a grip of
iron, so that any javelin launched at him was certain to bury itself in the little one's
body.
A brief ride, and the safety point was reached. Then Jack slackened the pace
of his mustang and gently placed the unharmed child on the ground. A minute
later he joined his friends.
" Dick," said he, sharply, " where is that wagon-cover ? "
" I left it in the hut," was the reply.
" I'll be hanged if I don't get it ! "
And before any one could prevent him, he wheeled about and dashed back
toward the native village.
CHAPTER LI.
THE RHINOCEROS HUNTERS.
''HE blood of the Texan was roused, and, heedless of the fearful risk he ran,
he wheeled his mustang and sped toward the native village on a dead run.
The distance was short, and the yell which he sent out as he thundered
down the slope was the same that had rung through the mountain gorges of Arizona
when charging upon the dusky marauders of the border.
The Korahs had not yet recovered from the panic caused by the rescue of the
lad, and the sight of the white man, swinging his Winchester over his head, must
have made them think the whole party had returned to attack them. They scat-
tered as if from before a smoking bombshell.
Jack headed for the hut from which Dick Brownell had dashed a few minutes
before. He supposed several of his captors were still there, but they had all hurried
forth in pursuit, and were still out of doors.
A native woman and two children were within, and when the white man, leaping
from his saddle, bounded through the small door, they were transfixed with terror.
Jack saw the canvas where it had been spread in one corner, probably to serve
as a bed for some of the inmates. In a twinkling, he had snatched it up, ran out,
and was in the saddle again.
The intelligent mustang needed no guidance. Hardly was his master on his
back, when he whirled about and went up the slope like a whirlwind.
There really was no peril involved in the act, for not a spear or arrow was sent
after the Texan, who swung the fluttering canvas aloft, and uttered a shout to which
his waiting friends replied with a delight no less than his own.
The exploit was begun and ended so quickly, that it was over before the bewil-
dered natives could interfere. But for the stirring events immediately preceding,
the charge of the Texan would have led him to as certain death as if he had
plunged over a precipice a thousand feet high.
Dick Brownell expected a rasping like the scraping of a lion's tongue over the
naked hand, for the part he had played in the business, but not one of his compan-
ions uttered a word of reproof. The feeling of impatience on the part of Jack
Harvey and Mr. Godkin had vanished long before, and they were too grateful for
the outcome to utter any words except those of gratulation.
Then, too, Dick could not be made to regret more keenly his remissness than he
now lamented it, and the most that was done in the way of rebuke was a smile and
shake of the director's head, when the lad, relating his story at the request of his
friends, told how he had persisted in hunting for the missing canvas until by mere
accident he came upon it.
291
292 THE RHINOCEROS HUNTERS.
Dick said that, while his captors offered him no violence, they showed an ugly
disposition after reaching the little cluster of huts, which caused him much mis-
giving. The whole proceeding was such a daring one on their part that our friends
believed they meant to hold the lad for ransom. They thought the white hunters
wealthy, for, indeed, they had considerable possessions with them, and if it had
proven impossible to arrange a ransom, it is likely they would have put their pris
oner to death.
The first thing done by the party on reaching camp was to restore the canvas
coyer to its proper place over the wagon. It had been the cause of some lively work
on the part of the hunters, and more than once it had looked as if it would involve
them in serious difficulty, but, thank Providence, all had come out well.
Diedrick and his friends took good care of the camp during the absence of the
white men, but the anxiety of the Hottentot for the recapture and return of the
missing youth led him to venture to the top of the nearest elevation, where he
carefully surveyed all the country in his field of vision.
The horsemen were not in sight, but he observed them soon after, on their return,
and was quick to discover that one of the ponies bore two riders. That was enough,
and it may safely be said that none rejoiced more heartily over the rescue of Dick
Brownell than did his African friend.
But, while the native was scanning the country on all sides, he made a discovery
which turned the excitement of his employers into a new channel. He caught
sight of an animal, at no great distance, in the tall grass along the river, which he
believed was a rhinoceros, and, since Mr. Godkin had announced, but a short time
before, that he was ready to give his attention to that species of game, the expecta-
tion was that it would now be done without further delay.
Rhinoceros hunting is attended not only with great danger, but is so delicate
and difficult that many a failure has been made by veteran hunters who have bagged
all other kinds of game. Before telling you about the perilous adventures in which
our friends became involved on the afternoon of Dick Brownell's return from cap-
tivity, I must give you some idea of the work they undertook.
In the first place, there are four varieties of rhinoceros found in South Africa
They are known as the borele, or black rhinoceros, the keitloa, or two-horned black
species, the mochocho, or ordinary white rhinoceros, and the kobaoba, or long-horned
white rhinoceros. The black species is smaller than the others, but is ten-fold
fiercer and more dangerous.
The Asiatic rhinoceros is smaller than the African, has his hide in looser folds,
and two of the species have but a single horn.
The square-nosed white rhinoceros is the largest known. He is not white in
color, but shows a dirty resemblance to that hue. They have been found eighteen
feet in length, and I have known them to be with a circumference still greater.
Set not in the bone, but in the skin of its blunt nose, is the horn, sharp, hard,
curved, and more than a yard long. Just behind this is a smaller horn, but equally
sharp and hard.
THE RHINOCEROS HUNTERS.
293
The eyes of the beast are very small, its ears are long, and tipped with scrubby
bristles, and its sense of hearing and smell is so acute that it is almost useless for
a hunter to approach him from the windward. Besides this, despite its enormous
bulk (the rhinoceros ranks next to the elephant in size), he is so swift of foot that it
takes an unusually good steed to overtake him.
The long-horned white rhinoceros is the rarer of the two and is found tar in the
interior and mainly to the eastward of the Limpopo. Many of them have horns
four feet in length, curving forward, while the horn of the mochocho bends backward
and is rarely more than two-thirds the length of the other. A survey of the head
and front of one of these creatures will satisfy you that he holds the championship
For ugliness in the way of looks.
RHINOCEROS OF INDIA.
The Javanese rhinoceros is not so bulky as the Indian species, and has longer
legs. It is mischievous, but less dangerous than those I have named.
When I add that the rhinoceros is nocturnal in his habits, that he is a terrible
fighter when aroused, and that he has one of the most alert of small birds to warn
him of danger, you will admit there are many obstacles to success in hunting him
The point where Pongo and Diedrick had located the game was fully a mile to
the northward of the camp, and at no great distance, therefore, from the elevation
which was used as an observatory on the first arrival of our friends in this section.
They had not seen the beast distinctly, but it seemed to have been aroused by
thirst and was pushing its way through the tall grass from the river to its resting-
place during the day-time.
294 THE RHINOCEROS HUNTERS.
There was enough uneasiness over the Korahs to make Mr. Godkin unwilling to
leave the camp without full protection. The natives might feel revengeful enough
to watch for some chance for stealthy work, while afraid to attack openly.
The director, therefore, decided that he and Pongo would stay behind, leaving
the cousins and Jack Harvey to prosecute the hunt with only Diedrick as their com-
panion. These four knew enough of the nature of the animals to render unneces-
sary any instructions or hints. Mr. Godkin said he would accompany them on the
morrow, leaving the inference that he had no faith in their meeting with success
before that time.
The preparations for the hunt were quickly completed. The air had grown
quite warm, but enough coolness remained from the storm of the night before to
render the day one of the finest experienced since entering that section.
Jack Harvey, I need not say, carried his lasso with him, though there was little
probability of any chance for its use. Bob Marshall had borrowed the glass of Mr.
Godkin, for that was likely to do them service.
The first proceeding was to ride to the elevation from which the two natives had
seen what they believed was the rhinoceros. Diedrick remembered the exact spot
and at once turned his keen eyes in that direction.
He was gazing toward a portion of the broad stream which swept by the camp,
and between him and the water was a growth of grass, taller and denser than that
which had sheltered the baboons, and spread over a much greater area of territory.
It was near the middle of this that the natives discerned some large animal
moving, which they believed was a rhinoceros, though the view was too indistinct
for them to be certain.
Every eye followed the course Diedrick pointed out, and the glass was freely
used, but nothing could be discovered of the animal, though, as a matter of course,
there were many places where a score of such beasts might have been concealed
beyond detection. It was the fact that the brute was in motion which had revealed
it to the African, who happened to look at the point when not scanning the plain
for his absent friends.
" There's only one thing to do," said Dick Brownell. " We have set out to hunt
for a rhinoceros, and we have got to hunt him. We haven't reason to believe he
means to hunt us"
" I don't suppose he is a great way from where he was seen," remarked Bob,
"for he won't move around much until night-time."
"Come ahead," said Jack Harvey, giving rein to his horse; "we'll go straight
for the spot, and we'll know inside of half an hour whether the critter is there or
not."
CHAPTER LII.
THE BUPHAGA AFRICANA.
'HE well-mounted hunters had but a comparatively short distance to ride,
when they dashed into the tall grass, amid which grew a great deal of the
native rice, of which the hippopotamus, as well as the rhinoceros, is so fond.
The ponies, of necessity, slackened their pace, for, knowing how quick the big
game is to detect danger, the time had come for the exercise of extreme caution.
Conscious that the proceedings had now reached a stage in which the Hottentot
was the most competent director, Jack Harvey fell to the rear with the boys, all
preserving silence, and the three keeping sharp watch of their native leader.
All at once, Diedrick raised his hand as a signal for the others to halt. Although
they saw nothing, there could be no doubt that he had detected something im-
portant.
Just in front, the grass, which was five or six feet in height, became more dense
and abundant. The party could see but a short distance, and, of course, it was
beyond the power of the native to discern anything that was not manifest to his
friends.
Several minutes passed, during which all were silent and listening. Diedrick
then turned and explained that, while he saw nothing, he was of the belief that
more than one of the animals was close to them. A gentle wind was blowing from
that point, which was fortunate for the hunters, since, were the direction different,
the sagacious beast would be quick to scent his danger.
Diedrick proposed that he and one of the boys should make a circuit, which
would take them around to a point a half mile away. Then, if any rhinoceros was
between the parties, he would discover his danger and make off toward those in
waiting, who, if they used ordinary discretion, would gain a chance of bringing
down some of the gigantic game.
This understanding was scarcely reached when a small bird suddenly rose from
the grass at a distance of less than a hundred yards, and, darting straight up in the
air, gave utterance to a sharp peculiar note, that could be heard a long way off.
The Hottentot muttered impatiently in his own language as he faced about to
explain the cause of his anger.
The bird, which had just risen, was the buphaga africana, or rhinoceros bird,
the most devoted and faithful friend of the rhinoceros. It constantly attends the
beast, feeding on the insects which infest its muddy hide. While thus employed, it
is on the lookout for enemies of the animal. The instant it detects the approach of
the hunter, it flies above the beast, uttering the sharp cries which he understands
at once.
296
THE BUPHAGA AFRICANA.
Many hunters claim that if the rhinoceros happens to be asleep when danger
appears, the little friend will peck the inside of his ears until he awakens.
"HE CAUGHT SIGHT OF THE VAST BEAST."
In the present instance the party
had come almost upon one of the
animals without suspecting it. In-
deed, the advance was so cautious
that the vigilant bird did not dis-
cover them until it was almost too
late; but it made up for its remiss-
ness. It did not rise more than fifty
feet from the ground, when it descended and circled about in great excitement, all
the time emitting the cries of warning. The horsemen could not see the rhi-
noceros, but he was plainly heard as he went crashing through the grass with a
speed which the best steed would find it hard to surpass when impeded by the
luxuriant vegetation.
" Let's dash into the grass and charge upon him," proposed Dick, when told
that they were so close to the brute. But the Texan shook his head.
" The fellow can travel faster than we, and that bird will keep him warned all
the while. BO we won't get within gun-shot of him."
"Then we might as well turn back and give up," said Bob; and I should like
to know what warrant we had, in the first place, to expect any success in hunting
rhinoceroses ? "
" Others have brought them down ; therefore we may succeed. It isn't every
rhinoceros that is furnished with such a bird to give warning when danger threatens.
Let us hear what Diedrick has to propose. "
The Hottentot made known that he and the parties whom he conducted through
the grass and jungles had often been baffled in the same manner by the vigilance
of the little bird, but, where the hunters numbered three or four, he had succeeded
in outwitting the feathered sentinel by a simple device.
THE BUPHAGA AFRICANA. 2Q7
What he suggested, as I have said, was that while two of the company stayed
where they were, the others should carefully work around to the opposite side of
the game, and thus induce it to flee toward those in waiting.
This appeared to promise success, though it was apparent to all that nothing
of the kind could be assured, since it was not likely to be an easy task to reach the
point without alarming the beast, and, furthermore, it would be hard to drive him
toward the hunters in waiting. The whole scheme, it may be said, was based on
very uncertain conditions, but, as it was the best that presented itself, it was adopted
at once.
The arrangement was that Diedrick and Bob Marshall should attempt the
difficult task of reaching a point on the other side of the rhinoceros, while Jack and
Dick should stay where they were, with the expectation, or rather hope, that the
game would thus be forced within reach of their guns.
Accordingly the two friends named turned their horses' heads to the right and
began the long circuit, which sober second thought, as it struck Bob, convinced
him was more likely to fail than to succeed.
The grass continued abundant, and in some places it was no light work for the
animals to force their way through. Diedrick rode a short distance in advance,
leaning forward and peering right and left, like an Indian trying to steal his way
through an enemy's lines.
The route taken by the Hottentot was considerably more than half a mile. The
sameness of their surroundings prevented Bob from keeping the points of the com-
pass clear, but the slight breeze blowing enabled him to tell when the final turn
was made, and they were advancing straight toward their friends whom they had
left behind.
As I have already said, there were uncertain conditions involved in the problem
which the two, or rather the native himself, had undertaken to solve. It was likely
that the rhinoceros, when he was warned by the bird, plunged through the grass to
the right or left, so that he was not between Lje divisions of the party.
But Diedrick was hopeful that, if he wa3 not there, others were, which would
answer as well. After penetrating a short distance, he suggested to the boy that
they separate for a brief space, inasmuch as they would be more likely to drive out
the game.
This was done, and the success was surprising and speedy. All at once the
buphaga africana uttered its piercing note, fluttered excitedly to view, gyrating
about as though caught in a whirlwind, and proving, beyond question, that the
enormous game was at hand.
As it was immediately in front of Bob that the bird rose, he knew he was near
one of the beasts. He spurred his horse forward and stood up in the stirrups so
as to gain, if possible, a view of the quadruped.
He could see the swaying grass, and a second later he cau t sight of the vast
back, like a shoal of dried mud, as it swung ponderously through the vegetation.
The legs of the rhinoceros are so short that a tall man can stand beside him and
2g8 THE BUPHAGA AFRICANA.
look over his back, and it is curious how such a bulky mass can attain so great
speed.
Nothing inspires a sportsman with courage so much as the sight of his fleeing
game, and Bob urged his horse to do his best. The steed did not need spurring,
but, with a snort of excitement, galloped forward.
When the lad caught sight of the huge animal again, he could hardly restrain
his excitement.
" We've got him ! " he called out ; "let's shoot him ourselves ! the others can
wait ; we have earned the best right to the fellow. Ride fast and he won't get
away from us ! "
Bob ceased his appeals, for, in looking about, he failed to see the Hottentot
from whom he had separated only a few minutes before. He wondered how it was
he had disappeared so quickly, but it was no time to inquire, and he kept his horse
at his best pace, fired by the thrilling thought that it might be his good fortune to
bring down the royal game without the help of any one.
Diedrick had vanished, and it was a long run before the beast would pass within
range of the other party, if, indeed, he did so at all. Bob let the reins lie loose on
his horse's neck, while he held his rifle ready to fire whenever the proper moment
should come.
The conduct of the little bird was not without interest. Having got its bulky
friend on the run, it ascended still higher in air, and ceased its cries, as though
content to view the chase from that elevation. When, however, the rhinoceros
held up for a few moments, as if to take its bearings, the bird shot downward
again, uttering such piercing warnings that the beast plunged forward with renewed
speed.
About this time Bob, even when in the flush of his newly-formed ambition,
became aware of the unpleasant fact that he was not gaining upon the game. The
rhinoceros, perhaps on account of its vastly superior weight, crushed through the
obstructions with greater speed than did the lighter and more graceful horse.
The sight of the laboring beast kept hope alive in the breast of Bob, who did
not spare his animal, but, strive as he might, he could not lessen the space between
them.
" You shan't get away without receiving something to remember me ! " exclaimed
the disappointed boy, bringing his rifle to his shoulder.
He had learned to fire from the back of his horse when on a gallop, and he was
confident his aim was true at the moment he pulled trigger. Most probably he
struck the rhinoceros, but, if so, the animal gave no evidence of it. Like a loco-
motive, he seemed to have gotten up steam, and he went crashing and plunging
onward, as though he would bear down a tree or any obstruction in his path.
" I don't know - hether he has taken the right course or not," muttered Bob,
drawing his horse _own to a walk, and then checking him altogether ; " but, if he
has, and runs into Jack and Dick, he will conclude he made a mistake in not staying
here and having it out with me."
THE BUPHAGA AFRICANA.
299
For a minute or two longer he could hear the animal tearing through the grass,
though nothing could be seen of him, nor could the eye follow his course. Even
the alarm-bird was not visible, and Bob could not help suspecting that the little
sentinel had settled down to rest, under the belief that no danger threatened its
gigantic friend
CHAPTER LIII.
TURNING THE TABLES.
OB MARSHALL was a sorely disappointed boy, though it must be admitted
that youngsters in that state are lound in every part of the world. His
chagrin was that of the lad who sees a prize slip from his grasp at the
moment he is closing his fingers upon it.
There was a brief space of time when he was sure he was going *o oring down
the rhinoceros without the assistance of any one ; and, had he succeeded in doing
so, it would have been an exploit of which he could have boasted for the rest of
his life. But he was too much of a philosopher to lament over that which could
not be helped.
" I wonder whether the old fellow won't find out that a party is waiting in
ambush for him, and turn about and come back for me : if he does, I'll get a chance
after all. But I suppose the bird will see the danger and will go to chattering and
screaming again. He will think it is I, and will take a header right in among
them. What can have become of Diedrick 1 helloa ! what's the matter with my
horse ? my gracious !
There were few times in llie life of Bob that he received such a shock as he did
at that moment. Hearing a movement in the grass behind him, he turned his head,
just as his horse began to show restlessness, and saw a second rhinoceros fully as
large as the other, and not twenty yards distant.
It was certainly extraordinary that he could have ridden so close to the game
without its being detected, either by his steed or himself, but such was the fact,
partly due, no doubt, to the concentration of the attention of boy and animal on the
fleeing beast.
The rhinoceros that had just introduced himself was of prodigious size, and
seemed of a milk-white color, though its hue was mainly due to the coating of dried
clay that covered its entire body. Inasmuch as no buphaga africana was seen or
heard giving warning to the beast of impending peril, it is to be presumed that
the second specimen was not furnished with such a valuable body-guard.
Another striking difference between the two creatures was that the second did
not show any of the timidity displayed by the first. Though he saw the horse and
rider, and in his dim, instinctive fashion must have comprehended that they meant
business of the most serious character, yet he made no attempt to flee or get beyond
rifle-shot.
When Bob faced about, the beast was standing motionless, looking at him and
his horse as if to ask them their errand. The boy could not help wondering at the
enormous bulk of the rhinoceros, which resembled an immense hogshead supported
300
TURNING THE TABLES.
3OI
on four short posts. As for its head, with the two curving horns over its nose, it
was ugly beyond description. Its very repulsiveness was enough to make one run
But Bob felt the old thrill, when he ran his eyes over the monster, and realized
that the very chance he coveted was his.
Here was the rhinoceros, and with no one
in sight to rob him of the glory of " bag-
ging" him.
Although the horse was naturally
alarmed when confronted by such a
frightful-looking enemy, he did not break
away in a panic, as an untrained
\
:\
animal would have
done. He maintained
his ground, though his
rider felt him trem
bling like an aspen
A SUDDEN ATTACK. So long as the rhinoc-
eros approached no
closer, he would not flee, but at the first advance of the terrible beast the steed
v puld become ungovernable.
302 TURNING THE TABLES.
The two enemies stared at each other probably for less than a single minute,
when the young hunter felt it incumbent to do something. He could ask no better
opportunity, as he thought, and, raising his gun, sighted at the aggregation of ugli-
ness in front of him, and let fly.
He struck the rhinoceros in the head, though it may be doubted whether the
beast was aware of the fact. He would have aimed at the eye could he have iden-
tified the little orbs clearly. Just as he fired, a cold chill ran down his back. He
recalled that Diedrick, in talking of these animals, had cautioned his friends against
shooting at their heads, since it was almost impossible to inflict a fatal wound.
The proper course was to fire into the side, say back of the foreleg, where the skin
is thin and a vital portion can be reached.
Almost at the same instant that the gun broke the stillness, the rhinoceros
uttered a pig-like grunt, and charged. It would have been beyond the power of
the youth to restrain his animal had he wished to do so ; but he had no such desire.
He and his steed had become the hunted instead of the hunters, and the only duty
before them was to leave that particular section with all possible haste.
The horse made a terrific leap and bounded off at the highest bent of speed ; it
was by no means certain that even that would save him.
A colder shiver than before swept over the youthful rider when he recalled the
alarming fact that the first rhinoceros had made his way more swiftly through the
tall grass than his horse was able to do. Bob had forced the animal to his very
best pace, and yet the game had drawn away from him without trouble.
Why could not the second beast do equally well ? Aye, why not ? A few min-
utes must decide.
And so they did. Bob continually glanced behind him, and, with a fear that
cannot be described, he saw that the mountainous brute, which was bearing savagely
down upon him, was steadily gaining ground.
The Hottentot was not in sight : the rest of the party were too far off to render
assistance, and matters certainly wore a serious look.
It was useless to shout to or urge the horse : he was inspired by the most pow-
erful of all motives a mortal fear of the peril that was bearing down upon him.
He could do no more than he was already doing, and alas ! for the noble animal,
that was insufficient to save him.
Had Bob Marshall been on the open plain, he might have escaped, for there are
few animals which in fleetness can equal a well-trained horse, but his pony was
unaccustomed to the grass, which was scarcely any obstruction to the massive
rhinoceros. It was hard, too, for the lad to know that, although he held a most
excellent magazine rifle in his hands, it was practically useless. His pursuer
presented no vulnerable point, while charging upon him with such speed, unless it
was his eye ; and though, as I have said, the lad could fire quite well from the
back of his steed, he was incapable of such marksmanship as was now required.
He made several flying shots, but, it may be doubted whether he did more that
graze the brute, if he succeeded even in doing that.
TURNING THE TABLES.
303
A short distance only was ridden, when Bob saw that his pony was doomed.
The rhinoceros was not only gaining, but was gaining rapidly, and in a few minutes
would overtake the steed.
" My horse must go," he thought, " and it looks pretty rough for me ; where the
mischief can Diedrick be ? "
A few minutes later the pursuer overhauled the fugitive.
The infuriated rhinoceros ran his snout under the belly of the horse, and Bob,
feeling something strike his foot, glanced down. The point of the terrible horn had
passed entirely through the body of his steed and touched his foot. Freeing his
feet from the stirrups, the lad made a flying leap, landing in the grass and falling
upon his side with a violence that stunned him for a few seconds.
During that time he heard the brief but furious struggle of his horse, which
speedily became still. He was quickly killed by his savage antagonist, which turned
about to look for the missing rider.
The rhinoceros was much closer to the lad than was pleasant for the latter, but
there was a chance that the youth would not be seen. He was lying in the grass,
his gun a rod distant, and praying
that he might escape discovery.
The beast, having finished his
dreadful work, stood still, listen-
ing for some sound that would tell
where the presumptuous youth was
that had dared to fire a gun at him.
Had Bob made the least noise
the rhinoceros would have swept
down upon him like an avalanche.
From where he lay he could see
the long, clay-coated body of the
monster close to the ground, look-
ing like a locomotive boiler partly
hoisted in position. The short,
beam-like legs were invisible, but
the massive head was uplifted so
that it was on a line with the
back. The ears seemed to be
tremulous with the desire to catch
^iiQ coveted sound that should be-
tray his victim.
it need not be said that Bob made no noise. He had shifted his position
slightly, so that he was lying on his face, his hat off, his body flattened close to the
earth, while his eyes were fixed upon his dreaded enemy.
The rhinoceros stood in an attitude of intense attention for several seconds.
Then t^e ponderous head slowly moved part way to the left, coming gradually back
" HE SEES ME."
}0 4
TURNING THE TABLES.
again, so as to describe a semicircle. He was so close to Bob while making this
movement that the youth saw distinctly the ugly-looking red lining of the upper
lip, which overhung with a sharp point the lower jaw, and the dark, muddy skin
running along under the head and between the forelegs.
When the enormous bulk swung around so that the two sword-like horns towered
directly above the boy, the mass settled to rest as though the piggish eyes, up
above, had detected something suspicious.
" He sees me," was the thought of Bob, softly drawing in his feet so that he
would be ready to spring up and dart off.
But, if the rhinoceros observed the lad, he ought to have lowered his head, so as
to bring his eyes in position. The fact that he did not do so led the youth to hope
that his presence remained undetected.
Finally, when the head had described its partial circle and settled back to rest,
the point of the hideous snout was lowered as though the owner believed his game
had escaped. He made no further search, but, with a grunting sniff, moved off
through the grass.
The course which he took brought him still nearer Bob, who scarcely breathed
until the beast lumbered past and vanished in the vegetation, his crashing tread
being audible for several minutes afterward.
Bob dared not stir until sure his enemy was gone. Then he rose to his feet,
And hurriedly recovered his rifle. Thatfflfrnished, he walked over to where his poor
horse lay.
Tears came to his eyes as he gazed on the noble animal, or rather, on what had
been such a noble animal, for there was no breath left in his body. A hunter
always forms a strong attachment to his horse or dog, and cannc 4 - look upon his
ieath without a pang.
When Bob had stood several minutes in silence, he stooped ever and removed
the bridle and saddle.
" We have spare horses, but alas, my faithful pony, none ot them is you," he
muttered; " I'll take these with me."
His situation was not the most pleasant in the world, for he dm not know where
his friends were, and was afraid of making any outcry or signal lest he should bring
^own the enraged rhinoceros from which he had barely escaped with his life.
The direction of the wind enabled him to form a general idea of the proper
course to reach Jack and Dick. He tramped through the tall grass, reflecting on
the contrast between hunting wild game and being hunted yourself by the wild
game.
As the Frenchman observed, " It iz veree fine to hunt ze tigare, but, when ze
tigare hunts you, it is not so fine."
" I would like to get another shot at that fellow," he said, half tempted to turn
about and hunt for him; "but there don't seem much use of pumping bullets into
him unless you reach the right spot. Hope the rest of the folks will have better
luck than I."
CHAPTER LIV.
A LOST HOT7ENTOT.
jEANWHILE, Jack Harvey and Dick Brownell impatiently awaited the
appearance of the royal game which Bob and Diedrick expected to drive
toward them.
" I don't think I'll try my lasso on him," remarked the Texan, after they had sat
some minutes in silence.
" No; he is one of the few animals that is too powerful to be checked by the
strongest horse. I think it would be hard work tor any one to bring him to a halt.
But the greatest obstacle in the way of success, it seems to me is that plaguey
little bird that is always on guard."
" There's one way of fixing that."
"How?"
" Shoot the thing, if it won't keep its clatter still. After we get it out of the
way, we shall have some chance. I've known sportsmen to do that when hunting
the rhinoceros."
Dick shook his head.
" That strikes me as wrong. I cannot see any justification for killing a little
bird simply because it warns an animal of danger."
" Is it any more wrong than shooting the animal itself ? " was the pertinent query
of Jack; "we are apt to forget helloa ! I hear something ! "
The horses became restless, but they were so well trained that they kept their
places and were speedily soothed. The rhinoceros that was first observed had
indeed taken the back trail, and was heading for the horsemen. The intervening
grass prevented him catching sight of the men until quite close, so there was every
chance of gaining a good shot at the beast.
He was yet some distance off, pounding through the vegetation, when the little
bird, which 'aad perched itself again on his back, made the alarming discovery that
its gigantic patron was plunging directly into the danger from which he supposed
he was fleeing. Instantly the bird shot up in the air, circling, uttering its wildest
cries, and straining every nerve to apprise the rhinoceros of his peril.
But the situation was an unfortunate one for the endangered party. He knew,
of course, that his enemies were near, but, as he last saw them directly behind him,
he must have supposed they were advancing from that point.
Accepting the warning of his diminutive friend, therefore, as a call to increase
his speed, he crashed forward until he found himself in front of the party from
which he supposed he was fleeing. Observing the horsemen, he stopped, wheeled
and started off in the opposite direction: but this was what the hunters were wait-
so 305
306 A LOST HOTTENTOT.
ing for. Jack Harvey knew the proper and, indeed, the only manner in which the
beast should be shot, and he and Dick fired together.
Struck under such circumstances, the animal could not fail to be hit hard. He
emitted his whiffing, pig-like grunt, and drove furiously through the grass for a few
steps, when he lunged forward, plowing up the earth with his horned nose, and
rolling upon his side. Then the mountainous mass lay still.
" He is dead ! " exclaimed Dick, in no little excitement, spurring his horse
toward him.
"Be careful ! " admonished Jack, scarcely behind him; "the animal sometimes
pretends he is dead, like the 'possum, and he may rip up your horse if you ride too
close."
Thus warned, the lad sprang to the ground and advanced toward the carcass,
his friend doing the same. A brief scrutiny convinced them that the game was
lifeless, and they stepped forward to make a closer examination.
" That is curious," remarked Dick, after inspecting every part of the body; " I
can't find a wound upon it."
"No," replied the Texan, "there is none to be seen, unless it's on the other
side; and the only way to decide that is to dig a pit under him, for he's too big to
roll over."
" But you and I fired from his left side, and he is lying on his right, so it would
seem we ought to see the wounds."
Jack laughed as he added:
"Each hit him fairly."
"Where, then, are the marks?"
"Though you may see no signs of them, they have done their execution all the
same. If the carcass was turned over you would not see any hurt on the other
side. The reason is that the skin is so thick and flabby that, when a bullet passes
through it into his body, the skin slides over and covers up the wound. No blood
shows itself, even though the beast is mortally wounded, for he bleeds to death
inwardly."
Dick laughed, for he had forgotten a fact that had once been familiar to him.
"I ought to have remembered that," he said, adding: "Well, we have brought
down our game, and from the sounds of the guns, I shouldn't be surprised to learn
that Diedrick and Bob have been equally fortunate."
At that moment a familiar voice was heard calling:
"Helloa, fellows ! where are you?"
" This way, Bob ! What's up ? "
" I'm all right," was the reply, " but I have lost my horse."
" Lost his horse," replied the astonished Dick ; " how could that have hap-
pened?"
" Maybe it run away from him," suggested Jack, who raised his voice and shouted:
" How came you to lose him, Bob ? "
" A rhinoceres killed him."
A LOST HOTTENTOT.
There was no mistaking that answer, and once more the two looked at each other
with something like consternation.
The loss of a horse was a grievous one, but considerably less so than the loss
of the owner of the horse would have been.
"Where is Diedrick? " shouted Dick. " I've lost him, too."
Before his friends could ask the meaning of this alarming declaration, Bob
explained that they had become separated, and he did not know where to look for
the Hottentot.
It followed that it was hard work for Bob to pick his way through the grass,
which offered such obstruction to the animals, and the party rode toward him. The
youths frequently called to each other, and in this way approached in a direct line.
In the course of fifteen or twenty minutes the figure of the lad was discerned labor-
ing forward under the Burden of his heavy rifle and the saddle and bridle of his
dead horse.
All were so glad to se him alive and well that the loss of his steed seemed a
small matter, since they had extra animals.
Bob told his thrilling story, and Dick gave an account of what had befallen
them since the separation. It was then arranged that the saddle and bridle should
be secured upon the horse of Jack that is, merely for the purpose of being carried
as a part of the luggage of the party, while Bob himself should mount behind Dick.
It need not be said that his seat was lacking in comfort, but he could support
himself very well by throwing one arm about his friend, who sat securely in the
saddle, besides which the cousins could exchange situations whenever they chose.
The question now was as to the whereabouts of the Hottentot. He had van-
ished so suddenly, and kept out of sight so persistently, that the boys were afraid
some accident had befallen him. The Texan, however, felt little anxiety on his
account.
" He understands the country and himself well enough to pull through any
scrape he is likely to run into," said the Texan.
The boys wished they could share the faith of Jack Harvey, but were unable
to do so.
CHAPTER LV.
DIEDRICK'S VICISSITUDES.
afternoon was wearing away, and the three friends were in doubt whether
to wait in the hope of being joined by Diedrick, or return to camp and leave
him to take care of himself.
Bob and Dick were opposed to anything like a desertion of their friend, who
might really be in need of help. The question was still undecided, when the three
heard the report of a rifle from the direction of the grass beyond them.
"That's his gun !" exclaimed Bob; "he's all right."
"I hope he is," said Dick, "but I don't know as there is any noticeable differ-
ence between the noise made by guns : that weapon may belong to some one else."
There was much comfort in the fact that the sound reached them from the right
point of the compass. More than likely the weapon had been fired by the Hottentot .
at any rate his friends would believe such to be the fact until the contrary should be
proved. The horsemen were on the northern side of a gentle slope that intervened
between them and the grassy tract in which they had finished up their rhinoceros
hunting, so they rode to the top and looked down over the plain spread out before
them. For a while they could see nothing, but suddenly, to their amazement, they
observed Diedrick himself approaching. He was on foot, and the elevated position
of the horsemen enabled them to see him distinctly.
" He has no horse," called out Dick.
The Hottentot caught sight of the party on the crest, and waved his hand in
salute. His friends were so pleased to see that he was well and safe that they
waved their hats in return, and bade him hurry up and join them.
The conclusion was unanimous that his horse had been slain in some encounter
with a savage beast, when the spectators were astounded to catch sight of the ani-
mal himself. He was some two hundred yards behind his master, and was walking
in the same direction, the intervening grass probably shutting them out from sight
of each other.
" What can that mean ? " was the natural query of Bob Marshall.
"He has lost his horse his horse has lost him," said Jack; " he has wearied
of looking after the horse, and now the horse has begun to look for him."
It really appeared as if such was the fact, though the truth could not be learned
until the arrival of Diedrick, who was making good progress in the direction of his
waiting companions.
As he continued advancing his pony did the same. His friends, suspecting that
he was unaware of the peculiar position, refrained from doing or saying anything
that could give him a clew to the truth.
308
DIEDRICK'S VICISSITUDES.
309
" Where is your horse?" shouted Jack Harvey, as the panting fellow hurried
up the slope.
" Me lose him he gone run off neber see break my heart "
At that moment the Hottentot heard the sound of hoofs, and turned to look
Behind him. When his eyes rested on his own animal, the expression of his face
TWO-HORNED RHINOCEROS.
and his whole manner were amusing beyond description. His under jaw fell, his
eyes protruded, his legs bent forward at the knees as though about to give way,
his gun dropped from his grasp, and his fingers spread apart as though each
repelled the other. He appeared to be in a collapse of amazement and chagrin.
DIEDRICK'S VICISSITUDES.
The three, who were seated on their horses, laughed merrily, for the sight was
the most amusing on which they had gazed for many a day.
It looked, indeed, as if the returning steed shared in the general hilarity, for the
trot was accompanied by a whinny, as he dropped down to a walk and came to a
halt within arm's reach of his master.
By this time Diedrick had recovered himself, and, seizing the bridle, he bounded
upon the back of the animal. Then the native appeared to boil with indignation
because of the ridiculous light in which he had been placed by his steed. He
began beating his ribs with his feet, as though he meant to stave them in. But it
must not be thought that the Hottentot's broad, flat heels inflicted any particular
hurt. He was unable to punish the pony in that fashion, and it was not until he
had kept it up for some minutes, accompanying it by all sorts of calumny on the
brute's ancestors, that the horse broke into a gallop.
When Diedrick thought he had chastised him enough (and about that time the
latter was beginning to enjoy the sport), he gradually sheered him 'round and
headed back toward the waiting party, which he joined in the course of the next
few minutes.
The experience of Diedrick had been hardly less thrilling than that of his young
friend, from whom he had separated for the purpose of driving the rhinoceroses to-
ward the horsemen that were waiting on the other side of the tall grass. Since two
persons can cover twice as much ground when apart as when together, the plan was
a good one, provided the conditions did not change.
The first rhinoceros started up, as you will recall, headed, after a time, toward
the waiting hunters, tramped heavily, progressed steadily, and went down surely.
But the second displayed a fierceness altogether unexpected in his charge upon Bob
Marshall.
It seemed to be a good day for that species of ungulate mammals, for the native
had not gone far when the fright of his animal showed that something in the way
of game was close at hand. He became so restless that he refused to advance
farther, and the native lost his temper. As he had pursued a different direction
from that taken by Bob, the two were a considerable distance apart, and the only
notice that reached the ear of the native of anything special being under way was
the report of the lad's rifle. That did not cause him uneasiness, and just then his
own hands were full of business. i
Diedrick dismounted to learn the cause of his horse's fright, advancing in a
straight line, and in doing so he committed an unfortunate error. The particular
animal that had frightened his horse was not where he supposed, but was in an
unusually thick mass of grass to the right.
The Hottentot had gone but a short distance, when he heard a whiffing grunt
that he recognized. He wheeled just in time to see a black rhinoceros charge from
the matted grass in a paroxysm of fury because he was intruded upon by a horse
and his rider.
Fortunately for the latter, however, the animal paid no heed to him, but concen-
DIEDRICK'S VICISSITUDES.
trated his rage upon the steed, and proceeded to " go for him " with a vigor that could
not be surpassed. No animal possessing the power of locomotion will stand still
before such an attack. The steed bounded off and dashed through the grass on
a dead run.
In this case the horse could trave]
slightly faster than the one ridden
by Bob Marshall, while the rhinoc-
eros, being smaller, could not go as
rapidly as the pursuer of the youth.
Thus it happened that the fugitive
was able to outrun the vicious rhi-
noceros, though the difference
in speed was so slight that the
huge creature was
encouraged to
keep up the pur-
suit for a considerable time. The
Hottentot did not wish to lose his
horse, and he had some desire to
capture the Vhinoceros ; so he ran
after the beast with all the speed of
which he was master.
Thus a sort of double chase was
set on foot : while the rhinoceros
pursued the horse, the Hottentot
chased the rhinoceros, the front and rear of the procession being on the best of
terms, while the middle portion was arrayed against both.
In this novel competition Diedrick was at a great disadvantage, the others being
much more fleet than he. They rapidly drew away and disappeared from sight ;
DOUBLE CHASE.
3i2 DIEDRICK'S VICISSITUDES.
but, as he could not afford to lose his horse, the Hottentot continued the chase.
He grew more savage every minute. The animal was beyond hearing, and was
doubtless increasing the space at a rapid rate. Diedrick soon had little breath
left, while the prospect of losing the steed was fast resolving itself into a certainty.
By-and-by the native was compelled to drop down to a slow walk, tramping
heavily and wearily, and speculating as to which animal he felt the fiercest resent-
ment against. He was angry toAvard the rhinoceros, as a matter of course, but he
expected much better things of his intelligent horse.
He was in no special fear of the former, for he had killed more than one of his
kind, and was confident that with his loaded gun he was a master of any he might
encounter.
His belief was that the pursuit of the horse by the rhinoceros could not last
long, for the pursuer must soon lose sight of him in the grass and see that the
chase was hopeless.
Diedrick expected to come up with his pony in a brief while, but to his dismay
he learned, when he examined the ground at his feet, that he was off the trail
altogether.
For a few minutes succeeding this discovery, he was the best specimen of a
Hottentot " mad clear through " that can be imagined. Convinced, finally, that it
was useless to fellow him, he turned to rejoin his friends. What followed has
already been told.
CHAPTER LVI.
A WHOLE ARMFUL.
"HE story of Diedrick, as it was gradually drawn from him, was of the highest
interest to his listeners, but in the course of the narration he made a state-
ment which threw the three into a flutter of excitement.
The rhinoceros that had given him such a sharp brush was a female, and at the
moment she had rushed from her resting-place upon the intruder, he had seen a little
one lying in the grass. It must have been quite young, for it made no attempt to
follow its mother.
" That's lucky !" exclaimed Dick Brownell ; "there's just the best chance in
the world to secure the very prize we want."
"That's what we are here for," was the characteristic remark of Jack (since he
was a Texan); "though we have had plenty of fun, the trip will be a failure if we
don't scoop in a young one to take back with us."
" And you'll gain a chance to use that lasso of yours," laughed Bob Marshall ;
" I know you must have felt bad to sit here and have so little part in the fun."
The afternoon was so far along that there was no time to spare. Mounted in
the manner described, the four hunters on their three steeds plunged into the grass.
Diedrick took the lead, feeling quite willing for another encounter with the savage
female because of the trick she had served him.
Although matters had not gone very satisfactorily up to this time, yet our friends
seemed now to have reached what may be called the turn in the tide. Diedrick had
not penetrated two hundred yards in the grass from which he had emerged a short
time before on foot, when he almost ran his horse against the very female for which
he was searching.
But for the alertness and vigilance of the pony, he would have been impaled on
the frightful horn of the brute. The first thing that his friends observed was the
sudden wheeling about of the startled horse and his plunge, as though he was
about to run over them.
Dick Brownell had just time to turn his pony to one side and Jack Harvey to
the other, when the native shot between them, with the rhinoceros in hot pursuit.
This " arrangement " gave the very chance the hunters wanted, since the beast,
paying no attention to them, exposed her broadside as she lumbered past.
Jack, Bob and Dick let drive at the proper moment, and it may be safely said
that no animal of that species was ever killed with greater suddenness. The vast
bulk sagged forward and downward, swinging over on one side, and the animal
died without a struggle. As before, the wounds were hardly visible, the victim
bleeding to death inwardly.
A WHOLE ARMFUL.
PONDEROUS GAME.
"That's well enough," remarked Jack Harvey, after taking a hasty survey of the
sarcassj "but where's the youngster? "
It seemed curious that the mother should have come to this spot, and aban-
doned her offspring,
when the latter was so
very young, for the rhi-
noceros and her progeny
display a strong affec-
tion for each other. Our
friends believed the little
one could not be far off,
the mother probably hav-
ing been on her way to
it when she discovered
the approach of the hunt-
ers, and stopped to give
them battle.
" I wish it was earlier
in the day," said Jack,
who was riding slowly
around in a circle, and
peering among the grass in the hope of catching sight of the youngster.
" We can come back in the morning."
" But there's no telling what may happen between now and then."
" It would be cruel to leave the little one without any attendance," said Dick,
" and it will make a hole in our supply of milk I say, Bob," he suddenly added in a
whisper; "there's something moving through the grass right ahead of us."
Diedrick had caught sight of the object and hastened toward it. The next in-
stant he called out that the young rhinoceros was found, and the party closed
around the prize.
It was one of the funniest sights you can imagine. About the size of a large,
chunky dog, it was so ugly-looking that no one could view it without laughing, as
it came waddling through the grass, poking its comical snout here and there in
quest of its mother. It paid no attention to the horsemen and would have pushed
its way straight to the inanimate parent, had they not interposed their animals
across its path.
"Well, I'll be hanged!" exclaimed Jack Harvey, with a laugh; "I've seen a
good many homely-looking things in my life, but that beats them all."
The youngster, finding its way blocked, raised its head and looked up at the
hunters as if to inquire what it all meant. Its body was pig-shaped, its legs short,
round and unsymmetrical, and its head bore some resemblance to that of a calf
swollen much out of shape. Just above its blunt nose was a hump, the beginning
of the horn, which does not acquire its full growth for eight or ten years.
A WHOLE ARMFUL.
315
Mingled with the feeling of amusement was that of pity for the little one that
was looking for its parent, which had been shot only a few minutes before. A
young rhinoceros is so attached to its mother that it will fight with great fury in
her defense. The youngster had not yet seen its parent, though her body lay but a
short distance off, and the hunters were desirous of preventing the discovery.
Without a moment's hesitation, Jack Harvey sprang from his mustang, and,
gathering the pumpkin-like object in his arm, clambered back into the saddle. It
required all his strength to do so, and when he was seated once more on his steed,
he found he- had his hands full indeed, for it weighed a good many pounds and was
as awkward to handle as a prize watermelon.
Had it offered any resistance, the task would have been impossible, but the
prize was unexpectedly docile, lying as motionlesss in its novel resting-place as a
tired lamb reposes in the arms of its shepherd.
Turning about, the party lost no time in
forcing its way out of the grass into the .,_ 1 u > ^
plain on the higher ground. Night had now
descended, but they were in high spirits over
their success. They had had a sharp brush
with the huge animals, and secured the prize
they were anxious to get.
The hunters had gone but
a short distance when they
caught the twinkle of the en-
campment, which was at no
great distance, and they moved
forward at an easy pace.
Bob and Dick would not
have been themselves had they
not indulged in many quirps
and jests at the expense of Jack
Harvey, who was so pleased
over his success that he took
everything with the best na-
ture. He carried the plump
fellow as though it were a baby,
changing its head from one arm
to the other, and endeavoring
to make its position as well as
his own comfortable. The ungainly chunk never protested except once, when the
nurse, in shifting it about, accidentally got it wrong end upward. The infant lay
still a minute, as if waiting for its attendant to correct his error, but, finding he did
not do so, kicked so vigorously that Jack made haste to re-invert the captive, which
now bears the name of " Mungo."
A TROUBLKSOME CAPTURE.
316 A WHOLE ARMFUL.
After that everything went well, and the camp was reached without mishap.
Carl Godkin was delighted. He took the pumpkin-like creature in his arms
and carried it to a part of the inclosure reserved for extra company. It was
furnished with a supply of goats' milk, and disposed of such a quantity that it
almost caused consternation among the natives when they reflected that the de-
mand was sure to increase rapidly instead of diminish.
" Do you know," said the director later in the evening, after supper, and when
he and the Texan had relighted their pipes, "that our work is almost finished?"
" How is that ? " asked Bob and Dick together.
"We have done exceedingly well; there is but one more animal for us to
capture."
"What's that?"
"A hippopotamus; as soon as we get one or two of them, I shall pull up stakes
and start for Port Natal."
"And what then?" a$>ked Jack, the boys listening anxiously for the answer.
"I shall find letters there from our chief, and our future movements will
depend on his wishes. We are in his employ, and whatever he directs, of course,
must be done."
"What about the gorilla country?" asked Bob.
" I have no doubt that a journey will be made there, but I cannot speak posi-
tively until after reaching Port Natal. I will say that if it is in my power to arrange
it I shall do so." This certainly was all the boys could ask, and their eyes
sparkled as they thanked the director for his promise.
"As for the hippopotami," added Mr. Godkin, "they are around us; while you
were off on your hunt, Pongo and I took the best observation we could without the
aid of the glass, and we saw a couple over on the other side of the river. To-
morrow, as soon as we can make a start, we will be off on the hunt. If we succeed,
I shall begin preparations for the journey to the coast without delay."
"Who will compose the party?" asked Dick.
"We'll take Pongo and Diedrick along; they are natives of the country and
know a good deal about its animals."
" Will it be safe to leave the camp in charge of the natives alone ? "
" I think so; I kept a sharp watch to-day, but haven't detected the first sign of
wild men; I am quite sure, therefore, they won't trouble us."
" I suppose we'll make use of the raft to cross the stream."
"Yes; we must cross to the other shore, for the indications point to the animals
being there. We had a stroke of luck this afternoon," added the director, " for,
while I was along the bank of the river, hunting for signs, a dug-out drifted by so
close, that with little work I secured and brought it ashore."
" It strikes me that that's suspicious," said Jack Harvey; " leastways we would
believe so in our part of the world."
" No ; I don't think there's anything to cause alarm, for the wild men have been
so thoroughly trounced that they ain't likely to bother us any more -"
"What noise is that?" interrupted the Texan.
CHAPTER LVII.
THE BEHEMOTH.
'HE night was unusually still, the hunters being so far removed from the jungle
that most of the noises which are never silent failed to reach their ears, or
did so with such subdued power that they only served to render the silence
more impressive.
" Everything had been put in good shape for the night, Abdallah taking charge
of his countrymen, with the exception of Pongo and Diedrick, who were gathered
with the white men around the fire.
Abdallah, Govozy and Wart were to act as sentinels for the first half of the night,
while Adz, Bormo, Valmur and Gooboo, under the direction of Orak (who consid-
ered himself fully recovered), were to perform the duty for the remaining hours of
darkness.
This placed the responsibility on the most insignificant members of the expe-
dition, but Mr. Godkin wished to give himself and friends abundant rest, so they
would be in good form for the morrow.
The sound which caused the interruption on the part of Jack Harvey was a
heavy, wheezing snort, from the direction of the river. The director suspected its
nature, but, without speaking, sprang to his feet, and looked toward the point
whence it came.
At the same moment Pongo came running toward them.
" River-horse in grass," he said, "out there me see him."
This was news indeeed.
"Well, I'll be hanged!" exclaimed Jack; "why not go on the hunt to-night,
Carl ? "
" We will," was the reply; " come on, Pongo and Diedrick and the rest of you.
Jack, you don't want your lasso, but each of you make sure you have a weapon.
Pongo, leave your boomerangs behind and fetch one of the shot-guns."
The directions were quickly obeyed, and a few minutes later the party, number-
ing six, on foot, were hurrying toward the river, whence had come the suspicious
sound, and where the Bushman had seen the mountainous behemoth.
It was not in sight, but a heavy splashing on the other side of the stream left
no doubt that the animal had crossed the river, and was making its way along
the opposite bank.
"We must follow," said Mr. Godkin, "for we may not have as good a chance
to-morrow."
There were the raft and dug-out ready for use, and it need not be said they
were appropriated without delay. The boat, although quite large, was barely able
317
3 i8
THE BEHEMOTH.
to hold three persons, while the other structure was somewhat more buoyant: it
was, therefore, necessary to employ both means of ferriage.
Pongo, Mr. Godkin and Jack Harvey took their places in the dug-out, thereby
taxing it to the utmost. The boys and Diedrick stepped upon the raft, the Hot-
tentot taking up the long pole. Pongo was an adept in handling the slender paddle,
and, since the men were eager to reach the other shore, in order to keep track, if
possible, of the hippopotamus, Pongo plied the implement with a skill that took
him rapidly away from his friends. He promised, however, that on landing the
gentlemen, he would come back to meet his young friends.
There was no moon in the sky, though it was clear, and the stars shone with a
brilliancy almost unknown in the Northern hemisphere. Pongo reached land ere
the more cumbersome craft was half way across.
They had disembarked, when Mr. Godkin, whose sense of hearing was unusually
acute, instantly stepped back in the boat, where, standing erect, he brought his gun
to his shoulder and fired at some object out in the river.
The director had seen an immense female hippopotamus, swimming toward the
other shore with its young one on its back. He aimed at the mother and struck
her, for she instantly sank out of sight, all except her huge snout, and the nose of
the little one, which still clung to its support. Before any measures could be taken
to follow her, she vanished in the gloom.
The fact that she was heading for the other shore, and that she had received a
shot that must have thrown her into a rage, caused some misgiving for Diedrick
and the boys that were approaching on the raft.
Pongo was directed to take the dug-out and push off as fast as he could go. On
reaching the raft he was to take off the two boys and hurry back.
Jack Harvey called out in a guarded voice the explanation of the rifle shot that
had just been fired, and cautioned the youths to keep quiet. Instantly their voices
were hushed, while the Hottentot plied the pole with such skill that it caused hardly
a ripple. A brief row brought Pongo to the side of the raft, where he invited the
boys to step in. Bob obeyed, but Dick drew back.
" I don't see why," he said in a whisper, " one place isn't as good as another ;
I'll keep company with Diedrick."
The keen eyes that peered through the surrounding gloom failed to catch sight
of the monster. The fact that she had a young one with her seemed to be in favor
of a neutrality on her part until she could place it in some safe place, that would
leave her free to attack the hunters.
Pongo kept the dug-out close to the raft, with a view of giving what help he
could in the event of attack. He believed the shot of Mr. Godkin was a mistake,
since the wounding of the mother would throw her into rage and lead her to attack
the hunters before they were in the best situation to dispose of her.
He expressed the belief that she would deposit her little one in shallow water,
among the grass, and then turn about and assail the sportsmen wherever she could
reach them.
THE BEHEMOTH.
319
While our friends are pushing their way across the stream, suppose I take a few
tuinutes to tell you something about the hippopotamus (hippopotamidce), which is
undoubtedly the behemoth of the Bible.
The animal is believed to inhabit nearly all the great rivers of Africa, Formerly
THE HIPPOPOTAMUS.
it was met with as far north as Egypt, but its limit in that direction is now Abyssinia.
Away back in the remote ages of antiquity, it was common to Europe and Asia, but
in its wild state it lives alone in the Dark Continent.
The period during which the hippopotamus can remain under water has never
320 THE BEHEMOTH.
been satisfactorily settled, but it is believed to be about ten minutes. The full-
grown animal is a dozen feet in length and as much in circumference. Its legs are
so short that, where the ground is uneven, the belly touches the earth when the mon-
ster walks, so that it resembles a huge hogshead mounted on four billets of wood. Its
nostrils and ears are on the same plane, its ears small, sharp and stiff, and its hide, of
a dirty chocolate color, is an inch and a half thick. I can conceive of no more
repulsive sight than that of its mouth when fully open.
The teeth of the hippopotamus are very formidable, their number, form and
situation varying with its years. The canines are immense tusks, resembling a
chisel, and help to form a fitting apparatus for grinding the supply for a stomach
which is capable of containing six bushels of food.
Both the jaws are movable and constitute a terrible engine for crushing its prey,
whether seated in a boat or unprotected in the water.
Although many claim that the hippopotamus is more stupid than the pig, yet in
some respects he shows remarkable cunning. It is almost impossible to ensnare
him, for, no matter how carefully the contrivance is hidden, the huge beast seems
to suspect something is wrong, and, after pausing a minute or two, will deliberately
walk around the trap upon which the native has set such hopes.
As a rule, hippopotami are found in families of a dozen or a score, though some-
times the single members are detached for a greater or less time.
The nostrils are so placed that they are the first part of the animal to appear
when he rises to the surface, and, like those of the seal, they are closed, while he
takes a promenade along the bed of his river home.
The eyes at first sight appear to have an unusual protuberance, but this is a
wise provision of nature, as seen in the eagle and some other birds of prey, where
the muscles and horny rings constitute a telescopic apparatus which allows the
organs to be protruded or withdrawn at will.
I once heard a mischievous lad express the wish that his eyes were constructed
on the same principle, so as to permit him to look behind him without moving his
head. Thus he would be enabled to detect his teacher or any frolicsome play-
mate trying to steal upon him.
I have referred to the voice of the hippopotamus, but it is of a nature that is
hard to describe. One hunter speaks of it as a loud and short, harsh note, uttered
four or five times quickly and suggesting the snort of a horse, ending with an ex-
plosive sound like a bark.
An excellent authority represents the sounds by the letters " heurah hurh hesh-
heohf" the first two combinations being uttered in a hoarse, sharp, tremulous tone,
like the grunting of animals, while the compound word is shot forth and resembles
the neigh of a horse.
However, if it is ever your fortune to hear the cry of the beast, you will admit
that it is difficult to describe.
Recalling the situation of our friends, Mr. Godkin and Jack Harvey were stand-
ing, rifles in hand, on the farther side of the river, on the watch for the appearance
THE BEHEMOTH.
321
of the river-horse, while the raft and dug-out were pushing toward them, Pongo and
Bob being in the latter and Diedrick and Dick on the former.
All dreaded the appearance of the animal, for their situation placed them at
a disadvantage, and she was known to be in a furious mood because of the wound
rsceived from the rifle of Mr. Godkin.
CHAPTER LVIII.
THE CRASH OF SPLINTERING WOOD.
T was natural that all the party should feel more or less uneasiness from the
fact that no one could say where the hippopotamus was. The probabilities
were that she had left the neighborhood, but for the present there could be no
certainty on that point. All appreciated the necessity of stillness, for a loud word
or a careless splash with pole or paddle might draw the beast directly upon them.
She was probably so enraged because of her wound, that nothing like fear would
restrain her from rushing headlong at anything which might present itself.
It will be understood that the main danger lay in the inevitable noise of the pole
or paddle while propelling the craft across the river. Water is a much better con-
ductor of sound than air, and no little skill was required to handle those imple-
ments.
As the raft and dug-out kept so nigh each other, it was an easy matter to
exchange words in low tones, without increasing the danger of detection by their
giant enemy.
The stars were dazzling in their brilliancy, and the constellations shone with a
splendor surpassing anything they had ever seen. Nothing could equal the beauty
of the Southern Cross, on which both Bob and Dick gazed more than once while
crossing the stream.
But the increasing sense of danger brought back their attention to the sphere
on which they lived, and, when they found they were near the middle of the river,
they thought of nothing else.
" I wonder where she can be," said Bob, in a guarded undertone, from his
perch in the stern of the dug-out, to his cousin, who was standing erect on the raft
less than a dozen feet away.
" I cannot think there is any likelihood of our stirring her up," said Dick, in
reply. " It seems impossible that we should run against her when we traverse such
a narrow path."
"It isn't impossible, but we ought to be able to go very close to the hippopota-
mus without disturbing her. Can you hear the ripple of Pongo's paddle ? "
The two were silent a moment, during which they could scarcely distinguish the
soft rustling of the implement which the Bushman plied with such skill. He kept
the dug-out in motion by using it first on one side of the boat and then on the other,
but his extreme care prevented him going very fast.
It was the same with the Hottentot, who handled the long pole. He did not
raise the lower end above the surface, for it was not necessary to do so, but he was
obliged continually to withdraw the point from the muddy bottom, and a slight
322
THE CRASH OF SPLINTERING WOOD.
323
disturbance of the current was un-
avoidable; but, had it been less, it
would have been silence itself.
All at once the two natives
stopped propelling, and, leaning
forward, peered intently through
the gloom. They had caught a
sound, the nature of which neither
understood, but no one thought of
anything else except the hippo-
potamus.
Observing the alarm of their
guides, as they may be termed, the
boys held their peace,
and used eyes and
ears to the utmost.
A RESISTLESS ATTACK.
The whole four heard distinctly the moving of some body in the water near
them. It was not such a ripple as would have been made by a natural obstruction
in the current, but it was irregular and spasmodic, proving that it was caused by
some fish or animal.
Diedrick and Dick were standing erect on the raft, peering forward in the dark-
ness, the Hottentot holding the long pole half out of water and firmly grasped with
both hands. His gun lay near the middle of the raft, but the lad not only clung to
his weapon, but he kept it ready for the river-horse if she should attack them. .
324 THE CRASH OF SPLINTERING WOOD.
Bob remained seated in the stern, but he was equally prepared with his effective
weapon in case of need.
As I have stated, the Bushman, in propelling the dug-out, faced the front, thus
increasing the similarity of his action to that of an American Indian approaching a
hostile camp by night in his canoe. He was accustomed to using his eyes in the
gloom, and yet his vision was not equal to that of the Hottentot, for it was the
latter who first caught sight of the cause of the disturbance in front.
" 'Tis the beast we dread ! " was his startling exclamation, uttered in a whisper
which all heard.
Pongo had now also detected it, and whispered:
" Speak not no noise make ! "
No one stirred a muscle, for the action of the hippopotamus led them to hope
she had not observed them. The boys dimly saw the outlines of a vast square
snout gliding down stream, at right angles to the course the craft were pursuing.
She was not approaching, but it was the slight onward motion of the craft them-
selves that was taking them closer to her.
How every one wished that the boat and raft would stop, but they dared not
put forth the necessary effort, for that would have attracted the notice of their
enemy and precipitated the attack she was eager to make upon any animate thing.
Just at the moment the enormous head was vanishing in the gloom, a slight
splash was heard, and it sank out of sight.
It was impossible to tell what this movement meant, for the hippopotamus, like
all animals, is often controlled by whims, and she may have been tired of swim-
ming. If such was the fact, she could walk a while on the muddy bottom until
compelled to come to the surface for air.
Not one of the four moved or spoke. Everything was so dependent upon abso-
lute stillness that the utmost precaution was taken by all. The Bushman sat
crouched in the front of the dug-out with his paddle in air, ready to drive the boat
forward or backward, as the exigency might demand. Half of the pole in the hand
of Diedrick was submerged, and, as that and the raft were floating with the current,
not the slightest ripple was produced.
All of us know how slowly time drags when we are waiting, and to the anxious
group the minutes seemed ten-fold their real duration. But with each passing
moment hope increased, for it lessened the chances of the behemoth rising any-
where near them.
It seemed to all that fully a half hour had elapsed, when in reality no more
than a third of that period had gone by, a space during which the river-horse can
stay under water without inconvenience.
Suddenly a faint splash broke the stillness. It was in the direction of the shore
toward which they were laboring, and was so far off that it was impossible to toil
what produced it.
" It is the hippopotamus," said Dick; " lucky indeed it was that she swam by
without seeing us."
THE CRASH OF SPLINTERING WOOD. 325
" It was the closest call we ever had," observed Bob, with a sigh of relief j " I'm
sure that for a minute or two we were in the greatest possible danger."
" What says Pongo ? " asked Diedrick, still holding the pole motionless.
" We safe go on fast ! "
He obeyed his own suggestion by dipping his paddle deep in the current, and
the Hottentot, scarcely a second later, pressed the pole into the muddy bottom of
the river, his body almost horizontal from the strenuousness of his effort.
At this instant came a sound as of rushing waters, and the head of the hippo-
potamus rose to the surface directly between the raft and the dug-out. It was so
close, indeed, that the paddle in the hand of the Bushman struck the grotesque
bulk and slipped off as if from a wet log.
This involuntary act of Pongo drew the fury of the beast upon the smaller craft.
The enormous head, with the hideous jaws distended, shot forward and caught the
end of the dug-out between them. Then they came together with resistless force,
crushing the hollowed log as though it were made of card-board.
The crash of the splintering wood, the furious grunt of the behemoth and the
flying spray, all seemed to come simultaneously, and before the first step could be
taken to drive off the monster or to escape her fury.
A wild cry, such as a man utters in mortal terror, came from the lips of the
Bushman, who dropped his paddle, caught up his gun and made a tremendous leap
far out into the river. He could swim like a water-fowl, and the instant he struck,
he went under until his feet touched the velvety bottom.
He still clung to his gun, for, in his eyes, its value was scarcely less than his
own life, and, swimming as far beneath the surface as possible, he came up only
long enough to inhale what air was needed, when down he went again. He kept
his wits about him, and, instead of swimming aimlessly, worked toward the shore
which was the destination of the party.
When he rose the second time, he glanced over his shoulder to learn whether
his foe was pursuing him. Nothing was to be seen of her, and, believing he now
held his fate in his own hands, he swam more leisurely; but he was continually
haunted by the dread that, after all, the hippopotamus was walking over the river
floor and keeping pace with him, with the purpose of rising when she was ready
and crushing him to nothingness in her prodigious jaws.
Not until the feet of Pongo reached bottom and he scrambled out among the
reeds and grass, did he breathe freely. Then he uttered an exclamation of thank-
fulness and a prayer that his friends on the river might be equally fortunate.
It will be understood that at the moment the hippopotamus crushed the boat
between her jaws, the situation of Bob Marshall was scarcely less dangerous than
that of the Hottentot. In one respect it was not so bad, for he was seated m the
stern, while it was the front portion which collapsed like an egg-shell in the terrific
vise. Indeed, had Pongo been a whit less spry, his body would surely have been
crushed to a jelly.
What Bob did will scarcely be believed when told ; nevertheless it is strictly
326 THE CRASH OF SPLINTERING WOOD.
true and was witnessed by his cousin and Diedrick. The youth insists (doubtless
with truth), that the act was in obedience to the instinctive impulse that comes
over man and animal alike in the crisis of extreme danger.
He sprang to his feet at the moment the stern of the dug-out went down, because
the front was raised by the jaws of the hippopotamus, with the intention of leaping
to the raft ; but that was too far off to be reached at a single bound, and he natu-
rally dreaded to enter the water when the monster was so near.
Just as the under jaw of the behemoth met the upper one, Bob sprang forward
and placed one foot upon her back.
It was only for an instant that his weight rested on that extraordinary foot-
stool, when he made a flying leap, which carried him to the raft, his momentum
almost precipitating him into the water on the other side, despite the hand which
Diedrick threw out to check him.
The hippopotamus has never been accused of possessing unusual intelligence,
and it is not to be supposed that the particular one of which I am speaking ever
knew that her head, for a brief space of time, bore the weight of an exceedingly
frightened youth. Could the creature have foreseen the act, no doubt she would
have opened her capacious jaws and taken him in.
It followed, also, that in the wild confusion of the moment the monster was
slightly bewildered. She did not follow the Bushman when he made his desperate
leap, as I have already shown, nor for a minute or so did she comprehend that the
major portion of the party upon whom she had charged were still within her reach.
There was no possible means of escaping the hippopotamus by flight, and
Diedrick was too wise to attempt it.
" Shoot her ! shoot her ! " he called out, flinging down his pole on the raft and
catching up his gun.
The excited words were yet in his mouth when Bob, taking the best aim he
could in the gloom, lodged a ball in the skull of the beast. Dick almost touched
the head when he too pulled trigger, and the Hottentot was equally prompt in dis-
charging his weapon.
Thus, in the briefest possible time, two bullets and a charge of shot were fired
into the hippopotamus, not one of them failing to " reach home."
But, even with such wounds, the beast would have been able to inflict fatal
injuries upon all three of her enemies but for the fact that the ball fired by Bob was
providentially directed. It went plumb into the right eye, and thus ploughed its
way to her brain.
The other two shots did scarcely less damage, though they could not have been
so instant in their effects. As it was, she was rendered furious and partially
blind. She emitted a rasping grunt and charged upon the ruins of the dug-out.
Her impetuosity carried her almost over the crushed log, and, instead of grasp-
ing it in her distended jaws, her forequarters bore it under the surface and out
of sight.
At that juncture she seemed to gain some idea of the true state of affairs, and,
THE CRASH OF SPLINTERING WOOD.
327
making a circle with such a rush that the water foamed away from her head as it
does from a rapidly driven boat, she plunged toward the raft on which our three
friends were standing.
She acted as though she comprehended her mistake and was determined to
correct it before it was too late.
CHAPTER LIX.
A STROKE OF FORTUNE.
was the golden opportunity for the repeating rifles with which the
boys were furnished. Diedrick had emptied the shot-gun into the head of
the beast, but he made no attempt to use the weapon further, leaving his
companions to complete the work so well begun.
"What are you doing?" called Jack Harvey from the shore; "why don't you
fill her full of lead?"
And that is precisely what Bob and Dick proceeded to do in the most approved
fashion. The shot that the former sent into the eye of the animal bewildered her
so that the charge which she made upon the raft miscarried, she ploughing by it
in the most grotesque manner.
Realizing her failure, she turned again, but by this time her fearful wounds pro-
duced their inevitable effect, and becoming suddenly motionless, she disappeared
beneath the surface like the sinking of an enormous diving-bell.
The behemoth was dead and was seen no more.
During this flurry, our two friends on the shore were in what may be called a
state of mind. They had set out with the expectation of taking charge of the hip-
popotamus business, and yet, through the rush of circumstances, it had passed
wholly out of their hands and was pushed to an issue by the boys and natives.
" I think, Carl," said the Texan, stamping back and forth, half exasperated from
his enforced idleness, " that there must be more of those critters 'round here, since
they herd together, and I don't propose to let the folks out there have all the fun."
" It was that shot of mine that played the mischief," replied the director, " but
things are so lively out on the stream, that I'm afraid something' may have gone
wrong with the boys."
" Have no fear," was the reassuring response of the Texan, who, as he afterward
stated, was without the least concern for his young friends : " they have their guns,
and, from the way things sound, they are using them to advantage."
" There is no telling how things may turn out helloa ! what's this?"
The exclamation of Mr. Godkin was caused by the appearance of a man's head
on the surface of the water rapidly approaching.
" Is that you, Pongo ? " asked the director, stepping to the edge of the stream
and peering out in the gloom.
"It me Pongo," was the answer, and the next minute the Bushman rose to
his feet and walked ashore.
" Why didn't you come in the dug-out ? " was the query of Jack Harvey, who sus-
pected what had taken place.
328
A STROKE OF FORTUNE. 329
"How come in dug-out when ain't any dug-out come in eh?"
"What's become of it?"
" River-horse chaw him up."
"Ah," laughed Mr. Godkin, "that makes anoth ;r matter of it; your explanation
is accepted ; how are the boys getting along ? "
" Get 'long like thunder," was the rather startling reply of the Bushman, who
did not enjoy the bath he was compelled to take because of the attack of the behe-
moth.
Meanwhile the men kept up communication with the young gentlemen on the
raft, who announced about this time that their assailant was killed and Diedrick
was hard at work pushing the support toward them.
A few minutes later the awkward craft and the three figures loomed to view
through the darkness, and soon all parties were shaking hands and congratulating
each other on the fortunate issue of the hunt.
But, as you will recall, the real business that had brought them thither remained
unaccomplished. They had slain the mother hippopotamus, but had not captured
her young, nor could any one tell where it was to be found.
The dug-out would have been a most convenient help in searching for it, but
the boat had been destroyed, and all that remained was the raft. When our friends
came to step upon this it would not sustain them.
" Me swim," said Pongo, springing into the water and striking out for the other
shore. Inasmuch as he had already had a souse, there was no hardship in this act.
Diedrick would have imitated him had there been necessity for doing so, but the
structure was found just buoyant enough to bear the three men and two boys, while
the Hottentot was serviceable in using the pole.
The progress of the raft could not equal that of the Bushman, who swam with a
powerful, easy stroke that would have delighted a professional. The current seemed
to cause him no trouble, while the structure drifted considerably down stream before
it made the other bank.
At the very moment that it entered the tall grass a great splashing was heard
some way above, and the well-known voice of Pongo rang out :
" Come help me got him fight hard ! "
Every one on the raft leaped off and dashed through the water and vegetation to
the spot where the native was struggling with something.
Pongo had no thought of anything of the kind, but was swimming leisurely, and
finding he could reach bottom with his feet, stopped floating and began walking
out on land.
He had reached a point where the water came only to his knees, when he was
startled by some queer-looking creature rushing from the grass and impetuously
attacking him.
It was on him before he could retreat, but, fortunately, its capacity for inflicting
injury was less than its will, and the nose which it banged against the legs of the
Bushman did no harm, though it came nigh knocking him over.
330
A STROKE OF FORTUNE.
Pongo recognized it at this moment, and, knowing the anxiety oi his employers
to obtain a young hippopotamus, he resolutely grappled with it and shouted for help.
Notwithstanding its youth, the little pumpkin-bellied creature fought and floun-
dered with such vigor that it required the united exertions of Pongo, Mr. Godkin
and Jack Harvey to overcome and get it out on dry land, where it still rolled,
rooted, butted and grunted like a pig with the colic.
Had they been a little farther from camp, they would have sent thither for con-
veniences to help carry it, for the little one was so bulky that it was too big a load
for a single person to transport far
without help. As it was, however,
the distance was brief, and it was
brought in after considerable diffi-
culty and lodged in its quarters,
which, I may say, was all the room
that remained at the disposal of
the hunters, though, of course,
more could have been arranged.
"That winds up our work of
catching animals in South Africa,"
said Mr. Godkin, once more re-
suming his seat around the camp-
fire; "to-morrow we begin to make
preparations for the journey to
Port Natal."
"But," said Dick Brownell,
" the largest animal of all has not
been caught."
"You mean the elephant? 1
did intend to try to secure one or
two of them, but our chief said
he needed them less than any
other curiosities. He has a large
number with his show, and if
he needs more he will meet no
trouble in buying them. He told
me not to put myself out to secure them, though if a good opportunity presented,
I might gather some in. We may gain a chance on the way."
True to what he said, the preparations were made at an early hour the next day
to start for the sea-coast. It was a big job, and the journey was necessarily long,
tedious and excessively trying.
They had a goodly number of captives which required constant and careful
attention. There were the two young leopards, the hartbeest, the eland, the
young lion, two oryxes, mother and young giraffe, mother and young zebra, por-
"COME, HELP!"
A STROKE OF FORTUNE. 331
cupine, secretary-bird, baboon, and the young rhinoceros and hippopotamus.
These of themselves formed a goodly menagerie, and my friends could count them-
selves fortunate if they succeeded in reaching Port Natal without the loss of more
than three or four.
Mr. Godkin's experience in the business fitted him better than any man that
could have been selected for the delicate and difficult work. There seemed no
possible contingency of which he did not think and for which he did not provide.
But he assured me that of all the tasks he ever undertook, that of conducting the
train and the animals through the long stretch of desert and mountainous country,
from a point west of the center of Southern Africa to Port Natal, was the hardest.
He suffered three attacks from wild men in which Valmur and Gooboo were killed,
and Orak was again wounded, this time so severely that he will never fully re-
cover from it. In the second fight Pongo distinguished himself by instantly killing
one of the assailants with a boomerang, decapitating him as neatly as it could have
been done by the sword of a Crusader.
Govozy, another native, fell sick when in the Orange Free State, and, despite
everything that could be done, died and was buried in one of the wildest glens in
the mountains.
Both Bob Marshall and Dick Brownell became ill with some fever peculiar to
the country, but fortunately they pulled through, and expressed themselves as being
stronger than ever.
It was about this time that the baboon managed to break his way out of the
cage in which he was confined, but, before he was fairly started on the highway to
freedom, Jack Harvey's lasso yanked him back again.
The rhinoceros and hippopotamus developed such amazing appetites that they
threatened to raise a famine in the expedition. Three of the oxen, two of the goats
and one of the horses perished on the way, but when, at last, the far-off destination
was reached, and the wearied party looked out on the flashing waters of the Indian
Ocean, not a single one of the captives was missing, and all were in excellent
condition.
It was an exploit of which any person might feel proud, and the handsome gold
watch and chain which Mr. Carl Godkin now wears was sent to him as a token of
the appreciation of his employers for his skill and devotion.
At Port Natal, the remaining natives were paid liberally for their services, with
the promise that when my agents went that way again, they would be sought out
and re-engaged, for they had rendered most excellent service, and Pongo and
Diedrick especially had proven themselves beyond value. I have met other
travelers in South Africa who have employed them, and they all speak in the highest
terms of their faithfulness and skill.
When I add that the captive birds and animals, which were shipped from Port
Natal to England, and thence to America, made the long voyage in safety, with the
exception of one of the leopard kittens and an oryx, you will agree with me that the
expedition which I sent into South Africa was brilliantly successful in every respect
CHAPTER LX.
THE GUNS OF BURRISAUL.
R. CARL GODKIN, the director, was not disappointed in his expectation
of receiving a communication from his employers on his arrival at Port
Natal. In fact, he found several awaiting him, for his return had been de-
layed far beyond the period that had been anticipated. They knew he would be in
need of funds, and made sure that he did not lack in that essential respect.
But he acquainted his friends with the contents of one letter, which interested
them beyond measure. Mr. Godkin was ordered to divide his forces, and, since
they wished to leave no room for discussion, they gave minute directions as to what
should be done.
Mr. Godkin and Dick Brownell were to go to India and devote several months
to the capture of wild animals peculiar to that country, while Jack Harvey and Bob
Marshall were to find their way up the west coast of Africa to the Gaboon country,
where they were to do their utmost to buy or capture a couple of gorillas, the same
number of chimpanzees, and any other curiosities worth securing. They were told
to let no expense stand in the way of their success either in India or Western Africa.
You would suppose that Dick Brownell would have been much disappointed in
finding himself shut out from the expedition on which he had set his heart, but I
am happy to say that it was otherwise. The taste that he had had of sickness and
the sufferings he had undergone from the African climate resulted in lessening his
enthusiasm for that country, and I have no doubt that he wrote me the truth when
he said that if he had been given his choice between Africa and India he would have
selected the latter.
Since Bob Marshall was equally positive that he would have fixed upon Equatorial
Africa as the scene of his hunting experiences, I really think they were fortunate
enough to make the best possible arrangement all around.
Inasmuch as Jack Harvey, who was also pleased with his appointed task, and
Bob were left to their own devices to reach their destination, they decided to take
ship to Cape Town, where they were confident they would not have to wait long
before finding passage to the western coast.
With the good luck which seemed always to attend him, Mr. Godkin had no diffi-
culty in arranging for the transport of his animals to England. He was obliged to
spend several days in Port Natal, for which all were glad, since it deferred for a
short time the hour of separation that no one could not say would be final.
It was on one of the pleasant evenings that our friends spent in each other s
company that they fell to discussing the countries which were their respective
destinations.
532
THE GUNS OF BURRISAUL. 333
Mr. Godkin had little to say about Equatorial Africa, for he had never visited
the section, but when they spoke of Hindostan he was at home, for the greater part
of his life had been spent in that remarkable region, which, though a dependency of
England, contains more than four times its population.
Bob and Dick reminded their friend that he had promised to tell them about his
singular experience in India many years before, and that there could be no time
more favorable for the telling than the present. The gentleman seemed loth to
relate the story, but, since he had given his promise, he could not refuse, and you
may be sure he had attentive listeners to his narrative, which I think is interesting
enough to insert in this place.
" I believe I told you," said he, after lighting his pipe, " that when I first went
to India for Mr. Barnum, it was before either of you young gentlemen was born.
In fact, I reached the country in the year 1857, just in time to be caught in the
swirl of the Sepoy mutiny, which horrified the whole civilized world, and I can say
that among all the strange adventures which befell the foreign residents enveloped
in that lurid tragedy, I don't think any one had a more' extraordinary experience
than I.
" I had a cousin, who was a missionary, living with his wife and three children
two miles south of Dacca. I was but a youth, when, fulfilling a promise, I reached
their pleasant home in the latter part of June, 1857, which, as you know, was the
month succeeding the first outbreak at Meerut, where the troops mutinied on
Sunday, May loth. In the same month ths Mogul Empire was proclaimed at Delhi.
" I had a pretty rough time on the road to Dacca, for there were signs of the
upheaval all around me, though I, like most of the Europeans, was inclined to
believe that it would amount to little and would soon be suppressed.
" I had sent no notice to cousin Fred of my coming, knowing I would be welcome
at any time, and the result was, when I arrived at his home, I found that he and
his family had left several weeks before, and were probably at that very hour in
Calcutta, safe under the guns of Fort William.
"But Fred's house was open and in charge of a single native servant, Kush-awa,
a converted Hindoo, of whom he had often written me. The native was as devoted
as a Newfoundland dog, so Fred wrote, and he declared he would unhesitatingly
place his life in his hands ; but I distrusted the fellow from the first.
" He spoke English well, and, when I made known my identity, he told me that
his master had often spoken of me, and with such affection that he (tha native)
loved me before he saw me. He was tall, thin, muscular and reserved, scarcely
ever speaking unless first addressed by me.
" At that season the weather in India is like sheol, and much as I wanted to get
out and follow Fred to Calcutta, before the road thither was closed by the mutineers,
I hesitated to start on account of the frightful temperature. I still hoped that the
skies would clear and that affairs would speedily settle down as before.
"One characteristic of Kush-awa deepened my distrust of him. He had a habit
of moving about with such silent stealth that he reminded me of a cobra. Often,
334
THE GUNS OF BURRISAUL.
when stretched in a hammock reading or smoking, I instinctively felt that some
danger was near, and, looking about suddenly, found him standing a few paces off,
watching me with strange intensity. The moment he saw he was discovered, he
would move away with the same noiselessness, only to fix his stare upon me from
some other point where he fancied he was invisible.
" One Sunday morning Kush-awa asked permission to be absent until nightfall,
and I willingly granted it, for, to tell the truth, I felt that it would be a vast relief
to be rid of the fellow, even for a day. You see, I had made myself at home in
cousin Fred's house, for that was just what he vvould have wanted me to do had he
known I was there.
" So Kush-awa took his departure and I settA d down to enjoy, or rather to
worry through the day as best I could.
"Whew ! wasn't it hot? I had eaten lightly of fruit in the morning, had taken
a draught of goat's milk, and would not need another mouthful of food before night.
I did little but loll in one of the hammocks, smoking cheroots and reading. I
dawdled over a novel until the letters ran together, the thread of the story melted
into nothingness, and I sank into sleep.
" When I awoke, the afternoon was well along and I felt disgusted and sticky.
A species of green-winged fly was boring into my nostrils, and several millions,
more or less, of red-legged ants were crawling down my back. Sitting upright, I
sniffed vigorously, slapped spitefully and brushed furiously, anathematizing, mean-
while, the oven-like climate that caused all this suffering.
" My hammock was swung between two trees in front of the house. To my left
wound the road to Dacca, there being a dense wood on both sides of the highway,
so that it may be said the bamboo house stood in a sort of clearing in the Indian
forest. Still, the shade was so plentiful that hardly a ray of sunlight forced its
way through the exuberant vegetation. But to me the heat seemed all the more
oppressive on that account.
" Looking to the wood or jungle on the left, I suddenly became aware that it
contained a number of men, approaching with such stealth that there could be no
doubt they meant to surround the house, or perhaps to rush upon me before I could
take refuge within doors.
" It flashed upon me at once that these natives, of whom I caught glimpses,
were Sepoys whom Kush-awa had brought from Dacca to kill me. He had gone to
town that morning for the express purpose of guiding them thither, and had I not
opened my eyes when I did, I never would have opened them in this world.
" Now, it was a custom with me, when stretching out in the hammock, to lean
my rifle against the nearest tree. Like all new-comers in India, I had magnified
ideas of the perils which impended, though it may seem that that was impossible,
since the Sepoy mutiny was fairly under way.
" The instant I discovered the swarthy figures moving among the trees like so
many Indians, I sprang up, seized my gun, took a quick aim at the nearest wretch
and pulled trigger.
THE GUNS OF BURKISAUL.
335
I PULLED TRIGGER."
"The screech which fol-
lowed showed that there was
one less mutineer left to raise
the mischief in India, and I
made a dash into the house,
accompanied by several shots
which whistled all about me.
" Hastily shutting the doors, I prepared to die with my boots, or rather slippers,
jn. The house had never been intended to serve as a fort, and though Fred had left
his loaded rifle within, and I had my fully charged revolver at command, there was no
prospect of my being able to hold out long.
" Wheeling about, I observed a dozen dusky miscreants running across the
highway, brandishing their knives, shrieking and fairly leaping with joy at the
prospect of the treat before them in putting me to a cruel death.
" In that fearful moment, while I stood by the side of a window, with Jack's loaded
rifle in hand, I held my fire a moment, while I anxiously looked for Kush-awa, the
treacherous villain that had brought this upon me. I wanted to bore a hole through
his bronzed skull before I succumbed.
" But he was invisible, and I let drive at the nearest fiend, who went down with
a howl that fairly made the leaves tremble.
" This acted as a temporary check of the ardent Sepoys, who instantly scattered
to cover.
" But I knew they would not remain quiet long, and, when they made a united
charge, even though I defended myself with the utmost desperation, nothing could
save me.
" It was at this critical juncture, when the natives were like so many tigers
gathering themselves for a spring, that I heard distinctly the boom of a gun,
followed by another and another in quick succession, just as if a cannonade was
going on only a few hundred yards to the south.
336 THE GUNS OF BURRISAUL.
" Before 1 could form the faintest idea of what it meant, I caught the terrified
cry:
" ' The Feringhees are coming! fly! fly! '
" It was uttered by one of the natives in Hindustanee, and instantly the whole
party of Sepoys skurried away, vanishing from sight with incredible quickness.
" The booming continued, though it did not approach, and, while I stood won-
dering what it could mean, and speculating as to what I ought to do, if, indeed, I
could do anything, Kush-awa dashed forward, calling out in an excited undertone:
" ' Run, sahib ! quick, sahib f they will soon be back ! '
" It was taking desperate chances, but, yielding to an instinct which I did not
understand, I followed him within the jungle, and a couple of hours later, under his
pilotage, reached Dacca. From that point, with the help of trusty friends, I suc-
ceeded finally in entering the British lines, and was never again in serious danger
from the mutineers.
" Now, as to the explanation : Kush-awa was going to Dacca when he met the
Sepoys on their way to the missionary's house to destroy him and his family.
Kush-awa told them the people were gone, but one of them knew of my presence,
and they were determined to slay me. Kush-awa did not dare pretend the friend-
ship he telt, and he accompanied them back, hoping a chance would offer to give
me warning of my danger.
" The booming, cannon-like sounds unexpectedly presented an opportunity of
which he took instant advantage, and, before the Sepoys could recover from their
astonishment and panic, I was beyond their reach."
"But what were those sounds that saved you?" asked the wondering youths.
"The guns of Burrisaul, which, although never fully explained, will doubtless
be understood before long. One of the stations in the Sunderbunds of India is
Burrisaul, and it has given its name to certain singular noises which are sometimes
noticed in that region during the rainy season. There seems to be no reason why
the sounds should be specially connected with Burrisaul, for they are heard at
Backerjung and even at Dacca. The explosions, which resemble the booming of
cannon, vary in frequency. They are only heard during the rainy season ; they
proceed from the south, are audible one hundred miles inland, they still come from
the south even on the sea-coast, and are very slightly, if any, louder in one place
than in another."
As Mr. Godkin said, the phenomenon known as the guns of Burrisaul has not
yet been sufficiently investigated to be understood. The cause is evidently atmos-
pheric and, no doubt, we shall learn all about it in time. To quote an authority,
explained or unexplained, as surely as July comes round, far out in the tropic Sun-
derbunds, through the long darkness, in hushes of the splashing rain, and amid the
hum of myriads of insects, to wakeful and feverish ears throb the strange discharges
of this mysterious artillery, and startled sleepers sink back relieved, exclaiming,
" 'Tis but the guns of Burrisaul ! "
CHAPTER LXI.
AN UNPLEASANT BEDFELLOW.
time has now arrived when I must take up the history of .ny friends, and,
for awhile, pursue them separately.
A thrilling experience fell to the lot of both parties, and I propose to give
the narratives in full, leaving the account of Jack Harvey and Bob Marshall's adven-
tures in Equatorial Africa, in search of the gorilla, chimpanzee, and other curiosities,
for the close of this volume. Having seen them started on their way to that pes-
tilential region, by way of Cape Town, we will follow Mr. Godkin and Dick Brownell
to India, where I am sure you will find their experiences worth reading.
I have not time nor the space, nor would you care to have me give the particu-
lars of the voyage to Calcutta and up the Ganges to Lucknow, famous for the
massacre and siege during the Sepoy mutiny of which Mr. Godkin had given an
entertaining incident.
Let us open the story after the arrival of our friends in that neighborhood, ful-ly
prepared for the prosecution of their search for natural curiosities for The Greatest
Show on Earth.
A mishap occurred on the very threshold of the enterprise. WhLe completing
their arrangements in Lucknow, some conscienceless thief stole both their repeating
rifles. The help of the police was secured, but no trace of the weapons could be
found, and, unwilling to lose any more valuable time, and unable to obtain Win-
chesters, Mr. Godkin secured a couple of the well-known English Express pattern,
with twenty-two inch barrel, single shot breech-loaders. They set out on their
hunt with some misgiving, but consoled themselves with the thought that their
fire-arms were of the kind popular with English sportsmen, and they had figured in
some of the most stirring adventures in the jungles of India.
Dick Brownell was a young man who kept his eyes and ears open, and strove to
acquaint himself with everything worth learning. I cannot pretend to give one-
half of the entertaining contents of his letters, but I recall that he said he was
specially interested in two animals of which he saw numerous specimens before
engaging in hunting in India.
One of these was the domestic beast known as the zebu, which has a curious fatty
hump projecting from the withers, and a heavy dewlap falling in thick folds from
the throat. The zebu is a quiet, intelligent animal, and is used in drawing either
carriages or plows.
One of the most familiar varieties is the famous Brahmin bull, which, being
stamped with the sacred mark of Siva, is allowed to wander about and do just as it
pleases, no one venturing to disturb or offend him in the slightest degree.
22 337
338
AN UNPLEASANT BEDFELLOW.
The gayal abounds among the hills forming the eastern boundary of Bengal. It
is truly a valuable animal, its milk being very rich, while its flesh is extremely
palatable. The gayal is easily domesticated, and, as you will observe from the
illustration, is quite attractive in appearance.
The party of hunters included, beside Mr. Godkin and Dick, three experienced
natives, all of whom were old acquaintances of my agent, who had visited that
section more than once before.
The Americans were mounted on fine, tough little ponies
common to the country, but the natives preferred to do
their work on foot.
SACRED Cow.
There was some talk of engaging in a tiger hunt, which, if carried out, would be
upon the backs of trained elephants, in accordance with the fashion of India.
It was about ten o'clock that night that Dick stretched out to sleep until the
morrow.
The natives had gone to rest in the home of one of their friends, while the boy
and Mr. Godkin occupied a bamboo structure that hardly deserved the name of a
house.
It consisted of one room, without any upper story, and with no floor, but the
ground had been worn smooth and hard by the feet of the former occupants.
AN UNPLEASANT BEDFELLOW. 339
Dick spread his blanket in one corner, and flung himself upon it, the warmth of
the night preventing him from throwing the covering over his body. Mr. Godkin sat
in front of the structure for a long time with his hookah, or native pipe, while Dick,
with his rugged health unimpaired, soon sank into a sweet, refreshing slumber.
This sleep of the boy lasted, probably, until midnight, when, without any ap-
parent cause so far as he could tell, he opened his eyes in the full possession of his
senses.
He was lying partly on his left side, with his face toward the single opening in
the bamboos, which served as a door. There being really no door, of course the
opening was always there, so that it may be said that the name bungalow some-
times given to the building, was altogether undeserved.
The moon was shining with unusual brightness, even for that country, where
the light of the orb sometimes turns night into day. It seemed to Dick that when
he looked through the opening on the other side that the sun was really out, though
a moment's thought convinced him it would be a number of hours before it rose.
Probably one half of the interior was illuminated by a flood of moonlight, which
showed the form of Mr. Godkin lying on his blanket and sound asleep, as was
proven by his deep, heavy breathing. He was on the right-hand side of the lad,
there being a space of but a foot or two between them.
" I wonder what made me wake? " was the thought that came to Dick, after he
had looked around the apartment and then noticed the form of his friend; "it must be
the climate is so hot in this part of the world that a person unaccustomed to it finds
it hard to sleep as he does in his own home."
He recalled that just before falling asleep, he had drawn a portion of the blanket,
not over his body, but across his lower limbs, which were covered to the knees.
This act was in obedience to a habit, for, as I have shown, the temperature was
such that the thinnest clothing was a burden.
He now noticed that the fold of the blanket, resting on the lower part of his
legs, felt strangely heavy. Mr. Godkin had related an incident to him the night
before, of one of his friends who had awoke in the night and found a hideous cobra
coiled over his breast. This incident instantly came to the mind of Dick, and for-
tunately prevented him from kicking his limbs free of the covering, as was his first
inclination to do.
" It would be strange if one of those reptiles had located himself on my blanket,"
reflected the boy, adding, the next instant: " I notice that smell like the odor of raw
potatoes, which the cobra gives out my gracious ! it is a cobra /"
The feet of the youth were turned toward the door, so that, looking through the
opening at the moonlit world beyond, his gaze was in a line with his own body.
Furthermore, the rays of the moon entered the bamboo building far enough to
strike the ground within a few inches of where his feet rested.
Dick was looking intently at the irregular fold of the blanket and fancying that
he dimly saw something else mixed with the cloth, when an object slowly rose to
view between him and the door, and from the blanket across his ankles.
AN UNPLEASANT BEDFELLOW.
Rearing itself aloft, against the background of moonlight, it had the appearance
of being stamped in ink on a fleecy curtain: the outlines could not have been more
distinct had the sun been in the zenith.
One glance was enough: it was a cobra de capello, the most dreaded serpent of
mil India, whose venom has a malignancy that approaches the miraculous. A bite
THE GAYAL.
from tkis reptile is the death-warrant of the victim, as assuredly as if he were
smitten by a bolt from heaven.
The serpent had undoubtedly been attracted by the warmth of the lad's body,
and had coiled on the blanket which lay over his lower limbs while he was asleep,
and, of course, after Mr. Godkin had also lain down and lost consciousness.
AN UNPLEASANT BEDFELLOW. 34!
Although the lad was not aware that he had stirred, there must have been a
slight, involuntary twitching of his legs which disturbed the cobra, and caused him
to raise his head threateningly. This species is easily alarmed, and the least move-
ment on the part of the boy would have brought the fangs into some part of his
body with the quickness of the lightning's flash.
Dick knew better than to stir, but all the same something must be done!
He could not lie still for hours with that horrible thing coiled at his feet, and
holding itself ready to strike. Human nature was unequal to the fearful test,
especially when the truth was also apparent, that if he were able to remain motion-
less until daylight, there was no certainty that that would bring safety.
Dick's first thought was that, without stirring a muscle, he would call the name
of Mr. Godkin; but he dared not do so, through fear that the sound would irritate
the cobra to the point of striking, while, if his friend was a little tardy in grasping
the situation, he might by some indiscretion bring the blow upon himself.
" No ; I've got to manage the snake myself," was Dick's conclusion, " and I
wish some one would tell me what to do, for I'm sure I don't know."
CHAPTER LXII.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
'HE hardest thing for Dick Brownell was to resist an inclination which, it
obeyed, would have been fatal.
It seemed to him that by a sudden kick of one of his feet he could fling
a part of his blanket over the cobra, and, imprisoning the reptile in the folds,
smother him before he could strike, or, at any rate, so entangle him that he could be
killed within the cloth.
But if the first kick should fail to catch the upraised head !
It was most likely to do so, in which case the spectacled front, with the erect
hood, would shoot forward from the blanket, and inject the fatal poison before the
lad could make another move.
No ; the risk was too great.
His rifle was lying so near him that he could almost reach it without moving, but
it might as well have been a hundred miles distant for all the good it could do him.
His revolver was in his hip pocket, and as he lay on his left side, the weapon
being on his right, he hoped that he could draw it forth, and, carefully aiming, send
a bullet through the upper part of the serpent's body.
As slowly as the minute hand glides over the face of the clock the lad began
reaching for the pistol ; but at the very first essay the frightful head commenced
swaying from side to side in such a threatening manner that he desisted.
If such a slight movement alarmed the reptile, the act of drawing forth the
weapon and pulling the trigger would be sure to excite him to action. No j that
would not do.
All at once a strange idea entered Dick's head. He had seen the serpent-
charmers of India, and had witnessed the wonderful manner in which they gov-
erned the serpents by their monotonous reed music ; could he not do something in
the same line ?
So faintly that his voice scarcely broke the oppressive stillness, he began a low
humming, which, at first, was like the soft music of the wind-harp. He attempted
no tune, but merely hummed, his voice rising and sinking no more than a note or
two of the scale.
The first result was not calculated to soothe the nerves of the youth. The head
of the serpent swayed more and more, from side to side and back and forth, as
though the noise irritated him ; but the youth persevered, imparting a certain
swing to the music, if it may be termed such, and slightly increasing its volume.
The first encouragement was when he perceived that the cobra, in its rude way,
342
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
343
was oscillating its head in accord with the swing of his humming sounds. The
music was producing its effect and he was " keeping time."
Dick sang a little louder ; the hooded head rose higher and the serpent moved
from the blanket out upon the smooth ground.
A cold chill ran through the lad at the fear that the reptile was about to ap
proach his head. He was sure he could not stand any advance of that nature.
But, fortunately, instead of doing so, it slowly crept away from him, until it was
in plain sight in the moonlight which poured through the door. It did not leave
the hut, but coiling and uncoiling, raising and lowering its head, it showed that it
was pleased by the low, monotonous music which came from between the lips of the
boy whose eyes were fixed upon his strange visitor.
Once more the latter began moving his right hand toward his hip pocket. The
snake offered no objection, seemingly now wholly occupied with his enjoyment of
the strange entertainment. The latter continued unchanged, except perhaps there
was a slight addition
of vigor, when the
lad's hand grasped the
butt of his revolver
and he began slowly
drawing it forth. Still
the singing went on as
the lad brought the
weapon to a level and
carefully sighted at
the reptile.
"I think I can
pink you," was Dick's
thought, as he pointed
with an arm as rigid
as iron at the hooded
head, and held it thus
until he could make
his aim sure; "at any
rate, if I miss the first
time, I'll give you the
contents of all the
chambers, and you
may think, if hurt,
that it is a part of the
Music's CHARMS.
music." The humming continued, and the head gently undulated in time, the
snake coiling and uncoiling in a curious fashion, once going so near the door that the
344
BANG) BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
lad was sure he meant to leave, possibly because he could not stand any more of his
music. But, no; when near the door, he moved back again, until he reached the same
spot on the blanket he was occupying when discovered, where he paused a moment,
rearing his head higher than before.
At that instant Bang! bang! bang! bang! bang!
Five reports rang out in quick succession, and the mischief was to pay.
The first bullet from the revolver went straight through the neck of the cobra,
close to the head, and two of the remaining ones perforated the body lower down.
There was fierce threshing of the ground, the snake twisting and untwisting
with furious quickness during the few seconds that his death-struggles lasted.
Fortunately^ its throes carried it toward the opening of the hut, out of which it
went as if kicked by an indignant foot, and came to rest just beyond the door, as
dead as Julius Caesar.
" What under the sun is up ? " asked Mr. Godkin, raising his head from his
blanket on hearing the reports and peering into the gloom, with a feeling that
something dreadful must have caused the deafening shots of the revolver.
" I found that big cobra in the room," replied Dick, springing from his couch,
"and I have been practicing a little on him with my pistol."
" You're mighty lucky if he didn't practice on you," said his friend, who instantly
saw the snake and was only a second in rising to his feet ; " didn't he bite you ? "
"Not that I am aware of," replied Dick,
who stepped to the door of the hut and looked at
the limp, rope-like mass ; " in my opinion, that
cobra de capello, considered strictly as a cobra
de capello, is of no further account." And then
he related the incident which I have told you.
" You were fortunate indeed," said Mr.
Godkin, " for the slightest mo-
tion on your part, when you
awoke, would have caused him
to bury his fangs in you, and
then that would have been the
last of Master Richard Brow-
nell, from America."
The nervous shock pro-
duced by the visit of the
serpent drove away all dis-
position to sleep on the part
of Mr. Godkin and Dick.
They knew, too, that if
they lay down again, they
were liable to a visit from the
mate, or another of the hideous
"FIVE REPORTS RANG OUT.'
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! 345
reptiles, for there \vas no way of shutting them out. So the man. rilled and lit his
hookah, and sat down outside the hut, Dick joining him and recharging his revolver.
The night was a beautiful one, the moon having reached a high point in the
heavens, while the sky was without a single cloud to interfere with its light.
Some distance off a dark line rose against the clear sky, stretching farther to
the right and left than the eye could follow. It marked the jungle, those enormous
reaches of forest in India which abound with multifarious forms of animal life, and
which are so choked with undergrowth, vines and the dense vegetation that it is
impossible to force one's way through many portions, except by following the
paths that have been opened.
" There's enough game in there," remarked Mr. Godkin, knocking the ashes
from his pipe, " to keep an army of hunters busy."
" Yes ; and I would be glad if it would stay there and wait for us to go after it."
"What do you mean?" asked his friend, turning suddenly toward him with an
expression of anxiety ; " have you seen anything ? "
" I am not sure, but once or twice I fancied there was something moving along
in front of the jungle, keeping most of the time within the line of shadow."
" Since I fancied the same thing I am quite sure that it is no fancy at all. Now
that the moon has crept much higher we shall be likely to gain a better view of the
object."
" Have you a suspicion, Mr. Godkin, of what it is ? "
" I have," he replied, compressing his lips and nodding his head ; " but I hope
I am mistaken."
" What do you fear ? "
" One of the most fearful animals in the world. You know what that is."
" A royal Bengal tiger."
" That's it. This little bamboo structure would be no more protection against
a tiger of the kind I have in mind than so much tissue paper, not even if we had a
second story to which we could retreat."
" I have read fearful stories about the tigers of this country, and supposed" some
of them were exaggerated."
" Probably they were, but the truth is bad enough. The only way to hunt the
creature is with a large party, so that if he turns they can give him a volley. Since
it is out of our power to do that, we can only hope that we may not be troubled by
one of them just at present."
"But if there should be a tiger prowling along the edge of the jungle out there,
Mr. Godkin, we ought to be ready for him."
"The suggestion is a good one," remarked his friend, rising to his feet, and pass-
ing within the hut. Dick did the same, and the next minute the two emerged,
each bearing his loaded rifle. They seated themselves, as before, on the ground,
with their backs against the bamboos.
The moon being so near overhead, the line of deep shadow along the jungle was
sc thin that any animal venturing out was quite certain to be detected.
34 6
TIGER.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
347
" There he is ! " whispered Dick.
"I see him!" said Mr. Godkin; "don't stir!"
The eyes of both were fixed on the long stretch of jungle when they observed a
beast that was undoubtedly a tiger, moving in a direction parallel to the wood. Hie
walked slowly, and stopped after going about a dozen yards.
He acted as if he was not quite satisfied with the
looks of things, and was reconnoitering the bamboo
hut before venturing to pay it closer attention.
" I think we had better go inside," added
Mr. Godkin, in the same guarded undertone.
The precaution was wise, and the youth made
no objection, for it seemed reasonable to believe
that their presence was likely to tempt the beast
to attack them.
" Now," added the man, " if he will be con-
siderate enough to let us alone we will recipro-
cate."
" I don't understand why he has held off so
long," replied Dick, who, standing back out
of the moonlight, kept his eyes on
the beast in such plain sight.
" They are very cunning at times.
He is suspicious, too, and, I suppose,
he doesn't exactly understand how
things are here."
" Good gracious ! "
There was cause for the latter
exclamation, for the tiger acted as
though all misgiving on his part had
vanished. Having stood motionless
for two or three minutes he began
stealthily approaching the hut, as if
he hesitated no longer about making an assault.
" We musn't lie idle while he does that" said Dick, raising his gun.
" The time hasn't come to fire."
" I know that, but it is time to be ready."
" No matter what happens, don't shoot until you get the word from me ; I'm afraid
you will be too rash. Now is the time, my boy, for coolness and presence of mind."
" Absence of body would be much better," thought Dick, though he said nothing.
It was an impressive sight when the royal Bengal tiger advanced directly toward
the hut, his terrible head aloft, and his tail vibrating gently from side to side. He
emitted no growl, and, since the two in the hut were silent, the stillness was oppres-
sive to a degree.
A SERPENT CHARMER.
348 BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
" He will stop before he reaches us," whispered Mr. Godkin, who had also raise j
the hammer of his heavy rifle.
This surmise was correct, for the words were yet in his mouth when the brute
paused. He was too cunning to venture into what might prove an ingeniously laid
trap.
At this moment he was standing about fifty feet from the door of the hut, and
formed a striking picture indeed, the very embodiment as he was of prodigious
strength, cat-like activity and irrestrainable ferocity.
No better target could have been desired could the hunters have been in a secure
spot. As it was, Mr. Godkin was more tempted than he would have admitted at
the time, to send a bullet into the neck, just below the head, where, if rightly aimed,
the messenger would bore its way through the seat of life.
But the critical moment had not yet come. The tiger might change his mind
and go away. If he did, so much the better.
If he decided to attack he must approach still nearer, and there was a better
chance of making the aim fatal, though it was hardly to be expected that he would
halt again in such a favorable position.
So plainly was the beast seen that a slight turning of his head no more than
an inch or two each way was observed. His own posture threw the moon slightly
behind him, so that his front was partly in shadow, which fact added ten-fold to his
terrible appearance.
Dick had read of " blazing eye-balls," " flaming orbs," and that sort of thing, but
never saw anything of the kind until the Bengal tiger struck an attitude before him.
You know that the eyes of the cat species have a peculiar greenish, phospho-
rescent glow, and there was a glitter about those of the tiger which justified the
seemingly extravagant expressions that are so often used in describing them.
If the beast withdrew, well : if he advanced, to say the least, it would not be
well.
But the animal had no intention of holding the attitude he had taken, and again
he moved.
Dick Brownell's heart almost stopped beating when he observed that, instead
of retreating or turning to one side, the creature was once more walking with his
stealthy tread directly toward the door of the hut.
" He is coming for us this time sure," whispered the lad.
"It looks so, but hold on ; the time has not yet come to shoot."
"It is very near though."
But at the very moment the lad had decWed to bring his gun to his shoulder,
and not to await the command of his unduly cautious friend, the tiger once more
hesitated.
He was so close now, however, that it looked as if he was about to gather him-
self for a terrific leap upon the hut and its inmates.
CHAPTER LXIII.
BUILDING BETTER THAN HE KNEW.
THE crisis seemed to
be at hand. Both Mr.
Godkin and Dick raised
their rifles and leveled
them at the terrible tiger,
which stood only a few
paces off, apparently on
the point of making a
bound directly at the
little bamboo structure,
which, as the man had
asserted, could have of-
fered no more resistance
WHITE-HEADED ICHEUMON. t<) hig fury than SQ much
card-board. Before leaping, the beast, like all of his kind, would squat on his
legs, so as to gather his muscles for the terrific effort that would bring him upon
the defenders.
This premonitory movement was all they were waiting for. The instant the
long, graceful body should sink toward the ground, the two would fire, trusting that
Heaven would direct one of the bullets, at least, through the center of life and stay
the beast, on the threshold, as may be said, of his assault.
But the tiger did not lower his body. Like many a great enterprise, this one
was checked by an insignificant cause. His sharp eyes caught sight of the mangled
cobra doubled up on the ground in front of him. He knew its nature, but did not
know it was dead. That strange intuition which we call instinct warned him of
the fatal result of a darting blow from that fearful reptile, and he drew back with a
suddenness which, under other circumstances, would have been ludicrous. Not
only that, but he turned directly about and trotted back to the jungle, where he
disappeared.
"Well, if that doesn't beat anything I ever saw ! " exclaimed Dick.
" You know what frightened him off ? "
" A dead snake."
" Yes ; when you shot the reptile, you builded better than you knew."
" I builded well enough to save my life."
" Truly ; not once, but twice ; but for it, the tiger assuredly would have at-
tacked us, and I need not tell you how slight our chance of escape would have
IN A TIGHT PLACE
351
BUILDING BETTER THAN HE KNEW.
been ; but, since the royal Bengal has taken a little shy at us, we will give him a
tussle to-morrow."
"Do you really mean that?" asked Dick, with sparkling eyes, for one of the
most coveted treats he counted upon enjoying in India was a tiger hunt. He was
aware of the peril attending such a venture, but you can understand how it was
that the very danger was its chief attraction.
"Yes ; we will arrange a party to hunt him to-morrow in true style. We can
get a couple of well-trained elephants at the village, and we will take along Jim,
and Jack, and Jo."
India is the home of the tiger (fells tigris}. In some respects he is the most
dangerous wild animal that lives. Scientific investigation has proven him to be
one-fifth stronger than the lion, while in courage, activity and ferocity he is far his
superior.
The range of the tiger is much less than that of the lion, being unknown in
every country except Asia, and flourishing only in the southern and eastern portions
of that continent. Certain sections of India are overrun with this dreaded beast.
While the ship which bore Dick Brownell and Mr. Godkin from Port Natal, lay
anchored inside the Hooghly River, one of the many estuaries of the Ganges, the
gentleman made known two interesting facts. A few miles up that broad stream is
ft beach, outwardly calm, but whose bottom is a shifting quicksand which is almost
certain destruction to any steamer that touches it. The sands suck in ships as
leeches suck in blood, and always are hungry for more. Skillful pilotage and day-
light are necessary to escape the treacherous peril.
On a low island to the eastward the tigers are more numerous than in any other
part of the globe. The keepers of the signal station live within high brick walls
and dare not venture a hundred yards beyond them. Refuge houses are built along
the coast on high piles, close to the water. Canned food, four hundred gallons of
water, a chart with full directions how to find a port and a boat are at each. Large
placards are hung up, warning the shipwrecked man to beware of the tigers, and
not to attempt to get off* except by day, and at no time to venture into the jungle.
The islands a; \ surrounding mainland are swampy, and swarm with tigers and
crocodiles.
"I think it is the most fearful place in the world," said Mr. Godkin. "When
I first came tc India, I was foolish enough to venture into that section on a wager
made by a party of English sportsmen."
"I suppose you looked upon some strange sights," suggested Dick.
"More than I ever want to see again," he replied with a shudder ; "how I got
back alive is more than I can understand. I was there but a short time, during
which I saw a tiger fighting with a crocodile, while its mate stood in the grass
alongshore, calmly watching the combat, as if she had no misgivings about the suc-
cess of her lord. He seemed to me, however, to be in a tight place, since his head
was between the jaws of the crocodile, and the powerful paw didn't appear to do much
execution on the iron front of the reptile. 1 didn't stay to see the result of the fight.
BUILDING BETTER THAN HE KNEW- 353
While stealing out of the jungle, I caught a glimpse of two other tigers that were
peering out from their lair at a group of deer just beyond, and evidently consider-
ing whether they should kill every one, or spare a few for their neighbors.
" I made a circuit that took me around that dangerous section, but before I
could get out of the place, I narrowly missed running upon two others. I paused
long enough to notice that one was licking his paw, while the other was raising a
howl, as if impatient that I was so long in delaying their supper.
" Even when I thought I was fairly clear of the appalling section, I saw a tiger
that had leaped on the neck of a buffalo as he was drinking from the water, and
was tearing the poor fellow to pieces.
" How I got out with my life, as I said, is a mystery, but I wouldn't repeat the
attempt for the Kohinoor itself."
The three individuals who, Mr. Godkin said, would accompany them on the
tiger hunt, were the natives whom he had hired to go with them on the expedition.
They were all Hindoos, and their right names were Buktar Sing, Budao, and
Kassi Roy. You see how awkward they sound on the lips of an American, and so,
merely for convenience, our friends gave them the handy appellations named.
I have already said that they were experienced hunters, who received such
liberal pay from Mr. Godkin that they were anxious to serve him in every way
possible.
The friend with whom they were spending the night lived on the borders of the
village, less than a mile distant ; and, since elephants are so common in India, my
agent knew he would have no trouble in securing any number of them whenever
he desired.
The events of the night, as you will admit, were enough to shake the nerves of
the strongest man, and neither Mr. Godkin nor Dick Brownell felt the least dispo-
sition to lie down for more sleep. Convinced that the tiger had taken his departure
for good, they once more came outdoors. Each held his loaded gun in hand, for in
such a country as India it is wise to be prepared at all times for a hostile visit.
The couple had been seated but a few minutes in conversation, when Mr.
Godkin directed his companion's attention to the growing light in the East.
" Daylight is at hand," he added, " and you are as glad as I."
" Indeed I am ; it is one of the longest nights I ever spent. I looked at my
watch a few minutes ago, and saw that the sun would soon rise."
They stayed where they were a short time longer, and then, rising to their feet,
flung their blankets over their arms and set out in the direction of the village
where they had left their horses in charge of Jim, Jack and Jo.
Before our friends had gone half way to the village, day dawned, and all the
signs indicated another trying spell of heat.
Turning a bend in the highway, Mr. Godkin and Dick found themselves within
a short distance of the village. The instant they were seen, a crowd of men,
women and children came running toward them, uttering the most dismal wailing
and cries.
354 BUILDING BETTER THAN HE KNEW.
"What does this mean?" asked the wondering Dick.
"Some calamity has befallen them during the night; there is Jo he will
inform us."
Jo,. who was the leading servant, spoke English almost as well as a European.
Seeing his masters, he ran forward to meet them.
"Oh, sahib !" said he, making an elaborate salaam; "great sorrow has come
upon the village."
What is the trouble ? "
" The tiger, the tiger ! He entered the village last night, sahib, and seized a
child right before its father and mother. We ran after the beast, shouting and
throwing torches at him, but he heeded us not; he is gone with the child, and great
is the grief of our friends over their loss, sahib."
Mr. Godkin turned to Dick.
" You may depend upon it that was the animal that paid us a visit last night."
" It must have been after he carried off the child."
" Likely it was the same beast."
"And, sahib," continued Jo, "a snake bit one of the villagers, and he died."
" That wasn't the same serpent that visited us last night," remarked Dick.
" But it was the same species. I don't know that we would have been any safer
in the village than in the bamboo hut."
" Where are the ichneumons that are sure death to all cobras ? " asked the
youth.
" It would seem that these people ought to be supplied with those valuable
creatures, which have saved many a life from serpents."
The villagers continued their lamentations, and besought Mr. Godkin and Dick
who they saw were fully armed, to slay the dreaded tiger, which would give them
no peace now that he had had a taste of one of their number.
By this time Jim and Jack came up, and they added their lamentations to those
of their friends. With some trouble, my agent secured an account of what had
taken place during the night.
The native who had died of the cobra's bite had been stricken early in the
evening, but the appearance of the tiger had been so recent that Dick saw he was
mistaken in believing that it was before he visited them. He must have come
directly from the hut and seized his victim.
There could be no doubt that it was the same beast, for two of them rarely work
so near each other in the manner named.
" Be calm," called Mr. Godkin, forgetting that only three or four of those who
heard him could understand his words; " we shall rid this district of the man-eater;
we have come to slay him."
CHAPTER LXIV.
THE TIGER-HUNTERS.
tHE announcement that the two hunters had determined to kill the dreaded
tiger caused such joy among the hearers who quickly gathered the meaning
from those who understood the words that they seemed to forget the recent
visit of the man-eater.
Even the father and mother of the captured child flung their hands aloft and
expressed their pleasure at learning that the neighborhood was to be rid of the
scourge.
This course being settled upon, Mr. Godkin went about the task with the prompt
thoroughness which marked everything he did.
The first step was for him and Dick to secure their morning meal, a very easy
task as they were situated.
Little meat is eaten during the hot season in India, because of its heating nature,
though at other times enormous quantities of beef, mutton and game are con-
sumed.
In one of the natives' huts the expenditure of live annas about fifteen cents
procured all the goat's milk and fruit they needed.
The villager was so delighted over the presence of two %uch mighty hunters
that had come to slay the fearful pest that he was unwilling to take payment, and
would have been only too glad to provide his friends with all they wanted for noth-
ing; but Mr. Godkin had made the wise rule of never accepting favors of that kind.
By the time our friends had finished their morning meal ( the custom in most
tropical countries, as you know, is to eat but two meals a day, the second being late
in the afternoon), the servants had brought the two elephants in front of the hut,
where they awaited their riders.
Both the animals were small, that of Dick being a female, and not much larger
than a good-sized ox. Mr. Godkin's was somewhat taller, but both were so low
that each person, with a little help, was able to climb upon the neck and enter the
howdah, or box-like saddle, which is used in riding the beasts.
The arrangement was that Jo should accompany Dick, while Jim was to ride
with Mr. Godkin. Jack had already mounted the pony of the gentleman, and,
placing himself at the head, seemed disposed to assume the part of leader of the
expedition. Each assistant carried a spear, though it would seem fire-arms would
have been more appropriate.
A half dozen natives begged the privilege of accompanying the party on foot,
though they were likely to prove more of an impediment than a help in the perilous
business.
THE TIGER-HUNTERS. 357
Such was the company that set out to hunt down the man-eater which had
thrown the whole village into a state of consternation which nothing but the death
of the animal could remove.
Leaving the little town, they headed to the westward, which was toward that
part of the jungle where the beast had been seen the evening before. Fully two
score men, women and children accompanied the party some distance out on the
road, but they turned back before coming in sight of the bamboo hut, and the com-
pany was left with the members already mentioned.
" If the tiger is gone very far into the jungle," said Mr. Godkin, whose elephant
was walking so close to Dick's that they could readily converse, " I doubt whether
we shall be able to force our animals after him."
What then shall be done ? "
" We must get the people to drive him out, or, if they refuse, we shall have to
dismount and do it ourselves."
" I don't fancy that part of the sport."
" More than likely we shall find him along the edge of the jungle, in the tall
grass which skirts it, though he may take a notion to dart in among the trees."
" How about the beasts we are riding ? "
*' They have been in the business before, and behaved themselves admirably,
though an elephant will sometimes turn tail to a tiger and give him a wide berth."
" I wouldn't be surprised if mine did that, for she isn't much bigger than a tigei
herself, and can't be any kind of a match for the one we are hunting."
" You see how thoroughly Jo understands her. She is a very intelligent creature."
"And there is the trouble her intelligence may tell her that the wisest thing
she can do is to locate herself beyond reach of the game."
" It is not impossible, but I am hopeful that both will acquit themselves credit-
ably. The conduct of an elephant, however, does not depend on his size, and one
three times as large as mine is as likely to run as a smaller one."
During the brief ride along the highway on the back of the little elephant, Dick
formed quite a fondness for her. She showed a frolicsome disposition that would
have made her a pet with children at once.
She would trot a few paces in a way that shook the howdah dreadfully. She
knew it, and that was the reason she did it.
Jo affected great indignation, and would whack the brute over the head, or prick
her ears with the point of his spear. Then she became as meek as a child, and
stopped so suddenly that the lad received several vigorous bumps against the front
of the howdah before he could prepare himself for the shock.
A favorite trick of hers was to reach as far around and over her back as she
could with her trunk, as if she wished to fondle her riders. But Jo met all such
demonstrations with a blow from his spear, which caused the pendulous snout to
seek its proper place.
The female gave one exhibition of playfulness which was relished by all save
the victim.
358 THE TIGER-HUNTERS.
One of the natives was trotting by the roadside, looking attentively ahead, for
they were nearing the spot where it was wise to increase their vigilance, when the
beast moved up behind and seized him around the waist.
The terrified fellow began yelling and kicking with might and main, while Jo
banged his spear on the head of the creature and ordered her to release the man at
once ; but the blows did not amount to anything, and the elephant was bound to
have her fun.
She raised the native as high in the air as she could, his head pointing toward
the ground and his feet toward the sky. No wonder he was frightened, and his
legs beat the air like a couple of drumsticks, while he swung his arms and called
out to Jo to save him from death.
Holding her victim thus for a few seconds, the female lowered him as gently as
a feather, and deposited him on his feet again, without a hair of his head being
harmed. Then she resumed her advance as seriously as though she had never
thought of molesting any one in the world.
Both Mr. Godkin and Dick laughed, for the incident was most amusing.
" I wonder whether she will handle the tiger in that style if she gets the chance ? "
said the lad.
" No fear of that, for the tiger will not permit it ; but she is in capital spirits
this morning, and is bound to have her fun in spite of Jo and his spear-thrusts.
However, there is the hut on one side and the jungle on the other, and the time for
serious business has arrived."
CHAPTER LXV.
THE TIGER.
'HE party now halted within a few rods of the bamboo hut that had been the
scene of the adventures already described. By this time the courage of several
of the natives had oozed away and they quietly slunk off, so that when our
friends looked around they found there was but a single one left beside the three
servants, two of whom were mounted on the elephants, while the third was riding
the pony of Mr. Godkin.
The anxious glances which all cast around failed to reveal anything of the tiger
for which they were hunting; but, nevertheless, the belief was general that he war
not far off.
" Nothing can be done," said Mr. Godkin, " by sitting idle. Jo, Jim, Jack and
the other fellow there will enter the jungle with a view of driving out the game into
the open plain where we can get a shot at him."
" But he may be hiding in the grass beyond," suggested Dick.
As the boy spoke he pointed to some grass that extended out, perhaps, a hun-
dred yards from the front of the jungle, and ran parallel with it for five or six times
that distance. It did not begin opposite the bamboo structure, but farther to the
west that is, in the direction leading away from the village.
This grass was several feet high, quite dense, and parched by the sun to a red-
dish-brown. It would hardly be supposed that a wild beast would ensconce himself
among this, unless he wished to lie in wait for his prey passing along the highway.
The audacity of the tiger gave probability to the theory that he was really waiting
there, even though he had indulged in such a frightful feast but a short time before.
" We'll examine the grass," said Mr. Godkin, after surveying it from the back
of the elephant. The elevation, however, was so slight that it gave little facility in
the way of observation.
After a brief consultation it was agreed that Jack, who was mounted on my
agent's horse, should enter the grass at a point nearest to them, and, keeping close
to the jungle, advance with extreme caution.
This was deemed prudent, for if it should prove that the beast was there, it was
believed he would be seen soon enough for the pony to carry himself and rider out
of danger. He was a well-trained animal, very agile, and had been in several
scrimmages with tigers, so that considerable reliance was placed on his intelligence.
If one of the natives should go forward on foot he could not escape a direct
attack from the tiger, even though the others hurried to his assistance. Two or
three prodigious leaps of the animal would be sufficient to overtake the fleetest of
men.
359
360
THE TIGER.
You can imagine the intense interest with which the others watched the move-
ments of Jack.
The native who was on foot climbed upon the back of Mr. Godkin's elephant,
so that none was unmounted.
Jack had not ridden twenty paces into the tall grass when all were startled by
seeing him rein up his horse with a suddenness which proved that he had made an
important discovery.
" It can't be the tiger," remarked Mr. Godkin, without removing his gaze from
the man.
" No, there's something on the ground close to his pony's head," replied Dick.
Jack spent but a minute or two in scrutiny, when, without dismounting, he gal-
loped back to his friends.
He explained his ghastly discovery.
Observing that the grass appeared to have been trampled near where he halted,
he examined it closely, and saw several bones lying on the ground, their appearance
showing that the flesh had been gnawed from them very recently.
A brief scrutiny left no doubt in the mind of the native that they were a part 01
the remains of the poor girl who had been carried off by the tiger only a few hours
before.
" Depend upon it, he isn't far away," said Mr. Godkin, when the dreadful inci-
dent was told.
" Do you think he is in the grass ? "
" Very likely."
Jack once more turned the pony about and entered the parched tract, while the
others edged their beasts a little closer behind him : the fellow was braver than
most of his race, or he would not have done this. Dick saw no signs of trepidation
on his part, but there could be no doubt that he appreciated the peril into which he
was entering.
This time he rode a couple of rods in advance of where he had halted on his first
entry. His pony stepped very deliberately, with his head high in air, and his ears
thrown forward, as if he fully understood his danger.
All at once he stopped again, and then it was that Dick Brownell and Carl God-
kin witnessed one of the most striking tableaux on which they had ever gazed.
From a point only a few yards in advance of the horseman a gigantic tiger rose
from the grass, so that his whole body was in plain sight, and, facing the native,
looked straight at him.
He did not growl nor sway his tail, but stood in the attitude of curiosity or
inquiry, as if seeking to learn the meaning of the disturbance. The pony held
precisely the same attitude. Instead of whirling about and dashing off, as would
have been natural, he braced himself as rigidly as a bronze statue, with his front
hoofs planted close together, his head aloft, and his eyes staring at the terror in
front of him.
Whether or not the rider was transfixed by fear cannot be said, but he also
THE TIGER.
played the part of a motionless spectator the tableau being the most impressive
that can be imagined.
For a few moments the hunters were equally
stationary, and then the first evidence of fright
came from the quarter where it was least ex-
pected.
Among the quadrupeds, there was one
which, realizing the delicate situ-
ation, made up his mind
that the time had come
for disappearing : that
was the elephant on
which Mr. Godkin and
two of the
perched.
Throwing aloft his trunk,
he trumpeted loudly, and then
deliberately swung his heavy
body around and started off.
In vain the natives bela-
bored him with spears. Jim
jabbed him sharply, calling
him the worst names he could
summon, while Mr. Godkin
was angry enough to shoot
the poltroon. It was the more provoking because in the previous tiger hunts in
which he had been engaged he had never been known to misbehave himself.
But all in vain. You have seen a yoke of oxen make a break for water, and have
A STRIKING TABLEAU.
362 THE TIGER.
noticed that no driver could check or turn them aside. So it was with the elephant
Pointing his nose toward the village, he swung into his ungainly trot, and not all
the efforts of his three riders could restrain him, though they exerted themselves to
the point of desperation.
Dick Brownell laughed over the discomfiture of his friend, especially as it had
been believed that, if either of the elephants showed any panic, it would be the
female ridden by him ; but there was too serious business before the party for the
youth to spend any time in looking at the group that were making such good time
toward the village.
The break of the cowardly brute seemed to be the signal for the drama to open.
The tiger could not have failed to see that the whole party were intruders, and
that a good chance was presented for teaching them a needed lesson, as well as for
procuring a grander feast than he had ever yet enjoyed.
Holding himself erect, he now began walking straight toward the horseman
with that soft, cat-like tread that adds to the terror inspired by his presence. The
distance was too great for him to leap, and he was merely seeking to shorten the
space enough to make it an easy task.
You may be sure that the pony finished his attitudinizing about that time. He
spun around like a top, and dashed off at the height of his speed, which was much
greater than that of the tiger.
The latter broke into a gallop, keeping in a direct line with the horse, which
shot by the elephant at a distance of no more than a dozen feet. Thus the pursuer
was brought near the animal on which Dick was perched and who bravely held her
ground.
Seeing that it was useless to follow the horseman, and finding himself close to
the two hunters, the tiger seemed to conclude:
"You'll do just as well."
At any rate, without the least hesitation, he veered in his course and made
straight for Dick and Jim 1
CHAPTER LXVI.
A FORTUNATE SHOT.
|T is a brave hunter who keeps his head in such a crisis as now came upon Dick,
and it is no discredit to him to say that he was flustered for a brief while.
He held his rifle ready, knowing that he would fire the next moment ; but when
the native, Jo, saw the tiger following the skurrying horseman at a gallop, and knew
that he would pass quite close to him, it proved too much for his nerves.
He was not sitting in the howdah, but had perched himself astride the elephant's
neck, the better to control her.
With a whoop of terror he described a back somersault, landing on his feet, and
dashed after the fleeing pony at a gait that almost equaled his.
At the same moment, the female veered so as to present her front to the
approaching tiger, and flung her trunk aloft.
This wonderful organ, composed of tens of thousands of muscles, as perhaps
you know, is extremely sensitive, and the owners take the utmost care to protect it
from injury. That is the reason why, in passing through a forest, they often hold
it aloft and out of the way.
The flight of Jo and the action of the elephant took place at the moment that
Dick brought his rifle to his shoulder and was pressing the trigger. The confusion
caused him to hold his fire, and, before he could aim again, the tiger attacked.
Rising in air, he shot across the intervening space, and landed on the haunch of
the female, which uttered a cry of pain, and turned around in the vain effort to
reach him with her trunk.
But the rending of the elephant's thick hide was all by the way ; the assailant
was not after her, but after the white-faced boy crouching in the howdah on her back.
The tiger held his position, and began creeping over the brown haunch, his short
ears pressed flat on his head, his eyes glaring, his sharp teeth showing while he growled
savagely and whipped the side of the larger brute with his thumping tail. He was
the embodiment of ferocity as he steadily climbed toward the perch of the youth,
who had been almost within his reach from the first.
The frenzied swaying of the elephant bothered Dick for a moment, but he
quickly regained his self-possession.
Unable to keep his feet as steadily as he desired, he placed one knee on the
seat of the howdah, and, resting the barrel of his rifle on the back, leveled the
weapon at his foe.
The latter was so close that the muzzle of the gun was almost against his nose.
At so slight a distance a miss was out of the question, and, aiming at a point
directly between the eyes of the beast, Dick let fly.
*
363
364
A FORTUNATE SHOT.
For one moment the appalled lad believed he had failed, for the tiger gave no
evidence of being hurt. But, glancing through the thin wreath of smoke rising
from the muzzle of his gun, he saw the round hole made by the bullet.
It was red and clean at first, without any blood, but the crimson fluid began
quickly to pour from the opening.
The eyes glared with the same burning fierceness, and the outstretched claws
were still buried in the thick hide of the elephant, piercing the tender flesh beneath
and causing agonizing pain.
What can it mean ? " asked Dick ; " is it impossible to kill one of those brutes
with a single bullet ? "
WARM WORK.
Just then he observed a convulsive shudder pass through the fore legs and front;
beyond question the tiger was hit hard ; indeed, he was fatally wounded, but it did
seem as if death itself could not loosen the grip of his needle-like claws.
At that instant Dick saw that the tiger was sinking toward the earth, but his
grasp was not relaxed, and the elephant was going with him.
Rendered wild by her suffering, the huge beast threw herself on the ground with
the intention of crushing her foe by rolling upon him.
Dick made a bound from the bowdah, which was smashed to splinters the next
moment under the weight of the elephant, whose trunk and beam-like legs were
pointed toward the sky and waddling in the air overhead. The tiger missed being
caught in the general wreck and ruin, but he was almost dead before the ground
was reached.
A FORTUNATE SHOT. 365
His final struggle at last released his hold, and he rolled away from the elephant
at the moment he would have been crushed had he hung fast. He came to rest on
his back, with his legs also pointing upward. They gave a few twitches, and then
it was all over.
So the tiger was killed by a single bullet fired by Dick Brownell.
Meanwhile, Mr. Godkin, finding it impossible to check the headlong flight of
his huge steed, took a rather dangerous leap to the ground, his servant, Jim, doing
the same, while the other remained in his seat and soon after reached the village
without harm.
Mr. Godkin was impelled to this step by his solicitude for Dick, whom he had
left behind, within reach of the infuriated tiger. On his way back he met the
terrified Jack, who assured him that Jo and the young man had been killed.
A short distance farther Jo was encountered, fleeing also for his life, and carry-
ing the tidings that Dick was entirely swallowed and in process of digestion by that
time.
Mr. Godkin might have felt frightened had he not been near enough to the
scene of the conflict to see that his young friend, the report of whose weapon he
had heard, was alive and standing on his feet beside the prostrate tiger and the
elephant, which was in the act of climbing to an upright posture again.
By this time the natives began to flock back, the news having been carried to
the crowds, who had not yet reached the village, that a fight was going on with the
tiger which they might be able to look upon from a safe distance.
It did not take them long to find out the beast had been killed by the youngest
member of the party, and it was then that Dick Brownell experienced a taste of the
annoyances of popularity. Some of the natives seemed to suspect he was above
the range of ordinary mortals, and they gathered around him as if to satisfy their
doubts.
The three servants, Jo, Jack and Jim, were among the most enthusiastic ; and I
am afraid that Mr. Godkin mischievously added to the adulation of the party by
relating some mythical exploits of his young friend on the other side of the great
water.
CHAPTER LXVII.
A FRIGHTFUL OCCURRENCE.
,MONG the natives who crowded admiringly around the tiger-hunters was one
whose unusual intelligence attracted their notice. He was mounted on a
pony similar to theirs, and seemed such a desirable companion that Mr.
Godkin asked him to form one of their company, offering him liberal pay for his
services.
The new recruit, who was immediately christened Jed, accepted the offer at
once. He possessed considerable experience of the kind needed by our friends,
and it was a wise proceeding on the part of Mr. Godkin thus to engage him.
"It would have been a fine thing," remarked Dick, "if we could have captured
that tiger for Mr. Barnum, instead of killing him."
"That was out of the question," replied Mr. Godkin. " Can you help us, Jed, to
pet one or two tiger kittens? "
" Yes, sahib," was the prompt response.
Jed then explained that, while riding rapidly along the road, and when hardly a
mile distant, he was descending a long hill and was near a small stream which
crossed the highway, when he was terrified almost out of his senses by seeing an
enormous tiger emerge from the jungle on his right, and trot across the road in
front, less than a hundred feet distant.
Jed's horse stopped short, and the rider was on the point of wheeling about and
dashing back to Lucknow, when he observed that the animal was a female, and
was carrying a kitten in her mouth.
The mother tiger is very affectionate, and she was so engaged in her task that
she paid no heed to anything else.
Reaching the side of the dusty highway, she bounded into the jungle on the
other side and disappeared.
Jed spurred his horse forward and passed the spot like a whirlwind. Looking
back, after going a considerable distance, he saw precisely the same thing repeated.
The tiger was trotting across the road again with a second kitten in her mouth.
Jed, feeling quite safe, halted his horse and waited several minutes, but nothing
more was observed of the beast. The conclusion of this narrative was that the
tiger had two young at least, the usual number being from three to five. She was
undoubtedly the mate of the tiger that had been killed, and the coveted opportunity
of obtaining her offspring was presented.
" But I tell you it's mighty dangerous business," said Mr. Godkin, compressing
his lips and shaking his head ; "you would not think a fiercer brute than the one we
have just shot could exist, but wait till you see a tiger mother defending her young."
366
A FRIGHTFUL OCCURRENCE. 367
" I don't intend to creep up and try to take them away from her ; but we've got
to steal them when she's off hunting for food. Come, Mr. Godkin, I'm ready if you
are."
Ordinarily it would have been hard, if not impossible, to hire a number of natives
to take part in such a desperate enterprise ; but the exploit of Dick Brownell, in
slaying the terrible scourge, gave them such boundless faith in his bravery and
skill that they were ready to follow him anywhere.
A- G a consequence the four signified their readiness to join in the hunt for the
tiger kittens.
The preparations for the desperate venture were simple and soon made. It
was arranged that Jed, Dick and Mr. Godkin should ride cautiously forward, the
three servants following them at a short distance. Since they were afoot, and
armed with only their primitive weapons, it was prudent that they should keep well
to the rear, so as to escape any sudden onslaught of the savage beast.
Jed was to point out the spot where she had entered the jungle, and it then
remained for our friends to locate the home of the animal and to await her depart-
ure, if she was still with her young, before attempting to steal them.
Jed displayed more bravery than would have been expected, for he insisted on
keeping several rods in advance of the other horsemen. He seemed to think, and
not without reason, that his greater experience in hunting all kinds of wild animals
would enable him to detect the proximity of the beast before the Americans. Jo,
Jack and Jim were nearly two hundred yards to the rear of the proprietors, as they
may be called, of the enterprise.
It will be remembered that the point where Jed had seen the female crossing
the highway with her young was at the bottom of a long hill, consequently the exact
spot could not be distinguished until the head of the slope was reached, so as to
permit the horsemen to look downward in front at the small stream which crossed
the highway.
Jed was yet some distance off, his pony proceeding on a walk, when he was
observed to check his animal, turn his head, and motion with his hand for his
friends to halt.
They obeyed, wondering what it meant.
" Hark ! " whispered Dick ; " do you hear that? "
Listening intently, the faint, regular tinkling of a small bell was heard coming
from a point beyond the hill and not far from the spot our friends were approaching.
While Dick and Mr. Godkin were looking they observed the figure of a native
descending the opposite slope and coming toward them. He was nearly naked,
except for a voluminous turban and a light muslin skirt around his middle. He was
advancing on a loping trot, bearing on his shoulder a slim pole, to one end of
which was attached a small bell that gave out the tinkling which arrested the at-
tention of the party.
This fellow was one of the native postmen of India, who carry the mail in
that fashion. Unmindful of the sweltering weather, one of those tough runners
368
A FRIGHTFUL OCCURRENCE.
will trot five or ten miles along the dusty highway, bearing a bundle of letters and
papers. The small bell which he carries suspended to the stick is to give notice
of his coming, just as the postman in this country apprises us of his approach by
blowing his whistle.
The native trots the entire
distance until he meets another
postman to whom he delivers
the mail, and, while the second
takes up the trot, the first turns
about and goes back at a more
leisurely pace.
" I'm afraid that fellow is
running into more danger than
he suspects," remarked Mr.
Godkin ; " I have often won-
dered why they persist in pro-
claiming their coming in that
way, for the sound of the bell
often serves to guide the tiger
lying in wait for his victim."
" Ought we not to warn him
of his peril ? " asked Dick, feel-
ing that the poor fellow's life
was worth more than a thousand
tiger kittens.
" By all means," replied his companion.
The two started their animals at the same
moment, and galloped to where the wondering Jed
awaited their approach. They quickly explained
their wishes, but he shook his head.
" Too late mebbe no tiger there ! "
" Listen ! " broke in Dick, with a start of terror.
The hearts of the two almost stopped beating as they heard frenzied shrieks
and screams, just such as a strong man makes when caught in the grip of some
power that is tearing him to death.
" Come on ! " called Dick, spurring his horse into such a gallop that he quickly
placed himself at the head of the others, who followed close behind.
Meanwhile, the rest of the servants, seeing that something was amiss, took
good care to linger in the background.
A sharp ride brought the three horsemen to the top of the hill, but, brief as was
the gallop, the cries of the poor native were hushed before our friends could gaze
down the long stretch in front of them.
The sight they saw was enough to startle the bravest man.
DEATH OF THE POSTMAN.
A FRIGHTFUL OCCURRENCE. 369
It is more than probable that the postman had met his death by the means Mr.
Godkin referred to. The tiger most likely was nursing her young at some distance
from the roadside, when she caught the tintinnabulation, whose meaning she knew.
Leaving her kittens in their new bed, she crept noiselessly out to the side of the
highway and awaited the coming of the man with the tinkling bell.
Then followed the long, fearful leap, and the native was borne to the earth, and
so frightfully torn that his sufferings were mercifully ended almost as soon as they
began.
Looking down the hill, the spectators saw the tiger holding the body of the man
in her mouth, just as she would have carried one of her kittens. She had crushed
him down in the middle of the highway, and, lifting his body so that only his bare
heels touched the ground, she trotted from the road into the jungle with no more
apparent effort than if carrying one of her tiny young.
This proof of the prodigious strength of the tiger was not needed by our
friends, but they were so impressed by what they saw, that for a few minutes they
looked in each other's face without speaking.
" What a pity we did not arrive sooner," was the remark of Dick, made in a low
voice, as if afraid of attracting the attention of their terrible enemy.
" Yes ; and the fact that that man lost his life through his own shortsightedness
cannot lessen our pity for him. I tell you, Dick, I think Mr. Barnum will excuse
you from capturing one or two young tigers."
" But I will not excuse myself," was the sturdy response. " I am more resolved
than ever to rob that merciless beast of her offspring."
" All right ; I am with you ; but it strikes me that since she has secured a good
day's meal, she will not be apt to leave her young for some time, and we are likely
to have a tedious wait of it."
" I am afraid so, but I was thinking that if it was her husband which we shot,
she may set out to hunt him up, if he stays out too late."
Mr. Godkin looked inquiringly at Jed, who nodded his head.
" Mebbe so don't know wait see."
" Where shall we wait ? " was the important question which Dick proposed for
joint consideration.
By this time Jo, Jack and Jim had gained enough courage to move forward and
join the horsemen, when they quickly learned all that had taken place.
The reasonable conclusion was formed by all that the tiger would be likely to
indulge in her siesta during the afternoon, breaking it only at long intervals to go
to the brook near at hand to quench her thirst. Toward night she would probably
set out to look for her mate, or perhaps to seek more game, though after such a
feast she could conveniently go several days without any food.
The decision was to ride silently down the hill and up the opposite one. Jed
informed them that a 'native hut stood but a small distance beyond. There they
would leave their animals, and carefully make their way back to the spot, approach-
ing as near as they dared. They would then hide themselves in the dense jungle,
370
A FRIGHTFUL OCCURRENCE,
and watch and wait, with no encouraging prospect of success, as must be con-
fessed. The duty of passing directly over the spot where a man had been killed but a
few minutes before was anything but pleasant, even to such brave persons as Dick
and Mr. Godkin, but it seemed necessary, since there was no way of going around
the place, and it was too far to ride to the native village.
Mr. Godkin told those on foot that if they feared to make the venture, they
need not do so ; but, when they saw the horsemen start, and probably, too, when
they recalled the wonderful bravery and marksmanship of the young man, they
showed no hesitation in following.
All instinctively held their peace as they slowly descended the hill, but you
may be sure that Mr. Godkin and Dick were certain their rifles were ready for the
emergency, and they glanced from right to left like a couple of Indian warriors
approaching a hostile camp.
The youth half wished the tiger would show herself, though he would have been
sorry indeed to see any member of the party lose his life ; but if the mother could
be put out of the way, the task of securing the kittens would be much simplified
CHAPTER LXVIII.
CAUGHT IN THE ACT.
| N absolute silence the three horsemen rode down the long hill. The horses, as
if in sympathy with their riders, seemed to plant their hoofs more guardedly
in the soft dust of the highway, while they flung their ears forward and
glanced to the right and left like creatures who scent danger in the air.
Dick was allowed to keep a few steps in front of Jed, while Mr. Godkin was
abreast of the latter, the footmen walking behind in Indian file. I must remind
you that there was no fence on either side of the highway, and the little stream,
which was only a few inches in depth, had to be waded by all who passed that way.
The jungle came close to the road on either side, and was so dense that when Dick
glanced at it, he could not help muttering to himself : " What finer place could a
tiger want for hiding " The question was not finished when the tiger ap-
peared.
It may have been that she was in an unusually wrathful mood, because she
thought her enemies were seeking to disturb her before she could complete her
feast, for she hardly waited until the foremost horseman was opposite to where she
was crouching when she made her attack.
While looking at the dense jungle on his right, Dick observed a slight agitation
of the vegetation, and before he could tell what it meant, the body of the tiger
shot outward and upward as if propelled from a catapult.
The figure of the immense beast, brilliant, ferocious and frightfully beautiful as
she seemed suspended for a single instant in mid-air, was a sight which, once seen,
must remain vivid forever.
Those who stood in the background saw the horrid front, the half-contracted
limbs, the drooping tail, as the lithe, sinewy form curved over toward the appar-
ently doomed lad.
The latter observed the frightful head with the flaming eyes, the ears flat-
tened back, the wide-open jaws with their long, white, gleaming teeth and blood-
red mouth, as the beast seemed rushing through space like a comet directly at him.
The intelligent animal that Dick bestrode had detected the peril before his rider,
and made one tremendous bound forward. Thus it happened that when the as-
saulting beast landed, it was on the ground several paces behind its intended victim.
It would have been an easy matter for her to leap upon the pony of Dick, or to
wheel and attack either of the other horsemen that were at hand ; but you may not
know that it is a peculiarity of the tiger that, when it misses seizing its prey at
the first leap, it generally refrains from repeating it, turning about and dashing ofl
as if ashamed of its failure.
372
CAUGHT IN THE ACT.
The female
did so in this
case, and, al-
though Dick
and Mr. Godkin
fired at her as
she darted into
the jungle, and
were sure they
struck her, she
showed no signs
of receiving any
injury.
"Now is our
time to hurry
by," called out
Mr. Godkin to
the servants be-
hind them ;
"she won't hurt
us if we make
haste."
The ponies
were forced in-
to a sharp gal-
lop, which they
maintained all
the way to the
top of the long
hill in front, Jo,
Jack and Jim
skurrying after them with such swiftness that
they were but a very little way behind.
Dick and his friend could afford to laugh at
their singular experience with the tiger, and the
lad did not fail to give full credit to his sagacious
beast, which had snatched him from under the
descending monster, who, had she alighted where
she intended, would have made as short work
with the plucky boy as she had done with the
unfortunate postman a short time before.
As the party hastened from the spot they saw the shocking evidences of the
tragedy. Blood and the torn turban were on the ground, while the long pole with
its bell and fragments of paper were scattered about.
CAUGHT IN THE ACT
CAUGHT IN THE ACT. 373
" I am going to have one or both of those tiger kittens, or die in the attempt,"
said Dick, when they reined up shortly after in front of the native's hut by the way-
side. " I propose that we shall leave all the rest here, while you and I steal back
along the highway and see what we can see."
" I like the suggestion, for I don't believe we can all hide from her, and' the
natives are really of no account in the task we have undertaken, or rather, are
about to undertake."
This proposition, as may be supposed, was not objected to by the others, and
it was about the middle of the afternoon when Dick and Mr. Godkin set out on
foot to return to the little stream which had been the scene of so many stirring
occurrences of the day.
They met no persons, either riaing or on foot, and reached a point about half
way down the hill before they stoppe^ Deeming it unwise to go farther, they
softly crept into the jungle to wait, with little prospect of success, as any one must
admit who studies the situation.
But that which they wished to come to pass did so sooner than they dared hope.
They had no more than comfortably established themselves in the thick vege-
tation, so close to the highway that, by parting the bushes in front, they could
look down to the bottom of the hill and see the gleam of the water in the small
stream that wound its way across the road, when Mr. Godkin exclaimed, in an ex-
cited whisper :
" By gracious ! there she is now ! "
Sure enough, as Dick peered forth he discerned the identical beast, which had
emerged from the same point in the jungle where she had vanished, and approached
the water. She was in the middle of the highway, and was walking slowly,
swinging her tail from side to side, and looking straight ahead. She was so near
that she was seen to be licking her bloody jaws.
"A tiger often stops to drink while eating," whispered Mr. Godkin, "and that is
what she is after."
Such proved to be the fact. Arriving on the edge of the stream, the tiger
lowered her head and lapped the cool current, just as the cat species do when
taking a drink.
She quickly slaked her thirst, and then, raising her head, looked around, as i<
to say :
" If there are any more of you folks that would like to pay me a visit, I'd be
glad to welcome you."
"It can't be she sees us," said Dick, "but why does she look so long in thi?
direction?"
"There she goes! "
The tiger turned about and walked back with the same deliberate tread until
opposite the point where she had emerged from the jungle, when she made a leap
into it and disappeared.
But she did so on the opposite side of the highway.
374 CAUGHT IN THE ACT.
" That's lucky ! " exclaimed Dick, "she's gone off to hunt her mate. Now's our
time ! "
"You may be right, but it will be awfully awkward if she happens to come back
before we can get away."
lf Come on ; every minute counts."
It was just like the lad to push his way through the jungle into the road, and to
go down the hill almost on a run, Mr. Godkin finding it hard to keep up with him.
Dick did half expect the mother to return, but he believed that, after the two
bullets sent into her body, he and his companion could make short work of her with
their weapons.
You will suspect that his success earlier in the day gave him more self-assur-
ance than he should have felt, and I have no doubt such was the fact.
" Her home can't be far off," remarked Dick, recalling how close the animal
was to the highway when she made her desperate effort to leap upon his horse.
" I shall soon find out," he added, boldly entering the vegetation. " Helloa I
this is luck."
It was less than fifty feet from the road that a faint purring sound fell upon his
ear, and the next minute he came upon a couple of beautiful tiger kittens, playing
and tumbling over each other like two puppies.
" Here, hold my gun ! " whispered the excited Dick, running back a few steps,
and handing his weapon to Mr. Godkin ; " stay where you are till I return."
The man was half dazed as he accepted the rifle, by the audacity of the youth,
who, without giving him time to protest, ran forward again, and, paying no heed to
the mangled remains of the poor postman, seized each kitten by the nape of the
neck, lifted them clear of the ground and started off.
The little ones thus unceremoniously disturbed struggled hard, but he had no
difficulty in holding them fast, and, with a heart beating high with exultation, he
started back to rejoin his companion, awaiting his return on the edge of the jungle.
But before he could catch sight of him a muttering growl caused him to turn
his head like a flash.
There stood the infuriated mother, less than twenty feet distant, with her blazing
eyes fixed upon him.
Her attitude seemed to say :
u Young man, I've returned ! Drop that property of mine and say your prayers."
CHAPTER LXIX.
TWO CURIOSITIES.
1^0 THING could surpass the audacity of Dick Brownell in entering the tiger's
*f lair for the purpose of stealing her young.
The most experienced hunter that would dare do such a thing would be
declared reckless beyond excuse. The only thing that I can say about the exploit
was that it was characteristic of the lad.
It was a strange sight when the youth, picking his way through the jungle toward
the highway, holding a plump, squirming kitten in each hand, stopped short, face
to face with the terrible mother.
The latter, instead of going off for an hour or two, had made a circuit through
tne jungle on the other side of the highway, recrossed it farther up at the moment
the two friends were entering the undergrowth, and approached her lair by a cir-
cuitous course.
Just as Dick darted back to his friend, with the request that he should hold his
gun for a minute or two, it occurred to Mr. Godkin that the true place for him was
on the edge of the jungle, where he could watch the road and detect the tiger should
she return before they could get away.
Had the gentleman been one minute sooner in taking his post, he would have
discovered the danger in time to warn his companion, and to prepare for the recep-
tion of the mother ; but the movements of the beast were silent and lightning-like.
Dick was "caught foul," as the expression goes.
There he stood in front of the beast, transfixed, and holding her beloved offspring
by the napes of their necks, clear proof that he was engaged in stealing her progeny.
What punishment was too great for the outraged mother to inflict upon such a
miscreant ?
According to Dick's account he was absolutely paralyzed for the moment. He
did not think it possible the mother would return so soon, though he was prepared
for a fight with her before getting off with his prizes.
Then, knowing how strong the attachment of the tiger is for her young, he gave
such a vigorous fling to each of the kittens that they went over her head and fell
among the bushes behind her, or rather one of them did so.
It was at this extraordinary juncture that the beast gave a striking and singular
exhibition of her dexterity.
The second kitten was going through the air like a big dumpling, when the
mother threw up her head and caught it fairly between her jaws, doing so with a skill
that prevented any harm to her offspring, and with a deftness that would have been a
strong recommendation for a position in the champion base-ball nine of the country.
375
376
TWO CURIOSITIES.
The instant the kittens left the hands of Dick, he whirled about and dashed fot
the highway, shouting :
" Look out, Mr. Godkin ! The mother has arrived ! ''
Before the gentleman could rush into the jungle to the help of his young friend,
the latter was at his side.
" Here ! let me have my gun 1 " he added, reaching for the weapon ; " it's get-
ting too warm for me in there ! "
" There couldn't be a better time for making a change of base," was the com-
ment of the elder, who leaped almost into the middle of the highway ; " depend
upon it, she will come for us."
Mr. Godkin was right. Evidently the tiger tarried only long enough to make
sure her children were unharmed, and to place them back in their Led, when she
burst through the jungle, aflame with fury and with the intent of visiting awful
vengeance upon those who had dared to lay hands on her offspring.
Her charge could not have been better timed that is, for those who had to
receive it.
They were on the other side of the highway with guns at their shoulder and
ready for the raging beast.
She looked around for an instant, as if to locate her victims, and then she
squatted to gather her muscles for the leap that was to be the death-signal of the
hunters.
But at the very moment she was leaving the ground the two rifles were dis-
charged so nearly together that the reports were like that of a single gun. The
aim was accurate, both bullets entering the brain of the tiger, who made an odd,
twisting jump almost straight upward, and, falling on her back, lay a moment
pawing the air, and then became still.
" I wonder if she's dead ? " said Dick, reloading his gun, but with one eye fixed
on the motionless brute.
" As dead as dead can be," was the reply of Mr. Godkin, who proved his faith
in his own words by walking forward and giving the body a kick.
" Those two bullets that we plumped into her body awhile ago and that didn't
seem to do any hurt, produced their good effect after all," added the elder, " though
we had such a fair aim that I think either of our shots would have finished her."
" Like her mate, she deserved death," remarked Dick, "but only think!" he
exclaimed, slapping the shoulder of Mr. Godkin, " that gives us the prizes we're
after."
" And there they are ! "
The two kittens (as they will often do when with their mother) had left their bed,
and appeared on the edge of the jungle, blinking, winking and tumbling about as
though curious to learn the cause of all the excitement.
They were pretty, plump creatures, though even in their playful gambols their
claws and teeth gave evidence of the fearful weapons they were sure to become in
the course of time.
TWO CURIOSITIES.
377
" Poor things ! " said Dick, with mock sympathy ; " only think, they are orphans
now, and entitled to our care ; so I'll take charge of them." Passing his rifle once
more to his friend, he picked up the kittens as before, and started up the hill with
Wf;|WK
\^i|fi|
41pOTi
' -^if- '".
IN THE NICK OF TIME.
them. They did not weigh more than a dozen pounds apiece, and for a brief time
were quite docile. Supported by the loose skin at the back of the neck, it is not
likely that at first they felt any special discomfort ; but, before the top of the hill
378 TWO CURIOSITIES.
was reached, they were squirming about with a vigor that compelled attention.
It was now arranged that each of the hunters should carry a young one in his
arms. This had its disadvantages, and both Mr. Godkin and Dick received some
scratches ; but, by humoring the little terrors, they managed to get them to the
wayside hut, where, as may be supposed, their arrival produced a stir amounting
almost to consternation.
In this simple dwelling dwelt an old man and his daughter, a middle-aged
woman, who were sure that the mother of the kittens would follow the kidnapers to
the spot, and slay every one of the party.
Jed and the other natives were of the same opinion, until assured that the
mother had departed this life.
Mr. Godkin was waggish enough to try to make the rest believe that Dick had
fired the shot that killed the second tiger, as he had fired the one that slew the
first ; but, inasmuch as it was all he could do to persuade them that the second had
really been killed, he stuck to the facts.
It could not be denied that our friends had done an inestimable service to the
neighborhood by ridding it of two such dreaded man-eaters, and when the natives
should come to learn the glad tidings there would be hardly anything that they
would not willingly do to prove their gratitude.
The owner of the hut knew the postman who had been killed by the tiger, and
gave his name to Jed, who promised to inform his relatives living in Lucknow. As
for the destroyed mail, that would have to be left to other parties to look after.
"But we've got the kittens," said Dick, exultingly, "and what shall we do with
them."
" Send them to Lucknow by Jed ; I will give him the name of our friend there,
with whom I made arrangements the other day, and he will take good care of
anything we may forward, until we are ready to ship them to Calcutta, and thence
to England and home." The suggestion was a wise one, and it was carried out.
With the help of the native at whose hut they were stopping, a bamboo cage
was constructed, large enough to hold the tiger kittens, while, at the same time, it
could be carried without inconvenience on the horse in front of the rider.
Lucknow was so nigh that it was but a moderate ride thither, and Jed gladly
undertook the duty of delivering the prizes to the gentleman named by Mr. Godkin,
and who was well known.
It was so late in the day, however, that the entire party spent the night in and
around the hut of their host, who received liberal payment for his food and some-
what primitive accommodations.
Early the next day Jed left with his prizes, promising to come back and join his
new friends in their hunt for other curiosities.
On the same day that witnessed the departure of the native Jed with the two
tiger kittens, our friends moved their quarters several miles to the southwest. This
took them somewhat farther from Lucknow, which, however, may be said to have
been within easy reach.
TWO CURIOSITIES. 379
The surrounding country offered admirable facilities for hunting, and they were
on the edge of another jungle, not so extensive as that in which took place the
adventures with the tiger, but large enough to shelter the fiercest animals found in
India.
The forenoon passed without special incident, though the spoor of a herd of
elephants was observed. It was the opinion of Mr. Godkin that it was not worth
while to attempt to capture any of them, since there are always so many tame ones
to be had at a fair price, and that is the most practical way of securing them.
Dick Brownell, however, thought that it would be a fine thing to make prisoners
of some of the huge beasts, and more than once he declared that he meant to make
the attempt when a favorable opportunity presented.
It was yet early in the afternoon when the party sought a place to rest until the
fervid heat of the day should subside so as to render action upon their part less
trying and oppressive. As before, the two horses were allowed to move at will
along the edge of the jungle, while the owners and the three natives stretched them-
selves in the shade, where the air was so suffocating that it would be an error to
speak of it as cool, or in any sense pleasant.
CHAPTER LXX.
ATTACKED IN FRONT AND REAR.
THE temperature continued so
high during the afternoon that Mr.
Godkin decided to defer
anything in the nature of
a systematic hunt
for curiosities.
He had such faitk
in Jed's ability
that he wished his
presence if pos-
sible during the
most important
efforts of himself
and Dick.
The latter found the idleness so irk-
some, that he ventured off on a little
tour of his own, leaving the natives
asleep and the director smoking his
hookah and about ready to follow them
into the land of dreams.
When young Brownell was alone in
380
ATTACKED IN FRONT AND REAR.
3 8i
the Aisatic jungle, he was not surprised to find his self-confidence considerably
lessened. His experience in South Africa had taught him that the most skillful
hunter is always in peril, and that that sportsman is unwise who, however well
armed, ventures far into a wild country without companions.
It was because of his previous experience and the
fact that he held a good knowledge of the perils of
the hunt in East India, that he did not extend his
wanderings far. He saw innumerable birds, some
with brilliantly beautiful plumage, including parrots,
paroquets, cockatoos, macaws. He caught a glimpse
of a panther, and descried a serpent a dozen feet in
length, coiled around a limb above his head. The
reptile seemed to be watching him with such an
attentive expression, that he made a circuit that car-
ried him out of sight of it. Returning to camp as
the day was drawing to a close, Dick joined his
Iriends at the evening meal, consisting of some
well-cooked goat's meat and fruit.
Now, you need not be reminded that no
ompany of men would dare lie down in a
Jungle with the purpose of sleeping through
the night without any guard.
While the fire of itself always
serves as a wall against the too
aear approach of the fierce creat-
mres that throng those dense
forests, yet, as the hours pass,
the flames smoulder, until, long
before morning, nothing more
than a few embers are left, for
which no wild animal would
care a straw.
Since many of the denizens
about which I am telling you
are nocturnal in their habits,
a most tempting opportunity
would present itself to them, THE COCKATOO
too tempting indeed for any pru-
dent person to take the risk. Besides, the horses are also exposed to the same
peril and are too valuable to the hunters to be lost in that way.
" I have had a good deal of sleep this afternoon," said Mr. Godkin, " and will
act as sentinel until midnight, when, if you choose, you may take my place."
" That will suit me," replied Dick, " for I had a good long sleep last night, and
382
ATTACKED IN FRONT AND REAR.
a few hours more will be all I can need for some time to come, though," he added
with a laugh, looking at the others, "Jack and Jim and Jo ought to be able to keep
their eyes open for a week to come."
The natives were always ready to obey orders, and they expressed a wish to go
on -guard, but Dick thanked them and said he would wait until the next night, when
he would probably give them all they wanted of that business.
The horses were brought so near that they were in plain sight and within the
circle of light thrown out by the fire that was kept burning vigorously. Before the
natives sank in slumber, they gathered enough wood to last until daylight, a
comparatively easy task, since there was an abundance of fuel all around them.
The warmth of the night was such that the heat of the flames added nothing to
the comfort of our friends, who would have found it much more pleasant to stretch
themselves on the bare ground, but for the danger to which I have referred.
The glare of the fire brought innumerable insects from the jungle, and they
swarmed about the flames, thousands of them falling victims, like so many moths,
to their own recklessness. Now and
then, the cry of some wild animal re-
sounded among the trees, but the party
were so accustomed to such noises that
they caused them no disturbance and
interfered not the least with their slum
ber. Dick lay as near the fire as he
could with comfort, his back being
turned toward it. He was tired from
the exertions of the day, which, you will
agree, were enough in their way to fur-
nish a veteran hunter with material for
an indefinite number of reminiscences.
But fortunately we are so constituted
that we can become used to almost any-
thing, and the youth saw nothing in
what had befallen him since coming to
India that was remarkable, except in
the one fact that he had been extremely
fortunate and a kind heaven seemed to
have had him in its kindly keeping.
Dick, like the manly fellow that he was,
realized that fact and did not fail always
to give thanks to the beneficent Power
CRESTED HAWK PARROT. that had shielded him from all harm.
"What time is it, Mr. Godkin?" inquired Dick Brownell, stretching his limbs.
"Just one o'clock," replied the director, replacing his watch.
"You ought to have called me before."
ATTACKED IN FRONT AND R.EAR.
"I wouldn't have waked you be-
fore daylight."
"Just like you," was the grateful
remark of Dick, as he rose to a sit-
ting posture, and, rubbing his eyes,
looked up in the smiling face of his
friend, and then blinked at the bright
fire untu ills vision became accustomed to
the glare.
"Have you noticed anything?" asked
the lad, glancing at the lock of his rifle
before rising to his feet.
"Nothing special, though I am quite
sure there is more than one animal prowl-
ing among the trees out there; but they
won't be apt to trouble you, so long as you
keep the fire burning, and there is plenty of
fuel for that."
" I'll not forget it, you may be sure."
Mr. Godkin drew an ember from the
flames, and, lighting his pipe, sat down with
his back against a tree.
" I'll keep you company for a while," he
remarked, beginning to puff the vapor with
the enjoyment of an old devotee of the weed.
" It looks," said Dick. " as if you had
spent all your time pacing back and forth:
the ground is pretty well worn for some
distance."
" That is the only safe thing to do, when
you want to keep awake, as you learned in
Africa. You know what an insidious enemy
sleep is, and, just so sure as you sit down
on the ground, you are gone."
" I would not do that," said the youth, " but I expected to main-
tain a standing position ; by the way," added Dick, " are we likely to
obtain any antelopes like those which furnished us such good food in
South Africa?"
" Hardly; though India has its supply of the beautiful creatures.
For instance, there is the goral of the Western Himalayas; the steppe
antelope, from beyond, with its queer bulging forehead; the nylghau,
belonging to the thickly wooded districts of India; Falconer's goat,
living in the highest portions of the Thibetan Himalayas; the panda
384
ATTACKED IN FRONT AND REAR.
of the Himalayas, hunted for its pelt and flesh, though the latter has a strong
musky odor, and a species of goat antelope which is a sacred animal among the
Hindoos."
"What about the maned sheep?"
" He is a strange-looking animal, indeed, but his home is in the Atlas Mountains
and about the headwaters of the Nile. He is known as the aoudad. However, if
you want to keep faithful ward and watch, while we sleep, follow my advice and
maintain a regular pacing to and fro."
THE GORAL.
This was good sense, and Dick was wise enough to follow it, but, so long as his
friend remained awake, he took his place near him, the two talking in low tones,
their conversation hardly worth the recording.
Finally Dick asked a question and received no answer. Looking at Mr. Godkin,
he saw he was asleep. The director's hookah had fallen from his mouth, his hat
had dropped to the ground, and his head had drooped over on his shoulder, while
his heavy breathing showed that he was unconscious.
" He was too generous to awaken me at twelve o'clock, as he ought to have
done," thought Dick. " I can see how he is trying to conduct this whole business,
so as to give me most of the glory that ought to belong to him. Well, now I have
ATTACKED IN FRONT AND REAR. 385
the safety of this whole company in my hands, and it won't do to shut my eyes
again. No fear of it, for I never felt more wide-awake in my life."
The natives looked like so many logs lying near the fire, their swarthy faces
glistening as though they were oiled ; but they were accustomed to heat and felt
no discomfort in a temperature which a white man would have found intolerable.
The ponies were tethered just beyond them, the two having lain down, so that
they were also unconscious, though they were likely to be the first to awaken on
the approach of danger.
PRONGHORN ANTELOPE.
" I don't believe I would run the least risk in leaning against the tree here,"
reflected Dick, " but I will do as Mr. Godkin advised."
The firelight showed a path some twenty paces in length made by the gentle-
man in walking back and forth, pausing only at long intervals to fling wood on the
flames.
" If this fire were burning on the bank of the Ganges, or some other stream, it
would bring thousands of fish close to the shore, and I am quite sure Mr. Godkin
was right in saying that wild animals are prowling near us."
The scene was weird and impressive.
3 86
ATTACKED IN FRONT AND REAR.
The brightly-burning fire, the tall, column-like trees, with the dense vegetation
below, the running vines, resembling long serpents, winding in and out among the
limbs ; the unconscious figures stretched near the fire, the two horses close by, the
strange, shrill cries that now and then trembled from the depths of the jungle, the
myriads of insects fluttering in the smoke over the flames, and occasionally a soft
rustling of the leaves and undergrowth, which showed that some beast was moving
stealthily about the camp and seeking an opening through which to leap upon the
THE NYLGHAU.
unconscious ones all these helped to make up a picture which, once seen, could
never be forgotten.
Dick paced back and forth with the monotonous regularity of a military sentinel
on duty, until he observed that the fire was beginning to subside. Then he leaned
his rifle against the tree that supported the back of the sleeping Mr. Godkin, and,
taking up several armfuls from the pile of branches, threw them on the burning
sticks. Withdrawing a few paces, he watched the crackling flames, which blazed
up so high that the area of illumination was doubled. It struck him, while viewing
the fire, that there was a singular agitation in the upper part, among the last sticks
ATTACKED IN FRONT AND REAR. 387
that he had flung upon it. One of the branches appeared to be twisting fiercely,
but only for a second or two, when it shriveled into nothingness, losing its indi-
viduality in a twinkling.
" I never suspected that," said Dick to himself, as he recognized in the strange-
looking stick a serpent that had lain among the last pieces of wood he had tossed
on the flames, "but there is no telling when you run against those creatures in this
part of the world."
The snake, which was no more than a couple of feet in length, could not have
been in the pile of wood when the natives gathered the fuel, since it would have
made its presence known; but it had probably crawled there to enjoy the heat of the
camp-fire, just as the cobra some nights before had sought the warmth of Dick's body.
3 88
ATTACKED IN FRONT AND REAR.
" It's a wonder he didn't bite me when I picked up the wood, but he is out of the
calculation now"
Looking straight across the camp-fire, and through the thin smoke, the lad
caught a momentary gleam of something which vanished before he could gain more
than a glimpse of it.
But he was shrewd enough to read its meaning aright. The glare was that of
two circular objects, seemingly a couple of inches in diameter and separated from
each other by about three times of space.
Such an exhibition could have been made only by the glowing eye-balls of some
wild animal that had whisked out of sight before the youth could see anything
more.
THE PANDA.
" I thought it was about time for something like that, and likely enough there
are more of them."
Sure enough, the thought was hardly formed, when not only the same sight pre-
sented itself, but a similar one was observed a short distance to the right. Further-
more, several well denned growls struck Dick's ear.
The second pair of optics that appeared were quite near one of the horses, for
whom the youth was more apprehensive than for any one of the company.
The latter were so near the fire that it was not to be believed that the most
daring wild beast would molest them; but the animals of necessity were tethered
a little farther off, though it was believed that they were also close enough to share
in the protection thus afforded the rest.
Neither of the ponies had awakened, but they were likely to do so at any
IN AMBUSH
389
390
ATTACKED IN FRONT AND REAR-
moment. With a view of guarding them, Dick now left his beat and walked
around the fire, stepping very lightly, so as not to disturb them.
At the first step, the wild animals vanished, as suddenly as if each had taken a
backward leap of twenty feet.
" They'll show themselves again," said Dick to himself, " and then I'll take a
whack at one of them."
He had not long to wait, when the phosphorescent eye-balls were seen once
more. This time they remained fixed so steadily upon the youth that he could not
THE AOUDAD.
have asked for a better target, since the illumination on his gun was all that he
needed.
" I wonder where the other one is."
Strange that the bright lad did not think of the probability of the second wild
beast being behind him instead of in front !
Yet such was the fact, and, the moment he brought his gun to his shoulder and
sighted at the first beast, the other was creeping noiselessly and swiftly upon him
from the rear.
CHAPTER LXXI.
JUMBO AND TOUNG TALOUNG.
S I said, Dick could not have asked for a better target than was given by the
glimpse of the glaring eye-balls on the other side of the camp-fire, for the
organs themselves were not only in sight, but he plainly saw the outlines of
the wild beast, which he suspected was a cheetah or hunting leopard, an animal
rarely found out of India.
This brute is not so large nor fine-looking as the leopard, and its name is due to
the fact that it can be tamed and trained to assist the hunter in bringing down deer.
It is lighter than the panther and lives much in the lower branches of large trees,
where the female brings forth its young. In its wild state it is stealthy and treach-
erous like all of its kind.
At the very moment Dick pulled the trigger, the stillness around him was such
that he caught the faint rustle made by the second animal stealing upon him from
the rear.
The bullet had hardly left the barrel, when the lad whirled about like a flash and
confronted the danger behind him.
He was not an instant too soon.
The second cheetah, which was much larger than the first, was no more than a
dozen feet distant, crouching low and gathering himself for his deadly spring.
Since Dick's gun was discharged, it will be seen that his situation was extremely
dangerous, inasmuch as the animal was quite sure to attack before he could reload
his weapon.
But Mr. Godkin's long experience had taught him not only to awaken from a
sound slumber with all his senses at command, but to know that when thus
awakened by the report of a gun, his services were almost certain to be in im-
mediate need.
Before the other members of the party were fairly aroused, and before the
youth's situation had become hopelessly desperate, the director's weapon was fired,
and the second cheetah perished almost as quickly as the first.
Meanwhile, the reports of the rifles had brought the others to their feet. The
horses had been aroused, too, but they merely opened their eyes without rising.
A few seconds were enough to understand what had taken place, the dead
bodies of the cheetahs near the camp-fire bearing witness to the accuracy of the
aim of Dick and Mr. Godkin.
" I believe they have been hanging around the camp ever since the fire was
kindled," said Mr. Godkin, " and since there may be more of them, I will bear you
company until daylight, which is not far off."
391
392
JUMBO AND TOUNG TALOUNG.
Dick protested that this was unnecessary, for he was abundantly able to take
care of himself ; but his friend insisted that he had had enough slumber to last
him twenty-four hours, so he re-filled and lit his hookah, while the natives, seeing
their services were not wanted, lay down again, and were soon unconscious.
With two intelligent sentinels on duty, it would have been strange if the party
had not been safe. The fire was kept up, and while Dick resumed his pacing
back and forth, he maintained a pleasant conversation with his friend, who puffed
away at his pipe and entertained him with stories of his experiences, not only in
SACRED OR INDIAN ANTELOPE.
India, but in other parts of the world, while engaged in my service. Dick expected
that his friend would drop off into sleep again, but he did not, and remained fully
awake during the remaining hours of darkness.
The rustling among the leaves which they heard now and then proved that
other wild animals were prowling near, and doubtless looking for a chance to get
at the men or horses, but the glare of the fire, and perhaps a suspicion of what the
reports of the rifles had to do with the inanimate forms lying near, kept them from
venturing too close.
JUMtfO AND TOUNG TALOUNG,
393
" Those creatures are more often found in the groves and large forests than in
the jungles," said Mr. Godkin, " and I hardly expected when the report of your gun
awakened me that it was a cheetah you had shot."
" I tell you, Mr. Godkin, a fellow has got to keep his wits about him in this part
of the world."
fr ~
ELK.
" It does look that way ; and, in fact, I don't know any part of this sphere
where it is safe to do otherwise."
" This is a good enough country to hunt and spend a few months in, but after
I have gathered all the curiosities I can with your help, of course I shall be
glad to get back to the United States, the most blessed and glorious place in the
wide world."
394
JUMBO AND TOUNG TALOUNG.
You may be sure that the hunters would not remain idle long. The morning
meal was hardly finished when the sharp-eared Jack, who had applied his ear to the
ground, said that he heard the sounds made by some heavy animals moving at no
great distance, and a few minutes later he declared they were elephar'j.
" We may as well have a look at them," added Mr. Godkin. " This is your firit
hunting jaunt in India, Dick, and you can't afford to lose anything."
The servants were told to remain where they were, and since that suited them,
they stretched out on the ground, ready for any duty their masters might require.
FALLOW DEER.
" Do you mean to shoot an elephant ? " asked Dick, as the two began picking
their way through the jungle.
" That depends upon circumstances ; since you will be able to tell about the
Bengal tiger you brought down, the addition of an elephant or two to your game
bag will be a small matter."
" If they are of the usual size, I suspect it will be a rather large matter," wai
the reply of the youth, who kept close to the heels of his companion.
396 JUMBO AND TOUNG TALOUNG.
The noise made by the passage of a herd of elephants was now plainly audible,
so there was no difficulty in following the right course.
The couple had penetrated less than a hundred yards, when they caught sight
of the rear of the drove, swinging through the dense jungle as though it could offer
no impediment to their progress.
There were seven, proceeding in irregular order, crashing through the under-
growth, tearing off the branches above their heads, occasionally trumpeting and
evidently disposed to have considerable sport with each other.
Though these huge beasts, when their suspicions are aroused, are wonderfully
quick of ear and eye, they showed no knowledge of their enemies, so near at hand.
The latter kept at a respectful distance, for they did not wish to alarm them. Had
they done so, more than likely the whole herd would have broken away, and, trav-
eling rapidly, would pass out of sight of the hunters, and keep it up for eight or ten
miles much too far for Dick and Mr. Godkin to follow.
" They are going to the water," said the gentleman, who prevented the youth
from walking too fast ; " there is a pool or stream not far off."
" If we were no more particular than they, we might enjoy a bath also," replied
Dick, greatly interested in the sight.
The seven animals were of great size, one of them, as Mr. Godkin afterward
informed me, being fully ten feet high.
THE STORY OF ONE ELEPHANT.
There isn't a boy or girl in England or America who has not seen or read about
Jumbo, the largest elephant ever known. You have learned of his affecting death
by a railway accident, and perhaps have seen his mounted skeleton, now in a mu-
seum. He was mounted by Professor Henry A. Ward, of Rochester, New York,
who made careful measurements, which he reported to me, as follows, which I
believe are now published for the first time:
Circumference (6 inches back of the eye), 10 feet 4 inches.
Largest diameter of the ear, 5 feet 5 inches. (Jumbo was an African elephant)
Circumference of tusk at the base, i foot 6 inches.
Circumference of trunk at base, 3 feet 5 inches.
Length of trunk from base of tusk, 5 feet 1 1 inches.
Body circumference, just back of shoulders, 16 feet 4 inches.
Body circumference at middle, 18 feet.
Body circumference at point in front of hind legs, 17 feet.
Length of tail, 4 feet 6 inches.
Fore legs: circumference of foot, 5 feet 3 inches.
Circumference of leg (3 feet above sole of foot), 3 feet 10 inches.
Hind legs : circumference of foot, 4 feet.
Circumference of leg (2 feet above sole of foot), 3 feet.
Circumference of leg (4 feet above sole of foot), 4 feet 8 inches.
JUMBO AND TOUNG TALOUNG. 397
Height, measuring fiom sole of foot to a point between shoulder-blades, about
12 feet.
Entire length of animal, 14 feet.
The heart weighed 46 pounds.
When alive Jumbo weighed 7 tons, and the weight of the mounted skeleton is
about 3 tons.
Since Jumbo was the most wonderful elephant that ever lived, I may as well
give you all that is known about him.
He was twenty-three years old when he died, and as elephants cease growing
only when they attain the age of thirty, we began to have great fears as to how we
should get him through the numerous railroad tunnels of the country. He was
within five or six inches of the height of an ordinary railroad tunnel when he died.
Originally, Jumbo was a small African elephant. He was brought across the
deserts by Arabs, and was fed on camel's milk. He was consigned to the Jardin
des Plantes, in Paris, and when he arrived there he was a funny little animal that
attracted no particular notice. In an exchange of some animals with the Zoological
Garden in London, the managers of the Jardin des Plantes sent this little elephant
among the rest, not considering him of much account.
After he had been for a few months at the Zoological Garden, he and his
keeper, Mr. Scott, were one day photographed, and in the picture it is shown that
the keeper stood a breast higher than Jumbo. All at once, however, a sudden
spurt of growing came over him, just as ordinary-sized boys in a family suddenly
grow up into giants ; and Jumbo grew, and grew, and grew, until he got to be
twelve feet high, fourteen feet long, eighteen feet around the middle of his body,
and reached the very respectable aldermanic-elephantine weight of seven tons.
Mr. Barnum says of him : I had often seen the famous big elephant, and had
ridden on him, but it never entered my head that I could buy him. I eventually
told my agent to approach Mr. Bartlett, the Superintendent of the Gardens, on the
subject. He conferred with the Council of the Gardens, and they accepted my offer
of $10,000 for the animal.
In view of the results of this enterprise, it seems a little singular, but the. fact is,
my partner, Mr. Hutchinson, was strongly opposed to buying Jumbo.
" What is the difference," he would say, " between an elephant seven feet high
and another eleven or twelve feet high? an elephant is an elephant."
I insisted that this was the greatest beast in the world, and urged that, being
such, Barnum's Circus couldn't afford to be without him. Finally the objections
of my partner were overruled and we sent over the money to pay for Jumbo.
When the English people got information that Jumbo was to be taken out of
the country, they were fairly wild with excitement. Many newspapers looked upon
it as an outrage, and blamed the Superintendent of the Gardens, the Council, and
every one who had had anything to do with the affair. The great art critic John
Ruskin took part in the discussion, and said that England was not accustomed to
sell her pets.
398
JUMBO AND TOUNG TALOUNG.
There was so much dissatisfaction expressed, that the Zoological Garden people
tried to induce my agent to rescind the sale, but I told them I could not ; I had
announced the purchase of the elephant and I could not afford to disappoint the
American people.
TOUNG TALOUNG, MY FAMOUS WHITE ELEPHANT.
The stockholders of the Zoological Garden held a meeting. Ti ey insisted
that the Council had no right to sell without their consent, and got out an injunction
on us, which, by some legal hocus-pocus which it would require too much space
here to explain, came up in the Court of Chancery.
JUMBO AND TOUNG TALOUNG. 399
The editor of the London Telegraph, Mr. Lesarge, sent me a telegram in which
he stated that all the British children were distressed at the elephant's departure :
on what terms would I return Jumbo? "Answer, prepaid, unlimited."
When I read the last three words of this dispatch, I am afraid that the spirit of
practical joking took possession of me for the moment. I took the Englishman at
his word and answered " unlimited." I told him that a hundred thousand pounds
would not induce me to cancel my purchase, and then I gave him a pretty full
description of my circus, commencing, " My largest tent seats 20,000 persons," etc.,
etc., and ended with " wishing long life and prosperity to the British nation, the
Telegraph and Jumbo." This dispatch was published in the Telegraph the next
morning, and was republished on the following day in the principal newspapers
throughout Great Britain. It did its part in keeping up the excitement.
Jumbo had never been out of the Garden since the day he had entered it, twenty
years before. When my agents attempted to get him out he would not stir; he
seemed to know instinctively that something extraordinary was going to happen.
My agent cabled me: "Jumbo is lying in the Garden and will not stir. What
shall we do ? " I replied : " Let him lie there as long as he wants to." All this,
it will be observed, kept up public interest.
Then we built a cage on wheels, and sank the wheels into the ground, leaving
both ends of the cage open. It was many days before he could be induced to walk
through. We let him get used to going through for several days and finally shut
him in. It took a score of horses to pull the cage out of the earth, after we had
dug around the wheels, and we dragged the cage down to the wharf. There
Jumbo met a whole crowd of his admirers, including such fashionable people as
Lady Burdett-Coutts, who brought him cakes and dainties. One enthusiast testi-
fied his affection by sending some champagne and oysters. On the vessel we had to
cut away a part of the deck above his lodgings to make his apartment large enough.
The original price of Jumbo was $10,000; his final cost was $30,000. He paid
for himself the first ten days after his arrival.
Toung Taloung, the famous white elephant, which I brought from Burmah,
cost me $200,000. Like the public, I was greatly disappointed in him. He was as
genuine a white elephant as ever existed, but, in fact, there was never such an ani-
mal known. The white spots are simply diseased blotches.
To resume our story :
Among the elephants on which Mr. Godkin and Dick Brownell were gazing was
a mother with a young one, of which all seemed extremely fond. This was shown
conclusively at the time the herd was crossing an open space some distance from
where they had entered the jungle.
Without the least warning a large tiger dashed out from cover and made for the
little one, which just then was standing with its head in the other direction, caress-
ing its mother. The female saw the tiger, but showed no excitement, knowing she
had brave friends around her.
400
JUMBO AND TOUNG TALOUNG.
Before the tiger could get anywhere near the young one, the bull interposed his
prodigious form, and, rearing on his hind legs, aimed a blow at the assailant with
his tusks and fore feet which required all of the animal's dexterity to avoid. By
this time the rest of the herd had taken the alarm, and the tiger was wise enough
to give up his intention of making a meal from a young elephant.
A BATTLE IN THE JUNGLE.
401
CHAPTER LXXII.
AN INTERLOPER.
Mr. Godkin pronounced the bull elephant only two feet less in height
than Jumbo you may be sure that the animal was a remarkable one.
The first thought of the excellent gentleman was that of the value of such
a prize to me.
The suspicion that the herd were on their way to water was confirmed, for it
reached a pool before going a quarter of a mile.
It was just such a place as delights those animals, being about an acre in extent,
fed by a little stream, and with a similar outlet. The pond was shallow at the
sides, but quite deep in the middle.
The bulky beasts waded slowly in, brandishing their trunks over their heads
and trumpeting with pleasure, for the contact of the comparatively cool water must
have been delightful. Indeed, Dick envied them, and felt as though, had he known
of the pool so near, he would have been tempted to take a plunge himself.
He had noticed on his way thither that a couple of the beasts followed a well-
marked path, the rest crashing through the jungle on both sides of it. This showed
that other animals were in the habit of visiting the place, as the hunters would have
known had they come upon the trail anywhere in the jungle.
The bull, who took the post of honor at the head of his family, walked slowly
out into the pond, his enormous body gradually sinking lower, like the submerging
of some wreck, until he was half covered. Then he paused and swung his head
around to see how the rest were making out.
Mr. Godkin and Dick had taken positions where they could watch everything
without exposing themselves to detection.
The six members of his family were not holding back, but pushed into the water
with more eagerness than the old bull had shown. As if he desired to impress
more becoming dignity upon them, he filled his trunk with water, and, aiming at
the front of the nearest elephant, let fly.
The aim was accurate, and the brute was in the condition of an innocent spec-
tator at a fire, who has the hose suddenly turned in his face. The water struck his
massive forehead with a splash and force that sent the spray flying in every direction.
But he liked it and had his own remedy. Drawing in several gallons of the
fluid, he dispatched it in the direction of their lord and master, hitting him squarely
in the eyes and compelling him to scatter his own supply of moisture impartially
over the pool. The fun became fast and furious. Dick and Mr. Godkin, in their
hiding-place, laughed like a couple of school-boys at the sight of what suggested to
them the antics of the same number of American lads just let out for play.
402
AN INTERLOPER.
43
In a trice all the elephants were sending the water over
each other, the hose-like streams going up in the air, out
among the vegetation and against the flabby sides of the
monsters, with a promiscuousness and vigor that could not
have been improved. Once a poorly-aimed hydraulic bomb, which the bull dis-
patched at the head of a lady near the side of the pool, missed its mark, and went
so far over into the jungle that it came near finding the two spectators.
" My gracious ! " whispered Dick, who plainly felt the mist, " wouldn't they give
us a ducking if they knew we were here ! "
" They might do more than that," replied Mr. Godkin, " for those elephants are
wild, and have intelligence enough to understand that all bipeds are their enemies.
Take care that they do not get sight of you."
The huge beasts now began to vary the fun, showing an ingenuity that was as
surprising as it was amusing to the small but select body of spectators.
Near one end of the pond stood the most diminutive member of the party. She
was in just far enough to cover her legs, her entire body being above the surface.
Standing thus, she filled her trunk and sent the water and spray flying far out
among the rest. The distance was twenty feet or more, and the curving stream
404
AN INTERLOPER.
went not only high in the air, but spread out more like a fan the farther it reached,
eften falling in spray and mist.
She aimed at no particular one, but was impartial in her attentions, dispatching
the deluge wherever the best target offered. The others seemed to pay no atten-
tion to her, but, before long, the watchful Mr. Godkin directed Dick's notice to the
action of the bull and two of his family.
"There's mischief afoot," he whispered; "they are hatching a plot against that
lady who is having such fine sport on the edge of the pond."
The bull was gradually working his way out of the water, as though he had
had enough of it. He did not seem to observe the presence of the one that was
dousing him, but, all the same, he emerged from the pool at a point quite close to
her.
The female gave him a blast at the moment he swung from the pond, sending a
deluge straight in his face, like the stream with which a steam fire engine breaks in
the windows of a burning building. Indeed, it was so terrific that the old fellow
threw up his trunk and head as if to protest.
Two others kept edging closer to this female, but managed it so deftly that she
did not suspect anything was on foot. In fact, she was so happy that Dick after-
ward declared he saw the corners of her mouth draw up, just as if she was indulg-
ing in a grin over the discomfiture of the head of the household.
But really my young friend must have been mistaken, though there can be no
question that those huge animals find the keenest enjoyment in such sport.
Suddenly, and without the least warning, the bull made a plunge along the edge
of the pool, which placed him in the rear of the young lady that was having such a
good time. At the same moment, the two that had been cautiously edging along
made a dash for her.
She saw what was coming and tried to get away; but it was too late. In short,
she was between two fires, and escape was out of the question.
She had time to take only a couple of steps in the direction of the shore, when
the bull placed his head against her side and gave her such a prodigious push that
she went over, like a house tumbling off the wharf. Instantly the other two began
pelting her with water until it looked as if she must be drowned. She floundered
and struggled, while the bull, allowing her to get half way to her feet, regularly
pressed her over again.
This seemed to be the very acme of enjoyment for all the elephants except the
victim, and there is reason to believe that she herself found a certain relish in
the rough bath to which she was being subjected.
The water became muddy from its violent stirring, but that made no difference
to the participants, who tramped back and forth, lay down in it until only the tops
of their heads were visible, sent it spurting everywhere in fountains, and reveled in
delight.
From where the hunters carefully screened themselves in the jungle it would
have been the easiest matter in the world to kill one or two of the animals, but
AN INTERLOPER.
45
to break in upon such a scene of innocent fun with the crack
would have been inexcusable. It gives me pleasure to say that
nor Dick felt the least disposition to do anything of the kind.
Our friends were still watching
the uncouth gambols of the huge
creatures, when a disturbance among
the undergrowth near at hand
caused them to look around.
To their astonishment, they
perceived another bull ele-
phant, almost as large as
the one that lorded it over
the herd in the pool. He
was moving slowly, and
evidently with great
care, as if to pre-
vent the others ^
trom discovering
biia. His atteu-
of the heavy rifles
neither Mr. Godkin
tion was fixed so
closely upon them
that he failed to
notice the hunters
crouching not
far off.
'- ><fia*i
AN INTRUDER.
The action of the animal was so
peculiar that Dick was puzzled,
though his friend suspected the
truth.
" I wonder whether he is the
leader of another herd," said the
lad, in a low voice.
"No ; he is alone."
But what does he mean by acting that way ? "
" Keep still and watch him ; I will explain when we have a better opportunity
for talking. He must not see us."
406
AN INTERLOPER.
The behavior of the strange elephant was for all the world like a prowling
enemy looking for a chance to do his foes some evil.
After observing the sportive beasts for a few minutes, the interloper resumed
his advance, though with less care than before. He must have known that he
would soon be detected.
Such was the case. All at once the elephants ceased their pranks, and turned
their huge heads in the direction of the new arrival, as if to inquire what he wanted.
He threw up his trunk and emitted his own peculiar call, probably meaning it for
a friendly salutation.
But if such was its purport, it was received in anything but a spirit of comity.
With one accord, the herd, headed by the gigantic bull, charged upon the stranger.
There could be no mistaking their fury, and the interloper was too wise to stand his
ground.
The flight and pursuit of the intruder brought the whole party so close to our
friends that discovery was sure. Dick and Mr. Godkin hugged the ground as
close as they could, but the charging bull saw them, and, trumpeting the alarm,
made a wide detour, followed by all that came after him.
The opportunity for a shot as they lumbered past was excellent, but neither
fired, content to leave the animals alone, so long as it was not necessary to shoot
in self-defense.
It is hardly to be supposed that the pursuers overtook the fugitive, judging
from the exhibition he gave, but the chase quickly carried all beyond sight of our
friends, who rose to their feet and started back to camp, where the horses and
servants had been left.
"That interloper," explained Mr. Godkin, "is what is known as a 'goondah,' or
'sawn,' or ' rogue elephant.' In Ceylon he is called a ' hora.' "
Dick's inquiring looks showed that this was something of which he was igno-
rant, having come across nothing referring to such a ceature in all his reading of
natural history.
" You have seen," continued the elder, glad to give such a bright lad informa-
tion, " that the elephants generally herd together, the companies sometimes num-
bering a dozen or a score, though they are more generally of the dimensions of
the bathers. It now and then happens that one belonging to a herd becomes
separated from the rest and is unable to find them again. He may hunt long and
patiently, but the chances are against his success.
" If that proves the case, he becomes an outcast, for no other herd will surfer
him to join them. He may attempt it, but the rest reject all his overtures and
drive him off. If he insists on staying, the others will attack, and most likely kill
him. Henceforth, he is a ' goondah,' or ' rogue.' "
" And why that ? "
" His expatriation, if we may call it such, makes him vicious. He seems to
conclude that, since his own species have turned against him, he will become an
Ishmaelite and make a general nuisance of himself. I have known a ' rogue ' in
AN INTERLOPER. 407
Ceylon to prowl around a planter's house at night, tearing down his fences and
killing his stock out of pure wantonness. If he is interfered with, he becomes
ugly and displays considerable bravery in attacking hunters."
" Suppose that the ' goondah ' had seen us ? "
" It isn't likely he would have disturbed us, for his whole interest lay in the herd,
to which, as you saw for yourself, he made advances looking to affiliation ; but had
he come upon us when none of his kind was in sight, there would have been trouble. "
" But he ought to receive the greater share, since we are both loaded for
elephant," replied Dick.
" That is true, but there is no guarding against accidents. You observed in
what spirit his overtures were received ? "
" Elephants seem very much like human beings," was the truthful observation
of my young friend Dick Brownell.
CHAPTER LXXIII.
A FLYING SHOT OR TWO.
'HE hunters picked their way at their leisure through the jungle. Keeping
to the path which they had struck while following the herd of elephants, the
walking was found quite easy and pleasant.
You need not be told that, though the friends were conversing with the careless-
ness they would have shown had they been grouped in one of the native huts, they
keep their eyes and ears wide open. There could be no doubt that the trail was
used by many animals in going to and from the pool in which the herd of elephants
had disported themselves, and the hunters, therefore, were liable to encounter some
of them.
Mr. Godkin was walking a few paces in front of the youth, who left to him the
principal duty of looking out for danger in that direction, while he occasionally
cast a furtive glance over his own shoulder to make sure that no enemy stole upon
him unawares.
Sure enough, they had walked but a short distance when the leader suddenly
halted with the exclamation:
" Something is coming ! "
Both sprang aside and held their guns ready for instant use, for the chances
were that a fight impended. The next moment, however, a half-suppressed excla-
mation of amazement escaped both, as they recognized an enormous wild boar.
He was not trotting, but walking along the trail from the direction of the plain,
and no doubt was on his way to the pool of water beyond our friends. Having
made a good dinner, he probably wanted a drink, after which he would take a
siesta, as many animals are accustomed to do in that warm country.
Mr. Godkin and Dick were standing only a pace or two from the path, and the
boar must have seen them, though nothing in his manner betrayed it, since he did
not retreat nor change his pace.
" If he attacks, we will each give him a shot," said the elder, " but, since we
spared the elephants, we will do the same with him, provided he behaves himself."
" I am willing," replied Dick, who nevertheless felt some misgiving, as he re-
called the vigorous style in which the animal in Africa had handled Pongo and his
pony. I am confident you have not forgotten the stirring experience of the Bushman
with the wild boar which he encountered with Mr. Godkin along the edge of the
South African jungle. Dick had seen nothing of that affray, but he had been inter-
ested in the account, and had expressed his regrets so often that he had not been thus
favored that the director promised to secure him a taste of what may truly be
called royal sport.
408
A FLYING SHOT OR TWO. 409
On reaching camp, Jed, who had meanwhile returned from Lucknow, told
them that he had seen the same boar, as he believed, eating some nuts which
grew in a grove of trees not far off, and, though he had gone to the pool for water,
he was quite sure to return to his former feeding-place.
You may be sure Dick was eager for the sport, especially as he was well aware
not only of the amazing strength and courage of the animal, but of the chivalry
that he often displays toward a fallen enemy.
Mr. Godkin was inclined at first to arm himself and companion with the spears
which the natives used, but they were so long and slender, and his young friend
was so unaccustomed to handling them, that he decided it would be wiser to rely
on their own weapons.
Furthermore, he thought the chances about even of seeing the brute again.
Those creatures, as they grow older, do not associate with herds of their kind,
but are fond of browsing by themselves. If Dick should be fortunate enough to
catch sight of one, his intention was to ride as closely as possible and take a shot at
him. If the bullet was well aimed, he might bring down his game, though he
was more likely to fail than succeed.
Leaving the natives in camp, our friends, a couple of hours later, rode out to
the edge of the grassy plain, where Mr. Godkin glanced over the tract with the
observing eye of a true sportsman.
"Yonder," said he, "is the clump of trees that Jed told us about. I recognize
them as bearing the fruit to which the boar is so partial, and if the one we saw
does not return, we may catch sight of another."
" If I am not mistaken," replied Dick, speaking slowly and with his gaze fixed
on the clump of trees, " I see something moving in the grass on the farther side ;
tell me what_>w/ make of it."
" It is the boar, as you live ! " exclaimed Mr. Godkin ; " we're in luck to-day."
" How shall we proceed ? "
"You may ride toward the trees, while I will take a course parallel with the
trend of the jungle."
"What is the reason for that ? "
" I am going to let you have the first chance, and if necessary, I will give you
help in the final disposition of the boar provided," added the gentleman with a
laugh, "the boar doesn't first dispose of us."
Dick was thankful for the consideration of his friend, and he felt no misgiving
about any mishap befalling him.
It seemed to him that if he drove the animal from beneath the trees, he would
dart into the jungle, where it would be impossible to follow him on horseback or on
foot with any prospect of overtaking him.
But a few minutes would decide.
The youth had ridden only a little way when he saw that the boar was really
under the trees, poking his snout over the ground, among the grass, in quest of the
nuts he liked so well.
410
A FLYING SHOT OR TWO.
It was not until the hunter was within three or four rods that the animal became
aware of his approach and raised his head.
He was a formidable creature, and Dick checked his pony and surveyed him
several minutes with wonder, not unmixed with admiration. Then with a grunt
the brute started off on a trot, not entering the jungle, but taking a course
parallel to it.
It appeared to Dick, as he rode after him, that the boar was as tall as a cow,
very gaunt, and with such long limbs that at first glance he half suspected he was
some other animal ; but watching him, as he leisurely trotted away, he noticed his
enormous tusks, curling up in front of his eyes, and he was convinced he was pur-
suing as magnificent a specimen of the wild boar as could be found in all India.
The brute was going easily, but Dick was surprised to observe that his pony,
which was on a gallop, was not gaining upon him. He, therefore, pushed him to a
sharper pace.
Finally the young hunter thought he had reached about the right distance, and,
bringing his gun to his shoulder, he aimed at the neck of the boar and let fly.
Probably he hit the target, though, if such was the case, the brute gave no evi-
dence of it, but continued the same trot, neither faster nor slower. Most likely the
ball had struck some part of the snout or head and glanced off without causing the
recipient any inconvenience.
"If you can get in fifteen or twenty more shots like that ! " shouted Mr. Godkin,
who was having his own fun, " you will make him take some notice of you."
Dick laughed to himself, for he was too sensible to mind the badinage of his
friend, and began recharging his weapon, which, being a breech-loader, did not
require much time or bother. The cartridge was quickly in place, and he was pre-
pared for another shot.
But, during the brief spell required to get his weapon ready, the pony had
slackened his pace slightly, and, as a consequence, the boar was farther off than
before : it was necessary to be as near as then, and, in the hope of making the
second shot effectual, Dick determined to decrease the distance still more.
He observed a disturbing fact : the grassy plain over which all parties were
hastening terminated not very far off, the jungle sweeping around in front, so that,
unless the game was bagged before the boundary was reached, he was likely to get
away altogether.
Our young friend, therefore, devoted a few seconds to bringing himself closer
to the animal. The pony, in accordance with a habit he had formed, had lessened
his speed and showed a disposition to draw off after his rider fired.
This probably was on the theory that the youth required only a single shot to
bring down his game a faith undoubtedly complimentary to the hunter himself,
but not without its disadvantages.
The horse was also quick to comprehend his duty, and, now that he was headed
toward the boar once more, he did his level best, gradually but surely lessening
the space separating the youth from the swiftly-fleeing game.
A FLYING SHOT OR TWO.
411
"Don't aim at his hind leg this time ! " shouted Mr. Godkin, "for he can go on
three legs as well as four."
Dick made no answer, for he could think of none that promised to hush his
friend : it was enough to attend to the game that was likely to escape him before
he could be checked.
Despite all the pony was able to do, it was not until the boar was on the farther
edge of the plain that Dick felt himself close enough to risk another attempt to
bring him down. The intervening space was only a trifle less than before, when
he leveled his rifle and fired his second shot.
To his mortification the pony at that instant half stumbled over some obstruc-
tion in his path, so disturbing the aim of the rider that he knew, without looking,
he had missed entirely.
" Well done ! " called his tormentor, whose laugh rang across the plain ; "that
shot didn't go more than ten feet above his head. Can't we manage to get the fel
low to stand still a minute while you poke the muzzle into his ear ? "
" It's too late now," replied Dick, checking his horse, as he saw that the boar
was close to the end of the plain ; " your gun is loaded ; suppose you show me how
to do it."
Dick was looking at Mr. Godkin, who instantly began making excited gestures.
" It isn't too late either ! " he called. " Load quick ! you've got a better chance
now than ever."
Dick turned, and saw to his amazement that the boar, instead of taking refuge
in the jungle, had turned squarely about and was returning over the same route he
had just followed.
But the boy's gun was unloaded and his horse had come to a full halt. He
could do nothing until a new cartridge was in place, and he set about repairing his
forgetfulness.
This compelled him to withdraw his attention for the moment from the animal.
Short as was the time required to recharge his weapon, he had not yet finished
doing so when Mr. Godkin, who was riding toward him, called:
" Look out ! the boar is coming for you ! "
The lad glanced up and saw that his friend spoke the truth. The boar had
wheeled about, not with the purpose of keeping up his flight, but to punish the
parties who had presumed to molest him while peacefully groping for dinner.
Running along the side of the jungle until opposite the point where Dick had
halted, he turned sharply to the right, and, with his head lowered, charged upon
the horseman at full speed, coming with such a hurricane rush that he was upon
the terrified pony before the latter could gather himself for flight.
CHAPTER LXXIV.
A STRANGE EXPERIENCE.
'EST you may think I am romancing, I beg to assure you that the incident
which I am describing is true in every particular ; and I may add that the
experience of Dick Brownell was similar to that of one other hunter, as I
know from my personal knowledge.
The infuriated wild boar charged so swiftly upon the youth that, as I have said,
he reached the pony before the latter could comprehend his peril and gather him-
self for flight.
In accordance with his instincts, the boar ran his head directly beneath the
horse, with the intention of disemboweling him by an upward flirt of those terrible
tusks ; but, in his rage, he drove his snout beyond the steed, so that, when it was
flung aloft, it missed the body of his victim, and the blade-like ivories clove empty
air instead of flesh and bone.
But the swing of the head lifted the pony entirely off his feet, and he fell
broadside across the neck of the boar, kicking and striving desperately to free
himself from the brute beneath him.
Dick had dropped his gun and strove to leap from the back of his horse ; but,
before he could do so, the latter had fallen, and the boy's foot was inextricably
caught in the stirrup.
Thus it was that the boar supported on his neck, not only the full weight of the
pony, but that of his rider also ; and, holding them there, he resumed his swift trot,
as though unincumbered with anything of the kind.
It was a strange sight that Mr. Godkin saw, the kicking pony on his side across
the neck of the animal, with the rider entangled also, while the boar himself
resumed his trot toward the edge of the jungle, which he had nearly reached when
he wheeled about to charge his tormentors.
This distance, at the very least, was a hundred yards, and, incredible as the
statement may seem, the boar trotted it all, carrying the pony and Dick Brownell
the entire distance.
Mr. Godkin was terrified lest the youth should be killed. Springing from the
back of his horse, he ran forward with the intention of planting a bullet back of the
boar's fore leg, but the risk of hitting either the pony or his rider was so great that
he dared not fire.
The natives, from their place on the edge of the plain, saw that something
serious was amiss, and came running to the help of their friends, shouting, brandishing
their spears aloft, and eager to do what they could to help the young but mighty
hunter. 4I2
A STRANGE EXPERIENCE.
413
But they were so far off that they could not possibly arrive in time to do any-
thing. To Mr. Godkin it looked as if Dick's chief danger was from the hoofs of
the pony, which were flying about in such a frantic way that they were liable to
shatter his skull.
But at the edge of the plain the steed fought himself free and fell to the ground,
Dick going with him. The boar paid no further attention to either, but, without
increasing or diminishing his speed, trotted into the jungle and vanished.
While the pony was clambering to his feet, Mr. Godkin hurried up and bent
over his young friend who lay still.
" Are you hurt, Dick ? " he asked, observing that his eyes were open.
" I'm bruised a little, but I don't think any bones are broken," he replied, rising
slowly to his feet with the help of his companion. ,
He had dropped his gun and hat, and his clothes presented a sorry appearance;
but it was just like the boy, after shaking himself together and finding that he was
free from fractured bones, to ask in a quizzical voice:
" How is the boar ? "
" He seemed to be in the enjoyment of his usual health, when I saw him last."
The next question, which ought to have preceded the other, was as to how the
pony had come out of his rough experience.
It was evident that he was not too badly injured to climb to his feet. Looking
around, Dick and Mr. Godkin saw him skurrying across the plain, hair, mane,
bridle and stirrups flying, while he snorted with fright. Surely, if ever a horse was
warranted in yielding to panic, the pony was that one.
But he was heading toward the three natives, running to the help of their
masters. Seeing him coming, they spread out over the plain, and, as he was a
well-trained steed, he suffered himself to be caught by Jim, who found him so weak
and trembling that he could hardly stand. When, however, the native undertook
to lead him back to his owner, he refused to move. He had had enough hard
handling in that direction to make him anxious to shun the spot forever after.
So Jim stayed with him, while his companions hurried forward.
"Well," laughed Mr. Godkin, unspeakably relieved to find that Dick had not
been seriously hurt, " what do you think of the wild boar as game to be hunted ? "
" I know of one specimen that is able to hold his own against me at least."
"Yes; and against a half a dozen. I am surprised that he failed to kill your
pony."
" He doesn't seem to have hurt him at all," remarked Dick some minutes later,
when they had reached the spot where the trembling beast stood, with Jim holding
him.
" It was his very eagerness to kill him that prevented," remarked Mr. Godkin,
attentively examining the steed; " he has scratched him somewhat, and no doubt
the pony has been as well shaken up as his master; but the boar drove his head so
far forward that he undershot the mark."
" But he had only to draw back a step or two to cut the poor horse fatally."
414
A STRANGE EXPERIENCE.
x
" I wonder that he didn't, but, having got you both on his neck, he wanted to
give you a free ride."
"It's the sort of ride that I wouldn't take again for all the wealth of India," re-
marked Dick with a shudder, as he began patting the neck of his steed. " No one
can imagine my feelings during those two or three minutes when the boar was
under me and the pony on top."
/ --"~ \ " I thought he would kick your brains out."
'""', " He must have come very near it ; I
can't understand why he did not. My foot
was caught in such a way that I
couldn't possibly get it out of the
stirrup. Although I did not have
his whole weight on me, I felt as if
my breast was crushed in by
'--... the mountain pressing me
down. I fought and kicked,
too, but I couldn't see
anything plainly, and
all was a blind strug-
gle for life."
" But you did get
your foot loose."
"When the pony
toppled off he must
have twisted the stir-
rup in such a way
that myfoot drew out,
By that time every-
thing looked dark,
and you saw I was a
little dazed when you
i> came up."
" It was most prov-
idential that you
were not killed outright."
"I feel that, and I shall thank
Heaven as long as I live for preserving
*ae, not only from this peril, but from the others by which I have been threatened. I
can now appreciate Pongo's escape from the wild boar in Africa."
" It is better to be born lucky than rich, and best of all to be born plucky," was
the truthful comment of Mr. Godkin. " I judge we have all had enough hunting for
to-day."
It was some time before our friends recovered from the flurry caused by
" ROYAL SPORT, INDEED."
A STRANGE EXPERIENCE. 415
the encounter with the wild boar, which in some respects was similar to the
Bushman's experience with one of the animals in South Africa. Dick's pony
showed a formidable disposition to regard more than one inanimate object as
another of the beasts in disguise, awaiting the chance to charge upon him again,
while his rider found he had been so severely shaken up that he was likely to feei
the effects for several days.
Before reaching camp, Mr. Godkin had noticed the absence of Jack. Jim ex-
plained that he had set out to call on a friend living hardly a third of a mile dis-
tant. The migratory life of the Hindoos precludes all our ideas of home, and Jack
meant to stay with him for only a short time. He expected to procure some food,
and it was his intention to return before the set of sun.
This course of the native would have been considered presumptuous by many,
since Jed had also gone on a short visit, but Mr. Godkin expressed no objection.
He was a kind master and allowed his servants great latitude in their actions.
He related the interesting sight he and Dick had witnessed by the pool.
It would be supposed that Jim and Jo would have felt the most interest in the
incident in which they had just taken a slight part, but they seemed to think more
about the " rogue " elephant than anything else. Both had encountered the animals
and knew all about their ugly disposition, though, for that matter, the most tractable
of them have moods when they are extremely dangerous.
" Glad he no see you," said Jim, speaking slowly, so as to make the best showing
with his English.
" I don't know that it would have made any difference," replied Mr. Godkin,
unable to share the apprehension of his servant. " I have killed a good many
elephants, and would rather have a fight with half a dozen than encounter a tiger."
"Hora bad he ugly he kill," added Jim, who must have had some reason of
his own for holding the animal in such dread.
" That may all be, but a man can be ugly without being dangerous, and if we
meet the 'rogue' I shall not hesitate to let him have the contents of my gun."
How often, when inclined to boast, we are taught a lesson that should close our
lips forever to that manner of speaking ! It is hardly just, however, to charge my
friend Carl Godkin with boasting, for I never knew a man freer from the objec-
tionable habit than he ; but he could not share the fear that his servant expressed
of the vagabond elephant, which possibly he treated with too much contempt.
But it was less than an hour later, when the conversation was growing languid
and Dick Brownell was beginning to think his bruises were getting better, that a
fearful interruption of the conference took place.
The absent Jack reappeared, but in what manner?
Instead of coming across the plain, as he had walked away, he burst into sight
from the path in the jungle over which Mr. Godkin and Dick had passed a short
time before.
He was on a dead run and in the extremity of terror. Catching sight of his
friends, he screeched : " The ' goondah ' ! ' goondah ' ! save me ! "
416
A STRANGE EXPERIENCE.
Hardly had he dashed into view, when the identical "rogue" elephant that had
been driven away by the herd swung after him. He was so close, too, that his
trunk was extended and almost reached the fugitive.
Jack had lost his spear in some way, but, had he possessed it, it could have done
him no service. Realizing that death was literally at his heels, the appalled native
made a short turn in his wild flight and precipitated himself headlong among his
friends. The latter were eager to do their utmost to save the poor fellow, but they
were taken at fearful disadvantage. The panic, for an instant, seized all, and they
flew apart, in the extremity of terror.
A HAIR'S BREADTH.
Having started for Jack, the enraged monster could not be diverted, and, sad to
"jay, in the flurry that prevailed for a few seconds, he was only too successful.
The fall of the native on his hands and knees gave the brute his opportunity
With incredible quickness, he coiled his trunk about the dusky waist, and, swinging
the poor fellow aloft, hurled him with such awful violence against the trunk of the
nearest tree, that it must have shattered nearly every bone in his body.
Then he flung the limp mass out upon the plain and gave his attention to the
rest of the party. Dick Brownell was the first to recover from the panic. He
comiprehended that it must be a fight to the death, and that unless the beast was
brought low, he would slay every one of them.
A STRANGE EXPERIENCE. 417
The other two natives had dashed into the jungle to save themselves ; Mr. God-
kin, in the first bound that he made, forgot to catch up his rifle, and he ran twenty
paces before he awoke to his forgetfulness. Even then, he would not have ventured
to return had he not seen that his young friend was standing his ground, and that
the whole fury of the mad elephant was turned upon him.
It occurred to Mr. Godkin, too, at that moment, that no flight could save all the
members of the party, since poor Jack had already been sacrificed, and their furious
pursuer would be sure to overtake some of the party before they could run or climb
beyond his reach.
Dick stood coolly in front of the elephant and not more than two rods distant.
He knew the location of that small spot, just above the trunk, into which, if the
tiniest bullet can be driven, the monster is doomed as certainly as if smitten by a
bolt from heaven.
Aiming directly at that spot, Dick let the " goondah " take several steps before he
pressed the trigger.
To his consternation, his piece missed fire.
CHAPTER LXXV.
ANOTHER "CLOSE CALL."
URING his stay in India Dick Brownell was involved in many perilous
adventures, in most of which he was saved by his own intrepidity and
coolness ; but among all his thrilling experiences, I have no knowledge of
any in which he displayed such marvelous presence of mind as in his encounter
with the "rogue" elephant in the district of Oude.
When barely two rods separated him from the furious brute that was charging
down upon him, Dick brought his rifle to his shoulder, aimed quickly at the fatal
spot in the front of the beast, and pulled trigger, only to have his weapon miss fire.
It was useless to turn and flee, for he could not go twenty steps before being
seized, by the trunk that was already extended to grasp him. The cartridge which
he had placed in the breech of his gun was defective, and it must be removed and
another put in its place before there was any possibility of helping himself.
The lad proceeded to do this with wonderful self-possession. The worthless
shell was withdrawn and another inserted. Then he hastily adjusted the breech,
and attempted to bring the gun to his shoulder.
But it was too late.
The outstretched trunk caught him about the waist just as he turned to dart
aside, and he was held immovable.
Meanwhile Mr. Godkin had not been idle. Catching up his gun, he leveled it at
the furious brute, but unfortunately his position at that instant was such that he
could not select a fatal spot into which to drive the bullet, and there was not a
second to wait. As the best and only thing he could do, he aimed at the head and
pulled trigger.
There was no miss, and the ball crashed its way into the huge skull, inflicting a
wound which, perhaps, was mortal, though not immediately so, and Dick must be
saved at once if at all.
The smoke had not yet cleared from the muzzle, and the enormous beast gave
no evidence of being hurt, except by an irritated flirt of the head, when the horrified
Mr. Godkin saw the lad lifted in air, his arms and legs flying in the desperate effort
to release himself from the terrible grip of the "goondah."
" Where is your gun ? " shouted his friend, running forward ; " quick ! and I'll
give him another shot ! "
The words were yet in his mouth when Dick pointed to the weapon at the feet of
Mr. Godkin. Even in that awful moment the lad did not lose his wits.
When the man stooped to pick it up the elephant lowered his trunk and placed
the youth on the ground in front of him.
418
ANOTHER "CLOSE CALL.'
Instead of dashing him to death, as he had done with the wretched native, he
laid him down, with the intention of kneeling upon him, that being one of the ani-
mal's favorite methods of killing its victim.
You need not be told that no living creature can withstand
the crush of so many tons. Many an elephant by such
means has mashed a squirming tiger to pulp. Dick 'fa
knew the purpose of the beast,
and maintained his presence of
mind. The moment the trunk
relaxed its grip, and he found
himself free, with the huge
beam-like knee slowly des-
cending upon him, he
rolled slightly to one
side, so that the knee
just missed him, com-
ing down upon the
earth instead.
Then, with inim-
itable dexterity, he
leaped to his
feet, and, as
the disappoint-
ed elephant
groped for him
again with his
trunk, half
turning his
head to see
what had be-
come of him,
the boy dashed
between his
hind legs. Even that amazing achievement would not have saved him but for tha
intervention of Mr. Godkin.
The latter, as he caught up the rifle of the youth, was placed exactly in front of
the "rogue," and, as the beast inclined his head forward and downward to replace his
victim in position for crushing, he exposed the most vulnerable joint in his " armor."
Not Gordon Gumming himself knew more accurately the location of the fatally
weak spot in the most gigantic creature that walks the earth, and no fairer target
could have been presented.
It was when the brute was turning his head to see what had become of the boy,
that Mr. Godkin pulled the trigger. That did the business.
"Bux IT WAS TOO LATE."
<j.20 ANOTHER "CLOSE CALL."
The ball tore its way through the thin sheathing of bone which at that point
covers the brain, and extinguished life as effectually as if the animal had been
struck by a cannon ball.
The great beast stood motionless a moment, with his fiead partly turned to one
side, as though dumb. Then a shudder passed through the enormous mass, and
down he went like a falling house, splintering one of his tusks at the base, and
emitting his death cry, in one single whinnying snort which was his last.
" Hello, Dick ! how do you feel ? " called the happy man, running around to the
rear of the carcass, and meeting his young friend, who had clambered to his feet,
his face as white as a sheet.
" A little better than when I was a dozen feet in air," was the reply, " but I am
pretty well shaken up."
And then the reaction from his frightful experience made him faint, and he was
obliged to lie down on the ground to recover himself.
Mr. Godkin ran to him, but the boy did not swoon, though he was on the verge
of doing so. He quickly rallied, and, with a smile at his own weakness, once more
climbed to his feet.
" It was a narrow escape," he said, and then, recalling the fate of the native, he
added: " Poor Jack ! he was not so fortunate as I."
The two walked to where the dark figure lay and saw that not a semblance of life
was left. The handling he had received was enough to kill a dozen men.
" We can only give him decent burial," was the remark of Mr. Godkin, as the
two bent over the inanimate form.
"How grateful I feel," was the fervent remark of Dick, "that God was again so
merciful to me. More than once has He interfered when there seemed no chance
of my escape."
"Did not the elephant injure you at all ? " asked his friend, feeling some misgiv-
ing at his continued paleness.
" I think not, though I felt when he first took me off my feet, as though he were
crushing me to death, and you see I am all of a tremble."
" That will soon pass off, though I hope you won't have any more such shakings as
that. How did you manage to elude him when he fixed you in position for crushing?"
" I would have been a fool not to have taken advantage of the single chance he
gave me. If he had held me still with his trunk until he got one of his knees on me,
that would have been the end, but he released me for an instant, and it Avas enough."
" I held my breath," said Mr. Godkin, shuddering at the recollection, " for I
thought it was all up with you."
" So did I, though, as they say, while there's life there's hope, and the slight roll
Jo one side saved me. Before he could locate me again I was on my feet and
darted between his legs. Then came your shot, and it was good-by, Mr. Goondah."
" I never saw a ' rogue ' elephant that was so vicious; he must have had one of his
worst spells, and it was intensified by the treatment he received from that herd
wnicr: he wished to join whep they were bathing in the pool."
ANOTHER " CLOSE CALL.'
4 2I
" Well," added Dick with a sigh, " he has run his course; I wonder whether Jim
and Jo will put in an appearance again."
It was not long, however, before the natives, finding all danger past, showed
themselves once more. No one could blame them for their flight, for they would
only have endangered themselves by staying, without being able to help their
doomed companion.
Jed returning shortly afterward, it was decided by the party to make their way
to the village, where the assistants had plenty of acquaintances, and secure their
help in putting the body away in its last resting-place.
The sad duty was completed in a respectful and impressive manner, no one of
the natives mourning the loss of Jack more sincerely than did Mr. Godkin and Dick
Brownell.
Returning to the hut by the wayside, which had become a sort of headquarters
for our friends, they remained over night. The di-
rector and his young friend sat for a long time dis-
cussing their future course.
Dick was in favor of an attempt to secure
the big elephant which had aroused their
admiration at the pool where he and
his family were bathing.
Mr. Godkin thought there was a
poor prospect of finding the herd
again, the members having probably
moved their quarters to some point
miles distant. If such should prove
the case, there was no means of
following them, and the hunt
would have to be abandoned.
It seemed to Dick that such a
prize as this enormous Asiatic
elephant would be a fitting
termination to their enter-
prise in India, and Mr. God-
kin consented to make the
effort with him.
An indispensable neces-
sity of the hunt, as laid out,
was an India rubber rope,
which, fortunately, was in the
possession of their host, who gladly placed it at their disposal. The plan of cam-
paign, as it may be called, rendered unnecessary the company of the natives, and
it was decided to leave them behind.
The next morning, therefore, bright and early, the two mounted their horses
HE LAID HIM DOWN.'
4 22
ANOTHER " CLOSE CALL."
and rode off at a brisk pace, in the direction of the grassy plain and jungle which
had been the scene of so many stirring adventures to both parties.
You will recall that it was there that our friends had caught their first sight of the
herd, as they swung over the trail to the pool of water where they had had such a jolly
time. The supposition was that the elephants would be likely to make another
visit to the pool, and that vicinity, therefore, was the right one in which to look for
them.
Accordingly the friends lost no time in riding directly to the spot, where most
unexpected good fortune awaited them.
CHAPTER LXXVI.
DICK BROWNELL'S LAST EXPLOIT IN INDIA,
THE bulky body of the "rogue" ele-
phant, which had killed the poor native,
Jack, and had in turn been shot by Mr.
Godkin, still lay where it had fallen near
the edge of the jungle. The sight of the
carcass was so striking that seven spec-
tators were grouped around, surveying it
with emotions of inquiring wonder.
Those seven spectators were the ele-
phants that our friends had seen bathing
in the pool. They formed a unique pic-
ture, indeed, their interest manifestly as
deep as any person's could have been.
The ponies were sweeping along on
a sharp gallop, when the bull elephant
uttered that peculiar "phut ! " by which
he apprised the other members of his
family, not only of danger, but located it by extend
ing his trunk toward the horsemen.
" By George ! there they are 1 " was the excited exclama
tion of Dick, forgetting his bruises in his delight at catching
sight of the very herd for which they were searching. The
brutes seemed to be frightened at the appearance of the
hunters, and started tumultuously into the jungle, taking the
same path they had previously followed when going to the
pool to bathe.
"Now is our time," added Mr. Godkin, hardly less
excited than his companion; "let's hurry after them."
The ponies required no attention, since they were
sure to await the return of their masters. The latter took
their rifles, and Dick carried the indis-
pensable rubber rope, the two making
straight for the spoor, over which they
passed at a run.
As they neared the pool they slackened
GOLDEN TROGONS. their pace, and when they caught sight of
423
DICK BROWNELL'S LAST EXPLOIT IN INDIA.
one of the herd came to a halt for a brief consultation. While the members of the
bull's family seemed to believe their short run had taken them beyond all danger,
the head of the household was not satisfied. He stood on the edge of the water,
looV : ~g doubtfully at the others, including the baby elephant, that were sporting
in the same frolicsome fashion as before.
"We couldn't have a better chance," whispered
Dick, leaning his gun against a tree and stealing
carefully forward.
The head of the gigantic bull was turned away,
and, provided he maintained that posture, it was
clear thai the golden opportunity which the hunters
coveted was at their command.
It was necessary to approach
the animal from the rear, and,
above all things, it must be
done without detection.
Dick Brownell's ardor was
the only thing to be feared,
and his companion cautioned
mm several times.
The bull, however, did
not remain motionless. He
showed his suspicious mood,
while standing with his face
toward the pool, by occasion-
ally turning his head as if to
guard against the very peril
that now threatened him. Dick kept his eyes fixed on the fellow, while stealing
toward him in a crouching position, and, whenever the head moved, the lad not
only stopped, but sank down on his face, to wait until the huge front swung away
again.
For one instant both he and Mr. Godkin thought it was all up. The bull turned
partly round, and stared so long over the back trail that they were sure he had dis-
covered them.
Mr. Godkin held his rifle ready, for he did not mean to be caught at a disad-
vantage if their prize turned upon them, as he was likely to do in case of discovery.
But the head went back, and once more the hunters resumed their stealthy
advance.
Ten minutes later Dick had "crossed the Rubicon," that is, he had gone so
far as to be unable to withdraw without discovery.
Mr. Godkin stopped his own advance a couple of rods away, for there was no
call for him to go farther : everything now depended on the lad.
But the gentleman had one end of the rubber rope in his hand. Setting down
THE CRITICAL MOMENT.
DICK BROWNELL'S LAST EXPLOIT IN INDIA.
425
his gun, he deftly fastened it around a tree, fully two feet in diameter. Then,
picking up his weapon again, he stationed himself behind the trunk, ready to fire
on an instant's warning.
He was resolved to take no more chances than possible. Much as he desired to
capture the valuable beast, he was determined that the plucky boy's life should be
placed in no greater peril than was unavoidable.
If the bull should detect the lad at his feet, he would be certain to turn upon
him, and, to do so, would have to swing his head completely around.
The instant he brought his skull into fair range, Mr. Godkin intended to drive
THE SATIN BOWER BIRD.
the bullet between the eye and ear or into the same fatally weak spot that had ad-
mitted the ball into the skull of the " goondah."
The six elephants in the pool were so occupied with their own fun, that they paid
no heed to the bull standing on shore, hesitating whether or not to march in and
join them.
Had they bestowed a glance en the respected head of the family, they could not
have failed to observe the crouching form at his hind feet and they would have been
sure to utter a warning tnat would have apprised him of his danger.
The moment Dick reached the bull he was ready for business.
As you have doubtless suspected, his plan was to slip a noose of the rubber rope
426
DICK BROWNELL'S LAST EXPLOIT IN INDIA.
over one of the feet, where any motion of the brute would draw it taut. But, to do
this, it was necessary that the intended victim should first lift one of his fset
which he was not likely to do of his own accord.
THE SOCIABLE WEAVER BIRD.
The elephant hunters, however, have an easy way of overcoming that difficulty,
With the fingers of his right hand, Dick scratched the left hind leg of the bull.
Despite the thickness of the elephant's skin, it is extremely sensitive, and the action
DICK BROWNELL'S LAST EXPLOIT IN INDIA.
427
PARADISE WHIDAH.
caused a tickling sen-
sation which led the
monster to lift the foot
in the effort to free it
of the irritation.
This was the criti-
cal time.
The loop at the
! end of the rubber rope
lay close to the foot
on the ground, its cir-
cumference being like
that of a barrel-hoop.
The instant the
foot was lifted a few
inches, Dick slipped
the coil over it, gave a quick jerk which tightened the rope, and then, knowing he
had done all that was possible, wheeled and ran in the direction of the waiting and
intensely anxious Mr. Godkin. He had hardly started, when the elephant made for
him with uplifted trunk.
You know that Dick was
fleet of foot, and need I tell
you that he never ran faster
in all his life than when the
wrathful bull elephant was
trumpeting at his heels ?
Mr. Godkin had gone
back over the trail, so as to
place himself beyond reach
of the brute, provided the
rubber rope did not break.
There he stood, with his
breech-loader at his shoul-
der, leveled at the front of
the savage beast, charging
down upon him like a runa-
way locomotive.
He knew the point the
rope would permit him to
reach; it was within a dozen
feet of where he was stand-
ing. If he should come any
farther, it would show that THE LYRE BIRD.
DICK BROWNELL'S LAST EXPLOIT IN INDIA.
AFRICAN BARBKT.
the rubber was unequal to the ten-
sion and had parted.
The instant that took place, the
leveled rifle would be fired and the
valuable prize would be snuffed out
in a twinkling.
The bull gained rapidly on Dick,
despite the lad's remarkable swift-
ness. Of necessity the thrilling
race could last but a few seconds.
At the moment when it seemed
the boy was doomed, and when Mr.
Godkin's finger was pressing the
trigger, the bull uttered a cry of
terror and pain and fell on his side.
The rope was equal to the terrific strain, and, being extended to its utmost limit,
jerked the monster backward with such violence that he was flung on his side,
where he lay trumpeting with pain and fury, while his imprisoned leg was drawp,
straight out behind him by the elastic rope.
This occurrence instantly created the wildest panic among the other elephants
They rushed out of the pool,
plunged around in a circle,
tramped into the water again,
then hurried toward the bull,
then back once more, and
finally made off into the jungle
as if fleeing from a mortal
peril. The faithless family
had deserted its head and
master.
By and by, the latter, still
trumpeting and lashing furi
ously, struggled to his feet and
stumbled and worked his way
back toward the water, until
the tension was so relaxed
that he was able to stand with-
out difficulty.
Catching sight of the two
hunters in the path, his rage
burst forth again, and he
charged a second time, com-
ing so near that Mr. Godkin
THE HORNBILL.
DICK BROWNELL'S LAST EXPLOIT IN INDIA. 429
raised his gun as before. But precisely the same discomfiture was repeated. He
went down broadside with such violence that it must have made every nerve in
his body quiver, while the tremendous pull upon his leg caused him to scream
with agony. Floundering to his feet, he stumbled backward until once more the
strain was loosened and he became comparatively free from pain.
" He must be conquered," remarked Mr. Godkin, " and that will take consider
THE TAILOR BIRD.
able time, for he is a savage fellow. We will leave him where he is until to-morrow
morning, when he will be ready to give up, unless I am much mistaken."
It was cruel to leave the beast alone, but really that was the best thing to do.
Accordingly, our friends turned their backs upon him and deliberately walked
to the plain, remounted their ponies and rode to the wayside hut, in which they had
spent the preceding night. They were by no means free from misgiving, for the
430
DICK BROWNELL'S LAST EXPLOIT IN INDIA.
continual tugging at the rope was likely to wear it out at last, while there was fear
that the other elephants might come back and find some way of releasing the captive.
But they could only wait and hope.
THE OVEN BIRD.
next morning, Mr. Godkin and Dick, accompanied by Jim, Jo and Ted,
made their way to the pool, wondering what they would find.
DICK BROWNELL'S LAST EXPLOIT IN INDIA.
43 *
On their way thither, Jed, who had made a detour and discovered a female panthe
ivith several young ones, rushed back in great excitement with the news. But Mj
Godkin remarked that they were " loaded for elephant," and had no time to bothe
THE STORMY PETREL.
with such small game as panthers. The animals were therefore left undisturbed,
and our friends pushed on. To their inexpressible delight, they found a completely
"onquered elephant, of most unusual size.
DICK BROWNELL'S LAST EXPLOIT IN INDIA.
433
THE LAUGHING
KINGFISHER.
Long before their arrival, the
intelligent brute had reached a re-
alizing sense of his helplessness.
He knew he was at the mercy of
those who had captured him, and
the moment they came in sight he trumpeted his
unconditional surrender. Evidently his family
had reached the conclusion that a lord who was
held immovably fast was of no further account to
them, and they basely abandoned him to his fate.
Becoming fully satisfied of his conquest, the
bull was released. No vicious stallion, under the
manipulation of Rarey himself, was meeker
than this monarch elephant, who allowed the
three natives to clamber upon his back, and
who obediently moved through the jungle and
across the plain to the hut by the wayside, Mr.
Godkin and Dick riding their ponies by his side.
Halting at the hut only long enough to pay the
host for his kindness and to bid him good-by, the company took
up their march to Lucknow, which was reached without incident
worth mentioning. There they found their agent had bestowed
most excellent care on the precious curiosities sent to him.
It was an easy matter to arrange for their shipment down the
Ganges to Calcutta, which was reached
in the course of the following week.
They were reshipped thence on an En-
glish vessel to London, from which point
they arrived at New York in good
condition.
Dick Brownell and Mr. Godkin ar-
rived on the same vessel that brought
the curiosities, in whose capture I trust
you have felt some interest, and in the
telling of which I hope you have received
not only entertainment but instruction.
You will understand that the work of
my friends in Africa and India was mainly
the capture of wild animals, but my rec-
ord of their doings would not be satis-
factory without a reference to some of
the interesting birds which they brought
home. It would not have been worth THE DINORNIS.
28
434
DICK BROWNELL'S LAST EXPLOIT IN INDIA.
their while to entrap these feathered beauties, and in many cases it would have
been impossible, since a number came from parts of the world distant from those
visited by them. Such were readily obtained from parties who make a business
THE BRUSH TURKEY OF AUSTRALIA.
of rearing and selling them to those who are willing to pay the prices charged
One of the most interesting specimens is the great bird of paradise, the largest
of its species known, being about eighteen inches from the beak to the tip of the
DICK BROWNELL'S LAST EXPLOIT IN INDIA.
1-35
tail, which, with the
body and wings, is of
a rich coffee-brown,
deepening on the
breast to a blackish
violet or purple
brown. The top of the
head and neck is of a
delicate straw-yellow,
the feathers short and
close set, resembling
plush and velvet; the
lower part of the
throat to the eye is
THE APTERYX. an emera id green, the
feathers scaly, with a metallic gloss. Velvety plumes of deeper green extend across
the forehead and chin to the eye, which is a clear yellow.
Nature seems to have run riot in coloring this wonderful bird. The beak is a
pale lead-blue, and the feet a pale pink. The two middle feathers of the tail are
without webs, except a tiny one at the base and tip, forming wire-like cirri, spread-
ing out in a splendid double curve, almost three feet long. From each side of the
body below the wings projects a dense tuft of dainty plumes, two feet long, of a
dazzling, glossy golden-orange color, changing, toward the tips, to a pale brown.
The bird can elevate and spread this tuft at pleasure, so as to hide its body.
Remember that I ^ffp
am describing the male
bird, the female, in ac-
cordance with the rule,
being plain and not
specially attractive.
The paradise birds are
confined to NewGuinea,
the Papuan Islands and
portions of Australia.
The satin bower bird
is a native of Eastern
Australia. The inter-
esting fact connected
with them is their prac-
tice of building bowers,
evidently with no pur-
pose except that of af-
fording places of frolic GREAT BIRD OF PARADISE.
DICK BROWNELL'S LAST EXPLOIT IN INDIA.
and sport. At least no other object
has yet been discovered. The birds
decorate the bowers around the en-
trance with the most brilliantly-
colored objects they can gather.
The sociable weaver bird's chief
claim to distinction rests upon the
size of its dwelling-house, which is
generally placed in large, lofty trees*
The structure being completed, as
shown in the illustration, each pair
builds its nest underneath +he hu^e
umbrella -like roof, which is large
enough to permit two or three hun-
dred nests. The bird is fo'jmd in
Soiith Africa.
THE PELICAN. The paradise whidah bird be-
longs to Western Africa, from Senegal to Angola. It seems never to be at rest, but
is continually flitting among the branches, stopping now and then for a second or
two, evidently to admire itself.
Look at the lyre bird and notice the appropriateness of its name. It is a native
of Australia, where the beautiful curved tail feathers can be bought in pairs in the
shops of Sydney. They are of a pearly color beneath, with several crescent-shaped
spaces of a rich rufous or black color.
The African barbets are plump, gaudy-colored birds, chiefly met with in West-
ern Africa and tropical America.
A very interesting bird is the golden trogon, rivaling the bird of paradise in
the richness of its plumage. The golden trogon has the greater portion of its
plumage apparently composed of burnished gold.
The tailor bird is remark-
able for its curious nest. This
bird literally sews together
two leaves, sometimes the
edges of one large leaf, at the
extremity of a slender twig,
and, with soft, cottony down,
constructs a habitation as
comfortable as it is ingenious.
The bill of the bird serves as
a needle, and vegetable fibers
are used as thread. The nest
of the tailor bird is always
hung at the extremity of the
SCISSORS BIRD.
THE EAGLE OWL.
437
438
DICK BROWNELL'S LAST EXPLOIT IN INDIA.
twigs in order to keep it, as far as possible, out of the way of monkeys, snakes and
other enemies.
A very picturesque bird is the eagle owl, which dwells among the deep recesses
of vast forests in Norway, Sweden and Russia, and sometimes in the clefts of rocks
or the desolate ruins of ancient towers. It is found also at the Cape of Good Hope.
The oven bird is so called because it constructs its earthen nest in the form of
an oven, and this habitation, although of considerable size, is often completed
by a pair of
these birds
in about
two days,
both male
and female
engaging
in the task.
The nest is
made of
earth and
is six inch-
es and a
half in di-
ameter, the
walls being
one inch
thick, and
the interior
is divided
into two
chambers
by a parti-
tion begin-
ning at the
entrance
and carried
circularly
backward.
I cannot refrain in this place from telling you something about the stormy
petrels, familiarly known as Mother Gary's chickens, which are seen in every part
of the ocean skimming over the surface of a heavy-rolling sea. They flock under
the wake of ships before a storm, and superstitious sailors look upon them as
prophets of evil. " But," says an eminent naturalist, " as well might they curse
the midnight light-house that, star-like, guides them on their watery way, or the
buov that warns them of the sunken rocks below, as this harmless wanderer, whose
THE EARED GREBE.
DICK BROWNELL'S LAST EXPLOIT IN INDIA.
439
THE ADJUTANT BIRD.
manner informs them of the approach of the storm, and enables them to prepare
for it." The illustration on page 431 represents the Fulmar petrel, which is
especially abundant in the Arctic seas.
440 DICK BROWNELL'S LAST EXPLOIT IN INDIA.
The laughing king fisher of Australia is an exquisitely beautiful bird, and one
of the largest species. It is as fond of reptiles as of fish.
What a queer-looking bird is the hornbill ! The male is addicted to the extraor-
dinary practice of plastering up the female with her egg and feeding her during
the whole period of incubation, or till the young one is fledged.
There is reason to believe that the dinornis is found in New Zealand. It
towers aloft like a giraffe, but is very rare, and my friends were unable to obtain a
specimen.
The brush turkey, of Australia, New Guinea and the chain of islands in the South
Pacific Ocean, is a remarkable bird. In the months of August and September,
when there is scarcely any rain, they come down in pairs from the interior, and
scratch holes three or four feet deep, just above high-water mark, where the female
deposits her single egg. Covering this with a foot of sand, she goes back to the
forest. Ten or twelve days later she makes another visit and lays a second egg,
continuing until six or eight are deposited. The male bird gives his help in
digging the hole and covering the egg, the two birds closely resembling each other
in appearance. Several females lay in the same hole. The natives come many
miles to plunder the nests, the eggs when fresh being very delicious, and they are
of large size. The parent bird gives no further attention to them after covering
them up in the sand. The young, on breaking the shell, take to the woods at once,
and are able to fly a few hours after hatching.
The scissors-bill is noted for its long and compressed beak, the under mandible
being much larger than the upper, and closing into it like a knife-blade into the
handle. Skimming swiftly over the water, and close to the surface, its sharp bill
cuts the water, gathering up crustaceans, fish and mollusks, on which it feeds.
Running along the beach, it skillfully inserts its beak in the bivalves, and, striking
the shells against the stones, breaks them and devours the contents.
I wish I could procure a specimen of the apteryx of New Zealand, called
"kiwi" by the natives, who are fond of its flesh. It keeps out of sight in the deep
recesses of the forest until night, when the birds come forth in couples to search
for food, which is readily seen in the darkness.
The natives capture it by imitating its whistling cry. They say the bird buries
its eggs in the sand, and hatches them by sitting beneath, instead of over them.
This is doubtful, since those at the London Zoological Garden hatch them in the
usual fashion. It lays one egg at a time and breeds twice a year.
The pelican is found in North Africa, and in the south and east of Europe. I
believe it is the largest of the swimming birds, and you have noticed their immense
pouches, some of which can be dilated enough to hold two gallons of water.
The eared grebe is a rare British bird. It is a fine swimmer, very active in the
water, and is able to stay a long time under the surface, where it swims swiftly
with the aid of its wings and feet.
The adjutant bird belongs to India, and attains a height of six feet, its extended
wings measuring nearly three times as much, from tip to tip. Its head and neck
COMMON OCTOPUS.
441
442 DICK BROWNELL'S LAST EXPLOIT IN INDIA.
are almost bare, a sausage-like pouch hanging from the under part of its neck,
while its bill is enormous. It has been known less than twenty-five years to
naturalists. The upper part of its thighs furnishes plumes more beautiful and
valuable than those of the ostrich, and its voracity is almost as great.
I must tell you something here about the octopus, which may be called the
gorilla of the ocean. It grows to an immense size along some coasts, and is justly
dreaded by the most experienced fishermen.
Its usual resting-place is under a huge stone, or in the broad cleft of a rock,
where it can squeeze itself as flat as a sandal. When moving about it uses its
eight arms as paddles, working them alternately, while the central disc may be
regarded as a boat. You would think this an awkward means of locomotion, but
the octopus travels easily and swiftly over the sandy bottoms, climbs the slippery
ledges, or, attaching its numerous suckers to the face of rocks, moves at will in any
direction.
Besides the amazing strength of the creature, and the fact that lopping off sev-
eral of its huge arms or feelers does not affect its aggressiveness, it has the power
of numbing its victim. The deep contains many hideous creatures, but I can con-
ceive of none more dreadful than the octopus.
And now we must turn our attention to Jack Harvey and Bob Marshall's
adventures in the land of the gorilla.
CHAPTER LXXVII.
IN THE LAND OF THE GORILLA.
JACK HARVEY and
Bob Marshall tarried
at Port Natal several
days after the depar-
ture of Mr. Godkin and
Dick Brownell for In-
dia. Finally they se-
cured passage to Cape
Town, where, after an-
other tedious wait, they
shipped in a Portu-
guese vessel, bound for
the Gold Coast, the cap-
tain of which, for a gen-
erous consideration, agreed to run into the
Gaboon and land his four passengers ; for
our friends had picked up a couple of hunters
bound on the same errand as themselves.
I should have told you that Jack and
Bob, having become satisfied that their
ponies would be valueless in the gorilla
country, left them in safe hands at Cape
Town. The Texan would not part with
Apache at any price, and Bob had formed
so strong an attachment for his own steed
that he was glad of the prospect of seeing
him again.
If the result of their visit to Equatorial
Africa should render it unnecessary to return to the Cape of Good Hope, it would
be a simple matter to send for the horses and have them shipped home.
The two acquaintances formed on the ship were Englishmen just from India,
where they had spent a couple of months in hunting, and proposed to wind up their
sport under the Equator.
The opening experience of the party in the Gaboon country was enough to
dampen the ardor of the most enthusiastic of sportsmen.
443
444
IN THE LAND OF THE GORILLA.
The Gaboon was found to resemble an arm of the sea, with its strong salt tides
and sluggish current. On the right bank was the French fort, somewhat beyond a
village of English factories, and behind these, on a hill clothed in bright green
vegetation, was the American mission, including church, school and houses.
On the left bank rose the town of King William, sometimes called Roi Denis.
It is built of bamboo and is the metropolis of Gaboon. Here the four gorilla-
hunters landed to arrange their hunt in the adjoining jungles for that extraordinary
creature which has never yet been seen on this side of the Atlantic.
When the party came ashore, three of them were so ill that they were compelled
to take to their beds at once. The section of the Dark Continent visited by them
is one of the most pestilential regions of the globe. The very ground exhales
disease, and sea captains have told me that the sickening odor of the malarious
swamps can be noticed while scores of miles from land.
Jack Harvey was the only one that was entirely well. The Texan seemed to be
climate-proof, though his naturally vigorous constitution, his active life and his
freedom from bad habits doubtless had much to do with his immunity, and besides
he had taken the precaution to dose himself and his companions with a preparation
of quinine before leaving ship.
The American missionary at King William was the good Samaritan to those
who needed his kind offices. He insisted on the folks taking up their quarters at
his house, and he and his wife could not have been kinder to their own children
than they were to the comparative strangers.
But the utmost they could do was not enough to save the Englishmen. Both
succumbed, after having braved all other forms of danger, and were buried in that
Jar-off land, thousands of miles from the dear ones at home, victims to the deadly
climate that has claimed its hundreds of thousands.
For days and nights Bob Marshall hovered on the verge of death ; but, thanks
to Providence and good nursing, he pulled through, and, to the delight of Jack,
finally became his old, lively, high-spirited self again.
Supposing his ardor had departed, the Texan offered to send him home and
prosecute the task without him. But, as you may suppose, the young man would
not hear of such a thing.
" I came here to hunt gorillas," was his characteristic reply, " and I'll do it or
die."
" I don't think you'll die after what you've stood. You ain't a tenderfoot any
longer."
" All I ask is that you will get me a chance."
The friends made their preparations as thorough as possible, and within the
following week attended one of those singular ceremonies known in that country
as a gorilla dance.
It was at a village on the borders of the immense jungle into which they
intended to plunge in quest of the marvelous animal for which I stand ready to-day
to pay almost any sum of money.
IN THE LAND OF THE GORILLA. 445
The two natives whom Jack engaged to accompany him were known respect-
ively as Gyp and Hargo. They were in middle life, dusky, wrinkled, homely, half
naked, but lithe and muscular. Gyp, the elder, bore a number of frightful scars on
his thigh and shoulder, and seemed quite proud to tell his employers that they were
gained in his encounters with njinas, as the gorillas are often called.
Gyp and Hargo had heard the cry of one of the animals, and were confident of
being able to kill him on the morrow, so confident, indeed, that they and their friends
arranged to anticipate the exploit by a gorilla dance.
HEAD OF THE GORILLA.
It was in the structure assigned to the slaves of a large plantation that the dance
took place. Two men played a rude drum and a one-stringed harp, while Gyp ex-
hibited the grotesque movements of the gorilla.
The imitation of the action of the animal when alarmed, when attacking its prey,
when climbing a tree, or listening, running, leaping or eating, was so perfect, that
it startled the spectators, who learned a great deal of the habits and peculiarities of
the terrible creature which they expected soon to meet in its native wilds.
And now before telling you about the hunt, let me give you some information
concerning this interacting inhabitant of the Dark Continent.
446 IN THE LAND OF THE GORILLA.
A he troglodytes gorilla is the largest of apes, a full-grown male sometimes
reaching the height of six feet. It is found in the same geographical area as the
chimpanzee, but within narrower limits, on or near the Equator. Its skin is jet
black, but this is shown only on the face, chest and the palms of the paws, which
are devoid of the iron-gray hair that covers the rest of the body.
The hair is two inches long, growing downward on the main arm and upward
on the fore-arm. The males always have their heads covered with short and
reddish-brown hair, the females not gaining this ornamental crown-piece until fully
grown.
The hide is thick and tough, except under the arms and near the hips. Both
sexes have the breast bare, and some of the older ones have the hair worn off along
the spine from frequent sitting on the ground with their backs against the tree
trunks.
The eyes are deeply sunken and restless, overhung by a bony ridge which gives
the face a most forbidding appearance and a perpetual scowl. The nose is more
prominent than in the chimpanzee or orang-outan. The mouth is enormous, the lips
large and of uniform thickness, and the chin short and receding. The canine teeth
in the male resemble tusks, and the ears, which are shaped like our own, are much
smaller than in the chimpanzee.
The upper limbs seem disproportionately large, but this is due to the shortness
of the lower ones, which have no calves and increase in size from the knee to the
ankle.
Strangely enough, the main arm of the gorilla is longer than the fore-arm, and the
thumb extends beyond the first joint of the forefinger, while in the chimpanzee and
ape it does not reach that joint.
The hand is broad, thick, and with a long palm, the fingers short, tapering
quickly at the ends to the nails, which are about the size of our own. The back of
the hand is hairy to the finger divisions, the palm bare and callous, and the thumb
hardly as thick as the forefinger.
The chimpanzee and other apes make less use of the sole of the foot in walking
than the gorilla, and the great toe of the gorilla is stronger than in those animals,
standing out like a large thumb from the rest of the foot.
The gorilla is a strict vegetarian. He has a shuffling gait, never upright like
ours, but bent forward. His arms being longer than those of the chimpanzee, he
does not stoop as much in walking, but, like that creature, advances by pushing his
arms forward, resting the hands on the ground and then giving the body a motion
which is partly a jump and partly a swing. In doing this he does not bend his
fingers, but uses the hand as a fulcrum.
If you should come upon the trail of gorilla running on all fours, you would
not see any trace of the marks of the hind feet. Only the bs.J- -<f the foot and the
great toe appear to touch, and the fingers of the fore-arm are u^ :^.y marked on the
earth.
The power of the gorilla is prodigious. Those tremendous jaws can crush an
IN THE LAND OF THE GORILLA. 447
ordinary gun-barrel, and the arms will bend the weapon as though it were putty.
When enraged, the thin, black lips shrink so that all his teeth are visible, gleaming
unnaturally white in the vast mouth, which is as red as blood.
The shoulders are broad, and the hideous head is placed upon them without the
intervention of a neck. The abdomen is very large and rounding at the sides. You
may gain some idea of the capacity of the immense hand when told that the middle
finger has been found in some gorillas to be more than six inches in circumference
at the first joint.
Strange stories were told by the early navigators of a fearful object seen on the
west coast of Africa, whose description leaves little doubt that he was the animal
since known as the gorilla. In 1847, Rev. J. L. Wilson, senior missionary of the
American Board of Foreign Missions to West Africa, obtained from some of the
natives on Gaboon River a number of skulls of a monkey-like creature, noted for
its size and ferocity. These were turned over to Dr. Thomas S. Savage, a member
of the Boston Society of Natural History, and were minutely described by Dr.
Wyman, Professor of Anatomy in Harvard University.
When the male is first seen he utters a frightful yell that resounds through the
forest something like " kh-ah ! kh-ah ! " His huge jaws are wide open, his under
lip hangs over his chin, and his hairy ridge and scalp are contracted upon the brow,
giving his front an appearance of indescribable ferocity.
The gorillas generally live in bands, the females outnumbering the males. Their
dwellings hardly merit the name, consisting of a few sticks and leafy branches, sup-
ported by the limbs of trees. The natives say the gorilla is a fool, for, though he
lives where the annual rain-fall is great, he doesn't know enough to place a roof on
his house.
There is a bird in Equatorial Africa which, if it chose, could give him many
points on how to construct a comfortable home ; for, after making a large nest with
a tight roof, it daubs it with mud on the inside, and, unfolding its wings, whirls
round and round until every crevice is filled and the inside is as smoothly plastered
as your own house.
CHAPTER LXXVIII.
ON THE EDGE OF THE POOL.
IN the gloomiest depths of the
pestilential jungles of Equatorial
Africa, where eternal twilight
DISCOURAGED.
y\i reigns, and the intolerable rays oi
the flaming sun can never penetrate,
the gorilla-hunters halted one fore-
noon, and, sitting down on a fallen
tree, almost hidden from sight by
148
ON THE EDGE OF THE POOL. 449
suffocating vines, discussed the business that had brought them thither, far beyond
all human habitations. The ardor with which the sportsmen had entered upon the
task was somewhat dampened by hope deferred, for this was the second day of the
hunt, and, in the face of the promises of Gyp and Hargo, they had not yet caught
sight of the first gorilla.
This was the more trying since they had approached nigh enough several times
to hear the animals, and to detect unmistakable signs of their presence very near
them. They saw the spoor of a large male, and came upon a spot which, it may be
said, was still warm from the recent visit of a female and her young, that had been
engaged in eating a species of berry growing close to the ground and of which the
creature is extremely fond.
The knowledge that they were close to the animals, I think, must have made the
hunters so eager to get a shot that they failed to exercise the precaution indispen-
sable in approaching them. The gorilla is wonderfully alert, and many a skillful
hunter has been baffled again and again until compelled to give up in despair.
The natives, being experienced in hunting the animals, were armed the same as
Jack and Bob. That is to say, they were provided with guns, though of the old-
fashioned pattern, being single-barreled muzzle-loaders, carrying large balls and
capable of doing effective execution when rightly handled. The Texan would have
been glad to furnish them with repeating rifles, but that was impossible, and the
blacks were contented with their own fire-arms, in which their faith was as un-
bounded as that of the whites in their magazine weapons.
Gyp and Hargo had been associated with Europeans long enough to speak the
English language tolerably well, though they were little inclined to conversation.
They sat on the log, silent and glum, while Bob and Jack did about all the talking.
The natives appeared to feel the disappointment as much as their employers,
and, though they may have seen that the failure was due to the ardor of the gen-
tlemen, they were too thoughtful to say so. Probably they were convinced that
Jack and Bob suspected it themselves and would remedy the fault.
The Texan was armed as when careering over the pampas of Bechuana Land,
on the back of his fleet-footed Apache, carrying not only his Winchester, two
revolvers and a knife, but his valued lasso as well. It was slung over his left
shoulder, and, accustomed as he was to riding his mustang, he found the task of
tramping through the dense jungle laborious, but he clung to the rawhide, confi-
dent that he would find use for it before his return.
Gyp was provided with a strong net, extremely useful in flinging over the heads
of young animals when they proved vigorous enough to use their teeth and claws.
He declared that it had been employed in capturing snakes and gorillas, though
the Texan believed the fellow was addicted to drawing the long bow in the story
line.
Through the interstices of the dense vegetation by which they were enveloped,
could be seen the shimmer of water. It was a large, stagnant pool, covering sev-
eral acres, and while more than one tiny stream wound its way into it, it was with'
29
ON THE EDGE OF THE POOL.
out any outlet, so far as the hunters could discover. It may have been that in such
a smothering climate the evaporation prevented all overflow, and rendered any
outlet unnecessary. It was on the banks of this pool that the party had seen proof
of the recent presence of gorillas. The hunters made its entire circuit, climbing over
rotting trees that lay half imbedded in the mud and water, with rank vegetation
growing around them, slimy serpents hardly caring enough for the intruders to crawl
out of their path, and with here and there some gaunt, long-legged bird of brilliant
plumage, standing in the edge of the lake, lazily waiting for its victim to come nigh
enough to be gobbled into its capacious maw, which never seemed to be filled.
" I don't understand," said Bob Marshall, " how it is that such a formidable
animal as the gorilla, and one that is said to be afraid of no living creature, shows
such timidity about meeting us."
" I don't know of any game that will not avoid man," replied Jack, " but we
know some of them will fight like all creation when they meet us face to face."
" Mr. Godkin said that the tiger of India will often hunt those who are not
hunting him," said Bob, "but then we don't find tigers in Africa."
"So will the Apache," added the Texan with a grim smile, "but, as a rule, the
biggest kind of game prefers to give us a wide berth."
" There's one thing certain ; we are in the heart of the gorilla country, and there
is no reason why we shouldn't run against plenty of them."
" I've been thinking," added Jack, after smoking his pipe a minute or two in
silence, "whether it wouldn't be a good plan to do as we sometimes did down in
South Africa."
" How is that ? "
" Separate ; you take one course, I another, while Gyp and Hargo keep together."
" I was on the point of proposing it when we first sat down on the log," said
Bob, " but I was afraid you would think it too dangerous."
" Dangerous for what ? The game ? "
" No ; for us."
" I suppose there would be a little more risk, but then, you ain't afraid to try it,
are you ? "
"Nothing will suit me better."
" Then it shall be done. Howsumever, the only thing that I fear is that we
may get lost from each other. This is a confounded country, without any roads,
paths, openings, houses or anything that can serve as landmarks."
" We had enough experience in South Africa to know how to avoid such a
blunder. Besides, we can signal to each other, either by firing our guns or
whistling."
Bob's urgency removed whatever misgivings the Texan may have had in mind,
and it was agreed that, after a brief rest, the proposal should be adopted. It was
explained to Gyp, who exercised some kind of authority over Hargo, and he nodded
his head, though it was impossible to tell from his manner whether he favored the
plan or not.
CROCODILE AND YOUNG.
452 ON THE EDGE OF THE POOL.
"The understanding had better be," added Jack, "that whenever any one of us
hears a gun go off, he is to make all haste to that point ; not because help may be
needed to escape danger, but to gather in the beast, whatever it may be."
"That is, if I run against a big male gorilla and shoot him, you will know that
you and the natives are wanted at once."
" Of course ; we can't capture one of those six-foot chaps any more than we
could capture an African buffalo or an East India tiger ; but, wherever we may
find the male, the female is pretty apt to be in the neighborhood, and, if she has a
young one with her, the job of managing the two will be too big for any one of us."
"You are talking sense ; let us be sure that Gyp and Hargo catch on."
It was easy to make them comprehend, and, since the two tired ones were pretty
well rested by this time, Bob suggested that the hunt be resumed.
But, at the moment he moved to rise from the fallen tree, Gyp held up his hand
and uttered a warning " Sh ! " which caused the others to look silently at him
and listen.
Without speaking, the native pointed with his finger to the left of the pool,
which, you will remember, was partly in view of the hunters.
It was at this juncture that all caught a faint rustling of the undergrowth, such
as might have been made by the stealthy passage of a bird among the vegetation.
Faint as it was, the hunters were able to locate it without the guidance of the dusky
finger, which continued for several seconds to point at the spot.
Suddenly every heart stood still, for they saw dimly, through thv enveloping
bushes, vines and leaves, a gigantic figure moving toward the pool. Ks back was
bent forward and its short legs doubled under the immense hairy body, while the
long, dusky arms reached to the ground, the hands being partly used to help in
locomotion.
" It's a gorilla, sure enough ! " whispered Bob, turning pale with excitement.
Jack raised his hand warningly, but" did not speak.
As the six-foot terror approached the pool, he came into plainer view and was
so nigh that the least noise on the part of any one of the party would have alarmed
him. Bob made a motion as if to raise his rifle and looked inquiringly at Jack. The
Texan shook his head: the time had not arrived for shooting. He wished to wait
and see whether the mother and perhaps her offspring did not show themselves.
At the moment the gorilla reached the edge of the water, the hunters became
aware of a fact unknown till then.
On the edge of the pool lay an enormous crocodile, with his long, corrugated
head and snout resting on the bank and his body in the stagnant water. His size
was revealed by several protuberances of his spine, showing here and there above
the surface, while, seemingly twenty feet beyond, the water was agitated by an oc-
casional motion of his tail.
It was evident that the two had seen each other while some distance separated
them. Indeed, it looked as if the gorilla had come forth with the purpose of raisiner a
rumpus with the saurian.
ON THE EDGE OF THE POOL. 453
The sportsmen were so anxious to witness this impending battle, that they rose
to their feet, and silently took positions behind the nearest trees, from which they
peeped forth with the stealth of so many Indians.
Had not the gorilla been exclusively interested in the crocodile, it is more than
likely he would have detected the hunters near him, but he looked neither to the
right nor left, keeping his small black eyes fixed on the reptile, which was one of
the largest of its species.
It was clear that neither of the combatants, so different in every respect, felt the
slighest fear of the other, though their mutual respect led each to maneuver with
great caution.
The gorilla stopped about a rod distant and looked at the crocodile as if to ask
him his intentions. The latter did not move, except to shift his tail slightly.
This clearly was done with a view of holding it in readiness to deliver one of
those blows which are tremendous enough to smash the ribs of an elephant, though
the jaws of the reptile are often the most fearful weapons that can be employed in
battle.
CHAPTER LXXIX.
A STRANGE BATTLE.
''HE crocodile and gorilla are two of the most ferocious members of the animal
kingdom. Both stand low on the plane of intelligence, but each possesses a
certain cunning which enables him to use his prodigious strength to the best
possible advantage. Had they been endowed with the brains of the elephant, they
could not have made a better fight than they did.
Bending slightly forward, the gorilla indulged in some odd grimacing motions,
much like those of the ordinary monkey, and which were meant to tantalize the
crocodile into coming forth and assailing him.
But the huge reptile knew better than to do that, though it is hard to see wherein
it would have added to its danger. He preferred the water and mud, where he
could use his peculiar means of fighting better than on land.
The gorilla kept up his taunts for a minute or two, and then walked lightly
toward the crocodile, as if he intended to attack in front. The reptile did not stir,
but you may be sure he kept his gaze on his enemy.
If the animal opened the battle in the style he seemed to intend, the jaws of the
defender would bring it to a quick conclusion.
Uttering his cry in a half-suppressed voice, the gorilla made a leap forward, as
if to alight on the snout of the other. Instantly those jaws opened like a vast steel
trap, and, had the gorilla made the bound that he really appeared to have started
upon, he would have been caught in a vise from which ten times his power would
not have extricated him.
But, with inimitable dexterity, the animal turned himself to one side and leaped
backward, eluding the mouth, which snapped shut with a sound that startled the
spectators.
Hardly had the gorilla jumped when the crocodile doubled himself sideways,
and his great tail made a terrific sweep, like that of a scythe in the hands of a
giant. It whizzed over the ground where the gorilla was standing, but did not hit
him.
He bounded into the air with a nimbleness that could not have been surpassed,
and the next moment did a thing so incredible that the hunters could hardly believe
their eyes.
The crocodile knew he was going to miss before his furious blow was delivered,
and, with astonishing agility, he wheeled with open jaws to seize the exasperating
enemy ; but the same dexterity that had saved the latter an instant before did not fail
him now. He darted like a flash to the left, then sprang directly upon the back of
the saurian, a^d, bending over, grasped his forelegs.
454
A STRANGE BATTLE.
455
One was seized in either hand,
and, summoning his Samson-like
strength, he leaned backward and
jerked with might and main.
The spectators heard the bones
crack, and they knew that both the
crocodile's legs were broken like a
couple of pipe-stems.
The reptile struggled fiercely,
lashing his tail, contorting his body
and snapping his jaws in a way that
seemed impossible in one so griev-
ously wounded. But his struggles
A STRANGE BATTLE.
were those of blind fury, and the useless dangling forelimbs interfered fatally
with anything like successful fighting.
"By gracious ! he's got him ! " exclaimed Bob Marshall, stepping from behind
the tree in his excitement.
"What do you mean? " asked Jack, hardly less agitated.
"I mean the crocodile has got the gorilla."
"How do you make that out? "
HEAD OF THE CHIMPANZEE.
"Didn't you see him fall on the other side of him? The crocodile has him
under his body and is hammering the life out of him? "
"No no no not so," said Gyp, as he and Hargo ran forward with the
others, for he had seen what escaped their eyes.
Dashing as close to the floundering reptile as was safe, Bob'and Jack looked for
the bruised gorilla weakly struggling under the threshing body; but he was not
visible.
" He must have him down in the mud and water out of sight," remarked the
puzzled lad.
At that instant came the frightful " kh ah! kh ah!" from the other side of
A STRANGE BATTLE.
457
CHIMPANZEES.
the pool, and the amazed sportsmen looked up in time to catch sight of the gorilla
as he vanished in the jungle.
Our friends stared at each other in astonishment.
A STRANGE BATTLE.
" Well, I'll be hanged ! " muttered the Texan, who was the first to recover his
voice.
" He has given us the slip again," was the disappointed response of Bob; " how
did he do it?"
Gyp was the only one that could explain it.
No doubt that at the moment the gorilla broke the legs of the crocodile, he
discovered the presence of the hunters in the wood near him. But for that, he
would have kept up the fight with his antagonist, but, with a cunning natural to the
creature, he flung himself on the farther side of the saurian, and, using his shield as
a screen, darted behind the nearest bushes on the edge of the pool. Along the
water he skurried swiftly, his body being invisible until he rose erect on the farther
side, emitted his resounding cry and disappeared.
Gyp suspected the meaning of the creature's sudden leap behind the body of
the reptile, but it was executed with such extraordinary deftness that it could not
be frustrated.
Out of mercy for the wounded reptile, Jack Harvey brought his gun to his shoul-
der and sent a bullet into one of the eyes, following it the next instant with another
just back of the foreleg. Five minutes later the crocodile was dead.
It was an exasperating disappointment to the hunters, when they had had the im-
mense gorilla at their mercy, but they were too philosophical to waste any time
in useless laments.
" I don't believe we shail ever see him again ; he has had a good sight of us,
and will be sure to keep his family out of the way," said Jack.
"What good, then, would it have done to shoot him? "
"It might have brought the mother from the wood with her young, and it would
have been easy enough to dispose of her and capture her offspring, if it wasn't too
big."
"There's another fact against us," said Bob; "the gorilla is such a big eater
that he cannot subsist long in one place, and this fellow would have been likely to
change his quarters, even if he hadn't seen us."
" Where is Gyp ? " suddenly asked Jack, looking around.
"He go soon be back he look," replied Hargo, with a number of grimaces
and gestures.
A minute later the well-known whistle of the African was heard from the other
side of the pool and near the spot where the gorilla was last seen. As his friends
looked, Gyp appeared and beckoned them to approach.
" I wonder what's up now," said Bob, as the three hurriedly tramped through
the jungle to where their servant was awaiting them.
" Have you found him ? " eagerly asked the youth, in an undertone, the instant
they joined the other.
Gyp motioned them to follow him silently, adding, in a whisper :
"Don't talk walk slow keep eyes open."
It seemed incredible that Gyp by any possible means should have gained sight
A STRANGE BATTLE.
459
of the gorilla or any member of his family, for there could be no question that the
animal had discovered the hunters, and it was contrary to his nature to remain in
the vicinity or allow any of his relatives to do so.
It was not the gorilla that Gyp had detected, but a creature almost as interesting.
The genus troglodytes contains only two species that upon which our friends
had just looked, and the chimpanzee, which is the troglodytes niger. The adult
male of the latter is about five feet in height, and is much less powerful than the
gorilla, with which it lives at peace in the jungle.
H2AD OF THE GORILLA, FRONT VlEW,
The skin is of a yellowish white tint, scantily covered with long black hair in
front and more behind. The hair on the head is rather thin, being thickest on the
forehead, with a few stiff hairs on the eyebrows and with a scanty eyelash. The
face is naked and the skin whitish and wrinkled.
The ears are exactly like those of a man, but very prominent and much larger pro-
portionately than the gorilla's. The nose doesn't amount to anything, appearing to
be more of a depression than a projection. The nostrils open upward and the
jaws protrude excessively. The mouth is wide, the lips thin and lacking that recur-
vation that gives so much expression to our countenances. The spread of the
460
A STRANGE BATTLE.
shoulders is plainly seen, the body decreasing rapidly from the lower limbs to the loins.
The thumb is the smallest of the fingers, and the foot closely resembles the human hand
I am quite sure that many of my readers have seen a chimpanzee, as I have had
them for years in my show. It is of one of these that I am now giving the history.
Thousands of visitors to Central Park, New York City, have been interested in the
two chimpanzees there. The male was christened " Mr. Crowley," and the female
"Miss Kitty." They are very cunning and amusing. "Crowley" was taken
down with pneumonia (to which the chimpanzee appears to be particularly subject)
during the past winter (1887-8), and for several days his life was despaired of. I
took a look at him while he lay motionless and suffering, and saw that there was
THE CHIMPANZEE.
little hope for the poor fellow ; but he had the best of nursing, and in this month of
April, 1888, is as frolicsome and bright as ever. I have always had strange feelings
when looking into the bright, human-like eyes of the chimpanzee, for there seems to
be something there which is visible in no other being except those belonging to our
own species. Some of their performances, too, display so much intelligence and
such a close resemblance to our own actions as to be startling.
The chimpanzee prefers a hilly country with intervening valleys. The edible
fruits are abundant, and they gather the pine-apple, banana, and a species of plant-
ain, and the papaw, of which they are extremely fond.
You should bear in mind that it takes the chimpanzee eight or ten years to at-
A STRANGE BATTLE. 461
tain his full height, so that those that you have seen and studied with so much inter-
est were, no doubt, still growing.
The first chimpanzees ever brought to Europe alive were " Nip " and " Tuck,"
exhibited at the Aquarium in London.
The stories of this interesting animal are almost as numerous and extravagant
as those of the gorilla. Living in the same country, belonging to the same genus,
sharing some of the most marked characteristics with him, it was only natural that
the accounts brought back by explorers should be as devoid of truth in many
respects, when applied to the chimpanzee, as were those related of his gigantic
brother, the gorilla.
CHAPTER LXXX.
A BATTLE OF GIANTS.
,J YP explained that a female chimpanzee with a single young one was eating
IF|H a species of berry a short distance off among the undergrowth. He had
r^ caught only a glimpse of them, but they were unaware of his presence, and
he believed that, by using care, they could capture the little one. It was probable
that the male was not far off, though the native had not seen him.
The plan of the hunters was simple. They were to separate and surround the
animals before showing themselves. Gyp would take station behind a tree, while
his companions started the couple toward him. Then he would have to exercise
his skill in flinging the net over the intended victim.
Pausing only long enough to make sure the scheme was understood by all, the
hunters immediately parted company, each falling back so far that he was sure of
being out of sight of the chimpanzees until he should begin closing in upon them.
This movement was pressed with so much care, that a half hour passed before
our friends commenced to draw in their lines. Unable to see each other, their
actions were governed by signals, so skillfully emitted that no ears except those for
which they were intended read their meaning.
Bob Marshall was the first to catch sight of the creatures, and his heart gave a
throb of pleasure when he saw the comical mother plucking the small, crimson
berries, while her offspring frolicked around her like a kitten. Some of the antics
of the latter were so comical that Bob could not help smiling. While the mother
was gathering the fruit her offspring would jump upon her back, skurry up her
shoulders, and hop from her crown before she could give it a cuff with her paw.
Catching the signal, the youth stepped forward with a rustling that caused the
mother instantly to stop eating and look up. Seeing the strange figure, she uttered
a sharp, warning cry and scampered off in an opposite direction, taking care, how-
ever, that her pace was so graduated that she did not pass beyond her progeny.
Unfortunately for the couple, their course led them straight for the tree where
fate in the form of Gyp was awaiting them. The situations of Hargo and Jack
Harvey gave them a view of what was going on, but they did not expose themselves,
since the creatures were going right, and it would have been imprudent to interfere.
Bob followed at such a leisurely pace that in a minute or two he had fallen
almost out of sight of the game. The mother continued hopping and running un-
til she had placed herself a long way in front. Then, as if to learn whether she
was still pursued, she stopped and looked around, chattering and frightened. Her
little one, too young to understand their peril, frisked about like a puppy so fulj
of life that it cannot keep still.
462
A BATTLE OF GIANTS.
463
It so happened that at this moment they were within ten feet of the tree be-
hind which the black-eyed native was furtively watching their movements. Hardly
was the halt made when Gyp leaped noiselessly from his hiding-place, and, flinging
the net with the skill of Jack Harvey, landed it directly over the head and
shoulders of the little one. The latter
uttered a series of odd squeaks and
squeals, and struggled like a wild cat;
but it was fast, and every effort only ren-
dered its entanglement more certain.
The mother's affection gave her a
courage which she never could have
possessed at any other time. She flew
fiercely at the African, but he expected
it, and, paying no heed to her frantic
attack until sure the little one
was secure, he whirled about,
and with a quick sweep of his
long knife ended her career.
At this moment the other
hunters ran forward, and gath-
ered around the captive in no
little excitement.
"Look out for the male,"
said Bob, the most flurried of
all ; " he's an uglier customer
than the mother."
It was singular that the head
of the family did not show him-
self, for he ought to have been near at hand. Per-
haps he did take a sly peep at the scene from some
safe hiding-place, and was wise enough to know it
would be fatal for him to interfere. Be that as it may, nothing was seen of
him from first to last.
The captive proved less troublesome than would be supposed. It was a male,
several months old, possessed of considerable activity, and for a time he made a
brave fight, biting at the hands which persisted in keeping the netting over his
head and about his body, and uttering his odd cries of distress.
Before long, however, he exhausted himself and became quiescent. His captors
managed to prevent the little one seeing the inanimate mother, quickly removing
him from the spot. He was too young to realize his loss, and, though he doubtless
meant many of his cries for the ears of his dead parent, yet he gave little exhibition
of grief or distress over his loss.
The net having been made secure about the young chimpanzee, he was suspended
A BATTLE OF GIANTS.
from a pole, carried on the shoulders of Gyp and Hargo, and the party set out for
the camp, which was only a short distance off. Since the hunters were in an
Equatorial country, and engaged upon a specific errand, their camp was quite
primitive, comprising nothing more than a small open space, near a stream which
was neither clear nor cool, and where at night a fire was kept burning, for protection
against animals, and because of the cheerfulness it afforded.
The stream was in reality a sluggish river, winding its course through that mala-
rious section, and showing signs on its bank of being frequented by some of the
most formidable animals of the Dark Continent. Had our friends been prepared
" MIGHT is RIGHT."
they could have secured rhinoceroses, hippopotami or elephants, for these animals
were fully as plentiful as in South Africa.
" We've made a good capture, or rather you have," said Jack Harvey to Gyp;
" and you must take him down the river at once to King William."
The Texan had arranged with his friend, the missionary, to assume charge of
such young animals as were sent him until the return of the hunters from the jungle.
The good man was an excellent naturalist and accepted the trust with pleasure. A
portion of his premises were fitted up for such purposes, and he had already sent a
number of valuable specimens across the ocean.
BONNET MONKEYS.
4.66 A BATTLE OP GIANTS.
Jack did not intend to withdraw from the jungle until he had secured a gorilla,
and, understanding the nature of the animal as well as he did, he resolved that the
hands of the party should be unhampered when the golden opportunity came, if
come it should.
A short distance down the river, which was a tributary of the Gaboon, lay the
small boat that had brought the party almost to the camp. By entering this at
once, and making good use of their time, the natives ought to deliver the young
chimpanzee into the hands of the missionary before night, and return to their camp
by noon of the following day.
Warning them against undue haste or carelessness, Jack and Bob bade the
natives good-by, and they quickly disappeared in the jungle, bearing their precious
burden between them.
Although Jack and Bob felt the need of the presence of the natives, they did not
mean to loiter until their return. They were competent to the task of hunting any
game, and they set out to do so before Gyp and Hargo had been gone ten minutes.
Their prime purpose, however, being the capture of a gorilla, they gave little
thought to anything else ; but, before they had gone far upon their renewed hunt,
they came upon a scene which, for the time, drove everything else from their minds.
It seemed that a party of elephants were returning from a bath in the muddy
river, when they encountered three rhinoceroses on their way after the same luxury
The meeting took place in a sort of rough path in the jungle, not far from the camp
of our friends.
Two of the rhinoceroses turned out for the elephants, but the third, a huge, ugly
fellow, refused to give an inch. Thereupon the dozen or more elephants sensibly
yielded the path to him.
All excepting one, a huge bull, who was in just as ugly a mood as the rhino-
ceros. Within less than two minutes of their meeting these monarchs of the jungle
came together like a couple of animated mountains.
The rhinoceros ran across the front of the elephant, and flung up his two horns,
with the purpose of tearing him asunder, but the elephant threw his left foreleg
over the huge, flabby neck of the mailed rhinoceros, and, partly holding him mo-
tionless, bore down upon him with such awful power that one of his tusks was
driven clean through the victim's body, just back of his shoulders. As the fearful
ivory sword was withdrawn it was crimsoned with blood, which streamed down its
length and dripped to the ground, while the rhinoceros collapsed like so much
mud, killed as utterly as if a thousand tons of rock had crushed him.
" The only law of the road in Africa is might," said Bob, after the elephant,
having contemplated his work for a moment, swung off to join the herd, which
viewed the battle from a point some distance away.
" That rhinoceros was a fool," remarked Jack; " he was too stubborn to turn
out, but preferred to fight, and as a consequence he was knocked out in the first
round."
"A rhinoceros doesn't always make such a failure. Mr. Godkin told me they
ELEPHANT AND RHINOCEROS.
468 A BATTLE OF GIANTS.
sometimes wound and drive off the elephant, but this bull is an unusually large
fellow, and he made a better fight than usual. But, I say, Jack, we seem to have
struck the latitude for all sorts of wild beasts and reptiles."
"How can that be," asked the Texan, "when the spot we are in has no lati-
tude at aU ; being under the Equator ? "
" You are right on that point, but look at the monkeys off yonder, along the
edge of the jungle. They seem to be feeding without any fear of us, who are
in plain sight."
More than a score of the animals with which our friends had, long since, be-
come familiar, were playing along the edge of the forest. Some were plucking
a species of banana-like fruit, others seemed to be shaking hands and sporting
with each other, giving utterance now and then to their peculiar cries, and paying
no heed to the two hunters who were within gun-shot.
"We are after more valuable game than you," said Bob, having watched them
some minutes ; " you must know you are of little account, or you wouldn't tempt
us in that style."
Had the hunters ventured nearer, the creatures would have scampered off, but,
as the youth had intimated, they were in no danger, for the "game wasn't worth the
candle."
CHAPTER LXXXI.
A CAMP-FIRE VISITOR.
UT for the recollection of their good fortune in the easy capture of the chim-
panzee, I am afraid Jack Harvey and Bob Marshall would have lost their
patience before the close of the afternoon, for, though they hunted with a
persistency that ought to have been rewarded, they were baffled in their efforts to
catch sight of the most famed denizen of the African jungle.
This was the more trying, since, as in former instances, they knew they were
often close to the animal. They even heard its peculiar cry, and caught the sound
of one of them skurrying among the vegetation a short distance in front, but in no
case was it possible to secure the coveted shot.
There was no lack of other game. They could have bagged a score of the huge-
eared elephants, which they saw bathing with several hippopotami on the other
side of the river, and an enormous water-serpent that boldly swam out in the
stream tempted a shot from Jack Harvey, who sent the bullet so accurately that the
enormous reptile never saw land again.
Turning from the teeming life of the sluggish Equatorial river, they plunged
into the jungle, where they observed so many strange, brilliantly-colored birds that
they were inclined more than once to make strong efforts to secure them, but they
gave it over, determined not to be drawn aside from their real business.
The plan of parting company was tried, but with no better success than when
they hunted together. At last the hot, suffocating day drew to a close, and the two
met at the camp, where they ate their evening meal of fruit, growing so abundantly
around them. You know the craving for meat is much less in warm weather than
in cold or temperate, and our friends had, long since, adopted the wise plan of eat-
ing only twice a day, and then chiefly of fruit, and drinking as little water as it was
possible to get along with. They were convinced, and I agree with them, that the
chief danger to explor :rs and hunters lies in their carelessness about their drink
and diet.
" We can understand how it is that we don't see any of those plaguey critters in
our own country," remarked Jack Harvey, who, having lighted his pipe, lolled on
the earth with the full enjoyment of the rest which comes to one worn out and tired.
"What do you take to be the reason ? " asked Bob, who also felt the delight of
stretching his limbs on the ground. It was not yet dark and no attention was given
the fire.
"Why, 'cause you can't catch 'em."
"That is hardly the reason," said Bob, "it's the difficulty the gorillas find of
standing any climate except this horrible one."
469
470
A CAMP-FIRE VISITOR.
"Why is it the chimpanzees live in England and America?"
"It must be because the chimpanzee can stand the change of latitude better than
his bigger and stronger brother. Yet a good many of the chimpanzees die, in spite
of all the care taken of them. My chief described to me a gorilla that he saw
in London, but I be-
lieve it died soon
afterward, and you
know they have
never had a live one
in America."
"I suppose if
they could send over
a dozen or so, some
of them would be-
come used to our
country, and after a
time thrive in it."
" It will be done
af te r awhile, no
doubt, just as the fly-
ing machine will. My
chief believes in
the flying machine,
and he insists that if
he doesn't live to see
it, his descendants
will be able to travel
through the air, just
as readily as they pass
from one point to an-
other over the land."
"I would like to
get another chim-
panzee, but if we can
manage to gather in
a young gorilla, I
shall be satisfied to
CONTENTMENT. start for home with
the two prizes."
" And if we succeed in landing both there, my chief will consider the expense
repaid ten-fold."
"Well," said the Texan, puffing away at his pipe, "I shall never up give till we
succeed."
BULKY BATHERS.
471
472
A CAMP-FIRE VISITOR.
"And I'm with you; there's no doubt to my mind that Dick and Mr. Godkin will
secure plenty of valuable curiosities in India, and we mustn't go back empty-handed.
That reminds me," said Bob eagerly, "that we ought to christen the young chim-
panzee: what shall it be ?"
The Texan smoked awhile in silence, and then looked up with a smile:
"Call him 'Dick.'"
"Why?"
"There's a good deal about him that reminds me of Dick; he is lively and
frisky, and, when he gets into a tight place, will fight like the mischief."
"Then 'Dick ' it shall be," replied Bob with a laugh, and so the young chim-
panzee was named for the bright young fellow who just then was having such
stirring times with Mr. Godkin in the wilds of India, the particulars of which have
already been told you.
"We must have a name also for the gorilla," added Jack.
"We haven't caught him yet."
"But we shall do so. I think it will be well to name him 'Bob ' that is, if it
should be a him"
" Is there anything about me to remind you of a gorilla ? " asked the youth with
feigned indignation.
"Well I hope you won't insist on my answering," replied Jack with a twinkle
of his fine dark eyes; " I wouldn't mind your calling him Jocko or Jack, but the
name is too common with monkeys."
"Yes," remarked Bob meaningly, "I know several instances where monkeys
bear the name of Jack, and it fits them well, but one or two more wouldn't make
much difference. I've no objection, however, and I will be so delighted if we
capture a gorilla, that I will be proud to have him bear my name."
*(lf it should prove a female, well, we will be able to find some sweet name
that will fit her. I guess we had better start the fire," added the Texan, rising to
his feet; " it's beginning to grow dark, and I hear animals prowling around in the
jungle."
Gyp and Hargo had gathered so much wood the evening before, that nothing
was required except to kindle the flames, which were soon going at a merry rate.
With such surroundings it would never do for both our friends to sleep at the
same time. They were so tired that it would have been exceedingly pleasant, but
the peril forbade such indulgence.
The gleam of the fire was sure to attract the attention of some of the fiercest
animals known to any part of the world. Indeed, they had been seen near at hand,
and the glare of more than one threatening pair of eyes was caught in startling
proximity to the camp.
All animals have a dread of fire, and, so long as the hunters kept theirs burning
brightly, they were in little danger, provided they maintained their usual vigilance
at the same time. The tiger, as you know, will sometimes steal fearfully close to
the flames for the purpose of seizing his sleeping victim, and. should the sportsman
A CAMP-FIRE VISITOR. 473
sink into unconsciousness, the smouldering embers are sure to tempt some beast to
a venture he would not make were the man awake.
"I will put myself in your care," said Jack, "for half the night, provided you
are sure to keep your eyes open."
" I understand the situation too well to give way," replied the youth, "you know
we both had a good long sleep last night, and I shall keep in motion all the time."
" That settles it ; if you will stick to that there's no danger of closing your eyes."
It was yet early in the evening, but since each expected to pass half the night
awake, Jack prudently decided to gain all the slumber he could while the oppor-
tunity was his.
He therefore knocked the ashes from his pipe, saluted Bob, sent up a prayer
to Heaven, and five minutes later was sleeping as sweetly as an infant.
" It would be a good deal pleasanter to sit here on the ground," reflected Bob,
" but I know what the result would be. Dick and I found that out down in South
Africa. I've often tried to remember the instant I dropped off to sleep, but could
no more do it than I could keep awake all night when sleepy and sitting still. I
wonder where Dick and Mr. Godkin are," he added, with that quick transition of
thought peculiar to youth, as he rose to his feet, and, loaded rifle in hand, began
pacing back and forth near the camp-fire. " They have had plenty of time to reach
India and get well into their work. What a fine thing it would be if Dick and I
had telephonic communication and could keep each other posted. Wouldn't we
have some interesting stories to tell ? "
The youth smiled at his own conceit, and did not forget to maintain a sharp
watch on the dismal jungle whieh closed in on every hand.
The stream was just far enough off to be invisible in the gloom, though a splash-
ing of the water now and then apprised him that some of its inhabitants were in
motion. Many of the animals of India and Africa are nocturnal in their habits, and,
though our friends had come in collision with them during the day-time, yet they
were far more active and dangerous when darkness shrouded the earth and men
were asleep.
Less than an hour had passed of Bob's watch when he became convinced that
some large beast was prowling perilously near. He caught shadowy glimpses of
him as he came to the very edge of the circle of illumination, and then, when the
sentinel stopped to gain a better view of the intruder, he glided noiselessly back
like a shadow and was swallowed up in the gloom.
No doubt the beast had his heart set on the youth, who could tell from his move-
ments that himself, and not the sleeping friend, was the object of attention.
" I'll settle you" muttered Bob, "just as soon as I can get the chance."
The situation was anything but a comfortable one, and the youth had a
constant fear that the brute was about to make a sudden leap from the gloom and
land on his shoulders before he could give him a shot. Three separate times he
brought his rifle to his shoulder, but the beast acted as though he suspected the
meaning of the movement and instantly darted out of range.
474
A CAMP-FIRE VISITOR
The most terrifying feeling was when some slight rustling directly behind the
lad warned him that, in spite of all his care, his unknown enemy had got in the rear.
The youth suspected it was a lion or leopard that was so persistent, and he
finally resolved to force matters to an issue.
Stopping in his walk, with his back to the fire, he held his gun ready. Almost
the same instant he caught the glimpse he wanted, and, bringing his weapon to his
shoulder, let fly, sending in three shots in quick succession.
" Did you hit him ? " asked Jack, sleepily, as he raised his head on his elbow.
"Yes each time."
"All right then I'll go to sleep again ; call me when it's my turn, but try noi
to disturb me before then."
CHAPTER LXXXII
THE KING OF THE JUNGLE.
jROMPTLY at midnight Bob Marshall awakened his friend Jack, and the lattei
assumed his place as sentinel. He did not take the trouble to learn the
nature of the animal shot some time before, since, as he said, it would
" keep " until morning.
The shot had produced a salutary effect upon the other marauders that may have
contemplated a venture of the kind, for, though there were a number of them in the
vicinity, none approached nigh enough to draw a shot from the Texan.
With the coming of daylight, the visitor that had paid such a dear price for his
temerity was found to be a large leopard, resembling in appearance the cheetah or
famed hunting leopard of India. Our friends bestowed little attention on him, for
they had seen too many of his kind to feel any special interest in the brute.
Following the plan agreed upon the previous day, Jack Harvey and Bob Mar-
shall, after their simple morning meal, separated. They had fixed quite clearly in
their minds the course to pursue, it being one which, if adhered to, would hold them
within easy signaling distance of each other.
It fell to the lot of one speedily to come upon an interesting scene, and to the
other to be involved in a most stirring experience.
It need not be said that, after the two days' vain hunt for the gorilla, our friends
used all the care possible. No veterans of the jungle could have stolen through the
tangled vegetation with more noiselessness than they.
Thus it was that Jack had not gone far, when he caught sight of an animal
which with all its extreme watchfulness had no suspicion of his proximity.
On the massive branch of a fallen tree sat a female leopard, calmly gazing at
some point in the jungle. Since it was not in the direction of the hunter, the latter
knew he was undiscovered.
With the same skill he had shown from the first, the Texan crept closer until he
observed that the leopard was the mother of a litter of kittens that were in a partial
cavity just below the limb on which she was sitting.
There were three pretty spotted creatures. One was holding another down
with playful vigor, while the third lay near, apparently looking up at its parent with
an affection that was fully reciprocated.
It would have been the easiest thing in the world for Jack to shoot the mother,
sitting so proudly on the old bough above, but, even had he no fear of alarming the
gorillas in the neighborhood, he would not have done so. They had obtained a
couple of young leopards weeks before in South Africa, and there was no call to
burden themselves with more. So the hunter stole away as cautiously as he had
475
THE KING OF THE JUNGLE. 477
approached the spot, and that mother never knew her narrow escape from death.
If she had been able to understand it, it isn't likely she would have felt any grati-
tude therefor.
" I shouldn't wonder if it was your mate that Bob picked off last night," thought
Jack, "but it was his own fault, and I've no such excuse for shoo-ting you."
Meanwhile Bob Marshall, almost at the same moment, detected a handsome
female leopard a short distance in front of him, whose actions showed she had her
attention fixed upon something so far in advance that it was invisible to him.
Little did he suspect its nature.
The head of the animal was directly away from the youth, and she was moving
so guardedly that Bob would not have seen her had she not suddenly paused and
risen to her feet, precisely as a brute does when seeking to make sure its prey is
where it suspects it to be.
Bob also stopped, and, crouching down, stole to the nearest tree and sheltered
himself behind it, while he watched the actions of the leopard with absorbing
interest. He was still wondering what her intended victim could be, when he saw
something stirring in the undergrowth just beyond. He could not distinguish it
clearly and was still trying to do so, when his blood was set tingling by a wild, re
sounding " kh ah! kh aA/" the well-known cry of the gorilla. At the same
moment, the dimly-seen object in advance of the leopard resolved itself into a
female of that species, which dashed off among the limbs, fallen trees and running
vines, with her young one held to her breast, as a mother clasps her baby.
In this instance the head of the family was on hand, as the leopard discoveied
without a second's delay.
The latter had hardly time to rise to her feet with the purpose of dashing after
ihe female gorilla and her young, when the male, a gigantic fellow, fully six feet
tall, burst through the vegetation, and assailed her with inconceivable ferocity.
The astounded Bob saw the beam-like arms make a terrific sweep through the
air, and in an instant the leopard was grasped and flung on its side. One of the
gorilla's enormous arms gripped his prey under the throat, while the other, passing
over her shoulders, seized the left paw and held it as immovable as if it were the
arm of an infant.
This brought the leopard's head under the chin of the terrible creature, which
opened its vast jaws until they inclosed half the leopard's neck between them. Then
the teeth met, and the victim had barely time to give one frenzied screech, when her
life went out like a flash of lightning, and that, too, before she was able to inflict so
much as a scratch upon her fearful assailant.
The gorilla kept his jaws shut for a full half minute in the back of the leopard's
neck, never releasing the grip of his right hand from her throat, nor that of the
left from her paw. It looked as if he was holding his victim stationary while he
felt for her pulse to learn whether she was alive or not.
If such was the fact, the result must have satisfied him.
Suddenly he flung up his head, half straightened his body, and gave the carcass
478
GORILLA.
THE KING OF THE JUNGLE.
479
a flirt which sent it flying, end over end, among the branches to a point fifty feet
away. The male stood motionless, watching the flight of
the body until it fell, when he wheeled to join his mate, who,
with her young one still clasped to her breast, was watching
him from her perch, no doubt with proud admiration of his
prowess, and both utterly unconscious of the
presence of more formidable enemies than
the one which had just been vanquished.
At the instant of turning, the male uttered
an appalling, human-like screech and went
over backward, flinging his arms aloft,
as man sometimes does when mortally
stricken. He was dead, instantly killed
by a bullet from Bob Marshall's rifle,
which had pierced through his iron
skull as he stood
with his front to
*ard the youth,
A LITTLE FURY.
the shot being so effective that no second one was required. There must have
been a dim perception in the mind of the female that some overwhelming calamity
^80 THE KING OF THE JUNGLE.
bad overtaken her lord, for, with a strange cry, she scampered down from her low
perch, and, still holding her young one to her breast, ran toward the body.
She never reached it. Hardly half the distance was passed when she bounded
forward, uttered a wild shriek, and fell dead, with her young one so tightly clasped
that it was thrown beneath her body.
The same fate which her burly mate had met overtook her before she could
realize the presence of the death-dealing hunter.
Bob Marshall had understood from the first what was necessary, and he
executed his design with a promptness and success that would have delighted any
ranger of the jungles.
Thrilled by what he had accomplished, he dashed from behind the tree and ran
to where the little one was still desperately struggling to free itself from the dead
weight upon it.
As he did so, he almost stepped upon the body of the huge male, which lay
stretched on its back, so fearful-looking, even in death, that the boy involuntarily
checked himself and grasped his rifle, half expecting the monstrous animal to
spring at him. But the king of the jungle was past anything like that.
At the moment Bob reached the female, the young one succeeded in working
itself loose, and now confronted him with an expression of such ferocious venom
that he involuntarily recoiled and placed his hand on his revolver.
The youngster seemed to feel that the strange creature which it now beheld
had done it an irreparable wrong, and it was ready to assail him with the fury,
if not the strength, with which its father had annihilated the leopard but a few
minutes before.
Of course, Bob had no fear of the little one, which was a male, after disposing
of his mother in such summary fashion, and nothing short of necessity could have
tempted him to put a bullet through the young spitfire.
Bob afterward said that during the brief seconds he and the infant gorilla con-
fronted each other it seemed to him that the hideous beast represented a million of
dollars, and he pictured the delight the public would feel when they saw him on
this side of the Atlantic.
But the youngster, after snarling and showing his teeth, seemed to expect the
youth would attack him, and it was that for which he was waiting.
Joyously as Bob would have thrown his arms around the creature and held
him fast, he was too prudent to attempt it. The infant was too strong for him, and
he felt that, unless he had help very soon, the young one would escape, if he chose
to leave the vicinity of his dead parents.
But luck was once more with our friends on that hot day. Bob was standing,
undecided what to do, when his heart was delighted by a whistle which he recog-
nized as the signal of Gyp. The native and his companion must have returned
from their voyage down the river sooner than any one anticipated.
The reports of the youth's Winchester had guided Gyp to the locality, and
a few minutes later he appeared among the trees.
THE KING OF THE JUNGLE.
481
A glance told him the situation, and he hurried to the spot. The fiery young
gorilla was no more frightened by the appearance of two hunters than by a single
one, and he confronted them with the same defiance that he had shown when
opposed by the single sportsman.
The contract, however, was too extensive for the young fury, and, kicking,
scratching, biting and fighting with a fierceness that was amazing, he was finally
obliged to succumb to the entanglements of the same net that had served so well
in making captive the ehimpanzee.
CHAPTER LXXXIII.
HOME AGAIN.
natives, Gyp and Hargo, had pushed matters with such vigor that they
returned from King William several hours sooner than they had expected at
the time of starting thither with the captive chimpanzee. The missionary
was pleased to take charge of the little creature, and promised it the best of care.
He had had others in his keeping before, and understood them so well that no one
could have done better.
The servants had reached camp only a short time after the departure of Jack
Harvey and Bub Marshall on their gorilla hunt. It was not an easy matter to fol-
low them through the jungle, but they set out to do so, and were thus engaged
when the report of Bob's Winchester fell on their ears.
The sound showed that he was not far off, and Gyp at once started to join
him. Hargo decided to stay where he was and to pursue his hunt of the animals
alone unless summoned by signal from his master.
This, you will perceive, was in keeping with Jack Harvey's policy of separating
the hunters, and the act of the native was at the suggestion of Gyp himself.
Hargo had not been left alone ten minutes, when his trained ear told him that
he was in the neighborhood of one of the creatures for which they had hunted so
long in vain. Like his friend Gyp, he had been in the business before, and was
confident he fully understood all the requirements.
The native stood still and looked carefully around, half suspecting he had
already been discovered by the terrific game.
Such, indeed, was the fact, for he had hardly had time to take a quick survey
when he descried a female skurrying off among the trees. As is generally the
case, she was the first to discover the danger, and announced it to her mate, who was
feeding near at hand. The female had no young one with her, so far as Hargo
could see, but, all the same, she turned over to the head of the family the duty of
attending to intruders.
The gorilla that rose on his hind feet and advanced toward the African was
fully as large as the one shot by Bob Marshall. Indeed Hargo had never seen
such a formidable creature, which, instead of fleeing, appeared to be eager for a
fight.
Walking forward, he stopped a rod away, struck his tremendous breast with his
paw, sending out a sound like a bass drum, and, opening his vast crimson mouth to
its full extent, emitted a roar that was enough to test the nerves of the bravest man.
Then he commenced walking slowly forward, with his wicked black eyes fixed on,
the native and the hair over his skull twitching with rage.
HOME AGAIN.
4 8 3
It would not do to miss hitting this monster at the first fire, for, as you will
recall, Hargo's gun was a single-barrel. He knew his peril, and, with the coolness
of a veteran, stood his ground, calmly awaiting the moment when the gorilla should
be so close that a failure of aim was out of the
question.
It would seem that that point was reached
when he was within twenty paces, but Hargo
held his fire until half that distance sepa-
rated them, when he brought his gun to his
shoulder, took aim at the point over the
heart of the animal, and, with the
muzzle of his weapon almost within
reach of his paw, pulled trigger.
Alas ! the piece missed
fire, and the instant it
did so the African
knew he was
<.
JUST Too LATE.
doomed. Hastily clubbing his
gun, he made a sweeping blow at
the monster, who bounded forward
with the fury of his brother assail-
ing the leopard.
The blow landed, but produced
no more effect than if it had struck
the side of a tree. In an instant
the weapon was wrenched from his
grasp by a single paw of the gorilla, who smote the man with his other, the blow
crushing his skull as though it had been card-board, and striking him to the earth,
dead almost before he fell.
4 8 4
HOME AGAIN.
Standing over the prostrate figure, the gorilla stared around in the jungle, uttering
his resonant roar, as if to say that if there were any more human beings who wished
to dispute his sovereignty of the jungle he was ready for them.
He did not have to wait long, for it so happened that Jack Harvey was pushing
his way among the trees, drawn thither by the cry of the gorilla, which was quite near
him.
As he came in sight he saw the creature standing over the motionless figure,
and he needed nothing more to tell him that poor Hargo was beyond all suffering.
The beast still held the gun, and, as if in the pure wantonness of strength, he bent
it over in a half circle, apparently with no more effort than if it were a thin pipe of
lead.
The Texan stopped while fifty feet distant, and leveled his Winchester at the
gorilla, which began advancing toward him. Jack did not wait for him to lessen
the space, but let fly the instant he was sure of his aim, and with such accuracy
that the first ball bored its way through the heart of the monster, who went to the
earth very much as the victims of Bob Marshall's marksmanship had done a brief
time before.
The hunter ran forward and stooped over the figure of Hargo. He knew before
doing so that he was past help, and he was stirred with sorrow for the unfortunate
victim of the animal's ferocity.
In order to protect the body from wild beasts, Jack decided to stay by it until it
could be removed. He uttered the signal agreed upon, and had to wait only a short
time when, to his astonishment, Gyp and Bob appeared, carrying the captive gorilla
between them, suspended in the net supported on a pole, with the little one as savage
and defiant in its way as its parent had been.
Gyp and Bob were shocked by the fate of their attendant, but he was killed
beyond remedy, and all that remained was to carry his body to the boat and thence
down the river to King William.
It was a difficult task, but it was accomplished at last, the party reaching the
town the following day with the remains and the young gorilla in good con-
dition. Bob and Jack distributed a liberal sum of money among J-Iargo's nearest
relatives, whose gratitude seemed to be more pronounced than their grief for the
loss of their friend.
The two hunters decided that their work in Equatorial Africa was finished, and
they now desired to leave the country with the least possible delay. They were
hopeful of finding some vessel bound across the Atlantic to America ; but they were
disappointed, and, after waiting several days, took ship to the Cape of Good Hope.
There they secured passage by way of Calcutta for England.
At Cape Town, the horses which they had left were taken on board, and the run
up the Indian Ocean was begun in the highest spirits on the part of both. " Dick," the
chimpanzee, and " Bob," the gorilla, were in excellent condition, and their captors
were hopeful of landing both in America in the best of health and vigor.
The gorilla seems to be absolutely untamable. My old friend Du Chaillu tell?
HOME AGAIN.
485
me he made repeated attempts to win the regard of the young ones he was fort-
unate enough to capture, but was never able to awaken the first spark of affection
in them.
Bob Marshall's experience with " Dick " was quite similar. Jack Harvey became
so disgusted with the spitfire that he gave up the task and left him to himself.
Many a time Bob felt like doing the same, but some slight indication, as he thought,
of an appreciation of his efforts, induced him to persevere in his attempts to make
friends with
the little one.
TT ,
He spoke
to it in the
most sooth-
ing language,
proffered it
delicacies,
and sp ent
hours in try-
ing to win its
regard, but all
in vain ; and,
when Calcut-
ta was reach-
ed, he was
compelled to
admit to Jack
that the ani-
mal was just
as fierce and
wild as when
the net was
thrown over
its head in the
Gaboon coun-
try.
"If there
is any difference," added Bob, " I think he is worse, for he has grown rapidly and is a
good deal stronger. If he could get the chance I believe he would throttle us both."
" There's no doubt of it ; I daren't trust myself to fool with him, for if he should
bite me I'm afraid I would knock his plagued head off before I could restrain
myself."
" He is too valuable to take any such risks/' said Bob, with a laugh, " for you
know gorillas come high."
The greatest surprise and delight of all awaited the arrival of Bob and Jack at
DICK.
486
HOME AGAIN.
Calcutta, for who should they find there but Dick Brownell and Mr. Godkin, just
completing their arrangements for exporting the prizes they had secured in the
East Indian jungles to America by way of England.
You can imagine how glad the friends were to meet each other again, and to
find themselves all unharmed, with the most interesting of stories to exchange.
The chimpanzee and gorilla were shipped with them, the four hunters taking pas-
sage on the same vessel, in order to be near their prizes and to give them their
attention.
I wish I could conclude my account with a continuous record of success and
gratification on the part of my friends, who had done so exceedingly well in their
search for wild beasts, birds and reptiles in Asia and Africa, but, I am sorry to say,
I cannot.
Toward the latter part of the voyage " Bob," the gorilla, showed signs of illness.
He received every possible care, but he grew worse, and just as the shores of Old
England rose to sight over the blue ocean he breathed his last.
The effort to bring a live gorilla to America had once more failed, and, as I write
these closing lines, I have to repeat that success in that respect remains yet to be
attained. Of course it will come sooner or later, as will many other achievements
that are now deemed among the impossibilities.
With the trifling exceptions named, the rest of the valuable cargo reached this
country in safety and in good health. Among all the strange wild animals, the
liveliest and brightest was " Dick," the chimpanzee. There are others, but if you
are ever at an exhibition where he is, the attendant will be pleased to point out "Dick"
to you, believing you will be interested in him after learning the particulars of his
capture.
He is as full of mischief and tricks as an egg is of meat. He is fond of taking
a peep at himself in a mirror with which his quarters are furnished. He is fright-
fully homely, and I don't wonder that several times he has felt so discouraged over
his unprepossessing appearance that he has smashed the little looking-glass which
persisted in reflecting his lineaments so truthfully.
He is also very fond of pets, and between him and the tame rabbit, which has
been placed in his quarters, a strong friendship has been formed.
As I intimated, Bob Marshall and Dick Brownell immediately entered college
on their return to this country, and they are now pursuing their studies with the
same vigor and persistency they showed in pursuing the wild birds, beasts and
reptiles of Africa and India. They feel that they have had enough of wild life, and
I am quite sure that you and I would feel the same after passing through an experi-
ence as varied and stirring as theirs has been.
Jack Harvey and Carl Godkin are among my most trusted friends and you
will admit that I am warranted in believing that nothing ever can arise to disturb
the pleasant relations which have existed between us from the first.
I feel it a pleasure to acknowledge in this place my indebtedness to my friend
Edward S. Ellis, A.M., for his help in the preparation of these pages. His store of
DICK AND His PET.
488
HOME AGAIN.
information concerning wild animals, their haunts and habits, and his long expe-
rience as a successful writer for the young have enabled him to give me many
valuable suggestions as to arrangement, style and method of treatment. This
acknowledgment is, therefore, due him, and is made without suggestion or wish on
his part.
CHAPTER LXXXIV.
THE REASON WHY IN NATURAL HISTORY.
HE wonderful provision of nature in the adaptation of means to end, is nowhere more strikingly
illustrated than in the peculiarities of structure which mark the different members of the
animal kingdom, adapting each to its environment, providing the means of defense and
sustenance; and in that instinctive knowledge of the hidden forces of nature which enables them to
perceive the approach of storms, changes of temperature, etc., and seek means of safety. Nothing
can be more interesting and instructive than to trace the reason of these peculiarities in animal and
insect life, and thus in the book of nature read the wisdom of the Creator.
The form of question and answer has here been adopted for the reason that the facts can
thus be presented in the least possible space, and in the manner best adapted to the understanding
of the young.
ANIMALS.
1 . Why are there so many bodily forms in the
animai creation ?
Because the various creatures which God has
created have different modes of life, and the
forms of their bodies will be found to present a
perfect adaptation to the lives allotted to them.
Because, also, the beauty of creation depends
upon the variety of objects of which it consists.
And the greatness of the Creator's power is
shown by the diversity of ends accomplished by
different means.
2. Why do the furs of animals become thicker in
the winter than in the summer ?
Because the Creator has thus provided for the
preservation of the warmth of the animals dur-
ing the cold months of winter.
3. Why have dogs and other carnivorous animals
long pointed teeth projecting above the rest ?
Because as they have not hands to seize and
Control their food, the projecting teeth enable
them to snap and hold the objects which they
pursue for food.
4. Why is the under-jaw of the hog shorter and
smaller than the upper one ?
Because the animal pierces the ground with
its long snout, and then the small under-jaw
works freely in the furrow that has been opened
in quest of food.
5. Why have animals with long necks large
throats ?
Animals that graze, or feed from the ground,
generally have a more powerful muscular forma-
tion of the throat than those which feed in other
positions, because a greater effort is required
to force the food upward, than would be needed
to convey it down.
6. Why have otters, seals, etc., web-feet f
Because, while the feet enable them to walk
upon the land, they are equally effective in their
action upon the water, and hence they are
adapted to the amphibious nature of the animals
to which they belong.
7. Why do the external ears of animals of prey,
such as cats, tigers, foxes, wolves, hyenas, etc., bend
forward ?
Because they collect the sounds that occur in
the direction of the pursuit, and enable the ani-
mal to track its prey with greater certainty.
8. Why do the ears of animals of flight, such as
hares, rabbits, deer, etc., turn backward ?
Because they thereby catch the sounds that
give them warning of the approach of danger.
49
THE REASON WHY IN NATURAL HISTORY.
g. Why has the stomach of the camel a number of
distinct bags, like so many separate stomachs ?
Because water is stored up in the separate
chambers of the stomach, apart from the solid
aliment, so that the animal can feed, without
consuming all its drink. It is thereby able to re-
tain water to satisfy its thirst while traveling
across hot deserts, where no water could be ob-
tained.
10. Why have the Indian hogs large horns grow-
ing from their nostrils and turning back towards
their eyes ?
Because the horns serve as a defense to the
eyes while the animal forces its way through the
thick underwood in which it lives.
1 1 . Why have calves and lambs, and the young of
horned cattle generally, no horns while they are
young ?
Because the presence of horns would interfere
with the suckling of the young animal. When,
however, it is able to feed itself by browsing,
then the horns begin to grow.
12. Why cannot flesh-eating animals live upon
vegetables ?
Because the gastric juice of a flesh -eating ani-
mal, being adapted to the duty which it has to
perform, will not dissolve vegetable matter.
13. Why has the mole hard and flat feet, armed
with sharp nails ?
Because the animal is thereby enabled to bur-
row in the earth, in search for worms. Its feet
are so many shovels.
14. Why is the mole's fur exceedingly glossy and
smooth ?
Because its smoothness enables it to work
under ground without the soil sticking to its
coat, by which its progress would be impeded.
From soils of all kinds, the little worker emerges
shining and clean.
15. Why has the elephant a short, unbending
neck ?
Because the elephant's head is so heavy, that
it could not have been supported at the end of a
long neck (or lever), without a provision of im-
mense muscular power.
1 6. Why has the elephant a trunk ?
The trunk of an elephant serves as a substitute
for a neck, enabling the animal to crop the
branches of trees, or to raise water from the
stream.
According to Cuvier, the number of muscles in an ele-
phant's trunk amounts to forty thousand, all of which are
under the will, and it is to these that the proboscis of this
animal owes its flexibility. It can be protruded or con-
tracted at pleasure, raised up or turned to either side, coiled
round on itself or twined around any object. With this in-
strument the elephant collects the herbage on which he
feeds and puts it into his mouth ; with this he strips the trees
of their branches, or grasps his enemy and dashes him to
the ground. But this admirable organ is not only adapted
for seizing or holding substances of magnitude ; it is also
capable of plucking a single leaf, or of picking up a straw
from the floor. The orifices of the canals of the extremity
are encircled by a projecting margin, produced anteriorly
into a finger-like process endowed with a high degree of
sensibility and exceedingly flexible. It is at once a finger
for grasping and a feeler ; the division between the two
nasal orifices or their elevated sides serves as a point against
which to press ; and thus it can pick up or hold a small
coin, a bit of biscuit, or any trifling thing with the greatest
ease.
17. Why do the hind-legs of elephants bend for-
ward ?
Because the weight of the animal is so great,
that when it lay down it would rise with great
difficulty, if its legs bent outward, as do me legs
of other animals. Being bent under the body,
they have a greater power of pushing directly
upward, when the powerful muscles of the thighs
straighten them.
1 8. Why have bats hooked claws in their wings ?
Because bats are almost destitute of legs and
feet ; at least those organs are included in their
wings. If they alight upon the ground, they
have great difficulty in again taking to the wing,
as they cannot run or spring to bring their wings
in action upon the air. At the angle of each
wing there is placed, therefore, a bony hook, by
which the bat attaches itself to the sides of rocks,
caves, and buildings, laying hold of crevices,
joinings, chinks, etc. ; and when it takes its flight,
it unhooks itself, and its wings are at once free
to strike the air.
1 9. Why does the bat fly by night ?
Because it lives chiefly upon moths, which are
night-flying insects.
20. Why does the bat sleep during the winter f
Because, as the winter approaches, the moths
and flying insects upon which it feeds, disappear.
If, therefore, it did not sleep through the winter,
it must have starved.
THE REASON WHY IN NATURAL HISTORY.
49 I
21. Why do oxen, sheep, deer, etc., ruminate ?
Because they have no front teeth in the upper
jaw, the place of which is occupied by a hardened
gum. The first process, therefore, consists
simply of cropping their food, which is passed
into the paunch, to be brought up again and
ground by the back teeth when the cropping
process is over.
Because, in a wild state, they are constantly
exposed to the attacks of carnivorous beasts, and
as the mastication of the large amount of vege-
table food required for their sustenance would
take a considerable time, they are provided with
stomachs, by which they are enabled to fill their
paunches quickly, and then, retiring to a place
of safety, they bring their food up again, and
chew it at leisure.
22. Why can ruminating animals recover the food
from their paunches ?
Because they have a voluntary power over the
muscles of the throat, by which they can bring
up the food at will.
23. Why can they keep the unchewed food in the
paunch, from the "cud", they have chewed for
nourishment ?
Because their stomachs are divided into three
chambers : i, the paunch, where the unchewed
food is stored ; 2, the reticulum, where portions
of the food are received from the paunch, and
moistened and rolled into a "cud," to be sent up
and chewed ; and 3, the psalterium, which re-
ceives the masticated food, and continues the
process of digestion.
In quadrupeds the deficiency of teeth is usually compen-
sated by the faculty of rumination. The sheep, deer and ox
tribe are without fore-teeth in the upper jaw. These rumi-
nate. The horse and ass are furnished with teeth in the up-
per jaw, and do not ruminate. In the former class the grass
and hay descend into the stomachs nearly in the state in
which they are cropped from the pasture, or gathered from
the bundle. In the stomach, they are softened by the gast-
ric juice, which in these animals is unusually copious. Thus
softened and rendered tender, they are returned a second
time to the action of the mouth, where the grinding teeth
complete at their leisure the trituration which is necessary,
but which was before left imperfect. I say, the trituration
which is necessary ; for it appears from experiments that
the gastric fluid of sheep, for example, has no effect in di-
gesting plants, unless they have been previously masticated ;
that it only produces a slight maceration, nearly as common
water would do in a like degree of heat ; but that when once
vegetables are reduced to pieces by mastication, the fluid
then exerts upon them its specific operation. Its first effect is to
soften them, and to destroy their natural consistency ; it then
goes on to dissolve them, not sparing even the toughest
parts, such as the nerves of the leaves. It is very probable,
that the gratification also of the animal is renewed and pro-
longed by this faculty. Sheep, deer and oxen appear to be
in a state of enjoyment whilst they are chewing the cud. It
is then, perhaps, that they best relish their food.
24. Why do quadrupeds that are vegetable eaters
feed so continually ?
Because their food contains but a small pro-
portion of nutrition, so that it is necessary to
digest a large quantity to obtain sufficient nour-
ishment.
25. Why do flesh-eating animals satisfy them-
selves with a rapid meal ?
Because the food which they eat is rich in
nutritious matter, and more readily digestible
than vegetable food ; it does not, therefore, re-
quire the same amount of grinding with the
teeth.
26. Why do the smaller animals breed more
abundantly than the larger ones ?
Because the smaller ones are designed to be
the food of the larger ones, and are therefore
created in numbers adapted to that end. An
elephant produces but one calf ; the whale but
one young one ; a butterfly lays six hundred eggs j
silkworms lay from 1,000 to 2,000 eggs; the
wasp, 5,000 ; the ant, 4,000 to 5,000 ; the queen
bee, 5,000 to 6,000, or 40,000 to 50,000 in a
season ; and a species of white ant (termes fat-
alis) produces 86,400 eggs in a day. Birds of
prey seldom produce more than two eggs ; the
sparrow and duck tribe frequently sit upon a
dozen ; in rivers there prevail a thousand min-
nows for one pike ; and in the sea, a million of
herrings for a single shark ; while of the animal-
cules upon which the whale subsists, there must
exist hundreds of millions for one whale.
27. Why have cats, and various other animals,
whiskers ?
The whiskers of cats, and of the cat tribe, are
exceedingly sensitive, enabling them, when seiz-
ing their prey in the dark, to feel its position
most acutely. These hairs are supplied, through
their roots, with branches of the same nerves
that give sensibility to the lips, and that in in-
sects supply their " feelers. "
28. Why has the horse a smaller sto* .,ch pro-
portionately than other animals ?
492
THE REASON WHY IN NATURAL HISTORY.
Because the horse was created for speed.
Had he the ruminating stomach of the ox, he
would be quite unfitted for the labor which he
now so admirably performs.
29. Why has the horse no gall-bladder ?
Because the rapid digestion of the horse, by
which its fitness for speed is greatly increased,
does not require the storing up of the bile as in
other animals in which the digestive process is
a slower operation.
30. Why have oxen and other quadrupeds a tough
ligament called the "pax-wax" running from their
backs to their heads ?
Because their heads are of considerable weight;
and having frequent occasion to lift them, they
are provided with an elastic ligament, which is
fastened at the middle of their backs, while its
other extremity is attached to the head. This
enables them to raise their heads easily; other-
wise the effort to do so would be a work of great
labor. To the horse, the pax-wax acts as a
natural bearing-rein, assisting it to hold its head
in that position which adds to the grace arid
beauty of the animal.
31. Why have the females of the kangaroo and
opossum tribes pouches, or pockets, formed in the
skin of their breasts for the reception of their
young ?
Because their young ones are remarkably
small and helpless; in fact, more so than those
of any other animal of equal proportions. Be-
sides which, the full-grown animals have very
long hind-legs, and they progress by a series of
extraordinary leaps. It would consequently be
impossible for their helpless young ones to follow
them. God has therefore given to female kan-
garoos and opossums curious pockets, formed
out of their own skin, in which they place their
little young ones, and bear them through their
surprising leaps with the greatest ease and
safety.
32. Why do animals that graze, crop the tender
blades of grass, but avoid the tall stems ?
Because they are tempted by the greatei
sweetness and tenderness of the young blades >
and in this temptation a very important end is
served; for, by avoiding the stems that have
grown up, the animals spare the matured plant
by which seeds are borne, and by which the sup-
ply of food is to be continued.
33. Why has the giraffe a small head ?
Because, being set upon the end of a very long
neck, the animal would be unable to raise it if it
were heavy.
34. Why has the giraffe a long neck ?
Because it feeds upon the branches of tall
trees.
35. Why has the giraffe a long and flexiblt
tongue ?
Because it is thereby enabled to lay hold of
the tender twigs and branches, and draw them
into its mouth, avoiding the coarser parts of the
branches.
36. Why are the nostrils of the giraffe small and
narrow, and studded with hairs ?
Because the hairs and the peculiar shape oi
the nasal passages are designed as a protection
against the insects which inhabit the boughs ol
the trees upon which the giraffe feeds ; and also
against the sands of the desert, which storms
raise into almost suffocating clouds.
BIRDS.
37. Why are birds covered with feathers ?
Because they require a high degree of warmth,
on account of the activity of their muscles ; but
in providing that warmth it was necessary that
their coats should be of the lightest material, so
as not to impair their powers of flight ; and
feathers combine the highest warming power,
faith the least amount of weight.
38. Why have ostriches small wings ?
Because, having long legs, they do not require
their wings for flight ; they are merely used to
steady their bodies while running.
39. Why are ostrich feathers soft and downy f
Because, as the feathers are not employed for
flight, the strength of the feathers as constructed
for flying is unnecessary, and the feathers there-
fore consist chiefly of a soft down.
40. Why have water-birds feathers of a close and
smooth texture ?
Because such feathers keep the body of the
bird warm and dry, by repelling the water from
their surface. A bird could scarcely move
through the water with the downy feathers of
THE REASON WHY IN NATURAL HISTORY,
493
the ostrich, because of the amount of water the
down would absorb.
41. Why does a black down grow under the
feathers of birds as winter approaches ?
Because the down is a non-conductor of heat,
and black the warmest color. It is therefore
best adapted to keep in their bodily warmth dur-
ing the cold of winter.
42. Why have birds hard beaks ?
Because, having no teeth, the beak enables
them to seize, hold, and divide their food.
43. Why are the beaks of birds generally long
and sharp ?
Because the greater number of birds live by
picking up small objects, such as worms, insects,
seeds, etc. The sharp beak, therefore, serves as
a fine pincers, enabling them to take hold of
their food conveniently.
44. Why have snipes and woodcocks long tapering
bills ?
Because they live upon worms which they find
in the soft mud of streams and marshy places ;
their long bills, therefore, enable them to dig
down into the mud after their prey.
45. Why have woodcocks, snipes, etc., nerves run-
ning down to the extremities of their bills ?
Because, as they dig for their prey in the soft
sand and mud, they cannot see the worms upon
which they live. Nerves are therefore distrib-
uted to the very point of their bills (where, in
other birds, nerves are entirely absent) to enable
them to prehend their food.
46. Why have ducks and geese square-pointed
bills ?
Because they not only feed by dabbling in soft
and muddy soil, but they consume a considerable
quantity of green food, and their square bills en-
able them to crop off the blades of grass.
47. Why has the spoon-bill a long expanded bill
lined internally with sharp muscular points ?
Because the bird lives by suction, dipping its
broad bill in search of aquatic worms, mollusks,
insects and the roots of weeds. The bill forms
a natural spoon, and the muscular points enable
the bird to filter the mud, and to retain the
nourishment which it finds.
48. Why has the spoon-bill long legs ?
Because it wades in marshy places to find its
food. Its legs are therefore long, for the pur-
pose of keeping its body out of the water, and
above the smaller aquatic plants, while it
searches for its prey.
49. Why have the parrots, etc., crooked and
hard bills ?
Because they live upon nuts, the stones of
fruit, and hard seeds. The shape of the bill,
therefore, enables them to hold the nut or seed
firmly, and the sharp point enables them to split
or remove the husks.
50. Why can a parrot move its upper as well as
its lower bill ?
Because by that means it is enabled to bring
the nut or seed nearer the fulcrum, or joint of the
jaw. It therefore acquires greater power, just
as with a pair of nut-crackers we obtain in-
creased power by setting the nut near to the
joint.
5 1 . Why are the bones of birds hollow ?
Because they are thereby rendered lighter,
and do not interfere with the flight of the bird
as they would do if they were solid. Greater
strength is also obtained by the cylindrical form
of the bone, and a larger surface afforded for the
attachment of powerful muscles.
52. Why do all birds lay eggs ?
Because, to bear their young in any other
manner, would encumber the body, and mater-
ially interfere with their powers of flight.
As soon as an egg becomes large and heavy enough to be
cumbersome to the bird, it is removed from the body. A
shell, impervious to air, protects the germ of life within,
until from two to twenty eggs have accumulated, and then,
although laid at different intervals, their incubation com-
mences together, and the young birds are hatched at the
same time.
53. Why have birds with long legs short tails 9
Because the tails of birds are used to guide
them through the air, by a kind of steerage.
When birds with long legs take to flight, they
throw their legs behind, and they then serve the
same purpose as a tail.
' 54. Why have birds that sv im up6n water web-
feet ?
Because the spreading out of the toes of the
bird brings the membrane between the toes into
the form of a fin, or water-wing, by striking
which against the water the bird propels itself
along.
55. Why have birds that swim and dive short
legs?
494
THE REASON WHY IN NATURAL HISTORY.
Because long legs would greatly impede their
motions in the water, by becoming repeatedly
entangled in the weeds, and by striking against
the bottom. Waders, however, require long legs
because they have to move about through the
tall vegetation of marshy borders.
56. Why have the feet of the heron, cormorant,
etc., deep rough notches upon their under surface ?
Because, as those birds live by catching fish,
they are enabled by the notches in their feet, to
hold the slippery creatures upon which they feed.
57. Why do woodpeckers " tap " at old trees ?
Because by boring through the decayed wood,
with the sharp and hard bills with which they
are provided, they get at the haunts of the insects
upon which they feed.
58. Why are woodpeckers' tongues about three
times longer than their bills ?
Because, if their bills were long, they would
not bore the trees so efficiently ; and when the
trees are bored, and the insects alarmed, they
endeavor to retreat into the hollows of the wood;
but the long thin tongue of the woodpecker fixes
them on its sharp horny point, and draws them
into the mouth of the bird.
59. Why have birds gizzards f
Because, having no teeth, the tough and
fibrous gizzards are employed to grind the food
preparatory to digestion.
60. Why are small particles of sand, stone, etc.,
found in the gizzards of birds ?
Because, by the presence of those rough parti-
cles, which become embedded in the substance
of the gizzard, the food of the bird is more effect-
ively ground.
When our fowls are abundantly supplied with meat, they
soon fil* their craw, but it does not immediately pass thence
into the gizzard; it always enters in small quantities, in
proportion to the progress of trituration; in like manner, as
in a mill, a receiver is fixed above the two large stones
which serve for grinding the corn, which receiver, although
the corn be put into it by bushels, allows the grain to drib-
ble only in small quantities into the central hole in the upper
mill-stone.
61. Why have birds of prey no gizzards ?
Because their food does not require to be
ground prior to digestion, as does the food of
grain-eating birds.
62. Why has the pelican a large pouch under its
bill ?
Because it subsists upon fish, generally of the
smaller kind, and uses its pouch as a net for
catching them ; the pouch also serves as a
paunch, in which the fish are stored, until the
bird ceases from the exertion of fishing, and
takes its meal at leisure.
In their wild state they hover and wheel over the surface
of the water watching the shoals of fish beneath, and sud-
denly sweeping down, bury themselves in the foaming
waves; rising immediately from the water by their own
buoyancy, up they soar, the pouch laden with the fish
scooped up during their momentary submersion. The
number of fish the pouch of this species will contain may
be easily imagined when we state that it is so dilatable as to
be capable of containing two gallons of water; yet the bird
has the power of contracting this membraneous expansion,
by wrinkling it up under the lower mandible, until it is
scarcely to be seen. In shallow inlets, which the pelicans
often frequent, it nets its prey with great adroitness.
The pelican chooses remote and solitary islands, isolated
rocks in the sea, the borders of lakes and rivers, as its
breeding-place. The nest, placed on the ground, is made
of coarse grasses, and the eggs, which are white, are two or
three in number. While the female is incubating, the male
brings fish to her in his pouch, and the young, when
hatched, are assiduously attended by the parents, who feed
them by pressing the pouch against the breast, so as to
transfer the fish from the former into the throats of the
young. The action has doubtless given origin to the old
fable of the pelican feeding its young with blood drawn
from its own breast.
63. Why does the lower bill of the sea-crow pro-
ject beyond the upper one ?
Because the bird obtains his food by skimming
along the water into which he dips his bill, and
lifts his food out.
64. Why do the mandibles of the cross-bill over-
lap each other ?
Because the bird requires a peculiar bill, to
enable it to split seeds into halves, and to tear
the open cones of the fir-tree.
INSECTS.
65. Why has the spider the power of spinning
a web ?
Because, as it lives upon flies, but is deficient
of the power of flying in pursuit of them, it has
been endowed with an instinct to spread a snare
to entrap them, and with the most wonderful
machinery to give that instinct effect.
There are few things better suited to remove the disgust
into which young people are betrayed on the view of some
natural objects, than this of the spider. They will find that
the most despised creature may become a subject of admira-
THE REASON WHY IN NATURAL HISTORY.
495
tion, and be selected by the naturalist to exhibit the marvel-
lous' works of the creation. The terms given to these in-
sects lead us to expect interesting particulars concerning
them, since they have been divided into vagrants, hunters,
swimmers, and water spiders, sedentary, and mason-spiders,
thus evincing a variety in their condition, activity, and mode
of life; and we cannot be surprised to find them varying in the
performance of their vital functions (as, for example, in their
mode of breathing), as well as in their extremities and in-
: struments. Of these instruments the most striking is the
: apparatus for spinning and weaving, by which they not
only fabricate webs to entangle their prey, but form cells
for their residence and concealment; sometimes living in
' the ground, sometimes under water, yet breathing the
: atmosphere. Corresponding with their very singular organ-
ization are their instincts. We are familiar with the watch-
fulness and voracity of some spiders, when their prey is
indicated by the vibration of the cords of their net-work.
Others have the eye and disposition of the lynx or tiger,
and after crouching in concealment, leap upon their victims.
Some conceal themselves under a silken hood or tube, six
eyes only projecting. Some bore a hole in the earth, and
line it as finely as if it were done v/ith the trowel and
mortar, and then hang it with delicate curtains. A very
extraordinary degree of contrivance is exhibited in the trap-
door spider. This door, from which it derives its name,
has a frame and hinge on the mouth of the cell, and is so
provided that the claw of the spider can lay hold of it, and
whether she enters or goes out, the door shuts of itself. But
the water-spider has a domicile more curious still; it is
under water, with an opening at the lower part for her exit
and entrance; and although this cell be under water, it
contains air like a diving-bell, so that the spider breathes
the atmosphere. The air is renewed in the cell in a man-
ner not easily explained. The spider comes to the surface ;
a bubble of air is attracted to its body; with this air she
descends, and gets under her cell, when the air is disen-
gaged and rises into the cell; and thus, though under
water, she lives in the air. There must be some peculiar
property of the surface of this creature by which she can
move in the water surrounded with an atmosphere, and live
under the water breathing the air.
The chief instrument by which the spider performs these
wonders is the spinning apparatus. The matter from
which the threads are spun is the liquid contained in cells;
i the ducts from these cells open upon little projecting teats,
, and the atmosphere has so immediate an effect upon this
liquid, that upon exposure to it the secretion beconies a
tough and strong thread. Twenty-four of these fine strands
. form together a thread of the thickness of that of the silk-
worm. We are assured that there are three different sorts
of material thus produced, which are indeed required for
the various purposes to which they are applied as, for
example, to mix up with the earth to form the cells; to line
these cells as with fine cotton; to make light and floating
threads by which they may be conveyed through the air, as
well as those meshes which are so geometrically and cor-
rectly formed to entrap their prey.
66. Why have many insects a great number of
yes t
Because the orb of the eye is fi::ed ; there is
therefore placed over the eye a mmtiple-lense,
which conducts light to the eye from every
direction ; so that the insect can see with a
fixed eye as readily as it could have done with a
moveable one. As many as fourteen hundred
eyes, or inlets of light, have been counted in the
head of a drone-bee. The spider has eight eyes,
mounted upon different parts of the head : two
in front, two in the top of the head, and two on
each side.
67. Why do certain butterflies lay their eggs
upon cabbage leaves ?
Because the cabbage leaves are the food of the
young caterpillars ; and although the butterfly
does not subsist herself upon the leaf, she knows
by instinct that the leaf will afford food to her
future young ; she therefore lays her eggs where
her young ones will find food.
This explanation applies to many insects that lay their
eggs upon other plants.
68. Why have insects long projections from their
heads, like horns or feathers ?
Because those organs (the antennae), are those
through which some insects hear and others
feel ; and the projecting of these antennae from
their bodies probably enables them to hear or
feel more acutely while their wings are in
motion, without the interference of the vibrations
of their wings.
69. Why can gossamer spiders float through the
air ?
Because, having no wings, and being deficient
in the active muscular powers of other spiders,
they have been endowed with the power of
spinning a web which is so light that it floats in
the air, and bears the body of the gossamer
spider from place to place. Each web acts as a
balloon, and the spider attached thereto is a
little aeronaut.
70. Why do crickets make a peculiar chirping
sound ?
Because they have hard wing cases, by the
friction of the edges of which they cause their
peculiar noise, to make known to each other
where they are, in the dark crevices in. which
they hide.
71. Why has the glow-worm a brush attached to
its tail?
Because it is necessary to keep its back very
clean, that the light which its body emits may
not be dimmed.
49 6
THE REASON WHY IN NATURAL HISTORY.
72. Why does the glow-worm emit a light ?
Because the female glow-worm is without
wings, but the male is a winged insect. The
female, therefore, is endowed with the power of
displaying a phosphorescent light. The light is
only visible by night, but it is, nevertheless,
beautifully adapted for the purpose stated,
because the male is a night-flying insect, and
never ventures abroad by day.
There exists some difference of opinion between natural-
ists upon the uses of the light of a glow-worm; there are
some who doubt that it is exhibited to attract the flying in-
sect. The objectors, however, offer no explanation of the
luminous properties of the worm. Sir Charles Bell says the
preponderance of the argument is decidedly in favor of the
explanation we have given.
73. Why have bees stings ?
Because they gather and store up honey which
would constantly attract other insects, and the
bees would be robbed of their food but for the
sting, which is given to them for protection.
74. Why have flies fine hairs growing at the ex-
tremities of their legs ?
Because they require to cleanse their bodies
and wings and to free them from particles of
dust. As they cannot turn their heads for this
purpose, they have hairy feet which serve as
brushes and by which any part of their bodies
can be reached and cleaned.
75. Why do the eggs of butterflies lie dormant
during the winter ?
Because the coldness of the winter would be
fatal to the life of the young insects ; and the
absence of vegetation would leave the caterpillars
to perish of starvation, if they were developed
during the winter months.
76. Why do caterpillars appear in the spring ?
Because the increasing warmth of the sun
develops the living embryo, at the same time
that it develops the vegetable germ. The
warmth, therefore, that calls the caterpillar from
its embryo sleep, also kindles the germinating
power of the vegetable upon which it is destined
to feed. The worm awakes and finds the bounti-
ful taDle of nature spread for it.
77. Why does the caterpillar eat voraciously t
Because it grows rapidly, and a large amount
oi vegetable matter is necessary to supply the
rapid growth of its animal substance. Caterpil-
lars in the course of a month devour 60,000
times their own weight of aliment.
78. Why do caterpillars pass into the state oftht
chrysalis ?
Because they are thereby prepared for the
new existence which they are about to enjoy;
new organs must be perfected in them to adapt
them to the altered conditions of their lives.
Because, also, in the transformation of their
bodies, differing materially from the laws of ex-
istence that pertain to other creatures, the Creator
affords another illustration of his Omnipotence.
Because, also, during the stage that the insect
sleeps in the chrysalis, the flowers and their
sweet juices, upon which the fly is to feed, are
being prepared for it, just as, when it was sleep-
ing in the egg, the green food was being pre-
pared for the caterpillar. When, therefore, the
beautiful fly spreads its silken wings, it finds a
second time that, while it has slept, its meal has
been prepared, and it now flies away joyously to
feed upon the milk and honey of beautiful
flowers which, at the time it passed into the
chrysalis, had not yet unfolded their petals.
Paley observes, that ' ' the metamorphosis of insects from
grubs into moths and flies is an astonishing process. A
hairy caterpillar is transformed into a butterfly. Observe
the change. We have four beautiful wings where there
were none before; a tubular proboscis, in the place of a
mouth with jaws and teeth; six long legs, instead of four-
teen feet. In another case, we see a white, smooth, soft
worm, turned into a black, hard, crustaceous beetle, with
gauze wings. These, as I said, are astonishing processes,
and must require, as it should seem, a proportionably arti-
ficial apparatus. The hypothesis which appears to me
most probable is, that in the grub there exists at the same
time three animals, one within another, all nourished by the
same digestion, and by a communicating circulation, but in
different stages of maturity. The latest discoveries made
by naturalists seem to favor this supposition. The insect,
already equipped with wings, is descried under the mem-
branes both of the worm and nymph. In some species, the
proboscis, the antenna?, the limbs and wings of the fly,
have been observed to be folded up within the body of the
caterpillar; and with such nicety as to occupy a small space
only under the two first wings. " This being so, the outer-
most animal, which, besides its own proper character,
serves as an integument to the other two, being the farthe;
advanced, dies, as we suppose, and drops off first,
second, the pupa or chrysalis, then offers itself to observa-
ton. This also, in its turn, dies; its dead and brittle husk
falls to pieces, and makes way for the appearance of the fly
or moth. Now, if this be the case, or indeed whatever ex-
plication be adopted, we have a prospective contrivance o
the most curious kind; we have organizations three deep;
yet a vascular system, which supplies nutrition, growth,
and life, to all of them together."
THE REASON WHY IN NATURAL HISTORY.
497
79. Why does the caterpillar become torpid when
passing into the state of the chrysalis ?
Because in all probability, where the difference
between the first and the ultimate form is con-
siderable, the organs of the insect having to
undergo great changes, it would suffer consider-
able pain. Torpor comes upon the insect, it is
thrown into a state similar to that of a person
who has inhaled chloroform ; and after what
has, in all probability, proved a pleasant dream,
the insect awakes to find itself changed and
beautified.
80. Why are the pup ce of grasshoppers and other
insects, when about to undergo transformation, still
active and sensitive?
Because, as there is but a slight difference
between the form which they have in the pupa
state, and that which they ultimately assume, they
do not require the state of torpidity to save them
from pain, nor to arrest their movements while
their organs are being changed. With them the
outer skin is thrown off, and they are then per-
fect insects.
81. Why do caterpillars, when about to pass
through the chrysalis state, attach themselves to the
leaves of plants, etc. ?
Because they know instinctively that for a
time they will be unable to control their own
movements, and to avoid danger. They there-
fore choose secure and dry places, underneath
leaves, or in the crevices of old and dry walls,
and there they firmly attach themselves, to await
the time of their liberation.
82. Why do insects attach their eggs to leaves,
etc.?
Because, as the eggs have to be preserved dur-
ing the winter, the insect attaches them to some
surface which will be a protection to them.
Generally speaking, the eggs are attached to the
permanent stems of plants, and not to those
leafy portions which are liable to fall and decay.
The spider weaves a silken bag in which it
deposits its eggs, and then it hangs the bag in a
sheltered situation. Nature keeps her butterflies,
moths and caterpillars locked up during the
winter, in their egg-state; and we have to
admire the various devices to which, if we may
so speak, the same nature has resorted for the
security of the egg. Many insects enclose their
eggs in a silken web ; others cover them with a
coat of hair, torn from their own bodies ; some
glue them together; and others, like the moth of
the silkworm, glue them to the leaves upon
which they are deposited, that they may not be
shaken off by the wind, or washed away by rain;
some again make incisions into leaves, and hide
an egg in each incision ; whilst some envelope
their eggs with a soft substance, which forms the
first aliment of the young animal ; and some
again make a hole in the earth, and having stored
it with a quantity of proper food, deposit their
eggs in it.
83. Why do butterflies fly by day?
Because they are organized to enjoy light
and- warmth, and they live upon the sweets of
flowers which by day are most accessible.
84. Why do moths fly by night?
Because they are organized to enjoy subdued
light and cool air; and as they take very little
food during the short life they have in the winged
state, they find sufficient by night. Some of the
moths, like that of the silk- worm, take no food
from the time they escape from the chrysalis
until they die.
Because, also, they form the food of bats, owls,
and other of the night-flying tribes.
85. Why are the bodies of moths generally covered
with a very thick down?
Because, as they fly by night, they are liable
to the effects of cold and damp. The moths,
therefore, are nearly all of them covered with a
very thick down, quite distinguishable from the
lighter down of butterflies.
86. Why do moths fly against the candle flamet
Because their eyes are organized to bear only
a small amount of light. When, therefore, they
come within the light of a candle, their sight is
overpowered and their vision confused ; and as
they cannot distinguish objects, they pursue the
light itself, and fly against the flame.
87. Why do insects multiply so numerously?
Because they form the food of larger animals,
and especially of birds. A single pair of spar-
rows and a nest of young ones have been esti-
mated to consume upwards of three thousand
insects in a week.
88. Why does the "death-watch " make a ticking
noise t
THE REASON WHY IN NATURAL HISTORY.
Because the insect is one of the beetle tribe,
having a horny case upon its head, with which
it taps upon any hard substance. The ticking is
the call of the insect to its species, just as the
noise made by the cricket is a note of communi-
cation with other crickets.
There is a superstition connected with the death-watch,
which, like most superstitions, is based upon the theory of
probabilities. The death-watch is usually heard in the
spring of the year, and a superstition runs to the effect that
some one in the house will die before the year has ended.
Persons who are superstitious are never very strict in the
interpretation of their predictions ; and therefore, whether
a person dies in the house or out of it, in the same room
where the death-watch was heard, or across the wide Atlan-
tic, so that there be some kind of relationship, or even
acquaintance, between the person who hears the omen, and
the person dying, the event is sure to be connected with the
prophetic sounds of the death-watch. Little weens the
small timber-boring beetle, when he is tapping gently to call
his mate, and perhaps peeping into every corner and crevice
to find her, that he is sending dismay into the heart of some
superstitious listener, who, in ignorance of a simple fact,
overwhelms herself with an imaginary grief.
89. Why are insects in the first stage, after leav-
ing the egg, said to be in the " larva " state?
Because that name is founded upon the Latin
word larva, meaning masked, clothed as with a
mask ; the term is meant to express that the
future insect is diguised in its first form.
90. Why are insects in the second state said to be
in the "pupa" state?
Because the term is derived from the Latin
pupa, from a slight resemblance in the manner
in which the insects are enclosed, to that in
which it was the fashion of the ancients to
bandage their infants.
91. Why are insects in the "pupa " stage also
called " chrysalides "?
Because, as the Latin term implies, it is
adorned with gems. Many chrysalides are
studded with golden and pearl-like spots.
92. Why are the perfect insects said to be in the
" nymph " state?
Because their joyful existence, and their beauti-
ful forms, give them a fancied resemblance to the
nymphs of the heathen mythology. The nymphs
were supposed goddesses of the mountains,
forests, meadows, and waters.
This term has generally, but very improperly, been also
applied to the pupa state, so that pupa, chrysalis, and
nymph have all been employed to represent one state.
This is obviously an error, as there is nothing in the condi-
tion of the pupa or chrysalis that can at all accord with the
mythological idea of a nymph, and which, in reference tc
the beautiful and joyous fly, finds a much truer application.
93. Whence does the snail obtain its shell?
Young snails come from the egg with a shell
upon their backs.
94. How does the shell grow with the increase of
size of the animal ?
The soft slime which is yielded by the body of
the animal hardens upon the orifice of the shell
and thus increases its size.
95. Why is the shell spiral ?
Partly because of its original formation ; but
also because, as the shell grows, the opening is
elongated, and thrown up, causing the spiral
body of the shell to turn, and so to wind its
growth around the center.
96. Why has the snail four tentacula attached to
its head ?
Because the insect, having no other limbs, is
provided with those projecting members, the
lower two serving as feelers and the upper two
also as feelers and eyes. These, projecting in
the front of the animal, impart to it a conscious-
ness of surrounding objects, and especially of
those which lie in its path.
97. Why is the snail able to move without feet f
Because it has attached to its body a fringe of
muscular skin, which is capable of considerable
contraction and expansion, and by alternately
stretching and shortening this, the snail is able
to draw himself along.
98. Why do we see no snails in winter time ?
Because they bury themselves in the ground,
or in holes, where they remain in a torpid state
for several months. Before they enter into the
torpid state, they form with their slimy secretion,
and with some earthy matters which they collect,
a strong cement with which they seal up the
opening to their shells.
99. Why can snails live in shells thus sealed ?
Because they leave, in the thin wall by which
they close themselves in, a small hole, too small
to admit water, but large enough to let in suffi-
cient air to carry on their feeble respiration dur-
ing their winter sleep.
100. Why do insects abound in putrid waters, and
in decaying substances ?
THE REASON WHY IN NATURAL HISTORY.
499
Because they have been endowed with appe-
tites and with constitutions that enable them to
live upon and to enjoy corrupt matter. In this
point of view the maggots of flies are exceed-
ingly useful ; a dead carcass is speedily threaded
by them in every direction ; thus that corrupt
matter which, in a large mass, would poison the
air, is taken up in small portions by millions of
living bodies, and by them dispersed, and be-
comes innoxious.
101. Why do we see, in tanks of rain water,
insects rising to the surface ?
Because numerous insects pass through their
first stages of existence in water, and among
them the common gnat. The gnats of the pre-
vious season having deposited their eggs on the
sides of the water-butt, the warm water develops
them, and the larvae of the gnats appear.
102. Why do they continually rise to the surface
of the water ?
Because they require to breathe air, and there-
fore they come up to the surface, where elevating
the tube above the surface of the water, they are
enabled to breathe.
103. Why do some appear to have larger heads
than others ?
Those that have apparently larger heads, and
that breathe through tubes attached to their
i heads, are in the pupa, or second stage of develop-
ment, and underneath the large shield by which
, their heads are marked, their wings, feet, etc.,
> are being formed.
104. Why, when the water is disturbed, do the
larva descend more rapidly than the pupcs ?
Because the pupae are in a torpid condition,
awaiting the formation of their perfect organs.
105. Why are the flies able to escape from the
water ?
', Because, as their formation becomes perfected,
and the fluids of the body of the pupa become
absorbed in the production of the light texture of
; the wings, etc., the body and its case become
lighter than the water, and rise and float upon
the surface. The pupa case then forms a natural
boat, from which the fly emerges, and, spreading
its wings, enters upon the final state of its exist-
ence.
This interesting metamorphosis may be seen going on in
the summer time, in every pond, brook, and reservoir. A
fine sunny morning calls up millions of these little boats
from beneath the surface, and the diver within tht
wonderful little bell breaks its sealed doors, and flies awa t
to enjoy the bright sunshine.
1 06. Why are beetles denominated " coleoptera"
Because they have wings protected by horny
sheaths ; the term coleoptera signifies wings in a
sheath.
107. Why have beetles hard, horny wing cases 9
Because they live underground, or in holes
excavated in wood, etc. If, therefore, their wings
were not protected by a hard and firm covering,
they would be constantly liable to destruction
from the movement of the insect within hard and
rough bodies.
The elytra, or scaly wings of the genus of scarabaeus, or
beetle, furnish an example of this kind. The true wing c
the animal is a light, transparent membrane, finer than th
finest gauze, and not unlike it. It is also, when expanded
in proportion to the size of the animal, very large. In
order to protect this delicate structure, and, perhaps, also
to preserve it in a due state of suppleness and humidity, a
strong, hard case is given to it, in the shape of the horny
wing which we call the elytron. When the animal is
at rest, the gauze wings lie folded up under this impenetra-
ble shield. When the beetle prepares for flying, he raises
the integument, and spreads out his thin membrane to the
air. And it cannot be observed without admiration, what a
tissue of cordage, *'. e. of muscular tendons, must run in
various and complicated, but determinate directions, along
this fine surface, in order to enable the animal either to
gather it up into a certain precise form, whenever it desires
to place its wings under the shelter which nature has given
to them, or to expand again their folds when wanted for
action.
In some insects, the elytra cover the whole body; in
others half ; in others only a small part of it ; but in all
they completely hide and cover the true wings.
Many, or most of the beetle species lodge in holes in the
earth, environed by hard, rough substances, and have fre-
quently to squeeze their way through narrow passages ; in
which situation, wings so tender, and so large, could scarcely
have escaped injury, without both a firm covering to defend
them, and the capacity of folding themselves up under its
protection.
108. Why have many of the beetle tribe large,
strong horns ?
Because as they live in holes in the earth, or
in excavations in wood, they use their horns to
dig out their places of retreat.
500
THE REASON WHY IN NATURAL HISTORY.
FISHES.
109. Why have fishes fins ?
The fins of fishes are to them what wings and
tails are to birds, enabling them to rise in the
fluid in which they live by the reaction of the
motions of the fins upon its substance.
no. Why are the fins of fishes proportionately so
much smaller than the wings of birds f
Because there is less difference between the
specific gravity of the body of a fish, and the
water in which it moves, than between the body
of a bird, and the air on which it flies. The fish,
therefore, does not require such an expanded sur-
face to elevate it or guide it.
in. Why have fishes scales ?
Because scales, while they afford protection
to the bodies of fish, are conveniently adapted to
their motions ; and as the scales present no sur-
face to obstruct their passage through the water,
as hair or feathers would do, they evidently form
the best covering for the aquatic animal.
112. Why do fishes float in streams (when they
are not swimming) with their heads toward the
stream f
Because they breathe by the transmission of
water over the surface of their gills, the water
entering at the mouth, and passing over the gills
behind. When, therefore, they lie motionless
with their heads to the stream, they are in that
position which naturally assists their breathing
process.
113. Why have fishes air-bladders ?
Because, as the density 01 water varies greatly
at different depths, the enlargement or contrac-
tion of the bladder regulates the relation of the'
specific gravity of the body of the fish to that of
the water in which it moves.
114. Why have whales a very large development
of oily matter about their heads ?
Because their heads are thereby rendered the
lighter part of their bodies, and a very slight
exertion on the part of the animal will bring its
head to the surface to breathe air, which it con-
stantly requires.
115. Why have mussels strong, tendinous threads
proceeding from their shells t
Because as they live in places that are beaten
by the surf of the sea, they moor their shells by
those threads to rocks and timbers.
1 1 6. Why have cockles stiff, muscular tongues ?
Because, having no threads to moor themselves,
as the mussels have, they dig out with their
tongues a shelter for themselves in the sand.
117. Why has the whale feathery-like lamina oj
whale-bone extending from its jaws ?
Because these feathery bones, lying side by
side, form a sieve, or strainer, for the largo
volumes of water which the whale receives into
its mouth, drawing off therefrom millions of small
animals, which form a jelly-like mass upon which
the whale feeds. A whale has been known to
weigh as much as 249 tons, and its blubber
yielded 4,000 gallons of oil. How many millions
of living creatures must have gone to make up that
enormous mass of animal matter !
1 1 8. Why does not the iris of the fisKs eye con-
tract ?
Because the diminished light in water is never
too strong for the retina.
119. Why is the eye of the eel covered with a
transparent horny covering ?
Because as the eel lives in holes, and pushes
its head into mud, and under stones, etc., it
needed such a covering to defend the eye.
1 20. Why is the whale provided with an eyt
having remarkably thick and strong coats ?
Because, when he is attacked by the sword-fish
and the shark, he is almost helpless against his
enemies, as they fix themselves upon his huge
carcass. He therefore dives with them down
to a depth where the pressure of the water is so
great that they cannot bear it. The eye of the
whale is expressly organized to bear the immense
pressure of extreme ocean depths, without im-
pairing the sight.
121. Why have fishes no eyelids f
Because the water in which they swim keeps
their eyes moist. Eyelids would therefore be
useless to them.
122. Why have fishes the power of giving their
eye-balls very sudden motion i
THE REASON WHY IN NATURAL HISTORY.
Because, having no eyelids (such organs being
unnecessary to keep their eyes moist), they still
need the power of freeing their eyes from the
contact of foreign matters ; and this is secured
to them by the power they have of giving the
eye-ball a very rapid motion, which causes
reaction in the fluid surrounding it, and sweeps
the surface.
This motion may frequently be seen in the eyes of fishes,
in glass globes.
123. Why are the tails of fishes so much larger
than their fins ?
Because their tails are their chief instruments
of motion, while their fins are employed simply
to direct their progress, and steady their move-
ments.
WEATHER CHANGES
AS INDICATED BY ANIMALS.
The observation of the changing phenomena which attend the various states of the weather is a very interesting study,
though no general rules can be laid down that can be relied upon, because there are modifying circumstances which
influence the weather in various localities and climates. To observe weather indications accurately, no phenomenon
should be taken alone, but several should be regarded together. The character and the duration of the weather of the
preceding days, the direction of the wind, the forms of the clouds, the -indications of the barometer, the rise or fall of
the thermometer, and the instinctive forewarnings of birds, beasts, insects and flowers, should all be taken into account.
Although no direct material advantages attend such a study, it induces a habit of observation, and develops the inductive
faculty of the mind, which, when applied to more significant things, may trace important effects to their greater causes.
1 24. Why when swallows fly low may wet weather
be expected ?
Because the insects which the swallows pursue
in their flight are flying low, to escape the cold-
ness of the upper regions of the atmosphere.
125. Why do ducks and geese go to the water,
and dash it over their backs, on the approach of
rain ?
Because by wetting the outer coat of their
feathers before the rain falls, by sudden dashes
of water over the surface, they prevent the drops
of rain from penetrating to their bodies through
the open and dry feathers.
126. Why do horses and cattle stretch out their
nicks and snuff the air on the approach of rain ?
Because they smell the fragrant perfume which
is diffused in the air by its increasing moistness.
127. Why may change of weather be anticipated
when domestic animals are restless f
Because their skins are exceedingly sensitive
to atmospheric influences, and they are oppressed
and irritated by the changing condition of the
atmosphere.
128. Why may fine weather be expected when
spiders are seen busily constructing their webs ?
Because those insects are highly sensitive to
the state of the atmosphere, and when it is setting
fine they build their webs, because they know
instinctively that flies will be abroad.
129. Why is wet weather to be expected when
spiders hide ?
Because it shows that they are aware that the
state of the atmosphere does not favor the flight
of insects.
130. Why if gnats fly in large numbers may fin*
weather be expected f
Because it shows that they feel the state of the
atmosphere to be favorable, which induces them
all to leave their places of shelter.
131. Why if owls scream during foul weather -,
will it change to fine ?
Because the birds are pleasurably excited by a
favorable change in the atmosphere.
132. Why is it said that the moping of the owl
foretells death ?
Because owls scream when the weather is on
the change ; and when a patient is lingering on a
death-bed, the alteration in the state of the
atmosphere frequently induces death, because
the faint and expiring flame of life has not
strength enough to adapt itself to the change.
133. Why may wet weather be expected when
spiders break off their webs, and remove them 9
Because the insects, anticipating the approach
of rain, remove their webs for preservation.
134. Why may we expect a continuance of fi**
weather when bees wander far from their hivct f
502
THE REASON WHY IN NATURAL HISTORY.
Because the bees feel instinctively that from
the state of the atmosphere they may wander far
in search of honey, without the danger of being
overtaken by rain.
I 35- Why if people feel their corns ache, and
their bones rheumatic, may rain be expected ?
Because the dampness of the atmosphere
affects its pressure upon the body and causes a
temporary disturbance of the system. All gen-
eral disturbances of the body manifest them-
selves in those parts which are in a morbid state
as in a corn, a rheumatic bone, or a decayed
tooth.
136. Why if various flowers close may rain be
expected t
Because plants are highly sensitive to atmos-
pheric changes, and close their petals to protect
their stamens.
137. Why when moles throw up their hills may
rain be expected?
Because the moles know instinctively that on
the approach of wet, worms move in the ground ;
the moles therefore become active, and form
their hills.
138. Why is a magpie, when seen alone, said to
foretell bad weather ?
Because magpies generally fly in company ;
but on the approach of wet or cold, one remains
in the nest to take care of the young, while the
other one wanders alone in search of food.
139. Why do sea-gulls appear numerous in fine
weather ?
Because the fishes swim near to the surface of
the sea, and the birds assemble over the sea to
catch the fish, instead of sitting on rocks, or wad-
ing on the shore.
140. Why do sea-gulls fly over the land on tht
approach of stormy weather ?
Because in stormy weather they cannot catch
fish ; and the earth-worms come up on the land
when the rain falls.
141. Why if birds cease to sing, may wet, and
probably thunder, be expected?
Because birds are depressed by an unfavorable
change in the atmosphere, and lose those joyful
spirits which give rise to their songs.
142. Why if cattle run around in meadows, may
thunder be expected ?
Because the electrical state of the atmosphere
has the effect of making them feel uneasy and
irritable, and they chase each other about to gel
rid of the irritability.
143. Why if birds of passage arrive early, may
severe weather be expected ?
Because it shows that the indications of un-
favorable weather have set in, in the latitudes
from which the birds come, and that they have
taken an early flight to escape it.
144. Why if the webs of the gossamer spider fly
about in the autumn, may west winds be antici-
pated ?
Because a west wind is a dry and dense wind,
and suitable to the flight of the gossamer spider ;
the spider feeling instinctively th2 dryness of the
air, throws out its web, and find, it more than
usually buoyant upon the dense air.
2 9734
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