/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. II 18 23 29 35 4i 48 53 59 64 68 75 80 84 89 93 97 IO2 1 08 II 4 119 128 135 140 144 151 I 5 6 l62, I6 7 172 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. 177 . 181 188 . 194 207 . 211 215 22O 226 . 231 241 . 246 253 . 258 264 . 269 273 277 282 . 286 291 *95 3OO 305 308 313 317 . 322 328 332 337 34 2 350 356 359 363 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.. 3 66 37 1 375 380 39 1 402 408 412 418 4 2 3 443 448 454 462 469 475 482 489 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. II 12 1 14 16 18 18 19 24 27 29 3i 32 36 38 4i 42 43 44 50 53 56 57 61 66 ^9 72 73 76 81 85 87 97 99 100 103 105 1 06 109 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. "5 117 119 120 121 122 I2 3 124 125 126 129 130 131 I 3 2 33 136 138 142 MS 146 148 ISO 153 154 57 158 159 160 163 164 1 68 169 73 174 177 179 181 182 183 184 185 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. I8 5 186 , 1 88 189 . 191 194 '95 196 . 197 198 199 20 1 . 202 203 . 204 205 . 206 208 213 216 . 218 220 . 221 222 . 224 226 . 229 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 . 238 , 2 39 . 240 2 4 I 243 243 . 246 247 . 248 249 250 251 252 254 259 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. 265 . 267 271 275 278 . 280 284 . 287 289 293 296 . 301 33 309 3" 319 323 33 335 338 340 343 344 346 347 349 350 35i 355 361 364 368 372 377 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 392 393 394 395 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. 398 401 403 405 414 4l6 419 421 423 424 425 426 427 427 428 428 429 430 431 432 433 433 434 435 435 436 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