i^SY>; .-v, ;.,,. y ; -- A ?', .-? ' ' '' /: ,' . ' " ^ ->'"?& B8^4"ii^ ^ ;^ ; ,; ; ^,: THE OF THE JlNinAL? Hew HE GAHGHT; TAMED AND R^LED HIS SUBJECTS. NATURAL- HISTORY FROM A NEW STANDPOINT, PRESENTING A COMPLETE AND THOROUGH STUDY OF THE NATURE, HABITS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE Beasts* Birds and Reptiles of the Earth TOGETHER WITH THE STORY OF THEIR MPTURE IN THEIR NATIVE WILDS COMBINING SCIENCE, W ARR/ITIVE AND JtDVENTURE THE RESULT OF THE AUTHOR'S LIFE-LONG EXPERIENCE AND STUDY, WITH A FULL ACCOUNT OF HIS FAMOUS EXPEDITION INTO CENTRAL AFRICA IN SEARCH OF WILD ANIMALS BY P. T. Bfl^flUlVI. ii Profusely Illustrated cuith Over Three Hundred Striking and Original Engravings, and a Series of MAGNIFICENT COLORED FLATES CH1CKCO: . S. PEKL-E St CO. 1889. L IOLOG1T LIBRARY 6 Copyright. 1889, Jdy R. S. PEALE & Co. AUTHOR'S PREFACE J ' < '*/ > , . ~*ft (<,< ^^ ^e^t^^^, ^ tifr <2/ \ -j s , r r , r s% re -&w ^. *-^^f? . . 471 A HAPPY MOTHER 476 THE KING OF THE JUNGLE, . . . . . 478 A LITTLE FURY 479 JUST TOO LATE 483 DICK, 485 DICK AND His PET, ........ 487 INTRODUCTION. >HE subject and method of this book are indicated in the title, "Natural History From a New Standpoint." In its preparation two facts have been considered. First, no more effective method of instruction has been found than that which conveys knowledge through that love of the story which is char- acteristic of all children and youth. Second, in reading the book of nature, not only a knowledge of the teachings of science, but long experience and close, care- ful observation, are essential. The special fitness of Mr. Barnum to produce a book on this subject will be at once recognized. As he says in his preface, he has "catered to the instruction and amusement of three generations." The countless multitudes of people who have viewed the collections of animals which he has exhibited during this long period, have little appreciated the herculean labor and the world of dan- gerous adventure which has attended the capture of these animals beasts, birds and reptiles nor the minute and accurate study of their nature, habits and char- acteristics which has been involved in their care and training. It is plain that to hunt, find and capture these animals in their native wilds, to feed and care for them, preserve their health, subdue their wild natures, and teach them the many tricks which are performed, must not only have required great courage, patience, and a thorough knowledge of all that science can tell of them, but must have gained for those engaged in the work a far more close and familiar acquaintance with the nature of all these animals, and so a more thorough and accurate knowledge of actual natural history than has ever been given in any text-book on this subject. It is from this vast storehouse of adventure and scientific information that the veteran showman and writer has drawn in the production of this work. In the form of a thrilling narrative he gives an account of the many exciting adventures which were experienced by those engaged in his expeditions made in search of wild animals, and at the same time presents a full and accurate description of the nature and peculiarities of these animals. The book is thus made a most efficient instructor in natural history, while at the same time it is a most fascinating narrative of advent- ure. Without preliminaries the reader is introduced to the exploring party under the direction of the naturalist, Carl Godkin, in the midst of an African jungle, and the story moves forward with an interest that never flags. The engravings which illustrate the text add much to its interest and value. The most striking incidents of adventure are illustrated by W. M. Gary, in a series of drawings which are con- sidered by experts the best he has yet produced ; while the animals described are pictured by such artists as Specht, Kretschmar, Mutzel and others. The colored plates are from drawings by Specht. The work closes with a chapter entitled " The Reason Why in Natural History," which. in the form of questions and answers gives much curious and interesting information. THE VICTOR OF THE JUNGLE. 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. 1 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 betrays the 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. IJ " 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 missirig, 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, lound 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. THE LEOPARD. With the coolness of Gordon Cumming 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 Pelts 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 Mfl "l^'i f " 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. IQ " 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. DISPUTING THE WAY. 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 thoughtlessness, 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 more 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. CHAPTER III. 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 the 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 ARE CAPTURED. the grass by a rock just off yonder, and I've been waiting two hours to get a chance to shoot the parents before making off with the youngsters." I am sure you will readily understand the methods by which the professional hunters secure most of the wild animals for my Great Show. I have despatched 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 were lost forever. Two of the best hunters I ever knew 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. I have sent parties 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 with my show 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. 2S two camels, the weight of the young monster being too much for a single beast of burden. I have always drawn freely on 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 my money has gone to the Dark Continent, that I might bring you curi- osities that are interesting, entertaining and instructive. I have had agencies at Port Natal, Cape Town, on the Gold Coast, at Cairo and other points, and have now sat down to write the history of the most famous expedition I ever sent into South- ern and Central Africa, India, or indeed into any part of the world. I will give you particulars 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 Brownell 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 Felis 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. With 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. ring 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 ainij L. 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 ihe 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 ever)' 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 kelloa/" A slight 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 STYLB. 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. Q! "Are we likely to be bothered anymore 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 uttered. " 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 through 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. "ITH the coming of day our friends were in high spirits, for the repulse ol 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 oi stretching his legs. His fever was almost gone and he possessed an excelient 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 ali 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 94 IN THE TREE TOP. Carl 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. Pie 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. 96 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, ^metimes approaching and sometimes receding from the boy, and acting ail the while as though it cared naught for him or anything else. CHAPTER XVII. A TIMELV 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. i 07 AN AFRICAN TOBOGGAN SLIDE. 98 A TIMELY ARRIVAL. Still closer came the head until it was so nigh that Bob shoved himself furthet 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 to 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. IOO 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. IOI demeanor as she followed her captors, that she was an unwilling member of thb 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 Camelopardalidtz 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 /Ls>^>s^S^ f _* V. V._>vAr .^-w ,Ov N ^mw-m THE CAPE 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 IO4 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 itself 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 for 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. 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. 107 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. 'HE 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 of 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 feel 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 bull buffalo." 1 08 INGRATITUDE. Page 108. no IN THE NICK OF TIME. "But there were two of them." "At first; 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. XII 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 AN 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. 113 all, is the most trying ordeal before us. If we can reach port with our prizes, I shall feel that nine-tenths of the real work is successfully finished." " Then, from the camp, we will make excursions through the surrounding coun- try, in search of what we want ? " "That is my plan; what do you think of it?" " It strikes me as 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 15 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. Il6 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 branches had been partly cut, bound together by ropes of twisted grass, which covered the 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. Jt 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." x "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 their Il8 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 maybe," 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 : 120 ON THE CREST OF THE HILL. The spring-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 p^w/rowib 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," Jack 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 use once more." ORYX OF ABYSSINIA. Looking upon tne matter as settled, Jack started off, circling so far to the left that 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." "f" 1 ' ' AN UNEQUAL CONTEST. THE KOODOO DEFENDING HIS YOUNG. 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 DlCK. 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 minut j 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! 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, but, 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- loping 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 this, 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 128 A iMISCALCULATION. I2g 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, until 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. " 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, a 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 its 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 S 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 gemsbok 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 tie 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 blood 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 beiore. 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 i 3 6 THE HORNS OF A DILEMMA. rendered it almost impossible to use the pony to advantage in capturing any animal within tl)e 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. 137 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 half way to the tips. Had the horns been spiral, like those of the koodoo, or had they spread at the top, they would have formed an excellent support for the lasso, but 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 the 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 beeq 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. *| I ACK HARVEY and his young friends having selected their field of operations,, JH 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 a.re 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. 14! 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 ou 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,"andit 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 in 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 cnance 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 taken 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, curvifig 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. 10 146 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 filling 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. THE 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 a 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- 148 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 pursuer had 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 the 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 hi* peril a second sooner. "HE FELL FROM THE BACK OF HIS STEED." Page 151. CHAPTER XXVI. "ALL TOGETHER." ^m EFORE the pony could change his direction, the brute was upon him. He Im) was the embodiment of fury, as, with his jaws dripping froth, and the fright- 4r 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 fearful 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 pomes' 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, when "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. |R. 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 ?" "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 s"ch 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 oi escape was gone. x 5 8 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 us 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." 41 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 close 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