CHAPTER XIV. 



AFRICAN VERSUS AMERICAN. 



three of the Texan's friends had their gaze fixed on him the moment the 

 Bushmen vanished. They noted the abrupt slackening of the mustang's 

 pace, and how, before attaining the top, he stopped short, while Jack rose 

 in his stirrups and peered over vine crest. 



The moment he did so, his friends saw him duck his head, and caught a glimpse 

 of an arrow which sped, with almost invisible swiftness, over the back of the mustang, 

 apparently cleaving the very spot where the sombrero of the cowboy had been but 

 an instant before. 



Discharged from a lower point, and aimed upward, the missile shot high in 

 air, like a rocket, the youths noticing its course, as it curved far above them, turning 

 and falling several rods beyond where they had also slowed their steeds. 



It seemed as if it had been driven with enough force to pass entirely through 

 the body of a man, though a puncture of the ?kin would have been all-sufficient 

 to cause death. 



"I'm afraid Jack has undertaken a bigger contract than he can carry out," said 

 Dick Brownell, as he and his companions drew their horses close together and con- 

 tinued their cautious advance. 



" The Bushmen have halted in the valley beyond," remarked Mr. Godkin, " and 

 are waiting for him." 



"Why don't they kill Pongo and have done with It?" asked Bob. 



" They may prefer to keep him prisoner awhile, but you can depend upon it, 

 they will punish him for joining those whom they look upon as their enemies." 



" I don't suppose they have any fear of losing him " 



"Look ! " interrupted Dick. 



Jack Harvey had given the spurs to his mustang and was going over the hiH 

 as if shot from a catapult. 



f We all despise cowardice in any one, but there is sometimes equally great dan- 

 ger in over-confidence. The Bushman leader, after galloping beyond sight with 

 his prisoner, and surrounded by his own warriors, seemed to conclude that it was a 

 work ol superfluity for him to make such haste to get beyond reach of his single 

 pursuer. 



Hardly had the first elevation been placed behind them, when, at a single word, 

 the entire party halted and wheeled about, so as to face the rash Horseman that was 

 dashing so ardently in pursuit. 



The besj archer of the company took his place, bow and arrow ready, to launch 

 A shaft at the white man the instant he came in sight, for, though they might de- 

 it 



