86 AFRICAN VERSUS AMERICAN. 



Had he been alone with the chieftain, he would have given him lusty battle, but, 

 knowing that the least advantage on his part, over his much more powerful country- 

 man, would be met by an attack from the warriors, he was only prudent in refrain- 

 ing from anything of the kind. 



He knew that Jack Harvey was trying to do his utmost for him, and, though he 

 did not see how any possible help could be afforded, yet his faith in the American's 

 amazing prowess was so deep that he was not without hope. 



The Texan was astonished, on peering over the hill, immediately after the shot, 

 to see that the leader had actually challenged him to battle. 



His warriors were drawn up in line, beyond the base of the hill, and Pongo was 

 standing motionless, a short distance in front, while the Bushman was riding his 

 horse at a deliberate walk, to meet the approaching white man. 



Need I tell you how eagerly Jack Harvey accepted the gauge of battle thus 

 thrown down ? Could he have been assured of the least resemblance to a fair 

 contest, nothing would have delighted him more than to engage the chieftain 

 single-handed. 



He was none the less ardent because he knew he was confronted by subtlety 

 and cunning, but he must needs be more on his guard. 



The Bushman held a spear in his hand, that being the only weapon he wished, 

 though he also carried a curved knife at his waist, the handle, ot elephant-ivory, 

 plainly showing. 



The Texan could have brought him down with his Winchester, or, indeed, with 

 one of his revolvers, before drawing near enough for the savage to use his javelin, 

 but there was something unfair in taking such an advantage, and Jack refused it. 



In fact, it was not the chieftain he had so much to fear as the warriors behind 

 him. The white man was compelled to advance so far that he must be dangerously 

 close to the horsemen, who would be quick to seize every possible advantage. 



It was with this knowledge that Jack strove to equalize, to a slight extent, the 

 chances of the two, by bringing his mustang down to the slowest possible walk. 

 Besides inspiring his antagonist with the suspicion that he held him in fear, he 

 hoped it would draw him farther from his supports. 



But the Bushman was shrewd, and probably read aright the purpose of his foe, 

 for he, too, moderated the gait of his steed, until to have made it less would have 

 brought his animal to a standstill. 



Before the moment came for a demonstration on the part of either, Jack Harvey 

 had decided what to do. 



" If that confounded spear wasn't poisoned," he said to himself, " I'd close in 

 on him and settle up this business in the style of one of our Kansas cyclones 

 kclloa!" 



A slignt twitch of the Bushman's right hand indicated that he was about to call 

 his javelin into play. Possibly it was merely a feint, bat Jack could not be too 

 careful. 



All at once, and, while both horses were slowly approaching each other, up went 



