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. 



"DowNl" WHISPKRKD DICK. 



The Texan formed a picturesquely graceful figure as he galloped away on his 

 beautiful mustang. The animal rose and sank with an even motion, which he was 

 able to continue for hours without fatigue, while Jack's body swayed in unison with 

 that of his steed. His broad-brimmed sombrero, the rifle slung over his shoulder, 

 and his athletic figure, would have awakened admiration anywhere, though it is 

 safe to say that he was the introducer of the cowboy costume in South Africa. 



He steadily bore to the left, for the success of his plan depended on preventing 

 the oryxes taking alarm before he reached the shelter toward which he wished them 

 driven. 



At the moment when he was at the farthest point west of the game, and was 

 beginning to bend his course around and beyond the grove, the whole five gems- 

 boks suddenly threw up their heads, and looked so fixedly at the hill on which the 

 lads were sitting, that they believed, for the moment, they were discovered. 



