CHAPTER XXII. 



A MISCALCULATION. 



tHE 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 

 nard pressed. 



Such was the calculation of our young friends, bi't, 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- 

 .oping toward them. 



His success was less than expected. Three ol 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 fist, they 

 ran in Indian file, a large male at the head, and formed an exceedingly pretty 



