TUB 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 

 m 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. 



