ta8 "I'VE COT HIM." 



" I'll be only too glad to do so, if I have the chance." 



" I don't think flinging down anything we can lay hold of will help matters. 

 The others didn't venture near, and I don't believe that fellow would have tried it, 

 if he had taken a second or two to consider the matter." 



During these stirring incidents, Pongo and Abdallah kept their beat, though 

 they stopped several times in tramping back and forth to survey the scene. 



It is remarkable how closely a lot of monkeys or baboons will imitate the antics 

 of a number of mischievous boys. 



Having failed to catch the spotted-maned thief, Dick Brownell refrained from 

 repeating his attempt in that form. He stood still, meditating whether any plan, 

 after all, except the hard one of shooting the pilferer, would answer. 



The latter, noticing him standing thus, now began to coax him to venture again. 

 He walked slowly toward him, holding out the hat, as if saying that the youth need 

 but to stretch forth his hand to take it. 



" Stand quiet," said Bob, in a low voice, "and see how close he will come." 



Dick followed the suggestion. The baboon halted a few steps off, but the lad, 

 looking sideways at him, never stirred a muscle. The creature came still closer, 

 but remained just beyond reach. Without shifting his feet, he leaned over and ex- 

 tended his paw a little farther. 



Dick was tempted to spring at him, but his cousin waned him to wait 



The baboon seemed to realize he stood on the very " death line," and that it 

 would not do to venture an inch nearer. 



He leaned as far as he could, with the extended hat, grimacing and chattering 

 in a way that would have exasperated a person less cool than Dick Brownell. 



Still, the animal went no nigher, though he seemed on the point, more than 

 once, of risking it, and still Dick, in obedience to Bob's counsel, stirred not 



At this critical juncture, several of the baboons that were attentively watching 

 the scene seemed to lose their patience. One of them sneaked behind the spotted 

 thief, and, with a view of ending the " dead-lock," gave him a slight shove. 



It is not easy to push down such a nimble creature as a baboon, but this one 

 was so nicely balanced that he toppled over at the feet of Dick. 



" Now's your time," called Bob. 



No need of the cry. Dick pounced upon the knave like a flash, and snatched 

 the hat from his grasp. Throwing it to his cousin, to guard for him, he hurled the 

 baboon to the ground and endeavored to pin him fast, as a prize for the Greatest 

 Show on Earth. 



But the contract proved rather extensive. 



It was a strong animal, and he fought like a tiger, using his claws with such 

 vigor that he inflicted considerable damage. But Dick was plucky, and held on 



The other baboons became frantic. Their champion was in the grasp of an 

 enemy, and fighting, as may be said, for his life. They chattered and ran back and 

 forth, making demonstrations toward the youth which were sure to turn, very soon, 

 into a savage attack upon him. 



