THE BUPHAGA AFRICANA. 297 



What he suggested, as I have said, was that while two of the company stayed 

 where they were, the others should carefully work around to the opposite side of 

 the game, and thus induce it to flee toward those in waiting. 



This appeared to promise success, though it was apparent to all that nothing 

 of the kind could be assured, since it was not likely to be an easy task to reach the 

 point without alarming the beast, and, furthermore, it would be hard to drive him 

 toward the hunters in waiting. The whole scheme, it may be said, was based on 

 very uncertain conditions, but, as it was the best that presented itself, it was adopted 

 at once. 



The arrangement was that Diedrick and Bob Marshall should attempt the 

 difficult task of reaching a point on the other side of the rhinoceros, while Jack and 

 Dick should stay where they were, with the expectation, or rather hope, that the 

 game would thus be forced within reach of their guns. 



Accordingly the two friends named turned their horses' heads to the right and 

 began the long circuit, which sober second thought, as it struck Bob, convinced 

 him was more likely to fail than to succeed. 



The grass continued abundant, and in some places it was no light work for the 

 animals to force their way through. Diedrick rode a short distance in advance, 

 leaning forward and peering right and left, like an Indian trying to steal his way 

 through an enemy's lines. 



The route taken by the Hottentot was considerably more than half a mile. The 

 sameness of their surroundings prevented Bob from keeping the points of the com- 

 pass clear, but the slight breeze blowing enabled him to tell when the final turn 

 was made, and they were advancing straight toward their friends whom they had 

 left behind. 



As I have already said, there were uncertain conditions involved in the problem 

 which the two, or rather the native himself, had undertaken to solve. It was likely 

 that the rhinoceros, when he was warned by the bird, plunged through the grass to 

 the right or left, so that he was not between Lie divisions of the party. 



But Diedrick was hopeful that, if he wa^ not there, others were, which would 

 answer as well. After penetrating a short distance, he suggested to the boy that 

 they separate for a brief space, inasmuch as they would be more likely to drive out 

 the game. 



This was done, and the success was surprising and speedy. All at once the 

 buphaga africana uttered its piercing note, fluttered excitedly to view, gyrating 

 about as though caught in a whirlwind, and proving, beyond question, that the 

 enormous game was at hand. 



As it was immediately in front of Bob that the bird rose, he knew he was near 

 one of the beasts. He spurred his horse forward and stood up in the stirrups so 

 as to gain, if possible, a view of the quadruped. 



He could see the swaying grass, and a second later he cau t sight of the vast 

 back, like a shoal of dried mud, as it swung ponderously through the vegetation. 

 The legs of the rhinoceros are so short that a tall man can stand beside him and 



