298 THE BUPHAGA AFRICANA. 



look over his back, and it is curious how such a bulky mass can attain so great 

 speed. 



Nothing inspires a sportsman with courage so much as the sight of his fleeing 

 game, and Bob urged his horse to do his best. The steed did not need spurring, 

 but, with a snort of excitement, galloped forward. 



When the lad caught sight of the huge animal again, he could hardly restrain 

 his excitement. 



" We've got him ! " he called out ; "let's shoot him ourselves ! the others can 

 wait ; we have earned the best right to the fellow. Ride fast and he won't get 

 away from us ! " 



Bob ceased his appeals, for, in looking about, he failed to see the Hottentot 

 from whom he had separated only a few minutes before. He wondered how it was 

 he had disappeared so quickly, but it was no time to inquire, and he kept his horse 

 at his best pace, fired by the thrilling thought that it might be his good fortune to 

 bring down the royal game without the help of any one. 



Diedrick had vanished, and it was a long run before the beast would pass within 

 range of the other party, if, indeed, he did so at all. Bob let the reins lie loose on 

 his horse's neck, while he held his rifle ready to fire whenever the proper moment 

 should come. 



The conduct of the little bird was not without interest. Having got its bulky 

 friend on the run, it ascended still higher in air, and ceased its cries, as though 

 content to view the chase from that elevation. When, however, the rhinoceros 

 held up for a few moments, as if to take its bearings, the bird shot downward 

 again, uttering such piercing warnings that the beast plunged forward with renewed 

 speed. 



About this time Bob, even when in the flush of his newly-formed ambition, 

 became aware of the unpleasant fact that he was not gaining upon the game. The 

 rhinoceros, perhaps on account of its vastly superior weight, crushed through the 

 obstructions with greater speed than did the lighter and more graceful horse. 



The sight of the laboring beast kept hope alive in the breast of Bob, who did 

 not spare his animal, but, strive as he might, he could not lessen the space between 

 them. 



"You shan't get away without receiving something to remember me ! " exclaimed 

 the disappointed boy, bringing his rifle to his shoulder. 



He had learned to fire from the back of his horse when on a gallop, and he was 

 confident his aim was true at the moment he pulled trigger. Most probably he 

 struck the rhinoceros, but, if so, the animal gave no evidence of it. Like a loco- 

 motive, he seemed to have gotten up steam, and he went crashing and plunging 

 onward, as though he would bear down a tree or any obstruction in his path. 



" I don't know - hether he has taken the right course or not," muttered Bob, 

 drawing his horse . own to a walk, and then checking him altogether ; " but, if he 

 has, and runs into Jack and Dick, he will conclude he made a mistake in not.staying 

 here and having it out with me." 



