CHAPTER LIV. 



A LOST HOTTENTOT. 



fitEANWHILE, Jack Harvey and Dick Brownell impatiently awaited the 

 appearance of the royal game which Bob and Diedrick expected to drive 

 toward them. 



" I don't think I'll try my lasso on him," remarked the Texan, after they had sat 

 some minutes in silence. 



" No; he is one of the few animals that is too powerful to be checked by the 

 strongest horse. I think it would be hard work for any one to bring him to a halt. 

 But the greatest obstacle in the way of success, it seems to me is that plaguey 

 little bird that is always on guard." 



" There's one way of fixing that." 



"How?" 



" Shoot the thing, if it won't keep its clatter still. After we get it out of the 

 way, we shall have some chance. I've known sportsmen to do that when hunting 

 the rhinoceros." 



Dick shook his head. 



" That strikes me as wrong. I cannot see any justification for killing a little 

 bird simply because it warns an animal of danger." 



" Is it any more wrong than shooting the animal itself?" was the pertinent query 

 of Jack; "we are apt to forget helloa 1 I hear something ! " 



The horses became restless, but they were so well trained that they kept their 

 places and were speedily soothed. The rhinoceros that was first observed had 

 indeed taken the back trail, and was heading for the horsemen. The intervening 

 grass prevented him catching sight of the men until quite close, so there was every 

 chance of gaining a good shot at the beast. 



He was yet some distance off, pounding through the vegetation, when the little 

 bird, which aad perched itself again on his back, made the alarming discovery that 

 its gigantic patron was plunging directly into the danger from which he supposed 

 he was fleeing. Instantly the bird shot up in the air, circling, uttering its wildest 

 cries, and straining every nerve to apprise the rhinoceros of his peril. 



But the situation was an unfortunate one for the endangered party. He knew, 

 of course, that his enemies were near, but, as he last saw them directly behind him, 

 be must have supposed they were advancing from that point. 



Accepting the warning of his diminutive friend, therefore, as a call to increase 



his speed, he crashed forward until he found himself in front of the party from 



which he supposed he was fleeing. Observing the horsemen, he stopped, wheeled 



and started off in the opposite direction; but this was what the hunters were wait- 



3P5 



