Part 26 (1/2)

Just as Swinton said this, a loud rushi+ng was heard through the reeds

”Look out!” cried he; but he could say no e hippopota over Alexander's horse on his side, and treading Alexander and his horse both deep under the water as he passed over theh the water was not more than four feet in depth, it ith difficulty that the horse and rider could extricate the which they had been jaone when he at last eive what assistance they could, and the horse was once s ”My rifle,” cried Alexander; ”it is in the water” ”We will find it,” said Swinton: ”haste up to the banks as fast as you can, for you are defenseless”

Alexander thought it advisable to follointon's advice, and with soained the bank, where he was soon afterward followed by Swinton and Bremen, who had secured his rifle Alexander called Omrah, and sent him to the caravan for another rifle, and then for the first time he exclaimed, ”Oh, what a brute! It was lucky the water was deep, or he would have jaain”

”You have indeed had a providential escape, Alexander,” replied Swinton; ”is your horse hurt!”

”He must be, I should think,” said Alexander, ”for the animal trod upon him; but he does not appear to show it at present”

In the mean time several shots were fired from the opposite side of the river by the Major and his party, and occasionally the head or horns of the buffalo were seen above the reeds by the Hottentots, who remained with Swinton and Alexander: but the aniht another rifle, Bres should force their way through the reeds and atteer, as the anie with any effect in the deep water and thick rushes

”Provided they don't

”Won't say a word about hiave the directions

[Illustration: ALEXANDER AND THE HIPPOPOTAMUS]

The Hottentots and Bushs, then went into the reeds, and their shouting and barking soon drove out some of the buffaloes on the opposite side, and the reports of the guns were heard

At last one came out on that side of the river where Alexander and Swinton atching; Swinton fired, and the aniht it down dead and turned on its side One of the Bushmen ran up to the carcass, and was about to use his knife, when another buffalo charged froht the Bushman on his horns, and threw hi the reeds behind the buffalo, which in vain looked about for his eneround

Shortly afterward the Bushman made his appearance froraze from the horns of the animal, and a contusion of the ribs

The chase now beca of the dogs, and the bellowing of the herd, which were forcing their way through the reeds before the By the advice of Swinton, they took up their position on a higher ground, where the horses had good footing, in case the buffaloes should charge

As soon as they arrived there, they beheld a scene on the other side of the river, about one hundred yards from them, which filled the away, and the Major not to be seen Under a large tree, Swanevelt was in a sitting posture, holding his hands to his body as if severely wounded, his horse lying by his side, and right before hifro from weakness and loss of blood; at last it fell

”I fear there is mischief done,” cried Swinton; ”where can the Major be, and the two Hottentots ith him! Swanevelt is hurt and his horse killed, that is evident We had better call them off, and let the buffaloes remain quiet, or escape as they please”

”There is the Major,” said Alexander, ”and the Hottentots too; they are not hurt, don't you see them?--they were up the trees; thank God”

They now observed the Major run up to Swanevelt, and presently the two Hottentots went in pursuit of the Major's horse Shortly afterward, Swanevelt, with the assistance of the Major, got upon his legs, and, taking up his gun, walked sloay

”No great harm done, after all,” said Alexander; ”God be praised: but here coood fellow,” replied Swinton, ”we have had enough of buffalo-hunting for the present”

The whole herd had now broken from the reeds about fifty paces from where they were stationed, and with their tails raised, tossing with their horns, and belloith rage and fear, darted out of the reeds, dripping with slime and mud, and rushed off toward the forest In a few seconds they were out of sight

”A good riddance,” said Swinton; ”I hope the Major is now satisfied with buffalo-hunting”

”I am, at all events,” replied Alexander ”I feel very sore and stiff

What a narrow escape that Bushman had”