Harry, Topsie, and Aniwee had at once bent their steps in a south-westerly direction, followed close behind by Chorlo and the other Indian who accompanied them. Of course Shag formed one of the party. It would have been strange if he had not been found close to his mistress’s heels in devoted attendance, for the brave dog was never absent unless executing some commission for her.
They were walking along and keeping their eyes and ears wide open, when a low cry from Chorlo brought them to a standstill. Turning round, they saw both her and her companion crouching on the ground, and they at once followed her example, Shag of course imitating his mistress.
“What is it, Chorlo?” whispered Topsie in a low voice; but the Indian girl never moved, and her eyes remained fixed on the dark forest to her left. Looking in the same direction, the young Araucanian Queen’s eyes fell upon a large white object, which faced them, motionless as death.
“A bull!” she exclaimed in a whisper, and Harry and Topsie’s heart beat with excitement as they heard her words.
Yes, there he was, a glorious, milk-white fellow, staring at them savagely from out his dark retreat, and wondering no doubt who and what these strange two-legged creatures were, who had come to disturb him in his lair.
“Do not fire,” entreated the Indian hastily, as he saw Harry raise his rifle. “Not even the medicine ball will penetrate his skull, unless it hits one place. We must decoy him into the open, for if you merely hit and wound him in there, we shall never see him again.”
Strangely enough the name of this Indian was El Toro, a name which had been given to him in consequence of his skill in hunting the wild cattle. His advice was therefore to be respected, and Harry lowered his rifle without firing.
But how get him into the open? That was the question, and El Toro was again consulted. He at once ordered every one to take refuge in a small dark clump close to the spot, and bade them be on the look out, then he threw himself on the ground, and began wriggling in the direction of the jungle in which the white bull stood, looking for all the world like some strange serpent of immense proportions.
But the moment he reached the jungle he sprung to his feet and plunged in. A few seconds later the ambushed hunters saw the bull turn his head and look behind him. Then they heard a yell, whereat Shag sprung up, his eyes starting, and his coat bristling with defiance, and Topsie had hard work to control him. The next minute, with a furious bellow, the bull came crashing through the jungle into the open, with El Toro seated astride his back!
It was a most extraordinary sight, and fascinated the onlookers. The bull, terrified out of his wits, bounded high in the air with his head between his forelegs, and his knotted tail lashing his sides in wild anger, but El Toro was not to be dislodged by any buck-jumping; he was far too fine a rider for that. He was somewhat discomfited, however, for in his wriggles he had dropped his knife, and was consequently unarmed.