TURNING THE CHARGE OF THE BUFFALOES.
Sure enough, that was the case. We could see the herd of buffaloes advancing at full speed, and in front of them—not more than two hundred yards in advance—were three individuals on horseback, riding at a gallop away from the herd! The situation was plain: the buffaloes had charged upon the three riders, and were pursuing them to the best of their ability.
"If anybody falls, death is certain," said Jack, "as that herd would trample the life out of one in a very few minutes. The lives of riders and horses are at stake; a single misstep, and the fall would be terrible. Let us ride forward and turn the herd, if it is possible to do so."
We went ahead at a gallop. Very soon we passed the fleeing riders, and just as we did so one of their horses plunged his foot into a hole and fell headlong! There was no time to stop to render assistance; all depended upon heading off that ruck of infuriated animals, that was coming on with the force of an avalanche.
We shouted, and waved our hands in the air; and then, gripping our faithful Winchesters, which we had brought along, we poured shot after shot, not at the herd, but directly over it. Had we fired at the animals and wounded any of them, we should have increased their fury; firing above them was the only way to intimidate them.
Our plan was successful: the leaders of the herd slackened their speed, and then veered away to the left. The others naturally followed the course of their leaders, and in less time than it takes me to tell the story the direction of that animate tornado was changed. The speed of the herd was but little diminished, but the course was changed about a quarter of a circle, which was amply sufficient for our purposes.
Under other circumstances we should have rushed in and had glorious sport among that mass of buffaloes, but our attentions were needed elsewhere. We wheeled about and saw the group of our friends where the one mentioned had fallen, and rode as quickly as possible to the place where they were. When we reached it we found that the victim of the fall was Miss Boland; but fortunately, with the exception of a few bruises, she was not injured. Mrs. Roberts and the after-rider had turned back to her assistance as soon as they discovered her fall, believing that we would be able to turn their pursuers either to the left or the right.
Mrs. Roberts was standing over Miss Boland, the latter being in a half-fainting condition. Fortunately I had brought along the brandy-flask which has heretofore been mentioned, and was able to administer a restorative dose to the patient.
In a little while the lady was able to mount her horse, and then we rode slowly toward their camp.
Harry obtained a place by Miss Boland's side, Jack rode close behind them with Mrs. Roberts, and I brought up the rear with the after-rider as my companion. From him I learned the particulars of the affair, which were about as follows: