The state of mind of the latter may be imagined. They saw the crowd; and they heard them shouting warnings to “Look out!”
“It’s something from the circus!” cried Mark. “Something’s got away!”
“Row for your lives!” roared the people on the shore.
All possibility of that was gone, however, for the simple reason that the rower, the timid and terrified Indian, had dropped his oars into the water, leaped up from his seat and began to howl. The others, uncertain as to what the rapidly approaching animal could be, only added to the excitement. Texas at the first shout had hauled out a huge revolver and was standing in the bow with a desperately tragic air ready for anything in the whole realm of nature.
“Oo-oo!” howled Indian. “It’s the elephant!”
That caused still more alarm, so that the heavily-weighted old boat began to ship water rapidly. But just then the suspense was ended by the moon’s appearance from behind a cloud; that showed them the huge buffalo, a sight by no means comforting, even if it was better than an elephant run amuck.
The bull was a huge one even if he was thin; he swam with his head way out of the water, tossing his shaggy mane angrily. Having been hunted and shouted at for some time, the ugly beast was beginning to get mad now, and his little eyes were gleaming.
When he saw the boat and its crowd he turned and started away with all his might; for he saw in them only new enemies trying to capture him. At that the plebes sighed with relief, you may readily imagine. They were helpless prisoners on that boat, and if the bull had come for them they would have been in danger. The danger was past now.
There was one factor, however, that the Seven had not counted on. They forgot that they had a wild Texas cowboy on board, a cowboy with “sporting blood” and a tendency to hunt for excitement. Nobody had been watching Texas since that bull hove in sight. Nobody saw that he was dancing about, his fingers twitching and his eyes sparkling. Nobody had seen him thrust the revolver into his belt and begin fumbling about his waist.
Nobody saw him fling his favorite “rope” to the breeze and begin to whirl it about his head. The first inkling they had of any danger was when to their indescribable horror they saw the noose sail through the air, hovering and twisting; saw it settle comfortably about the huge beast’s neck; and saw the mighty Texan yank it tight with a whoop of triumph.