onging to von Hofe.

"Jumpin' sandhills!" began Charlie in wonder. "What on earth--"

"Get up here!" roared the General at them. "Boys! Quick!"

Without pausing to inquire further the boys jumped for the camp. A
moment later they stood gazing around in amazement, inquiring what was
wrong. For answer the explorer pointed to the river below. The boys
whirled, then a single cry burst from their lips and they stood
astounded, unable to believe their eyes.

"Ach, himmel! Vot a sight!" broke from the doctor.

There, bending down the tough reeds like grass, a mighty herd of buffalo
was coming slowly forward, the first two or three just emerging into
the clearing. All together, there must have been sixty or seventy of
them--but what buffalo they were!

Great, shaggy fellows, nearly a third larger than those the boys had
seen and shot during the first part of the trip, they seemed like some
part of a wild dream. It flashed through Charlie's mind that it must
have been such buffalo as this that Mowbray had seen, or rather, that
had scattered his Arabs.

Slowly the great mass pushed forward, heads upturned. Plainly they had
scented the camp, for they were down-wind, and intended to investigate.
Both boys realized that they were in grave danger, as this became
apparent.

"Think they'll dare to charge us?" murmured Charlie, a little pale.

"Can't tell," returned the explorer, staring. "Great Scott, what
animals! No wonder Mowbray's men lit out for safety! If they come on,
we're goners."

That they plainly meant to come on was soon evident. The foremost paused
to sniff and paw the body of the slain boar, and to gaze up at the
waiting men, then those crowding behind shoved them onward. Two or
three went on to one side, but the others began the ascent of the little
hill without hesitation.

"We'll have to stop them," said Schoverling, his face set. Charlie
looked around to find Jack at his elbow, gun ready, black eyes
glittering, and cheeks flushed darkly. Behind were grouped the Indian
gun-bearers, fully recognizing the danger. The Masai, chattering but
with arrow on the string, stood near the wagon.

"Bakari!" called the explorer quickly. At the sound of his voice the
giant buffalo halted for a moment, and the boys yelled in hope that they
would retire. But the hope proved groundless, as they came forward with
slow steps again.

"Bakari, put some of your men up into that tree--keep those bulls away
from the wagon and