easily evaded the sharp horns which came near him more than once.
Finally, as if he saw the uselessness of his pursuit, the steer headed
in the opposite direction from that which he ought to have taken, and
sped away with all the fleetness he possessed.

Avon saw his uncle galloping to his help.

"Leave him to me!" called the nephew; "I'll conquer him."

Captain Shirril drew up, and, from his perch in the saddle, watched the
result of the curious contest.

Avon had his rope ready to fling over the horns of the fugitive, but
before doing so, he resorted to another artifice, which few persons of
his years can carry out successfully. It is not only difficult, but it
is vastly more dangerous, in the event of the animal showing fight, as
the steer had already done.

It was necessary to force Thunderbolt close beside the fugitive, and,
despite the courage of the mustang, it was only natural that he should
feel some reluctance against doing this. Those horns possessed
prodigious length and sharpness, and had already been turned upon him;
but he was obedient, and urged by the pricking of the spur and the words
of his master, he edged still nearer, though it need not be said that he
kept an eye to windward. It was well he did so.

Young Burnet was in the act of leaning forward to attempt the dangerous
and difficult feat, when the steer again dropped his head, with one side
lower than the other, as such animals do when assailing a foe sideways,
and charged upon the mustang.

Nine horses out of ten would have been fatally impaled by the suddenness
of the assault, for there was no time for him to wheel; but with a
dexterity that seemed incredible, he instantly rose on his hind feet and
bounded clean over the steer. The wonder of the exploit was how the
horse gathered himself and applied his strength with such astonishing
quickness, but he did it like a trained gymnast, his rider maintaining
his seat without difficulty and feeling a thrill of admiration at the
amazing skill of his steed.

If a dumb animal can ever show surprise, the steer displayed it at the
action of the mustang. Having made his lunge with his horns, he must
have become aware that, instead of piercing flesh and blood, they clove
vacancy only. With his head aloft, and snorting with anger, he stared
where the horse and rider were a moment before, but where now they were
not.

He looked to the right and left, as if unable to comprehend what had
become of t