the forest.

Dick saw to his horror that Jess Slythe had tied his father to a horse
and was now in flight, mounted upon another animal.

Professor Oakwood, too proud to call for help, sent one despairing look
backward, as Jess Slythe lashed the animal's flanks.

"After him!" shouted Dick Oakwood. "Get me a horse, somebody! We have
_got_ to rescue my father!"

But the Arab horses were plunging about beyond hope of capture, and
Jess Slythe and his prisoner were already lost in the shadows of the
jungle.

CHAPTER XIII

JUNGLE DANCERS

The victory was complete.

By the time Mahatma Sikandar came on the scene, borne upon his litter,
the Muta-Kungas were in full flight, pursued by the Kungoras, Gorols
and Taharans.

The Arabs, too, had vanished, but a few of their horses were loose,
running about the village and the surrounding forest.

Dick spied his Taharan friends, Kurt and Kurul, returning from the
pursuit of the enemies and cried:

"Round up the stray horses! Get all you can! We'll start out to
rescue Dad."

"Yes, Master," they replied obediently, and called upon their fellows
to help in the capture of the terrified animals.

The Mahatma spoke to them in his placid voice:

"Patience, my children! I see that the battle has gone as I foretold.
Through my power over beasts, I caused the elephants to stampede. Now
be quiet, and watch. You will see me bring the horses to you."

Fascinated, Dick and his followers watched the wise old Hindu raise
both hands above his head with a convulsive gesture. His eyes closed.
At the same time his lips moved as he appeared to be saying something
under his breath. But no sound came to the ears of the men beside him.
The message was not meant for them. It was directed at the runaway
horses.

At a distance the beasts were racing madly, at first, then their pace
slackened and a few of them began to graze quietly, while the others
stared in the direction of the holy man.

Kurt and Kurul, ropes in hand, gave a grunt of admiration, "Mahatma
Good!" and started to bring in the horses.

But Dick restrained them. "Leave it to the wise man," he said. "He
does not need help."

Sure enough in a few minutes the horses began straying back to where
the Mahatma was sitting, all their fear gone.

"Now you can capture them, Dick Sahib," said Sikandar. "Go to them
quietly and take them by their bridles."

Dan cried enthusiastically, "You are certainly there with