eir kind. When a Wieroo runs, his wings spread almost without any
volition upon his part, since from time immemorial he has always used
them to balance himself and accelerate his running speed so that in the
open they appear to skim the surface of the ground when in the act of
running. But here in the woods, among the close-set boles, the
spreading of their wings proved their undoing--it hindered and stopped
them and threw them to the ground, and then Bradley was upon them
threatening them with instant death if they did not
surrender--promising them their freedom if they did his bidding.

"As you have seen," he cried, "I can kill you when I wish and at a
distance. You cannot escape me. Your only hope of life lies in
obedience. Quick, or I kill!"

The Wieroos stopped and faced him. "What do you want of us?" asked one.

"Throw aside your weapons," Bradley commanded. After a moment's
hesitation they obeyed.

"Now approach!" A great plan--the only plan--had suddenly come to him
like an inspiration.

The Wieroos came closer and halted at his command. Bradley turned to
the girl. "There is rope in the shelter," he said. "Fetch it!"

She did as he bid, and then he directed her to fasten one end of a
fifty-foot length to the ankle of one of the Wieroos and the opposite
end to the second. The creatures gave evidence of great fear, but they
dared not attempt to prevent the act.

"Now go out into the clearing," said Bradley, "and remember that I am
walking close behind and that I will shoot the nearer one should either
attempt to escape--that will hold the other until I can kill him as
well."

In the open he halted them. "The girl will get upon the back of the
one in front," announced the Englishman. "I will mount the other. She
carries a sharp blade, and I carry this weapon that you know kills
easily at a distance. If you disobey in the slightest, the
instructions that I am about to give you, you shall both die. That we
must die with you, will not deter us. If you obey, I promise to set
you free without harming you.

"You will carry us due west, depositing us upon the shore of the
mainland--that is all. It is the price of your lives. Do you agree?"

Sullenly the Wieroos acquiesced. Bradley examined the knots that held
the rope to their ankles, and feeling them secure directed the girl to
mount the back of the leading Wieroo, himself upon the other. Then he
gave the signal for the two to rise toget