As he spoke the thundering became louder, and then, looking across
the grassy plain, all saw a large troop of wild horses, with flying
manes and tails, headed directly toward them!
CHAPTER XI
CAUGHT IN A LIVING ROPE
"Quick! Peg out the mules!" cried San Pedro, after one look at the
onrushing horses. "Drive the stakes well down! Tie them fast and
then get behind those rocks! Lively!"
He cried his orders to the natives in Spanish, at the same time
motioning to Tom and Ned.
"Get off your mules!" he went on. "Peg them out. Peg out the others,
and then run for it!"
"Run for it?" repeated Tom, "Do you think I'm going to leave my
outfit in the midst of that stampede?" and he waved his hand toward
the thundering, galloping wild horses which were coming nearer every
moment. "Get out the electric rifles, and we'll turn that stampede.
I'm not going to run."
"Bless my saddle!" cried Mr. Damon. "This is awful! There must be a
thousand of them."
"Nearer two!" cried Ned, who was struggling to loosen the straps
that bound his electric rifle to the side of his mule. Already the
pack animals as well as those ridden by the members of the giant-
hunting party were showing signs of excitement.
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