animals. Peering through the barrier, the girls could see the
beautiful creatures plainly.

"So pretty!" breathed Grace. "It seems a shame--"

"Now, don't be nonsensical," said Bess practically. "Just think how
pretty a chicken is; and yet you do love chicken, Grade."

"Softly," warned Rhoda. "We do not know how far our voices may
carry."

Then she gave the party the simple instructions necessary, and they
pulled the ponies out from behind the brush and rocks.

"At a gallop!" commanded Rhoda, and at once the party made off
across the plain.

Rhoda rode to the west of the little herd of antelopes; Walter and
the other girls rode as hard as they could a little to the east of
them. Almost at once the antelopes were startled. They stopped
grazing, sprang to attention, and for a minute huddled together,
seemingly uncertain of their next move.

The four riders encircling them to the north and east naturally
disturbed the tranquillity of the deer more than that single figure
easily cantering in a westerly direction. Swerving from the larger
party, the wild creatures darted away.

And how they could run! The ponies would evidently be no match for
them on a straight course. But as the larger number of pursuers