Suppose that instead of coming toward me," added Jack, giving expression to a dread that had not occurred to him until then, "they dash off into the mountains on either side.

Then we shall be doomed to starvation!" He thought that with the aid of his glass he would be able to follow Fred as he stole down the side of the valley, since the position of the spectator was much more elevated than that of the antelope.

It would require sharp scrutiny even with the aid of the instrument to do this, and, look as keenly as he might, he could discover nothing that suggested anything of that nature.
When three o'clock went by without any evidence of alarm among the animals browsing in the middle of the valley, Jack Dudley began to wonder what it could mean.
"Fred was sure that a single hour was enough to place himself on the further side of them, and double that time has passed.

He ought to be well down the slope, but I can see nothing of him." One fact, however, was apparent: the antelope were steadily though slowly working toward the ridge on which the young man lay.

At the rate they were advancing it would not be long before it would be safe to try a shot.
This progress could not be laid to any alarm coming from the other side.
If the animals received fright they would be off with the speed of the wind, instead of inching along in the fashion they were now following.
"It begins to look as if I am to secure the meal, after all," thought Jack, forgetting his slight uneasiness for his friend in his growing excitement.
The following minute gave proof of the timidity of the American antelope.