Page:Tarzan and the Ant Men.pdf/84

78 entirely covered by two inches of stones. The remaining earth from the excavation was then piled over all.

By the time this work was completed the loose antelope had been caught and the wounded strapped to their backs. At a word from their commander the party formed with military pre­cision, a detail started ahead with the wounded and a moment later the balance of the troop was mounted and on the way. The method of mount­ing and taking up the march was unique and a source of considerable interest to Tarzan. The dismounted warriors were standing in line facing the young leader who was mounted, as were the several officers who accompanied him. Each war­rior held his mount by the bridle. The com­mander made a rapid signal with the raised pointof his sword—there was no spoken word of com­mand—immediately after which he dropped the point quickly at his side simultaneously wheeling his mount, which leaped quickly off in the direc­tion that the troop was facing, the mounts of his officers wheeling with him as though actuated by a single brain, and at the same instant the mount of each alternate warrior in the line leaped for­ward and as it leaped its rider swung to his sad­dle, vaulting to his seat as lightly as a feather. The instant the first line had cleared them the antelopes of the second line leaped in pursuit, their riders mounted as had the others before