ugh we had seen
it two or three times in the woods. This was the OS-TRICH. Fritz found a
nest with some eggs in it, and this led us to make a tour with a view to
catch one of the old birds. We rose that day ere it was light, and set
out at dawn, each on the back of a good steed.

As we should have to hunt through the woods, my wife was left at home;
and Ernest, who did not like rough work, chose to stay with her. We made
it a rule to take one of the dogs with us when we went out to hunt, but
on this day we thought it wise to let them both come.

Fritz took us straight to where he had seen the nest, which was not more
than a few miles up the stream. When we came in sight of the spot, we
saw four great birds, as if on their way to meet us. As they drew near
we kept the dogs well in, and made no noise, so that they did not stop
till they came near us.

Fritz had brought his Ea-gle with him, which he now let fly. At one
swoop the bird came down on the head of the Os-trich, held on with its
beak, and struck out its wings with great force, as if to stun it.

We now rode up close to the scene of war. Jack first flung a cord round
the legs of the bird, which made it fall to the ground. I then threw my
pouch on its head, and, strange to say, it lay down as still as a lamb.

I now tied both its legs with cords, but left it just room to walk. We
then made it fast to the two bulls that had brought Jack and Frank all
the way from home, and put one of them on each side. They next got up on
their steeds, and I took the pouch from the head of the bird. As soon as
it could see, it gave a wild stare, and then fought to get free.

The boys then put spurs to the flanks of their steeds, and when the bird
had made a few starts back, as if to try the strength of the cords which
held it, it set off with a run, and the bulls at each side made it keep
up a smart pace.

Fritz and I now went in search of the nest, which we soon found. I took
the eggs from it and put them in a bag I had brought to hold them, in
which I put some wool and moss, so that they should not break.

It did not take us long to get up to the two boys, who had gone on
first, and we were glad to find that the poor bird had made up its mind
to its fate, and kept up well with the pace of the bulls.

When we got in sight of home, my wife and Ernest, who had been on the
look out for us, came forth to meet us; and the strange way in which we
brought home our new prize made