rope up the cliff! Nothing of the sort. Yes; perhaps it is
something of the sort. But since you have made such a poor guess, I
shall keep you in suspense a little longer."

"O, brother!--"

"Nay, I shall not tell you. It is news worth guessing at; and you and
Ossaroo must make it out between you."

The two hunters, thus challenged, were about entering upon a series of
conjectures, when they were interrupted by Karl.

"Come!" said he, "there is no time now. You can exercise your ingenuity
after we have got home to the hut. We must make sure of the storks,
before anything else be attended to. This cord is too slight. They may
file it in two with their bills, and get free. The very strongest rope
we have got will not be more than sufficient. Come, Ossaroo, you take
one. Lift it up in your arms. I shall carry the other myself; while
you, Caspar, see to Fritz. Lead the dog in a leash. From this time
forward he must be kept tied up--lest any misfortune should happen to
spoil the best plan that has yet offered for our deliverance."

So saying, Karl flung his arms around one of the adjutants. Ossaroo at
the same instant embraced the other; and, despite the roaring that
proceeded from their throats, and the clattering made by their
mandibles, the huge birds were borne home to the hut.

On arriving there, they were carried inside, and fastened with strong
ropes--carefully attached to their legs, and tied to the heavy beams
forming the rafters of the roof. The door was to be kept shut upon them
at all times when the eyes of the captors were not watching them: for
Karl, knowing the importance of having such guests, was determined to
make sure of his "game."

CHAPTER SIXTY ONE.

MAIL-CARRIERS ON WINGS.

It was only after they had gone back for their baskets of beans, and
once more returned to the hut, that Caspar and Ossaroo found time to
indulge in their conjectures. Then both of them set to work in
earnest--seated upon the great stones outside the door, where often
before they had conjured up schemes for their deliverance. Neither
communicated his thoughts to the other; each silently followed the
thread of his own reflections--as if there was a rivalry between them,
as to who should be the first to proclaim the design already conceived
by Karl.

Karl was standing close by, apparently as reflective as either of his
companions. But his thoughts were only occupied in bringing to
perfection the pla