over a
sandy soil before the ostrich will consent to be taken; and it strikes
me that we can imitate those same Spaniards, and even if we can't get
near enough to cast our reattas we can try the effects of a shot."

"By George, I'm in for the sport!" cried Murden, and he commenced
preparing his rope in a manner similar to Fred's.

In a few minutes we were ready, and rode off a short distance, and then
gradually closed in until the unconscious bird was surrounded. I then
allowed Rover to start, and with a low bay he dashed towards the
cassiowary.

The latter, when the dog was within a few feet, stopped feeding, and
seemed to be somewhat astonished; and just us the hound sprang upon his
intended victim, the bird turned tail to, and started on a run, in the
direction of Fred.

The animal made awful clumsy work of running, and yet it got over the
ground in a surprisingly rapid manner; and although Rover exerted
himself to the utmost, he had some difficulty in gaining on the chase.

We hallooed the hound on, in hopes that he would seize the bird by one
of its legs; and in fact, just as he was about to, the cassiowary
suddenly stopped, raised one of its huge feet, and with a vigorous kick
sent Rover rolling head over heels.

The dog got up and looked somewhat astonished, and then recommenced the
chase with renewed vigor and enthusiasm.

The bird continued its irregular course, lifting its huge legs in a slow
and mathematical manner, yet running with great speed, and seeming to
care no more for bushes, and such like obstructions, than an elephant.

As I said before, the bird's course led directly towards Fred; but upon
getting sight of him as he sat on his horse with rope in hand, it
changed, and fled towards me, plunging its long neck, and uttering a
short whistle, as though blowing off steam. Even while running, the
short, stumpy wings were used to aid its flight and steady its body,
which rocked, and rolled, and swayed to and fro like a ship in a head
sea.

"On, Rover, on!" we shouted, and the faithful dog strained all of his
energies to overtake the chase, and when he again got within a few yards
of it, up went a claw, and we could hear the powerful blow that
descended upon the dog's head, and sent him rolling over and over again,
and this time a slight yelp told that he was somewhat hurt.

"Look out for him!" shouted Fred and Murden, spurring towards me, but
there was no necessity to caution me. I had my rope