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RIDING ON AN OSTRICH &55 |
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Oh, that would be fine fun I' they cried.
I accordingly attached our two coursers before and behind the ostrich with strong cords, and, when all was ready, my two cavaliers jumped into their saddles, and I pulled the covering from the head of the ostrich.
The bird remained some time immovable, as if astonished at the return of light. It soon made a start, but the ropes pulled it roughly back, and it fell down on its knees ; again it made the attempt, and again it was foiled. It tried to fly, but its wings were tightly fastened by the band I had passed around them ; its legs were also restrained. It threw itself from side to side with the utmost violence, but the patient buffaloes did not pay the least attention to the pulling and hauling. At last the bird appeared convinced of the inutility of its efforts, and, submitting to its two companions, set off with them at full gallop. They dashed gallantly on for half an hour, until the buffalo and the bull, less accustomed to the sands of the savanna than the ostrich, forced it to abate its rapid pace, and adopt a slower movement.
While this was going on, Fritz and I set out in search of the ostrich-nest. As we approached, a female bird rose up off the nest and fled rapidly |
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