The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-09-05


Several visits were made to the
pit prepared by Wilcox, who had
put in a big piece of meat as bait,
but nothing exciting happened I'M
til May II.
On that day some of the boys
were looking for another cavity
which could be used as a store
house for the rest Of the equip
ment. AS they approached the pit,
they heard hoarse cries coming
from its depths.
Briant ran toward it and was
joined by Doniphan, who always
wanted to be first in an adventure.
The others followed with guns
loaded and ready, while Phann
Stalked, ears cooked and tail stiff.
AS they neared the pit, the cries
grew louder. A large hole in the
covering of branches must have
been made by the fall of an ami
NAL. They kept themselves ready
for action.
"Go, Phann, go!" cried Doni-
phan.
The dog jumped forward, bark
ing, but without a trace of fear.
Briant and Doniphan rushed to
the pit and bent over it.
"Come! Comet" they cried.
els it jaguar?" asked Webb.
"Or a cougar?" asked Cross.
mol" shouted Doniphan, cts
an animal with two legs. AN
oStrich!"
The boys shouted with joy. They
had reason to be pleased that such
birds were in the forests, for they
are excellent food.
1--WE must take it alive!" said
Wilcox.
ct should say sol" cried Service.
''It will not be easy!" answered
Cross.
Let's try!" said Briant.
Wilcox slipped to the bottom of
the pit, risking some sharp peckS,
which might have badly wounded
him. But he was able to throw
his coat over the head of the
ostrich and the creature was re-
duced to helpleSSnesS. It was easy
to tie the feet with several hand
kerchiefs tied together. Then, some
at the bottom, and some at the
top, the hunters got the ostrich
out Of the pit.
"At last we've got herI" cried
Webb.
"And what'll we do with it?'
asked Cross.
That's simple!" replied Service,
who never doubted anything.
We'll take it to French Den, tame
it, and use it to ride. I'll take
charge of it and do as Jack did
in the Swiss Family Robinson"
CHAPTER XVIII
Whether the ostrich could be
used in that way was doubtful, but
they decided to take it back to
French Den. When Gordon saw it
he thought Of another mouth to
feed. But deciding that grass and
leaves would do for it's food, he &C
copied it. The younger boys were
overjoyed to see the bird, to get
near it-not toe close, though
after it had been tied up with a
long rope. And when they learned
that Service expected to train it
for racing, they made him promise
that he would take them with him
when he took the bird out.
eyes, babies, if you are very
good!" answered Service, to whom
the little ones looked up as if he
were a hero.
By this time Gordon and his
comrades had organized a daily
routine. The settlement once COM
pleted, Gordon proposed to regu-
late everyone's occupation as much
as possible and above all to look
after the younger ones. He sug-
gested that they continue the les
sons begun at the Chairman
School.
1--WE have some books which we
can use to continue our studies"
said Gordon. And we ought to
teach the younger boys what we
have learned and what we will
learn"
eyes" answered Briant, land if
we ever get out of this island, we
won't have lost all our time"
It was decided to arrange a pro-
gram and to carry it out faithfully.
Once the winter arrived they would
have many bad days when none of
them could put foot outside, and
it was important that those days
should not be spent without some
profit.
Meantime, the most awkward
part of the life in French Den was
the narTowness Of this single room
into which they all had to crowd.
It was necessary, without delay, to
try to make this cave larger.
The young hunters had exam
ined the cliffs several times in the
hope of finding another excavation
for a store-room. But they found
nothing and had to plan to enlarge