o make the bird draw back its head and strike at the
dog, which avoided the blow, and growling fiercely, prepared to resent
the attack.

"Come away, Duke," cried Dyke. "To heel, sir."

The dog growled and seemed to protest, but went obediently behind his
younger master.

"I had better shoot the bird, Dyke," said Emson.

"No, no; don't. Let's have a try to save it. Perhaps when it finds
that we want to do it good, it will lie quiet."

"No," said Emson; "it will take it as meant for war."

"Well, let's try," said Dyke.--"Here, Breezy: stable."

The cob walked slowly away toward its shed, and the other horse
followed, while Dyke hurriedly fetched a couple of pieces of rope,
formed of twisted antelope skin.

"What do you propose doing?" said Emson.

"All run in together, and tie his neck to one wing; then he'll be
helpless, and we can tie his thighs together. You can set the leg
then."

"Well, I'll try," said Emson. "Wait till I've cut a couple of pieces of
wood for splints. What can I get?"

"Bit of box-lid," replied Dyke; and in a few minutes Emson returned,
bearing in addition a flat roll of stout webbing, such as is used by
upholsterers, and by the poor emigrants to lace together across a frame,
and form the beds upon which they stretch their weary bones at night.

"I think I can set it, and secure it," said Emson.

"Why, of course you can."

"Yes, but as soon as it's done, the poor brute will kick it off. Now
then, how about tying him?"

"Rush him," said Dyke laconically. "Come along, Jack, and help."

But the Kaffir shook his head rapidly.

"Why, hullo! You won't back out, Jack?"

"No. Him kick, bite: no good."

"Never you mind that," cried Dyke. "You rush in with us, and hold his
head, while we take his legs and wings. Do you understand?"

"No," said the Kaffir, shaking his head. "Killum--killum!" and he made
a gesture as if striking with a club.

"Not going to kill," cried Dyke. "You rush in and hold the head. Do
you understand?"

"No," said the Kaffir.

"He won't," cried Emson. "We shall have to do it ourselves, Dyke. Make
a noose and lasso the brute's head. Then when I run in to seize the
leg, you drag the neck tight down to the wing, and hold it there."

Dyke nodded, made a noose at the end of his hide rope, and advanced
gently toward the ostrich, which struck at him, but only to dart its
head through the loop; and this was drawn tight.

"Now, Joe, ready?" cried