It proved to be a full-grown ostrich, but it was in wretched plumage,
and a little examination showed that there was a reason for Chicory's
success, the bird having been shot at and a good deal injured.

It was such a miserable object that it would have been left behind had
not the little party known that the General wanted it for a particular
purpose; so it was strapped on to the back of Mr Rogers's saddle, to
the great discomfort of the big bay, which immediately began to kick
furiously.

This kicking process caused the ostrich's long legs and neck to fly
about and belabour the horse's sides, driving it almost frantic, and had
he not been securely held he would have gone off at full gallop over the
plain, probably to go on till he dropped or was pulled down by the
lions.

"Look at the old drum," cried Dick eagerly; "and how the drumsticks are
giving it to his sides," a remark which ensured for the old bay horse
the nickname of the "Drum" to the end of the journey.

Fortunately for the party the moon in its first quarter was well
advanced, and as the sunlight faded in the west they had the advantage
of the soft silvery rays to guide them on their way. But all the same,
the journey back was toilsome and dangerous; for no sooner did they
attempt to go fast--Chicory being mounted in turn behind one or other of
the boys, than, as Dick said, the sticks began to beat the drum, and the
drum began to go mad, and snort and kick most violently.

"Ah, father," cried Jack, "what a shame it was you did not lend Dinny a
horse; it would have been such fun to have seen him with the ostrich
tied on behind."

"Shure, he'd have been kilt intoirely," said Dick, mimicking Dinny's
accent.

"I should not envy him his ride if it would have been anything like
mine," said Mr Rogers drily. "Hark, boys! there's a lion."

"Oomph! oomph!" came the low deep roar, like muttering thunder at home
on a summer's night; and over and over again they noticed the
peculiarity of the deep-toned growl. For it was as if some
ventriloquist were imitating the cry in different parts of the
wilderness. Now it sounded close by, and the horses shivered and pawed
the ground impatiently; then it seemed a little farther off; and again
it was close by.

They would gladly have galloped on if it had not been for the
drumsticks, as Dick called the ostrich's neck and legs, these
necessitating a very gentle progress; and all the time the deep roar of
the lio