DISTILLING POISON. $i 



The snake was stunned, doubtlessly, but no time 

 was left for him to recover, for as quick as thought 

 he received a blow upon the head which settled 

 matters. 



The fall of the snake and descent of the birds 

 struck terror into the springboks, and off they rushed 

 to windward in one mass, each endeavouring to 

 outstrip the other in speed, or to surpass his neigh- 

 bour in the height of his wonderful bounds. Pretty, 

 fascinating creatures, you are well named ! Still it 

 is to be regretted that a name could not have been 

 found in our language that would have given also 

 some better idea of your grace and perfection of 

 form. 



But we were not yet finished with the secretary 

 birds. Now that the allies had conquered the 

 common foe they fought for the booty. One would 

 think that birds would have left such selfishness 

 for the so-called lords of creation alone to display, 

 more particularly as the booty was quite sufficient 

 for the requirements of both. 



I wanted the prey, so slipped in and took it, 

 thus personifying the lawyer between two clients. 



The ringkaal I had conveyed to my wagon, 



E 2 



