CHAPTER XII. 



THE WILD MEN. 



DISAPPOINTMENT awaited our friends on reaching camp. The eggs 

 captured by Diedrick had been sat upon so long by the parent birds that 

 they were unpalatable. Diedrick and Pongo, however, found several of the 

 latest laid, that were acceptable to themselves and the other natives. The best of 

 these were cleverly prepared for the suffering Orak, who relished them greatly. 



But the suspicion of stateness ruins an egg for eating purposes with most of us 

 and not one of the Americans would so much as taste them. The eggs of the 

 ostrich are naturally strong, and, even had these been perfectly fresh, I doubt 

 whether our friends would have partaken of them. Several of the shells were 

 preserved for use as cups. 



By the time the eggs were disposed of, it was near noon, and, although Mr. 

 Godkin deemed it safe to move Orak, yet he decided to adhere to his first resolu- 

 tion of remaining where they were until the following day. The rest thus secured 

 was as grateful to the animals as the men. The natives showed their appreciation 

 of the indulgence by climbing into the wagons and spending most of the hours in 

 sleep, of which it seemed impossible for them to secure a surfeit. 



The oxen and horses were so well trained, that, when turned out to graze, they 

 never wandered off. At night, of course, all were gathered close to camp, where 

 their owners could defend them against wild beasts. 



The temperature was oppressive during the middle of the day, at which time 

 the train often paused for several hours' rest. Had the season been the hot one, 

 it would have been almost intolerable. 



The situation of the camp was such that an extended view was afforded north 

 and south, but it was shortened to the westward on account of the hills beyond 

 which occurred the encounter with the ostriches. To the east, also, it was inter- 

 fered with by the bank of the stream, which rose to a height of a couple ot rods 

 before sloping down to the water. 



Mr. Godkin, who took in all the points of any business in which he was engaged, 

 referred to this curtailment of their vision as a disadvantage. 



"We are in the land of the Bechuanas and Bushmen, who are as treacherous as 

 the American Indian," said he in explanation; "and we must keep a lookout for a 

 visit from them." 



"What reason have you to fear that?" asked Jack Harvey, while Bob and Dick 

 were on the alert. 



" Pongo saw signs, when he went out to watch your sport with the ostriches; 

 the fact is," added the director, " I suspect that was his purpose, instead of taking 

 a hand in clipping off the heads of camel birds." 



75 



