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 lion grew nearer.
“Want the horses,” said Chicory. “Two—three—four lion.”
He pointed his hand in different directions; and now it was quite evident that that was no animal ventriloquism, but several lions attracted by the horses were cautiously approaching so as to make a successful spring.