“Emus?” said Rifle. “Oh yes, I remember. Ostrichy-looking things. Are those what they are?”
“I do not think there’s a doubt about it,” replied the captain, after another look at the rapidly-retiring birds, which, after a long stare at the little train of carts and wains, literally made their legs twinkle like the spokes of a carriage wheel as they skimmed over the ground and out of sight.
“Yes,” said the captain again, as the last one disappeared. “Emus, the Australian ostriches. You boys ought to make notes of all the wild creatures you see.”
“We shan’t forget them, uncle,” said Tim. “Let’s see; there was the black, the snake—”
“Snake? Have you seen one?”
“Oh yes,” replied Tim.
“Thirty feet long, wasn’t it?” said Norman, giving his brother a look.
“Thirty? More likely three, uncle. I think it was nearer six though.”
“Did you kill it?”
“No; it wouldn’t stop, but crawled into the bush, and I don’t think I should have tried.”