At a word from the engineer, the four explorers climbed up on the cowcatcher and sat down on the wide seat, their hearts light as they eagerly anticipated what was coming. As for Bob and Joe, it was the most unusual opportunity they had ever been offered.
“What do you have there?” inquired Joe, trying to make out what his friend held under his arm.
“A motion-picture camera,” returned Bob, holding it in view. “I opened the box and brought it out. We haven’t taken any movies since we started, you know.”
“Glad you thought of it,” Joe commended. “This is sure a swell chance for rolling it off.”
The sound of the locomotive’s whistle made the explorers sit up in eager anticipation.
It was a novel sensation to the youths—sitting on the cowcatcher of the engine. As the latter picked up speed, they experienced a feeling of real exhilaration. For seeing the shining rails slip by and watching the scenery move toward them was most unusual indeed, especially here in Africa.
The farther they went the more plentiful wild life became. On one occasion Joe almost caught a bright red bird with his hands as it flew across the path of the oncoming train. At another time a cat-like animal darted across the track, almost under the wheels.
“That fellow had a narrow escape,” breathed Bob, whose heart was beating rapidly as he saw the near-tragedy.
Still later the boys and their fathers saw literally thousands of beautiful Thompson’s gazelles, gnus, ostriches, giraffes, hartebeests, water bucks, and many other creatures.
“Such a sight!” said Bob, cranking the motion-picture camera frequently. “Never saw——”