As neither would yield to the other, so neither would consent to disgorge, and let go; and for some seconds this curious contention was kept up.
How long it might have continued was not left to the determination of the parties themselves; but to Ossaroo, who, while they were thus occupied, rushed upon the spot; and, flinging wide his arms, enfolded both the birds in an embrace, from which they vainly struggled to get free.
With the assistance of Karl and Caspar—who had in the meantime tied Fritz to a tree—the huge creatures were soon overpowered, and pinioned beyond the possibility of escaping.
Chapter Sixty.
A labelled leg.
“It is! it is!” cried Karl, stooping suddenly down, and grasping the shank of one of the birds.
“What?” inquired Caspar.
“Look, brother! See what is there, round the stork’s leg! Do you not remember having seen that bit of jewellery before?”