Jack thought it perhaps a lion, Fritz hazarded a gorilla, while Ernest
gave it as his opinion, and I thought it possible that he was right,
that it was a hyaena.
`Whatever it is,' said I, `we must prepare to receive it; up with you
all to the nest while I secure the door.'
Then arming the dogs with their collars, I sent them out to protect the
animals below, closed the door, and joined my family.
Every gun was loaded, every eye was upon the watch. The sound drew
nearer, and then all was still; nothing was to be seen. I determined to
descend and reconnoitre, and Fritz and I carefully crept down; with our
guns at full cock we glided amongst the trees; noiselessly and quickly
we pushed on further and further; suddenly, close by, we heard the
terrific sound again. Fritz raised his gun, but almost as quickly again
dropped it, and burst into a hearty fit of laughter.
There was no mistaking those dulcet tones--hee-haw, hee-haw, hee-haw,
resounded through the forest, and our ass braying his approach right
merrily appeared in sight. To our surprise, however, our friend was not
alone: behind him trotted another animal, an ass no doubt, but slim and
graceful as a horse. We watched their movements anxiously.
`Fritz,' I whispered, `that is an onager. Creep back to Falconhurst and
bring me a piece of cord--quietly now!'
While he was gone, I cut a bamboo and split it halfway down to form a
pair of pincers, which I knew would be of use to me should I get near
the animal.
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