As Jack and Franz wanted a gallop, I allowed them to press forward,
while Fritz and I visited the euphorbia trees. A quantity of the red
gum had exuded from the incisions I had made, and as this had
coagulated in the sun, I rolled it into little balls and stored it in a
bamboo jar I had brought with me for the purpose.
As we rode after the boys, who were some way ahead, Fritz remarked,
`Did you not tell me that the juice of that tree was poisonous, father;
why have you collected such a quantity?'
`I did indeed say so,' I replied, `it is a most deadly poison. The
inhabitants of the Cape of Good Hope use it to poison the springs where
wild animals assemble to quench their thirst; and they thus slaughter
an immense number of the creatures for the sake of their hides. I
intend, however, to use it to destroy the apes should they again commit
depredations, and also in preparing the skins of animals to protect
them from the attacks of insects.'
The two boys were still at some distance from us, when suddenly four
magnificent ostriches rose from the sand where they had been sitting.
Jack and Franz perceived them, and with a great shout, drove them
towards us. In front ran a splendid male bird, his feathers of shining
black, and his great tail plume waving behind.
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