noon before
asked Mr Rogers . `` Shure , sor , the lions have been rampaging around the waggon the whole night through , and I had to kape them off by throwing burning sthicks and shouting at 'em , for Pater and Dirk were about as much good as a couple of babbies , and the big Sooloo went to slape and snored . '' `` That 's just what I 'm going to do , Dinny , '' said Jack , yawning . And to show that he meant it , no sooner had he tied up and seen to his horse , than he threw himself down , his example being followed by the others , so that it was getting close upon noon before breakfast was attacked . That same afternoon Dick , who had taken the glass and mounted a tree for a look round , announced ostriches in sight , and the General smiled and said it was his turn now . While the others had slept he had been very busy , skinning the ostrich , and stuffing its long neck , and , to the astonishment of Dinny , he placed four or five little assegais ready , and then threw the skin of the ostrich over his head and shoulders , holding up the head by means of a stick run through the neck , and then , turning on one side , only his bare legs were visible . Jack burst into a roar of laughter , and Chicory began to get rid of his superfluous excitement in his usual way -- by dancing round and round and indulging in a few kicks and jumps .