CHAPTER 11: The Marvel of Fire.
"What are those--natives ?" exclaimed Tom suddenly.
Ned looked steadily at them for some time.
"No, I think they are great birds.

The ostrich abounds in these plains; no doubt they are ostriches." "I suppose it is of no use our chasing them ?" "Not a bit.

They can run faster than a horse can gallop." During the day's walk, they saw vast numbers of deer of various kinds; but as they were sure that these would not allow them to approach, they did not alter their course, which was, as nearly as they could calculate by the sun, due west.

The sun was warm during the day, but all the higher hilltops were covered with snow.
"If the worst comes to the worst," Ned said, "we must go up and get some snow.

We can make a big ball of it, and bring it down with us in one of our sashes.