Look now at that group there, just in front of us ?" Eric glanced towards the spot where his brother directed his attention, and noticed a party of penguins returning from the sea.

These separated as soon as they approached the line of nests, different individuals sidling up to the sitting birds and giving their partners a peck with their beaks, by way of a hint, barking out some word of explanation at the same time.

In another moment, the home-coming penguin had wedged itself into the place of the other, which struggling on to its feet then proceeded outside the thicket, where, being joined by others whose guard had been thus similarly relieved, the fresh group proceeded together, in a hurried, scrambling sort of run, to the beach, whence they shortly plunged into the sea, having, however, their usual gabbling colloquy first in concert before taking to the water.
"They're a funny lot," said Eric; "still, they're not going to get the better of me, for I intend to load the wheelbarrow with their guano, whether they like it or not!" "I wouldn't disturb them again, if I were you," observed Fritz.

"They seem to have quieted down, and do not mind our presence now." "I won't trouble them, for I shall not go inside their rookery," said Eric.

"I only intend to skirt round the place, and see what I can pick up outside." "Very well then, I will go on digging the garden, which I have been neglecting all this time, if you will get the manure.