CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT.
FRITZ AMONG THE FEATHERS.
Their hilarity could not be continued for ever.

Even that of Caspar came to a termination; though not until his ribs ached with the agreeable exercise.
As their bean-sacks had been already filled, it was determined that they should first take them to the hut, and then return to the storks with the design of capturing them.

Ossaroo was of the opinion, that they would have no difficulty in effecting this; declaring the birds to be so tame, that he might walk straight up to them, and throw a noose over their necks.

This, in all probability, he might have done, had he been provided with a piece of cord proper for the making of such a noose.
But there was no cord at hand--not even a bit of string--nothing but the rush baskets filled with the lotus beans.

To obtain a snare, it would be necessary to make a journey to the hut.
In the minds of our adventurers there was no very clear conception of the object of capturing the storks: unless it might have been that the thought, to which Caspar had given speech, was still entertained by himself and his brother.