Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 December 1900 — Ostrich and Soldier. [ARTICLE]

Ostrich and Soldier.

English soldiers have frequently mistaken troops of ostriches for bands of Boers, and bands of Boers for ostriches, says the New York Press. In some eases the ostriches have made friends with the soldiers. A correspondent who was with General Methuen at the Modder River writes: While I ranged the valley or plain with my glasses, something slipped and fell heavily over the loose stones behind me. I turned, thinking to dodge or help a stumbling man, and found myself staring into the great brown eyes of an ostrich, six feet tall, and with legs as thick as and longer than my own, “He came up here some days ago,” said the soldier, “and he always stays here now. We feed him and fool with him, and he seems very happy.” The ostrich stalked past me and took a position between the major and the captain, where, after appearing to observe that they were very busy scanning the landscape, he, too, stared at the plain and remained erect and watchful, in appearance the highest type of a sentry. He marred this fine effect for just a moment by seizing and swallowing a box of safety matches. After that he continued his sentry duty with satisfaction in his eyes.