Donagan was strongly tempted to bring down a few other things which could not well figure on the Den table, notwithstanding all the cabin-boy's ability. Among these was a few waders, and some herons decked with brilliant white plumes. To shoot them would have been mere waste of powder, and Donagan refrained from molesting them, but he could not resist temptation when he saw a flock of flamingoes with wings the colour of fire, and flesh as good as that of the partridge. The favourite haunt of these birds is among brackish waters, and here they were all in array, guarded by sentinels giving a sort of trumpet-call when they signalled danger. At the sight of these magnificent specimens Donagan yielded without more ado, and Wilcox and Webb were no wiser, and off they started in pursuit — and in vain. They forgot that if they had approached without being seen and fired at their ease, the flamingoes would have been stupefied by the reports, and not had sense enough to run away.
In vain the three boys tried to get near these superb birds, which measure more than four feet from beak to tail. The alarm had been given, and the flock disappeared in the south unhurt, although even the duckgun was brought into action against them. Nevertheless the three sportsmen returned with bags quite heavy enough to give no cause for regret that they had visited South Moors.
Gordon had no intention of waiting for the winter before French Den was prepared for it. There was a store of food to be got in, so that there should be enough for the enclosure as well as the cave. Many were the trips made to Bog Woods for this purpose. The chariot drawn by the two guanacos made several journeys daily for a fortnight. The winter might last more than the six months, and yet there would be enough wood and seal oil to give fire and light all through it.
These labours did not interfere with the scheme of instruction that had been drawn up. The bigger boys took it in turns to teach the little ones. Donagan continued to show off a little — as was natural to him,
