Frank mounted the box in front; Mrs.Becker, Wolston, and Sophia got inside; whilst Ernest and Jack, mounted on ostriches that had been trained and broken in as riding horses, took up a position on each side, where the doors of the vehicle ought to have been.

These dispositions made, after a few lashes from the whip, this party started off at a brisk rate in the direction of Waldeck.
It had been previously arranged that one half of the expedition should go by land, and the other half by water, and that on their return this order should be reversed, so that both the interior and the coast might be inspected at one and the same time.

The only exception was made in favor of Willis, who was permitted both to go and return by sea.
The second party, consisting of Mrs.Wolston, Becker, Mary, and Fritz, started on foot in the direction of the coast.

They had not gone far before Becker observed a large broadside plastered on a tree.
"What is that ?" he inquired.
Nobody could give a satisfactory reply.
"Perhaps," suggested Mrs.Wolston, "paper grows ready made on the trees of this wonderful country." "They all approached, and, much to their astonishment, read as follows:-- "TAKE NOTICE.
"The renowned Professor Ernest Becker is about to enlighten the benighted inhabitants of this country, by giving a course of lectures on optics.

The agonizing doubts that have hitherto enveloped astronomical science, particularly as regards the interiors of the moon and the stars, have arisen from the absurd practice of looking at them during the night.