The young chamois-hunter of the Bavarian Alps thought of another home--far away towards the setting sun; and, so long as that thought was in his mind, he could never reconcile himself to a forced residence in the Himalayas.
The thoughts of Ossaroo were equally absent from that spot.

He was thinking of a bamboo hut by the borders of some crystal stream, overshadowed by palms and other tropical trees.

He was thinking still more of rice curry and chutnee; but above all, of his beloved "betel," for which the "bang" of the _cannabis sativa_ was but a poor substitute.
But Caspar had another thought in his mind; one which proved that he had not yet abandoned all hope of returning to the home of his nativity; and, after they had finished eating their supper of broiled venison, he gave utterance to it.
He had not volunteered to break the silence.

It was done in obedience to a request of Karl who, having noticed the abstracted air of his brother, had asked for an explanation.
"I've been thinking," said Caspar, "ever since the eagle has escaped us, of another bird I know something about--one that might perform the service we want quite as well, if not better, than a bearcoot." "Another bird!" inquired Karl; "of what bird are you speaking?
Do you mean one of those Brahminy geese upon the lake?
We might catch one alive, it is true; but let me tell you, brother, that their wings are constructed just strong enough to carry their own ponderous bodies; and if you added another pound or two, by tying a cord to their legs, they could no more mount out of this valley than we can.

No--no.