The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-02-15

kangaroo AantlAH
II was my good fortune to be located in
a part Of the colony of Victoria for some
years, and during that time spent many
happy days, hunting emu, wombat, dingas,
(prairie dogs kangaroo and other game
indigenous to that country While sta
TONED upon sheep run SECTIONS Of land
there are designated as nruns" and named
after the owner Of the sheep or cattle
grazing upon the land in the Western part
Of Victoria, about seventy FIVE miles West
of Geelong, was one Of the originators Of
the Western Hunt Club" Kangaroo
were immensely numerous in theneighbor-
hood, and as they fed upon only the best
grass, Git was desirable to rid the country
Of as many as possible. Our meets were
held at different sections Of the country
twice in a week, and, after good, substan-
tial early breakfast at some bush hostelry,
we selected our Captain" for the day, and
then proceeded to work. Our club con-
sisted Of about twenty-five as good fellows
as ever put their seats on pig skin, who, as
rule, were invariably well mounted.
Each rider was accompanied by two or
three good dogs, which made a goodly
pack, and which was generally led BY some
old fellow who had seen ahis cuts and
scars in many bloody wars" and who
fooled the pack along under the guiding
hand Of the Captain As soon as we
come upon drove, halt was called, when
an ''old man (kangaroo) was singled out
for our quarry. There the drove would
sit, peering out Of the long grass at us,
wondering, no daubt, what it all meant
Our dogs were well TRAINED and would keep
perfectly quiet until the 4old man. was
well cut out from the rest Of the drove BY
one or two Of us riding in circle round
the flock. Presently the word s.It'sagor'
was given, when away sped our dogs on
the @old mans" trail, keeping him, how
ever, always in sight, and seldom If ever
leaving him even should others cross the
trail. Now came all the excitement Of the
chase. The s'old man" goes on bee line
for some creek or gully, clearing all
obstacles before him, unless he should be
unfortunate enough TO pull a wire fence
then quite novelty in Australia and
leading his pursuers a merry dance over
fences, dead timber and wombat holes
The latter are very treacherous, being
sheltered on one side BY long grass, and
the horse or rider seldom seeing them
until close upon them. The run may con-
tinue for some hours, when the "old man
is finally brought 70 bay, but never until
he has selected a good-sizc gum tree--if
he has failed to reach water for bis back
ground. Here he stands with his back
firmly against the tree and awaiting the
onslaught Of the dogs. Woe to che first
unfortunate conner If he should happen to
be youngster, for he makes rush at the
kangaroo, but before he knows what's
what, one stroke Of the ssold mans" leg
lays him low with his entrails ont, cut
clean from stem to stern. Here the fight
for life begins, the dogs generally keeping
respectful distance, until the Kangaroo
happens to make spring at and misses
one ofthem, when he il immediately col
Jared at the nape Of the neck BY a good
dog, who never parts bis hold again until
the "brushn is taken from him. The
''brush,p however, proves rather cumber-
some, and is frequently left where ii be.
longs-behind. After good anoblsrn ali
round, cigars or pipes are lighted, and an
adjournment made to some friendly squat
ter in the neighborhood. Here We meet
with the most generous and hospitable
treatment, ourselves and horses wen fed
and cared for, and frequently extend our
visit to the ''wee sma' hours" enjoying
the hospitality Of our generous host A
ride home early in the glorious Australian
morning, to the merry song Of the lnagpie
and the indescribabIe croak Of the laugh
inp iackass finishes our suart far one d.v