The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-01-24
HuntIng ths Kangaroo.


We were TO assemble next morning at
our friends station for breakfast, after
which We we're to join large party that
had assembled at the place selected for
the hunt IL was a lovely morning, with q
a fine, brisk wind blowing, Just suliciont
to dry up all the moisture from the atmos-
phere. We arrived upon The ground Il
good time, and found those whom we were
to join already waiting for MS The dogs
which accompanied them for the purposes
Of the hunt were unlike what We had been
accustomed to in the more civilized neigh
borhood Of Melbourne. They were kind
OF large, bony greyhound--a cross between
the greyhound and Scotch deerhound. and
II was explained that instead Of following
their quarry by scent, they hunted entirely
by sight. The district which had been
selected was not very prolific IN Kangaroo.
as it is deemed better 10 select ioesIities
where few are sure 10 be found, but not
IN large hocks, as it is difficult under these
circumstances TO separate them, and the
dogs are apt to select an animal for them
selves, instead Of all keeping 10 one IN
particular. We were soon aon to an old
man, who led us at rattling pace. At
hrst 1t was very treacherous work riding
through the thick bush, and 1t was neces-
rary to keep sharp lookout simultaneous
| y for the eyes, the knees, and the neck
The saddles used in the bush have large
knee-pads, to prevent any injury to the
knees; for it is impossible on all occasions,
especially when riding after cattle through
the bush, TO prevent the face and eyes
coming In contact with the branches. and
also TO guard against the number Of hid
den, fallen trees, which has been over
grown with ferns and grasses. The horse.
however, which has been bred IL and 4
accustomed to the bush, is itself yerv care.
full and il the rider has tight hand, and
/ sits steadily and easily yet closely 10 his
steed, he Is almost sure to be carried safely
! through all difficulties. The pace, as /
, have said, was very great at first, but il
! gradually siackened as We proceeded, and
= the animals began to tire. Some Of our
{ party had already had enough Of il, and
horse ridden by the owner Of two Of the
0 best dogs in the pack had got badly staked.
: Presently we came to cultivated land, aud
5 here the kangaroo endeayored to intercept
e US by placing pretty stiff alog fence
a between him and his pursners. But he
/ might have saved himself the trouble anoor
d old man, had he known what small batch
v Of horsemen and dogs behind him could
d do in the way OF overcoming these obeta
Is cles; and when he perceived that even Chi,
g last effort was Of no avail, and that he wal
y still pursued, he evidently began to lose
d heart, and soon came to standstill. The
rs dogs cautiously approached him now =
"a cautiously, Isay, for they were aold hands,
,y and well knew the terrible use "the old
q, man could make Of bis toes when driven
VS. TO desperation in this way; aud most of th,
s. dogs bore testimony Of his powers by III,
IN large scars which were visible on thei
Ii sides, for kangaroo can rip dog, o
fic anything which attacks him, in the mos
m wholesale manner, by the use Of the sharl
be claws attached to his legs. The dog
he we're now called of, and one Of the part
pp dismounted, getting behind the ANNA
a while another faced him, with a heayil
At loaded hunting whip, in order to dispatc
,et MIN. This was no easy matter, as Ii
m kangaroo would ward off the blow wit
RI his arms and hands, showing the skill Z
in an experienced fencen He would ofte
elf endeavor to charge bis opponent in from
at but, fortunately for the enemy, who othel
at wise would not fail to feel the animal
ng fury, there was another behind, who won
a at this moment seize him by the tail, ant
BY well-direeted blow from his loade
whip on the animals head, put an end /
the combat