, 1890-04-10
A HUM.
EIcitinE Sport In which the Country
Youth Of Australia Indulge

EIeitins Sport In which the Country
Youth of Australia Indulge
Kangaroo hunting, for pure sport,
forms one of the great pleasures of the
country youth of the Australians, and IN
fact of most of the adventurous of the
Jung portion of the different com
munities. 1t is a sport requiring the
greatest GOODNESS ard daring, if one is TO
gain the coveted prize-the tail. / pre-
sumo the fox hunt INDUCED in by the
Englishman or American has, though in
a much less degree, the attraction a tan
CARGO hunt has for the average Aus
t~ralian. / suppose what makes the sport
so very exciting is the danger encounter
ed in pursuing the animal, the country
presenting so many obstacles dangerous
alike to man and horse, and the break
neck pace It is necessary to keep up to
follow the s~emi-flying ''marsup" until
such time as he may become tagged out,
when. like a lion at bay, he will fight till
the last gasp.
While there is not any Of the ceremony
or dress incident to a fox hun in chas-
ing the kangaroo, there is no doubt it
is fully as enjoyable, the necessary re-
quirement being, il you are going TO hav
any fun, that you can ride and handle a
horse perfectly, have a fairly fast horse
and two or more fleet dogs. A party so
equipped will start from some given
place and make for the nearest rendez-
vous or camping ground Of the kangaroo,
the object of the party being to get as
near as possible to their haunts before
being detected, all possible precautions
being taken to make no unnecessary
noise.
The kangaroos having a wonderfully
keen sense Of smell, should the wind
favor them, it is sometimes not easy to
get very near them before they are
aware of their danger. Their sense OF
hearing being very acute, the least noise
made the better. They are, however, a
very near sighted animal. Immediately
the kangaroos perceive in what direction
the danger is coming from, If any, they
begin to act in a manner worthy of the
greatest admiration. 1t is exceptional to
find them in groups of less than from
twelve to twonty in number.
The young members OF the group are
the first to leave the camp. diverging
and scattering in all directions. Next in
order come the ''old women, 4" who get
away and follow the same tactics. last of
the group to leave being the "old men,"
who remain rs long as they think they
safely can, and then scamper OH, zach
one in an opposite and different direc-
ton, their aim for pursuing such tactics
being to puzzle aud outwit the dogs,
which they frequently do. All this is
done within II very short space of time.
When it is discovered that men and
dogs have been perceived it is the signal
to begin the chase. There l. a rush.
''pell NELL; the finn begins. Over ridges.
down Eullie7, through swamps, creeks,
broken country, rocks, etc, men, horses,
dogs, 20 at breakncci pace, the point
aimed Mt being to keep the "marsup" in
the open country. Should he succeed in
gaining the dcttsely timbered forest, only
tile more venturcsomo follow. They ARE
rewarded, how cvcr. by having tagged
out the victim and the dogs begin to en-.
joy their part " tn" play.
The kangaroo, not being able to run
further, selects some tree, with his back
to which he faces and awaits his foes.
lie has not long to wait. Your veteran
kangaroo dog exhibits rare caution in
conducting TOR the kangaroo the un-
equal battle; but the younger and less
tAlNl ltl''fl bIhtt VIII nltiAe n rush anu
try 10 grab the silent victim by the
throat. lie usually regrets his impctu-
osity, however, as those lower. powerful
limbs Of the kangaroo, used with light
ming like rapidity and in terrible despera-
tion, send the dog bowling back with n
wound hat he. il ho ever recovers. will
carry the marks Of for the rest of his
natural life.
The dog who has been in "a hundred
wars or more will act in a very different
manner from LIS younger brother. The
point Of the marsupial's anatomy he
favors most is the tail, the object being
to unbalance the kangaroo and throw
him down; once they succeed in so doing
the silent victims moments are mum
bcrcd; the throat is rushed for and il Is
gOod-by, kangaroo. Then the tail is
taken as a trophy Of the chase, and the
sportsmen repair to their respective
homes .-George Barrie in Shoe and
Leather Reporter.
Peculiar People on street Cars.