The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-09-25

About nine months after my arrival az
the station Mr.. Hearne invited several
friends 10 join him in kangaroo hunt On
several occasions before this had been out
with the boys, and had seen several ksnga-
roos killed by the dogs. but this was TO be
something unusual, and l was eager for the
morrow.
At IL o'clock IN the morning four ladies
and seven gentlemen, mounted on splendid
animals, set ont for a large tract of scru boy
and bushy land known as Broughton's For
est. We were accompanied by four kanga-
roo dogs and two greyhounds. We had
been riding along slowly and merrily for
about an hour when Mr.. Douglas caught
sight OF q number of large kangaroos feed
ing and hopping about in the distance. At
the same instant they were sig hted by the
dogs, who ran madly st them, barking
loudly The s'Tally-ho'' was given, the
horses became FESTIVE, for they knew well
what was coming, and on we went in full
chase through braken, scrub and trees. On,
on we tore, the game in sight, hopping
from their bind legs and tail q distance of
from twenty TO thirty feet at a jump. On,
on In mad gallop through the thick scrub,
while branches from bull or she oak tree,
or eucalyptus bough smartly reminded one
of their vicinity. by striking leg, breast or
head. Little fearing. little caring the
horses wild with the exciting chase,
place. Neither whip nor spur is needed to
incite the gallant steeds to quicker pace.
Nows topping TO the horses neck to avoid
some pendent branch, now sitting back as
we fly ever ratings, brush fence or five
barred gate. on we speed close in the wake
OF the hounds. that are quickly gaining on
their prev The latter have scattered in
various directions, IS have also the riders
aud dogs: close at hand the peculiar bark
ing telle Us that q kangaroo is brought TO
bay Several OF US hasten TO the spot.
There with his back to the lordly eucalyp-
tue. or gum tree, stands in menRcing atti-
tude noble ''old man" kangaroo. of the
macropps major family. AS he stands erect
with his back against tree and his wary
little eyes filed with rage. he 10 not an ami
NAL to be thoughtlessly attacked The
hounds have stopped beyond the reach of
his death-cealing kicks, but as we ap-
proach they become more brave and one
Ties st the throat of the s'old man. only
20 suffer death for his temerity.
His body has been torn open from neck
60 belly, aud his entralls are scattered
about the scrub. Yet another hound VEN
lures. and falls with its side torn asunder
These dogs are too valuable TO lose SO easily,
DO hunter gallops up and deity slipping
estirrup ircn from its hold he whirls IL high
in air. and like an electric fash the heavy
iron descends on the head of the kangaroo
smashing in the skull and laying II pros
trate ct the mercy OF the dogs, which, with
difficulty. are Kept from tearing it to
pieces. This last performance is often ac-
eompanled with danger, and no one but q
cool and exper, rider can perform the feat,
for the chances are hundred to one that
if. ia the downward blow, one misses the
kangaroo, he will be thrown from his horse
and Instantly killed By blow frcn the
hind leg Of the infuriated animal.
Asa rule the Australian despIses the use
OF the rifle in chasing kangsroos. it's only
Ia cases where the latter have become too
numerous that a wholesale slaughter bv
firearms takes place. Many time young
Australian will bring q kangaroo TO bay,
then spriag from his horse pick ND
s'waddy,n or stout stick, aud enter into
combat with the maddened- beast Great
skill. GOODNESS and courage are requisite in
such an encounter. A very light tap on
the hesd suffices 70 render e kangaroo un-
conscious but the danger lies in getting
close enough TO give that tap, for kanga-
roo viii often leave the tree and spring on
its foe, or st will embrace him In its wirv
little arms, and choke or bite him TO death
A couple Of hours later we Gil met again
and told of cur successes and failures
Eleven Esngaroos had been killed, two
"babiesn taken prisoners. with loss OF
four dogs disabled horse aud many tat
tered garments and scratched limbA After
boiling the ssbiliy," or tea can, eninyinga
good outdoor meal and resting for while
we returned home
but il is tame jn comparison with muster