Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1899-08-28
cHAprER XVII.


Ranges, about ..hich little then was
known, save that they were popular
u supposed to swarm With blacks.
Tracks OF Wild cattle and horses be-
gan TO be observed. and small herds
of kangaroos and focks OF emus lied
In dismay from the unexpected inva-
sion OF their domain.
The country began to be more hilly
and better timbered Large clumps OF
ahea-oak and pine dotted about the
hills gave 1t that park-like appearance
30 familiar TO the traveller In civilized
Victoria.
Now they crossed wide sandy
creek. lined with huge gum-trees,
where dead logs and powders spoke OF
the wintry floods, which had washed
them down from the highlands above
70 their present resting places.
Here the white cockatoos screamed
their shrill welcome and the iguanas
stole stealthiy away from the track
OF the explorers. and yawned their dis
appreciation at safc distance.
We'll" thought Mr.. Hall, III this
escapade means nothing else. 1t means
one thing. II | get back safely over
those confounded sand-hills my name
isn't Charles Hall II | don't take up
hundred square miles OF this country
Tor q cattle-run."
Towards midday the party came
across deserted native encampment,
aud near II was well.
Here they rested and refreshed their
horses and themselves. having first
taken the prccautIon OF laying In full
supply OF the good drinking water for
their future needs.
After few hours rest another start
was made, but no sign OF the fugltives
could be seen.
II was drawing towards evening
when Jack Hail. who led the way. sud
denly cried
Haiti"
Dismountlng. he carefully examined
the ground. Rain had fallen there re-
Gently. and In "clap-pan" which he
was about to cross he had come upon
the tracks OF large dog. Uncertain
whether this was the trail of wild
dlngo or OF more domesticated ami
NAL, he had at once decided upon fol-
lowing II up.
Skirting the edge OF the moist clay.
he made his way carefully through a
mass OF reedy grass and rushes. until
he came upon a second open space. a
.'clay-pan" like the FIRST
These "clay-pans" are bare shallow
patches OF earth which hold the water
many weeks after the rain has fallen:
and In some OF the dry districts OF
Australia they are utilized by the set
tiers. who make tanks In their neigh
borhood. and run the water from them
by means OF small drains into the arti-
ncial rain-cetcher.
At the second clay-pan Jack Hall
paused and looked carefully around 1t,
and then with cry OF delight he
shouted out to his companions
IAN right! We are on to them
steady--don't move. Stay whore you
arc. Here are tracks Of mans boots
tracks not three days old"
Resting quietly In their saddles as
they were hidden, the men sat silently
expectant. while Jack followed up tho
trail
Some twenty yards or so from where
no FIRST struck IT, on the left OF the
"clay-pan." he discovered In some
thick scrub the remains OF kangaroo.
The feet. head and entrails lay npon
the ground. The other portions had
been taken away.
''Blacks," inquired Mr.. Hall.
NO" replied Jack-"not blacks
look there."--and. holding up the ami
malls skull. he showed upon II the
mark Of 4 Battle-Ground
They are armed then" said the SER
yeant.
"Yes-thcy have weapons OF some
tort. that's clear" replied Jack Hall:
md. splitting open the head with his '
he extracted a bullet.
Revolver bullet" he remarked. hold
Ing II up for his fathers inspection.
How about the dog" asked one Of I
he troopers. There are tracks across 9
both these clay-pans OF dog"
"Bayncs had kangaroo-dog At tho
station. ] remember well his buying '
L from one OF the men," said lack, I
and his being chaffec about going out Z
,untinE." =
But. on the night Of Bob Luks's
going up to the hut" interposed the 4
sergeant. "how was II that no one q