The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1899-08-25
CHAPTER XVII


In the far distance loomcd the Gray
Ranges about which little then was
known. save that they we're popular
~ supposed TO swarm with blacks.
Tracks Of wild cattle and horses be-
gan TO be observed. and small herds
OF kangaroos and fiocks OF emus fed
In dlsmly from the unexpected inya-
sion OF their domain.
The country began 10 be more billy
and better timbered. Large clumps OF
hhea-oak and pine dotted about the
hills gave II that park-like appearance
70 familiar to the traveller In civilized
Victoria.
Now they crossed wide sandy
creek, lined with hug, gum-treos.
where dead logs and powders spoke OF
the wlntry floods. which had washed
them down from the highlands above
to their present resting places.
Here the white cockatoos screamed
their shrill welcome. and the lguanas
stole stealthlly away from the track
OF the explorers. and yawncd their dis
APPRECIATION at a safe distance.
Well" thought Mr.. Hall. ~ this
escapade means nothing else. II means
one thing II get back safely over
those COMPOUNDED snnd-hills my name
isn't Charles Hail n don't take up
hundred square miles OF this country
for a cattle-run."
Towards midday the party came
across a deserted native cncampment,
and near II was well.
Here they rested and refreshed their
horses and themselves having first
taken the procaution OF laying in n full
supply Of the good drinking water for
their future needs
After few hours' rest another start
was made. but no sign Of the fugltlvcs
could be seen.
Il was drawing towards evening
when Jack Hall. who led the way. sud
denly cried
Halt"
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 a more domosticated 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 PUSHES. until
he sfme upon a second open space. a
"clU-pan" like the frat.
Theoe "clay-pans" are bare shallow
patches OF earth which hold the water
many weeks after the rain has fsIieu'
and in some Of the dry dis llcls o.
Australia they are utilized by lie rot
tiers. who make tanks in their neigi.
borhood. and run the water from then
by means OF small drains into the arti
neial rain-catcher.
At the second clay-pan Jack Hal
paused and looked carefully around 4
and then with a cry Of delight h
shouted out TO his companions
IAN right We are on to them
steady-don't novel Stay where yo
are. Here are tracks OF mans boot
tracks not three days oldl"
Resting quietly In their saddles a
they were hidden. the men sat SILENT
srpectant. while Jack followed up IN
trail.
Some twenty yards or 80 from wher
he nrst struck II. on the left OF IN
"clay-pan." he discovered in som
thick scrub the remains OF n kangaro,
The feet. head and entrails lay upo
the ground. The other portions ha
been taken away.
"Blaeksf" inquired Mr. Hall.
NO" replied Jack-"not blacks
look therel"-and. holding up the an
mails skull. he showed upon II IN
mark OF bullet wound.
They are armed then" said the sci
geant.
fes-they have weapons OF som
S0t, that's clear" replied Jack Hall
and splitting open the head with hi
hheath-kniie, he extracted a buile
Revolver bullet" he remarked. hold
Ing II up for his fathers inspection.
How about the dog7" asked one {
the troopers. There are tracks acros
both these elay-pans OF a dog"
'baynes had a kangaroo-dog NJ IN
station. remember well his buyin
u from one OF the men," said Jacl
and his being ehaffed about going OF
hunting"
But, on the night OF Bob Luke
going up to the hut" lnterposed IN
sergeant. how was IL that no on
heard the dog BARK"
haynes took II down with him I
suiliyan'H. remember seeing him 70
'ow haynes down the creek. 70
ought to know. Sullivan Did you %
Jog with him when he came into III
'ar lot the mail-bags?"
res" replied Sullivan; IL remen
W quite well seeing the dog with hlr
mat Is. on the night he came dow
,or the mails. don't remember mott,
ing II with him before. though. Br
sSss aren't such scarce animals abor
n wv ranges as TO call for partlcula
Wen. remember his having don
a. qulte well. weeks before Bob LUX
disappeared - soId Ta.t, 80 49,