Year: 1872




s'The country about there was so woody
and rocky that my host said we had bet
ter go on foot; so we did, taking along
with us q black fellow, and one of his
men-an old cOnvict-whO held the two
dogs in lash, till we came to the spot
what they call out there a creek-a long
water hole that deepened on the wet
season to supply it afresh after the long
dry Australian summer.


'Wen, we soon got into the hunting
country, and were not long before we
put up a kangaroo, when I felt almost
ashamed to hunt, for the poor beast set
upon its hind legs and tail for few mo-
ments, turning its doe-like face, as much
as to say, How can you be such brutes"
but it turned directly, gave bound
that startled me, and was off, flying
over rock and bush in a most surprising
manner. Then the dogs were slipped,
and away we were scrambling among
bushes and rocks, tripped up now and
then, but making rush over every bit
of open ground, to try and keep the dogs
in sight; but as to my host and self, we
were separated directly.


'I was not much used to this sort Of
thing; but I soon warmed up to the
chase, and now getting q peep ct the
dogs, and now led by the shouting and
barking, I managed to get up in pretty
good time to where the blsck fellow was
dancing about with delight, and the
convict was coupling up the dogs, as
they lay painting and holding out their
great red tongues, beside the female
kangaroo they had killed.


"Long as 7 had been in the country,
it had never fallen to my lot before to
be in at the death of kangaroo; and
once more I could not help plying the
soft, mousy-skinned animal, it looked
so innocent, tame and simple. But
there ! it does not do,for men who hunt
to be to sentimental, end besides they
may make mistake in the character of
their game; for I'VE never seen the
animal yet that was not, when driven
to bay, perfect savage, either from fear
or natural courage.


'Where's the governor, siF?" said the
man as 7 came up.


"I have not seen him since tripped
over a creeper and came down crash
bruised myself awfuIly. He did not
stop when went down. thought he
wo'd be on here"


"Helpl helpg" cried faint cry from
the distance.


"Dat a gub'ner?" exclaimed the black
fellow, grinning, as if it was the most
numerous thing he bad even heard.


eyes, that's him." said the convict
changing color. "He's among the
blacks, and we've no guns"


'In a moment there foated before me
visions of savages in their war paint
their black bodies streaked with white
to resemble skeletons, while boomer,
angs and spears seemed to come whistl
ing through the air. But it was all i'm
agination; for there was no sound to bt
heard, but once more the cry for help
when the dogs leaped up and howled.


''No black feller bout here said tn,
gentleman in our company; when fol
lowing his example, we set off at run il
the direction OF, the cries, the black fal
out-stripping us, though we kept hin
well in view till he disappeared behinC
some rocks, but only to turn back direct
Iy and come running toward us shout
ing, Ole man got him-ole man got him


''We pressed on, painting heavily, ant
in few minutes were in full view of tn
strangest sight I ever saw in my life
one which seemed to quite paraIyze tn,
man with the dogs, forIhe stopped short
holding tightly by the leash in spite o
the angry struggles of the animals anC
his masters anguishing cries for help
There, some fifty yards in front, wa
a fierce struggle going on, apparently
vain one on the part of my host, VIII,
was tightly clasped around the wais
by a tremendous great kangaroo, such a
we settlers call a man.


f'It was bushy part, and from tn
branch he held in his hand, it was evi
dent that my friend had been clinginj
with all his might to some tree or othe
so as to hinder his enemy, or else I'm
afraid we should have come too late.


Dropping the branch, he now begal
kicking and struggling with the energy
of despair, striking fiercely at the beas
with his fists, and doing all that he coulC
to get away; but there is no doubt that
if we had not come up, the next minut


would have been his last; for, in spite o
his struggles, the 'old man kept OF
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ant
nearer to the great water hole; ant
though strong and hearty man, m!
friend seemed like child in his enemy
grasp,


t'Loose the dog! ! shouted to the con
vict servant, but utterly confused he on
ly held on tightly, letting the faithful
beast drag him along with them, till
with one cut of his knife that he ha'
held ready to skin the dead kangaroo
the black severed the leather thong
and, coupled as they were, the dog
dashed down upon the 'old man,"
Then came a fierce hurrying rush an,
scramble-a frightful howl-and one do
turned over on his back, disabled by
kick, and then half strangled by beini
) dragged about by its companion, VIII
; had made good histbold upon the kan


garoo's throat. The dog shook fiercel,
I till, in its agony, the beast loosed it
hold upon my friend, who fell down eX
hausted just upon the edge of the waite
e hole as the dogs and their enemy role