the Blacks, and their dogs after you, if we
Bitterns hadn't played that old trick of ours of scaring them with our
big voices. He! he! he!" it chuckled, "how they did run when we tuned
up! They thought the Bunyip had got them this time. Didn't we laugh!"

"It was very good of you," said the Kangaroo gratefully, "and it is not
the first time you have saved Kangaroos by your cleverness. I didn't
know you Bitterns were near, so I told Dot to make a noise in the hope
of frightening them."

The Bittern was really touched by the Kangaroo's gratitude, and was
delighted at being called clever, so it became still more ungracious.
"You needn't trouble me with thanks," it said indifferently, "we didn't
do it to save you, but for our own fun. As for that little stupid," it
continued, with a nod of the head towards Dot, "her squeals were no more
good than the squeak of a tree frog in a Bittern's beak."

"But you were very kind," said Dot, "and showed me how to get water to
save Kangaroo's life."

The Bittern was greatly pleased at this praise, and in consequence it
got still ruder, and making a face at Dot, exclaimed, "yah!" and stalked
off. But when it had gone a few steps it turned round and said to the
Kangaroo, roughly, "If you hop that way, keeping to the side of the
sedges, and go half a dozen small hops beyond that white gum tree,
you'll find a little cave. It's dry and warm, and good enough for
Kangaroos." And without waiting for thanks for this last kind act, it
spread its wings and flew away.

CHAPTER IX

The Kangaroo, hopping very weakly, and little Dot trudging over the oozy
ground, followed the Bittern's directions and found the cave, which
proved a very snug retreat. Here they lay down together, full of
happiness at their escape, and being worn out with fatigue and
excitement, they were soon fast asleep.

The next day, before the sun rose, the Bittern visited the cave. "Hullo,
you precious lazy pair! I've been over there," and it tossed its beak in
the direction of the Black's camp. "They're off northward. Too
frightened to stay. I thought you might like the news brought you, since
you're too lazy to get it for yourselves!" and off it went again without
saying good-bye.

"Now isn't he a kind little fellow?" said the Kangaroo. "That's his way
of telling us that we are safe."

"Thanks, Bittern! thanks!" they both cried, but the creamy brown bird
paid no attention to their gratitude: it seemed absorbed