I hopped into the open, they raised a great noise like the
Blacks did last night, and I could see by the movement in the grass that
they had those dreadful dogs they teach to kill us: they are far worse
than dingoes. Joey heard the shouting and bounded into my pouch, and I
went off as fast as I could. It was a worse hunt than last night, for it
was longer, and there was no darkness to help me. I gradually got ahead
in the chase, and I knew if I were alone I could distance them all; for
we had seen them a long way off. But little Joey was heavy, though not
so heavy as you are, and in the long distance I began to feel weak, as
I did last night.

"I knew if I tried to go on as we were, that those cruel Humans, sitting
quietly on those big beasts (which have four legs and never get tired)
would overtake us, and their dogs (which carry no weight and go so fast)
would tear me down before their masters even arrived, for I was going
gradually slower. So I asked Joey if I dropped him into a soft bush
whether he would hide until I came back for him. It was our only chance.
I had an idea that if I did that he would be safe--even if I got killed;
as they would be more likely to follow me, and never think I had parted
from my little Joey. So we did this, and I crossed a creek, which put
the hounds off the scent, and I got away. In the dusk I came back again
to find Joey, but he had gone, and I could not find a trace of him. All
night and all day I searched, but I've never seen my Joey since," said
the Kangaroo sadly, and Dot saw the tears dim her eyes.

Dot could not speak all she felt. She was so sorry for the Kangaroo, and
so ashamed of being a Human. She realized too, how good and forgiving
this dear animal was; how she had cared for her, and nearly died to save
her life, in spite of the wrongs done to her by human beings.

"When I grow up," she said, "I will never let anyone hurt a bush
creature. They shall all be happy where I am."

"But there are so many Humans. They're getting to be as many as
Kangaroos," said the animal reflectively, and shook her head.

CHAPTER X

The fourth day of Dot's wanderings in the Bush dawned brightly. The sun
arose in a sky all gorgeous in gold and crimson, and flashed upon a
world glittering with dewy freshness. Sweet odours from the aromatic
bush filled the air, and every living creature made what noise it could,
to show its joy in being happy and free in the beautiful Bush. Rich an