il as big as a bed-post, hopping along at the rate of
five hops to the mile, with three or four young kangaroos looking out
of the pouch to see what is passing." Though not an aggressive
animal, the kangaroo when at bay is one of the most formidable of
opponents. This element of danger it is, probably, which lends so
much zest to a kangaroo hunt.

Mounted on horses and accompanied by a number of trained dogs, the
huntsmen chase their prey for miles ere a capture is effected. Before
the kangaroo takes to its heels, it usually raises itself up and
makes a hurried survey of the country--to see its enemies and the
quarter to which it could with greatest ease escape. After this hasty
look round it runs off at a marvellous pace, very soon leaving the
dogs far behind. It maintains its great speed unimpaired for at
least three or four miles, after which it begins to go more slowly,
and an attack at close quarters may soon be looked for. A single dog
has no chance at all. With a stroke of its powerful hind leg, the
kangaroo attacks, and lays it dead at its feet, or, seizing it with
its fore limbs, it hugs the dog, and leaps off with it to the nearest
water-hole, where it plunges it underneath, holding it down until the
dog is drowned. A man is just as completely at its mercy. The
kangaroo is a capital swimmer, and has been known to swim for a mile
against a strong head wind, but under favourable conditions as to
weather it can cover a much longer distance; consequently when
pursued it always makes straight for a river or other water, should
it be within reach. Both hind feet are armed with a singularly
dangerous weapon. The fourth toe is prolonged in some cases to an
enormous size, forming a claw, which is used either for stabbing or
striking an antagonist. When a kangaroo has been brought to bay,
therefore, great care has to be observed in approaching it. The plan
adopted is to set several dogs on it, and while one makes a show of
assailing it, and so engages its attention, the rest rush in upon the
gallant animal and kill it. The natives employ another mode of
warfare. Surrounding gradually a herd of kangaroos, they close in
upon them with yells and shouts, and generally succeed in spearing
several of them. But the rifle places the animal at a manifest
disadvantage, and by the use of this weapon the kangaroos have been
entirely driven off the settlements. No doubt it had become necessary
to resort to some effectual method of