e kangaroo
which is supplied with powerful claws on the fore-feet. Once up in the
tree, it did not appear to be much frightened at us, and we had time
more particularly to observe it. It had a hairy tail, much finer than
the ordinary kangaroo, and we observed as it went over the ground that
it had not used it as a support, as the Australian kangaroo does.

Macco proposed climbing the tree to attack it, but we thought it would
be dangerous for him to make the attempt, as the creature might seize
him in its claws, and tear his skin. He laughed at the notion, and
remarked, "If he do dat, he tumble down. No, no; you let me alone. You
go away, I kill kangaroo!"

Saying this, he made a circuit through the thick forest, so as to get
the tree between himself and the branch on which the kangaroo was
sitting. We, meantime, retired down the glade. As soon as the animal
saw that we were at a distance, he began tearing away the leaves from a
branch and eating them voraciously. Macco, hanging the spear about his
neck, climbed up a neighbouring tree, which was united to the one on
which the kangaroo was sitting by a strong band of ratan. Along this,
finding it secure, he cautiously climbed, till he gained a branch
directly above the kangaroo. We watched him anxiously, afraid to move
lest we should disturb the animal. He seemed to be considering whether
his spear was long enough to reach it. Then we saw him cautiously stoop
down over the branch. The moment the kangaroo stopped eating, he drew
back and remained still as death. When the animal again commenced
tearing off the twigs, he cautiously approached. At length he seemed
satisfied that he was in a good position, and raising his spear, he
darted it down directly on the animal's neck. It must have pierced the
spine, for the creature instantly dropped off the branch and lay without
moving on the ground. We ran up as fast as our legs could carry us, but
Macco was on the spot before us, and examining the creature. He seemed
satisfied that it was perfectly dead. It had a graceful, mild-looking
head, and, except in the points I have mentioned, was in all respects
like an ordinary kangaroo, though not so large as the animals I had read
of in Australia. It was indeed a prize to us, for we had not killed a
cuscus for some time, and had been living on shell-fish, sago, and
cocoa-nuts, with now and then a few turtle's eggs. Fastening the legs
of our prize round a piece of