tter."

Nic was astounded, for the horse had acted just in the same way as his
father's.

"Let me tell you another thing. If you jump down--no, no, don't do it--
but if you jump down, pass the rein over the nag's head and throw it on
the ground: he will stand perfectly still."

"Without the rein being fastened to a peg or tree?"

"Yes. Try it when you get down. Now you see you are learning to ride.
But I want this trot, so be ready for your shot. Cock your gun."

Nic made the lock click, and felt a thrill of anticipation run through
his nerves.

"Whit shall I shoot at, father?"

"Well, you may as well practise at something running or flying."

"A bird?"

"Yes, if you see a good specimen. You may as well collect some of our
beautiful birds. Wait a bit: I dare say we shall see something before
long."

They paced on for about a quarter of a mile, and then a large animal was
startled from out of some bushes, made a flying leap, and then went off
in a series of tremendous bounds, and all the faster for the shot Nic
fired and which whistled through the air over its head.

"A good miss, Nic," said his father.

"Didn't I hit it, father?"

"No, my boy--not with a single shot, even. But you see your horse did
not move."

"I forgot all about that," said Nic. "I suppose that was a kangaroo,
father?"

"No doubt about that, Nic. They can go pretty well, eh?"

"Tremendously. But what an enormous tail!"

"Yes, it seems to act like a balance and a support when they land, for
they go almost entirely upon their hind legs. But I meant you to have
tried for a shot farther on, where there is a bit of river and some low
damp ground. You might perhaps have secured a goose for our supper, or
had a shot at one of the snakes, which like the moisture. But come:
here's a good open stretch of land. Let's have our trot. Keep your
heels down, sit fairly well up, and don't think about falling. If you
do come off, it is a very little way to go, and the horse's pace will
take him clear of you. Now then, turn those stirrups over his back."

"Oh, father! let me keep my stirrups."

"Certainly not; they would not help you a bit, only prove a danger to a
novice; and remember this: once you can ride without stirrups you can
ride with. Ready?"

Nic reluctantly turned the stirrup leathers across.

"Yes, father," he said, rather hesitatingly.

"Then off!"

The horses started at the pressure given by the doctor's he