another thing, which made her
more miserable. It was quite clear that the poor Kangaroo was getting
rapidly exhausted, owing to her having to bear Dot's weight. Her
panting became more and more distressing, and so did her sad moans and
flecks of foam from her straining lips fell on Dot's face and hands.
Dot knew that her Kangaroo was trying to save her at the risk of her
own life. Without the little girl in her pouch, she might get away
safely; but, with her to carry, they would both probably fall victims
to the fierce blacks and their dogs.

"Kangaroo! Kangaroo!" she cried, "put me down; drop Dot anywhere,
anywhere, but don't get killed yourself!"

But all Dot heard was a little hissing sound from the brave animal,
which sounded like, "Never again!"

"You will be killed," moaned Dot.

"Together!" said the little hissing voice, as another great bound
brought them to the spur of the hill; and then the Kangaroo had to
pause.

In that moment Dot seemed to hear and see everything. They were
perched on a rock, and the moonlight lit all their surroundings like
day. To the right was a deep black chasm, with a white foaming
waterfall pouring into the darkness below. In front was the same wide
chasm, only less wide, and beyond it, on the other side of the great
yawning cleft in the earth, was a wild spread of morass country--a
gloomy, terrible-looking place. To the left was a steep slope of small
rocks and stones, leading downwards to the hollow of sedgy land that
fringed the cliffs of the chasm. The only retreat possible was to pass
down this declivity, and try to escape by the sedgy land, and this is
what the black huntsmen had expected. It was a very weird and desolate
place; and everything looked dark and dismal, under the moonlight, as
it streamed between stormy black clouds. In that light Dot could see
the blacks hurrying forward. Already one of the dogs had far outrun
the others, and with wolfish gait and savage sounds, was pressing
towards their place of observation.

The panting, trembling Kangaroo saw the approaching dog, also, and
leaped down from the crag. As she dropped to earth, she stooped, and
quickly lifted Dot out of her pouch, and, almost before Dot could
realize the movement, she found herself standing alone, whilst the
Kangaroo hopped forward to the front of a big boulder, as if to meet
the dog. Here the poor hunted creature took her stand, with her back
close to the rock. Gentle and t