imid as she was, and unfitted by nature
to fight for her life against fierce odds, it was brave indeed of the
poor Kangaroo to face her enemies, prepared to do battle for the lives
of little Dot and herself.

So noble did Dot's Kangaroo look in that desperate moment, standing
erect, waiting for her foe, and conquering her naturally frightened
nature by a grand effort of courage, that it seemed impossible that
either dogs or men should be so cruel as to take her life. For a
moment the dingo hound seemed daunted by her bravery, and paused a
little way off, panting, with its great tongue lolling out of its
mouth. Dot could see its sharp, wicked teeth gleaming in the
moonlight. For a few seconds it hesitated to make the attack, and
looked back down the slope, to see if the other dogs were coming to
help; but they were only just beginning the ascent, and the shouting
black fellows were further off still. Then the dog could no longer
control its savage nature. It longed to leap at the poor Kangaroo's
throat--that pretty furry throat that Dot's arms had so often encircled
lovingly, and it was impatient to fix its terrible teeth there, and
hold, and hold, in a wild struggle, until the poor Kangaroo should
gradually weaken from fear and exhaustion, and be choked to death.
These thoughts filled the dog with a wicked joy. It wouldn't wait any
longer for the other dingo hounds. It wanted to murder the Kangaroo
all by itself; so, with a toss of its head, and a terrible snarl, it
sprang forward ferociously, with open jaws, aiming at the victim's
throat.

Dot clasped her cold hands together. Tears streamed down her cheeks,
and her little voice, choking with sobs, could only wail, "Oh! dear
Kangaroo! my dear Kangaroo! Don't kill my dear Kangaroo!" and she ran
forward to throw herself upon the dog and try to save her friend.

But before the terrified little girl could reach the big rock, the dog
had made its spring upon her friend. The brave Kangaroo, instead of
trying to avoid her fierce enemy, opened her little arms, and stood
erect and tall to receive the attack. The dog in its eagerness, and
owing to the nature of the ground, misjudged the distance it had to
spring. It failed to reach the throat it had aimed at, and in a moment
the Kangaroo had seized the hound in a tight embrace. There was a
momentary struggle, the dog snapping and trying to free itself, and the
Kangaroo holding it firmly. Then she used the only wea