jump, and he can jump at a very lively rate. Ordinary
fences are nothing to him, as he can clear a six-foot fence at a single
bound.'

"While we were at luncheon the dogs were close about us on a keen
lookout for any scraps or slices of meat that came in their way.

"The remains of the luncheon were given to them after the black fellow
Jack had been duly cared for, but there wasn't enough of the provisions
remaining to give the animals an overdose.

"When all was ready we mounted our horses, and our host led the way,
first announcing that he would show us some wild kangaroos. We came out
on the plain, and after riding three or four miles, approached a clump
of low trees and bushes, which was pointed out by the stockman whom I
mentioned.

"'There are the kangaroos,' said Mr. Syme; 'we will go in on one side of
the clump, and give them a chance to make a run.'

"Following his directions, we spread out into a somewhat extended line
and approached the bunch of timber from the northern side. The dogs
began to show uneasiness, but were held in check by their young masters,
who spoke to them in very emphatic tones.

"We advanced a short distance into the bushes, keeping in line as well
as we could. Suddenly there was a great stir and a series of sounds, as
though some one was pounding violently on the ground with a club.

"'There they go!' shouted Mr. Syme. 'Let off the dogs!'

"Evidently the dogs understood what he said, as they did not wait for
the permission of their young masters. Away they went at full speed
after the kangaroos. There must have been twenty or thirty of the latter
making off across the plain in a southerly direction, but run as fast as
they did, the dogs could not keep up with those high-jumping creatures.
The speed was something prodigious. Our whole party started in full
gallop behind the dogs, the horses seeming to enter into the spirit of
the race quite as much as did their riders.

"There wasn't much chance for conversation during this run, but the
young man who was acting as my escort managed to tell me that we would
have a race of about three miles. 'The kangaroo always runs for water,'
he said; 'and the nearest water in that direction is about three miles
away. They'll fetch up at a small pond and make a stand there.'

[Illustration: "THERE THEY GO!" SHOUTED MR. SYME.]

"I learned afterward that this was a peculiarity of the kangaroo, to
seek water whenever he is pursued. The country o