26 NATT7BAL HISTORY SKETCHES. 



heads like seals. The dead kangaroos are now collected, 

 drawn to some bush-road or well-marked place, laid in a 

 heap, a piece of white paper stuck over them, to keep off 

 the vermin, and after just one pipe, the bushman's vade- 

 mecum on all occasions, the party proceed to another 

 plant. So the day goes on, drive after drive, till evening, 

 when the dead kangaroo, after the fore-quarters are cut 

 away, are brought home to the tent ; some on horseback, 

 some on the hunters' shoulders. They are then skinned 

 and dressed, the hind-quarters hung upon a gibbet, and 

 the skins nailed out to dry. A hind-quarter will keep 

 twice as long if skinned before it is hung up, than 

 if hung up in the skin ; and if dressed in a work- 

 manlike fashion, of course looks all the better for the 

 market. 



Occasionally we were joined by some sporting friends 

 from town, to whom the novelty of a few days' bush life 

 adds double zest to the sport, and a grand battue then 

 took place. These kangaroo battues always reminded me 

 of the rabbit battues at home, when the keepers invite 

 their friends for a day's rabbit-shooting in the forest. 

 On such occasions all restraint is laid aside, every man is 

 determined to be pleased, and the freedom of the sport is 

 enjoyed alike by all, when all are on an equality. I can 

 now recall to my mind's eye our head forest-ranger on 

 the morning of such a day, in his rusty old bit of 

 velveteen and white hat, coupling up dogs, bustling 

 about, giving orders to the driver, laying down the 

 plan of the day's proceedings, and greeting us with his 



