186 THRILLING ADVENTURES. 



and often have our wonder and admiration been excited by 

 the unerring judgment of our guide, when there was neither 

 sun to direct, nor any opening above or around whereby to 

 obtain a view of the surrounding country. 



As we were approaching Flinder's Bay, on our return, a 

 kangaroo was started some distance ahead of us ; presently 

 I observed an old dog, who was wont to "run cunning," sud- 

 denly stop close in front of me. The next moment the game, 

 closely pursued, dropped in a bound, not six yards from the 

 spot where I stood, and before he could rise again, old " Ugly" 

 had his prize by the throat. This proved to be a doe, and on 

 examining her pouch a foetus was found in it, perfectly de- 

 tached as usual, and about three inches and a half long. The 

 generation, growth, and alimentation of the foetus of the kan- 

 garoo and other marsuipial animals (ultra interine and detached 

 from the parent, as it appears to be at all stages,) is a mystery 

 in physiology which has yet to be unravelled. 



A " medico" who was of our party, did not neglect this 

 opportunity for research. With a view to the investigation 

 of the subject at leisure, he dropped the foetus into hj^ glove 

 for conveyance home. 



Outside the station of Flin^er's Bay, we came upon a small 

 limpid stream, brawling over a rocky bed, which seemed a suit- 

 able place to refresh the inner man with a sandwich, and a 

 thimbleful of Cognac. Cigars were then lighted, and shoul- 

 dering our game, we resumed our route. 



The sun was low, when we descended the steep hill whence 

 we opened a view of Eagle Hawk Neck and the Pacific, after 

 a long and toilsome ascent "the Saddle," by a path which 

 abounded more in loose sharp stones than any which it has been 

 my misfortune to fall in with. However, refreshment was at 

 hand, which we were quite in condition to appreciate, for we 

 will back a day's kangarooing against any other sport, for 

 giving a zest both to victuals and drink. 



Our host, C , was famous for his kangaroo soup ; this 



