THE KANGAROO. 473 



rivals in energy and perseverance, in skill and keenness of eye, 

 the Ked Indian tracking the wild animals of the Brazilian 

 forest. The moment he commences his day's hunting, his 

 whole manner and appearance undergo a remarkable change ; 

 his eyes, before heavy and listless, are now full of animation ; 

 his movements are rapid but noiseless, all his soul is intent 

 upon detecting signs of game. His glance roves from side to 

 side in a vigilant, uneasy manner ; no circumstance, however 

 insignificant, escapes his attention — suddenly, he checks his 

 pace, and stands immovable, like one transfixed, whilst all his 

 faculties are concentrated in the sense of sight and hearing. 

 His wives, who are at some distance behind him, the moment 

 they see him assume this attitude, know that a kangaroo is 

 near, and fall to the ground as if they had been shot, their 

 children cowering by them and their little faces expressing an 

 earnestness and anxiousness far beyond their years. 



' Looking about a hundred yards to the right of the native, 

 you will see a kangai-oo erect upon its hind legs and supported 

 by its tail ; it is reared to its utmost h-eight, so that its head is 

 between five and six feet above the ground ; its short fore-paws 

 liang by its side, its ears are pointed : it is listening as 

 carefully as the native, and you see a little head peering out 

 from its pouch, to inquire what has alarmed its mother ; but 

 the native moves not, you cannot tell whether it is a human 

 being or the charred trunk of a burnt tree which is before you, 

 and for several minutes the whole group preserve their relative 

 position ; at length the kangaroo becomes reassured, drops 

 upon its fore paws, gives an awkward leap or two, and goes on 

 feeding. Meantime the native moves not until the kangaroo 

 having two or three times resumed the attitude of listening, 

 at length once more abandons itself in perfect security to 

 its feed, and playfully smells and rubs its little one. Now the 

 watchful savage, keeping his body immoved, fixes the spear 

 first in the throwing-stick and then raises his arms in the 

 attitude of throwing, from which they are never again moved 

 imtil the kangaroo dies or runs away ; his spear being properly 

 secured he advances slowly and stealthily towards his prey, no 

 part moving but his legs ; whenever the kangaroo looks round, 

 he stands motionless, in the position he is in when it first 

 raises its head, until the animal, again assured of its safety, 



