THE EOMANCE OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



freely from a deep wound, extending from the 

 back part of my head over the whole length of 

 my face. I was, in fact, becoming an easy prey 

 to the kangaroo, who continued to insert, with 

 renewed vigour, his talons into my breast, luckily, 

 however, protected by a loose coarse canvas 

 frock, which, in colonial phrase, is called a 

 'jumper,' and but for which I must inevitably 

 have shared the fate of poor Trip. As it was, I 

 had almost given myself up for lost; my head was 

 pressed, with surpassing strength, beneath my 

 adversary's breast, and a faintness was gradually 

 stealing over me, when I heard a long and heart- 

 stirring shout. Was I to be saved? The thought 

 gave me new life: with increased power I grap- 

 pled and succeeded in casting from me my deter- 

 mined foe; and, seeing a tree close at hand, I 

 made a desperate leap to procure its shelter and 

 protection. I reached, and clung to it for sup- 

 port ; when the sharp report of a rifle was heard 

 in my ear, and the bark, about three inches 

 above my head, was penetrated by the ball. An- 

 other shot followed, with a more sure aim, and 

 the exasperated animal (now once more within 

 reach of me) rolled heavily over on its side. On 

 the parties nearing, I found them to be my brother 

 and a friend, who had at first mistaken me for the 

 kangaroo, and had very nearly consummated 

 what had been so strangely begun. However, a 

 miss is always as good as a mile ; and having re- 

 cruited my spirits and strength with a draught 

 from the never-failing brandy-flask, and sung a 

 requiem over poor old Trip, my companions 

 shouldered the fallen foe, by means of a large 

 stake, one carrying each end, while I followed 

 with weak and tottering steps. You may imagine 

 that the little beauty I ever had is not much 

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