A Kangaroo Hunt 



days of the most energetic hunting, our 

 bag contained only one Httle pair of the 

 scarlet parrots known as lowries. At the 

 end of that time the rain came down in 

 torrents — came down as it knows how 

 to do upon occasion during the Australian 

 winter ; and we were glad of the excuse 

 to beat a retreat to Wilkinson's hospitable 

 homestead in the foot-hills, where we 

 found the uproar of a growing family of 

 lusty young Victorians rather a relief after 

 the strange and solemn stillness of the 

 hills. But still more grateful to us was 

 the news we received from one of the 

 boys, to the effect that he had that after- 

 noon seen a fine troop of kangaroos feed- 

 ing quietly in a certain clearing about two 

 miles distant from the house. His imagi- 

 nation had been particularly impressed by 

 the monster proportions of a certain im- 

 mense " old man " who led the herd. 

 This incident was freely discussed over 

 our typical Australian supper of mutton- 

 pie and delicious tea, and R. and I resolved 

 to haVe a try at the herd in question the 

 next day. In the morning we found 

 the storm raging as wildly as ever, and 

 Wilkinson's kindly eyes twinkled with 

 pleasure as he looked out upon the 

 drenched landscape. 



183 



