perched on a tree near at hand.

We marched on about ten miles, and again encamped close to one of the
huge eucalypti I have before mentioned. Near at hand was a forest, or
bush, somewhat denser than usual with hilly ground, which confined our
view on that side to narrow limits. A stream of water tempted us to
stop here rather than push on a few miles farther. My mother and Edith
performed the daily journey without feeling any unusual fatigue; but the
great heats had not begun, and the air was pure and exhilarating.

Mudge, Paddy, and I were very successful in a shooting expedition on
which we started, as soon as we had encamped, with Pullingo; Mudge
having killed a good-sized kangaroo, and Paddy and I two dozen
gaily-feathered birds, while Pullingo had brought down nearly a dozen
more with his boomerang. We had intended going in the direction of the
hills, but when he saw us setting off he made signs to us that it would
be of no use; and when we still persevered he placed himself in front of
us, and by the most violent gestures endeavoured to stop our progress.
At length, as we dodged him, he turned back towards the camp and sat
himself down on the ground, as if determined not to accompany us. We
therefore gave up the attempt, and took the way he pointed out, along
the banks of the stream, near which we found most of the birds we
killed.

On our return the men set to work to pluck our feathered prizes, while
Paddy scientifically cut up the kangaroo; after which there was a grand
cooking of flesh and fowl, while some cakes made by my mother were baked
under the ashes. As a rule, the farinaceous food we were able to carry
was reserved for my mother, Edith, and Pierce. We found scarcely
anything in the shape of fruit, but we obtained a sort of wild spinach,
and occasionally heads of cabbage-palms, which served us for vegetables,
and assisted to keep the whole party in health.

Supper was over, and my mother and Edith had just retired to their hut.
Except Mudge and Paddy, who had to keep the first watch, the rest of the
party were about to lie down under the lean-tos, when on a sudden there
burst forth, close to us, a wild, unearthly, and abrupt yell of mocking
laughter, as if uttered by a party of natives who, creeping on us
unawares, had surrounded the camp, and now to their delight found that
we were in their power. We started to our feet and seized our arms,
expecting the next moment to have a shower of spea