Man; "they're too big. Who ever saw rabbits that
size?"

"Well, hares then," said Rifle, excitedly. "I say, why not shoot one?"

Norman made no answer, but stood watching the animals as, with long ears
erect, they loped about among the long grass, taking a bite here and a
bite there.

Just then a shrill whistle came from the camp, and at the sound the
animals sat up, and then in a party of about a dozen, went bounding over
the tall grass and bushes at a rapid rate, which kept the boys watching
them, till they caught sight of Tim making for the party beneath the
tree, packing up, and preparing to continue the journey.

"Now, boys, saddle up," cried the captain. "See the kangaroos?"

"Of course, cried Norman; we ought to have known, but the grass hid
their legs. I thought their ears were not long enough for rabbits."

"Rabbits six feet high!" said the captain, smiling.

"Six what, father?" cried Norman.

"Feet high," said the captain; "some of the males are, when they sit up
on their hind-legs, and people say that they are sometimes dangerous
when hunted. I daresay we shall know more about them by-and-by.--What
made you go forward, Tim, when Rifle came to you--to look at the
kangaroos?"

"No, uncle; I thought I saw blacks amongst the bushes."

"Well, next time, don't advance, but retire. They are clever with their
spears, and I don't want you to be hit."

He turned quickly, for he heard a sharp drawing of the breath behind
him, and there was Mrs Bedford, with a look of agony on her face, for
she had heard every word.

"But the blacks will not meddle with us if we do not meddle with them,"
he continued quickly; though he was conscious that his words had not
convinced his wife.

He went close up to her.

"Come," he whispered, "is this being brave and setting the boys a good
example?"

"I am trying, dear," she whispered back, "so hard you cannot tell."

"Yes, I can," he replied tenderly; "I know all you suffer, but try and
be stout-hearted. Some one must act as a pioneer in a new country. I
am trying to be one, and I want your help. Don't discourage me by being
faint-hearted about trifles, and fancying dangers that may never come."

Mrs Bedford pressed her husband's hand, and half an hour later, and all
in the same order, the little caravan was once more in motion, slowly
but very surely, the country growing still more beautiful, and all
feeling, when they halted in a beautiful glade that evenin