a scrap
of the ewe was visible. Paddy Maloney jumped down and proceeded to
batter the brutes vigorously with a waddy. As the others arrived, they
joined him. The dogs were hungry, and fought for every inch of the
sheep. Those not laid out were pulled away, and when old Brown had
dragged the last one off by the hind legs, all that was left of that
ewe was four feet and some skin.

Dad shook his head and looked grave--so did Anderson. After a short
rest they decided to divide into parties and work the ridges. A start
was made. Dad's contingent--consisting of himself and Joe, Paddy
Maloney, Anderson, old Brown, and several others--started a mob. This
time the dogs separated and scampered off in all directions. In quick
time Brown's black slut bailed up an "old man" full of fight. Nothing
was more desirable. He was a monster, a king kangaroo; and as he
raised himself to his full height on his toes and tail he looked
formidable--a grand and majestic demon of the bush. The slut made no
attempt to tackle him; she stood off with her tongue out. Several
small dogs belonging to Anderson barked energetically at him, even
venturing occasionally to run behind and bite his tail. But, further
than grabbing them in his arms and embracing them, he took no notice.
There he towered, his head back and chest well out, awaiting the
horsemen. They came, shouting and hooraying. He faced them defiantly.
Anderson, aglow with excitement, dismounted and aimed a lump of rock at
his head, which laid out one of the little dogs. They pelted him with
sticks and stones till their arms were tired, but they might just as
well have pelted a dead cow. Paddy Maloney took out his stirrup.
"Look out!" he cried. They looked out. Then, galloping up, he swung
the iron at the marsupial, and nearly knocked his horse's eye out.

Dad was disgusted. He and Joe approached the enemy on Farmer. Dad
carried a short stick. The "old man" looked him straight in the face.
Dad poked the stick at him. He promptly grabbed hold of it, and a
piece of Dad's hand as well. Farmer had not been in many battles--no
Defence Force man ever owned him. He threw up his head and snorted,
and commenced a retreat. The kangaroo followed him up and seized Dad
by the shirt. Joe evinced signs of timidity. He lost faith in Dad,
and, half jumping, half falling, he landed on the ground, and set out
speedily for a tree. Dad lost the stick, and in attempting to brain
the