the dogs began
barking, leaving us no doubt that several opossums were ensconced
within. Our first care was to collect a quantity of sticks and green
leaves; when, a fire being kindled inside the hole, the smoke began to
ascend, filling the whole of the cavity, which extended to where the
boughs branched off. The moon having risen, we could see almost as well
as in daylight. Before long, three or four little creatures emerged
from the hole and began to make their way upwards. One, however, almost
suffocated by the smoke, fell to the ground; when the dogs, instantly
pouncing upon it, would have torn it to pieces had not their master
pulled them off. Guy shot another, and two more were brought to the
ground by the sticks which the rest of us hove at them before they had
recovered their senses, after having been so unexpectedly smoked out of
their nests.

We were equally successful with two other trees, round which the dogs
gave tongue, and after an hour's hunting we returned carrying our
prizes, which took Bracewell and his shepherd some time to clean.

"Of course opossum hunting is but tame work, I'll allow," exclaimed
Bracewell while washing his hands after having cleaned the last of the
beasts; "but as you are both good horsemen and have steady nerves we
will to-morrow go in chase of some wild cattle which have appeared in
the bush not far off. I should not object to kill a couple of them, as
we are in want of fresh meat and I cannot afford to slaughter my sheep.
Perhaps on the way we may fall in with a kangaroo, which is sure to give
us good sport."

Next morning found us all three galloping along through the open forest.
We trusted entirely to Bracewell's guidance, for before we had gone a
mile, I confess I should have had a difficulty in finding my way back
again.

"We are in luck," cried Bracewell, as in less than half an hour we
caught sight of four head of the wild cattle we were in search of. As
we approached they began pawing on the ground, sticking out their tails
and looking anything but amiable.

"They will charge if we don't take care," observed Bracewell. "Shout
and crack your whips, that will make them show us their flanks."

We had, I should have said, our guns in readiness, and a brace of
pistols in our belts, so that we were well armed for the encounter with
a wild bull, who, looking upon human beings and every other animal as
enemies, was a dangerous character to engage.

Bracewell ha