d scatter, it will be safe for us, but if
they see anything unusual and break, and run--well, we shan't drink at
the tank to-night. There will be Humans and dogs there, and we don't
cultivate their society just now."

"Really that is the cleverest thing I have heard for a long time," said
the Kangaroo, full of admiration for the trick. "How did you jump to
that conclusion?"

"The idea sprang upon us," answered the Emu, with an immense hop in the
air, and a dancing movement when it came to the ground again. "Dear
me!" it exclaimed, "the sight of those sheep is beginning to excite me,
and I can hardly keep still! I wonder what there is so exciting about
sheep!"

Dot could now see the advancing flock of sheep, with their attendant
mob of Emu, quite well. The animals had got scent of the water, and
with contented bleatings were slowly moving with a rippling effect
across the dusty plain. The mob of Emu soon left the sheep to go their
own way, and, grouped in a cluster, watched, with bobbing heads, every
movement of the flock.

Dot, the Kangaroo, and the Emu looked towards the tank with silent
interest. "I'm stationed here," whispered the bird, "to give a warning
in case there is any danger in this direction. Emu are posted all
round the tank on the same duty."

Dot could see the whole scene well, for beyond a few low shrubs on the
opposite side of the sheet of water, there was no sheltering bush near
the great tank which had been excavated on the bare plain.

Onward came the sheep, and quite stationary in the distance remained
the Emu mob. Just as the first sheep were descending the deep slope of
the tank, a Plover rose from amongst the bushes with a shrill cry. The
Emu started at the sound, and whispered to the Kangaroo, "There'll be
no drink to-night. Watch!"

The cry of the Plover seemed to arrest the advance of the timid sheep.
They waited in a closely-packed flock, looking around. But presently
the old leader gave a deep bleat, and they moved forward towards the
water. "Shriek! Shriek!" cried the Plover from the bushes, screaming as
they rose and flew away; and suddenly the flock of sheep broke and
hurried back to the open plain. At the same instant Dot could hear the
sharp barking of a sheep-dog, a noise that produced an instant effect
on the creatures she was with. With lightning speed the Kangaroo had
popped her into her pouch and was hopping away, and the Emu was
striding with its long legs a