Reggy, with Mr Hayward, who were leading, now came up, but
the kangaroo observing one side of the water-hole unguarded, suddenly,
with a few bounds, reached it and made off before the dogs could get
round to seize him. Away he went, bounding on as before towards the
scrub in which he might have hoped to obtain shelter. The horsemen lost
some little time in first getting the dead dog out of the water-hole and
by crossing the creek; but they soon recovered their lost ground, as the
kangaroo was becoming wearied with his exertions.

A thick scrub was ahead, and directly in front were some large trees.
The dogs got almost near enough to catch hold of the tail of the
kangaroo, when renewing his exertions, he managed to jump up close to
one of the big trees, and to turn round with his back to the trunk.
Here he stood at bay, showing, however, not the slightest sign of fear.
As the dogs came barking fiercely round it, Reggy, wishing to display
his courage, leapt off his horse, and was on the point of running up to
the kangaroo when Mr Hayward shouted to him to stop; and he had soon
good reason to be thankful that he had done so, for another of the young
dogs getting within reach of the kangaroo, it struck out with one of its
hind-claws and inflicted a terrible wound on its assailant. The dog,
uttering a yelp of pain, endeavoured to crawl away, but before it did so
another blow stretched it dead in front of the kangaroo as a warning to
its companions.

It seemed cruel, after the animal had so bravely fought for his life, to
destroy him; but, as he would probably have killed more of the dogs, Mr
Hayward fired and finished his career.

The kangaroo was quickly skinned, his long tail being secured to one of
the saddles. The best part of the meat, being wrapped in large leaves,
was hung up in the shade, to be carried home on their way back. The
remainder was left as a trap to the dingoes, whom it was hoped would
remain feasting, and be shot by the party on their return.

The object of the expedition, however, was to hunt emus. Leaving the
scrub, they reached some open downs of wide extent. Keeping, by the
captain's directions, on the lee side, they rapidly advanced, with a
bright lookout ahead. The emu will run from human beings, especially
from blacks. It is not, however, afraid either of horses or drays. It
greatly resembles, in size and shape, the ostrich; but its colour is of
a uniform brownish-black with feather-l