Page:Australian Emigrant 1854.djvu/142

 with one hand, he advanced upon his prey, in a direction favourable for the accomplishment of his purpose, and had nearly reached within gunshot, when a slight shifting of the breeze warned the sensitive animals of approaching danger: they ceased to feed, and appeared uneasy and watchful. These signs were not lost upon the wary old bushman, who remained stationary for some minutes, when a further variation of the wind came kindly to his aid, and he again advanced. As soon as he had reached within gun-shot, he dropped the screen of leaves, and the next moment the report of his gun was heard echoing amongst the neighbouring hills. The result of the shot was soon manifest, for a large old man kangaroo, badly wounded, was seen struggling with Dodge and his dog; the latter had fixed her teeth in her adversary's neck, whilst her master had seized its tail, and both were being dragged and jerked about in a most unceremonious manner, without much opportunity of making any resistance. The two friends reaching the scene of action, soon changed the aspect of affairs, and increased the prospect of a substantial meal. The kangaroo, confused amongst its numerous foes, before long afforded an opportunity which Dodge quickly embraced. Drawing his knife, with one sweep of his arm he separated the ham-strings of his antagonist, and laid him powerless at his feet; once there, he was soon dispatched, and a quarter of an hour sufficed for cutting him up, and each man bore off a share of the booty.

"I could tell you a story, and a true one too," said Dodge, "only I'm afraid you are tired of hearing me talk so much about myself, tho' for the matter of that, what else can a man be expected to talk about when he has had very little company but himself for half his life." As Dodge found his companions willing to listen, he commenced his story.