Page:The Aborigines of Victoria and Riverina.djvu/164

159 this the greatest extremity which ever befel [sic] their lot; however, they determined in future to exercise more wariness on their gaming expeditions, and their breeding grounds excursions. But notwithstanding all the caution displayed by the terror-stricken Ngarous, every now and then a fresh disappearance would occur, to add to their already abundant grief.

This relentless old vagabond had practised these abominable atrocities as long as the most ancient Ngarou could remember, though so late of being discovered, and he was now becoming worse, and more daring the older he grew, in fact the poor Ngarou people had no longer any peace or happiness of their lives, because of this cruel monster's continued wickedness.

Every Ngarou in the land had lost some near or dear fellow by the horrid ogre's machinations; nothing but wailing was therefore heard throuhogut the length and breadth of Ngaroudom; the poor Ngarous were actually driven to their wit's end, so much so indeed they had serious thoughts of making a general exodus to some other country where they would have a chance of feeding in peace; it was only the fear of being followed by their arch enemy that decided them against the movement.

About this time of universal sorrow in the Ngarou nation, two smart young Ngarous that had travelled through strange lands, and sojourned with extraordinary beasts, returned home to find the whole of their kindred swallowed up by uncontrollable grief, by reason of their numerous bereavements. On learning the cause of all the wailing and misery throughout the land, which had so astonished