Page:The Catalpa Expedition (1897).djvu/150

124 meant, "The gunboat has sailed north or south. All right. Start from Bunbury." In case the gunboat arrived to take the governor to the northwest coast, Breslin was to wire "Jones is going overland to Champion Bay. When do you clear out of Bunbury? " And when the coast was again clear, "Jones has gone to Champion Bay; did not receive a letter from you," meaning, "All right again."

On Monday, Captain Anthony was invited to go with his friends and a party of merchants in the colony to Perth, the residence of the governor. The company assembled at one of the hotels, and previous to the dinner were entertained by the songs of a Western Australian shepherd. A copy of the verses of one of the selections, describing one of the unique sports of the colony, was given the captain at his request. These are the lines: —

I'm an odd thinking man, And will get on if I can,— I'm only a shepherd, 'tis true; I find sport with my gun Whilst out on the run, In hunting the kangaroo!

Some folks talk of the fox, Ride through heather and box, Hounds, steeds, and their hunting crew; That is all very well, But no sport can excel The chase of the kangaroo.

If I put up a doe. Oft her offspring she'll throw From the pouch in her breast, 't is true; And now for the fun,—