That is, you know, supposing I had a gun, and powder and shot, and, also, that the kangaroo would be fool enough to wait till I was near enough; which, you see, is presupposing a great deal.

Are they easily approached ?" "Easily enough, on horseback," said Sam, "but very difficult to come near on foot, which is also the case with all wild animals and birds worth shooting in this country.

A footman, you see, they all mistake for their hereditary enemy, the blackfellow; but, as yet, they have not come to distinguish a man on horseback from a four-footed beast.

And, this seems to show that animals have their traditions like men." "Pray, Sam, are not these pretty beasts, these kangaroos, becoming extinct ?" "On sheep-runs, very nearly so.

Sheep drive them off directly; but on cattle-runs, so far from becoming extinct, they are becoming so numerous as to be a nuisance; consuming a most valuable quantity of grass." "How can you account for that ?" "Very easily," said Sam; "their enemies are all removed.