The captain of some ship, I suppose--perhaps of more than one ship; and they increased and multiplied till they run wild all over the land." "Oh no; surely they must always have been here ?" said Nic.
Leather shook his head.
"This is a land of surprises, sir," he said quietly.

"There were hardly any, if any, animals here but the kangaroos and the like, when the place was first settled.

Haven't you read all this ?" "No," said Nic; "I have only just left school.

But there doesn't seem to be many even of them." "Millions," said Leather, smiling, "if you know where to look for them." "But I haven't seen one since I left home this morning." "And perhaps passed dozens, sir, from large ones, bigger than I am, down to the kangaroo rats and mice, not much bigger than those at--in England." Nic noticed the man's hesitation, but appeared not to heed it.
"But could you show me any of them ?" "Oh yes, sir, if you wish.

They want looking for, but I spend so much time alone here in the bush that I get to know their habits.