and scampered off in all directions. In quick time Brown's black slut
bailed up an "old man" full of fight. Nothing was more desirable. He was
a monster, a king kangaroo; and as he raised himself to his full height on
his toes and tail he looked formidable--a grand and majestic demon of the
bush. The slut made no attempt to tackle him; she stood off with her
tongue out. Several small dogs belonging to Anderson barked energetically
at him, even venturing occasionally to run behind and bite his tail. But,
further than grabbing them in his arms and embracing them, he took no
notice. There he towered, his head back and chest well out, awaiting the
horsemen. They came, shouting and hooraying. He faced them defiantly.
Anderson, aglow with excitement, dismounted and aimed a lump of rock at
his head, which laid out one of the little dogs. They pelted him with
sticks and stones till their arms were tired, but they might just as well
have pelted a dead cow. Paddy Maloney took out his stirrup. "Look out!"
he cried. They looked out. Then, galloping up, he swung the iron at the
marsupial, and nearly knocked his horse's eye out.

Dad was disgusted. He and Joe approached the enemy on Farmer. Dad carried
a short stick. The "old man" looked him straight in the face. Dad poked
the stick at him. He promptly grabbed hold of it, and a piece of Dad's
hand as well. Farmer had not been in many battles--no Defence Force man
ever owned him. He threw up his head and snorted, and commenced a retreat.
The kangaroo followed him up and seized Dad by the shirt. Joe evinced
signs of timidity. He lost faith in Dad, and, half jumping, half falling,
he landed on the ground, and set out speedily for a tree. Dad lost the
stick, and in attempting to brain the brute with his fist he overbalanced
and fell out of the saddle. He struggled to his feet, and clutched his
antagonist affectionately by both paws--standing well away. Backwards and
forwards and round and round they moved. "Use your knife!" Anderson
called out, getting further away himself. But Dad dared not relax his