Keesa's mother was fortunate enough to find a fairly large tree, and
against this she put her back, her little nose and mouth working
wildly and agonizingly, her sharp, little teeth showing fiercely, and
her usually gentle eyes looking fierce and desperate.

Only two dogs had been sent after them: one faced Keesa's mother
somewhat uneasily; the other followed the second kangaroo to the
water's edge, only to be taken in her front paws and held under the
water until he was drowned.[Footnote: A fact, and a common thing among
kangaroos.--Author.]

Keesa's mother, meanwhile, faced her enemy bravely, and for a few
moments the dog could not make up his mind to attack her or not. But
as he wavered the hunters' voices were heard urging him on, and, with
a fierce yelp and a quick leap, he flew at the kangaroo.

But Keesa's mother was prepared, and with a well directed blow from
one of her hind feet her sharp, knife-like claws ripped him up, and
the next moment he was lying on the ground panting his life away. The
mother kangaroo waited no longer. She had done for her enemy, she must
now look out for herself. A few long, swift strides and she caught up
with the other kangaroo, and, having been told that the other dog was
drowned, the two mothers went swiftly on, and on, and on, getting more
and more weary with the weight of their little ones, for they were now
growing very heavy, but never stopping until they reached a place
where they knew they would be safe.

This was only one of the many adventures that Keesa, as a baby, went
through, and he no longer wondered that his mother was always looking