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ERNEST SHOOTS A KANGAROO 119
and its teeth were like a hare's, but much larger; the fore legs resembled those of the squirrel, and were extremely short; but to make up for this, its hind legs were as long as a pair of stilts. We examined the creature a long time in silence, and I did not pronounce its name, as I wanted to see if Ernest would recognise it. For a moment he did not, and then cried out joyously :
'A kangaroo ! I never thought I should see one alive !'
We spent several minutes further in examining with interest this rare animal, and then began to consider the next difficulty, which was how to get him home without spoiling his skin. We managed this at last by tying the fore legs together, and by means of two canes, we carried him with considerable trouble to the sledge, upon which he was securely fastened.
Having now nothing more to detain us, we continued our road towards Falcon Stream, talking with great animation about the strange beast we had found.
When we arrived somewhat late, at Falcon Stream, we heard shouts from the others, and when the three boys ran to meet us it was our turn to laugh; one had on a sailor's shirt, |
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