Dot and the Kangaroo

be able to tell us where to find him; for he doesn't care for the bush, and lives almost entirely with Humans, and the queer creatu

very little protection to her against the cold, she was glad to be back in that nice fur bag. She was used now to the springy bounding of the grea

g, chattering song; but it always seemed that he had just flown off a few minutes before they heard of him. It was most vexatious, and Dot saw that another night must pass before they would be able to hear of her h

for want of food and water, and from fear and exposure. How strange it seemed that people should die like that in the bush, where so many creatures lived well, and happily! But then they had not bush friends to tell them what berries and roots to eat, and where to get water, and to cuddle them u

at shining surface of the creek caught the rosy evening light, and every pink cloudlet in the sky looked doubly beautiful reflected in the water. Here and there out of the water arose giant skeleton trees, with huge silver trunks and contorted dead branches. On these twisted limbs were numbers of birds; Shag, blue and white Cranes, and black and white Ibis with their bent bills. Slowly paddling on the creek, with graceful movements,

Kangaroo. "The water is generally too unsafe for the birds to enjoy

nd leaving the dance, opened her wings, and still making dainty steps with

arer to see the dance?" Then the Native Companion saw Dot in the Kangaroo's pouch, an

pologetically; "it's quite a little,

in the conversation, and the Native Compani

took her down to the creek, and all the other Companions stopped dancing and gathered round her, whilst she was introduced, and her story told. Then they spre

art in the entertainment were very tall and splendid, with their lovely grey plumage and greeny heads, and she felt quite small as they gathered round her sometimes, and enclosed her within their outspread wings. And how beautiful their dancing was! How light their dainty steps as their feet scarcely touched the earth; and what fantastic measures they danc

l the pink shades had slowly turned to grey; the creek had lost its radiant colour, and looked like a silver mirror,

long legs behind them, wheeled upwards to the darkening sky. Then all the birds in the bare trees preened their feathers, and settled down for the night; and the Kangaroo took her little Huma

it seemed to Dot, when they were

are in danger. Get awa

ying clouds. In the uncertain light, Dot could see a little

heard a sound as of a half dingo dog howling and snapping in the distance. As that sound was hea

me up. They are selfish, spiteful little beasts, as a rule. Now I wonder where these blacks are? I shall have to