"To your great relief, however, the `old man' turns out to possess the appendage of a tail, and is in fact no other than one of our old acquaintances, the kangaroos."
1830. R. Dawson, `Present State of Australia,' p. 141:
"If he (greyhound) has less ferocity when he comes up with an `old man,' so much the better. . . . The strongest and most courageous dog can seldom conquer a wool-man alone, and not one in fifty will face him fairly; the dog who has the temerity is certain to be disabled, if not killed."
1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition,' p. 33:
"Mr. Gilbert started a large kangaroo known by the familiar name of `old man.'"
1861. T. McCombie, `Australian Sketches,' p. 172:
"The settlers designate the old kangaroos as `old men' and `old women;' the full-grown animals are named `flyers,' and are swifter than the British hare."
1864. W. Westgarth, `Colony of Victoria,' p. 451:
"The large kangaroo, the `old man,' as he is called, timorous of every unwonted sound that enters his large, erected ears, has been chased far from every busy seat of colonial industry."
1873. J. B. Stephens, `Black Gin,' p. 39: