“No—nothing.”
“They say that when the first people met the blackfellows they asked them what they called the leaping creatures they saw hopping along so far on two legs, like animal grasshoppers; and the blacks said ‘Kangaroo.’”
“Yes, I thought it would be a native name.”
Leather smiled.
“No, sir; ‘kangaroo’ is the blackfellows’ way of saying ‘I don’t know what you mean.’”
“Could you show me where I could shoot one of those Blue Mountain parrots, Leather?” said Nic, after a pause, during which the boy stood thoughtful and wondering at his companion’s change of manner.
“Oh yes, I think so, sir. There are plenty about.”
“I haven’t seen one for days; when I did I had no gun; and besides, I was not ready to stuff it.”
“This is not a good time of day to look after them, sir; but I dare say you have passed plenty.”
“No—not one.”