“I trust we shall have him back soon,” said his mother, after he had been gone some time; “although I wish that tidings of him had reached us.”
Chapter Eight.
A Kangaroo Hunt—Chasing Emus—A pack of Dingoes put to Flight.
Reggy had by this time learned to make himself almost as useful as Harry. Their great delight was riding after stray cattle and horses, which afforded them constant occupation.
Occasionally they visited the sheep-stations, to see that all was right, or to give directions to the shepherds.
Sometimes they drove one of the drays carrying provisions and stores, a task which was not so pleasant as galloping over the country. Now and then Hector was persuaded to join them in the former duty, but he would never even attempt to learn to drive a dray.
“If I could manage to get hold of a well-built dogcart from London, I should have no objection to turn out a tandem,” he said, as he contemptuously surveyed the dray.
As the captain was convinced that “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” he occasionally allowed all hands who could be spared to go out hunting, the game being kangaroos or emus, when Bruce and the other dogs at the station had an active part to play. Hector, who rode pretty well, had no objection to join in it. Even Rob and Edgar were at times allowed to go out.