"I'm an odd thinking man,
And will get on if I can,—
I'm only a shepherd, 'tis true;
I find sport with my gun
Whilst out on the run,
In hunting the kangaroo!
"Some folks talk of the fox,
Ride through heather and box,
Hounds, steeds, and their hunting crew;
That is all very well,
But no sport can excel
The chase of the kangaroo.
"If I put up a doe,
Oft her offspring she'll throw
From the pouch in her breast, 'tis true;
And now for the fun,—
For I don't use my gun,—
But run down the young kangaroo.
"Whilst my dogs on the scent
Of killing intent,
Swiftly o'er the plain they flew:
They ne'er lose a trail,
Nor to kill ever fail,
Or show the dead kangaroo.
"When a booma's at bay
You've the devil to pay,
He'll fight like a boxer,'tis true:
He's a terrible foe,
As the dogs often know,
In encounters with kangaroo.
"I've kept you too long,
So an end to my song;
I hope 'twill amuse not a few.
When we meet again
We'll go out on the plain,
For a hunt of the kangaroo."
When the gentlemen were about to be seated at the dinner-table, Captain Anthony was filled with consternation as a government official placed his hand on his arm and said, "Excuse me, sir, but what is your name and business, and what are you doing here?"
Captain Anthony naturally thought the plot had been betrayed, when Breslin stepped up to explain that this was a custom of the country. The captain received such a shock that he failed to thoroughly enjoy the dinner. He found another illustration of the suspicion which is always abroad in the penal colony, later in the day. Going into the hydrographic office to buy a chart of the coast, he was compelled to reply to a long series of questions before he was permitted to purchase it.
On Thursday, April 6, Captain Anthony started back to the ship in the Bunbury mail coach, carrying $250 in gold which Mr. Breslin had given him to square up his bills. This was a thirty-two hours' journey over sandy roads, and as the weather was hot and Captain Anthony was the only passenger, he was utterly wearied when he arrived at Bunbury at four P.M. the following day.
A CRITICAL SITUATION
And now followed a period of waiting, and the captain was worn with anxiety. The possible suspicion of the people ashore at the delay in departure must be anticipated, and the captain busied himself in getting potatoes and onions, wood and water aboard, and opened up negotiations for a quantity of kangaroo skins.
The crew had become uneasy at the long delay, and were almost mutinous at their restricted shore liberty, for Captain Anthony did not dare to trust them with shore leave, excepting in charge of an officer. Their own theory of the proceeding was that the vessel was fitting for a cruise to New Zealand. They were humored in this belief, and were kept busy in painting and refitting.