I have pursued the sport both mounted and on foot, and if a horse enables you occasionally, on comparatively unincumbered ground, to see something more of the run, you must still have pedestrians3 to hunt the dogs. After all, decide this point as you will, we esteem4 it the poorest variety of the chase. Some excitement must necessarily attend it, but too much is left to the imagination, and too little of either the game or the dogs is given to the eye.
It is rarely, except when on horseback, that one has the good fortune to be in at the death, or to see the kangaroo pulled down.
The ground is usually hilly, the scrub thick, and the grass high. It is needless to say that on the present occasion we were all on foot. Forestier's Peninsula is no place for a horse, except the traveller be jogging along the rugged6 and little frequented track which leads to Hobart Town, by a most circuitous7 route.
Away then we strode, skirting the shore pretty closely, until we came to a valley which had been partially8 cleared by one of those extensive bush conflagrations9 which are of annual occurrence.
The forest is fired in several places every summer, with a view to keeping down the scrub, and giving a chance of growth to the grass and the larger forest trees. These burn for several consecutive10 days, and at night the glare from them, lighting11 up the adjacent horizon, and the wind at one time whirling along vast clouds of smoke, and again throwing up sheets of flame and myriads12 of burning particles, produce an effect as grand as can be imagined. Here, then, in the glade13, we paused, disposed ourselves in an extended line, slipped four dogs, and gave the word, "go seek."
Away they trotted14 with nose to the ground, cautiously hunting, crossing and recrossing, but occasionally getting not only out of sight in the long grass, but out of hearing and command. Presently a sharp bark gave the signal of game started, and the next moment we catch a glimpse of the kangaroo in mid15 air, as he bounds down the declivity16 in a succession of leaps such as the kangaroos only can accomplish.
There he goes, his tiny ears laid back along his small deer-like head, his forefeet gathered up like a penguin's flappers, and his long stout17 tail erect18 in the air. Now bounding aloft, now vanishing as he leaps into the waving grass.
Two more of the dogs have sighted him, and are silently tearing along on his track. Every bound increases his distance from his pursuers, he winds round the base of the hill, to avoid the ascent19, but up he must go; this is the only chance for the dogs, for running up hill is the kangaroo's weak point. But now we lose sight of both dogs and kangaroo; a burst of three minutes has sufficed to exhaust our first wind, and to break one of our shins; for tearing through grass as high as one's middle and stumbling over charred20 stumps21 and fallen trees, soon reduces one to the "dead beat" predicament. Jerry, alone, thanks to his hard condition, follows the chase.
All the party are now scattered22, and after while reassemble by dint23 of continuous "cooees." Whilst swabbing the perspiration24 off our brow, one of the dogs makes his appearance, and, trotting25 slowly back with panting flanks and lolling tongue, throws himself on his side exhausted26. His mouth is now carefully examined, and two fingers being inserted, scoop27 round the fauces. The test is successful; there are traces of blood and fluff. "Bravo! Rattler! Show him—good dog. Show him!" Rattler rises with an effort, and lazily strikes into the bush, to the right. We follow in Indian file, and at about half a mile distant we come upon the kangaroo lying dead, with the second dog, old "Ugly," stretched at its side.
The kangaroo usually found in the Peninsula is not the largest description commonly known in these colonies as the "boomer," or a "forester," but the brush kangaroo, which rarely exceeds seventy pounds in weight; forty is more common. There is a still smaller variety, known as the "wallaby." The brush kangaroo is easily killed by the dogs; a grip in the throat or loins usually suffices. The boomer is a more awkward customer, and, if he can take to the water, he shows fight, and availing himself of his superior height, he endeavors to drown the dogs as they approach him. The kangaroo is a graceful28 animal, but appears to most advantage when only the upper part of his body is seen. His head is small and deer-shaped, his eyes soft and lustrous29, but his tapering30 superior extremities31 rise almost pyramidally from a heavy and disproportioned base of hind32 legs and tail.
The kangaroo dog never mangles33 his prey34 although fond of the blood, with a portion of which he is always rewarded.
Jerry now threw himself on the ground beside the game, and, drawing his couteau de chasse, commenced the operation of disemboweling. After ripping up the belly35, he thrust in his arm, and drawing out the liver and a handful of coagulated blood, he invited the dogs to partake of it. The carcass being gutted36, some dry fern is thrust in, the tail is drawn37 through the fore5 legs, and secured with a bit of whipcord, and then the game is suspended over the shoulder—no insignificant38 weight either. If the kangaroo be very heavy, the hind quarters only are carried, but the skin being of some value, it is not needlessly destroyed.
There is a peculiarity39 in the stomach of the kangaroo, which I have not seen noticed in descriptions of that animal, but of which I have assured myself by frequent personal observation. On opening the stomach, even while still warm, the grass found in it is swarming40 with small white worms, about a quarter of an inch in length, and not thicker than a fine thread.
The entire contents of the stomach, even the most recently masticated42 grass, and grass seems to be its only food, are equally pervaded43 with these worms, which swarm41 in myriads, even where no signs of decomposition44 are perceptible.
Resuming our progress, we presently heard a baying from the dogs, who had again dispersed45 to hunt. On nearing the spot whence the noise proceeded, we found them assembled round the trunk of a large tree, in the hollow of which was a large wombat46, a most unsightly brute47, in appearance partaking somewhat of the bear, the pig, and the badger48. An average sized one weighs sixty pounds. The head is flat, neck thick, body large, legs short, eyes and ears small: the feet provided with sharp claws for burrowing49, three on the hind foot, and an additional one on the fore foot. They make deep excavations50 in the ground, and live chiefly on roots. The hide is very tough and covered with a coarse wiry hair, and with this defensive51 armor, and his formidable teeth and claws, the wombat is a customer not much relished52 by the dogs. It was not till we had stunned53 our new acquaintance, as he stood at bay in his den54, by repeated blows of our sticks on his head, that we were able to drag him out, and cut his throat.
The flesh is eatable, and I have heard that the hams are held in some esteem, but cannot speak from personal experience. On the present occasion none of our party was ambitious of the honor of carrying our defunct55 friend during the day's march that we had before us; so I contented56 myself with pocketing his four paws, and leaving the rest of the carcass for formic epicures57.
Our destination for the evening was Eagle Hawk58 Neck, or rather our dining quarters were there fixed59, for I proposed to be home some time during the night; and, as we had some twelve miles of fatiguing60 walking before us, we now circled round towards Flinders' Bay, whence we were to follow the foot track to the "Neck."
It may readily be imagined that bush travelling in the Australian colonies is often an intricate affair; long practice alone can give one assurance and confidence. Few habitues in the Peninsula think of entering it without a pocket compass, flint, and steel, and even the best bushmen have in their day been reduced to the greatest extremities.
For our own part, our ambition never inclined to the adventurous61 task of exploring the bush, content with the subordinate part of trusting to the superior sagacity of the more experienced; and often have our wonder and admiration62 been excited by the unerring judgment63 of our guide, when there was neither sun to direct, nor any opening above or around whereby to obtain a view of the surrounding country.
As we were approaching Flinders' Bay on our return, a kangaroo was started some distance ahead of us; presently I observed an old dog, who was wont64 to "run cunning," suddenly stop close in front of me. The next moment the game, closely pursued, dropped in a bound, not six yards from where I stood, and before he could rise again, old "Ugly" had his prize by the throat. This proved to be a doe, and on examining her pouch65 a foetus was found in it, perfectly66 detached as usual, and about three inches and a half long. The generation, growth, and alimentation of the foetus of the kangaroo and other marsupial67 animals (ultra interine and detached from the parent, as it appears to be at all stages,) is a mystery in physiology68 which has yet to be unravelled69.
A "medico" who was of our party, did not neglect this opportunity for research. With a view to the investigation70 of the subject at leisure, he dropped the foetus into his glove for conveyance71 home.
Outside the station of Flinders' Bay, we came upon a small limpid72 stream, brawling73 over a rocky bed, which seemed a suitable place to refresh the inner man with a sandwich, and a thimble full of Cognac. Segars were then lighted, and, shouldering our game, we resumed our route.
The sun was low, when we descended74 the steep hill whence we opened a view of Eagle Hawk Neck and the Pacific, and after a long and toilsome ascent of the "Saddle," by a path which abounded75 more in loose sharp stones than any which it has been my misfortune to fall in with. However, refreshment76 was at hand, which we were quite in condition to appreciate, for we will back a day's kangarooing against any other sport, for giving a zest77 both to victuals78 and drink.
Our host, C—, was famous for his kangaroo soup; this is made of the tail of the animal, and when well prepared may vie with any oxtail, if, indeed, it be not superior, having the advantage of a game flavor. The flesh of the kangaroo resembles in taste and appearance that of the hare, though drier and inferior in flavor when roasted. The only part thus cooked is the hind quarter, which should be boned, stuffed, and larded, and after all, the play is not worth the candle. Not so, "kangaroo steamer." To prepare this savory79 dish, portions of the hind quarter, after hanging for a week, should be cut into small cubical pieces; about a third portion of the fat of bacon should be similarly prepared, and these, together with salt, pepper, and some spice, must simmer gently in a stewpan for three or four hours. No water must enter into the composition, but a little mushroom ketchup80 added, which served, is an improvement.
Although averse81 to the diet of bush vermin, so often extolled82 in these colonies, and although carefully eschewing83 all parrot pies, red-bill ragouts, black swans, kangaroo rats, porcupines84, and such vaunted nastinesses, we strongly contend for the excellence85 of "kangaroo steamer," as a most savory and appetizing dish. We cannot reproach it with a fault, save its tendency to lead one to excess; the only difficulty is to know when you have had enough.
We were able to do ample justice to the the Alexander Selkirk of his post, reigning86 in solitary87 grandeur88, for he had not a single associate within ten miles, could always boast of a well-stocked larder89 and cellar. What with his garden, poultry-yard, and dairy, hunting and sea-fishing, he was tolerably independent of the tri-weekly visits of the boat which brought the commissariat supplies.
The End
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essentially
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| adv.本质上，实质上，基本上 | |
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heresy
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| n.异端邪说；异教 | |
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pedestrians
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| n.步行者( pedestrian的名词复数 ) | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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circuitous
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| adj.迂回的路的，迂曲的，绕行的 | |
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partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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conflagrations
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| n.大火（灾）( conflagration的名词复数 ) | |
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consecutive
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| adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的 | |
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lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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myriads
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| n.无数，极大数量( myriad的名词复数 ) | |
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glade
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| n.林间空地，一片表面有草的沼泽低地 | |
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trotted
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| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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mid
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| adj.中央的，中间的 | |
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declivity
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| n.下坡，倾斜面 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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charred
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| v.把…烧成炭( char的过去式)；烧焦 | |
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stumps
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| （被砍下的树的）树桩( stump的名词复数 )； 残肢； （板球三柱门的）柱； 残余部分 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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dint
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| n.由于，靠；凹坑 | |
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perspiration
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| n.汗水；出汗 | |
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trotting
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| 小跑，急走( trot的现在分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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scoop
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| n.铲子，舀取，独家新闻；v.汲取，舀取，抢先登出 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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lustrous
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| adj.有光泽的；光辉的 | |
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tapering
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| adj.尖端细的 | |
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extremities
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| n.端点( extremity的名词复数 )；尽头；手和足；极窘迫的境地 | |
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hind
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| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
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mangles
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| n.轧布机，轧板机，碾压机（mangle的复数形式）vt.乱砍（mangle的第三人称单数形式） | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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belly
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| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
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gutted
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| adj.容易消化的v.毁坏（建筑物等）的内部( gut的过去式和过去分词 )；取出…的内脏 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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peculiarity
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| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
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swarming
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| 密集( swarm的现在分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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swarm
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| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
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masticated
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| v.咀嚼( masticate的过去式和过去分词 )；粉碎，磨烂 | |
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pervaded
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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decomposition
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| n. 分解, 腐烂, 崩溃 | |
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dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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wombat
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| n.袋熊 | |
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brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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badger
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| v.一再烦扰，一再要求，纠缠 | |
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burrowing
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| v.挖掘（洞穴），挖洞( burrow的现在分词 )；翻寻 | |
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excavations
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| n.挖掘( excavation的名词复数 )；开凿；开凿的洞穴（或山路等）；（发掘出来的）古迹 | |
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51
defensive
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| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
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relished
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| v.欣赏( relish的过去式和过去分词 )；从…获得乐趣；渴望 | |
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stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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defunct
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| adj.死亡的；已倒闭的 | |
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56
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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57
epicures
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| n.讲究饮食的人( epicure的名词复数 ) | |
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hawk
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| n.鹰，骗子；鹰派成员 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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fatiguing
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| a.使人劳累的 | |
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adventurous
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| adj.爱冒险的；惊心动魄的，惊险的，刺激的 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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pouch
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| n.小袋，小包，囊状袋；vt.装...入袋中，用袋运输；vi.用袋送信件 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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marsupial
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| adj.有袋的，袋状的 | |
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physiology
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| n.生理学，生理机能 | |
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unravelled
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| 解开，拆散，散开( unravel的过去式和过去分词 )； 阐明； 澄清； 弄清楚 | |
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investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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71
conveyance
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| n.(不动产等的)转让，让与；转让证书；传送；运送；表达；（正）运输工具 | |
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limpid
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| adj.清澈的，透明的 | |
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brawling
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| n.争吵，喧嚷 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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abounded
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| v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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zest
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| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
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victuals
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| n.食物；食品 | |
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savory
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| adj.风味极佳的，可口的，味香的 | |
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ketchup
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| n.蕃茄酱，蕃茄沙司 | |
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81
averse
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| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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extolled
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| v.赞颂，赞扬，赞美( extol的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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eschewing
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| v.（尤指为道德或实际理由而）习惯性避开，回避( eschew的现在分词 ) | |
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84
porcupines
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| n.豪猪，箭猪( porcupine的名词复数 ) | |
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85
excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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86
reigning
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| adj.统治的，起支配作用的 | |
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87
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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88
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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89
larder
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| n.食物贮藏室，食品橱 | |
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