On arriving at the plain, having the dogs with us, we started a kangaroo;[108] (the common species, or _Macropus major_ of Shaw; _Kangurus labiatus_, Geoff.;) the dogs pursued, but we stopped our horses, for a young kangaroo was lying tranquilly upon the grass, apparently unconscious of danger; the stock-keeper, who accompanied me, alighted and secured it. To prevent escape, he tied the hind legs, and then placed it upon the ground; the animal, however, contrived to make off, and we had some difficulty in re-capturing it. Occupied with the young, we forgot the old one, and, as the dogs returned unsuccessful from the chase, it must have either outrun them, or perished in the river which was near; for when closely pursued, these animals run towards a river, (when one is near,) and dash into it without hesitation. Should the water be deep, they instantly sink and perish; if shallow, they remain in it, keeping their pursuers at bay. The following anecdote was related to me respecting an animal of this species. A man went out to hunt kangaroos, and having started a large male, the pursued animal took refuge in a water-hole, sufficiently shallow to enable him to keep his head and fore-paws above water, and here awaited the attack of the dog, which he soused fairly under water, when he came within reach. Pat, (for the gentleman was from the sister kingdom,) in a great rage at the threatened death of the dog, would have shot the kangaroo, but the gun missed fire; he then entered the water-hole “to bate the brains of the baste out” with the butt-end of the gun; but the “baste,” not fancying to be thus treated, turned from the soused and now senseless dog to his more formidable adversary, and a struggle took place, in which the man was often thrust under water, and victory was promising much in favour of the kangaroo, when some of Pat’s companions fortunately coming to his assistance, attacked and killed the animal with clubs, and rescued him in almost an insensible condition; on recovery he vowed not to hunt the “big bastes again.” This circumstance occurred some years since at Yas Plains, on its first settlement, and when kangaroos were exceedingly abundant. It is now a rare occurrence to see one upon these plains. Happening to meet the hero of the above tale, (I mean the man, not the kangaroo,) I asked him how he felt when the beast hugged him; he replied, “Not very comfortable; he tumbled me about famously; they are mighty strong bastes, and don’t seem to like being meddled with.” Indeed, many persons when alone are afraid to face a large “old man” kangaroo. A man recently arrived in the colony, was sent after cattle; he returned in great terror, having, it appears, come suddenly on the ranges upon a kangaroo, as “large,” he said, “as a horse.” I asked him the colour of the animal; he replied that he did not recollect it; he only wished to get away from the beast, and running down the hill,