They had scarcely reached the opposite side of a broad lagoon, which lay in their course, and put themselves in travelling trim, when a heavy thumping sound, which seemed to approach nearer and nearer, attracted their attention—
"Blacks," suggested Hugh.
"Kangaroos, I think," replied Slinger.
They hastened to secrete themselves amongst the branches of a fallen tree which still retained its leaves, and were scarcely secure, when Slinger whispered, "Here they come, the beauties—look at 'em—one, two, three, four emus, as I live! Stand by for the two biggest—you take the first shot." On they came, making the ground resound with their heavy tread.—"Now then—up guards and at 'em!" cried Slinger, as he fired upon the advancing birds. Two were wounded: one of these was quite disabled, but the other was not so much injured but that he was rather a formidable antagonist at close quarters. "Don't waste any more powder and shot," said Hugh, " I'll soon finish him," and laying his gun on the ground, he approached the emu cautiously as it lay on its side. He was in the act of seizing it, when, with a severe kick, he lay doubled up upon the turf, and the bird struggled upon its legs. In spite of a shot from Slinger's gun it was making off
"Where me go?"
"To heaven, I hope."
"Where em?"
"There," said the chaplain, pointing above.
"Ki!—long way!!—plenty tea, and flour, and baccy dere?"
"It is a good place," said the chaplain.
The executioner then proceeded to pull a cap over his face, when the native said, "What for you put him head in a bag, you dam black tief?"
"Let us pray," said the chaplain.
"No, me too dam frightened.—Long way hem, eh?" But before a reply could be made, the native was in eternity, and the majesty of the law vindicated.
