drawers, and bedstead; a block of wood answered the double purpose of chair and pillow, the beef-barrel was also a kind of side-table, whilst the cover of it was made to do duty occasionally as a rat-trap by setting it up with a stick and a string, and Dodge described the destruction he wrought upon the rat species by these simple means as something quite astonishing. After spending by no means an uncomfortable evening, a shake-down was made and they all turned in.
Before they fell asleep, a wild dog was heard howling near the hut and presently a chorus struck up. Dodge, taking his gun, went to the door, and answered them by a howl nearly as wild, to which there was a reply. "These chaps and I have a little conversation together of a night—they are capital company, and afford me lots of sport. They smell I've got some grub here again. I will be back directly: don't you come" he said, as the two were preparing to follow him: "it takes an old hand to touch a wild dog." After he had been gone about ten minutes, the report of his gun was heard, and then a second barrel. In a few minutes he returned dragging a large dog by the leg whilst Lady kept a firm grip of its throat.
"This fellow has made free with my veal, I'll be bound," said Dodge.
"Do they kill calves?" Slinger inquired.
"Occasionally, and sheep very often. Why I have scarcely a beast on my station with a perfect tail, they generally manage to nip off that little delicacy when it is young, so that I never get ox-tail soup; but I have a capital substitute in that of the kangaroo." He then called his dog. "Come here, old girl, I want to make a bolster of you to night," and she lay down in a convenient position. Old Dodge placed his head on this novel pillow, and was soon snoring lustily, in which he was shortly joined by his visitors.
