procured was not drinkable, they might indulge in a wash, and then follow his example, or they would have to start without a breakfast. Even the dog Lady refused the water. Both in appearance and smell it strongly resembled the liquid usually found in tan-pits; in truth, from the manner in which it was procured there is little doubt that it bore a nearer similitude than simply in appearance.
"Now really," said Dodge, as Slinger was making a desperate effort to taste it, "you had better not: I usually take such stuff as that for physic, of which I have only two sorts; one is the juice from the bark of the gum tree, and the other sea water, half-a-pint to a dose. But you may rely upon it, the best stuff to make tea of, when you are hard up, is rain water filtered through a snow-white towel. Now try it, do: there's nothing like it. Come, taste mine, it's capital." But our friends were not quite bushmen enough for that. "Well," said Dodge, "I shall bottle some, and advise you to do the same, in case we should not fall in with a stream today."
As animal food formed no part of their stores, and the rain ceasing, it was considered advisable to try the neighbourhood for a kangaroo or wallaby before finally bidding adieu to the plains. The intelligent Lady appeared to be quite aware of the necessity of providing for the future, and she was most obedient to her master's commands. Very suddenly Dodge came to a halt, and calling her to his side, desired his friends to look at the picture before them. It was some minutes before they espied several kangaroos feeding quietly in an open space about two hundred yards distant. Giving directions to his friends to conceal themselves in the grass, Dodge retreated, still watching every movement of the animals, until he reached a neighbouring tree. Plucking some small branches which he arranged so as to form a screen, easily carried before him
