Now This Clearing Had Many Enemies, And Of
Many Species, Ranging From Feathered And Furred To Biped.
The cockatoos
came down in such clouds as almost to whiten the ground, and made short
work of the
Maize; the bandicoots and the township pigs dug up and devoured
the sweet potatoes, just as they were becoming large enough for use -
commend me to your half-starved pig to find out in a moment where the
juiciest and finest esculent lies buried - and the chattering little
opossums stripped the peach-trees of their wealth, in which labour of love
they were eagerly assisted by the flying-foxes during the night, whilst any
that had escaped these nocturnal depredators became the spoil of two or
three idle boys, who loafed about all day, seeking mischief, and, as always
happens, succeeding in finding it, even in this sequestered region. From
this it will be seen that my efforts in the direction of husbandry were
attended with some difficulty, and, despite a real liking for the animal
world, I had imbibed a holy hatred of that particular section of its
society which insisted on devouring my substance under my very nose, only
retreating to the nearest tree until my back was turned, and then resuming
operations with unblushing effrontery. By way of a mild vengeance, I had
got into the habit of coming out every morning directly I awoke, with my
gun, and easing off both barrels amongst the cockatoos, wallabies, or
whatever particular class of robbers happened to be afield at the moment -
a practice which served as a safety-valve for my injured feelings, whilst
at the same time it provided me with a cockatoo pie, or a good bowl of
kangaroo-tail soup.
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