The irregular bounds of the animal disconcerted my aim, and, though very near, I missed it.

Ernest was more fortunate; he fired at it, and killed it.

It was an animal about the size of a sheep, with the tail of a tiger; its head and skin were like those of a mouse, ears longer than the hare; there was a curious pouch on the belly; the fore legs were short, as if imperfectly developed, and armed with strong claws, the hind legs long, like a pair of stilts.

After Ernest's pride of victory was a little subdued, he fell back on his science, and began to examine his spoil.
"By its teeth," said he, "it should belong to the family of _rodentes_, or gnawers; by its legs, to the _jumpers_; and by its pouch, to the opossum tribe." This gave me the right clue.

"Then," said I, "this must be the animal Cook first discovered in New Holland, and it is called the _kangaroo_." We now tied the legs of the animal together, and, putting a stick through, carried it to the sledge very carefully, for Ernest was anxious to preserve the beautiful skin.