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Still ran Dingo--Yellow-Dog Dingo--hungrier and hungrier,
grinning like a horse-collar, never getting nearer, never getting
farther; and they came to the Wollgong River.

Now, there wasn't any bridge, and there wasn't any ferry-boat,
and Kangaroo didn't know how to get over; so he stood on his legs
and hopped.

He had to!

He hopped through the Flinders; he hopped through the Cinders; he
hopped through the deserts in the middle of Australia. He hopped
like a Kangaroo.

First he hopped one yard; then he hopped three yards; then he
hopped five yards; his legs growing stronger; his legs growing
longer. He hadn't any time for rest or refreshment, and he wanted
them very much.

Still ran Dingo--Yellow-Dog Dingo--very much bewildered, very
much hungry, and wondering what in the world or out of it made
Old Man Kangaroo hop.

For he hopped like a cricket; like a pea in a saucepan; or a new
rubber ball on a nursery floor.

He had to!

He tucked up his front legs; he hopped on his hind legs; he stuck
out his tail for a balance-weight behind him; and he hopped
through the Darling Downs.

He had to!

Still ran Dingo--Tired-Dog Dingo--hungrier and hungrier, very
much bewildered, and wondering when in the world or out of it
would Old Man Kangaroo stop.

Then came Nqong from his bath in the salt-pans, and said, 'It's
five o'clock.'

Down sat Dingo--Poor Dog Dingo--always hungry, dusky in the
sunshine; hung out his tongue and howled.

Down sat Kangaroo--Old Man Kangaroo--stuck out his tail like a
milking-stool behind him, and said, 'Thank goodness that's
finished!'

Then said Nqong, who is always a gentleman, 'Why aren't you
grateful to Yellow-Dog Dingo? Why don't you thank him for all he
has done for you?'

Then said Kangaroo--Tired Old Kangaroo--He's chased me out of the
homes of my childhood; he's chased me out of my regular
meal-times; he's altered my shape so I'll never get it back; and
he's played Old Scratch with my legs.'

Then said Nqong, 'Perhaps I'm mistaken, but didn't you ask me to
make you different from all other animals, as well as to make you
very truly sought after? And now it is five o'clock.'

'Yes,' said Kangaroo. 'I wish that I hadn't. I thought you would
do it by charms and incantations, but this is a practical joke.'

'Joke!' said Nqong from his bath in the blue gums. 'Say that
again and I'll whistle up Dingo and run your hind legs off.'

'No,' said the Kangaroo. 'I must apologise. Legs are legs, and
you needn't alter 'em so far as I am concerned. I only meant to
explain to Your Lordliness that I've had nothing to eat since
morning, and I'm very empty indeed.'

'Yes,' said Dingo--Yellow-Dog Dingo,--'I am just in the same
situation. I've made him different from all other animals;
but what may I have for my tea?'

Then said Nqong from his bath in the salt-pan, 'Come and ask me

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