Near the big rock they expertly set a fish-net in a rock hole clear as crystal. Then, chattering gaily, they slipped back into the reeds again in search of duck-eggs.

“We’ll roast the first nest and eat them ourselves,” laughed the straight-haired one.

“Yes, we’ll fill our own bellies first, for when we get back to camp they might be mean enough to take all the eggs as punishment for us slipping away.”

For quite a time they searched almost side by side, then edged a little apart, peering amongst the reeds for nests, happily ignorant of the gleaming eyes following their every movement. Had one turned abruptly she must have spied that hungry face glaring from the reeds, but they never dreamt of the stealthy hunter so close behind.

One bent down and cried, “Oh, I’ve found such a lovely nest! Come quick and see!”

“So have I!” called her mate. “It’s just full of fresh eggs. Come and see mine!”

He waited only a moment longer as the girls bent low in the reeds, now separated from one another, each calling to the other as she began putting the eggs one by one into her dilly-bag. Gripping his nulla, he stepped towards the nearer girl and gazed down at the lithe form reaching into the nest for the eggs. Lifting his club, he brought it smartly down with just the right force upon that thick mop of hair. She flopped down with her face in the nest, the cracked yellow of an egg welling from under her mouth. Instantly he took a wooden gag from his hair, pulled back her head, gripped it between her knees as he forced open the mouth, and slipped in the gag so as not to cut her tongue, swiftly knotting the cords of the gag round her neck. Bending, he whipped a thong from his belt and lashed her wrists behind her, dumping her then so that her head could not fall back into the water. It was done in a few moments and in almost complete silence. He stood up, peered out for the other girl, and stepped tigerishly forward.

“Where are you, Nareen?” she called as she stood up, having put the last egg in her bag. She turned round to look for her friend. He pulled the reeds well round him and waited. But she called, “Oh, here is the best nest of all!” and again dropped to her knees.

The reeds around her parted as Red Kangaroo towered over her with upraised club. A low, dull thud, and she fell forward into the water. With the same speed and deftness he gagged her and bound her wrists and ankles, then carried her out to the big rock. He returned for the second girl, who lay where she had dropped in an uncomfortable attitude, showing no sign of regaining consciousness yet. Swiftly he bound her ankles, then slung her over his shoulder, snatched his weapons, climbed up the big rock, which would leave no tracks, and vanished into the scrub. Wriggling like an eel with his burden so that no vine or bush would be displaced to betray his passing, he carried her deep into the gloomy scrub to the cave, then laid her carefully down. Her eyelids flickered; she stared up into his wolfish eyes. He grinned with a flash of teeth, made sure the thongs were secure, then hurried back for the other girl. She lay quietly in the mud where he had left her and, slinging her up on his shoulder, he carried her back to the cave.