The next day they travelled a long distance. At about noon they came to a
part of the country which the Kangaroo said she well knew. "But we must
be careful," she added, "as we are very near Humans in this part."
As Dot was tired (for she had had to walk much more than usual) the
Kangaroo suggested that she should rest at the pretty spot they had
reached, whilst she herself went in search of Willy Wagtail. Dot had to
promise the Kangaroo over and over again, not to leave the spot during her
absence. She was afraid lest the little girl should get lost, like the
little Joey.
After many farewells, and much hopping back to give Dot warnings, and make
promises of returning soon, the Kangaroo went in search of Willy Wagtail;
and the little girl was left all alone.
Dot looked for a nice shady nook, in which to lie down and rest; and she
found the place so cheerful and pretty, that she was not afraid of being
alone. She was in the hollow of an old watercourse. It was rather like
an English forest glade, it was so open and grassy; and here and there
were pretty shrubs, and little hillocks and hollows. At first Dot thought
that she would sit on the branch of a huge tree that had but recently
fallen, and lay forlornly clothed in withered leaves; but opposite to this
dead giant of the Bush was a thick shrub with a decayed tree stump beside
it, that made a nice sheltered corner which she liked better. So Dot laid
herself down there, and in a few minutes she was fast asleep; though, as
she dropped off into the land of dreams, she thought how wonderfully quiet
that little glade was, and felt somewhat surprised to find no Bush
creatures to keep her company.
Some time before Dot woke, her dreams became confused and strange. There
seemed to be great crowds of them, and the murmur of many voices talking
together. As she gradually awakened, she realised that the voices were
real, and not a part of her dreams. There was a great hubbub, a fluttering
of wings, and rustling of leaves and grass. Through all this confusion,
odd sentences became clear to her drowsy senses. Such phrases as, "You'd
better perch here?" "This isn't your place!" "Go over there!" "No! no! I'm
sure I'm right! the Welcome Swallow says so." "Has anyone gone for the
opossum?" "He says the Court ought to be held at night!" "Don't make such
a noise or you will wake the prisoner!" "Who is to be the judge?" This
last enquiry provoked such a noise of diverse opinions, that Dot became
fully awake, and sitting up, gazed around with eyes full of astonishment.
When she had fallen asleep there had not been a creature near her; but now
she was literally hemmed in on every side by birds and small animals. The
branches of the fallen tree were covered with a feathered company, and in
the open space between it and Dot's nook, was a constantly increasing
crowd of larger birds, such as cranes, plover, duck, turkey-buzzards,
black swan, and amongst them a great grave Pelican. The animals were few,
and apparently came late. There was a little timid Wallaby, a Bandicoot,
some Kangaroo Rats, a shy Wombat who grumbled about the daylight, as also
did a Native Bear and an Opossum, who were really driven to the gathering
by a bevy of screaming parrots.
Dot was wide awake at once with delight. Nearly every creature she had
ever heard of seemed to be present, and the brilliant colours of the
parrots and parrakeets made the scene as gay as a rainbow in a summer
noonday sky.
"Oh! you darlings!" she said, "how good of you all to come and see me!"
This greeting from Dot caused an instant silence amongst the creatures,
and she could not help seeing that they looked very uncomfortable. There
was soon a faint whispering from bird to bird, which rose higher and
higher, until Dot made out that they were all saying, "She ought to be
told!" "You tell her!" "No, you tell her yourself, it's not my business!"
and every bird--for it was the birds who by reason of their larger numbers
took the lead in the proceedings--seemed to be trying to shift an
unpleasant task upon its neighbours.
Presently the solemn Pelican waddled forward and stood before Dot, saying
to the assemblage, "I will explain our presence." Addressing the little
girl it said, "We are here to place you on trial for the wrongs we Bush
creatures have suffered from the cruelties of White Humans. You will meet
with all fairness in your trial, as the proceedings will be conducted
according to the custom of your own Courts of justice. The Welcome
Swallow, having built its nest for three successive seasons under the
eaves of the Gabblegabble Court House, is deeply learned in human law
business, and will instruct us how to proceed. Your conviction will,
therefore, leave you no room for complaint so far as your trial is
concerned."
All the birds clapped their wings in applause at the conclusion of this
speech, and the Pelican was told by the Welcome Swallow that he should
plead as Prosecutor.
"What do you mean by 'Plead as Prosecutor?'" asked the Pelican gravely.
"You've got to get the prisoner convicted as guilty, whether she is so or
not," answered the Swallow, making a dart at a mosquito, which it ate with
relish.
"Oh!" said the Pelican, doubtfully; and all the creatures looked at one
another as if they didn't quite understand the justice of the arrangement.
"But," said the Pelican, hesitating a little, "suppose I don't think the
prisoner guilty? She seems very small, and harmless."
"That doesn't matter at all, you've got to get her made out as guilty by
the jury. It's good human law," snapped the Swallow, and all the creatures
said "OH!" "Now for the defence," said the Swallow briskly; "there ought
to be someone for that. Who is friendly with the Queen?"
"Who's the Queen?" asked all the creatures breathlessly.
"She's a bigger Human than the rest, and everybody's business is her
business, so she's always going to law."
"I know," said the Magpie, and she piped out six bars of "God save the
Queen."
"You are the one for the defence!" said the Swallow, quite delighted, as
were all the other creatures, at the Magpie's accomplishment; "you must
save the prisoner from the jury finding her guilty."
"But," objected the Magpie, "how can I, when only last fruit season my
brother, and two sisters, and six cousins were shot just because they ate
a few grapes?"
"That doesn't matter! you've got to get her off, I tell you!" said the
Swallow, irritably. "Go over there, and ask her what you are to say." So
the Magpie flew over to Dot's side, and she at once began to teach it the
rest of "God save the Queen."
"I like this game," Dot presently said to the Magpie.
"Do you?" said the Magpie with surprise. "It seems to me very slow, and
there's no sense in it."
"Why are the birds all perching together over there?" asked Dot, pointing
to a branch of the dead tree, "since they all hate one another and want to
get away. The Galahs have pecked the Butcher Bird twice in five minutes,
the Pee-weet keeps quarrelling with the Soldier Bird, and none of them can
bear the English Sparrow."
"The Swallow says that's the jury," answered the Magpie. "Their business
is to do just what they like with you when all the talking is done, and
whether they find you guilty or not, will depend on if they are tired, or
hungry, and feel cross; or if the trial lasts only a short time, and they
are pleased with the grubs that will be brought them presently."
"How funny," said Dot, not a bit alarmed at all these preparations for her
trial, for she loved all the creatures so much, that she could not think
that any of them wished to hurt her.
"If this is human law," said the Magpie, "it isn't funny at all; it is
mad, or wicked. Fancy my having to defend a Human!"
At this point of their conversation, the ill-feeling amongst the jury
broke out into open fighting, because the English Sparrow was a foreigner,
and they said that it would certainly sympathise with the Humans who had
brought it to Australia. This was just an excuse to get rid of it. The
Sparrow said that it wanted to go out of the jury, and had never wished to
belong to it, and flew away joyfully. Then all the rest of the jury
grumbled at the good luck of the Sparrow in getting out of the trial--for
they could see it picking up grass seed and enjoying itself greatly,
whilst they were all crowded together on one branch, and were feeling
hungry before the trial had even begun.
There was great suspense and quiet while the Judge was being chosen.
Although Dot had eaten the berries of understanding, it was generally
considered that, to be quite fair, the judge must be able to understand
human talk; and, amidst much clapping of wings, a large white Cockatoo was
appointed.
The Cockatoo lost no time in clambering "into position" on the stump near
Dot. "You're quite sure you understand human talk?" said the little
Wallaby to the Cockatoo. It was the first remark he had made, for he had
been quite bewildered by all the noise and fuss.
"My word! yes," replied the Cockatoo, who had been taught in a public
refreshment room. Then, thinking that he would give a display of his
learning, he elevated his sulphur crest and gabbled off, "Go to Jericho!
Twenty to one on the favourite! I'm your man! Now then, ma'am; hurry up,
don't keep the coach awaiting! Give 'um their 'eds, Bill! So long!
Ta-ra-ra, boom-di-ay! God save the Queen!"
All the creatures present looked gravely at Dot, to see what effect this
harangue in her own language would have upon her, and were somewhat
surprised to see her holding her little sides, and rolling about with
laughter.
The Cockatoo was quite annoyed at Dot's amusement. He fluffed out all his
feathers, and let off a scream that could have been heard a quarter of a
mile away. This seemed to impress every one with his importance, and the
whole Court became attentive to the proceedings.
At this moment the Swallow skimmed overhead, and having caught the words
"God save the Queen," called out, "That's the way to do it! keep that up"
and the Cockatoo, thinking that the Swallow meant him to scream still
more, set up another yell, which he continued until everyone felt deafened
by the noise.
"We have chosen quite the right Judge," said an elegant blue crane to a
wild duck; "he will make himself heard and respected." Whereat the
Cockatoo winked at the Crane, and said, "You bet I will!"
The Pelican now advanced to the space before the stump, and there was a
murmur of excitement, because it was about to open the trial by a recital
of wrongs done to the Bush creatures by white humanity.
Dot could not realise that she was being tried seriously, and was delighted
that the Pelican had come nearer to her stump, so that she had a better
view of him. She thought him such an old, old looking bird, with his big
bald head, and gigantic beak. She could not help thinking that his beak
must be too heavy for him, and asked if he would like to rest it on the
stump. The Pelican did not understand Dot's kindness, and gave her a look
of offended dignity that was quite withering; so Dot did not speak to him
again; but she longed to feel if the bag of skin that drooped under his
beak had anything in it. The Pelican's legs seemed to Dot to be too frail
and short to bear such a big bird, not to mention the immense beak; and,
when the creature stood on one leg only, she laughed; whereat the Pelican
gave her another offended look, which effectually prevented their becoming
friends.
The Pelican was beginning to open his beak to speak (and, being such a
large beak, opening it took some time), when the Welcome Swallow fussed
into court, and said that "nothing could be done until they had some
horsehair!"
This interruption, and the Swallow's repeated assurance that no human
trial of importance could take place without horsehair, set all the
creatures chattering with astonishment and questions. Some said the
Swallow was joking; others said that it was making senseless delays, and
that night would fall before they could bring the prisoner to justice.
There was much grumbling on all sides, and complaints of hunger, and the
jury began to clamour for the grubs that they had been promised, at which
the Magpie whispered to Dot that she certainly would be found guilty. The
fact was now quite clear to the jury before the trial began.
But the Swallow persisted that they must have horsehair.
"What for?" asked everyone, sulkily.
"Don't you see for yourselves," squeaked the Swallow, excitedly; "the
judge looks like a Cockatoo."
"Well, of course he does," said all the creatures. "He is a Cockatoo, so
he looks like one!"
"Yes," cried the Swallow, "but you must stick horsehairs on his head.
Human justice must be done with horsehair. The prisoner won't believe the
Cockatoo is a judge without. Good Gracious!" exclaimed the Swallow, "just
look! The prisoner is scratching the judge's poll! We really must have
horsehair!"
Dot, seeing the Swallow's indignation, drew away from the stump, and the
Cockatoo tried to look as if he had never seen her before, and as if the
idea of having his poll scratched by the prisoner was one that could never
have entered his head.
"But, if we do put horsehair on the Cockatoo's head," argued the creatures,
"what will it do?"
"It will impress the prisoner," said the Swallow.
"How?" they all asked curiously.
"Because the Cockatoo won't look like a Cockatoo," replied the Swallow,
with exasperation.
"Then what will he look like?" asked every creature in breathless
excitement.
"He won't look like any creature that ever lived," retorted the Swallow.
Perfect silence followed this explanation, for every bird and animal was
trying to understand human sense and reason. Then the smallest Kangaroo
Rat broke the stillness.
"If," said the Kangaroo Rat, "only a little horsehair can do that, surely
the prisoner can imagine the judge isn't a cockatoo, without our having to
wait for the horsehair. Let's get on with the trial."
This idea was received with applause, and the Swallow flew off in a huff;
whilst the Kookooburra, on a tree near the Court, softly laughed to
himself.
Once more the Pelican took up his position to open the trial. The Cockatoo
puffed himself out as big as he could, fluffed out his cheek feathers, and
half closed his eyes. His solemnly attentive attitude won the admiration
of all the court, and the absence of horsehair was not felt by anyone.
The Welcome Swallow, having got over its ill temper, returned to help the
proceedings; and the jury all put their heads under their wings, and went
to sleep.
"Fire away!" screamed the Cockatoo, and the trial began.
"My duty is a most painful one," said the Pelican; "for" ("whereas," said
the Swallow) "the prisoner known" ("named and described," added the
Swallow), "as Dot is now before you," ("to be tried, heard, determined and
adjudged," gabbled the Swallow) "on a charge of cruelty" ("and feloniously
killing and slaying," prompted the Swallow) "to birds and animals," ("the
term not applying to horse, mare, gelding, bull, ox, dog, cat, heifer,
steer, calf, mule, ass, sheep, lamb, hog, pig, sow, goat, or other
domestic animal," interposed in one breath the Swallow, quoting the
Cruelty to Animals Act) "she is" ("hereby," put in the Swallow) "brought
to trial on" ("divers," whispered the Swallow) "charges" ("hereinafter,"
said the Swallow) "to be named and described by the" ("aforesaid,"
interjected the Swallow) "birds and animals," ("hereinbefore mentioned,"
stated the Swallow) "the said animals being denizens of the Bush" ("and in
no wise relating to horse, mare, gelding, bull, ox--" began the Swallow
again, when the Cockatoo raised his crest, and screamed out "STOP THAT,
I TELL YOU!" and the Pelican continued stating the charge.) "Bush law"
("enacts," said the Swallow) "that" ("whereas," prompted the Swallow) "all
individual rights" ("whatsoever," put in the Swallow) "shall be according
to the statute Victoria--"
"Victoria! Twenty to one against the field," shouted the judge.
"Between you two," said the Pelican, looking angrily at the Swallow and
the Cockatoo, "I've forgotten everything I was going to say! I shan't
go on!"
"Never mind," said the Swallow cheerfully, "You've said quite enough, and
no one has understood a word of the charge, so it's all right. Now then
for the witnesses."
As the Swallow spoke, there was a great disturbance amongst the creatures.
The swan, ducks, cranes, and water fowl, besides honeysuckers, and many
other birds, were all fanning the air with their wings, and crying, "Turn
him out!" "Disgusting!" "I never heard of such a thing in my life! the
smell of it always gives me a headache!" and there was such a noise that
the jury all woke up, and Dot covered her ears with her hands. The
Cockatoo, seeing Dot's distress at the screams and hubbub, and thinking
that she wanted to say something, but could not make herself heard in the
general riot, decided to speak for her; so he screamed louder than all the
rest, and shouted, "Apples, oranges, pears, lemonade, cigarettes, AND
cigars! I say! what's the row?"
When quiet was restored, it was explained that the Opossum had brought
into Court a pouch full of gum leaves, which it was eating. It had also
given some to the Native Bear, and Wallaby, and in consequence the whole
air was laden with the odour of eucalyptus.
"Oh, dear!" said Dot, "it smells just like when I have a cold!"
"Eating eucalyptus leaves in Court is contempt of Court," cried the
Swallow and everyone echoed, "Contempt of Court! Contempt of Court! Turn
them out!"
"But they are witnesses," objected the Pelican.
"That doesn't matter!" shouted the Waterfowl, "It's a disgusting smell!
Turn them out!"
"Hurrah!" shouted the Wallaby, as it leaped off. "What luck!" laughed the
Opossum, as it cleared into the nearest tree. "I am glad," sighed the
Koala, as it slowly moved away; "that trial made my head feel empty."
"Well, there go three of the most important witnesses," grumbled the
Pelican.
"My eye, what a spree!" said the judge.
A Galah amongst the jury, wishing to be thought intelligent, enquired what
charge the Wallaby, Native Bear, and Opossum were to bear witness to.
"It is a matter of skins, included in the fur rugs clause, and the
wickedness known as 'Sport'," answered the Pelican.
Whilst the Pelican was making this explanation, the judge, who had been
longing to have his poll scratched again, sidled up to Dot, and whispered
softly, "Scratch Cockie's poll!" But, just as he was enjoying the
delicious sensation Dot's fingers produced amongst his neck feathers, as
he held his head down, the Pelican caught sight of the proceeding. The
Pelican said nothing, but stared at the judge with an eye of such
astonishment and stern contempt, that the Cockatoo Instantly remembered
that he was a judge, and, getting into a proper attitude, said hastily,
"Advance Australia! Who's the next witness?" And again the Kookooburra
laughed to himself on the tree.
"Fur first!" exclaimed a white Ibis. "Call the Platypus!"
"The Platypus won't come!" cried the Kangaroo Rat.
"Well, I never!" exclaimed the judge.
"It says that if a Court is held at all, it should be conducted by the
representative of Antediluvian custom, the most ancient and learned
creatures, such as the Iguana, the Snake, and Ornithorhyncus Paradoxus.
That it would prefer to associate with the meanest Troglodite, rather than
appear amongst the present company. I understood it to say," continued
the Kangaroo Rat, "that real law could only be understood by those deeply
learned in fossils."
"'Pon my word!" ejaculated the judge. "Shiver my timbers. What blooming
impudence!"
"Oh you naughty bird to use such words!" exclaimed Dot. But all the Court
murmured "How clever!" and the Cockatoo was pleased.
"Native Cat, next!" shouted the white Ibis. But at the first mention of
the Native Cat nearly every bird, and all the small game, prepared to get
away.
"Why don't you call the Dingo at once?" laughed the Kookooburra, who was
really keeping guard over Dot, although she did not know it. "Humans kill
Dingoes."
"The Dingo! The Dingo!" every creature repeated in horror and
consternation; and they all looked about in fear, while the Kookooburra
chuckled to himself at all the stir his words had made.
"It's quite true that animals and birds kill one another," said the Magpie,
who thought he ought to say something in Dot's defence, as that was his
part in the trial, "therefore it is the same nature that makes Humans kill
us. If it is the nature of Humans to kill, the same as it is the nature
of birds and animals to kill, where is the sense and justice of trying the
prisoner for what she can't help doing?"
"Good!" said the Welcome Swallow, "argued like a lawyer."
At this unexpected turn of the trial the Judge softly whistled to himself,
"Pop goes the weasel."
"Don't talk to us about nature and justice and sense," replied the Pelican,
contemptuously. "This is a Court of law, we have nothing to do with any
of them!"
The Court all cheered at this reply, and the Magpie subsided in the sulks.
"Call the Kangaroo!" cried the white Ibis.
"It's no good," jeered the Kookooburra.
"Kangaroo and Dot are great friends. She won't come if you called----"
"Till all's blue!" interrupted the judge and he went on with "Pop goes
the Weasel." This news caused a buzz of excitement. Everyone was
astounded that the Kangaroo, who had the heaviest grievances of all,
wouldn't appear against the prisoner.
"Is it possible," said the Pelican, addressing the Kookooburra in slow
stern accents, "Is it possible that the Kangaroo has forgiven all her
grievances?"
"All," said the Kookooburra.
"The hunting?" asked the Pelican.
"Yes," answered the Kookooburra.
"The rugs?"
"Yes."
"The boots?"
"Yes."
"And," said the Pelican, still more solemnly and slowly, while all the
Court listened in breathless attention, "and has she forgiven KANGAROO-TAIL
SOUP?"
"Yes! she's forgiven that too," answered the Kookooburra cheerfully.
"Then," said the Pelican, hotly, "I throw up the case," and he spread his
huge black wings, and flapped his way up into the sky and away.
"What a go!" said the judge; and he might have said more, only Dot could
not hear anything on account of the racket and confusion. The trial had
failed, and every creature was making all the noise it could, and
preparing to hurry away. In the middle of the turmoil, Dot's Kangaroo
bounded into the open space, panting with excitement and delight.
"Dot! Dot!" she cried, "I've found Willy Wagtail, and he knows your way!
Come along at once!" And, putting Dot in her pouch, the Kangaroo leaped
clean over the judge and carried her off!
