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As the opossums were the first of these animals whose habits became generally known to Europeans, we shall speak first of them; and it may be remarked, that although there are several species in the Australian countries resembling the true opossums, and are even called opossums, yet among naturalists the name is usually limited to the pouched animals of America.
They were sitting by the stream and in cracks among the rocks, puffing out their pouched throats like toy balloons and raising, a shrill, haunting chorus. Their thin voices intermingled in an insistent, unearthly refrain as if the spirits of the dead had come again to gibber by the pool. Even the scales and trills of Drusilla had ceased, so hot and close was the night.
Of this, too, there are several species. Crossing to Australia we find the pouched animals, as already observed, of several different and very dissimilar genera. Taking them in the usual order of mammalia, we have three kinds truly carnivorous. First, the Tasmanian wolf, a creature which possesses all the fierce attributes of his synonyme, and is, in fact, a wolf, only one who carries a pocket.
Fortunately his range is not extensive, as he is confined to the island of Van Dieman's Land, and has not been observed elsewhere. Only one species has been yet discovered. Another pouched animal, equally carnivorous, is the Ursine Opossum. This is a burrowing creature about the size of a badger, and of equally voracious habits.
The discretion and impartiality of the captain in this arduous part of his duty attracted universal admiration; and each gentleman having carefully pouched his share, the youthful president hemmed thrice, and the society became aware of a purposed speech. "Gentlemen!" began Clifford, and his main supporter, the sapient Augustus, shouted out, "Hear!"
I thanked him, and as I pouched it told him that I would have taken no Money at all for a service which every man is bound to render to his Fellow-creature, but that I was sorely pressed for Money. On this, he asked my name and belongings.
"But you understand that your services will not be required any longer." The constable took the coin and pouched it. "Do I understand, mum," he asked, with a droll stolidity, "that you're satisfied with the prisoner's story?" "Yes," returned Violet; "I am quite satisfied. You will not be wanted any more." The man took out a key from his pocket, and unlocked the handcuffs which confined my wrists.
That business paid him well, for when the rent of the ship was met, and the few men on it paid slaves they were chiefly he pocketed ten thousand pounds, while Biatt and I each pouched forty thousand, and Michael two thousand. Aye, to be sure, Michael was in it! He is in all I do, and is as good as men of ten times his birth and history. Michael will be a rich man one day.
Æsop pouched the currency on the flank where he carried his personal funds before his commercial instinct inspired him to seek out the motives actuating the volunteer peacemaker. Experience had taught him to beware of Greeks bearing gifts not of the gifts particularly, but of the Greeks.
"Whatever happened to them," she said, "they came back, Spanish, Portuguese, and English, back they came. I remember how Lucas de Ayllon came to look for the pearls of Cofachique " "Pearls!" said the children both at once. "Very good ones," said the Pelican, nodding her pouched beak; "as large as hazel nuts and with a luster like a wet beach at evening.
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