212 A FEROCIOUS BULL RECONCILED 



wild and ferocious^ that he was kept constantly 

 chamed, except when led to water^ &c. at which 

 time he was never suffered to be out of the hands 

 of a trusty person. This animal seemed to have 

 conceived a particular antipathy against the fanner's 

 brother, who assisted him in his business, and had 

 probably irritated him on some occasion, without 

 being aware of the consequences. He never saw 

 him approach the open shed in which he was kept, 

 without beginning to bellow most dreadfully, which 

 he continued as long as the object of his dislike was 

 in view ; at the same time tearing up the earth with 

 his horns, and showing every symptom of the utmost 

 aversion. On two occasions, while leading to water, 

 he very cunningly watched an opportunity, and en- 

 deavoured to make a sudden spring out of the hands 

 of his attendant at his enemy, who was standing in 

 the yard. 



While the bull was under the influence of hos- 

 tility and resentment, one of the most tremendous 

 thunder-storms ever remembered in this country oc- 

 curred. The lightning resembled sheets of fire, and 

 each flash was instantly succeeded by a thunder- 

 clap as loud as if a volley of ten thousand cannon 

 had been discharged. The piteous roarings of the 

 bull during this convulsion of the elements were 

 quite affecting. Being exposed in an open shed to 



