112 NOTES ON FIELDS AND CATTLE. 



it for several days. We were to blame that we had 

 not calculated better the rapidity with which the late 

 hot suns would turn its hue. There was clearly no 

 time now to be lost ; so, putting the pony's head 

 round, and holding the little fellow somewhat off the 

 saddle with my left arm, so as to prevent his being 

 strained or hurt, we made play to summon all hands, 

 the dear little grey seeming to realise our intention 

 by the pace at which she tore along the meadows, 

 while the child almost shrieked with delight and 

 laughter at being whirled along so rapidly through 

 the air. Out upon the word, and with a will, came 

 the reaper, under the strong impulse of the good- 

 tempered bailiff's arm, from the barn where it had 

 been standing ready put up for some time. The 

 fastest team — a pair of half-bred horses — was at- 

 tached. Three of the ablest mowers were sent in 

 advance to clear a path for the horses to tread 

 around the field, and a boy despatched to secure for 

 binding, &c, what spare people he could in the 

 neighbouring village. Two were all, however, that 

 he could enlist so late in the day. But at eleven 

 " by the chime " we were merrily at work. The 

 tilting-board the smart hands took it in turns to 

 clear. I had my share too. It is but first-rate 

 exercise after all, requiring some expertness to begin 

 with, but not nearly as hard as rowing stroke to the 

 College Eight was. It is so satisfactory to see the 

 sheaves glide off, delivered all handy and clean for 

 the tying. "Justo aristarum propriarum numero 

 absolvatur," as mine enemy Aldrich has all but 

 expressed it. 



