Homesteading 



sunlight ; one was almost entirely white, the 

 other almost entirely black, and both had mag- 

 nificent horns and stood nearly as high as an 

 ordinary man. They seemed perfectly quiet, 

 but as they swung their great heads and sniffed 

 a little as they looked at Tom (who was standing 

 near), with that mildly inquisitive but almost 

 indescribable look in their great eyes so peculiar 

 to oxen, it was amusing to see that young man 

 hastily step back, to the evident amusement of 

 one of the bystanders. 



At this moment our attention was attracted 

 by a wagon loaded with lumber board, which 

 at some distance down the street had sunk into 

 the mud almost up to the axles. To it were 

 attached two struggling, plunging horses, which 

 their driver was vainly urging to further efforts. 



" Chance to try your bulls, Bob," remarked 

 a bystander to their owner, who, walking a few 

 steps towards the wagon, shouted to the driver : 



" Hello, boss ! unhitch your team and let my 

 bulls shift it for you." 



The man, who was seated on the top of his 

 load, turned round on hearing himself hailed, 

 paused for a few moments to take in the situa- 

 tion, then, briskly jumping down, began unhitch- 

 ing his horses. Meanwhile collars were quickly 

 put on the bulls, and their proprietor, taking 



42 



