SETBACKS 71 



And so,when they arrived, I persuaded the farmer 

 to allow me to drive. 



How often had I admired the skill shown by 

 the wielders of the goad in managing their un- 

 wieldy charges. Some of those old-time farmers 

 were exceedingly graceful in using the goad. 

 How easily they would slide it across the shoulders 

 of the near ox and prod the off ox into activity. 

 So I fain would do; and when, after setting the 

 plough, the horny-handed yeoman grasped the 

 handles and signaled me to go ahead, I poised 

 the goad, made certain circular motions with it 

 in the air, and in deference to time-honored but 

 obsolete custom, vociferated, "Hubbuck thar, 

 huggolden, hibboad, whoa, heish " ; and they 

 settled into the yoke, and mellow sounds of rend- 

 ing earth followed. 



This was delightful, and at the end of the fur- 

 row I turned them under his instructions, and 

 started again across the field. Now I noticed 

 that the off ox was shirking and allowing his mate 

 to do most of the pulling, and to bring him up 

 even I slid the goad across the near ox's shoulder, 

 leaned my weight on it, and jabbed him power- 

 fully with the brad, at the same time letting 

 out a hoarse "Haw!" that waked the echoes. 



I have never known a draught animal to re- 

 spond so quickly to encouragement as did this one, 

 for the moment he felt the brad he bellowed 



