226 ON SURREY HILLS. 



demon horses against the sky-line. With loud bellow- 

 ing, a cow, having at her feet a three days' old calf, 

 comes in sight. The weak toddler is not able to move 

 very quickly, and the mother, trying the while to assist 

 and guide her calf with her nose, roars in agony as 

 she sees the fire drawing closer to her. " Go for her, 

 lads ! " is the cry. With a rush three of them break 

 through the burning cover, and lifting the calf in 

 their hands, bear it to a place of safety, the mother 

 following close behind. The sheep, in one drove, 

 irrespective of owners, rush up and over the crest of 

 the hill, down in the direction of the trout - stream. 

 Combined with the sound of axe and billhook, and 

 the beating of branches, come the cries of wild 

 creatures just ahead of the line of fire. "Don't let 

 'em suffer kill all that can't clear the fire ! " An act 

 of mercy, for the rabbits shriek with fear, while the 

 hares, bewildered with the smoke and flames, limp 

 about hither and thither. " Thrash 'em out lads ! " 

 "Give 'em a chance for their lives!" "Rouse 'em 

 up ! " are the cries. " Black game ahead. Thrash 

 'em off ! " " There they go ! " Two of these, dazed by 

 the fire, fly right at it. Caught in that sheet of flame 

 they drop like singed moths, to be at once despatched 



