418 BULLOCKS AND BUFFALOES 



is one of the most useful, as he is always one of the most 

 picturesque, creatures in the service of man. 



Our idea of any member of the bovine race is associated 

 with clumsiness. We can scarcelj^ imagine even a Jersey 

 heifer hitched to a trotting-sulky. But the working bul- 

 lock of India is not only quick and handy, but he is a 

 rapid walker; and the light-hitch bullock can go a very 

 lively gait. He moves as easily as a deer, and is safely 

 guided by his nose -ring bridle by throwing the single 

 rope-rein over to either side of his hump and giving it a 

 pull. I have seen a pair walking four and a half miles an 

 hour ; they can trot a seven or an eight mile gait, and 

 keep on doing it. They are really attractive animals, 

 with their placid, pleasant faces, sleek mouse -colored 

 hides, round bodies, and fine limbs ; and the hump, which 

 is on all cattle in India — which was there when Alexan- 

 der conquered the Punjaub — becomes a rather pleasing 

 incident in their outline when you get used to it. They 

 bear their yoke well, physically and morally, and are 

 equally good at traction and under a pack. The buffalo 

 — our buffalo is a bison, you remember — does the heavier 

 work, and is somewhat of a slouch, though strong and 

 patient. There are donkeys in many parts of India ; but 

 the ass is not all things to all men as the bullock is. 

 Droves of asses and bullocks mixed (you can hardly tell 

 them apart) work very amicably carrying stone, or grain, 

 or merchandise of any kind ; and the bhistie, or water- 

 carrier, is always a bullock or a buffalo. The small bul- 

 lock measures scarcely hig'her than the ass, and many are 

 no bigger than big dogs. A large number have the fine- 

 bred look you see in our choice cattle ; but in the south 

 they score fancy patterns all over thorn, much to the detri- 

 ment of their looks; and the driver is apt to be a "tail- 

 twister," and often permanently injures that appendage. 



