314 THE ADIRONDACK. 



from the end of a gnarled log, and holes knocked 

 through them, into which axle-trees had been put strong 

 enough to bear a small house. A pair of immense 

 shafts were attached, near which was lying a single 

 yoke, which looked as if it were a good load for one man 

 to carry. After- puzzling my brain awhile in vain 

 conjectures as to what sort of monster this extraordinary 

 structure belonged to, I turned to the settler and inquir- 

 ed of him. He gave a low chuckle, as if enjoying 

 hugely some pleasant recollection ; then replied, " Why, 

 you see, that's for my bull. I was passing Johnson's 

 clearing one day, who had a big, savage bull. Now 

 this bull had, a few days before, come near killing him, 

 and he wanted to get rid of the brute, for he was afeard 

 of him. So he hollered to me, and asked me if I didn't 

 want to buy his bull. I told him yes. ' What'll you 

 give V said he. I put down a low figure. ' Take him,' 

 says he. I drove him hum, and he was as ugly a devil 

 as you'd want to see. Wall, I got this consarn made for 

 him, and put him in it, and worked him right down, 

 and I keep him worked down so that he is now tame as 

 a cow." " But what do you draw with him?" I asked. 

 " That heavy thing with those four round billets of wood 

 for wheels must be a load of itself over these rocks, and 



