THE DAILY LIFE OF OUR FAEM. 163 



a cord to the rinor in his nose, to run over a small 

 wheel on the beam above, being weighted at the end, 

 so as to allow of his advancing and retiring at pleasure 

 to and from his manger. This was a large stone trough 

 laid upon a bed of masonry. The very moment he 

 found himself at liberty he worked his horns beneath 

 the trough, and threw it high in air with inconceivable 

 strength and savage temper. Dowu it came again, and 

 right upon the cord, pinning his nose to the ground ; 

 whereupon he blared and roared so fearfully that his 

 attendant, in a fright, managed to cut him loose and 

 get out again in time to avoid his resentment. Here, 

 then, was a pretty kettle of fish ! For the time, he 

 went positively mad. It was frightful to behold his 

 fury as he wreaked it upon everything within reach. 

 Fortunately there was little besides his bedding and 

 his victuals attainable. He had to be watched con- 

 tinuously, for fear he might manage to overthrow the 

 door ; but in a day or two he grew calmer, as he 

 got used to his lodgings ; and stealing his opportunity, 

 the herd-boy, having left the door so far open as to 

 allow of his hasty retreat in case of need, managed 

 to pounce upon the animal's tail, to which he clung 

 vigorously, until the beast, having exhausted himself 

 in the vain endeavour to get free, took a look round 

 of curious inspection ; whereupon the lad hooked him 

 cleverly with his rod, and the bovine brute was at 

 man's mercy again. He became mild enough on being 

 tied, and I trust now will not have to be done for with 

 a bullet, as I once was afraid. What other events 

 in the herd have occurred I must leave until next 

 time. 



Alack-a-day ! that one must needs write, sultry 



M 2 



