202 THE RECLUSE. 



of any person, the herd sets off at full gallop, and, at the 

 distance of two or three hundred yards, they make a wheel 

 round, and come boldly up again, tossing their heads in a 

 menacing manner; on a sudden they make a full stop, at 

 the distance of forty or fifty yards, looking wildly at the 

 object of their surprise ; but, upon the least motion being 

 made, they all again turn round and fly off with equal 

 speed, but not to the same distance ; forming a shorter 

 circle, and again returning with a bolder and more 

 threatening aspect than before, they approach much 

 nearer, probably within thirty yards, when they make 

 another stand, and again fly off; this they do several 

 times, shortening their distance, and advancing nearer, 

 till they come within ten yards ; when most people think 

 it prudent to leave them, not choosing to provoke them 

 further ; for there is little doubt but, in two or three turns 

 more, they would make an attack. 



The cows and calves partake of this jealous seclusion. 

 When the former bring forth, it is in some sequestered 

 thicket, where the calf is carefully concealed until it is 

 able to accompany its dam, who, till that time, visits it 

 regularly twice or thrice a day. Should accident bring a 

 person near the secret place, the calf immediately claps its 

 head upon the ground, and seeks concealment by lying 

 close like a hare in its form. A hidden calf of only two 

 days old, on being disturbed, manifested its inborn wild- 

 ness in a remarkable manner. On the stranger stroking 

 its head, it sprang to its feet, though very lean and very 

 weak, pawed two or three times like an old bull, bellowed 



