178 WILD WHITE CATTLE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



a most determined manner, to free the captives. We 

 were obliged immediately to open the gates and release 

 the prisoners, for if we had not, the trap would have 

 been demolished in a few minutes. The same young 

 bull would never enter the trap again." 



We now walked through the park, all the time 

 gradually ascending, till we caught glimpses through 

 the trees of the white cattle lying down on the elevated 

 plateau described, considerably above us, and at the 

 distance of perhaps half a mile. We still walked quietly 

 on, till we got to a small grove of trees at the end of 

 the " Fox Knolls," from which we were shortly to 

 emerge in full view of the wild herd. Then my friend 

 and I got into and lay full length on the hay in the 

 bottom of the hay-cart ; the others walked, stooping, 

 behind, or on the far side, in a great measure concealed. 

 Harry Rough, the driver, walked on the side nearest to 

 the cattle ; for to the sight of him and his cart they are 

 more accustomed. The greatest caution is needful in 

 order to approach them. Strict silence was insisted 

 upon, and observed : and Michie bitterly complained 

 how difficult he found it to enforce this upon the 

 majority of those who came to see them, though it is 

 so evidently necessary in order to avoid sending the 

 cattle off at a gallop, to their own possible injury and 

 to the disappointment of the visitor. 



As it was, they were suspicious of us, gradually rose 

 up when we were about 300 yards distant, and quietly 

 drew off to a knoll a few hundred yards further off. 

 This would not do, and Michie told the driver not to 

 approach them so directly, but to take a somewhat 

 circuitous course by the side of the Fox Knolls, "as if 

 we were going to gather sticks." This they permitted, 



