134 NATURE AND WOODCRAFT. 



goatlike legs of the Herdwicks ; and the flash 

 and metallic " click " of the shears are seen and 

 heard afar. 



Soon the scene is one of picturesque ani- 

 mation. A turf fire is lighted, and upon this 

 a pan of tar bubbles and boils. Standing by 

 it are the owner of the flock and the Parson. 

 They stamp the former's initials and smit marks 

 upon the sleek sheep just freed from their 

 cumbersome coats. The 'Squire goes round 

 among the Shearers and acts as " doctor." He 

 carries a small can containing salve and tar, 

 which he applies to the cuts accidentally made 

 in shearing. These snips are common, but arise 

 more frequently from the sheep's kicking than 

 from carelessness in the shearer. Two or three 

 girls rid the clippers of the stripped fleeces ; 

 and the latter, together with the fallen wool, 

 are placed upon the unhinged barn-doors by 

 two portly dames from down dale ; and are 

 then stowed away in the wool-loft. All the 

 flock is stripped. Then comes the banquet. 

 And such a one ! Huge rounds of beef, legs 

 of veal and mutton, quarters of lamb, hams, 

 and pies of every description ; there are sweet 

 puddings, and all things else in keeping. Then 



