The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1874-11-20
THAT BRUTE OLE a. BULL.

IS, to drive in cattle. and horses that
had strayed beyond the limits Of the
run. This was very arduous work. in
volving many times n ride of FORTY or
fifty miles over a rough, uncultivated
country and was sometimes not alto
gether free from danger, as in the Ia,
stance am about to relate.
was driving home a mob of cattle
one day that had, got into a neighbours
run, some twelve or fourteen miles dis
tant. Ihad had q good deal of trouble
with them on account of the vicious
ness of an old brown lbnll- whose mn
ruly conduct infected ali the rest. They
had broken away from me several times.
and the old bull had once or twice at
tempted to rush me, and It was only by
the greatest exertion with my stock
whip that I was able 70 drive him off,
1t was getting pretty we'll on in the
afternoon when we drew toward the
station, and when we were still two or
three miles distant, feeling very fatigued
and the cattle now going on before me
quietly, dismounted By the side ofza
creek to rest for short time and par
take of some refreshments. which hith-
erto / had been too much occupied TO
do. I hobbled my horse and turned
him adrift, and he was soon busy max
ing dinner among the scrubby fax ami
tussocks-not luxurious feed, but the,
best that was then to be had. For my
own part, made hearty meal Of some
mutton and dannper I had brought with
me, which washed down with some
water from the creek and, when had
lighted my pipe and stretched myself
down among the tussocks, began to
feel comfortable, for, befGre long, with
out in the least intending it, I fell
asleep.
was awakened by the sound of
struggle neas nae. I started TO nv feet.
and behefs sight that filed me with
rage and indignation. A few yards be-
fore me on the ground, from which he
In vain attempted to rise, lay my horse,
with the old brown bull goring and but
ting him fiercely. -
Without considering what I did, I
made rush at the bull to drive him off;
but instead Of retreating he turned up
on me. had Just time to jump aside
and avoid his first chsrge-which, had
L received, would have made me a perma-
nent settler IN the colonies-when the
lnfuriated beast again made toward me.
This time I managed to get IN among
some serubby brush that grew near,
and lodged behind fax bush. We
kept this game mp for some time, and 1
began to feel it was growing serious.
The bushes were disgustingly small and
stunted, and formed a most insufficient
protection. Once or twice had been
grazed by the animals hosns, and the
lodging business was beginning to get
monotonous, not to say fatiguing. The
bull, however, was quite fresh, and
seemed determined to keep up the
sport, which he appeared rather to
enjoy.
L had allowed him to gel. between me
and my stock-whip, so that / had no
weapon to defend myself, but I man
aged to get hold of killadie from
among the flax, with which / hit him a
blow over the head, but for all the eff
feet it had, I might as we'll have hit
him with straw.
Clearly, this state of matters could
not last could not hope always to
dodge clear of the animal, and at this
game he was sure 20 have me in the
end, so BEGAN to look around for some
other means of escape. 1fE = f-..r E.
About distance of half a mile on
one side of me was q high fence COM
posed of sod and post ana rails, which
enclosed a large paddock, where the
sheep were driven IN the winter season.
when the snow was deep on the ranges
=
other side of this I was safe. An idea
occurred to mel pulled off my coat.
and when the, brute made his next
charge I threw it over his eyes.
/ did not wait to see the result of the
maneuver, but started off for the fence
The coat must have amused him for
some time but I had not gone half the
distance before I felt that he was in
hard pursuit. BE was gaining upon
me- / strained every nerve. Still he
seemed to come up, / did not dare to
look behind, but I felt he was close
upon me. Twas now within few yards
of the fenee-ene-d desperate effort and I
was safe. made a Tremendous spring.
and-found myself lying on my back at
the bottom of a ditch by the side Of The
fence, which ditch In my hurry had
overlooked, While the bull was locking
down upon me with q puzzled and in
jured expression upon bis. oountenance.
It was some time before could make
mp my mind whether my position was
now altered for the better. The bull
began to make frantic efforts to reach
me, but he, came far too near success
for it to be pleasant.
Seeing that his attempts were yain.
he desisted, and eontented himself with
glaring down upon me. So far, then,
was safe. But my position was a most
ignoble one. dared not try to regain
an upright position, for on the slightest
movement the bulls horns were threat
eningly lowered toward me. / tried, by
shouting at him, to drive him away
but as that oTly produced a renewal on
his part of the attempt TO ges me with
his horns I was soon obliged to desist.
I had often heard of the power Of the
human eve to overaWe savage animals,
and I fixed my eyes upon him in man.
ner that thought ought to have the
desired effect. But either this power
has been overrated, or the circumstances
were not favorable, for the bull regarded
nv efforts with perfect contempt.
FINALLY. / made up NY mind to remain
Quite still. IN the hopes that he would
soon get tired, and so leave me.
Bub the bull was a pertlnaoiOus bull,
and had evidently made mp his mind to
see the affair ont My position was
every moment getting more irksome,
and. beside, it was humilIating IN the
extreme a fact of which the bull
seemed perfectly aware, for he regarded
me with q contemptuous look that was
very provoking.
remain where I was till something oc-
curved 70 relieve me of the animals
I,rasence. I should be missed at the
Station before morning, and the worst
That eould happen was that might have
To remain as ] was all night, when some
of the men would be sure to come and
relieve me.
There are few things cannot make /
M nv mind to when / know they are /
inevitable, and though not a pleasant /
u f<,.,,otiva eoou made up mine to 1