The Brookhaven leader., 1883-09-27
OUTWITTING A BULL.

A few summers ago | was on visit
go IN old school-companion in Perth
shire. named John Grant, who was
factor to gentleman in the county.
He had lately married a cousin of mine,
and resided in a cottage picturesquely
situated near the river Tay. He was a
good-naturcd, kind-hearted fellow. and
n great favorite with all who knew
him.
Twas, and still am, engaged in bust
ness in Glasgow; but on receipt of nv
cousins initiation usually called
John ..cousin'--I hurried away from
its smoky purlieus, and was soon in
stalled under his hospitable roof. We
were both fond of fishing, and the proX-
unity of the Tay afforded every facility
for its indulgence. Some days after my
arrival | accompanied my cousin to see
n recent purchase, a magnificent bull,
brought home. All the people about
the place had turned out to see the ar
rival. 1t was large, powerful animal
Uf a brownish-red color, with pair of
splendid horns. Two men led it with
ropes. as it had already earned a repu-
tation for ferceness. 1t was let loose
in a field near the river, the fences of
which were deemed sufficiently trust
worthy.
One day not long after, my cousin
had. occasion to visit neighboring
market-town, promising to be back
early in the afternoon; and having seen
him canter off on his favorite chestnut
mare, repaired to the riverside witt
my rod, intending to kill time at all
events, whether l managed to kill any
thing else or not. Sauntering down
the footpath which skirted the field in
which the bull had been quartered, !
saw the animal quietly browsing at
some distance. Having heard or read
somewhere that bulls had an antipathv
10 the color red, determined to prove
hy experiment whether it was true
Standing on projecting stone of the
fence, on the SAFE side Of which stood,
] unfurled my red silk pocket-handker-
chief, and waved it in the breeze. 1t
was some time before his bovine majesty
noticed 1t; but alter n little, he
raised his head and looked at
the fiuttering rag. Presently,
curiosity impellcd him to take closer
view, and on he came at smart walk,
finally breaking into run. When
about fifty yards distant, he paused to
reconnoitcr; then, having apparently
made up his mind, he beloved loudly
and charged at full speed. Not wait
ing the actual onslaught, l put the
dangerous piece of silk into my pock-
ct, and continued my walk. The bull
followed me as far as the limits of the
field would allow, and when interrupt
ed by fence, stood gazing at me as l
retreated.
A short saunter brought me to the
river, where | was soon engaged watch
ING for indications of nibble At
that point, the river was about fifty
yards wide, and quite deep enough to
drown one; while the rapidity with
which leaves and bits of stick foated
past indicated Il considerable current.
About two hundred yards from where l
sood was a boat-house. in which were
usually kept few skifis, for fishing or
crossing to the other side. | whipped
the water as | slowly sauntered in that
direction, but with small success.
Lighting cigar, ! was about to make
myself comfortable in grassy nook of
the bank, when noise caused me
10 look round. To my surprise
and dismay, | saw that the bull had
somehow or other broken out of the
held, and was moving towards me-
fortunately, he was yet about four
hundred yards distant, and only walk
ing, but evidently highly excited. |
thought at first he did not see me,
owing to the swell of the bank; but be-
lore l could conceal myself, a loud bel
low warned me that l was recognized.
Not wishing to excite the brute by a
Precipitate retreat, began to walk
slowly in the direction of the boat
mousse. My dreadful pursuer followed
slowly at first, but, gradually augment
ing his pace, broke into run. | saw
at once that unless | ran also, my
chance OF reaching the boat-hOuse first
was small. |, therefore, set off at full
speed, thinking, in such circumstances,
qlscretlon was the better part of valor.
!, was, however, well aware that my
nasty flight was certain to draw the en-
ragged beast after me with even greater
'lgor than before; but l calculated on
reaching my goal first, and jumping
DOaU "HICu usually lay IHclc,
push of, and thus escape being impaled
on ms cruel horns. CHANGING over my
shoulder, l found, to my dismay, that
tne brute was rapidly gaining on me;
with couched head and elevated tail,
on he came like a whirlwind. Fling
ing away my rod, bent all my powers
10 the attainment of speed. Not dar-
ing to look round again, l heard the
rapid thud of his hoofs gradually get
t,hg louder. Eighty yards from
1ne boat-house! Frantic with apprehen-
Sion J strained every nerve. Fifty,
twenty yards, and the enraged demon
IS close at my heels! l reach the boat
mouse painting and breathless. The
door is shut-locked! There is no well
come boat lying at the side, in which /
mlgdt have escaped. Having no choice
ana no time for deliberation, l plunged
INTO the river, / waded in till it reached
my neck, then turned, and looked at the
ouu. To my great relief, he had not
entered the water, but stood glaring at
what was visible of me, apparently as
tonished at the sudden diminution of
my bulk. After giving vent to his dis
appointment BY paving the ground and
oellowing fiercely, he stood eyeing
me, evidently conscious that l was in